Tire Volume Control via Weight Measurement in Fixed Mold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire molding technologies, particularly inflatable bladder methods, are ineffective for non-pneumatic tires with inextensible membranes, leading to undesirable rubber flow or distortion due to volume inconsistencies, which affects mechanical performance and vulcanization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a portable mold core and core rotation spindle assembly for precise weighing and material addition to ensure the tire or tire tread reaches a targeted weight and volume, using strips of compatible material to adjust weight and volume, and a mold without an inflatable bladder to accommodate volume variations and ensure proper heat and pressure transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an inflatable bladder is used to accommodate volume variations in uncured tires, then the mold can close properly, but rubber flows between steel cords and mechanical performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by precisely controlling the uncured tire volume during the building process to match the mold cavity volume before curing. This is achieved through careful material placement and compaction during tire construction, eliminating the need for post-building volume adjustment via inflatable bladder expansion. The tire is built to the correct volume from the start, preventing rubber flow between steel cords while ensuring proper mold closure.
2Ease of operation
If the uncured tire volume is smaller than the mold volume, then the mold can close easily, but heat and pressure transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by implementing a control system that monitors and adjusts the uncured tire volume during the building process. Sensors and measurement devices track the tire dimensions and material density, providing real-time feedback to operators or automated systems. This allows precise adjustment of material placement and compaction to achieve the optimal tire volume that ensures both easy mold closing and efficient heat transfer during curing.
3Quantity of substance
If the uncured tire volume exceeds the mold volume, then the tire can be built with more material, but the mold cannot close without damaging the tire or mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by precisely controlling the uncured tire volume during the building process to match the mold cavity volume before curing. This is achieved through careful material placement and compaction during tire construction, eliminating the need for post-building volume adjustment via inflatable bladder expansion. The tire is built to the correct volume from the start, preventing rubber flow between steel cords while ensuring proper mold closure.
4Manufacturing precision
If weight-based control is implemented for tire volume, then manufacturing precision improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical volume control systems with a simpler weight-based control system. Instead of using sophisticated dimensional measurement and adjustment mechanisms, the invention uses weight measurements of the uncured tire to infer and control volume. Since the density of uncured rubber compounds is relatively constant, weight serves as a reliable proxy for volume, significantly simplifying the control system while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
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 precise control of tire volume, preventing rubber flow and distortion, ensuring effective vulcanization and maintaining mechanical performance by ensuring the tire fits snugly within the mold and receives adequate heat and pressure for curing.
Implementation Method 1
The tire or tire tread is weighed. If the weight of the tire or tire tread is within acceptable parameters, the tire or tire tread and the portable mold core are placed into a mold.
Implementation Method 2
sufficient heat and pressure are added to the rubber and elastomer materials so that curing or vulcanization occurs
Implementation Method 3
sufficient heat and pressure are added to the rubber and elastomer materials so that curing or vulcanization occurs
Implementation Method 4
curing or vulcanization occurs, creating the cross linked molecules that provide the aforementioned desirable characteristics
Implementation Method 5
the inflatable bladder is expanded with enough pressure so that any gaps between the fixed surfaces of the mold and the outer surfaces of the tire as well as any air pockets within the tire itself are removed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for precisely controlling the volume of a product such as a tire tread or tire that is placed into a mold is provided. This method includes providing a tread or tire that is built upon a portable mold core by laying a series of layers on the portable mold core. The outer diameter of the tire tread or tire is initially built to be purposely smaller than the interior surfaces of the mold in order to prevent any interference from occurring between the mold and the tire tread once the tire tread and core are placed within the mold and the mold is closed. The weight of the tire tread or tire is measured to see if the volume of the tire tread or tire is within acceptable parameters to fit within the mold. If not, additional material is added to the tire or tire tread.