Removable Tyre Mould Insert for High-Contrast Sidewall Markings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire manufacturing processes face challenges in creating high contrast patterns on tire sidewalls without degrading the aesthetics, as smooth surfaces molded by inserts interfere with the high contrast patterns and limit their extension across the sidewall.

Innovation Solution

A mold design featuring a body with a first texture pattern and an insert with a second texture pattern, where the second pattern contrasts with the marking pattern but not with the first texture pattern, allowing for a matte texture that reduces light reflection and maintains aesthetics, with specific brightness differences and element arrangements to achieve this effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a smooth molding surface is used on the insert, then the marking pattern is clearly defined, but the light reflection interferes with the high-contrast pattern and degrades aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking pattern definitionVSAvoidlight reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert molding surface is divided into two distinct zones: a smooth zone for the marking pattern and a textured zone for the background. This local differentiation allows the smooth marking area to provide clear definition while the textured background area reduces light reflection, resolving the contradiction between pattern clarity and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a first region with a smooth molding surface for the marking pattern and a second region with a textured molding surface for the background. This segmentation enables each region to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the high-contrast pattern is extended across the entire sidewall, then visibility is improved, but the smooth insert surface creates aesthetic degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The textured surface is applied locally to the background areas of the insert while maintaining smooth surfaces for the marking patterns. This allows the high-contrast pattern to extend across the sidewall for improved visibility, while the textured background only appears in non-marking areas, preserving overall aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If a textured pattern is applied to the entire insert surface, then light reflection is reduced, but the marking pattern becomes less distinct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight reflection reductionVSAvoidmarking pattern distinctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insert surface is differentiated into smooth regions for markings and textured regions for background. This local quality approach ensures that light reflection is reduced only in the background areas, while the marking areas maintain smooth surfaces that provide distinct, clear patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is segmented into a first region with smooth surface for markings and a second region with textured surface for background. This segmentation prevents the textured pattern from interfering with marking distinctness while still achieving light reflection reduction in the background areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4048511B1Tyre curing mould having a removable insert, and associated manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP4048511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4048511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4048511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Tyre curing mould (20), said mould comprising at least one body, such as a shell (21) or a lining, and at least one insert (22) mounted in a removable manner in a housing of said body, the moulding surface (23) of said body having a first texture pattern (24), the moulding surface (25) of said insert having a marking pattern (26). According to the invention, the moulding surface of said insert also has a second texture pattern (27) chosen such that the surface moulded by the second texture pattern contrasts with the surface moulded by the marking pattern (26) and does not contrast, or contrasts only little, with the surface moulded by the first texture pattern (24).