Tire Mold Positioning Using Reference Marks for Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The tire industry faces challenges in quickly adapting to the needs of electric vehicle manufacturers due to suboptimal tire preparation methods, which result in issues such as vibrations and stability problems caused by tire uniformity defects.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing tires involves optimizing the positioning of unvulcanized tires in a tire mold by using a materialized mark and determining the variation in mechanical characteristics of the tire. This information is used to compensate for deviations in the mold's internal shape, ensuring precise placement and vulcanization of the tire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional tire positioning methods are used in the mold, then the manufacturing process is simple, but tire uniformity defects occur causing vibrations and stability problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire uniformityVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method measures and determines the coordinates of the reference mark on the unvulcanized tire before positioning it in the mold. This preliminary measurement and calculation of positioning coordinates allows the tire to be accurately positioned in the mold, compensating for shape deviations and ensuring tire uniformity, thereby reducing vibrations and stability problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a feedback mechanism where the measured coordinates of the reference mark on the unvulcanized tire are used to calculate the precise positioning coordinates in the mold. This feedback loop ensures that the tire is positioned accurately to compensate for any shape deviations, improving tire uniformity without requiring complex positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the tire is positioned without compensating for mold shape deviations, then the positioning process is fast, but tire quality is reduced due to uniformity defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire uniformityVSAvoidtire preparation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary measurement of the reference mark coordinates on the unvulcanized tire and calculates the positioning coordinates before the actual positioning. This preliminary action enables accurate positioning that compensates for mold shape deviations, improving tire uniformity while maintaining efficient production through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a measurement and calculation-based approach. By measuring the reference mark coordinates and calculating the optimal positioning coordinates, the system achieves accurate tire positioning without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining productivity while improving tire uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If automated positioning with coordinate determination is used, then tire quality improves, but the measurement and positioning process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire uniformityVSAvoidmeasurement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a reference mark as an intermediary element on the unvulcanized tire. This reference mark serves as a measurable target that simplifies the measurement process. By measuring the coordinates of this reference mark and using it to calculate positioning coordinates, the system achieves accurate tire positioning without requiring direct measurement of complex tire geometry, thus reducing measurement complexity while improving tire uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4570483A1Méthodes et système pour la préparation d'un pneumatique
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 GOODYEAR FRANCE SAS
  • EP4570483A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4570483A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4570483A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods and a system for preparing a tire comprising among other things the particular positioning of an unvulcanized tire in a tire mold and a system or plant for preparing tires to carry out the method according to the present invention.