Tire Engagement Section for Axial Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire manufacturing methods face challenges in accurately supporting tire frame halves during joining, leading to potential displacement and suboptimal joint strength when using thermoplastic resin materials.

Innovation Solution

The tire design incorporates an engagement section on the tire radial direction inner side face of the crown half sections, which engages with a support jig to restrict movement in the tire width direction and is segmented irregularly in the circumferential direction, ensuring accurate positioning and preventing axial movement during the joining process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a support jig is used to support tire frame halves from the radial direction inside during joining, then the strength of the join portion is secured, but the tire frame halves may displace in the axial direction relative to the support jig

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoin portion strengthVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement section is formed as a recess in the tire frame half that receives a protrusion from the support jig, creating a nested fit. This nested structure allows the support jig to penetrate into the tire frame half geometry, providing both radial support and axial positioning simultaneously, thereby resolving the contradiction between join strength and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement section acts as an intermediary feature between the tire frame half and the support jig. This intermediate structure mediates the interaction between the two components, enabling the support jig to effectively control axial displacement while maintaining the intended function of supporting the tire frame half during the joining process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the engagement section is formed as a continuous ring, then axial movement is restricted, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidengagement section complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement section is divided into multiple discrete engagement portions arranged circumferentially around the tire frame half. This segmentation allows each portion to independently engage with the support jig, collectively providing axial positioning without requiring a complex continuous structure. The segmented design simplifies manufacturing while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing uniform engagement structure throughout the entire circumference, the engagement section is strategically positioned at specific locations where engagement with the support jig is most effective for preventing axial displacement. This localized approach reduces manufacturing complexity while achieving the necessary positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2960078B1Tire, tire manufacturing device, and tire manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP2960078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2960078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2960078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tire frame member 17 is formed by aligning a pair of tire frame halves 17A, each including a bead portion 12, a side section 14, and a half-width crown half section 16A, with each other at the end faces of the crown half sections 16A. The tire radial direction inner side face of the crown half sections 16A includes an engagement section that engages with the outer face of a tire support member supporting the pair of tire frame halves 17A from the tire radial direction inner side, and restricts movement of the tire frame halves 17A.