Tire Vulcanization Mold Segmentation for Precise Segment Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire vulcanization mold manufacturing methods are burdensome and inefficient due to the need for repeated tasks to process and align segment pieces, leading to issues with pattern misalignment and inconsistent gap sizes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of penetrating slits in mold material blocks, allowing mold pieces to be cut out from remainder rings and installed sequentially onto holders, eliminating the need for individual jig processing and enhancing precision and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If segment pieces are processed individually using a jig and machining tool, then each piece can be precisely processed, but the manufacturing tasks become burdensome and work efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing precision of segment piecesVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold material block is segmented into multiple mold pieces by forming penetrating slits that divide the block into separable segments. This allows each mold piece to be processed and assembled independently while maintaining precision through the structured segmentation approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The penetrating slits are formed in advance through the mold material block before the actual mold pieces are removed and assembled. This preliminary action prepares the structure for efficient subsequent processing and assembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If segment pieces are processed individually, then each piece can be handled separately, but pattern misalignment and inconsistent gap sizes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of segment piecesVSAvoidpattern alignment and gap consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mold material block is divided into multiple mold pieces through penetrating slits, creating naturally aligned segments that maintain consistent spacing and pattern alignment when assembled, eliminating misalignment issues associated with completely individual processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The penetrating slits act as intermediaries that define the boundaries and spacing between mold pieces, ensuring consistent gap sizes and pattern alignment during assembly by providing reference structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a single mold material block is sectioned radially to form multiple segment pieces, then mold segments can be assembled with gas discharge gaps, but repeated gripping and processing tasks are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas discharge functionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold material block is segmented into multiple mold pieces through penetrating slits, creating naturally aligned segments that maintain consistent spacing and pattern alignment when assembled, eliminating misalignment issues associated with completely individual processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach simplifies manufacturing tasks, improves work efficiency, and ensures high precision in mold piece formation, reducing pattern misalignment and inconsistent gap sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a single mold material block having a circular cylindrical shape and formed with molding protrusions on an inner face in a complementary relationship with wide tire grooves is divided by being sectioned in a radial direction using a wire-cut electrical discharge machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical discharge machining: Electrical Discharge Machining

Data Source

PatentEP3674049B1Method for producing a tire vulcanization mould

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 BRIDGESTONE CORP

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A tire vulcanization mold manufacturing method including: a process of preparing plural mold material blocks, an inner face of an axial direction central portion of each of the mold material blocks being formed with a molding protrusion in a complementary relationship with a wide groove of a tire, and each of the mold material blocks having a same circular cylindrical shape; a process of forming, by machining, a plurality of slits penetrating through the axial direction central portion of each of the mold material blocks such that the penetrating slits each extend along the axial direction and are separated from each other in a circumferential direction, and forming mold pieces between adjacent the penetrating slits with a portion of the molding protrusion formed on an inner face of the mold pieces; a process of cutting out the mold pieces from remainder rings that extend continuously in the circumferential direction at one axial direction end and the other axial direction end of the mold pieces; and a process of repeatedly performing a task to extract the mold pieces from the plurality of mold material blocks one at a time in sequence and to install the mold pieces at inner faces of plural holders so as to form plural mold segments each configured by a holder and a mold piece.