Automated Tire Flash Removal Using Contour-Tracking Sanding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing flash from tire tread and shoulder areas are labor-intensive and inefficient, as existing tire uniformity machines cannot accurately locate and remove flash from both areas.
Innovation Solution
A machine equipped with sensors to detect tire contours, featuring linearly moveable sanding wheels for the tread and pivotally moveable sanding wheels for the shoulders, allowing for automated flash removal during tire rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hand removal of flash is used, then flash can be removed from tire, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect flash locations on the tire without human intervention. The control system then autonomously navigates the sanding wheel to the detected flash areas and removes the flash, making the system self-sufficient in identifying and eliminating the defect without requiring manual inspection or positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical removal with an automated system combining optical sensors for detection and a controlled sanding wheel for removal. This substitution of manual labor with automated sensing and actuation systems dramatically improves productivity while reducing labor intensity.
2Manufacturing precision
If tire uniformity machines are used to grind tread, then runout can be corrected, but flash on shoulders cannot be identified or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into one apparatus: it can detect and remove flash from both the tread area and the shoulder area of the tire. The sanding wheel can be positioned and oriented to address different regions of the tire, making the machine versatile enough to handle various flash locations that previously required different equipment or manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanding wheel assembly incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities with pivot joints and adjustable mechanisms that allow the sanding wheel to adapt its position and angle based on the detected flash location. This dynamic adaptability enables the same machine to effectively remove flash from different areas of the tire including both tread and shoulder regions.
3Productivity
If automated sanding is implemented for both tread and shoulder areas, then flash removal efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flash removal task into distinct operational phases: detection phase using sensors, positioning phase using navigation mechanisms, and removal phase using the sanding wheel. The sanding wheel itself can be segmented in function to address different areas (tread vs. shoulder) through controlled positioning rather than requiring completely separate mechanical systems for each area.
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 machine effectively locates and removes flash from both tread and shoulder areas, reducing labor and time costs while ensuring accurate alignment and aesthetic quality of tires.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor to detect the contour of the tire
Implementation Method 2
a first sanding assembly is moveable in accordance with the detected contour to remove flash from the tread of the tire
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for removing flash from a tire includes a laser sensor which, while the tire is rotating, can be moved along the outer contour of the shoulders and tread area of a tire to detect the contour of the tire. A first sanding assembly removes the flash from the tread area, while the tire is not rotating, by moving horizontally and vertically in accordance with the detected contour of the tread area. A second sanding assembly removes the flash from the shoulder area, while the tire is rotating, by moving horizontally, vertically, and pivotally in accordance with the detected contour of the shoulder area.