Tire sound absorbing material crimping device

Abstract

The present invention provides a tire sound absorbing material press-bonding device, and more specifically, a tire sound absorbing material press-bonding device aimed at uniformly and firmly pressing a sound absorbing material adhered to an inner liner portion of a tire. The tire sound absorbing material press-bonding device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixing unit configured to align and position a center of a tire transported by a tire transporting unit, a press-bonding unit configured to press a sound absorbing material while radially expanding the sound absorbing material adhered to an inner liner of the tire fixed to the fixing unit, and a motor unit connected to an upper portion of the press-bonding unit and configured to lift and lower the press-bonding unit toward the tire.

Description

Tire sound-absorbing material pressing device

[0001] Cross-reference with related patent applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0026885, filed on March 2, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology Technical Field

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a tire sound-absorbing material crimping device, and more specifically, to a tire sound-absorbing material crimping device designed to uniformly and firmly press sound-absorbing material adhered to the inner liner portion of a tire.

[0005] 2. Description of related technologies

[0006] Unless otherwise stated herein, the content described in this section is not prior art to the claims of this application, and is not an admission that the content included in this section is prior art.

[0007] Generally, in the tire manufacturing process, raw materials undergo refining, rolling, extrusion, and beading processes, and are then molded into green tires through molding. Finally, they are vulcanized to create the finished tire. Compressed air is injected into the finished tire, generating noise inside during driving, known as resonance. This noise reduces the comfort of the driver and passengers. To reduce this resonance, sound-absorbing material is adhered to the inner surface of the tire, more specifically, to the inner liner portion located on the circumferential side opposite the tire tread. The method for adhering the sound-absorbing material involves first applying an adhesive to the portion of the tire's inner liner to which the material will be adhered, and then attaching the sound-absorbing material there. Then, the sound-absorbing material is firmly fixed to the adhesive by pressing it down using a separate sound-absorbing material adhesion device.

[0008] In this regard, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1775797 discloses "a tire sound-absorbing material fixing structure with a sound-absorbing material fixing strip and a tire including the structure." More specifically, the tire sound-absorbing material fixing method disclosed in this patent includes the following steps: extending the sound-absorbing material fixing strip upward by applying force to a pressing member; positioning the sound-absorbing material on the lower part of the pressing member; applying downward pressure to the sound-absorbing material while simultaneously contracting the sound-absorbing material fixing strip by eliminating the applied force that extends the sound-absorbing material fixing strip; maintaining a tight contact between the sound-absorbing material and the inner surface of the tire through the sound-absorbing material fixing strip; and positioning the sound-absorbing material on the lower part of the pressing member of the adjacent sound-absorbing material fixing strip by extending the adjacent sound-absorbing material fixing strip upward. When using the fixing structure obtained by the above method, the above steps are repeated until the sound-absorbing material is firmly adhered to the entire sound-absorbing material fixing strip formed in the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0009] However, when using the fixing structure for tire sound-absorbing material obtained by the above method, workers must manually perform the steps of repeatedly pressing the pressing component, positioning the pressing component on the sound-absorbing material, applying downward pressure to the sound-absorbing material, and adhering it to the sound-absorbing material. There are no additional auxiliary machines or devices to fix the sound-absorbing material fixing strip. Therefore, this process itself requires a lot of time, effort, and labor. Moreover, as the process is repeated, the adhesion position or strength may deviate, potentially leading to a decrease in the quality of the finished tire.

[0010] Existing technical documents

[0011] Patent documents

[0012] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1775797 (published on September 6, 2017). Summary of the Invention

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tire sound-absorbing material pressing device for uniformly and firmly pressing sound-absorbing material adhered to the inner liner portion of a tire.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems. Obviously, another technical problem can be derived from the following description.

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a tire sound-absorbing material pressing device is provided, comprising: a fixing unit configured to align and position the center of a tire transported by a tire conveying unit; a pressing unit configured to press the sound-absorbing material while extending radially toward the sound-absorbing material of an inner liner adhered to the tire (which is fixed to the fixing unit); and a motor unit connected to the upper part of the pressing unit and configured to lift and lower the pressing unit toward the tire.

[0016] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the crimping unit may include: a first plate having a predetermined thickness and area; a plurality of main frames formed on the lower portion of the first plate and extending or contracting radially based on the central axis of the first plate; and a crimping ring connecting the lower portions of the plurality of main frames to each other and configured to press the sound-absorbing material of the tire by expanding or contracting the diameter of the crimping ring according to the operation of radially expanding or contracting the main frames.

[0017] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the crimping unit may further include a servo motor mounted on the first plate, and the servo motor may include a first gear formed on the lower part of the servo motor, while each main frame may include a second gear formed on the upper side of the servo motor to mesh with the first gear, such that when the servo motor is operated, the main frame expands and contracts radially while the meshing first and second gears rotate.

[0018] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the motor unit may be arranged above the second plate, which is disposed above the first plate, and the motor unit may include a motor shaft having a drive gear formed thereon, wherein a plurality of shafts are arranged above the second plate, each having one end fixed to the first plate and another end extending upward from the first plate through the second plate, and having a driven gear formed on the outer circumferential surface that meshes with the drive gear, and when the motor unit is operated, the plurality of shafts connected to the first plate are lowered in their longitudinal direction by the driven gear rotated by the drive gear, thereby moving the pressing unit toward the tire.

[0019] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the crimping ring may include a plurality of segments respectively connected to the lower part of a plurality of main frames and having a predetermined curvature, wherein the plurality of segments include: a first segment located on the outer side in the radial direction and having guide pins formed at both ends of the first segment; and a second segment located on the inner side in the radial direction and having guide grooves extending in the circumferential direction, wherein the guide pins of the first segment are inserted into the guide grooves, wherein the second segment is configured to cause the entire diameter of the crimping ring to expand and contract as the guide pins are guided along the guide grooves.

[0020] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the main frame may include: an upper frame in which the screw portion of a ball screw extending radially from the second gear is inserted; a central frame extending downward from the upper frame; and a lower frame extending radially from the lower end of the central frame.

[0021] According to the present invention, by using a mechanical device that can accurately and firmly press the sound-absorbing material adhered to the inner liner of a tire, the problem of the sound-absorbing material not being able to adhere evenly due to tire tread bending can be solved, and a product with stable quality can be produced.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by pressing and fixing the sound-absorbing material, additional noise-generating factors can be blocked without adhering a separate configuration to the sound-absorbing material.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the pressing conditions can be changed for each tire size, so that the tire sound-absorbing material pressing device can be universally used for all tires of various sizes.

[0024] The effects of this invention are not limited to the advantages described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that it includes all effects that can be derived from the configuration of the invention as described in the detailed description or claims of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a front view illustrating a tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a detailed view of the crimping unit, showing the crimping ring in the tire sound-absorbing material crimping device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a contracted state and an expanded state;

[0029] Figure 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the pressing unit in the tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating the expanded state of the contracted crimping ring in the tire sound-absorbing material crimping device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the operating state of the crimping unit in the tire sound-absorbing material crimping device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The configuration, operation, and effects of the device according to a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, in the drawings described below, each component is omitted or illustrated schematically for convenience and clarity, and the dimensions of each component do not reflect actual dimensions. Furthermore, throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and reference numerals for the same components in individual figures will be omitted.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tire sound-absorbing material pressing device includes: a fixing unit 10 configured to align and position the center of a tire transported by a tire conveying unit 11; a pressing unit 20 configured to press the sound-absorbing material while extending radially toward the sound-absorbing material of the inner liner adhered to the tire (which is fixed to the fixing unit 10); and a motor unit 30 connected to the upper part of the pressing unit 20 and configured to raise and lower the pressing unit 20 toward the tire.

[0034] The tire conveying device 11 is configured to convey the tire via a conveying device (such as a conveyor belt) while the sound-absorbing material is adhered to the tire (preferably to the tire's inner liner). The tire conveyed by the tire conveying device 11 stops and is positioned below the tire sound-absorbing material pressing device. Thereafter, the fixing unit 10 secures the outer circumference of the tire, aligning its center and preventing separation. According to one embodiment, the fixing unit 10 includes a plurality of fixing rods located above the tire conveying unit 11, extending upward in the width direction of the tire's outer circumferential surface, and configured to move toward the central axis of the conveyed tire, aligning the tire's center while supporting the outer circumferential surface.

[0035] Next, the pressing unit 20 presses down on the sound-absorbing material while simultaneously extending radially toward the sound-absorbing material adhered to the inner lining of the tire (which is fixed to the fixing unit 10).

[0036] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the crimping unit 20 may include a first plate 210 having a predetermined thickness and area; a plurality of main frames 220 formed on the lower portion of the first plate 210 and radially expanding or contracting based on the central axis of the first plate 210; and a crimping ring 230 connecting the lower portions of the plurality of main frames 220 to each other and configured to press the sound-absorbing material of the tire by expanding or contracting the diameter of the crimping ring 230 according to the operation of causing the main frames 220 to expand or contract radially.

[0037] The sound-absorbing material adhering to the inner liner of the tire is pressed by the pressing unit 20, and the detailed configuration of the pressing unit 20 will be described below.

[0038] First, a first plate 210 having a predetermined thickness and area can be mounted on top, preferably formed in a disc shape, and having a diameter corresponding to the maximum length of the main frame 220 extending in the radial direction as described below.

[0039] The main frame 220 is formed at the lower part of the first plate 210 and can expand or contract radially based on the central axis of the first plate 210. The main frame 220 may consist of multiple frames that expand or contract radially based on the central axis of the first plate 210 and the central axis of the tire, which is defined by fixing the tire's position and centering it by the fixing unit 10. Preferably, the multiple main frames are arranged side by side on a circumference based on the central axis of the first plate 210 and can expand or contract radially during operation.

[0040] Furthermore, the crimping ring 230 can press the tire's sound-absorbing material by expanding or contracting its diameter, depending on the operation that causes the main frame 220 to expand or contract radially. When the main frame 220 is expanded or contracted radially during operation, the diameter of the crimping ring 230, which is formed in a ring shape by connecting the lower parts of multiple main frames 220, is also expanded or contracted. Here, because the diameter of the crimping ring 230 is expanded, the sound-absorbing material adhered to the inner liner portion of the tire can be firmly pressed. Preferably, the length of the crimping ring 230 in the width direction and the length of the sound-absorbing material in the width direction are formed to correspond to each other, so that all areas of the sound-absorbing material can be uniformly pressed.

[0041] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the crimping ring 230 is connected to the lower portion of each of a plurality of main frames 220 and includes a plurality of segments 231 having a predetermined curvature. The plurality of segments 231 may include: a first segment 233 located radially outward and having guide pins 234 formed at both ends of the first segment 233; and a second segment 235 located radially inward and having a guide groove 236 extending circumferentially, the guide pins 234 of the first segment 233 being inserted into the guide groove 236, wherein the second segment 235 is configured to cause the entire diameter of the crimping ring 230 to expand and contract while the guide pins 234 are guided along the guide groove 236.

[0042] The crimping ring 230, more specifically, the crimping ring 230 that is connected to the lower part of the plurality of main frames 220 and integrally forms an annular shape, may include a plurality of segments 231 having a predetermined curvature. Here, the plurality of segments 231 have the same curvature and are interconnected to form a circle, with a first segment 233 located radially outward and a second segment 235 located radially inward, alternating in arrangement, and some areas at the ends of these segments overlapping each other. Guide pins 234 are formed at both ends of each first segment 233, and guide grooves 236 are formed in each second segment 235, into which the guide pins 234 can be inserted and guided circumferentially. Therefore, when the main frame 220 is expanded, the entire first segment 233 and second segment 235 are radially expanded as the guide pins 234 move along the guide grooves 236. When the plurality of segments 231 expand toward the sound-absorbing material to press the sound-absorbing material, uniform crimping can be achieved throughout the entire area of ​​the sound-absorbing material through the above process.

[0043] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the crimping unit 20 further includes a servo motor 240 mounted on the first plate 210. The servo motor 240 includes a first gear 250 formed at its lower portion, while each main frame 220 includes a second gear 260 formed on its upper side to mesh with the first gear 250. Therefore, when the servo motor 240 is operated, the main frame 220 can radially expand and contract as the meshing first and second gears rotate.

[0044] An embodiment for radially expanding and contracting the main frame 220 will be described below. First, when the first gear 250 of the servo motor 240 mounted on the first plate 210 rotates about its axis in one direction, the main frame 220 is radially expanded by the second gear 260 meshing with the first gear 250, and radially contracted when rotated in the opposite direction. When the servo motor 240 is operated, the first gear 250 formed on the lower part of the servo motor 240 and the second gear 260 formed on the upper side of each main frame 220 are rotated and meshed, thereby causing radial movement of the main frame 220. More specifically, the first gear 250 is a gear that rotates about the axis of the servo motor 240, while the second gear 260 is a gear connected to each main frame 220 and rotated and meshed by the first gear 250. These gears are formed as bevel gears (or spiral bevel gears), wherein the first gear 250 is formed as a ring gear and the second gear 260 is formed as a pinion gear. In other words, because the axes of these gears are arranged at a predetermined angle, the rotation of the shaft of the servo motor 240 is transmitted to the second gear 260 through the first gear 250, so that the main frame 220 can expand or contract radially. Therefore, when the shaft of the servo motor 240 is rotated, the second gear 260 of the main frame 220 rotates due to the rotation of the first gear 250, and the main frame 220 can expand or contract radially.

[0045] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the main frame 220 may include: an upper frame 221 in which the screw portion 222 of a ball screw extending radially from the second gear 260 is inserted; a central frame 223 extending downward from the upper frame 221; and a lower frame 225 extending radially from the lower end of the central frame 223.

[0046] Here, a ball screw is a motion conversion device that converts rotary motion into linear motion. The ball screw can have a structure in which one end of a second gear 260 meshes with a first gear 250, and the other end of a screw portion 222 extends radially from the second gear 260. An upper frame 221 has an insertion hole into which the screw portion 222 is inserted, functioning as the nut portion of the ball screw. Therefore, when the second gear 260 rotates, the upper frame 221 moves linearly through the nut portion, while the screw portion 222 rotates, thus causing the main frame 220 to move linearly in the longitudinal direction of the screw (i.e., in the radial direction). According to the structure of the ball screw, the linear motion of the screw portion 222 is transmitted from the upper frame 221 to a vertically downward-extending central frame 223, and then to a lower frame 225 that extends radially and horizontally from the central frame 223. Thus, the aforementioned plurality of sections 231 mounted outside the lower frame 225 can expand or contract radially.

[0047] Next, the motor unit 30, which is connected to the upper part of the crimping unit 20 and configured to raise and lower the crimping unit 20 toward the tire, will be described.

[0048] Here, the motor unit 30 includes a plurality of shafts 320 arranged above the second plate 310, each shaft having one end fixed to the first plate 210 and another end extending upward from the first plate 210 through the second plate 310. The motor unit 30 and the shafts 320 are operatively connected to each other by a gear mechanism described below, such that when the motor unit 30 is operated, the plurality of shafts 320 connected to the first plate 210 are lowered in their longitudinal direction by the operation of the gear mechanism, and the pressing unit 20 is moved toward the tire.

[0049] The following describes the process of lowering the crimping unit 20 toward the conveyed tire before the process of radially expanding or contracting the crimping unit 20 inside the tire, and the process of raising the crimping unit 20 again after crimping is completed.

[0050] First, the motor unit 30, configured to raise and lower the crimping unit 20, may include a motor shaft having a drive gear formed thereon, and the motor unit 30 may be arranged above a second plate 310 having a predetermined thickness and area, positioned above the first plate 210. Specifically, a plurality of shafts 320 have one end fixed to the first plate 210 and another end extending upward through the second plate 310. These shafts 320 may have driven gears formed on their outer peripheral surfaces to mesh with the drive gear. When the motor unit 30 is operated, the drive gear rotates the horizontally parallel motor shaft, and the driven gears of the shafts 320 meshing with the drive gear rotate, causing the shafts 320 to move vertically. Accordingly, the crimping unit 20 is raised or lowered toward the tire. The plurality of shafts 320 may be mounted around the motor unit 30 at predetermined distances and preferably have a structure for raising and lowering the crimping unit 20 while maintaining overall balance.

[0051] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments and drawings described and illustrated in this disclosure are only the most preferred embodiments and do not represent all technical conceived in the invention. It is understood that various modifications and equivalents can be made in place of these embodiments when this application is completed. Therefore, it is apparent that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the detailed description of the embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications and embodiments contemplated from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0052] Description of the attached figures

[0053] 10: Fixed Unit

[0054] 11: Tire delivery unit

[0055] 20: Crimping Unit

[0056] 210: First board

[0057] 220: Main Frame

[0058] 221: Upper Frame

[0059] 222: Screw

[0060] 223: Central Framework

[0061] 225: Lower Frame

[0062] 230: Crimping ring

[0063] 231: Section

[0064] 233: Part One

[0065] 234: Guide pin

[0066] 235: Part Two

[0067] 236: Guide groove

[0068] 240: Servo motor

[0069] 250: First Gear

[0070] 260: Second Gear

[0071] 30: Motor Unit

[0072] 310: Second board

[0073] 320: Shaft

Claims

1. A tire sound-absorbing material pressing device, comprising: A fixing unit configured to align and position the center of a tire transported by a tire delivery unit; A pressing unit configured to press the sound-absorbing material while extending radially toward the sound-absorbing material adhered to the inner liner of the tire, wherein the tire is fixed to the fixing unit; And a motor unit, which is connected to the upper part of the crimping unit and configured to lift and lower the crimping unit toward the tire; The pressing unit includes: a first plate having a predetermined thickness and area; a plurality of main frames formed on the lower portion of the first plate and extending or contracting radially based on the central axis of the first plate; and a pressing ring connecting the lower portions of the plurality of main frames to each other and configured to press the sound-absorbing material of the tire by expanding or contracting the diameter of the pressing ring according to an operation that causes the main frames to expand or contract radially.

2. The tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit further includes a servo motor mounted on the first plate, and the servo motor includes a first gear formed at the lower part of the servo motor, and each of the main frames includes a second gear formed on the upper side of the main frame to mesh with the first gear, such that when the servo motor is operated, the main frame is radially expanded and contracted as the meshing first gear and second gear rotate.

3. The tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to claim 1, wherein, The motor unit is arranged above the second plate, which is positioned above the first plate. The motor unit is operatively connected to a plurality of shafts via gears, the plurality of shafts extending upward from the first plate through the second plate, and wherein, when the motor unit is operated, the plurality of shafts connected to the first plate are lowered in their longitudinal direction by the operation of the gears, thereby moving the pressing unit to the tire.

4. The tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing ring comprises a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments being respectively connected to the lower part of the plurality of main frames, and having a predetermined curvature, wherein, The plurality of segments include: a first segment located on the outer side in the radial direction and having guide pins at both ends of the first segment; and a second segment located on the inner side in the radial direction and having a guide groove extending in the circumferential direction, wherein the guide pins of the first segment are inserted into the guide grooves, wherein the second segment is configured to cause the entire diameter of the crimping ring to expand and contract as the guide pins are guided along the guide grooves.

5. The tire sound-absorbing material pressing device according to claim 2, wherein the main frame comprises: The upper frame, into which the screw portion of the ball screw, which extends radially from the second gear, is inserted; A central frame that extends downward from the upper frame; And a lower frame that extends radially from the lower end of the central frame.

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