Tire Component Cutting With Close Hold-Down Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting devices struggle to accurately cut narrow tire components like breaker plies or chafers due to the ineffective positioning of pressure rollers, which cannot be moved closer to the cutting line without colliding with the knife or knife holder.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a first hold-down unit that holds down the tire component close to the cutting center, using a contact member positioned within a radius of less than 150 mm, and a rotatable contact member to minimize interference with the knife, allowing precise cutting of narrow components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pressure rollers are positioned at a distance from the cutting line as in prior art, then wide rubber components can be effectively held down, but narrow tire components cannot be positioned accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The hold-down function is segmented into multiple contact members positioned at different locations. The first contact member is positioned close to the cutting center (within 150mm radius) to handle narrow components, while a second contact member can be positioned farther away for wide components, dividing the hold-down task into specialized zones
Solution Approach 2:
The contact members are positioned in a radial pattern around the cutting center rather than only at a fixed distance. By defining a hold-down radius (less than 150mm from cutting center), the solution transitions from a linear distance constraint to a radial positioning system, allowing contact members to be optimally positioned in two dimensions to avoid knife collision while effectively holding narrow components
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure rollers are moved closer to the cutting line, then narrow tire components can be held down effectively, but the pressure rollers or support structure would collide with the knife or knife holder
Solution Approach 1:
Different contact members are positioned at different radial distances from the cutting center based on local requirements. The first contact member is positioned within 150mm radius to effectively hold narrow components, while the second contact member can be positioned farther away. This local differentiation allows each contact member to operate in its optimal zone without interfering with the knife
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-down unit is designed to be movable in the lift direction, allowing dynamic adjustment of the contact members' positions. During cutting, the contact members can be positioned close to the cutting line to hold narrow components, and can be moved away when not needed, avoiding static collision with the knife or knife holder
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting device and a method for cutting a tire component are provided. The cutting device comprises a conveyor that defines a conveyor plane. The cutting device comprises a lifting beam for lifting the tire component up from the conveyor plane in a lift direction. The cutting device is provided with a knife for cutting the tire component along a cutting line intersecting with the lifting beam at a cutting center at an oblique cutting angle. The cutting device is provided with a first hold-down unit for holding down the tire component towards the conveyor in a hold-down direction opposite to the lift direction. The first hold-down unit comprises a contact member for holding down the tire component in the hold-down direction towards the conveyor at a first hold-down position within a hold-down radius of less than one-hundred-and-fifty millimeters from the cutting center.