Rotating Centering Device for Tire Apex Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of domed tire apexes faces issues with centering accuracy due to the accumulation of semifinished products on the centering table, leading to off-center formation, slow production rates, limited batch storage, and mechanical fatigue of the centering table's components.
Innovation Solution
A centering device with rotatable centering elements, where the first centering element is fixed to rotate about a first axis and the second centering element is fixed to rotate about a second axis, offset from the first, allowing joint centering of the semifinished tire product and its interlayer with respect to a main centering axis, using a kinematic dependence for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If semifinished products are accumulated on the centering table to form batches, then batch storage capacity is improved, but centering accuracy deteriorates due to off-center formation
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is divided into two independent centering elements: a first centering element that centers the semifinished tire product, and a second centering element that centers the interlayer. Each element operates independently with its own rotation axis, allowing separate centering operations that prevent cumulative positioning errors and maintain accuracy even during batch production.
Solution Approach 2:
The first centering element acts as an intermediary between the second centering element and the semifinished tire product. The second centering element centers the interlayer relative to the first centering element, which in turn is centered relative to the main centering axis, creating a hierarchical centering system that maintains precision through multiple stages.
2Productivity
If successive pressing operations are performed to form domed tire apexes, then production rate is improved, but mechanical fatigue of centering table components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing and centering operations are segmented into independent modular units. Each centering element can be actuated independently, and the pressing operation is separated from the centering function, allowing the centering mechanism to remain stationary while only the pressing components move, thereby reducing cumulative mechanical stress on the centering table structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering elements are designed with rotational degrees of freedom, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position during the pressing operation. This dynamic capability enables the centering mechanism to accommodate pressing forces without transmitting excessive stress to the fixed centering table components, extending their service life.
3Ease of operation
If one operator monitors and discharges batches, then operator burden is reduced, but production rate is limited by batch size
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device incorporates automatic centering capabilities through its two rotatable centering elements that can be actuated by automated systems. This self-centering function reduces the need for manual intervention and monitoring, allowing operators to manage larger batches without increased burden, thereby increasing overall production rate while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
The present invention relates, inter alia, to a centering device (4) for centering a semifinished tire product (2) and an interlayer (3) of the semifinished tire product (2) on a centering system (1), the centering device (4) comprising: - a support (40) intended to be secured to the centering system (1), - a first centering element (41) that is fixed to the support (40) in a rotatable manner and is configured to center the semifinished tire product (2), - a second centering element (42) that is fixed to the first centering element (41) in a rotatable manner and is configured to center the interlayer (3) of the semifinished tire product (2). The invention relates to a centering system comprising such centering devices, to a centering table comprising such a centering system, and to a method for manufacturing such a semifinished tire product