Tire Curing Mold Venting Device with Inter-Chamber Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing curing moulds for tyres require a large number of vents to facilitate air discharge during the moulding process, leading to weak blades, unattractive tyre protrusions, and potential weak points in the tread due to inadequate air discharge and vent design, which compromises tyre performance.
Innovation Solution
A venting device with ducts of small cross-section (0.0001 mm2 to 0.25 mm2) that communicate between chambers, allowing efficient air flow and reducing the need for large vents, while minimizing blade weakening and enabling finer sipes for improved tyre performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vents are made larger to improve air discharge efficiency, then air discharge is improved, but the blade strength is reduced and the tyre appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the air discharge function into multiple small vents distributed across the blade rather than using fewer large vents. This segmentation allows efficient air discharge while maintaining blade strength, as each small vent has minimal impact on structural integrity while collectively providing adequate venting capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different vent configurations to different regions of the blade based on local air pocket formation patterns. Vents are strategically positioned and sized according to the specific moulding zones they serve, optimizing both air discharge efficiency and local blade strength requirements.
2Productivity
If vents are made larger to improve air discharge, then air discharge is improved, but the tyre appearance is compromised due to protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple small vents are used instead of fewer large vents, ensuring that any protrusions formed during vulcanization are minimal and less visually apparent. The distributed pattern of small vents creates more subtle surface features compared to large vents that would create prominent protrusions.
3Device complexity
If the number of vents is reduced to simplify the mould design, then device complexity is reduced, but air discharge efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple vent functions into a coordinated system where several small vents work together to discharge air from multiple chambers simultaneously. This unified approach achieves effective air discharge with fewer discrete vent structures compared to having separate vents for each chamber.
4Productivity
If ducts with larger cross-section are used to improve air flow, then air discharge is improved, but blade strength is reduced and tyre performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path is segmented into multiple small ducts distributed across the blade rather than using fewer large ducts. This segmentation maintains adequate air flow capacity while minimizing the impact on blade strength, as each small duct removes minimal material and distributes the structural load more evenly.
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 solution enhances air discharge efficiency, reduces the formation of weak points, and allows for thinner, more efficient blades and sipes, resulting in improved tyre stiffness and performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one duct passing through the blade so that the chamber(s) that does/do not close on a vent communicate(s) through the duct with a chamber that closes on a vent
Data Source
AI summary
A method for curing a tire during which a green tire is pressed against the lining of a curing mold provided with a venting device, the molding surface of the lining forming protrusions that define cavities, the venting device comprising vents that pass through the lining, one cavity being divided into chambers by a protrusion in the form of a blade (26), each cavity closing on one or more vents, at least one of the chambers not closing on a vent, at least one duct (42) passing through the blade (26) so that the chamber(s) that does/do not close on a vent communicate(s) through the duct with a chamber that does close on a vent. The cross-section of the duct (42) has an area of between 0.0001 mm2 and 0.25 mm2 and, more preferably, 0.01 mm2 and 0.1 mm2.