Expandable Rim Width Insert for Tire Retreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Expandable rims in tire retreading machines have a fixed width, making them unsuitable for processing tires of varying widths, requiring costly adjustments that render the rims unusable for their original width, necessitating the purchase of multiple rim widths for different production runs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves attaching adapters or inserts to the flange segments of the expandable rim's shoes, altering the rim's width by modifying the circular curvature of the adapters to match the curvature of the rim portion, allowing for a different resulting rim width than the original, enabling the mounting of tires of various widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rim width is fixed for a given machine, then the rim structure is simple and stable, but it cannot process tires of varying widths
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is divided into modular components: a base rim structure and interchangeable width inserts. Each width insert is a separate module that can be attached to modify the overall rim width, allowing the same base rim to accommodate multiple tire widths without redesigning the entire rim structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A single rim assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by accepting different width inserts. The universal base rim structure can be configured with various inserts to process different tire widths, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated rims for different tire sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rim width is adjusted by cutting and welding, then the rim width can be changed, but the rim is permanently altered and becomes unusable for its original width
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently modifying the rim structure through cutting and welding, the solution segments the width adjustment function into removable inserts. These inserts attach to the rim without altering the rim's base structure, preserving its original configuration and integrity for future use with different tire widths.
Solution Approach 2:
Width inserts serve as intermediary components between the rim and the tire bead. These inserts modify the effective rim width for tire mounting while acting as a temporary, reversible modification rather than a permanent structural change to the rim itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rims of different widths are purchased for different production runs, then tire processing versatility is achieved, but equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
One universal rim assembly with interchangeable width inserts replaces the need for multiple dedicated rims. The same base rim can be reconfigured for different tire widths by swapping inserts, reducing the total number of rims needed from several to just one base rim plus various inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding or storing multiple rims for different tire widths, the system recovers and reuses a single base rim repeatedly. The width inserts are discarded or replaced as needed, but the expensive base rim structure is retained and reused across different production runs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for retreading tires includes a rotatable hub and an expandable rim disposed around the moveable hub. The expandable rim includes a plurality of shoes, each shoe having a flange segment on either side of a rim segment of the plurality of shoes. An adapter is attached to each of the flange segments such that an expandable rim width is decreased. A method for modifying a width of an expandable rim for use in a tire retreading machine comprising is also disclosed.