Tire Belt Assembly Transfer for Cylindrical and Toroidal Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to efficiently produce both cylindrical and toroidal shaped belt assemblies for vehicle tires using the same building device, particularly in high-performance tires, due to difficulties in automatically joining belt layers on toroidal forming drums.
Innovation Solution
A method that builds a crossed belt structure on a cylindrical forming drum, allowing for both cylindrical and toroidal shaping by using the same device, involving the transfer of a toroidally shaped crossed belt structure to a second forming drum for zero degrees belt layer deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a toroidal forming drum is used to build belt assemblies, then the belt assembly can be shaped to match the final tyre profile, but automatic joining of belt layers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into two independent stages: first building the crossed belt structure on a cylindrical drum where automatic joining is easy, then transferring to a toroidal drum for shaping and adding the zero degrees belt layer. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossed belt structure is built in advance on a cylindrical forming drum where automatic joining operations are straightforward. This preliminary action prepares the belt structure before it is transferred to the toroidal drum for final shaping and completion.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate building devices are used for cylindrical and toroidal belt assemblies, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of devices and space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical forming drum is designed to serve dual purposes: building the crossed belt structure and subsequently transferring it for toroidal shaping. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of devices needed while maintaining optimization for each specific operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the cylindrical and toroidal forming drums, enabling the crossed belt structure to be moved from one drum to the other. This intermediary component allows a single building device to handle both cylindrical and toroidal belt assembly production.
3Ease of operation
If manual joining methods are used for belt layers on toroidal drums, then joining can be achieved, but production efficiency and cycle time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The belt assembly process is segmented into two stages: automatic joining of crossed belt layers on a cylindrical drum, and subsequent toroidal shaping with zero degrees belt layer addition. This segmentation preserves automatic joining capabilities while achieving toroidal shaping.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossed belt structure is preliminarily built with automatic joining operations on a cylindrical drum before transfer to the toroidal drum. This preliminary automatic joining maintains high production efficiency while enabling subsequent toroidal shaping operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for building belt assemblies for tyres for vehicle wheels is described. The method includes building a crossed belt structure on a forming drum. Depending on the type of tyre to be produced, the method selects whether to build a belt assembly having a cylindrical shaping or a belt assembly having a toroidal shaping. In order to build a belt assembly having a cylindrical shaping, a zero degrees belt layer is deposited on the forming drum in a radially outer position with respect to the crossed belt structure. In order to build a belt assembly having a toroidal shaping, the crossed belt structure is picked up from the forming drum. The crossed belt structure is then toroidally shaped and transferred onto another forming drum. A zero degrees belt layer is then deposited on the other forming drum in a radially outer position with respect to the toroidally shaped crossed belt structure.