Yaw-Steered Applicator Roll for Sinusoidal Tire Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for laying reinforcing strips on tires, particularly those with high rigidity, face challenges such as folding damage, adherence issues, and discontinuity in the reinforcing structure, leading to suboptimal performance and quality.

Innovation Solution

A device combining an applicator roller and a yaw steering unit ensures precise tracking and continuous flattening of the reinforcing strip, maintaining its homogeneity and mechanical properties by aligning the strip's curvature with the desired trajectory, preventing lifting, creasing, or tearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a reinforcing strip with high rigidity is laid on a drum using traditional folding methods, then the strip can be redirected at edges, but the strip suffers folding damage and loses adhesion quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to redirect strip at edgesVSAvoidadhesion quality and structural continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of folding the strip back on itself at the edges, the invention inverts the approach by using a yaw-steered applicator roll that directs the strip to follow a sinusoidal trajectory, allowing the strip to bend smoothly without folding. The applicator roll orientation is continuously adjusted to guide the strip along the desired curved path, eliminating the need for traditional folding operations that damage high-rigidity strips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies dynamic control by continuously adjusting the yaw orientation of the applicator roll during the laying process. The roll's orientation angle varies sinusoidally as it moves across the drum width, enabling the strip to follow a smooth curved trajectory. This dynamic adjustment allows the rigid strip to adapt to the curved path without folding, maintaining its structural integrity and adhesion properties throughout the laying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the reinforcing strip is folded at edges to reverse direction, then the laying trajectory can be changed, but discontinuity and excess thickness are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrajectory flexibilityVSAvoidhomogeneity of reinforcement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional folding method with an inverted approach using continuous sinusoidal trajectory following. Instead of creating discrete folds at edges, the applicator roll continuously adjusts its yaw orientation to guide the strip along a smooth sinusoidal path, eliminating discontinuities and excess thickness while maintaining trajectory flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies curvature by guiding the reinforcing strip along a sinusoidal curved trajectory rather than a straight line with sharp folds. The continuous curved path allows the rigid strip to bend smoothly under the control of the yaw-steered applicator roll, eliminating the sharp angular folds that cause discontinuity and thickness variations, while achieving the desired trajectory adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If traditional folding and pressing methods are used, then the strip can be redirected, but the mechanical properties and continuity of the reinforcement are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveredirecting capabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties and continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses dynamic yaw control of the applicator roll to continuously adjust the strip's bending radius and direction during laying. This dynamic adjustment allows the strip to follow a smooth sinusoidal trajectory without sharp folds, preserving its mechanical properties and continuity. The roll's orientation is actively controlled to match the desired trajectory curvature at every point, enabling redirection without compromising strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the laying process by controlling the applicator roll's yaw orientation angle as a continuous variable that varies sinusoidally along the trajectory. This parameter control allows the rigid strip to adapt to curved paths without folding, maintaining its mechanical integrity. The continuous adjustment of the roll's orientation angle enables redirection while preserving the strip's strength and continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3880454B1Device for sinusoidally laying a reinforcing sheet on a drum, comprising a yaw-steered, roll-suspended applicator roll
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3880454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3880454B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3880454B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for laying a reinforcement strip (2) on a receiving surface (3) according to an undulated laying trajectory (13), in order to reinforce a pneumatic tyre, said device (1) comprising a longitudinal displacement unit (15) which generates a first relative displacement component (M15) of an applicator roller (11) with respect to the receiving surface (13) in a longitudinal direction (L13), a transverse displacement unit (16), which generates a second relative displacement component (M16) in a transverse direction (T13) secant to the longitudinal direction (L13), and in the form of a reciprocating motion corresponding to a desired amplitude of the undulations (14A, 14B, 14C), and a yaw steering unit (22) synchronized with the longitudinal and transverse displacement units (15, 16), which controls and automatically adjusts the yaw orientation (M22) of the central axis (Z11) of the applicator roller (11) considered in azimuth about a yaw axis (Z22) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L13) and to the transverse direction (T13).