Tire Vulcanizing Mold Pillar Nesting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire vulcanizing devices are large, complex, and prone to breakdown due to the external location of the raising/lowering mechanism, which is susceptible to dust exposure.

Innovation Solution

The raising/lowering mechanisms are housed within the supporting pillars, allowing the upper mold and tubes to move internally and close the vulcanization mold, simplifying the structure and reducing dust exposure, thus enhancing compactness and reducing breakdown rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the raising/lowering mechanism is disposed externally between supporting pillars, then the mechanism is accessible for operation and maintenance, but the device becomes large overall and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of raising/lowering mechanismVSAvoidOverall device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The raising/lowering mechanism is nested within the hollow interior of the supporting pillars. The pillar serves as a housing that contains the mechanism, eliminating the need for external mounting and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting pillar serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the raising/lowering mechanism, and protects the mechanism from external contaminants. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the raising/lowering mechanism is disposed externally between supporting pillars, then the mechanism is accessible for operation, but it is easy for the mechanism to be affected by dust such that the rate of occurrence of breakdown is high

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of raising/lowering mechanismVSAvoidBreakdown rate of raising/lowering mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The raising/lowering mechanism is nested within the hollow interior of the supporting pillars, which protects it from external dust and contaminants. This nesting arrangement reduces the mechanism's exposure to harmful environmental factors, thereby improving reliability and reducing breakdown rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow interior of the supporting pillar, which could be seen as empty space, is utilized to house and protect the raising/lowering mechanism. This converts the potential vulnerability of external exposure into a protective enclosure that shields the mechanism from dust and contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the raising/lowering mechanism is disposed externally between supporting pillars, then the mechanism can be independently positioned, but the device becomes large overall

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePositioning flexibility of raising/lowering mechanismVSAvoidOverall device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The raising/lowering mechanism is nested within the supporting pillars, utilizing the internal space of the pillars rather than occupying additional external space. This nesting approach maintains the positioning flexibility of the mechanism while significantly reducing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism is relocated from an external horizontal arrangement between pillars to an internal vertical arrangement within the pillars. This dimensional change allows the mechanism to be positioned effectively while minimizing the device's overall footprint and volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration results in a more compact, simplified device with reduced breakdown occurrences due to internal protection of the raising/lowering mechanisms from dust, improving operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a raising/lowering mechanism that is formed from a fluid cylinder, a screw shaft or the like, and that is disposed between the respective sets of supporting pillars, and that, by raising and lowering the solid pillar bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a raising/lowering mechanism that is formed from a fluid cylinder, a screw shaft or the like, and that is disposed between the respective sets of supporting pillars, and that, by raising and lowering the solid pillar bodies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3730266B1Tire vulcanizing method and device
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3730266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tire vulcanizing method comprises: a step of causing a connecting body, at which an upper mold of a vulcanization mold is supported and that connects together upper end portions of upper tubes of a plurality of supporting pillars, the supporting pillars being disposed so as to be apart in a peripheral direction at a periphery of the vulcanization mold, which is formed from a lower mold and the upper mold, which is set above the lower mold, and the supporting pillars having lower tubes that are hollow and the upper tubes, which are hollow and are slidably engaged with the lower tubes, and the supporting pillars extending in a vertical direction, to, together with the upper tubes and the upper mold, approach the lower mold, and close the vulcanization mold; and a step of vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire that is accommodated at an interior of the vulcanization mold that is closed, wherein the causing the connecting body, the upper tubes and the upper mold to approach the lower mold is carried out by operating raising/lowering mechanisms that are accommodated at interiors of the supporting pillars.