Molding Element Spacer for Tire Tread Groove Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing tire treads with flexible fences to reduce groove resonance suffer from productivity issues due to thickness variations between the insert and the molding element, leading to potential rubber flashing and incomplete contact, especially when anti-sticking coatings are used.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spacer made of materials like resin, elastomeric materials, or silicone that can withstand vulcanization pressure and temperature, which absorbs thickness differences between the insert and the molding element, ensuring proper fit and preventing rubber flashing by maintaining a gap between the spacer and the insert or groove forming rib portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an insert is used to form closing devices in a groove, then groove resonance is reduced, but thickness variations cause rubber flashing and incomplete contact
Solution Approach 1:
A compensating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the insert and the molding element. This compensating element absorbs thickness variations and ensures complete contact between molding elements, preventing rubber flashing while maintaining the groove resonance reduction function of the insert
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element is designed with variable thickness to actively compensate for thickness variations in the insert. By changing the thickness parameter of the compensating element, the total thickness (insert + compensating element) matches the recess depth, ensuring proper contact and eliminating manufacturing defects
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts form the insert, then flexibility is improved, but thickness accumulation variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating element serves as a mediator that absorbs the cumulative thickness variations resulting from multiple insert parts. It compensates for the accumulated variation, ensuring the total assembly thickness matches the recess depth and preventing manufacturing defects
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element is designed in advance to cushion against thickness variations before they cause problems. By pre-calculating and incorporating the necessary compensation, the design prevents rubber flashing and contact issues before they occur during molding
3Ease of manufacture
If anti-sticking coating is applied, then demolding is improved, but thickness control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating element acts as an intermediary that provides a buffer for thickness variations introduced by anti-sticking coatings. It absorbs the unpredictable thickness changes, allowing the use of anti-sticking coatings for easy demolding without compromising manufacturing precision
4Manufacturing precision
If insert thickness exceeds recess depth, then complete contact is achieved, but rubber flashing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating element's thickness is precisely controlled to ensure that the total thickness (insert + compensating element) exactly matches the recess depth. This parameter control achieves complete contact between molding elements while preventing rubber flashing by avoiding excessive thickness
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a molding element (1) for a mold used for manufacturing a tread (101) of a tire having a plurality of contacting elements (104) delimited by a plurality of grooves (103), the molding element (1) having a molding surface (21) for forming a contact face (102) of the contacting elements (104) intended to come into contact with ground during rolling and a groove forming rib portion (3) for forming the groove (103) between adjacent contacting elements (104) comprising two opposed rib side faces (31, 32) for forming two opposed groove side faces (1031, 1032) and a rib top face (33) connecting two rib side faces (31, 32) for forming a groove bottom (1033), the groove forming rib portion (3) comprising at least one space (39) opening to at least one of the rib side faces (31, 32) and/or to the rib top face (33) and an insert (5) being received in the space (39) for forming a portion of the groove (103) and a closing device (105) in the groove (103), the insert being received in the space (39) together with at least one spacer (7), the spacer (7) having at least two contact faces (77, 78) intended to be in contact with the insert (5) and/or a face of the groove forming rib portion (3) defining to the space (39).