Segmented Clamping Device for Tire Profile Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing clamping devices for tire building machines are complex to adjust, fail to apply uniform force over the entire width of heavily profiled tire components, and require manual correction, which affects cycle time and tread splice quality.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with multiple parallel clamping segments guided by adjacent elements, allowing independent movement and adjustment to match the tire component's profile, and a single actuator to apply a defined force, ensuring uniform clamping across the width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single clamping element is used to clamp tire components, then the structure is simple, but uniform clamping force cannot be achieved across the entire width of heavily profiled tire components
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is divided into multiple clamping segments (first clamping segment, second clamping segment, etc.) that can move independently relative to each other. Each segment can be adjusted separately to accommodate the profile contour of the tire component, allowing uniform clamping force to be applied across the entire clamping width even when the tire component has heavy profiles.
2Manufacturing precision
If clamping elements are adjusted manually to accommodate profile contours, then clamping force uniformity can be achieved, but the cycle time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping segments are designed to automatically adapt to the profile contour of the tire component through their independent movement capability. The segments self-adjust to the contour shape without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining uniform clamping force while eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing cycle time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple clamping segments are used to achieve uniform clamping, then the ability to handle heavily profiled tire components improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is segmented into multiple independently movable clamping segments that can each adapt to the profile contour. This segmentation provides the adaptability needed to handle heavily profiled tire components while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure based on standard guide element mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping segments are designed to be dynamically adjustable through independent movement in the first direction, allowing them to adapt to different profile contours. This dynamic capability enables the system to handle various tire component types including heavily profiled ones without requiring a completely complex fixed structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If clamping elements are made movable to adapt to profile contours, then adaptability to different tire components improves, but the risk of clamping segments shifting relative to each other increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping segments are received in guide elements that constrain their movement. The guide elements provide a nested structure where the clamping segments move within defined paths and boundaries, preventing them from shifting relative to each other while still allowing independent adjustment to match profile contours.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for a tire assembly system comprising at least: - a cutting strip (5) for placing a tire component (3); - a clamping element (K), wherein the clamping element (K) can be moved by an actuator in a first direction (R1) towards the cutting strip (5) for clamping a tire component (3) placed on the cutting strip (5).According to the invention, the clamping element (K) has several clamping segments (6) arranged parallel to each other, which are received in guide elements (7) arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the clamping segments (6) - in a released position guided by the respective guide elements (7) are individually movable in or against the first direction (R1), and - in a fixed position (FS) can be fixed in the guide elements (7) in such a way that, when the respective guide element (7) is adjusted in the first direction (R1), they are moved with a front face (6c) towards the cutting strip (5) to clamp a tire component (3) placed on the cutting strip (5) between the front face (6c) and the cutting strip (5).