Multi-Sensor Tire Belt Detection to Prevent Over-Buffing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire buffing machines are manually operated and prone to errors due to variations in tire casing size and shape, leading to potential damage or poor retread quality.
Innovation Solution
A tire buffing machine equipped with a belt detection apparatus and an electronic controller that uses multiple sensors to monitor belt depths and adjust the buffing process automatically, ensuring consistent buffing parameters across different tire casings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual operation is used for tire buffing, then operator skill determines the final product quality, but errors and damage occur due to variations in tire casing size and shape
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors belt depth during the buffing process using sensors and provides real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop allows the system to detect when the belt is exposed or at risk of exposure and automatically adjust buffing parameters or halt operation, preventing over-buffing and ensuring consistent results across varying tire casings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated system that uses electronic sensors, controllers, and computer vision technology to detect belt depth and control buffing parameters. This substitution eliminates human error and provides consistent, objective measurement and control throughout the buffing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard buffing parameters are applied to all tire casings, then the process is simple, but errors occur due to variable size and shape across brands and ages
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts buffing parameters based on real-time detection of tire casing characteristics and belt depth. Rather than using fixed standard parameters, the control system continuously adapts cut depth, buffer speed, and other parameters to match the specific conditions of each tire casing, maintaining precision across variable dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated detection and measurement of tire casing dimensions and belt depth, then uses this data to automatically change buffing parameters such as cut depth, buffer rotation speed, and feed rate. This parameter adaptation ensures accurate buffing results across different tire sizes, brands, and ages without manual intervention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the crown surface is overbuffed to remove excess rubber, then the belt package becomes exposed, but the tire casing is irrecoverably damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor belt depth during buffing and provides immediate feedback when the belt approaches the surface or becomes exposed. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to stop or adjust buffing operation at the precise moment when the belt is at risk of exposure, preventing damage before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of belt depth and casing characteristics before initiating buffing operations. By assessing the starting conditions in advance and programming appropriate safety margins into the buffing parameters, the system prevents over-buffing and belt exposure from occurring in the first place, rather than reacting after damage has occurred.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes a tire hub assembly selectively rotating a mounted casing, a buffer configured to buff the casing, a tire belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors to detect a first belt depth of one or more belts at a first lateral position in a tire casing and a second belt depth of the one or more belts at a second lateral position within the tire casing, and an electronic controller. The controller determines the first belt depth and the second belt depth using a belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors of the belt detection apparatus and adjusts the operation of the buffer based on the first belt depth or the second belt depth.