Tire Pre-Assembly Alignment Correction via Automated Length Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for manufacturing tire pre-assemblies face challenges in ensuring precise alignment and length matching of inner liners and side walls after cutting, leading to manual corrections that are time-consuming and not reproducible due to material tension differences.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of measuring devices for side walls and inner liners, along with a pressure roll and retaining devices to automatically correct length differences and maintain precise alignment during the winding process, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual correction is used to align leading and trailing ends of the pre-assembly, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but manufacturing time increases and reproducibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical correction system with an automated correction device that uses measuring devices (optical or electronic) to detect length differences and a correction mechanism (such as a pressure roll or positioning system) to automatically adjust the position of the leading or trailing end of the pre-assembly, thereby eliminating manual intervention while maintaining alignment accuracy

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-correction by equipping the pre-assembly with measuring devices that automatically detect length discrepancies between the inner liner and side walls, and the correction device automatically adjusts the positioning based on these measurements, making the system self-regulating without external manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual correction is used to align leading and trailing ends of the pre-assembly, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but reproducibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidreproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where measuring devices continuously monitor the length of the inner liner and side walls, provide measurement signals to a control unit, and the correction device automatically adjusts the pre-assembly positioning based on this feedback, ensuring consistent and reproducible alignment results across multiple production cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing manual correction with an automated system that uses measuring devices and control mechanisms, the patent eliminates human variability in alignment operations, ensuring that the same alignment precision is achieved consistently in every production cycle

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

3Reliability

If measuring devices and automatic correction are implemented, then reproducibility and precision improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereproducibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the measuring devices and correction mechanism to serve multiple functions: the measuring devices not only detect length differences but also provide positioning information, and the correction device serves both alignment and tensioning functions, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components and minimizing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the measuring devices, control unit, and correction mechanism into an integrated automated system that operates as a unified whole, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining high reproducibility and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enables accurate, reproducible, and automated correction of length differences, reducing manual errors and increasing efficiency in tire manufacturing by ensuring precise alignment and minimizing material deformation during the winding process.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure roll for pressing the cut pre-assembly against the building drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a piston arranged in the internal part of each disc, which piston slidably engages into a respective radial bore of the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiston movement: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2265434B1Device for manufacturing a pre-assembly for a tyre
Publication Date: 2012.10.03 VMI HOLLAND BV
  • EP2265434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2265434B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2265434B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Device for manufacturing a cut-to-length pre-assembly (2) for a tyre, wherein in the pre-assembly first (6) and second (7) side walls are situated on either side of an inner liner (4). The device comprises a supply conveyor for conveying the cut pre-assembly to the building drum (1).The device is provided with a first side wall measuring device (12) for measuring the length of the first side wall of the cut pre-assembly and for giving a first side wall measuring signal indicative of the measured length of the first side wall, with a second side wall measuring device (13) for measuring the length of the second side wall of the cut pre-assembly and for giving a second side wall measuring signal indicative of the measured length of the second side wall, with an inner liner measuring device (14) or measuring the length of the inner liner of the cut pre-assembly and for giving an inner liner measuring signal indicative of the measured length of the inner liner, and with a correction device for correcting differences in length on the basis of the first side wall measuring signal, the second side wall measuring signal and/or the inner liner measuring signal.