Tire Mold Annular Insert for Protrusion Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire molding technologies face challenges in efficiently producing and modifying protrusions on tire sidewalls, as current molds require significant cost and time to change, and risk damage during demolding.
Innovation Solution
A mold design featuring an annular groove in one shell with a removable, modular insert that allows for easy modification of protuberances, enabling scalability and cost-effectiveness by replacing only the affected insert parts, and utilizing laser sintering for complex designs and improved marking visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire mold or shell is changed to modify protrusion size or profile, then the protrusion can be modified, but the cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into functional segments: the shell (for general tire molding) and the removable insert (for protrusion formation). This segmentation allows modification of only the insert when protrusion changes are needed, rather than replacing the entire mold, thereby reducing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion-forming functionality is extracted from the main mold shell and placed in a separate removable insert. This extraction enables independent modification or replacement of the insert without affecting the shell, solving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire mold is changed to modify protrusion architecture or dimensions, then the desired changes can be achieved, but the time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mold into a permanent shell and a removable insert, the system enables quick changes by simply detaching and reattaching the insert rather than replacing the entire mold assembly, significantly reducing the time required for design modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to be dynamically replaceable during the mold's operational life. This dynamic capability allows the mold to adapt to different protrusion requirements through simple insert exchanges rather than static, permanent mold configurations, reducing downtime and increasing flexibility.
3Productivity
If conventional molding methods are used for protrusions, then the molding process can proceed, but the demolding operation risks damaging the protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The insert containing the protrusion-forming cavity is extracted as a separate component from the main mold shell. During demolding, the insert can be removed first, allowing the protrusion to be released without the mechanical stress and risk of damage that would occur if the entire mold shell were removed as a single piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable insert acts as an intermediary between the mold and the protrusion. It provides a protective interface during the molding and demolding process, allowing the protrusion to be formed and released without direct contact with the rigid mold shell, thereby preventing damage while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Mould (1) for the vulcanization and moulding of a tyre, this tyre comprising a tread delimited by two sidewalls, the mould comprising a ring (3) intended to mould the tread of the tyre, and two shells (5) for moulding the sidewalls, the mould comprising an annular groove (7) that extends in a recessed manner in one of the shells (5), and an insert (9) housed in the groove, this insert (9) having at least one groove (11) that is concentric with the insert and provided with a cross section that decreases in the depthwise direction of the groove.