Tyre Mold Blade Assembly for Complex Tread Sipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molding elements for tire tread cuts face issues with deformations, high manufacturing costs, and the need for large laser sintering machines, as well as the inability to fix transverse slats without impacting the tire's shape and operation.
Innovation Solution
A set of molding elements comprising a main lamella and secondary lamellae with assembly means such as anchoring studs and notches or protrusions, allowing for robust assembly without interfering with the molding volume, enabling complex shapes and multiple positioning options for sipes without affecting the tread pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If molding elements are manufactured as a large network by laser sintering, then the network can cover large areas, but the network is subject to significant deformation and requires large-scale receiving platforms that increase manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the molding network into separate modular components (transverse slats and longitudinal slats) that can be manufactured independently using standard laser sintering machines. This segmentation reduces the size of receiving platforms needed and minimizes deformation during manufacturing, while still allowing coverage of large areas through assembly of multiple modules.
2Strength
If transverse slats are fixed to longitudinal slats using ridges, then the slats can be securely assembled, but the ridges impact the shape and function of the tire tread cutouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the assembly function from the molding surface by placing connection elements (protrusions and recesses) on the undersides of the slats only. This separation allows secure mechanical assembly while keeping the top molding surfaces clean and free of features that would interfere with tire tread cutout geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate connection elements (protrusions and recesses) that mediate between the need for secure assembly and the requirement for clean molding surfaces. These intermediaries provide the mechanical connection function without directly contacting or interfering with the tire tread formation area.
3Reliability
If a molding element in the network is defective, then the defect can be identified, but the entire network must be discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows individual slats to be manufactured separately and assembled into the network. If a defect is detected in one slat, only that specific component needs to be replaced rather than discarding the entire network, significantly reducing material waste while maintaining quality control.
4Shape
If molding elements are designed with complex shapes, then the tire tread patterns can be optimized, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Complex tire tread patterns are achieved by assembling multiple standardized slat modules in different configurations rather than manufacturing each unique pattern as a single complex piece. This modular approach maintains design flexibility for complex patterns while using standardized manufacturing processes that reduce cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
A set of moulding elements suitable for being inserted into a mould for moulding a tyre, said set comprising a main blade (1) and at least one secondary blade (2), said secondary blade (2) comprising a first secondary blade portion (3) and a second secondary blade portion (4), the second secondary blade portion (4) extending the first secondary blade portion and said first secondary blade portion (3) and second secondary blade portion (4) extending to either side of the main blade (1) and said set of moulding elements comprising assembly means (10) for assembling the secondary blade (2) with the main blade (1).