Multi-step Rotatable Bead Former for Tire Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire bead forming equipment is inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple machines or cumbersome adjustments to accommodate different bead types and sizes, as existing systems often require substantial modifications and long setup times for changing tooling.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable bead former with multiple steps of varying diameters and bead-engaging surfaces, allowing a single machine to form multiple bead types without changing tooling, featuring segmented and grooved surfaces for accommodating different bead dimensions and profiles, and integrated bores for gripper functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate machines are used to produce different bead types, then each machine can be optimized for its specific bead type, but the facility requires multiple machines increasing space, cost, and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The bead former is designed with multiple steps of varying diameters on a single device, allowing one machine to form multiple types of beads by selecting different steps. This eliminates the need for multiple separate machines while maintaining the capability to produce different bead types.
Solution Approach 2:
The bead former is divided into multiple discrete steps, each with a specific diameter for forming particular bead types. This segmentation allows the single former to accommodate various bead configurations without requiring complete machine replacement or major adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the former is removed and replaced to accommodate different bead types, then the machine can be adjusted to different bead specifications, but the process requires substantial time and increases production costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring former replacement, the invention integrates multiple former configurations into a single multi-step former. This allows operators to switch between bead types by selecting different steps on the same former, eliminating the time-consuming removal and replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-step former is pre-configured with multiple diameters and bead-engaging surfaces during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows immediate switching between bead types without requiring adjustment or replacement operations during production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing equipment is adjusted to accommodate different bead types, then some versatility is achieved, but substantial modifications to the machinery are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides a universal former design that inherently supports multiple bead types through its multi-step structure. This eliminates the need for substantial modifications to existing machinery, as the single former can be used across different production scenarios without alteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The bead former incorporates variable geometry with multiple steps that can accommodate different bead dimensions and profiles. This dynamic design allows the same former to adapt to various bead specifications without requiring mechanical modifications to the equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for forming a tire bead may include a rotatable bead former having a front portion and a back portion. The rotatable bead former may include a first step with a first diameter, the first step having at least a first bead-engaging surface circumnavigating an axis and configured to receive a first tire bead, and a second step located closer to the back portion than the first step, the second step having a second diameter different than the first diameter, and the second step having a second bead-engaging surface circumnavigating the axis and configured to receive a second tire bead.