Parallelepiped Formwork Modules from Recycled Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recycling used pneumatic tires are costly and inefficient due to high processing requirements, particularly for high iron content materials, and manual construction methods for tire-based structures are time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method to transform used pneumatic tires into modular, substantially parallelepiped formwork modules with a simple, energy-efficient process involving cutting, pressing, and heat treatment to create strong, easily assembled formworks with a square cross-section, which can be quickly and inexpensively produced using commercially available equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If used pneumatic tires are recycled through conventional methods (mincing, milling, iron removing, cleaning), then the rubber material can be recovered, but the processing costs are high due to the complex multi-step process and high iron content treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the tire recycling process into two distinct approaches: (1) a simplified mechanical process for tires with low iron content (cutting, pressing, heating, cooling) and (2) an electrothermic process for tires with high iron content. This segmentation allows optimization of the process complexity based on the specific characteristics of the input material, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining recovery effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the processing parameters (temperature, pressure, time) based on the iron content of the tires. For low iron content tires, a milder thermal process is used, while for high iron content tires, electrothermic heating with specific temperature control is applied. This parameter adaptation reduces unnecessary processing complexity for each case.
2Strength
If TIRE LOGS are constructed manually by removing side parts and spirally winding remaining rubber parts, then flexible and strong building modules with good structural properties are achieved, but the construction time and making costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming the tire rubber parts into standardized parallelepiped modules with integrated connection features before assembly. The cutting, pressing, and heating steps prepare the modules in advance with precise geometry and locking mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual shaping and winding during construction, thus dramatically increasing construction speed while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical construction process with an automated system that uses cutting machines, pressing devices, and heating apparatus to form modules. This substitution of manual labor with automated mechanical systems increases productivity while the designed connection features (uprights, locking elements) ensure the required structural strength.
3Temperature
If passive solar houses are constructed with pressed sand and cement walls at tire ends, then thermal mass effect is achieved for temperature regulation, but the construction requires fully manual manner with high making costs and times
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal module design where the parallelepiped formwork modules can serve multiple functions: structural support, formwork for concrete pouring, and thermal mass components. The same module that provides structural integrity also serves as the thermal mass element when filled with concrete or masonry, eliminating the need for separate manual construction of thermal mass walls and reducing overall construction complexity.
4Productivity
If used pneumatic tires are transformed into modular formworks with simple cutting, pressing, and heat treatment, then cost-effective and quickly produced formworks are achieved, but the processing requires specific equipment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple processing functions into integrated equipment operations. The cutting device simultaneously creates the basic geometry and preparation for pressing; the pressing device combines compression and shaping; the heating device performs both thermal treatment and shape stabilization. This merging of functions into sequential integrated operations simplifies equipment operation while maintaining high production speed.
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
The method enables rapid, cost-effective, and minimally polluting conversion of tires into strong, modular formworks that can be easily assembled and used for building constructions, containment walls, and anti-seismic foundations, reducing processing costs and construction time.
Implementation Method 1
cooking means, in particular a cooking oven, which are adapted to heat and stabilize the rubber material at elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
cooling means, in particular a basket or drum, which are adapted to cool the thus heated and deformed pneumatic tire
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for making substantially parallelepiped square cross-section formwork modules for building constructions, cut-off walls, embankments, dams, anti-erosion and anti-seismic foundations and/or the like, starting from used pneumatic tires, comprising at least the steps of: a) providing a used pneumatic tire deriving both from a periodic replacement of worn tires or from the rubber industry wastes or from the recovering of used pneumatic tires; b) removing from said pneumatic tire the two wall iron beads; c) performing cuts at diametrically opposite positions on the edges, said cuts defining cut-out regions separated by a middle solid region of the tire wall; d) removably mounting said pneumatic tire on basket-drum supporting means; e) pressing in diametrical directions towards a center of said pneumatic tire the pneumatic tire tread portions near said cuts thereby causing said tire to assume a substantially parallelepiped configuration, preferably of a square cross-section; f) pressing the corner regions of said substantially square configuration toward the center of said pneumatic tire and simultaneously continuing said pressing step thereby defining, at said cuts, hollow ribs of a substantially U-shape substantially extending through the overall width of said pneumatic tire, from a wall to the other wall of said pneumatic tire; g) providing a plurality of locking elements for locking the arms of each said rib and related connecting means; h) providing a corresponding plurality of substantially laminar flat upright elements; i) locking the arms of the U hollow rib of each said rib and simultaneously locking to each outer wall of each arm of said U of the two walls of each said rib a respective pair of said upright elements; I) introducing the pneumatic tire having assumed said substantially parallelepiped configuration, and supported by said supporting means, into a heating and/or cooking oven; m) withdrawing the pneumatic tire from said oven and cooling it to definitively fix said substantially parallelepiped configuration.