Removable Plate Insert for Tyre Mould QR Code Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

The periodic replacement of inserts in vulcanizing moulds for tyres is costly due to the need to update information such as QR codes on the sidewalls, which requires changing the entire sidewall plate, and there is a need to minimize material replacement while maintaining the integrity and resistance of the tyre.

Innovation Solution

An insert with a removably coupled plate that carries the information to be moulded on the tyre sidewall, allowing for easy replacement of the plate instead of the entire insert, featuring projections and recesses that form a QR code, and a design that enhances sealing and prevents elastomeric compound tearing during tyre removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the entire sidewall plate is replaced to update QR code information, then the information accuracy is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall plate is segmented into a permanent support structure and a removable information-carrying plate. The removable plate contains the QR code projections and can be independently replaced without replacing the entire sidewall plate, thus reducing material waste and production costs while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information-carrying component (projections forming QR code) is extracted from the permanent sidewall plate and placed on a separate removable plate. This allows the information element to be updated independently, minimizing material replacement and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If the entire insert is replaced to update QR code information, then the information accuracy is improved, but the time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is segmented into a permanent support structure and a removable information-carrying plate. The removable plate can be quickly detached and replaced without disturbing the permanent structure, significantly reducing the time required for information updates compared to replacing the entire insert.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple information plates can be prepared in advance with different QR code configurations. When an update is needed, a pre-prepared plate is simply swapped in, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site manufacturing or modification of the entire insert.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If the plate is made thinner to reduce material usage, then the production cost is reduced, but the sealing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plate has non-uniform thickness with localized thicker regions (raised portions) at critical sealing locations. This allows the plate to maintain adequate sealing performance at key interfaces while keeping the overall material usage and cost low in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The plate is made of metal material providing both structural support and sealing function. The strategic placement of thicker metal regions creates a composite-like structure with optimized properties: thin in non-critical areas for cost reduction, thick in critical areas for sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3983214B1Insert for a mould for vulcanising tyres for vehicle wheels
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP3983214B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3983214B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an insert (10) for a mould for vulcanising tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising: • - a main body (11) arranged to be received in a seat (5) formed on a moulding surface (4) of the mould (1), • - a base surface (12a) arranged to integrate the moulding surface (4) in the region of the seat (5) when the main body (11) is received in the seat, and • - a plurality of projections (20) and/or recesses formed on the base surface (12a) on the opposite side to the main body (11). At least one part of the base surface (12a) and of the plurality of projections (20) and/or recesses is defined on a plate (12) removably applied to the main body (11). The invention also relates to a method for producing said insert and a method for producing a tyre.