Transfer Ring Shoe Tapered Edges Air Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the manufacture of vehicle tires, air entrapment issues arise during the stitching process due to the high pressures applied by transfer rings, leading to imprints and bulges that can trap air voids, causing undesirable performance features like vibration, noise, and reduced tire life.
Innovation Solution
A transfer ring with radially expandable and collapsible shoes featuring tapered edges and arcuate surfaces that facilitate air escape, reducing the formation of uncompressed seams and allowing easier air expulsion during the stitching process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pressure is applied by transfer ring shoes to compress tire components during transfer, then the components are securely held and transferred, but air voids become trapped between components causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer ring shoe is divided into multiple independent compression elements (segments) that can apply pressure at different locations and magnitudes. This segmentation allows air to escape through uncompressed regions between segments while still achieving secure component holding, resolving the contradiction between reliable transfer and air entrapment prevention
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transfer ring shoe apply different pressure levels - higher pressure in central gripping regions for secure holding, and lower or zero pressure at peripheral regions to allow air escape. This local differentiation of pressure quality enables simultaneous achievement of reliable component securing and air void prevention
2Manufacturing precision
If uniform pressure is applied across the entire shoe surface, then even compression is achieved, but air escape paths are blocked leading to entrapment
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe surface is segmented into multiple independent compression elements rather than a continuous uniform surface. This segmentation creates natural pressure distribution variations that maintain manufacturing precision in compressed regions while providing air escape paths in inter-segment regions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying uniform pressure across the entire shoe surface, the design inverts the approach by applying pressure only at specific segmented locations, deliberately leaving non-compressed regions for air escape. This inverted pressure distribution strategy prevents air entrapment while maintaining sufficient compression precision
3Ease of manufacture
If the shoe has a simple rectangular shape, then manufacturing is easy, but air cannot escape effectively during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe geometry is segmented into multiple simple modular elements rather than a single complex shape. Each segment maintains simple manufacturable geometry while the collective segmented structure creates effective air escape paths, combining ease of manufacture with air entrapment prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe incorporates curved or rounded edges and surfaces rather than sharp rectangular corners. This curvature facilitates air escape by creating gradual pressure transitions and avoiding dead zones where air could become trapped, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard curved profiles
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer ring for use in the manufacture of tires comprises a radially expandable and collapsible segmented gripping surface defined by a plurality of shoes, each shoe having an inwardly-facing surface mounted for movement toward and away from a central axis of the cylindrical gripping surface. Each inwardly-facing surface has first and second side edges. Each side edge has a central portion configured to be substantially parallel to a central portion of the other side edge and forms a mid-portion therebetween. Each side edge has first and second tapered portions on opposite respective ends of the central portion. Each tapered portion extends toward a tapered portion of the other side edge. The tapered portions cooperate to form a end portions that decrease in width away from the mid-portion.