Tyre Post-Treatment Cooling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current post-treatment methods for vulcanized tires fail to achieve accurate dimensioning tolerances, concentricity, and energy efficiency due to inadequate cooling of residual heat, leading to suboptimal quality and material properties.
Innovation Solution
A device with encapsulated, insulated chambers for controlled, staged cooling of tires from vulcanization temperature to ambient temperature, combined with internal pressure using a support gas, allowing slow cooling over multiple heating cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the finished tyre is removed early from the vulcanizing machine to reduce process cycle times, then productivity is improved, but the tyre temperature remains high causing poor dimensional accuracy and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a controlled cooling process immediately after vulcanization while the tyre is still in the mold. The cooling medium is introduced through channels in the lower mold half to cool the tyre gradually before removal, ensuring dimensional accuracy is achieved during the transition from vulcanization to ejection, thus allowing early removal without sacrificing precision
2Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used to cool the finished tyre, then temperature is reduced, but energy efficiency is poor and quality is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the residual heat from the freshly vulcanized tyre to preheat the cooling medium before it enters the cooling channels. The cooling medium absorbs heat from the tyre and is then reused for preheating, creating a closed-loop system that reduces energy waste and improves overall energy efficiency while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded during cooling. The cooling medium that exits the tyre after absorbing heat is redirected to preheat incoming cooling medium or used for other purposes, transforming waste heat into a useful resource and significantly improving energy efficiency
3Speed
If rapid cooling is applied to the finished tyre, then cooling speed is increased, but unwanted reversion processes occur and quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a multi-stage cooling process with variable cooling rates. The cooling medium temperature and flow rate are dynamically adjusted during the cooling process - initially cooler to remove excess heat, then gradually warmed to slow the cooling rate near the end, preventing reversion while maintaining overall cooling efficiency
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
This approach enhances tire quality, dimensional accuracy, and cross-linking while reducing unwanted reversion processes and optimizing energy usage by gradually cooling tires to room temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling medium is supplied at a first temperature into a mold in which at least one green tyre is to be vulcanized or is being vulcanized
Implementation Method 2
the at least one green tyre is cooled by the first cooling medium to a first temperature which is lower than the vulcanization temperature
Implementation Method 3
a suitable heating medium is introduced at an appropriate temperature and under pressure into the interior of the green tyre
Implementation Method 4
The green tyre is usually fixed within the mold by means of a device in such a way that a largely pressure-tight chamber is formed within the green tyre
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for post-treating tyres after a vulcanization process, which supports slow and controlled cooling of the finished tyre containing residual heat from a first to a second temperature level within an insulating chamber of a PCD and with the optional use of internal tyre pressure by a support gas as part of a PCI function.