Tire Repair Using Disposable Stuffing and Localized Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire repair methods require air bags and tools tailored to specific tire shapes, leading to increased costs and labor, and often result in over-vulcanization of surrounding rubber, while also being inefficient in maintaining the shape of various tire types and requiring multiple mold members for different tread patterns.
Innovation Solution
A tire repair method involving the use of stuffing members of varying sizes to maintain tire shape during vulcanization, where unvulcanized rubber is deposited in the damaged area, heated by a heating pad, and supported by stuffing members with different thermal conductivities to control heat transfer and prevent over-vulcanization, eliminating the need for air bags and specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If air bags and specialized tools are used to maintain tire shape during vulcanization, then the tire shape is maintained accurately, but the cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable stuffing members (such as wooden blocks, foam pieces, or other inexpensive materials) to maintain the tire shape during vulcanization. These stuffing members are placed inside the tire at the repair location and discarded after use, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized air bags and tools that must be managed and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The stuffing members are designed to be simple objects that can be easily inserted and positioned by the repair technician without requiring complex operating procedures. The tire itself provides the containment structure, and the stuffing members passively maintain the shape through their physical presence, rather than requiring active control systems.
2Reliability
If heating pads are applied to vulcanize the repair patch, then the repair is achieved, but over-vulcanization of surrounding rubber occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating pads with different temperatures or heating intensities to different regions: a higher heating intensity is applied directly to the repair patch area to ensure proper vulcanization, while the surrounding areas receive either no heating or reduced heating intensity. This localized differential heating prevents over-vulcanization of the surrounding rubber while ensuring the repair area achieves adequate curing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mold members are prepared for different tread patterns, then various tire types can be repaired, but the cost and management labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stuffing members are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can be used across different tire types, sizes, and tread patterns. Rather than having specialized tools for each tire configuration, the same basic stuffing member designs can be adapted to various applications by simply changing their placement and arrangement within the tire, eliminating the need for extensive specialized tool inventories.
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 method allows for efficient repair of various tire types without the need for air bags or specialized tools, reduces labor and costs, and effectively controls vulcanization time to prevent over-vulcanization, enhancing working efficiency and maintaining tire shape accurately.
Implementation Method 1
heating a repair site including the damaged part by heating the heating pad to vulcanize the unvulcanized rubber of the repair material
Implementation Method 2
supported by stuffing members with different thermal conductivities to control heat transfer and prevent over-vulcanization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(A)~6
AI summary
Repair materials 22 and 25 made of at least unvulcanized rubber are applied on a repair site of a damaged part of a tire 1, heating pads 31 and 32 are applied on surfaces of the repair materials 22 and 25, wood pieces or other stuffing members 40 and 40s differing in size are stuffed inside the tire 1, in a tire circumferential part 1a in tire circumferential direction where the repair materials 22 and 25 are applied. The tire circumferential part 1a is fastened and pressed from surroundings by bands 45, and the repair site is heated by the heating pads 31 and 32 to vulcanize the unvulcanized rubber of the repair materials 22 and 25, to thereby repair the tire. This repair method provides a low-cost tire repair method capable of maintaining the shape of the tire at the time of pressing and vulcanization, in various kinds of tires.