Tire Building Drum Diameter Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire-making equipment is limited in its ability to adjust the diameter of drums and transfer rings over a broad range, restricting the versatility in forming tires of various sizes and potentially leading to inaccuracies due to non-uniform circumferential surfaces during expansion and contraction.
Innovation Solution
A diameter-adjusting assembly that includes a thrust plate, actuator, and ramp members, with intermediary guide block assemblies, allowing for radial movement of circumference-defining segments over a range of 1.85 to 1, maintaining stability and uniformity of the circumferential surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art cam element schemes are used to alter drum diameter, then the drum can be expanded or contracted, but the range of diameter adjustment is limited to about 1.4 to 1
Solution Approach 1:
The drum is divided into multiple circumference-defining segments that can move independently relative to each other. These segments are disposed about a common centerline and can be radially shifted to alter the drum diameter while maintaining uniformity of the circumferential surface, enabling broad range adjustment from 1.85 to 1 without sacrificing support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum structure transitions from a static fixed-diameter design to a dynamic adjustable-diameter design. The circumference-defining segments are made movable through a mechanism involving cam elements in radially-extending slots, allowing the drum to dynamically change its diameter within a broad range while maintaining structural integrity and uniform circumferential surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If circumference-defining segments are moved radially to alter drum diameter, then the drum can accommodate different tire sizes, but bumps or non-rounded regions may form on the circumferential surface
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the drum into multiple independent circumference-defining segments, the system can adjust the overall diameter while each segment maintains its position relative to others, preventing the formation of bumps or non-rounded regions on the circumferential surface during expansion and contraction.
Solution Approach 2:
Each circumference-defining segment is designed to move radially in a controlled manner, ensuring that local movements of individual segments do not create irregularities on the circumferential surface. The segments collectively maintain surface uniformity while enabling broad diameter adjustment for different tire sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drum diameter is adjusted over a broad range, then versatility in forming various tire sizes is improved, but the structural complexity of the adjustment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism uses dynamic cam elements that move within radially-extending slots to control the radial movement of circumference-defining segments. This dynamic approach enables broad diameter adjustment range (1.85 to 1) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to alternative mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Cam elements serve as intermediary components that mediate between the actuation force and the circumference-defining segments. These cam elements translate linear motion into radial movement of segments, enabling broad diameter adjustment while keeping the mechanism structurally manageable.
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 the adjustment of drum diameters over a broader range (1.85 to 1) while ensuring stable support for tire components, reducing cycle time by 50% and minimizing wear on components, with faster setting changes and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
ramp members upon which the circumference-defining apparatus are mounted for movement radially toward and away from the centerline of the equipment wherein the ramp members are disposed about the centerline of the equipment and are adapted to cooperate with the thrust plate and the actuator so that as the thrust plate and the actuator are moved toward and away from one another along the centerline of the equipment, the ramp members and the circumference-defining apparatus mounted thereupon are moved radially toward and away from the centerline of the equipment
Data Source
AI summary
Elongate tire-building equipment having circumference-defining apparatus wherein the circumference serves as a forming surface or as a circumference-engaging surface utilizes ramp members which are regularly disposed about the equipment centerline and upon which the circumference-defining apparatus is mounted for movement radially toward and away from the equipment centerline. A thrust plate and an actuator are mounted at the ends of the equipment for movement toward or away from one another along the equipment centerline, and an assembly of guide tracks and guide blocks are interposed between the ramp members and the thrust plate and between the ramp members and the actuator so that the movement of the thrust plate and the actuator toward and away from one another effects the movement of the ramp members radially toward and away from the equipment centerline by a relatively large amount.