Segmented Tire Clamping Device for Bead Ply Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance tire manufacturing faces challenges in eliminating ply turnup without using a solid core, which requires special equipment and slows down the tire-building process, especially when using larger diameter fabric cords.
Innovation Solution
A tire clamping device with radially biased segments and springs that form a ring in its closed position to clamp the bead area, allowing for the clamping of the ply between the bead columns during curing, eliminating the need for a solid core and preventing ply pullout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid core is used to eliminate ply turnup and support heavy cord tires, then tire construction quality improves, but equipment complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple segments (typically 4-6) that can independently move radially. Each segment has its own spring mechanism, allowing the device to clamp the bead area uniformly without requiring a solid core. This segmentation enables the clamping function to be distributed rather than centralized in a complex solid core structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential clamping function from the solid core and implements it through a separate, removable clamping device that engages with the bead area. This allows the clamping mechanism to be independent of the tire building machine's core structure, simplifying the overall equipment while maintaining the ability to prevent ply turnup.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a solid core is used to prevent ply movement during curing, then ply position stability improves, but manufacturing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device uses spring-loaded segments that can dynamically adjust to the bead area's shape and size. The segments are biased radially outward by springs, allowing automatic adaptation to different tire configurations. This dynamic clamping mechanism provides stable ply positioning without the inertia and complexity of a solid core, enabling faster tire building cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded segments automatically engage with the bead area when the clamping device is positioned, requiring no additional actuators or complex control systems. The springs provide the necessary clamping force automatically, allowing rapid deployment and removal of the clamping device, thus improving manufacturing speed while maintaining ply stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clamping device uses radially biased segments, then adaptability to different tire configurations improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device uses spring-loaded segments that can dynamically adjust to the bead area's shape and size. The segments are biased radially outward by springs, allowing automatic adaptation to different tire configurations. This dynamic clamping mechanism provides stable ply positioning without the inertia and complexity of a solid core, enabling faster tire building cycles.
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
Enables efficient tire curing without ply turnup, maintaining the ply position between the beads, and facilitating the use of heavy cords without the need for a solid core, thereby improving the tire-building process and reducing equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
each segment has at least two radially oriented springs
Implementation Method 2
the segments are biased radially outward, preferably resiliently biased radially outward, of the inner portion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is related to a clamping device (100) for clamping a bead of a tire. The clamping device (100) has a closed position and an open position and comprises an inner portion (130) and a plurality of segments (110, 112, 114, 116) connected to the inner portion (130). The plurality of segments (110, 112, 114, 116) each have a first and second outer surface, wherein the first outer surfaces are configured to join together to form a first ring, and the second outer surfaces are configured to join together to form a second ring when the clamping device (100) is in its closed position. Also, a tire mold for curing a pneumatic tire is disclosed comprising such a clamping device (100). The invention is also related to a method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area.