Tire Strip Joining Device Deflection Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for joining tire strips suffer from tolerance buildup and misalignment issues, leading to deformations and unacceptable quality in tire components, particularly when using beveled splices.
Innovation Solution
A joining device with a support member and a retaining member, where the leading end of the second strip is positioned closer to the support plane than the rest, using a control unit for precise movement to ensure tolerance-free abutment and alignment, utilizing a deflection member to deflect the leading end into contact with the support plane, thereby eliminating tolerance-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retaining member is used to hold the second strip during conveyance, then the strip can be transported and positioned, but tolerance buildup of up to 0.5 millimeters occurs between the discharge conveyor and the gripper
Solution Approach 1:
A deflection member is introduced as an intermediary element between the retaining member and the support surface. This deflection member actively deflects the leading end of the second strip towards the support surface, serving as a mediator that compensates for the tolerance buildup caused by the retaining member's positioning inaccuracies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameter of the leading end of the second strip by actively deflecting it towards the support surface. This parameter change (position of the leading end) compensates for the tolerance buildup, allowing the strip to be joined accurately despite the retaining member's positioning inaccuracies.
2Ease of manufacture
If strips are joined with a beveled splice, then the joining can be formed, but misalignment of the overlapping second strip may cause a sharp edge protruding from the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection of the leading end of the second strip towards the support surface is performed as a preliminary action before the actual joining process. This preliminary deflection ensures that the strip is properly aligned and positioned, preventing the formation of sharp edges that would otherwise protrude from the surface during the beveled splice joining.
3Reliability
If the leading end of the second strip is retained at the same height as the rest of the strip, then the strip is held securely, but tolerance buildup prevents accurate alignment with the first strip
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating the leading end of the second strip differently from the rest of the strip. While the retaining member holds the majority of the strip at a consistent height for secure retention, the deflection member locally deflects only the leading end towards the support surface, creating a localized positional adjustment that enables accurate alignment without compromising overall retention reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is joining device for joining a trailing end of a first strip to a leading end of a second strip to form a tire component. The joining device includes a support member with a support surface and a retaining member with a retaining surface for retaining the second strip. The joining device is arranged for positioning the leading end of the second strip in a joining orientation in which said leading end is closer to the support plane than the rest. The joining device also includes a control unit for controlling a relative movement between the support member and the retaining member with a first component in a placement direction to place the leading end of the second strip and a second component in a joining direction to bring the leading end of the second strip into contact with the trailing end of the first strip.