Force-Controlled Tire Blank Deburring With a Manual Blade

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current deburring of tire blanks, particularly the treads, is manually performed, which is inefficient and leaves residues, necessitating an improved automated method.

Innovation Solution

A tire blank deburring device, equipped with a torque sensor and tool holder, guides a manual blade in a force-controlled manner to automate the deburring process, allowing the use of existing manual blades in an automated system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual deburring is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but productivity is low and manufacturing precision is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeburring efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A torque sensor is introduced as an intermediary between the drive system and the blade to enable force-controlled deburring. The torque sensor measures the cutting force in real-time and provides feedback to the control unit, allowing automated operation while maintaining the simplicity of the manual blade design. This resolves the contradiction by automating the process (improving productivity) without requiring a completely new blade system (limiting device complexity increase).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives torque sensor signals and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the blade's engagement with the tire blank. The feedback mechanism enables precise control of the deburring force, ensuring consistent cutting quality and preventing blade jamming or excessive material removal. This feedback loop achieves high productivity and precision while keeping the mechanical system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated deburring is implemented, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate without proper force control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated deburring speedVSAvoiddeburring quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The torque sensor provides real-time feedback on the cutting force, allowing the control unit to maintain optimal deburring conditions automatically. When the blade encounters varying material density or burr hardness, the torque signal changes, and the control system adjusts accordingly to maintain consistent cutting quality. This ensures high manufacturing precision while achieving automated productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on torque sensor readings. The control unit modifies blade engagement depth, feed rate, or positioning based on real-time torque measurements, ensuring optimal cutting conditions are maintained throughout the deburring process. This parameter adaptation maintains manufacturing precision while enabling automated high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a custom automated blade system is designed, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeburring accuracyVSAvoidblade system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than redesigning the blade itself, the patent introduces a torque sensor as an intermediary measurement device between the drive system and the existing manual blade. This approach achieves precise control and high manufacturing accuracy without requiring a complex custom blade design. The simple blade geometry is retained, minimizing device complexity while the torque feedback ensures precise deburring quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual blade design allows operators to easily replace or adjust blades themselves without requiring complex tooling or specialized installation procedures. The blade system serves itself through simple interchangeability, reducing the overall complexity of the blade subsystem while maintaining high deburring precision through the torque-controlled automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If force control is added to the automated system, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce-controlled deburring qualityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A torque sensor provides straightforward torque measurement feedback to a control unit. The control unit processes this single parameter (torque) and makes相应 adjustments to maintain optimal cutting conditions. This single-parameter feedback system achieves force control and high manufacturing precision without requiring a complex multi-sensor, multi-parameter control system, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The torque sensor acts as a simple intermediary that translates mechanical cutting force into an electrical signal for the control system. This single-function measurement device provides the necessary force control information without introducing complex measurement or control mechanisms. The intermediary approach achieves force-controlled precision while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 and residue-free automated deburring of tire blanks, accommodating various tire sizes and maintaining blade sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

with a torque sensor which connects the deburring tool to a drive of the tire blank deburring device in a force-transmitting manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque sensing: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP4667205A1Tyre blank deburring device, preferably robot for deburring a tyre blank
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4667205A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4667205A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4667205A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tire blank deburring device (1), preferably a robot (1) for deburring a tire blank, which is configured to guide a deburring tool (12) relative to a tire blank in a force-controlled manner in order to deburr the tire blank automatically, with a torque sensor (10) which transmits force to the deburring tool (12) and to a drive of the tire blank deburring device (1). The tire blank deburring device (1) is characterized by a tool holder (11) which is connected to the torque sensor (10) and is configured opposite it to receive the deburring tool (12), wherein the deburring tool (12) is a manual blade (12).