Pivoting Fork for Vulcanized Tire Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire handling devices for tire curing presses are complex, heavy, and costly, requiring high energy consumption, and are not optimized for the less precise handling of vulcanized tires during unloading, which complicates their maintenance and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A tire handling device featuring a fork that can move vertically and pivot horizontally, with a U-shaped, C-shaped, or V-shaped design, allowing it to wrap around the central mechanism of the tire curing press, providing secure support and accommodating various tire sizes, and utilizing a vertical drive and pivoting mechanism for efficient tire handling without the need for complex synchronization with the clamping system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex gripper-based handling devices are used to clamp and pick up tires from the inside, then tire handling functionality is achieved, but device weight increases and manufacturing complexity rises
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is divided into a stationary base structure and a movable fork assembly that can be independently positioned and operated, allowing the heavy base to remain fixed while only the lighter fork moves during tire handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential tire handling function from complex internal clamping mechanisms and replaces it with a simple external fork structure that supports the tire from below, eliminating the need for heavy grippers while maintaining effective tire manipulation
2Reliability
If heavy handling devices are used to ensure secure tire support, then tire handling reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to moving heavy weights
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the support function (performed by the stationary base) from the movement function (performed by the lighter fork assembly), allowing reliable tire support without requiring the entire support structure to be moved, thereby reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The fork design replicates the essential support function of complex gripper systems but uses a simplified geometric form that achieves the same reliability with significantly reduced mass and energy requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If complex synchronized handling devices are used for precise tire manipulation, then tire handling precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handling process is segmented into distinct phases (fork insertion, tire engagement, tire lifting, tire removal) that can be executed sequentially with simple movements, eliminating the need for complex synchronized multi-axis coordination while maintaining precise tire manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanisms to precisely control tire movement from above, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple fork that passively supports the tire from below, allowing precise handling through straightforward vertical and horizontal movements rather than complex coordinated control
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for handling tyres, as well as a tyre curing press comprising a device of this type. The device according to the invention for handling tyres comprises a fork which can be moved under a vulcanised tyre in a tyre curing press, such that the tyre can be taken up by the fork and unloaded from the vulcanisation chamber of the tyre curing press. The invention also relates to advantageous embodiments of the device for handling tyres and of a tyre curing press comprising a device of this type for handling tyres.