Molding Element Guiding Member for Tire Tread Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current molding processes for tire treads with connecting members are complex and inefficient, particularly in embedding connecting members between side faces of adjacent contacting elements, leading to suboptimal productivity and hydroplaning performance.

Innovation Solution

A molding element with a guiding member of lower modulus than the molding element, featuring a notching portion and guiding slit, allows for precise placement and easy removal of the connecting member during molding, while maintaining hydroplaning performance by preventing rubber flashing into the groove.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a connecting member is embedded in the contacting element to connect side faces of adjacent contacting elements, then noise performance is improved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is segmented into multiple molding elements, with specific molding elements having notching portions that allow connecting members to be embedded in the tread groove rather than in the contacting element itself. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining noise reduction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guiding member is introduced as an intermediary component with a guiding slit that receives and positions the connecting member during molding. The guiding member with lower modulus material facilitates easy placement and removal of the connecting member, simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the volume of the axial groove is reduced to decrease bending stiffness inhomogeneity, then noise performance is improved, but hydroplaning performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise performanceVSAvoidhydroplaning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tread structure is designed with different local characteristics: the groove volume is reduced in areas affecting bending stiffness (to improve noise performance), while connecting members are strategically placed to maintain hydroplaning performance by providing structural integrity where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a thin flexible wire molding element is used to mold sunken grooves, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to place connecting members connecting side faces of different contacting elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemolding simplicityVSAvoidconnecting member placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The molding element is designed with a notching portion that can be dynamically adjusted or removed to accommodate connecting members. The notching portion creates a cavity that receives the connecting member, allowing precise placement while maintaining the flexibility of the molding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A guiding member with a guiding slit acts as an intermediary between the molding element and the connecting member. The guiding slit precisely positions the connecting member during molding, ensuring accurate placement while simplifying the overall process through the guiding member's lower modulus material that allows easy insertion and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution improves manufacturing productivity by simplifying the embedding and removal of connecting members, maintaining hydroplaning performance, and reducing the complexity of the molding process.

Implementation Method 1

a guiding member made of a material different from a material of the molding element being received in the notching portion and has two opposite side faces configured to form a part of the side faces of the contacting element... said material of the guiding member having a modulus at 10% elongation lower than that of the molding element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3356104B1Molding element for manufacturing a noise reducing tread

Publication Date: 2021.12.01 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

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AI summary

Present invention provide a molding element for a mold used for manufacturing a tread of a tire having a plurality of contacting element, a plurality of grooves and a connecting member connecting two side faces of adjacent contacting elements, the molding element having a molding surface and a rib for forming the groove between adjacent contacting elements, at least two rib side faces, the rib having a notching portion, a guiding member made of a material different from a material of the molding element being received in the notching portion and has two opposite side faces and a top face, the material of the guiding member having a modulus at 10% elongation lower than that of the molding element, the guiding member having a guiding slit, the guiding member has a recessed area extending in a direction along the guiding slit on the top face and an outermost portion of the guiding slit is open in the recessed area.