Segmented Tire Mold Blades for Continuous Tread Without Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire molds face issues with blade breakage during demolding due to strong forces exerted by rubber, especially at the transverse edges, and complex tread patterns require thinner blades that are prone to damage, leading to gaps in the tread pattern and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A tire mold design with interlocking and inclined laterally extending blades at the transverse edges, where blades at one segment interlock with those of the neighboring segment and are inclined at an angle less than half of the segment's arc angle, reducing forces and preventing blade breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If blades are positioned at the transverse edges of mold segments, then the tread pattern continuity is improved, but blade breakage probability increases due to strong forces from rubber movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by orienting blades at transverse edges at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the mold segment movement direction, rather than perpendicular to it. This asymmetric orientation reduces the force component acting on the blades during mold opening/closing while still enabling continuous tread patterns across segment boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating blade orientations based on their position: central blades are oriented perpendicular to the mold segment face, while transverse edge blades are oriented at reduced angles (e.g., 45 degrees). This localized differentiation optimizes each blade's performance according to its specific mechanical environment.
2Manufacturing precision
If thinner blades are used to increase blade density for complex tread patterns, then manufacturing precision is improved, but blade strength deteriorates leading to increased breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying blade thickness based on position: transverse edge blades are made thicker to withstand higher forces, while central blades can be thinner to achieve the desired blade density for complex tread patterns. This localized thickness variation allows high precision tread patterns without compromising overall blade strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (blade thickness, blade orientation angle) based on position within the mold segment. By adjusting these parameters locally, the patent achieves both high blade density for precision tread patterns and sufficient blade strength to prevent breakage during operation.
3Device complexity
If blades are oriented perpendicular to mold segment face, then blade simplicity is maintained, but force exposure increases causing more breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using different blade orientations for different positions: perpendicular orientation for central blades and reduced angles (e.g., 45 degrees) for transverse edge blades. This asymmetric approach maintains simplicity where possible while improving reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by adapting blade orientation to the local mechanical environment. Blades in high-stress transverse regions are oriented at angles that reduce force exposure, while blades in lower-stress central regions maintain perpendicular orientation for simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire tread mold which has a tread mold portion which is divided in into a plurality of mold segments having an inner face curved along the circumferential direction according to an arc angle α, each of the mold segments including laterally extending blades forming projections from their inner face; wherein the mold segments have a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion; wherein laterally extending blades of the central portion extend in the operating direction, and wherein laterally extending blades of the end portions are inclined blades that extend in a direction forming an angle β with the operating direction, with angle β being less than half of angle α.