Tire Curing Mold Sipe Blade Cutting for Flash Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire curing molds suffer from premature wear and deterioration of non-contact surfaces, leading to rubber flash formation due to increased contact pressure and thermal expansion, which affects tire characteristics and appearance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of cutting means on the edges of moulding elements to cut off flash during mould opening, maintaining a narrow space between elements to prevent deterioration and ensuring effective flash removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the space between moulding elements is reduced to prevent flash, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the contact pressure between elements increases causing premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The moulding elements are segmented into multiple sections with gaps between them, allowing rubber to escape in a controlled manner while preventing excessive contact pressure and wear on individual elements
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the moulding elements and the rubber, allowing the membrane to deform and accommodate pressure variations while protecting the rigid moulding elements from direct contact and wear
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the space between moulding elements is increased to reduce contact pressure, then moulding element wear is reduced, but rubber flash creeps into the space affecting tire quality
Solution Approach 1:
The moulding elements are divided into multiple sections with intentional gaps, creating a segmented structure that controls rubber flow and prevents uncontrolled flash while maintaining acceptable contact pressure
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane serves as a mediator that fills the spaces between moulding elements during curing, preventing rubber creep into gaps while allowing the gaps to exist for pressure relief
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If non-contact surfaces are made rough to evacuate air, then air evacuation is improved, but contact pressure increases causing burnishing and premature deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The moulding elements are segmented with gaps that provide dedicated air evacuation pathways, allowing air to escape without requiring high contact pressure on rough surfaces, thus preventing burnishing
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary that facilitates air evacuation through its deformable structure, reducing the need for high contact pressure on rough surfaces and thereby preventing premature surface deterioration
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
Effectively removes flash during mould opening, maintaining tire quality and appearance by preventing premature wear of moulding elements.
Implementation Method 1
During curing, the non-contact surfaces of two adjacent sectors move towards one another under the effect of their thermal expansion so as to come to bear against one another.
Implementation Method 2
The cutting means of said moulding elements then cut off the flash created between the two moulding elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A curing mold (10) for a tire comprises: a plurality of circumferentially distributed sectors (18) that are intended to mold the tread of the tire, at least one sipe blade (40) intended to mold a void in the tread, the sipe blade extending over two adjacent sectors (18) such that the sipe blade comprises a part (40a, 40b) in each of the two sectors, the two parts of the sipe blade being separated, in the closed position of the mold, by a space (26) that creates flash during the curing of a tire, the parts of the sipe blade comprising cutting means (38) that are able to cut off the flash during the opening of the mold.