Tire testing machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a tire testing machine that can change the interval between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of the tire with a simple structure. The lower spindle (21) has a lower retaining portion (210A) for retaining the lower rim (61) and a locking member (250). The upper spindle (22) has an upper retaining portion (221) for retaining the upper rim (62) and an inserting portion (222). By adjusting the insertion amount of the inserting portion (222) into the internal space (S) and engaging the multiple locking engaging portions (250A) of the locking portion (250) with the multiple inserting engaging portions (224A) of the inserting portion (222), the interval between the lower rim (61) and the upper rim (62) can be adjusted according to the width of the tire (T).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire testing machine for performing specified tests on tires. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, tire testing machines for measuring tire uniformity and other characteristics are known. These tire testing machines include a spindle that rotatably supports the tire about a rotational axis extending in the vertical direction; a rotating drum that rotatably supports the tire about a rotational axis parallel to the spindle's rotational axis and can contact the tire's outer circumferential surface; and a load sensor that can measure the load applied to the rotating drum. Alternatively, some tire testing machines include a load sensor on the spindle side.

[0003] After air is filled into a tire mounted on a spindle and a rotating drum is pressed against the tire's outer circumference, the tire rotates about the spindle, and a load sensor measures tire load variation data. The tire's uniformity is evaluated based on the measured load variation data. The spindle includes an upper spindle and a lower spindle. When the tire is mounted on the spindle, upper and lower rims corresponding to the tire's size are attached to either side of the tire. The spindle rotatably supports the tire via these rims.

[0004] Since the tires evaluated in the tire testing machine have various sizes and widths, it is necessary to set the relative distance between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of each tire. Patent document 1 discloses a tire testing machine in which the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim can be adjusted. Specifically, the tire testing machine comprises: a cylindrical spindle (equivalent to the lower spindle) supporting the lower rim; a cylindrical locking shaft (equivalent to the upper spindle) supporting the upper rim; and a driving mechanism. The spindle is inserted into the locking shaft inside its cylinder. On the outer peripheral surface of the distal end of the locking shaft, 15 levels of locking grooves are arranged in the upper and lower directions. On the other hand, the spindle has four locking members, which are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction in a manner facing the locking grooves and can each move back and forth in the radial direction. Each locking member has six levels of locking claws in the upper and lower directions that can engage with the locking grooves. After the locking shaft's entry (descent) relative to the spindle is adjusted and the drive mechanism moves the four locking members radially inward, the six-stage locking pawls engage with their designated locking grooves, positioning the locking shaft vertically relative to the spindle. As a result, the relative positions of the upper and lower rims are fixed.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3904318

[0008] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the drive mechanism for reciprocating the four locking members in the radial direction is provided by radially penetrating the cylindrical mandrel, which complicates the structure of the drive mechanism. Furthermore, such a structure results in a larger mechanism, increased malfunctions, and increased maintenance effort and time. Summary of the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire testing machine capable of changing the distance between an upper rim and a lower rim according to the width of a tire with a simple structure.

[0010] The tire testing machine provided by the present invention rotates a tire positioned horizontally at a designated tire testing position about its rotational axis to perform a designated test. The horizontal position is a position in which the tire's rotational axis extends in the vertical direction. The tire testing machine includes a lower spindle and an upper spindle. The lower spindle has a lower retaining portion capable of retaining a lower rim mounted on a lower bead portion, and the lower rim supports the tire so that it can rotate about the rotational axis. The lower bead portion is the lower bead portion of the tire positioned horizontally. The upper spindle has an upper retaining portion capable of retaining an upper rim mounted on an upper bead portion, and the upper rim supports the tire so that it can rotate about the rotational axis. The upper bead portion is the upper bead portion of the tire positioned horizontally. One of the lower and upper spindles has an insertion portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the other spindle, which is different from the first spindle. The insertion portion includes an insertion outer peripheral surface constituting the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation center axis. The insertion portion includes a plurality of insertion engaging portions and a plurality of insertion recesses. The plurality of insertion engaging portions extend axially along the rotation center axis and are arranged at intervals from each other in the rotation direction of the tire and respectively constitute a portion of the insertion outer peripheral surface. The plurality of insertion engaging portions include a plurality of engaging protrusions extending along the rotation direction and arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The plurality of insertion recesses are arranged in such a manner that the insertion engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction in the plurality of insertion engaging portions extend along the axial direction and respectively constitute a portion of the insertion outer peripheral surface. The plurality of insertion recesses each have a shape that is concave radially inward relative to the plurality of insertion engaging portions when viewed from the axial direction. In addition, the other spindle has a cylindrical spindle inner peripheral surface and a locking portion. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical spindle demarcates an opening portion that faces the insertion portion of the spindle on one side in the axial direction and an internal space that can accommodate the insertion portion through the opening portion. The locking portion constitutes at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the spindle and can lock the insertion portion inserted into the internal space to constrain the spindle on one side in the axial direction. The locking portion has a plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions and a plurality of locking recesses. The plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions extend along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle and are arranged at intervals from each other in the rotational direction. The plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions respectively include a plurality of locking protrusions that extend along the rotational direction and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The plurality of locking recesses are respectively arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle in such a manner that the locking snap-fit ​​portions that are adjacent to each other in the rotational direction in the plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions extend along the axial direction.The multiple locking engagement parts each have a shape that is recessed radially outward relative to the multiple locking engagement parts when viewed from the axial direction. The radial and circumferential dimensions of the multiple locking engagement parts and the multiple locking recesses relative to the multiple insertion engagement parts and the multiple insertion recesses with the rotation center axis as the center are respectively set in a manner that satisfies the following form. That is, the radial and circumferential dimensions of the multiple locking engagement parts and the multiple locking recesses relative to the multiple insertion engagement parts and the multiple insertion recesses with the rotation center axis as the center are respectively set in a manner that when viewed from the axial direction, the multiple insertion engagement parts of the spindle on one side are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses of the spindle on the other side, and the multiple insertion recesses of the spindle on one side are respectively consistent with the multiple locking engagement parts of the spindle on the other side, that is, in the inserted state, the spindle on the other side can receive the insertion part of the spindle on one side along the axial direction. to the internal space until the multiple insertion engaging parts are respectively located at positions facing the multiple locking engaging parts in the rotation direction, and by respectively receiving the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging parts of the one side's spindle that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction into the space between the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging parts of the other side's spindle that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction along the rotation direction and respectively engaging with the multiple engaging protrusions, the upper retaining part of the upper spindle and the lower retaining part of the lower spindle can be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a rear view of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a side view of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a lower rim and an upper rim are supported by a lower spindle and an upper spindle, respectively.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a side view of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an upper rim is supported by an upper spindle.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a bottom view of a guide of an upper spindle of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a plan view of a lock tool of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a side sectional view of a lock tool of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 9 It is a perspective view of a locking tool of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of an upper spindle, an upper rim, and a lock member of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 11 It is a side sectional view of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a lower rim and an upper rim are supported by a lower spindle and an upper spindle, respectively.

[0022] Figure 12 It is a top perspective view of a lifting unit of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 An enlarged three-dimensional view of a part of the lifting unit.

[0024] Figure 14 It is a bottom perspective view of a lifting unit of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 An enlarged three-dimensional view of a part of the lifting unit.

[0026] Figure 16 It is a plan view of a lifting unit of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 An enlarged top view of a partially enlarged portion of the lifting unit.

[0028] Figure 18 This is a block diagram of a tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 19 This is a side view showing a process of rotatably supporting a tire in the tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 20 is with Figure 19The corresponding cross-sectional views show a process of rotatably supporting a tire in the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 21 It is a cross-sectional view showing a process of rotatably supporting a tire in the tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 22 It is a cross-sectional view showing a process of rotatably supporting a tire in the tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 23 It is a cross-sectional view showing a process of rotatably supporting a tire in the tire testing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 24 It is a side view of a tire testing machine according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an upper rim is supported by an upper spindle.

[0035] Figure 25 It is a plan view of a lock tool of a tire testing machine according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 26 It is a side sectional view of a lock tool of a tire testing machine according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 27 It is a side sectional view showing a state in which a lower rim and an upper rim of a tire testing machine according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention are supported by a lower spindle and an upper spindle, respectively.

[0038] Figure 28 It is a side sectional view showing a state in which a lower rim and an upper rim of a tire testing machine according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention are supported by a lower spindle and an upper spindle, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a tire testing machine 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The following figures show the front-back, top-down, and left-right directions of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. However, these directions do not limit the usage of the tire testing machine according to the present invention.

[0040] The tire testing machine 1 includes a main frame 1S, a spindle 2, a tire transport mechanism 3, a rotating drum 4, a lifting unit 50, a marking unit 60, a drum moving mechanism (not shown), and a load cell 4L. The tire testing machine 1 is configured to move a tire T (see FIG. 1 ) in a horizontal position at a designated tire testing position P. Figure 19 ) is rotated around the tire rotation center axis CL (rotation center axis) to perform a specified test on the tire T, and the horizontal posture is a posture in which the tire rotation center axis CL of the tire T extends in the up and down direction.

[0041] The main frame 1S is arranged in the substantially central portion of the tire testing machine 1, and a tire testing position P is formed inside the main frame 1S. The main frame 1S also rotatably supports the spindle 2. The main frame 1S has a lower frame 100 ( Figure 3 ), base frame 101( Figure 2 ), and upper frame 102 ( Figure 2 ).

[0042] The spindle 2 supports the tire T rotatably around a reference rotation center axis 2S extending in the vertical direction at the tire test position P. The spindle 2 includes a lower spindle 21 (the other spindle, the second spindle) and an upper spindle 22 (one spindle, the first spindle). Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0043] The tire conveying mechanism 3 is provided along the horizontal conveying direction D1 so as to pass through the tire test position P in a plan view. The tire conveying mechanism 3 can convey the tire T in a horizontal position into the tire test position P and can convey the tire T out of the tire test position P along the conveying direction D1.

[0044] The rotating drum 4 is rotatably supported by the base frame 101 of the main frame 1S. The rotating drum 4 is arranged opposite to the tire test position P (spindle 2) at a specified interval in a direction (left-right direction) roughly perpendicular to the conveying direction D1 of the tire T conveyed by the tire conveying mechanism 3. The rotating drum 4 is a cylindrical member that is configured to rotate freely around a rotation center axis extending in a direction (up-down direction) parallel to the reference rotation center axis 2S of the spindle 2, and a simulated road surface 4A (outer peripheral surface) for the tire T to run on is formed on its outer peripheral surface. Based on the contact between the simulated road surface 4A and the outer peripheral surface of the tire T, the rotating drum 4 rotates with the tire T. A drum moving mechanism (not shown) is provided on the side of the rotating drum 4 for pushing the rotating drum 4 in the horizontal direction. The drum moving mechanism can move the rotating drum 4 close to or away from the tire T.

[0045] The load cells 4L (load measuring instruments) are arranged on the upper and lower extension lines of the rotation center axis of the rotating drum 4 (on the Figure 1Only the upper side is shown in the figure) to measure the load applied to the rotating drum 4 from the tire T. Load sensors 4L are used to support the rotating drum 4 on the main frame 1S. One load sensor 4L is provided at the upper and lower portions of the rotating drum 4 to measure the load acting in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating drum 4. Specifically, the tire testing machine 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a tire uniformity device. A combination of a ball screw and a motor (not shown) is used to bring the rotating drum 4 close to the spindle 2. With the tire T in contact with a simulated road surface 4A on the rotating drum 4, the load sensors 4L measure load fluctuations during tire rotation, thereby evaluating the uniformity of the tire T.

[0046] The tire conveying mechanism 3 is composed of a conveyor belt structure. The tire conveying mechanism 3 includes an inlet conveyor 7, a delivery conveyor 8, an outlet conveyor 9, an inlet frame 7S, and an outlet frame 9S. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the tire T is conveyed from the rear side (upstream side) to the front side (downstream side).

[0047] The inlet conveyor 7 conveys the tire T toward the tire test position P. The tire T conveyed by the inlet conveyor 7 is delivered to the upstream portion of the delivery conveyor 8. The delivery conveyor 8 receives the tire T from the inlet conveyor 7 and delivers the tire T to the tire test position P. The delivery conveyor 8 temporarily stops the tire T at the tire test position P under the control of a control unit 90 (described later). After the tire T undergoes a designated test, the delivery conveyor 8 further delivers the tire T downstream. The tire T conveyed by the delivery conveyor 8 is delivered to the outlet conveyor 9. The outlet conveyor 9 receives the tire T from the delivery conveyor 8 and further delivers the tire T downstream.

[0048] The infeed conveyor 7, the delivery conveyor 8, and the outfeed conveyor 9 are driven in a circular motion by a drive unit (not shown) included in the tire delivery mechanism 3. Furthermore, the delivery conveyor 8 can be raised and lowered by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) included in the drive unit. The tire T delivered to the tire test position P is transferred to the lower spindle 21 by the lowering of the delivery conveyor 8. Figure 3 , the conveyor 8 is shown as being moved to the lowest lower position. When the conveyor 8 is moved to the highest upper position, the conveyor 8 is arranged at the same height as the in-conveyor 7 and the out-conveyor 9 and can convey the tire T.

[0049] The carrying-in skeleton 7S supports the carrying-in conveyor 7 in a circular manner, and the carrying-out skeleton 9S supports the carrying-out conveyor 9 in a circular manner. In addition, the carrying-out skeleton 9S supports the marking unit 60 ( Figure 3 ), the marking unit 60 applies a specified mark to the tire T based on the test results at the tire test position P.

[0050] The lifting unit 50 supports the upper spindle 22 in a manner that it can be lifted and lowered and rotatable. Figure 2 The pair of guide frames 102A of the upper frame 102 move up and down. In addition, the detailed structure of the lifting unit 50 will be described later.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a tire testing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a lower rim 61 and an upper rim 62 are supported by a lower spindle 21 and an upper spindle 22 , respectively. Figure 5 It is a side view of a state in which the upper rim 62 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment is supported by the upper spindle 22 . Figure 6 It is a bottom view of the guide 223 of the upper spindle 22 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 They are respectively a plan view, a side sectional view, and a perspective view of the lock tool 250 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the upper spindle 22 , the upper rim 62 , and the lock 250 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 11 It is a side cross-sectional view of a state in which the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment are supported by the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 , respectively.

[0052] The lower spindle 21 has a lower retaining flange 210A (lower retaining portion) capable of retaining a lower rim 61 assembled to a lower bead portion, and supports the tire T through the lower rim 61 so that the tire T can rotate around a reference rotation center axis 2S. The lower bead portion is the bead portion located on the lower side of the tire T set to the horizontal posture.

[0053] The upper spindle 22 has an upper retaining flange 221 (upper retaining portion) capable of retaining an upper rim 62 assembled to an upper bead portion, and supports the tire T through the upper rim 62 so that the tire T can rotate around a reference rotation center axis 2S. The upper bead portion is the bead portion located on the upper side of the tire T set to the horizontal posture.

[0054] Furthermore, when the tire T is positioned at the tire test position P, the tire rotation center axis CL of the tire T coincides with the reference rotation center axis 2S of the spindle 2. The tire testing machine 1 includes a variety of lower rims 61 and upper rims 62 depending on the size (outer diameter, inner diameter, width) and shape of the tire T being tested at the tire test position P. The appropriate lower rim 61 and upper rim 62 for each tire T is positioned at the tire test position P.

[0055] The upper spindle 22 has an upper spindle base end portion 220 ( Figure 5), upper retaining flange 221, insertion portion 222 inserted into lower spindle 21, guide 223 ( Figure 5 )、the upper spindle engaging portion 224 ( Figure 5 ).

[0056] Upper spindle base end portion 220 ( Figure 5 ) has a cylindrical shape constituting the base end portion (upper end portion) of the upper spindle 22. Figure 12 As shown, the upper spindle base end portion 220 is connected to a lifting unit 50 described later.

[0057] The upper holding flange 221 is connected to the lower end of the upper spindle base end portion 220 and has a function of holding the annular upper rim 62 .

[0058] The insert portion 222 is connected to the upper retaining flange 221 from below. The insert portion 222 includes an insert outer peripheral surface 222S ( Figure 5 ), having a cylindrical shape with the reference rotation center axis 2S (tire rotation center axis CL) as the center. Figure 11 As shown, as the insertion portion 222 passes through the interior of the annular upper rim 62 , the upper rim 62 reaches the upper holding flange 221 and is held.

[0059] The guide 223 is fixed to the lower end portion ( Figure 11 ), and is inserted into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 described later together with the insertion portion 222.

[0060] Upper spindle engaging portion 224 ( Figure 5 ) is arranged at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the insertion outer peripheral surface 222S of the insertion portion 222. The upper spindle engaging portion 224 has a plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A and a plurality of insertion recesses 224B.

[0061] The plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A extend axially along the reference rotational axis 2S and are spaced apart from each other in the rotational direction of the tire T. Each of the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A comprises a plurality of engaging projections 224AS extending in the rotational direction and arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of engaging projections 224AS are arranged so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (horizontal direction).

[0062] On the other hand, the plurality of insertion recesses 224B are arranged so that adjacent insertion engaging portions 224A in the rotational direction extend along the axial direction, and constitute a portion of the insertion outer peripheral surface 222S. Each of the plurality of insertion recesses 224B has a shape that is recessed radially inward relative to the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A when viewed from the axial direction. Furthermore, the ends of the spaces (grooves) formed between the plurality of engaging projections 224AS communicate with the spaces (recesses) defined by adjacent insertion recesses 224B.

[0063] In addition, the guide 223 also has a plurality of guide protrusions 223A and a plurality of guide recesses 223B corresponding to the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B ( Figure 6 That is, in the insertion portion 222 and the guide 223, a plurality of axially continuous convex portions are formed in the range from the insertion engaging portion 224A to the guide convex portion 223A, and a plurality of axially continuous concave portions are formed in the range from the insertion concave portion 224B to the guide concave portion 223B.

[0064] Moreover, if Figure 11 As shown, the insertion portion 222 has an air inlet portion 225A and a plurality of air supply portions 225B. The air inlet portion 225A is connected to the air supply mechanism 55 described later, and receives air supplied from the air supply mechanism 55 to the tire T (tire internal space). The plurality of air supply portions 225B are connected to the air inlet portion 225A and extend radially from the air inlet portion 225A. Each air supply portion 225B is connected to the tire internal space and supplies air. In addition, when the air is fully filled into the tire internal space, in order to prevent the tire T from rupturing, the air inlet portion 225A and the plurality of air supply portions 225B also function as exhaust portions for exhausting excess air, and a control valve (not shown) for controlling the exhaust of the air is arranged around them.

[0065] The lower spindle 21 has a cylindrical spindle body 210 and an annular locking member 250 (locking portion) fixed to the spindle body 210. The spindle body 210 has a cylindrical main body inner peripheral surface 210S ( Figure 11 ). In addition, the locking member 250 has a cylindrical locking member inner peripheral surface 250S ( Figure 7 The main body inner circumferential surface 210S and the locking member inner circumferential surface 250S constitute the cylindrical spindle inner circumferential surface 21S. The spindle inner circumferential surface 21S is the opening X ( Figure 11) and an internal space S capable of receiving the insertion portion 222 through the opening X are respectively defined. In addition, the inner diameter of the mandrel inner peripheral surface 21S is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 222.

[0066] In this embodiment, the spindle body 210 includes a cylindrical lower retaining flange 210A and a cylindrical lower spindle body portion 210B, and has an upper and lower divided structure. Figure 11 As shown, the lower retaining flange 210A and the lower spindle body 210B are connected to each other by a plurality of bolts V. The lower retaining flange 210A functions as a lower retaining portion that holds the lower rim 61 from below. The upper portion of the lower retaining flange 210A has a smaller outer diameter than the lower portion of the lower retaining flange 210A. The upper portion of the cylindrical lower retaining flange 210A is passed through the center of the annular lower rim 61, and the lower portion (flange portion) of the lower retaining flange 210A holds the lower rim 61.

[0067] The locking member 250 is positioned between the lower retaining flange 210A and the lower spindle body 210B. As previously described, its inner peripheral surface 250S constitutes a portion of the spindle inner peripheral surface 21S. The locking member 250 is configured to lock the upper spindle 22 inserted into the internal space S, thereby restraining the upper spindle 22 in the axial direction. Furthermore, the locking member 250 rotates integrally with the spindle body 210 about the reference rotation axis 2S.

[0068] The locking member 250 has a plurality of locking engaging portions 250A and a plurality of locking recesses 250B ( Figures 7 to 9 ).

[0069] The plurality of locking engaging portions 250A extend along the axial direction and are arranged at intervals from each other in the rotational direction on the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle. The plurality of locking engaging portions 250A each include a plurality of locking protrusions 250AS ( Figure 8 ).

[0070] The plurality of locking recesses 250B are arranged on the spindle inner peripheral surface 21S in a manner extending along the axial direction between the locking engaging portions 250A adjacent to each other in the rotational direction among the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A, and each has a shape recessed radially outward relative to the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A when viewed from the axial direction ( Figure 7 ).

[0071] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the locking engagement portion 250A is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the aforementioned insertion recess 224B and smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion engagement portion 224A. The inner diameter of the locking recess 250B is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the aforementioned insertion engagement portion 224A. The relative sizes of these are set so as to withstand the large axial force exerted on the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 by the air supplied into the tire interior by the air supply mechanism 55.

[0072] Figure 12 1 is a top perspective view of the lifting unit 50 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 13 yes Figure 12 An enlarged three-dimensional view of a partially enlarged portion of the lifting unit 50 . Figure 14 1 is a bottom perspective view of the lifting unit 50 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 15 yes Figure 14 The enlarged perspective view of the lifting unit 50 is partially enlarged. Figure 16 1 is a plan view of the lifting unit 50 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 17 yes Figure 16 FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of a part of the lifting unit 50 .

[0073] Reference Figure 12 、 Figure 13 The lifting unit 50 includes a lifting bracket 510, a guided frame 511, a pair of front and rear oblique frames 512, a base plate 515, a pair of rotation phase sensors 516, four front and rear left and right offset adjustment screws 517, and an air supply mechanism 55. In addition, the upper spindle 22 also has a base end portion 220 ( Figure 5 、 Figure 12 ) of the upper spindle flange 227 ( Figure 13 ).

[0074] The lifting bracket 510, the guided bracket 511, and the pair of front and rear oblique frames 512 constitute a frame that raises and lowers the upper spindle 22. The lifting bracket 510 has a rectangular shape extending in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. A plate-shaped bracket center portion 510A is arranged in the center of the lifting bracket 510 in the front-to-back direction. The guided bracket 511 is erected upward from the right side edge of the lifting bracket 510 and has a rectangular shape extending in the front-to-back and up-down directions. The guided bracket 511 is supported by a pair of guide frames 102A of the upper frame 102 so as to be movable (liftable) up and down. The pair of front and rear oblique frames 512 connect the lifting bracket 510 and the guided bracket 511 to each other and maintain the rigidity of the lifting unit 60.

[0075] The base plate 515 is a component placed on the center portion 510A of the lifting bracket 510, and has a disk-shaped portion and a cylindrical portion (base plate boss portion 515S). The center of the base plate 515 is aligned with the reference rotation center axis 2S. Figure 14 、 Figure 15 As shown, a circular opening having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the substrate 515 is formed in the bracket center portion 510A. The center portion of the substrate 515 (substrate boss portion 515S) is exposed through the opening so as to extend downward.

[0076] The upper spindle flange 227 is a member that can rotate integrally with the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 around the reference rotation center axis 2S. Figure 13 As shown, the upper spindle flange 227 is placed on the base plate 515, and the center of the upper spindle flange 227 is consistent with the reference rotation center axis 2S. Four holes 227A are formed in the upper spindle flange 227 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The hole 227A is formed in a manner that passes through the upper spindle flange 227 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, on the aforementioned base plate 515, four base plate pins 515R ( Figure 17 ) is arranged so as to protrude upward.

[0077] After the four substrate pins 515R are respectively inserted into the four holes 227A, the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is prevented from rotating about the reference rotation axis 2S by the lifting bracket 510. On the other hand, after the upper spindle flange 227 of the upper spindle 22 moves upward relative to the substrate 515 and the four substrate pins 515R are respectively released from the four holes 227A, the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 can freely rotate about the reference rotation axis 2S.

[0078] Four offset adjustment screws 517 are provided in the bracket center portion 510A to apply radially inward force to the outer peripheral surface of the base plate 515. By adjusting the tightening amount of each offset adjustment screw 517, the offset amount of the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 can be adjusted.

[0079] A pair of rotational phase sensors 516 are arranged at intervals along the rotational direction of the upper spindle 22 (tire T) and are supported by a bracket 516S fixed to the base plate 515. On the other hand, the upper spindle flange 227 has a detected portion 229 provided on its outer periphery. The detected portion 229 is an L-shaped metal plate member having a portion extending upward near the outer periphery of the upper spindle flange 227. When the upper spindle flange 227 rotates around the reference rotation center axis 2S together with the upper spindle 22, the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 detect the detected portion 229, thereby being able to detect the rotation and phase of the upper spindle flange 227.

[0080] The air supply mechanism 55 extends from a compressor (not shown) and supplies air to the aforementioned air inlet portion 225A through the upper spindle flange 227 and the cylindrical interior of the upper spindle base end portion 220. Specifically, the air supply mechanism 55 is configured to fill the space defined by the upper rim 62, tire T, and lower rim 61, i.e., the tire interior, with air being supplied to the upper spindle 22 and lower spindle 21 supporting the tire T via the upper rim 62 and lower rim 61.

[0081] Reference Figures 13 to 15 , the lifting unit 50 also has a lifting detection sensor 518 and a sensor bracket 518A. In addition, a substrate cutout portion 515A having a shape in which the substrate 515 is partially cut out is formed at a position adjacent to a pair of rotation phase sensors 516 in the adjacent substrate 515. The lifting detection sensor 518 is supported by the sensor bracket 518A in a manner so as to be arranged in the substrate cutout portion 515A. The sensor bracket 518A supports the lifting detection sensor 518 by its distal end portion, and its base end portion is fixed to the lower portion of the bracket central portion 510A. The lifting detection sensor 518 is a sensor that can detect the lower portion of the upper spindle flange 227, and detects the relative lifting and lowering of the upper spindle flange 227 relative to the substrate 515. In addition, in other embodiments, the base end portion of the sensor bracket 518A can also be fixed to the substrate 515. In this case, even if the offset position of the base plate 515 is finely adjusted based on the four offset adjustment screws 517 , the lift detection sensor 518 can stably detect the lower surface of the upper spindle flange 227 .

[0082] Figure 18 The tire testing machine 1 according to this embodiment is a block diagram. The tire testing machine 1 further includes a control unit 90, a plurality of tire detection sensors 91, an input unit 92, a lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 (rotation drive unit), and an upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 (insertion drive unit).

[0083] The plurality of tire detection sensors 91 are respectively arranged in the conveyance path of the tire T conveyed by the tire conveying mechanism 3 to detect the conveyance position of the tire T. When each tire detection sensor 91 detects a tire T, a predetermined detection signal is input to the control unit 90 .

[0084] The input unit 92 is a component that inputs various command information into the control unit 90 when performing a specified test on the tire T. It includes an operator-operated operation unit and a display. For example, the operator can input information regarding the width of the tire T, or tire width information, through the input unit 92. Furthermore, if the tire testing machine 1 includes a width detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the width of the tire T, the detection results of the width detection sensor can also be input into the control unit 90 as the tire width information.

[0085] The lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 is a drive unit that inputs rotational driving force to the lower spindle 21. When the lower spindle 21 is locked and engaged with the upper spindle 22 or when testing the tire T, the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 rotates the lower spindle 21 about the reference rotation center axis 2S. The lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 includes a motor and gears (not shown) driven by hydraulic pressure or electricity.

[0086] The upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 is a drive unit that lifts the upper spindle 22 relative to the lower spindle 21 via the lifting unit 50. The upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 includes a motor and gears (not shown) driven by hydraulic pressure or electricity. Figure 12 On the upper side, the bearing 513 constituting the upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 is shown. The feed screw is axially supported by the bearing 513 and is connected to an electric motor, a reducer, an encoder, etc., which are not shown in the figure. In the present embodiment, a ball screw is used as the feed screw, but other types of screws such as a trapezoidal screw may also be used. In addition, mechanical unit components such as couplings may also be appropriately used. In addition, the hydraulic driving force of a hydraulic motor or a hydraulic cylinder may be used in combination with a measuring device such as an encoder or a linear sensor instead of the electric motor.

[0087] The control unit 90 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for the CPU. Furthermore, the aforementioned tire detection sensor 91, rotation phase sensor 516, lift detection sensor 518, input unit 92, tire transport mechanism 3, lower spindle rotation drive unit 93, upper spindle lift drive unit 94, and air supply mechanism 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 90. The control unit 90, through the CPU executing the control program stored in the ROM, causes the tire transport control unit 901, lower spindle rotation control unit 902, upper spindle lift control unit 903, air supply control unit 904, and storage unit 905 to function.

[0088] The tire transport control unit 901 controls the aforementioned drive unit included in the tire transport mechanism 3 to transport the tire T using the infeed conveyor 7, the transport conveyor 8, and the outfeed conveyor 9. Furthermore, the tire transport control unit 901 controls the lifting and lowering of the transport conveyor 8 to thereby raise and lower the transport conveyor 8 between the aforementioned upper and lower positions.

[0089] The lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 about the reference rotation axis 2S by controlling the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93. When the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are locked, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 while preventing rotation of the upper spindle 22. On the other hand, when performing a specified test on the tire T, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 integrally while allowing rotation of the upper spindle 22.

[0090] The upper spindle lifting control unit 903 controls the lifting operation of the lifting unit 50 (upper spindle 22 ) by controlling the upper spindle lifting driving unit 94 .

[0091] The air supply control unit 904 controls the air supply mechanism 55 to thereby fill the internal space of the tire T with air.

[0092] The storage unit 905 stores various control parameters and the like that are referred to by the tire conveying control unit 901 , the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 , the upper spindle lifting control unit 903 , and the air supply control unit 904 .

[0093] Figure 19 1 is a side view showing a process of rotatably supporting the tire T in the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 20 is with Figure 19 In addition, Figure 20 same, Figure 21 、 Figure 22 、 Figure 23 It is a cross-sectional view showing a process of rotatably supporting the tire T in the tire testing machine 1 .

[0094] When performing a test on a tire T, if Figure 19 As shown, the following state is previously established: the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 are held by the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22, respectively, and the upper spindle 22 is moved upward relative to the lower spindle 21. At this time, the detection portion 229 on the upper spindle flange 227 of the upper spindle 22 is in a state detected by the pair of rotation phase sensors 516, and the four substrate pins 515R of the substrate 515 are respectively inserted into the four holes 227A. As a result, the rotation of the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is prevented at a specific rotational position about the reference rotation center axis 2S.

[0095] On the other hand, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 pre-adjusts the rotation position of the lower spindle 21 in response to the upper spindle 22 being configured in the above-mentioned specific rotation position so as to become the following insertable state, namely: when observed from the axial direction, the multiple insertion locking portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21, and the multiple insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the multiple locking locking portions 250A of the lower spindle 21.

[0096] Next, after the tire T is placed on the upstream end of the loading conveyor 7, the tire transport control unit 901 controls the circulation of the loading conveyor 7 and the transport conveyor 8, and the tire T is moved to the tire test position P. At this time, the circulation of the transport conveyor 8 is stopped so that the tire rotation center axis CL of the tire T is aligned with the reference rotation center axis 2S of the spindle 2. Thereafter, after the tire transport control unit 901 lowers the transport conveyor 8, the tire T is transferred from the transport conveyor 8 to the lower spindle 21. The tire T is placed on the lower rim 61 held by the lower spindle 21 ( Figure 19 、 Figure 20 ).

[0097] Next, the upper spindle lifting control unit 903 lowers the lifting unit 50 so that the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 is inserted into a specific position ( Figure 21 ) so that the interval between the upper rim 62 held by the upper retaining flange 221 and the lower rim 61 held by the lower retaining flange 210A becomes a specified interval set corresponding to the width of the tire T.

[0098] In addition, in this embodiment, if Figure 5 and Figure 8As shown, the number of levels of the engagement protrusions 224AS of the insertion engagement portion 224A of the upper spindle engagement portion 224 is greater than the number of levels of the locking protrusions 250AS of the locking engagement portion 250A of the locking member 250, and can cope with a maximum of 16 levels of tire T width. Figure 21 In the embodiment, the position of the upper spindle 22 is set so that the interval between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 becomes the largest among the above-mentioned 16 steps.

[0099] In addition, Figure 21 In the illustrated state, the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224A respectively face the plurality of locking recesses 250B in the radial direction centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S.

[0100] Next, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 causes the lower spindle 21 to rotate along Figure 4 The lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are locked (spindle locking) by rotating the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A in the radial direction centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S. Specifically, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the upper spindle 22 30 degrees about the reference rotation center axis 2S. As a result, the plurality of locking projections 250AS of the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 receive the plurality of engaging projections 224AS of the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 in the spaces between axially adjacent locking projections 250AS along the rotation direction, and engage with the plurality of engaging projections 224AS. This engagement allows the upper retaining flange 221 of the upper spindle 22 and the lower retaining flange 210A of the lower spindle 21 to be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction, thereby fixing the interval between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 .

[0101] In addition, in a state where the distance between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 is set in accordance with the width of the tire T to be tested, as shown in FIG. Figure 21 As shown, the upper portion of the tire T and the upper rim flange 62F formed on the outer peripheral portion of the upper rim 62 (see Figure 4 ) A small gap K is formed between them.

[0102] Next, the air supply control unit 904 controls the air supply mechanism 55 to perform the air filling operation (tire inflation). Specifically, with the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 supporting the tire T via the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61, the air supply control unit 904 uses the air supply mechanism 55 to fill the space defined by the upper rim 62, the tire T, and the lower rim 61, i.e., the interior space of the tire, with air. As a result, Figure 22 As shown, the tire T expands, the aforementioned gap K ( Figure 21) is filled. At this time, the upper bead portion and the lower bead portion of the tire T are respectively in close contact with the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 based on the air. In addition, the pressure in the tire interior space is detected by a pressure gauge (not shown), and the filling operation is continued until the specified set air pressure is reached.

[0103] Next, the upper spindle lifting control unit 903 controls the upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 to lower the lifting unit 50. Figure 23 Since the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is prevented from moving in the vertical direction by the engagement between the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250, when the lifting unit 50 is lowered as described above, Figure 13 In the process, the upper spindle flange 227 rises (lifts) relative to the base plate 515. At this time, the lower portion of the upper spindle flange 227 moves upward away from the lift detection sensor 518, causing the output signal of the lift detection sensor 518 to change, thereby detecting that the lift unit 50 has descended by the amount H. As a result, the four holes 227A of the upper spindle flange 227 disengage from the four base plate pins 515R of the base plate 515, allowing the upper spindle 22, including the upper spindle flange 227, to freely rotate about the reference rotation axis 2S.

[0104] exist Figure 23 In the state shown, when the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21, the tire T, clamped between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62, rotates integrally with the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 about the reference rotation axis 2S. Furthermore, as the rotating drum 4 is pressed against the tire T as described above, tire T testing can be performed. At this time, a large axial force is applied to the upper and lower spindles 22 and 21 via the upper and lower rims 62 and 61, due to the air filling the tire's internal space. As a result, the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 can rotate integrally, while relative rotation of the lower and upper spindles about the reference rotation axis 2S is suppressed by the contact pressure exerted between the multiple engaging protrusions 224AS and the multiple locking protrusions 250AS. Furthermore, during the tire T testing, the detection signals of the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 are ignored.

[0105] After the tire T is tested, the above steps are reversed and the tire T is placed back on the transport conveyor 8. Furthermore, the tire T removed from the transport conveyor 8 and the unloading conveyor 9 is marked with a designated mark by the marking unit 60. As a result, the tire T is tested.

[0106] Furthermore, as described above, the distal end portion of the detected portion 229 has a shape extending in the vertical direction ( Figure 13). Therefore, even when the upper spindle flange 227 is raised relative to the base plate 515, the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 can detect the detected portion 229. According to this configuration, after the tire T test is completed as described above, when the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is repositioned to a specific rotational position, the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 can detect the detected portion 229. Therefore, when the upper spindle lifting control unit 903 controls the upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 to raise the lifting unit 50 by the lowering amount H while the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 detect the detected portion 229, the four base plate pins 515R of the base plate 515 engage with the four holes 227A of the upper spindle flange 227, and the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is again prevented from rotating about the reference rotation center axis 2S. In this state, after the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 controls the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 to rotate the lower spindle 21 by 30 degrees, the upper spindle 22 can be pulled out from the internal space S by raising the upper spindle 22 relative to the lower spindle 21 .

[0107] As described above, in the present embodiment, the radial and circumferential dimensions of the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A and the plurality of locking recesses 250B relative to the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B with the reference rotation center axis 2S as the center are respectively set in the following manner: when viewed from the axial direction, in a state where the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the plurality of locking recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21 and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 (insertable state), the lower spindle 21 can move the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 along the reference rotation center axis 2S. The upper retaining flange 221 of the upper spindle 22 and the lower retaining flange 210A of the lower spindle 21 can be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction by respectively receiving the multiple locking protrusions 224AS of the multiple locking protrusions 250AS of the multiple locking protrusions 250A of the lower spindle 21 along the rotation direction and respectively engaging with the multiple locking protrusions 224AS.

[0108] According to such a structure, in the insertion engaging portion 224A of the insertion portion 222, a plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. On the other hand, in the locking engaging portion 250A of the locking member 250, a plurality of locking protrusions 250AS are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. Therefore, by making the engaging positions of the protrusions of each other different in the axial direction, the interval between the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 can be easily changed according to the width of the tire T. In addition, since the interval between the upper retaining flange 221 of the upper spindle 22 and the lower retaining flange 210A of the lower spindle 21 can be easily fixed by rotating the lower spindle 21 relative to the upper spindle 22 after the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 is inserted into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21, the two spindles can be locked based on the relative movement of the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 in the axial and rotational directions. There is no need to have a driving mechanism that radially penetrates the spindle 2 and is connected to the internal space S to achieve this locking. Compared with the case where the driving mechanism is provided, the number of seals provided to prevent air leakage can be reduced.

[0109] In this embodiment, a plurality of locking engagement portions 250A are provided in the axial portion of the region extending from the opening X to the bottom of the internal space S on the spindle inner peripheral surface 21S when viewed axially. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0110] For example, a configuration in which multiple locking engaging portions 250A are provided over the entire region extending from the opening X to the bottom surface of the internal space S when viewed in the axial direction may be employed. In this case, the axial length of the multiple insertion engaging portions 224A provided on the upper spindle 22 may be shorter than that of the present embodiment. A configuration in which multiple engaging projections 224AS are provided in the axial direction, for example, in a smaller number of stages than that of the present embodiment, such as six stages, is also encompassed by the present invention.

[0111] In addition, the insertion engaging portion 224A having a relatively small number of engaging protrusions 224AS may be provided with two or more intervening portions spaced apart in the axial direction in the upper spindle 22. In other words, the insertion engaging portion, the cylindrical portion, and the insertion engaging portion may be provided in order from the bottom in the upper spindle 22. In the case of adopting such a structure, since there is no Figure 11 The support portions such as the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q shown in the figure, which precisely fit the spindle inner circumferential surface 21S of the lower spindle 21 and the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22, tend to increase the surface pressure on the spindle inner circumferential surface 21S from the upper spindle 22 during testing of the tire T. Therefore, in order to reduce such surface pressure, a solution such as that of the present embodiment is more desirable.

[0112] In addition, in this embodiment, when viewed from the axial direction, the multiple insertion locking portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21 and the multiple insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the multiple locking locking portions 250A of the lower spindle 21, the upper spindle lifting drive portion 94 can make the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 relatively inserted into a specific position of the internal space S of the lower spindle 21, so that the interval between the upper rim 62 held by the upper retaining flange 221 and the lower rim 61 held by the lower retaining flange 210A becomes a specified interval set corresponding to the width of the tire T. In addition, when the insertion portion 222 is configured in the specific position, the lower spindle rotation drive portion 93 can cause the lower spindle 21 to rotate relative to the upper spindle 22 around the reference rotation center axis 2S, so that the multiple engaging protrusions 224AS of the multiple upper spindle engaging portions 224 and the multiple locking protrusions 250AS of the multiple locking engaging portions 250A engage with each other.

[0113] According to such a structure, the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 can be moved relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions in sequence by utilizing the driving force of the upper spindle lifting drive unit 94 and the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 without the need for operator effort, thereby locking the two spindles. The interval between the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 can be appropriately set according to the width of the tire T.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tire testing machine 1 includes a rotation phase sensor 516 (rotation detection unit) capable of detecting when a specific portion (detected portion 229) of the upper spindle 22 has reached a predetermined specific rotational position about the reference rotation center axis 2S; and a hole 227A and a base plate pin 515R (rotation prevention unit) capable of preventing rotation of the upper spindle 22 when the rotation phase sensor 516 detects that the specific portion has reached the specific rotational position. Furthermore, while rotation of the upper spindle 22 is prevented by the rotation prevention unit, the upper spindle lifting and lowering drive unit 94 can relatively insert the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 to a specific position within the internal space S of the lower spindle 21. Moreover, when the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 is inserted into a specific position of the internal space S of the lower spindle 21, the lower spindle rotation driving portion 93 can rotate the lower spindle 21 around the reference rotation center axis 2S so that the multiple engaging protrusions 224AS of the multiple insertion engaging portions 224A and the multiple locking protrusions 250AS of the multiple locking engaging portions 250A engage with each other.

[0115] According to such a structure, since the upper shaft 22 and the lower shaft 21 can be moved relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions and locked in sequence while the rotation of the upper shaft 22 is prevented, the upper shaft 22 and the lower shaft 21 can be prevented from being involved in the rotation when locked.

[0116] In addition, in this embodiment, when the relative rotation of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 around the reference rotation center axis 2S is suppressed based on the contact surface pressure, the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 causes the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 to rotate integrally, and the contact surface pressure is based on the air filled into the internal space of the tire and is applied between the multiple engaging protrusions 224AS and the multiple locking protrusions 250AS via the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61.

[0117] According to such a configuration, the upper and lower spindles 22 and 21 can be integrally rotated by the driving force of the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 that can lock the upper and lower spindles 22 and 21 , thereby enabling a predetermined test to be performed on the tire T.

[0118] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the plurality of lock engagement portions 250A and the plurality of lock recesses 250B are respectively formed on the lock member inner peripheral surface 250S.

[0119] According to such a structure, since multiple locking engaging portions 250A and multiple locking recesses 250B are formed in the locking member 250 , there is no need to provide locking protrusions 250AS on the inner peripheral surface 210S of the main body of the spindle body 210 , which can reduce the processing cost of the spindle body 210 .

[0120] Moreover, in this embodiment, a single lock member 250 having an annular shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S is provided, and a plurality of locking engaging portions 250A and a plurality of locking recesses 250B are respectively formed on a lock member inner peripheral surface 250S of the single lock member 250 .

[0121] According to such a structure, compared with the case where the lock tool 250 is composed of multiple members, the positional accuracy of the multiple locking projections 250AS can be improved.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engaging projection 224AS formed on the insertion engaging portion 224A of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking projection 250AS formed on the locking engaging portion 250A of the locking member 250 both extend in a direction perpendicular to the reference rotational axis 2S. Therefore, when air is filled into the interior of the tire, the locking projection 250AS and the engaging projection 224AS can stably withstand the axial force applied to the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 can be locked and unlocked by rotating the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 relative to the locking member 250 provided on the lower spindle 21. In this case, since the locking member 250 is disposed between the lower retaining flange 210A and the lower spindle body 210B, which can be separated from each other, an annular seal J is disposed on the upper and lower portions of the locking member 250. Figure 11 ), however, compared to other technologies (e.g., Patent Document 1) in which the drive mechanism for driving the locking member 250 is arranged so as to radially penetrate the spindle body 210 of the lower spindle 21, the number and structure of the seals J can be simplified. Furthermore, when the lower retaining flange 210A and the lower spindle body 210B are completely joined after the locking member 250 is assembled, the seals J described above can be omitted. Furthermore, since the locking and unlocking of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are performed based on the relative rotation of the locking member 250 and the insertion portion 222, the number of parts of the tire testing machine 1 can be reduced, and malfunctions of the tire testing machine 1 can be reduced compared to other technologies described above.

[0124] As mentioned above, the tire testing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modified embodiments can also be adopted.

[0125] (1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the engaging protrusion 224AS formed on the insertion engaging portion 224A of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking protrusion 250AS formed on the locking engaging portion 250A of the locking member 250 are described as extending in a direction orthogonal to the reference rotation center axis 2S (usual serrations), but the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 24 It is a side view of a tire testing machine according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an upper rim 62 is supported by an upper spindle 22 . Figure 25 and Figure 26 They are respectively a plan view and a side sectional view of a lock tool 250M of the tire testing machine according to the present modified embodiment.

[0126] In this modified embodiment, the plurality of engagement protrusions of the upper spindle engagement portion 224M and the plurality of insertion engagement protrusions of the engagement portion 224MA are arranged to move in the direction of rotation ( Figure 24The plurality of locking protrusions 250MA of the lower spindle 21 are arranged to have a spiral shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S, so as to tilt in one direction (upward) as the spindle moves in the direction of the arrow (in the direction of the arrow). On the other hand, the plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of locking engaging portions 250MA of the lower spindle 21 have a spiral shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S and capable of engaging with the plurality of engaging protrusions along the rotation direction, so as to tilt in one direction as the spindle moves in the rotation direction. In other words, the plurality of engaging protrusions and the plurality of locking protrusions described above include a portion of a thread (thread serrations) formed by a predetermined lead centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S.

[0127] As an example, when the lead is 1 / 2 pitch and the plurality of insertion recesses 224MB and the plurality of locking recesses 250MB are arranged at six locations in the circumferential direction, rotating the lower spindle 21 180 degrees with the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224MA and the plurality of locking engaging portions 250MA engaged can change the distance (rim width) between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 by 1 / 4 pitch. On the other hand, when the lead is 1 pitch and the plurality of insertion recesses 224MB and the plurality of locking recesses 250MB are arranged at eight locations in the circumferential direction, rotating the lower spindle 21 90 degrees with the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224MA and the plurality of locking engaging portions 250MA engaged can change the distance (rim width) between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 by 1 / 4 pitch.

[0128] Thus, in this modified embodiment, the gap between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 can be adjusted not only based on the relative axial position of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250, but also based on their relative circumferential position (rotational position), thereby enabling precise setting of the rim width. Furthermore, in the aforementioned threaded structure, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224MA and the plurality of locking engaging portions 250MA may be arranged along a single continuous virtual spiral shape, or may be arranged along a plurality of virtual spiral shapes spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0129] (2) In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, if Figure 11 As shown, a first support portion 21P and a second support portion 21Q are disposed above and below the locking member 250, respectively, to precisely engage the spindle inner circumference 21S of the lower spindle 21 with the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22. This configuration allows for a large axial spacing between the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q. Therefore, when a load in a lateral direction is applied to the upper spindle 22, the tilting (tipping) of the upper spindle 22 relative to the reference rotation axis 2S can be minimized. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. Figure 27 and Figure 28It is a side sectional view showing a state in which a lower rim 61 and an upper rim 62 of a tire testing machine according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention are supported by a lower spindle 21 and an upper spindle 22 , respectively. Figure 27 Corresponding to the maximum rim width, Figure 28 Corresponds to the smallest rim width.

[0130] In this modified embodiment, Figure 27 As shown, the locking member 250 is fixed to the upper end of the lower spindle 21 by a plurality of bolts V. Moreover, at a position below the locking member 250, the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q are respectively arranged at intervals. According to such a structure, the interval between the locking member 250 and the first support portion 21P, and the interval between the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q can be freely set. In addition, since the lower spindle 21 does not need to be divided into the lower retaining flange 210A and the lower spindle body 210B for assembling the locking member 250 as in the aforementioned embodiment, the lower spindle 21 has a simple structure, which not only reduces the number of parts of the lower spindle 21, but also eliminates the need for a seal J ( Figure 11 ). In addition, in this modified embodiment, when the height dimension of the spindle 2 is set to be the same, the interval between the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q is smaller than that in the aforementioned embodiment. Therefore, when the tire T is tested, the surface pressure received by the spindle inner peripheral surface 21S from the upper spindle 22 tends to become larger. Therefore, in order to reduce the surface pressure while suppressing the height dimension of the spindle 2, it is more desirable that the aforementioned embodiment ( Figure 11 ) plan.

[0131] (3) The pair of rotational phase sensors 516 shown in the above embodiment can also be arranged at multiple positions in the circumferential direction. For example, as a tire test, a case where a mark is applied to the tread portion of the tire T at the hardest phase is described. The marking unit 60 in this embodiment applies a specified mark to the tire T placed on the unloading conveyor 9 based on the test results at the tire test position P. In addition, the phase at which the mark is applied to the tire T is limited to one phase (the phase is fixed). Therefore, when the tire T is placed on the unloading conveyor 9, it is necessary to align the phase with the one phase in advance. Moreover, when a pair of rotational phase sensors 516 are arranged at multiple positions in the circumferential direction, the spindle flange 227 can stop rotating at the phase closest to the current upper spindle flange 227 among the positions where the multiple pairs of rotational phase sensors 516 are arranged. Therefore, when the engagement between the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250 is released, the rotation amount of the lower spindle 21 can be suppressed, thereby shortening the cycle time of the spindle 2 rotation.

[0132] (4) In the above embodiment, the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250 are engaged and released by the lower spindle rotation control portion 902 rotating the lower spindle 21 while the upper spindle 22 is blocked from rotating. However, the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250 may be engaged and released by rotating the upper spindle 22 while the lower spindle 21 is blocked from rotating. In addition, the relative insertion action of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 in order to insert the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 is not limited to the lifting and lowering of the upper spindle 22. The lower spindle 21 may be lifted and lowered relative to the upper spindle 22.

[0133] (5) In the above embodiment, the upper spindle 22 has the insertion portion 222 and the lower spindle 21 has the cylindrical inner space S. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the upper spindle 22 has the insertion portion 222 and the lower spindle 21 has the cylindrical inner space S. Figure 11 A configuration in which the upper spindle 22 has a cylindrical interior space S and the lower spindle 21 has an insertion portion 222 can be employed. Furthermore, when the cylindrical interior space S is formed in the lower spindle 21 and the cylindrical insertion portion 222 is formed in the upper spindle 22 as in the above-described embodiment, the vertical length of the lower spindle 21 becomes shorter. This allows the height of the transport conveyor 8, which transfers the lower rim 61 to and from the lower spindle 21, to be reduced, and similarly, the height of the transport path of the tire transport mechanism 3 can be set lower.

[0134] (6) In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a scheme is described in which the lower spindle 21 has a locking part 250 assembled on the spindle body 210 and a plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions 250A and a plurality of locking recesses 250B are formed on the locking part 250. However, a scheme may also be adopted in which the lower spindle 21 does not have a locking part 250 and a plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions 250A and a plurality of locking recesses 250B are directly formed on the inner peripheral surface 210S of the main body of the spindle body 210.

[0135] (7) In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are engaged with each other while the upper spindle 22, including the upper spindle flange 227, is prevented from rotating at a specific rotational position detected by the pair of rotational phase sensors 516. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 may be engaged while the upper spindle 22 is prevented from rotating at any rotational position about the reference rotational axis 2S. That is, instead of the pair of rotational phase sensors 516, an encoder (not shown) disposed on the rotating shaft of the upper spindle 22 may be used as the rotation detection unit of the present invention to detect the rotational position of a specific portion of the upper spindle 22 about the reference rotational axis 2S. Furthermore, after the upper spindle 22 stops rotating, a brake mechanism or the like in mechanical contact with the upper spindle 22 may serve as the rotation prevention unit of the present invention to prevent the upper spindle 22 from rotating. Moreover, when the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked by the rotation blocking portion, the lower spindle rotation driving portion 93 rotates the lower spindle 21 around the reference rotation center axis 2S according to the detection result of the encoder, so that the multiple insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21 when observed from the axial direction, and the multiple insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are respectively consistent with the multiple locking engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 when observed from the axial direction.

[0136] According to this structure, the lock piece 250 of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle engaging portion 224 of the upper spindle 22 can be easily aligned in the rotational direction for adjusting the rim width without stopping the upper spindle 22 at a specific rotational position.

[0137] Furthermore, in this modified embodiment, in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A are respectively aligned with the plurality of locking recesses 250B, and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B are respectively aligned with the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A, the upper spindle lifting and lowering driving portion 94 can relatively insert the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 to a specific position in the internal space S of the lower spindle 21. Furthermore, in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the insertion portion 222 is inserted to the specific position in the internal space S, the lower spindle rotation driving portion 93 can rotate the lower spindle 21 about the reference rotation center axis 2S so that the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS of the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A engage with the plurality of locking protrusions 250AS of the plurality of locking engaging portions 250A.

[0138] According to such a structure, the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 can be easily inserted into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 without stopping the upper spindle 22 at a specific rotational position, and the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250 can be engaged with each other. Thus, since the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 can be moved relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions in sequence and locked, the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 can be prevented from being rotated relative to each other when locked. In addition, in this modified embodiment, the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking member 250 can be engaged with each other based on the rotation of the upper spindle 22 in a state where the rotation of the lower spindle 21 is prevented by the same structure as described above. In addition, in order to insert the insertion portion 222 into the internal space S, the lower spindle 21 can also be raised and lowered relative to the upper spindle 22. That is, in the present invention, the "one side's spindle" and the "other side's spindle" can be selectively set from the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22. Similarly, the "first spindle" and the "second spindle" can also be selectively set, that is, opposite to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0139] (8) In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the lifting unit 50 rotatably supports the upper spindle 22 when the tire T is tested, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the lifting unit 50 may be separated from the upper spindle 22 after the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are engaged (locked), and the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 may be rotated integrally with each other while the upper spindle 22 is supported by the lower spindle 21. In this case, it is preferable that the air supply mechanism 55 and the like included in the lifting unit 50 be arranged so as to communicate with the interior of the tire T through the periphery or interior of the lower spindle 21.

[0140] (9) In addition, in the above embodiment, the locking member 250 is described as being composed of a single member, but the present invention is not limited to this. The locking member 250 may be divided into two or more members, or may be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the reference rotation center axis 2S. In particular, multiple members corresponding to the multiple locking engagement portions 250A in the locking member 250 may be assembled to the spindle body 210 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the spaces between the multiple members may function as locking recesses 250B.

[0141] (10) In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a scheme is described in which 6 insertion engaging parts 224A and 6 locking engaging parts 250A are configured in the upper spindle engaging part 224 and the locking member 250, but their number is not limited to 6, as long as the number of insertion engaging parts 224A and locking engaging parts 250A is a number that can engage with each other.

[0142] (11) In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the insertion portion 222 is inserted into the internal space S by the driving force of the upper spindle lifting drive unit 94, and the upper spindle engaging portion 224 is engaged with the locking member 250 by the driving force of the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After the tire T is moved to the tire test position P, the operator may insert the insertion portion 222 into the internal space S and rotate the upper spindle 22 30 degrees about the reference rotation center axis 2S, thereby engaging the upper spindle engaging portion 224 with the locking member 250.

[0143] The tire testing machine provided by the present invention rotates a tire positioned horizontally at a designated tire testing position about its rotational axis to perform a designated test. The horizontal position is a position in which the tire's rotational axis extends in the vertical direction. The tire testing machine includes a lower spindle and an upper spindle. The lower spindle has a lower retaining portion capable of retaining a lower rim mounted on a lower bead portion, and the lower rim supports the tire so that it can rotate about the rotational axis. The lower bead portion is the lower bead portion of the tire positioned horizontally. The upper spindle has an upper retaining portion capable of retaining an upper rim mounted on an upper bead portion, and the upper rim supports the tire so that it can rotate about the rotational axis. The upper bead portion is the upper bead portion of the tire positioned horizontally. One of the lower and upper spindles has an insertion portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the other spindle, which is different from the first spindle. The insertion portion includes an insertion outer peripheral surface constituting the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation center axis. The insertion portion includes a plurality of insertion engaging portions and a plurality of insertion recesses. The plurality of insertion engaging portions extend axially along the rotation center axis and are arranged at intervals from each other in the rotation direction of the tire and respectively constitute a portion of the insertion outer peripheral surface. The plurality of insertion engaging portions include a plurality of engaging protrusions extending along the rotation direction and arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The plurality of insertion recesses are arranged in such a manner that the insertion engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction in the plurality of insertion engaging portions extend along the axial direction and respectively constitute a portion of the insertion outer peripheral surface. The plurality of insertion recesses each have a shape that is concave radially inward relative to the plurality of insertion engaging portions when viewed from the axial direction. In addition, the other spindle has a cylindrical spindle inner peripheral surface and a locking portion. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical spindle demarcates an opening portion that faces the insertion portion of the spindle on one side in the axial direction and an internal space that can accommodate the insertion portion through the opening portion. The locking portion constitutes at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the spindle and can lock the insertion portion inserted into the internal space to constrain the spindle on one side in the axial direction. The locking portion has a plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions and a plurality of locking recesses. The plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions extend along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle and are arranged at intervals from each other in the rotational direction. The plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions respectively include a plurality of locking protrusions that extend along the rotational direction and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The plurality of locking recesses are respectively arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle in such a manner that the locking snap-fit ​​portions that are adjacent to each other in the rotational direction in the plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions extend along the axial direction.The multiple locking engagement parts each have a shape that is recessed radially outward relative to the multiple locking engagement parts when viewed from the axial direction. The radial and circumferential dimensions of the multiple locking engagement parts and the multiple locking recesses relative to the multiple insertion engagement parts and the multiple insertion recesses with the rotation center axis as the center are respectively set in a manner that satisfies the following form. That is, the radial and circumferential dimensions of the multiple locking engagement parts and the multiple locking recesses relative to the multiple insertion engagement parts and the multiple insertion recesses with the rotation center axis as the center are respectively set in a manner that when viewed from the axial direction, the multiple insertion engagement parts of the spindle on one side are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses of the spindle on the other side, and the multiple insertion recesses of the spindle on one side are respectively consistent with the multiple locking engagement parts of the spindle on the other side, that is, in the inserted state, the spindle on the other side can receive the insertion part of the spindle on one side along the axial direction. to the internal space until the multiple insertion engaging parts are respectively located at positions facing the multiple locking engaging parts in the rotation direction, and by respectively receiving the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging parts of the one side's spindle that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction into the space between the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging parts of the other side's spindle that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction along the rotation direction and respectively engaging with the multiple engaging protrusions, the upper retaining part of the upper spindle and the lower retaining part of the lower spindle can be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction.

[0144] According to this technical solution, a plurality of engaging protrusions are arranged axially adjacent to each other on the insertion engagement portion of the insertion portion, while a plurality of locking protrusions are arranged axially adjacent to each other on the locking engagement portion of the locking portion. Therefore, by making the engagement positions of the protrusions axially different from each other, the distance between the upper and lower rims can be easily changed according to the width of the tire. Furthermore, after the insertion portion of one spindle is inserted into the internal space of the other spindle, the distance between the upper retaining portion of the upper spindle and the lower retaining portion of the lower spindle can be fixed by rotating the one spindle relative to the other spindle. Therefore, the two spindles can be locked based on relative movement in the axial and rotational directions. This eliminates the need for a drive mechanism that radially penetrates the spindle and communicates with the internal space to achieve this locking, thereby reducing the number of seals required to prevent air leakage.

[0145] In the above technical solution, it is more preferable that the tire testing machine further includes: an insertion drive unit, which, in the insertable state, can relatively insert the insertion portion of the one spindle to a specific position of the internal space of the other spindle so that the interval between the upper rim held by the upper holding portion and the lower rim held by the lower holding portion becomes a specified interval set corresponding to the width of the tire; a rotation drive unit, which, in the state in which the insertion portion is arranged at the specific position, can relatively rotate the one spindle relative to the other spindle around the rotation center axis so that the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging portions and the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging portions engage with each other; and an air supply mechanism, which, in the state in which the upper spindle and the lower spindle support the tire via the upper rim and the lower rim, fills the space defined by the upper rim, the tire and the lower rim, i.e., the internal space of the tire, with air.

[0146] According to this technical solution, the upper and lower spindles can be moved relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions in sequence by utilizing the driving force of the insertion drive unit and the rotation drive unit without the need for operator force, thereby locking the two spindles. The spacing between the upper and lower rims can be appropriately set according to the width of the tire.

[0147] In the above technical solution, it is preferable that the tire testing machine further includes: a rotation detecting portion capable of detecting that a specific portion of one of the one spindle and the other spindle, namely, a first spindle, has reached a predetermined specific rotational position about the rotation center axis; and a rotation preventing portion capable of preventing rotation of the first spindle upon detecting that the specific portion has reached the specific rotational position; wherein, in a state where the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion, the insertion driving portion is capable of relatively inserting the insertion portion of the one spindle into a specific position of the internal space of the other spindle; and in a state where the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the insertion portion of the one spindle is inserted into the specific position of the internal space of the other spindle, the rotation driving portion is capable of rotating a second spindle, namely, a spindle different from the first spindle, of the one spindle and the other spindle, about the rotation center axis so that the plurality of engaging protrusions of the plurality of insertion engaging portions engage with the plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of locking engaging portions.

[0148] According to this technical solution, since the upper and lower spindles can be moved relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions and locked in sequence while the rotation of the first spindle is prevented, the upper and lower spindles can be prevented from being involved in the rotation when locked.

[0149] In the above technical solution, it is more ideal that the tire testing machine also includes: a rotation detection unit that can detect the rotation position of a specific part of one of the spindles of one party and the spindle of the other party, namely the first spindle, around the rotation center axis; and a rotation prevention unit that can prevent the rotation of the first spindle; wherein, in a state where the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation prevention unit, the rotation driving unit can rotate the spindle of one party and the spindle of the other party, namely the second spindle, which is different from the first spindle, around the rotation center axis according to the detection result of the rotation detection unit, so that the multiple insertion engaging parts of the spindle of one party are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses of the spindle of the other party when viewed from the axial direction and the multiple insertion recesses of the spindle of one party are respectively consistent with the multiple locking engaging parts of the spindle of the other party when viewed from the axial direction.

[0150] According to this technical solution, the rotation drive unit can easily align the multiple insertion engaging parts of one spindle with the multiple locking engaging parts of the other spindle in the rotation direction based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit without stopping the first spindle at a specific rotation position.

[0151] In the above technical solution, it is more ideal that when the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the multiple insertion engaging portions are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses and the multiple insertion recesses are respectively consistent with the multiple locking engaging portions, the insertion driving portion can make the insertion portion of the spindle of one side relatively inserted into the specific position of the internal space of the spindle of the other side; when the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the insertion portion is inserted into the specific position of the internal space, the rotation driving portion can rotate the second spindle around the rotation center axis so that the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging portions and the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging portions engage with each other.

[0152] According to this technical solution, since the upper and lower spindles can be moved relative to each other in the axial and rotational directions and locked in sequence while the rotation of the first spindle is prevented, the upper and lower spindles can be prevented from being involved in the rotation when locked.

[0153] In the above-mentioned technical solution, it is more ideal that the rotation drive unit can make the spindle of one side and the spindle of the other side rotate integrally when the relative rotation of the spindle of one side and the spindle of the other side around the rotation center axis is suppressed based on the contact surface pressure, and the contact surface pressure is based on the pressure applied between the multiple engaging protrusions and the multiple locking protrusions via the upper rim and the lower rim based on the air filled into the internal space of the tire.

[0154] According to this technical solution, the upper and lower spindles can be integrally rotated by the driving force of the rotation drive unit capable of locking the upper and lower spindles with each other, thereby enabling a designated test to be performed on the tire.

[0155] In the above technical solution, it is more ideal that the other spindle has: a spindle body, having a cylindrical main body inner circumferential surface, and the main body inner circumferential surface constitutes a part of the spindle inner circumferential surface; and at least one locking member, which is fixed to the spindle body and includes a locking member inner circumferential surface that constitutes a part of the spindle inner circumferential surface, and the locking member inner circumferential surface together with the main body inner circumferential surface of the spindle body defines the internal space; wherein the multiple locking engaging portions and the multiple locking recesses of the locking portion are respectively formed on the inner circumferential surface of at least one of the locking members.

[0156] According to this technical solution, since the multiple locking engagement portions and the multiple locking recesses are formed in the locking piece, there is no need to provide locking protrusions on the inner peripheral surface of the main body of the spindle body, which can reduce the processing cost of the spindle body.

[0157] In the above technical solution, it is more ideal that the at least one locking member is formed by a single locking member having an annular shape centered on the rotation center axis, and the multiple locking engaging portions and the multiple locking recesses of the locking portion are respectively formed on the inner circumferential surface of the locking member of the single locking member.

[0158] According to this technical solution, since the multiple locking engagement portions and the multiple locking recesses are respectively formed on the single annular locking member, the positional accuracy of the multiple locking protrusions can be improved compared to a case where the locking member is composed of multiple components.

[0159] In the above technical solution, it is more ideal that the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging parts are inclined toward one direction of the axial direction as they move toward the rotation direction, and have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis, and the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging parts are inclined toward the one direction as they move toward the rotation direction, and have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis and capable of engaging with the multiple engaging protrusions along the rotation direction.

[0160] According to this technical solution, the gap between the lower retaining portion and the upper retaining portion can be adjusted not only according to the axial relative position of the insertion engaging portion and the locking engaging portion, but also according to their circumferential relative position (rotational position). Therefore, the gap between the upper rim and the lower rim can be set more finely.

[0161] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire testing machine capable of changing the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of the tire with a simple structure.

Claims

1. A tire testing machine for performing a specified test on a tire by rotating the tire in a horizontal position about its rotational axis at a specified tire testing position, wherein the horizontal position is a position in which the rotational axis of the tire extends in a vertical direction, the tire testing machine comprising: a lower spindle having a lower holding portion capable of holding a lower rim mounted on a lower bead portion of the tire in the horizontal position, the lower bead portion being the bead portion located on the lower side of the tire being in the horizontal position, and supporting the tire via the lower rim so that the tire can rotate about the rotation center axis; as well as, An upper spindle has an upper retaining portion capable of retaining an upper rim assembled to an upper bead portion, the upper bead portion being the upper bead portion of the tire set in the horizontal position, the upper bead portion being the upper bead portion of the tire set in the horizontal position, the upper bead portion supporting the tire in a manner such that the tire can rotate about the rotation center axis; The spindle of one of the lower spindle and the upper spindle has an insertion portion, which is inserted into the spindle of the other spindle of the lower spindle and the upper spindle that is different from the spindle of the one spindle, and the insertion portion includes an insertion outer peripheral surface constituting the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation center axis, The insert portion has: a plurality of insertion engaging portions, each extending axially along the rotational center axis and arranged at intervals from one another in the rotational direction of the tire and each constituting a portion of the insertion outer peripheral surface, and each including a plurality of engaging protrusions extending along the rotational direction and arranged adjacent to one another in the axial direction; and A plurality of insertion recesses are respectively arranged in a manner extending along the axial direction between the insertion engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotational direction among the plurality of insertion engaging portions and respectively constitute a part of the insertion outer peripheral surface, and each has a shape that is recessed radially inward relative to the plurality of insertion engaging portions when viewed from the axial direction; wherein, The other mandrel has: The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical mandrel defines an opening facing the insertion portion of the one mandrel in the axial direction and an internal space capable of receiving the insertion portion through the opening; and A locking portion constituting at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the spindle and capable of locking the insertion portion inserted into the internal space to constrain the spindle in the axial direction; wherein, The locking portion has: a plurality of locking engaging portions, each extending along the axial direction and arranged at intervals from one another on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle, and each including a plurality of locking protrusions each extending along the rotational direction and arranged adjacent to one another in the axial direction; and A plurality of locking recesses are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle in a manner that extends along the axial direction between the locking engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotational direction among the plurality of locking engaging portions, and each has a shape that is recessed radially outward relative to the plurality of locking engaging portions when viewed from the axial direction; wherein, The plurality of engagement protrusions of the plurality of insertion engagement portions are inclined in one direction of the axial direction as they move in the rotation direction, and have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis. The plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of locking engaging portions are inclined toward the one direction as they move toward the rotation direction, and have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis and capable of engaging with the plurality of engaging protrusions along the rotation direction. The radial and circumferential dimensions of the plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions and the plurality of locking recesses relative to the plurality of insertion snap-fit ​​portions and the plurality of insertion recesses with respect to the rotation center axis are respectively set in the following manner: when viewed from the axial direction, the plurality of insertion snap-fit ​​portions of the spindle on one side are respectively consistent with the plurality of locking recesses of the spindle on the other side, and the plurality of insertion recesses of the spindle on one side are respectively consistent with the plurality of locking snap-fit ​​portions of the spindle on the other side, that is, in the inserted state, the spindle on the other side can receive the insertion portion of the spindle on one side into the internal space along the axial direction until the plurality of insertion recesses are The insertion engaging parts are respectively located at specific positions facing the multiple locking engaging parts in the rotation direction, and the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging parts of the one side's spindle that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction are respectively received along the rotation direction into the space between the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging parts of the other side's spindle that are adjacent to each other in the axial direction, so that the spiral shapes of the multiple locking protrusions and the spiral shapes of the multiple engaging protrusions are respectively engaged at the specific positions, and the upper retaining part of the upper spindle and the lower retaining part of the lower spindle can be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction.

2. The tire testing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: an insertion drive portion capable of relatively inserting the insertion portion of the one spindle to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle in the insertable state so that the interval between the upper rim held by the upper holding portion and the lower rim held by the lower holding portion becomes a specified interval set according to the width of the tire; a rotation drive portion capable of rotating the one spindle relative to the other spindle about the rotation center axis when the insertion portion is arranged in the specific position, so that the multiple engagement protrusions of the multiple insertion engagement portions and the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engagement portions engage with each other; and The air supply mechanism fills air into the tire interior space defined by the upper rim, the tire, and the lower rim while the upper spindle and the lower spindle support the tire via the upper rim and the lower rim.

3. The tire testing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that Also includes: a rotation detection unit capable of detecting that a specific portion of one of the one spindle and the other spindle, that is, the first spindle, reaches a predetermined specific rotation position around the rotation center axis; and The rotation preventing portion can prevent the rotation of the first spindle when detecting that the specific portion has reached the specific rotation position; wherein, In a state where the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion, the insertion driving portion can relatively insert the insertion portion of the one spindle to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle. When the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the insertion portion of the spindle on one side is inserted into a specific position of the internal space of the spindle on the other side, the rotation driving portion can rotate the spindle on one side and the spindle on the other side, that is, the second spindle that is different from the first spindle, around the rotation center axis, so that the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging portions and the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging portions engage with each other.

4. The tire testing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that Also includes: a rotation detecting unit capable of detecting a rotational position of a specific portion of a first spindle, one of the one spindle and the other spindle, about the rotational center axis; and The rotation preventing portion can prevent the rotation of the first spindle; wherein, When the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion, the rotation driving portion can rotate the spindle of one side and the spindle of the other side, that is, the second spindle, which is different from the first spindle, around the rotation center axis according to the detection result of the rotation detecting portion, so that the multiple insertion engaging portions of the spindle of one side are respectively consistent with the multiple locking recesses of the spindle of the other side when viewed from the axial direction and the multiple insertion recesses of the spindle of one side are respectively consistent with the multiple locking engaging portions of the spindle of the other side when viewed from the axial direction.

5. The tire testing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: In a state where the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the plurality of insertion engaging portions are respectively consistent with the plurality of locking recesses and the plurality of insertion recesses are respectively consistent with the plurality of locking engaging portions, the insertion driving portion can relatively insert the insertion portion of the spindle of one side into a specific position of the internal space of the spindle of the other side, When the rotation of the first spindle is prevented by the rotation preventing portion and the insertion portion is inserted into a specific position of the internal space, the rotation driving portion can rotate the second spindle around the rotation center axis so that the multiple engaging protrusions of the multiple insertion engaging portions and the multiple locking protrusions of the multiple locking engaging portions engage with each other.

6. The tire testing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The rotation drive unit can rotate the spindle of one side and the spindle of the other side integrally when the relative rotation of the spindle of one side and the spindle of the other side around the rotation center axis is suppressed based on the contact surface pressure, and the contact surface pressure is the pressure applied between the multiple engaging protrusions and the multiple locking protrusions via the upper rim and the lower rim based on the air filled into the internal space of the tire.

7. The tire testing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The other mandrel has: A mandrel body having a cylindrical main body inner peripheral surface, the main body inner peripheral surface constituting a portion of the mandrel inner peripheral surface; and At least one locking member is fixed to the spindle body and includes a locking member inner peripheral surface constituting a portion of the spindle inner peripheral surface, the locking member inner peripheral surface and the main body inner peripheral surface of the spindle body together defining the internal space; wherein, The plurality of locking engagement portions and the plurality of locking recesses of the locking portion are respectively formed on the inner peripheral surface of the locking member of the at least one locking member.

8. The tire testing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The at least one locking member is formed of a single locking member having an annular shape centered on the rotation center axis, The plurality of locking engagement portions and the plurality of locking recesses of the locking portion are respectively formed on the inner peripheral surface of the locking member of the single locking member.

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