Pulsating Nitrogen Valve for Tire Vulcanization Bellows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature differences within the heating bellows during tire vulcanization lead to uneven heating, reducing manufacturing quality and extending vulcanization time.

Innovation Solution

Pulsating nitrogen supply into the heating bellows creates a sawtooth-shaped pressure curve, disrupting temperature stratification by briefly closing and opening the nitrogen valve, ensuring homogeneous mixing of the heating medium and reducing temperature gradients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional continuous heating medium supply is used, then heating process is simple, but temperature stratification occurs causing uneven heating and reduced manufacturing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidheating control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by pulsating the heating medium supply through controlled opening and closing of the steam supply valve. This creates periodic pressure changes in the heating bellows that disrupt temperature stratification and promote uniform heat distribution throughout the tire blank, thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex additional equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If conventional continuous heating medium supply is used, then heating process is simple, but vulcanization time is extended due to temperature stratification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevulcanization timeVSAvoidvalve control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic opening and closing of the steam supply valve creates pulsating flow that continuously disrupts thermal stratification in the heating bellows. This ensures more uniform heat distribution to the tire blank, reducing the overall vulcanization time required to achieve proper curing, thus improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the heating medium supply by transitioning from continuous to pulsating flow. By controlling the valve opening/closing cycle and adjusting the duration and intensity of steam supply pulses, the system optimizes heat transfer efficiency and reduces vulcanization time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If nitrogen valve is frequently opened and closed, then homogeneous mixing is achieved, but energy loss increases due to pressure drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating homogeneityVSAvoidheating energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of pressure drops and condensation during valve closing into a beneficial phenomenon. The natural condensation that occurs when the valve closes creates a pressure differential that draws in fresh steam, maintaining the pulsating flow pattern. This approach achieves homogeneous heating while minimizing energy loss by utilizing the system's own condensation dynamics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This method achieves a uniform temperature distribution, shortening vulcanization time and enhancing the quality of vehicle tires produced.

Implementation Method 1

the pulsating supply of nitrogen into the interior of the heating bellows permanently disrupts the formation of temperature stratification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure fluctuations: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

This always results in a homogeneous mixing of the heating medium in the heating bellows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas mixing: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a flexible bellows is placed on the tire, which is exposed to a vaporous heating medium and in this way supplies the necessary vulcanization energy to the tire blank from the inside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor heating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

supplies the necessary vulcanization energy to the tire blank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

The constant impulse caused by the pulsating nitrogen input permanently disrupts the formation of layers in the heating bladder and thus leads to a more even, homogeneous temperature distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal homogenization: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2473339B1Method for vulcanising vehicle tires in a heating press
Publication Date: 2013.05.15 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2473339B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for vulcanizing vehicle tires using a heating press. In order to provide a method for vulcanizing vehicle tires, wherein vehicle tires can be produced at a high level of production quality, a method having the following steps is proposed: a) disposing a tire blank (2) in the heating press (1), b) feeding steam into the heating bellows (3), c) stopping the steam supply to the heating bellows (3), d) increasing the internal pressure in the heating bellows (3) to a predetermined target value by feeding nitrogen via a nitrogen feed line (6), e) holding the internal pressure constant at the predetermined target value, wherein at least temporarily for a certain amount of time a pulsating nitrogen inlet is introduced into the heating bellows by means of briefly opening and closing a valve (7) in the nitrogen feed line (6), which in turn significantly reduces temperature layering of the heating medium in the heating bellows (3), f) vulcanizing out the tire blank (2) and removing the vehicle tire from the heating press (1).