Laser Sintered Tire Mold Valve Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire manufacturing molds require complex mounting and holding systems for movable elements, increasing manufacturing time and cost, especially for small parts, and necessitate additional steps for venting and air evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece movable valve integrated with a guide part, both made of the same material, which is retained by stops and designed for easy positioning and air venting, eliminating the need for specific mounting systems and allowing for air evacuation during tire molding without a return spring, utilizing laser sintering for simultaneous production with the mold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If movable elements are mounted within the mold lining using traditional methods, then the mold can function properly, but the manufacturing process becomes longer and more costly due to specific mounting steps and holding systems
Solution Approach 1:
The movable valve is merged with the guide portion into a single integrated component made of the same material. The valve cannot be removed from the guide portion, eliminating the need for separate mounting steps and holding systems. This integration directly resolves the contradiction by reducing device complexity while improving productivity through streamlined manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion and valve are manufactured simultaneously as a single piece using laser sintering, before the mold assembly process. This preliminary integration eliminates subsequent mounting operations, directly addressing the contradiction between manufacturing speed and system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional mounting systems are used for small movable parts, then the parts can be secured, but meticulous adjustments are required which further increase manufacturing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the valve with the guide portion into a single integrated component, the invention eliminates the need for separate mounting and adjustment operations. The valve's position is determined by its integration with the guide portion, not by separate holding systems, thus achieving high positioning accuracy without time-consuming adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve-guide structure is self-positioning through its monolithic construction. The valve automatically assumes its correct position within the guide portion without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or meticulous manual alignment, resolving the contradiction between precision and time.
3Reliability
If a holding system is implemented to secure the movable part, then the part remains in place, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional mounting steps
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is merged into the guide portion itself through the integrated monolithic structure. The valve is retained by the guide portion's geometry and the stops formed as part of the same component, eliminating the need for separate holding systems while maintaining reliable part retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion provides self-holding functionality through its integrated design with the valve. The stops and guide geometry automatically retain the valve in place without requiring external holding mechanisms, thus achieving reliability while reducing device complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the valve and guide portion are made of different materials, then they can be manufactured separately, but assembly becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The valve and guide portion are merged into a single component made of the same material, manufactured simultaneously by laser sintering. This eliminates assembly operations entirely, resolving the contradiction by improving productivity through integrated manufacturing while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single-material process.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve and guide portion are manufactured together in advance as a single integrated piece before mold assembly. This preliminary integration eliminates subsequent assembly steps, directly addressing the contradiction between manufacturing flexibility and assembly speed.
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 solution reduces manufacturing time and cost by integrating the valve with the mold, ensuring precise positioning and efficient air evacuation, while allowing for easy cleaning and residue removal, and enabling the use of different materials for the mold and valve.
Implementation Method 1
The manufacturing process for a movable valve in a seal or mold element according to the invention is characterized in that the seal or chimney, the movable valve, and the guide are produced during a single laser sintering operation of powders.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mould (22) for vulcanising a tyre according to the invention, which includes an insert (2) for moulding the tread of said tyre, a movable valve (1) intended for venting the mould (22), characterised in that the valve (1) is made in a single piece, said valve (1) being guided in a guiding portion (200) belonging to the insert (2) and abutting on either side of said guiding portion (200) in order to limit the movement of the valve (1) in the insert (2), and in that said valve (1) and said guiding portion (200) are made of the same material. The movable valve (1) thus produced is a single piece and cannot be removed from the guiding portion (200), and is thus quicker and more accurate; said movable valve is retained in the guiding portion (200) by two abutments, and since it is made of the same material as the guiding portion, said movable valve and said guiding portion can be produced at the same time. The mould (22) includes, in general, a plurality of valves (1) for discharging the air trapped when moulding the tyre.