Selective Tire Vulcanization Temper Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire vulcanization methods result in inconsistent post-crosslinking across different tire zones, leading to trade-offs between rolling resistance and wet braking performance, as uniform cooling techniques fail to precisely adjust the degree of crosslinking in various tire areas.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a temperature control element that selectively influences specific tire zones during post-vulcanization, allowing for precise adjustment of crosslinking by varying temperature and time across different areas, including the use of multiple temperature control segments and active or passive thermal management to optimize tire properties like abrasion, braking, and rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform cooling is applied to the entire tire, then the cooling process is simple, but the post-crosslinking consistency across different tire zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into multiple independent cooling zones (first cooling zone, second cooling zone, third cooling zone) that can operate independently with different cooling parameters. This segmentation allows each zone to apply customized cooling to specific tire regions, achieving consistent post-crosslinking across different zones while maintaining process simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling parameters (temperature, cooling rate, duration) are applied to different tire zones based on their specific requirements. The first cooling zone applies initial uniform cooling, while subsequent zones apply differentiated cooling to achieve target post-crosslinking degrees in tread, sidewall, and bead regions respectively, thereby improving post-crosslinking consistency without excessive complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If individually adjustable temperatures are used between profile segments and heating plates, then temperature differences between tire zones can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple heating zones corresponding to different tire regions, each with independently controllable temperature. This allows precise temperature differentiation between zones while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular temperature control units that can be regulated separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves temperature differentiation by changing thermal parameters (temperature, heating duration) across different zones rather than altering the physical structure significantly. This approach enables precise temperature control for post-crosslinking while avoiding excessive device complexity through parameter-based control rather than structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the tire is cooled uniformly in the cooling area, then the cooling process is straightforward, but the targeted post-crosslinking of specific tire zones cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling area is divided into multiple independent cooling zones with separate control systems. Each zone can be operated independently with simplified control interfaces, maintaining ease of operation while enabling targeted cooling of specific tire zones to achieve precise post-crosslinking control without requiring complex integrated control.
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
Enables precise control over tire properties by achieving targeted crosslinking in individual zones, optimizing both wet braking and rolling resistance without mutual interference, resulting in improved product quality and consistency across the tire.
Implementation Method 1
the tire blank is heated from the inside by means of a heating bellows, into which a pressurized, heated heating medium is introduced
Implementation Method 2
the tire blank is heated within the vulcanizing chamber by means of tread segments, sidewall shells, and bead rings
Implementation Method 3
a tempering element is applied at least partially to the tire in order to thermally affect the tire, so that the temperature of the tire is selectively influenced in certain areas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for vulcanizing a tire (2), comprising at least the following steps: - placing the tire (2) into a vulcanization chamber (1) and carrying out a main vulcanization process by treating the tire (1) with pressure and heat, thereby bringing the tire (2) into its final shape and cross-linking the material of the tire (2) occurs; - carrying out a tempering process after completion of the main vulcanization process, wherein thermal action is applied to the tire (2) via a tempering element (11) to further cross-link the tire (2). It is provided that the tempering element (11) is applied to the tire (1) at least in certain areas and that the temperature (T) of the tire (2) is selectively influenced by the tempering element (11) in certain areas to selectively cross-link the tire (2). The invention further relates to a vulcanization device for carrying out the method.