Segmented Thrusting Ring for Uniform Tire Bead Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for building tires face instability and non-uniform axial thrusting rings, leading to imperfect air seals and non-repeatability in tire production due to varying fitting diameters, causing shape deformation and uneven axial thrust distribution.
Innovation Solution
A thrusting ring with a single body and multiple concentric annular contact portions that form a continuous surface, allowing for uniform pressure distribution across the bead, combined with a sealing ring that can accommodate various diameters and an elastic member to facilitate axial movement, ensuring a consistent airtight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thrusting ring is used to apply axial thrust to the sealing ring, then the sealing effect is improved, but the thrusting ring becomes unstable and deforms under load, causing non-uniform thrust distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The thrusting ring is segmented into multiple independent axial thrusting elements (first, second, third, and fourth thrusting rings) that are distributed circumferentially. Each element independently applies axial thrust to the sealing ring, preventing instability and deformation that would occur in a single continuous ring. This segmentation allows each element to be smaller and more stable while collectively providing uniform thrust distribution around the entire circumference.
2Productivity
If the carcass structure is radially expanded to couple with the crown structure, then the tire building process is simplified, but the process becomes non-repeatable due to varying fitting diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed with a conical surface that can accommodate different fitting diameters through parameter adjustment. The conical geometry allows the sealing ring to adapt to various radial dimensions of the carcass structure while maintaining proper sealing contact. This enables the same apparatus to reliably build tires with different fitting diameters by simply changing the sealing ring parameter, ensuring process repeatability across multiple tire sizes.
3Device complexity
If a single sealing ring is used to seal the entire bead circumference, then the structure is simplified, but uniform sealing pressure cannot be achieved across the entire circumferential development
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple independent sealing contact zones created by the first, second, third, and fourth thrusting rings. Each thrusting ring element applies localized axial thrust to create uniform sealing pressure at its specific circumferential position. This segmented approach ensures that pressure is evenly distributed around the entire bead circumference, preventing localized over-compression or under-sealing that would occur with a single concentrated thrusting element.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the thrusting ring is made thinner in the radial direction to accommodate different fitting diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the structural stability and thrust uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making a single thin thrusting ring to accommodate different diameters, the system segments the thrusting function into multiple smaller radial elements distributed circumferentially. Each individual thrusting element can be thinner and more flexible, yet collectively they provide the necessary structural stability and thrust uniformity. The segmented configuration allows each element to adapt to different fitting diameters while maintaining overall system stability through their distributed arrangement.
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
The solution provides a consistent and effective airtight seal during tire radial expansion, ensuring repeatable processes and uniform axial thrust across the entire circumferential development of the bead, regardless of the tire's fitting diameter, thereby improving tire production reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member to facilitate axial movement
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for building a tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a building drum (3) configured to support a carcass structure (100) of the tyre and a shaping device (12) configured to associate the carcass structure (100) with at least one belt structure (201) of the tyre, wherein the shaping device (12) comprises a thrusting ring (28) movable in an axial approaching relationship to the building drum (3) and at least one sealing ring (15) associated with said thrusting ring (28) and configured to act by thrusting against a bead (103c) of said carcass structure (100), wherein said thrusting ring (28) comprises a plurality of annular contact portions (29a-29d) with said at least one sealing ring (15) that are concentric and correspond to different fitting diameters of the tyre, said annular contact portions (29a-29d) defining a single continuous annular surface (30).