Vulcanization Mold Elevations for Tire Tread Air Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vulcanization molds for pneumatic vehicle tires, especially winter tires, the trapped air is not completely evacuated, leading to irregularly shaped block element edges, particularly in areas with incisions formed by lamellar plates, which affects the optimal snow and ice performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of elevations with a base width and height of 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, spaced 1 mm to 1.5 mm apart, which run parallel to lamellar plates and are interrupted by ventilation holes, acts as spacers to divide trapped air into smaller quantities, ensuring effective air discharge and precise shaping of block and incision edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ventilation holes are formed in the mold segment to evacuate trapped air, then air discharge is improved, but the block and incision edges become irregularly shaped due to incomplete air evacuation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the trapped air into smaller partial quantities by introducing elevations that create multiple ventilation channels between the green tire and mold segment. Instead of relying on a few large ventilation holes, the air evacuation path is segmented into numerous smaller channels, allowing more complete and controlled air discharge while maintaining precise edge formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevations act as intermediary structures between the trapped air and the ventilation holes. These elevations with height of 0.2mm to 0.3mm create intermediate ventilation channels that facilitate gradual air evacuation, preventing direct contact between air pressure and the block/incision edges, thereby maintaining geometric precision while improving air discharge.
2Reliability
If lamellar plates are provided to form incisions in the tread blocks, then snow and ice grip is improved, but air evacuation becomes more difficult leading to irregular edges
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of elevations segments the air trapped by lamellar plates into smaller portions. The elevations create multiple ventilation channels that run parallel to the lamellar plates, allowing air to escape in controlled increments rather than creating pressure buildup that would distort the incision edges formed by the lamellar plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevations are strategically positioned to create ventilation channels in specific locations parallel to the lamellar plates. This local modification of the mold structure provides targeted air evacuation pathways exactly where needed - in the regions where lamellar plates form incisions - without affecting the overall incision geometry or the snow/ice grip performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the green tire is molded in the vulcanization mold with trapped air, then the molding process is simpler, but the block edges and incisions are irregularly shaped
Solution Approach 1:
The elevations are pre-formed on the mold segment surface before the molding process begins. These elevations automatically create the ventilation channels as the green tire is molded in, eliminating the need for complex active ventilation mechanisms. The preliminary structure ensures that air evacuation pathways are already in place, maintaining both process simplicity and edge precision.
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 solution enables the formation of precisely shaped block and incision edges, enhancing snow and ice grip by optimizing air evacuation and geometrically exact shaping of tread profiles during the vulcanization process.
Implementation Method 1
the enclosed air is divided into a large number of partial air quantities and a targeted discharge of the partial air quantities into the ventilation bores is effectively supported
Implementation Method 2
Ventilation channels are thus formed between the elevations, which ensure a geometrically exact shaping of the block and incision edges through the optimized diversion of the air into the ventilation bores
Implementation Method 3
lamellar plates 2 running parallel to one another and to the walls 1a divide the depression 1 in the transverse direction and are spaced at least substantially equally from one another and from the walls 1a of the depression 1 running in the transverse direction
Implementation Method 4
The pneumatic vehicle tire therefore has microgrooves, all of which are straight and run parallel or essentially parallel to the extension of the incisions in the tread blocks and/or the block-like tread positives. The microgrooves, which are formed in the tread by a measure to improve air evacuation in the tire vulcanization mold, are beneficial in new tires because they help snow and ice grip.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vulcanization mold for vulcanizing a pneumatic vehicle tire, in particular a winter passenger-car tire, comprising mold segments, which form the profiled tread of the tire and have molding ridges, which form recesses (1) for forming profile blocks (6a, 8a, 11a) or block-like profile positives (19, 20), wherein lamellar sheets (2) are anchored in recesses (1) in order to form incisions (21, 22) in the profile blocks (6a, 8a, 11a) or block-like profile positives (19, 20), wherein the lamellar sheets (2) divide the recesses (1) into sections (3), in each of which at least one venting bore (4) is formed in the mold segment. In each of the sections (3) of the recesses (1), a number of elevations (5) crossing the particular recess (1) parallel or substantially parallel to the extent of the lamellar sheets (2) is formed, the course of which elevations is interrupted at the venting bores (4). The invention further relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire that is produced by means of the vulcanization mold.