Reinforced Tread Block Manufacturing Without Complex Tire Molds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing tires with reinforced tread pattern blocks are economically inefficient due to non-recyclable scrap production and require complex molds, limiting the flexibility of tread pattern geometry.

Innovation Solution

A method involving positioning a reinforcing ply within grooves of a rubber material, followed by hot moulding, allows the reinforcing ply to take an arch shape without a dedicated mould shape, enabling stiffening of tread pattern blocks while allowing for recyclable scrap and controlled thickness, thus simplifying and economizing the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a centralized manufacturing process with complementary mould shapes is used to embed a textile reinforcer in the tread, then the tread pattern blocks are stiffened to limit rocking, but the mould becomes complex and the tread pattern geometry is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness of tread pattern blocksVSAvoidcomplexity of mould

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing ply is segmented into discrete arch-shaped sections that are positioned within grooves in the tread. Each arch reinforces a specific tread pattern block, allowing independent positioning and simplifying the mould design compared to a monolithic reinforcing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves are pre-formed in the tread before the reinforcing ply is embedded. This preliminary action allows the reinforcing ply to be easily positioned and shaped without requiring complex mould features, as the grooves guide the placement and formation of the arch-shaped reinforcers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If a centralized manufacturing process with complementary mould shapes is used to embed a textile reinforcer in the tread, then the tread pattern blocks are stiffened, but the tread pattern geometry is imposed and limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestiffness of tread pattern blocksVSAvoidflexibility of tread pattern geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing structure is divided into separate arch-shaped plies that can be independently positioned in grooves. This segmentation allows the tread pattern geometry to be changed without redesigning a complex mould, as the grooves can be reconfigured to match different tread patterns while using the same arch-shaped reinforcing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement is applied locally in arch-shaped sections within specific grooves, rather than as a uniform structure. This allows different regions of the tread to have customized reinforcement patterns, enabling greater flexibility in tread design and geometry adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If scrap is produced during the assembly of composite semi-finished products, then material losses occur that cannot be reused, but using a simpler manufacturing method is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manufacturing methodVSAvoidnon-recyclable material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing method is designed to minimize scrap production and ensure that any scrap generated is recyclable. The grooves are formed in the tread material itself rather than requiring separate mould features, eliminating the need for complex mould wear parts that would generate non-recyclable scrap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The arch-shaped reinforcing plies are formed by positioning within grooves rather than by complex mould shaping. This copying approach, where the groove shape defines the reinforcer shape, simplifies manufacturing and reduces scrap, as the grooves can be formed using standard tread manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 effectively stiffens tread pattern blocks, improving tire behavior and wear without the need for complex molds, while ensuring recyclability of scrap materials, resulting in a more economical and efficient tire manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

Crosslinking the tyre based on uncured rubber material while hot moulding the latter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking:

Implementation Method 2

Crosslinking the tyre based on uncured rubber material while hot moulding the latter, with the reinforcing ply being pushed against the bottom of the grooves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHot moulding:

Data Source

PatentUS11999121B2Method for manufacturing a tire with reinforced tread blocks

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a tire (1) comprises a step of positioning a reinforcing ply (9) in a rubber material having grooves (6a) such that the reinforcing ply (9) extends through the grooves (6a), and of crosslinking the tire (1) based on uncured rubber material while hot moulding the latter, with the reinforcing ply (9) being pushed against the bottom of the grooves (6a).