Pressure Sensor Placement in Tire Curing Mold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tire shaping and curing processes rely on indirect pressure measurement techniques, such as thermocouples, which are inaccurate for determining the specific pressures exerted by the bladder and mold, leading to difficulties in ensuring proper tire component positioning and uniformity.
Innovation Solution
The use of pressure sensors positioned between the tire and the bladder or tire mold to directly measure pressure during the shaping and curing processes, allowing for accurate pressure data collection and real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect methods such as thermocouples are used to determine pressure, then the measurement can be implemented without direct contact, but the measurement precision is insufficient to accurately determine the specific pressures exerted by the bladder and mold
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the bladder and green tire, or between the green tire and mold, to directly measure contact pressures. This intermediary device provides accurate pressure data without requiring complex indirect measurement systems, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If direct pressure measurement is implemented using pressure sensors, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to sensor mounting and positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is mounted on the bladder or mold surface before the shaping process begins. This preliminary action ensures the sensor is properly positioned to capture contact pressures from the start of the process, simplifying installation while maintaining measurement precision throughout the shaping and curing operations.
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are positioned between the green tire and bladder or mold, then direct pressure measurement is achieved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to high pressures and temperatures in the shaping and curing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor serves as a protected intermediary that directly measures contact pressures between the bladder/mold and green tire while withstanding the high pressure and temperature conditions. This intermediary positioning allows direct measurement without exposing measurement equipment to extreme conditions that would make detection difficult.
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 precise measurement of contact pressures, aiding in diagnosing shaping issues, validating modeling simulations, and detecting non-symmetric variations, while providing absolute pressure measurements, thus improving tire uniformity and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensor that is one of: (1) positioned between the associated green tire and an associated bladder; and, used to directly measure the pressure between the associated green tire and the associated bladder
Data Source
AI summary
Pressure sensors may be used to directly measure the pressure between a green tire and a curing apparatus during shaping and/or during curing. This can be accomplished by a method including the steps of: (A) providing a bladder, a tire mold and, a green tire having a pair of annular beads and one or more plies; (B) mounting a first pressure sensor to an inner surface of the green tire between an overlay and a belt; (C) inserting the green tire into the tire mold and closing the tire mold; (D) shaping the green tire by expanding the bladder within the green tire against the closed tire mold; and, (E) directly measuring the pressure between the overlay and the belt of the green tire during step (D) with the first pressure sensor.