Numerical Investigation on the Electromagnetic Vulcanizer Thermal Plate

Abstract The steam heating of the outer mold hot plates in the tire vulcanizer is replaced with electromagnetic induction heating. For four different coil arrangement schemes, COMSOL software is used to conduct the comparative simulation analysis of electromagnetic heating. Based on the structural requirements of the hot plate, a multi-segment concentric circular coil winding scheme is optimized, achieving a more uniform temperature field distribution across the hot plate. Taking the upper hot plate as an example, its dimensions are proportionally scaled down, and a small-scale hot plate electromagnetic heating device is designed, incorporating suitable heating controllers and coils. Referring to industry standards, the temperature rise process and distribution at several measurement points are recorded. The experimental results demonstrate that the hot plate exhibits an initial rapid temperature rise, followed by a slower rate as it stabilizes. At steady state, the temperature fluctuation is ±1.45°C, with a maximum temperature difference of 2.9°C, meeting the heating requirements of the vulcanizer hot plate. The experiment confirms the rationality and feasibility of the coil arrangement and hot plate structure design.