Tyre Flange Rotation Control for Wire Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The conformation process of pneumatic bandages often struggles to achieve a precise and reproducible radial orientation of reinforcement wires, particularly during the transition from a cylindrical to a toric shape, due to challenges in rotating the heels and flanges in synchronization.

Innovation Solution

A bandage conformation device with a translational mechanism to adjust the distance between flanges and a rotation mechanism, coupled with a control system that applies a conditional assistance mode. This mode allows for free natural rotation within an authorized angular range and triggers assistance only when the angular deviation exceeds this range, ensuring precise orientation of reinforcement wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the flanges are left to rotate freely during radial expansion, then the natural twisting effect allows the reinforcement wires to orient themselves, but the azimuthal orientation becomes imprecise and irreproducible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefree rotation of flangesVSAvoidazimuthal orientation of reinforcement wires
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the rotation angle of the flanges as a function of their axial separation distance. By changing the rotational parameter based on the axial position parameter, the system ensures that at each stage of radial expansion, the flanges are oriented at the precise angle needed to guide reinforcement wires into the correct radial position, thereby resolving the contradiction between free rotation and precise orientation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors the axial separation distance between flanges and adjusts the rotation angle in real-time based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that the flanges maintain the correct angular relationship throughout the expansion process, achieving both operational simplicity and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the rotation of flanges is controlled by motorized means to achieve precise radial orientation, then the reinforcing wires are correctly positioned, but the free positioning of bandage components is hindered at the start of expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial orientation of reinforcing wiresVSAvoidtorsional shear deformation of bandage components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is programmed with pre-calculated rotation angles corresponding to different axial separation distances. Before the expansion begins, the system has already determined the optimal rotation trajectory, allowing it to apply the correct rotational movement from the outset without causing harmful torsional shear to the bandage components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static control approach to a dynamic one, where the rotation angle is not fixed but varies continuously as a function of axial separation. This dynamic adjustment allows the flanges to adapt their orientation in real-time, achieving precise radial orientation while accommodating the natural deformation behavior of the bandage components during expansion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If controlled rotation is applied throughout the entire expansion process, then reproducible radial orientation is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of radial orientationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces a complex mechanical control system with multiple motors and sensors with a simpler control approach. By using a control system that calculates and applies a single rotation angle based on axial separation distance, the patent achieves reproducible radial orientation with minimal device complexity, substituting sophisticated mechanics with intelligent control logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4313572B1Device for shaping a pneumatic tyre comprising a conditional assistance system for the rotation of the flanges carrying the beads of the tyre
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP4313572B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4313572B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4313572B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1), of the drum (10) type, for shaping a tyre (2) by axially approaching and relatively rotating a first flange (11) carrying the first bead (3) of the tyre and a second flange (12) carrying the second bead (4) of the tyre, said device applying a law (L40) comprising a conditional assistance mode according to which assistance with the rotation of the flanges (11, 12) is triggered if and only if the angular deviation (dA) observed between the flanges departs from a pre-established authorised range (DdA).