Tyre Vulcanising Press Sector Locking Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tyre vulcanising presses face challenges with manual operation of locking and releasing sectors, which increases production time and poses safety hazards due to high temperature exposure, and require multiple moulds for different tyre sizes, leading to inefficient heat transfer and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A tyre vulcanising press with a design featuring a supporting frame, a mould formed by C-shaped sectors and cheeks, and a locking mechanism using sliding blocks and actuators to automate the locking and releasing process, allowing for efficient operation and adaptation to various tyre sizes without manual intervention on hot parts, and optimizing heating by placing heating elements between the structure and the mould.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual locking and releasing of sectors is used, then the structure remains simple, but production time increases and operator safety is compromised due to high temperature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock and release sectors through the movement of carriages along radial guides. The system self-regulates the locking process based on the natural movement of components during mould opening and closing, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing production time without requiring complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system where carriages move along guides and automatically engage/disengage locking elements. This substitution of manual labor with an automated mechanical system maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving productivity and safety
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple moulds are used for different tyre sizes, then adaptability is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The press is designed with a universal mould structure that can accommodate different tyre sizes through a single mould configuration. The mould can be adjusted or repositioned within the press chamber to suit various tyre dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated moulds and the associated thermal energy waste from heating unused moulds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the size adaptation capability from the mould itself and places it in the positioning system. The mould remains constant while the positioning mechanism is extracted and enhanced to provide size adaptability, separating the heating function from the sizing function and improving thermal efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If spacer material with high thermal conductivity is used to separate press and mould, then adaptability to different sizes is improved, but heat transmission from press to mould becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning of the mould within the press chamber rather than static spacers. The mould can be moved radially to different positions depending on the tyre size being produced, allowing direct thermal contact when needed and eliminating the requirement for thermal spacers that would impede heat transfer
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
The solution automates the locking and releasing process, reduces manual handling of hot parts, enhances safety, and allows for versatile use with different tyre sizes while minimizing heat usage, thereby increasing production efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The press also comprises a plurality of carriages 14, each associated with a respective sector 5, and able to move along a direction R, which is radial relative to a circumferential path P centred on a central axis X
Implementation Method 2
The press also comprises a plurality of heating elements 38, positioned between the supporting structure 32 and the mould 3, and designed to heat the cheeks 9, 10 and the sectors 5
Implementation Method 3
The locking means 20 comprise a plurality of sliding blocks 21, each acting between two carriages 14 side by side, and sliding between a coupled position in which it connects together the two carriages 14 with which it is associated, preventing them from moving away from one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
A tyre vulcanising press comprises a supporting structure (32) and a mould (3) associated with the supporting structure and forming a toroidal chamber (4) extending around a central axis (X), for containing a tyre to be vulcanised. The structure (32) comprises a plurality of elements (33) able to move radially relative to the central axis (X) between a position in which they have, been moved towards one another and a position in which they have been moved- away from one another. There are also locking means (20) for reversibly locking the movable elements (33) in the respective position in which they have been moved towards one another and heating means (15) operatively associated with the mould (3). The locking means (20) comprise a plurality of slides, (21), each positioned at two adjacent movable elements (33) at least when the latter are in the position in which they have been moved towards one another, and' able, to slide between a coupled position in which the slide connects together the two adjacent movable elements (33), and a released position in which the movable elements (33) can move away from one another.