Tire Pre-Assembly Winding Alignment via Automated Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for manufacturing tire pre-assemblies face challenges in ensuring precise alignment and length correction of inner liners and side walls after cutting, leading to manual intervention and reduced reproducibility.

Innovation Solution

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

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical correction system with an automated measurement and control system. Measuring devices detect the positions of the leading and trailing ends, and a control system automatically adjusts the winding process to achieve proper alignment, eliminating manual intervention and reducing manufacturing time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-correction by using measuring devices to detect length differences and automatically adjusting the winding process through control systems. The manufacturing process corrects itself without external manual intervention, improving both efficiency and reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidreproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measuring devices continuously monitor the positions and lengths of the inner liner and side walls, and the control system uses this information to automatically adjust the winding process. This closed-loop control ensures consistent, reproducible results by eliminating human variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical correction system is replaced with an automated measurement and control system that provides consistent, reproducible adjustments every time, eliminating the variability inherent in manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Length of moving object

If the pre-assembly is cut to length, then the building drum circumference is matched, but length differences occur between inner liner and side walls due to different materials and winding tensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-assembly lengthVSAvoidlength consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters being monitored from fixed dimensional measurements to dynamic tension and position measurements during winding. The measuring devices detect real-time length differences caused by material properties and winding tensions, allowing the control system to compensate for these variations and achieve consistent final lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 intervention and improving the efficiency of tire manufacturing by ensuring precise alignment and winding of pre-assemblies onto the building drum.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure roll (15) for pressing the cut pre-assembly (2) against the building drum (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a first side wall measuring device (12) for measuring the length of the first side wall (6) of the cut pre-assembly (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLength measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a first retaining device for retaining the leading end on the building drum (1) during winding the pre-assembly (2) onto the building drum (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition retention:

Data Source

PatentUS8171619B2Device for manufacturing a pre-assembly for a tire

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 VMI HOLLAND BV

AI summary

Device for manufacturing a cut-to-length pre-assembly for a tire, wherein in the pre-assembly first and second side walls are situated on either side of an inner liner. The device comprises a supply conveyor for conveying the cut pre-assembly to the building drum. The device is provided with a first side wall measuring device 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 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, and with an inner liner measuring device for 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.