Tire Mold Impact Absorbers Prevent Segment Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire mold segments can damage each other during the removal of a cured tire due to their biased return to original contact positions, especially in molds with complex sidewall features, leading to scarring and affecting the tire's appearance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating impact absorbers between tread mold segments to prevent contact between their shoulders as they return to their original positions, using shock assemblies with biasing members and contact elements to maintain separation and protect the segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tread mold segments are biased back into contact with each other after tire removal, then the mold structure is simplified and segments return to original position, but damage occurs between adjacent segments causing scarring
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent tread mold segments. This cushioning member absorbs the impact force when segments return to their original position, preventing direct contact and damage between segments while maintaining the overall simplicity of the mold structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is pre-positioned between the tread mold segments before they make contact. This beforehand cushioning arrangement ensures that when the segments return to their original position after tire removal, the impact is absorbed in advance, preventing damage before it can occur.
2Ease of operation
If tread mold segments are allowed to move freely to release the tire, then ease of operation is improved, but damage to segments occurs during the return motion
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member serves as a mediator that allows the tread mold segments to move freely for easy tire removal while simultaneously protecting the segments from damage during their return motion. The cushioning member absorbs impact forces, maintaining both operational ease and segment reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex features are molded into sidewalls, then product versatility is improved, but tread mold segments stick and drag causing increased damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member acts as an intermediary that prevents direct impact between tread mold segments when complex sidewall features cause sticking and dragging. This allows the mold to produce versatile tire features while protecting the segments from damage during the return motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is positioned in advance between the segments to absorb the increased impact forces that result from dragging caused by complex sidewall features. This beforehand cushioning prevents damage while allowing the production of versatile tire designs.
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
Prevents damage to tread mold segments by maintaining a gap between them during the tire removal process, ensuring the segments' integrity and the tire's appearance is preserved.
Implementation Method 1
a contact element 122 connected with the second shoulder 118. The impact absorber 120 and contact element 122 are biased towards each other
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
A tire mold equipped with features for protecting the tread mold segments from damage is described. One or more impact absorbers are positioned between tread mold segments and operate to preclude contact between the shoulders of the tread mold segments when such are biased back into their original position as a tire is removed from the tire mold. By precluding such contact, the tread mold segments are protected from damage that can affect the appearance of the cured tire.