Tire Curing via Localized Heating and Thermal Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire manufacturing methods face challenges in achieving a uniform degree of cure across varying tire thickness regions, leading to issues of undercure or overcure, particularly in the tread and side regions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving separate manufacturing of the tread and base tire, where the tread is placed on the outer periphery of the base tire with uncured cushion rubber, and the combination is cured using distinct heating means to control heat distribution, ensuring the tread region receives less heat than the side regions, thereby preventing overcure and achieving a uniform cure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a larger amount of heat is given to the thicker regions of the tire to achieve uniform cure, then the thicker regions (tread region) are cured properly, but the thinner regions (side regions) become overcured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different heating strategies to different regions of the tire: the side regions receive direct heating from heating means to prevent undercure, while the tread region uses thermal conduction through a thermally-conducting member to control heat input and prevent overcure. This localized differentiation of heating quality resolves the contradiction between achieving uniform cure and avoiding regional overcure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tire is cured as a single integrated component, then manufacturing process is simplified, but uniform heat distribution across varying thickness regions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermally-conducting member as an intermediary in the tread region to mediate heat transfer. This intermediary component enables controlled thermal conduction to the tread region, allowing the curing process to maintain simplicity while achieving precise heat distribution and uniform cure across regions of varying thickness.
3Productivity
If higher temperature is applied to cure the thicker tread region, then curing speed increases, but the rubber in the tread region becomes overcured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized heating control where the side regions receive high temperature direct heating for rapid curing, while the tread region receives controlled thermal conduction at lower temperature to prevent overcure. This local differentiation of heating quality maintains overall curing speed while ensuring uniform degree of cure across regions.
4Strength
If the tire thickness is increased in the tread region to improve performance, then tire durability increases, but heat distribution during curing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally-conducting member acts as an intermediary that facilitates controlled heat transfer to the thickened tread region. This intermediary enables the tread region to achieve proper cure despite its increased thickness, maintaining tire durability while resolving the heat distribution challenge created by the thickness increase.
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
This approach allows for a base tire with a uniform degree of cure, improving tire performance by ensuring consistent adhesion and reducing the risk of belt layer exposure during retreading, while also facilitating easier thickness adjustments and improved heat management.
Implementation Method 1
the rubber is cured as a result of thermal conduction of curing heat through a thermally-conducting member provided in the tread region
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for manufacturing a base tire with a uniform degree of cure (vulcanization) by preventing undercure or overcure in curing an uncured base tire, a method for manufacturing a tire using such a base tire, and a base tire thus manufactured are provided. In a method for manufacturing a cured base tire having a tread region where a tread rubber is attached, an uncured base tire is enclosed within a curing mold, the side regions of the base tire are heated by a first heating means, the tread region with a thicker tire thickness than the side regions is heated by a second heating means, and a cure-molding is performed such that the amount of heat given to the tread region by the second heating means is smaller than the amount of heat given to the side regions by the first heating means.