Tire Processing Unit Replacement Without Production Shutdown

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tire production plants face the challenge of needing to quickly adapt to changes in tire orders and new regulations without interrupting production, as existing methods require complete factory shutdowns for upgrades.

Innovation Solution

A method for replacing processing units during uninterrupted tire production, involving preparing a P-type PR element, installing a UN unit, and redirecting the SE stream to the UN unit without interruption, allowing for partial processing and quality improvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If processing units are replaced during tire production plant modernization, then production adaptability and regulatory compliance are improved, but production interruption and factory shutdown are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction adaptabilityVSAvoidproduction continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by installing and preparing the new processing unit (UN) in advance before it is needed for production. The UN unit is installed at a location allowing passage of the SE stream, put in ready-to-operate state, and only then is the SE stream redirected from UR to UN, enabling seamless transition without production interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by having both the old processing unit (UR) and new processing unit (UN) operate in parallel temporarily. The SE stream can be redirected between them without complete shutdown, allowing the transition to be mediated through dual-unit operation rather than direct replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If processing units are replaced by shutting down the plant, then equipment upgrade is achieved, but production loss and job relocation risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment upgradeVSAvoidproduction loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring the tire production process never stops during processing unit replacement. The method redirects the SE stream from UR to UN while both units can operate, and the replacement occurs without interrupting the continuous production flow, eliminating production loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire factory is reconstructed for modernization, then new regulations are met, but environmental destruction and economic cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by replacing only the specific processing unit (UR to UN) that needs upgrading rather than reconstructing the entire factory. The replacement is localized to a single unit while other parts of the production plant continue operating, minimizing environmental destruction and economic cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4592068A1Méthode pour un remplacement d'une unité de traitement pour la préparation d'un élément de pneumatique

Publication Date: 2025.07.30 GOODYEAR FRANCE SAS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, during an uninterrupted process of tire production in a tire production plant and a method for modernizing a tire plant comprising replacements of processing units, these replacements being carried out according to said replacement method of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tire production method using the method according to the present invention and a tire production plant for carrying out said method.