Tire Buffing Sensor Using Response Curves for Belt Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for removing tire tread from a tire carcass lack precision in monitoring the distance to the belt, risking damage to the tire during the removal process, especially when using abrading devices or cutters.

Innovation Solution

A tire buffing machine equipped with a sensor that generates a signal response based on the distance between the sensor and the tire belt, using signal response curves to determine the distance and control the buffing process to prevent belt damage, featuring a processor and memory storage for processing sensor data and selecting appropriate signal response curves based on tire characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single sensor is used to monitor tread removal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in tire characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor systemVSAvoiddistance to belt
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by storing multiple signal response curves in the memory, each corresponding to different tire characteristics (e.g., belt material properties, tire construction). The processor selects the appropriate curve based on the specific tire being processed, thereby adapting the measurement parameters to match the actual tire conditions and maintaining high measurement precision without requiring multiple physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple signal response curves are stored for different tire characteristics, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance to beltVSAvoidcontroller system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing multiple signal response curves in the memory before the actual tread removal process begins. These curves are prepared in advance based on different tire characteristics, so when a specific tire is processed, the controller can quickly select the appropriate pre-computed curve without performing complex real-time calculations, thus improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the sensor monitors distance continuously, then the reliability of belt protection is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebelt protectionVSAvoidsensor processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex continuous computational monitoring with a simplified system that compares sensor signals against pre-stored response curves. Instead of performing continuous complex calculations to determine distance and assess belt proximity, the system uses pre-computed curves that can be quickly matched and compared, thereby maintaining high reliability of belt protection while significantly reducing the energy required for signal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system accurately monitors and controls the tread removal process, ensuring the belt is not damaged by maintaining precise distance measurements, thereby extending tire life and enabling efficient retreading.

Implementation Method 1

receiving a signal response from a sensor, the signal response generated as a function of a distance between the sensor and a belt in the tire and a tire characteristic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2142708B1Retread tire buffing with multiple response curves
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP2142708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2142708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2142708B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method and apparatus for buffing tread (42) from a tire carcass, the method comprising the steps of: receivhg a signal from a sensor (12), the signal generated as a function of a distance (37) between the sensor (12) and a belt (44) in the tire (40) and a tire characteristic; selecting a signal response curve (38) from a plurality of signal response curves, the selected signal response curve (38) representing the function of the distance (37) between the sensor (12) and the tire belt (44) and the tire characteristic; determining from the response curve (38) the distance (37) between the sensor (12) and the belt (44) for the signal response received; buffing tread (42) from the tire until the distance (37) between the sensor (12) and the belt (44) reaches a final distance (37).