Automated Tire Tread Buffing System with Real-Time Circumference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for retreading tires are inefficient and imprecise due to manual control of buffing processes, leading to variability in tire casing circumference, which can result in mismatched tread sizes and performance deficiencies, and are exacerbated by differences in tire material conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automated buffing system that monitors electrical signals to adjust the rasp position in real-time, ensuring precise control over the cutting depth and circumference of the tire casing, thereby achieving consistent and accurate sizing for retreading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual control of buffing process is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variability in tire casing circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the buffing process with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect tire circumference and electronically controls the buffing machine parameters. This substitution eliminates operator variability and ensures consistent manufacturing precision while managing device complexity through systematic automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the tire casing circumference during the buffing process and provide real-time data to the control system. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically adjust buffing parameters to maintain the desired circumference, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity through intelligent control.
2Manufacturing precision
If imprecise buffing depth is used, then processing time is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates leading to tread mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the tire casing circumference before the buffing process begins. This preliminary action allows the control system to pre-calculate the exact buffing depth required to achieve the target circumference, eliminating trial-and-error approaches and reducing overall processing time while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of buffing depth during the process based on real-time circumference measurements. The system continuously adapts the cutting depth to compensate for variations in tire material conditions, ensuring consistent results without requiring excessive processing time for multiple adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated control is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the automated control system to perform multiple functions: measuring tire circumference, calculating required buffing depth, controlling buffing machine parameters, and monitoring process progress. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single integrated system, improving precision while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from manual operator judgment to automated electronic control based on measured circumference values. By transforming the control approach from qualitative to quantitative parameters, the system achieves higher precision while the complexity is managed through standardized computational algorithms rather than complex mechanical additions.
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 automated system significantly improves the precision and efficiency of tire casing buffing, reducing errors and inconsistencies, ensuring that the retreaded tires meet the desired circumference and performance standards, even with varying tire material conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a rasp that can be applied to the surface of the tire to remove rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.