Tire Component Inspection During Drum Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inspecting the winding state of tire components are either time-consuming, increasing cycle time, or limited in scope, as they require dedicated measurement steps and facilities, making them inefficient for continuous production processes.
Innovation Solution
A tire member forming apparatus with a conveyance path and measurement units that inspect tire components while the forming drum is moving, using multiple sensors positioned along the circumference to provide comprehensive and continuous inspection without additional steps or facilities, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If inspection is performed during waiting time of the facility, then inspection can be conducted without additional time, but the method cannot be applied when waiting time is short or non-existent, resulting in increased cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement unit is positioned to perform inspection during the conveyance time itself, rather than during waiting time. The forming drum is measured while moving through the measurement unit along the conveyance path, utilizing the motion time for inspection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed to operate dynamically during the conveyance process. The measurement unit measures the tire component on the moving forming drum, converting a static inspection process into a dynamic one that occurs during motion.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated measurement step with separate measurement unit is used, then comprehensive inspection can be performed, but the number of steps increases and facility size expands
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement unit is integrated into the existing forming apparatus along the conveyance path. The inspection function is merged with the forming and conveyance processes, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated measurement facility and reducing the overall number of process steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement unit serves multiple purposes: it inspects the tire component during conveyance, utilizes the motion of the forming drum, and provides comprehensive measurement coverage. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate dedicated inspection facilities.
3Measurement precision
If measurement is performed only at joint portion periphery, then localized inspection is achieved, but inspection range is limited and cannot cover wide area in tire circumference direction
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement approach transitions from localized peripheral measurement to comprehensive radial measurement. The measurement unit measures in the radial direction of the forming drum across the width direction, extending inspection coverage from a limited peripheral area to the entire cross-section of the tire component.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement unit is positioned to perform comprehensive measurements before the forming drum completes its rotation or conveyance cycle. This allows full coverage inspection to be completed in advance, ensuring all areas are inspected without requiring additional cycles.
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 accurate and efficient total inspection of tire components without prolonging cycle time or increasing facility size, ensuring higher accuracy and preventing defective products by allowing for timely adjustments based on inspection results.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement unit that performs, on a downstream side of at least one of the plurality of forming units in the conveyance path, measurement on the tire components wound on the forming drum while the forming drum is moving through the measurement unit, in a tire radial direction over a width direction of the forming drum
Data Source
AI summary
A first forming apparatus includes a forming drum, a forming unit, a conveyance path, and a conveyance unit that conveys the forming drum along the conveyance path. A tire member is formed with tire components wound on the forming drum by the forming unit. The first forming apparatus also includes a measurement unit that performs, on a downstream side of the forming unit in the conveyance path, measurement on the tire components wound on the forming drum while the forming drum is moving through the measurement unit, in a tire radial direction over a width direction of the forming drum, and an inspection unit that performs inspection on winding states of the tire components based on a measurement result due to the measurement unit.