Tire Tread Repurposing System for Structural Member Fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millions of used tires are discarded annually, contributing to environmental waste and pollution, with no sustainable, cost-effective method for recycling and repurposing their treads, leading to landfills overflow and pollution of air and water sources.
Innovation Solution
A modular tire recycling and repurposing system that processes used tires into various products like tie-downs, speed bumps, and pet scratching posts by cleaning, separating, cutting into strips, binding with adhesives or metal braids, and forming structural members, reducing waste and offering an environmentally friendly alternative.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If used tires are discarded in landfills, then the disposal problem is temporarily solved, but environmental pollution and landfill space consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by collecting discarded tires and processing them to recover useful components. The tire tread is separated and transformed into new products while the remaining tire structure is repurposed, thereby recovering value from waste materials and preventing environmental pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste product (discarded tires) into beneficial products. By processing tire treads into protective covers, speed bumps, and other useful items, the system transforms an environmental hazard into a valuable resource, eliminating pollution while creating economic value.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tire treads are repurposed into new products, then waste reduction and environmental protection are achieved, but processing complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tire into distinct components and processing them separately. The tire tread is separated from the rest of the tire structure, allowing each component to be processed independently into appropriate products, thereby simplifying the overall processing system while maintaining environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a processing system that can produce multiple different products from the same input material (tire tread). The system can manufacture protective covers, speed bumps, and other items using the same processing line, thereby reducing system complexity through multi-functionality.
3Productivity
If conventional tire disposal methods are used, then immediate disposal is achieved, but long-term environmental damage and landfill overflow occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by creating an ongoing process that continuously transforms tire waste into useful products. Rather than periodic disposal, the system operates continuously to process incoming tires and produce repurposed items, thereby preventing waste accumulation while maintaining high productivity.
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 system efficiently processes high volumes of used tires into durable, weatherproof, and environmentally friendly products, reducing landfill waste and pollution, providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for tire disposal and reuse.
Implementation Method 1
binding two or more strips together using a new or waste thermoplastics or rubber adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for recycling and repurposing used tires. The system includes a plurality of modules for automatically repurposing used tires into fabrication of structural members or devices including but not limited to tie-downs, attachment cables, speed bumps, tire chocks, pet scratching posts, fencing, safety barriers, and more. The treads of the tires are used for making elongated strips which are joined using adhesive(s) for forming structures. In some embodiments, the temperature and pressure for the repurposing process can be adjusted using an interface. The used tires are cleaned and waste material is removed after treads are separated.