Rubber Product Layering via Electron Beam Crosslinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing rubber products require frequent mold modifications or new mold creation due to shape changes, leading to high production costs and accuracy issues during machining when using molds larger than the product.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of uncrosslinked rubber powder treated with an adhesion prevention agent, layered and crosslinked using electron beam irradiation to form thin pieces that are stacked and bonded, eliminating the need for molds and enhancing manufacturing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a mold that matches the product shape is used, then manufacturing accuracy is improved, but mold modification cost and time increase when product shape changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct shape accuracyVSAvoidflexibility to shape changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber product is divided into multiple thin pieces or layers that are stacked and bonded together. Each layer can be independently formed and positioned, allowing the product shape to be changed by modifying only the digital model or layer arrangement rather than physically modifying a mold. This segmentation enables flexible adaptation to shape changes while maintaining manufacturing accuracy through precise layer-by-layer construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mold larger than the product is used, then adaptability to shape changes is improved, but manufacturing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to shape changesVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from three-dimensional mold-based manufacturing to a layered two-dimensional stacking approach. By forming and stacking multiple thin layers in the vertical dimension, the method achieves both adaptability (through digital model modifications) and precision (through controlled layer thickness and positioning). Each layer's thickness and position can be precisely controlled, ensuring dimensional accuracy without requiring a large, fixed mold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additive manufacturing without mold is used, then adaptability to shape changes is improved, but manufacturing accuracy deteriorates due to material adhesion issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to shape changesVSAvoidlayer bonding accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An adhesion prevention agent is introduced as an intermediary substance applied to the rubber powder before layer formation. This agent controls the adhesion properties of the rubber material, preventing unwanted bonding between powder particles while allowing controlled bonding between layers during the stacking process. This intermediary treatment ensures that layers bond accurately at their interfaces while maintaining the ability to position and align each layer precisely, thereby achieving both adaptability and manufacturing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach allows for flexible production of rubber products with high manufacturing accuracy without the need for molds, reducing production costs and improving adaptability to shape changes.

Implementation Method 1

a first crosslinking step of irradiating a portion of the layer of raw rubber powder with an electron beam according to a shape corresponding to the thin piece to crosslink the portion that is irradiated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron beam irradiation: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

an adhesion prevention treatment step of treating uncrosslinked rubber powder, which is a material of the rubber product, performed by coating the surface of the uncrosslinked rubber powder with an adhesion prevention agent, to prevent mutual adhesion of the uncrosslinked rubber powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion prevention: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3984743B1Method for shaping rubber product
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3984743B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984743B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3984743B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a rubber product by bonding thin pieces on a manufacturing table includes an adhesion prevention treatment step of treating uncrosslinked rubber powder to prevent mutual adhesion, a first raw rubber powder supply step of supplying raw rubber powder, treated for adhesion prevention, onto the surface of the manufacturing table, a first crosslinking step of irradiating with an electron beam to crosslink the irradiated portion, a post-treatment step of aligning the surface of the crosslinked portion with the surface of the manufacturing table, a second raw rubber powder supply step of supplying the raw rubber powder onto the surface of the manufacturing table, including the surface of the crosslinked portion, and a second crosslinking step of irradiating with an electron beam to crosslink the irradiated portion. The post-treatment, second raw rubber powder supply, and second crosslinking steps are sequentially repeated to bond the thin pieces.