Quality inspection method and system for tire components

Abstract

Provided are a quality inspection method and system for quickly and accurately grasping the magnitude of fluctuations in the predetermined quality of a long tire component formed by joining a plurality of components in the longitudinal direction. While a conveying device (2) is used to convey the long tire component (R) in the longitudinal direction (L), an X-ray inspection device (3) irradiates a predetermined length range (C) of the tire component (R) from the surface side of the tire component (R) with X-rays. A process of continuously acquiring image data (D) based on X-ray transmittance for the predetermined length range (C) is performed, thereby acquiring image data (D) for the predetermined length range (C) continuously and without gaps in the longitudinal direction (L). Each image data (D) is input into a computing device (4). Based on the shading in each image data (D), the computing device (4) calculates the quality of the tire component (R) and the magnitude of fluctuations in the width dimension of a component (M1) formed of unvulcanized rubber having a higher content of a specific component in the longitudinal direction (L).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for inspecting the quality of tire components, and more particularly, to a method and system for inspecting the quality of tire components, which can quickly and accurately determine the magnitude of fluctuations in the predetermined quality of a long tire component formed by joining multiple components together in the longitudinal direction. Background Art

[0002] Tires are manufactured using a variety of long tire components. These components often consist of a variety of components, including different types of rubber and reinforcing materials. Various inspections are performed on tire production lines to monitor the quality of these components.

[0003] In the past, as a device for inspecting the quality of tire components, a measuring device has been proposed that can grasp the shape, size, etc. of each component at the cross section of the tire component without stopping the production line (see Patent Document 1). In this proposed measuring device, a buffer unit (dragging member) for accumulating tire components is arranged on a conveying path of a conveying device such as a belt conveyor for conveying tire components, and a CT scanner is arranged on its downstream side. In addition, while the interior of the tire component is inspected by the CT scanner, the portion corresponding to the inspection range of the tire component is temporarily stopped. On the other hand, the extruder arranged on the upstream side of the buffer unit continues to extrude the tire component, and the extruded tire component is temporarily accumulated by the buffer unit. In this way, the extrusion of the tire component by the extruder will not be interrupted during the inspection of the tire component by the CT scanner on the conveying path, thereby avoiding the stop of the production line.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-86635 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In order to accurately determine the magnitude of the fluctuation in the predetermined quality of a tire component along its length, the measuring device proposed in Patent Document 1 requires that the tire component be seamlessly divided into multiple sections along its length. Transport of the tire component is temporarily stopped for each section, and inspection is performed using a CT scanner. Consequently, transporting the inspected tire component through the transport path to the next process requires considerable time. On the other hand, if the "inspection sections" are lengthened to reduce the number of times the tire component is temporarily stopped downstream of the CT scanner during inspection, the magnitude of the fluctuation in the predetermined quality of the tire component along its length cannot be accurately determined. Therefore, there is room for improvement in quickly and accurately determining the magnitude of the fluctuation in the predetermined quality of the tire component along its length.

[0009] Technical solutions to problems

[0010] The quality inspection method for tire components of the present invention grasps the predetermined quality of a long tire component formed by joining multiple components, and is characterized in that while the tire component is conveyed in the length direction, X-rays are irradiated from the surface side of the tire component to a predetermined length range of the tire component, and the process of obtaining image data based on X-ray transmittance of the predetermined length range is continuously performed, the image data of the predetermined length range that is continuous and seamless in the length direction is obtained, and based on the light and dark values ​​in each of the obtained image data, the magnitude of fluctuations in the predetermined quality in the length direction of the tire component is grasped.

[0011] The tire component quality inspection system of the present invention grasps the predetermined quality of a long tire component formed by joining multiple components, and is characterized by comprising: a conveying device for conveying the tire component in the longitudinal direction; an X-ray inspection device for irradiating a predetermined length range of the tire component with X-rays from the surface side of the tire component conveyed by the conveying device to obtain image data based on the X-ray transmittance of the predetermined length range; and a computing device to which the image data is input. The quality inspection system is configured to continuously perform the process of obtaining the image data to obtain the image data of the predetermined length range that is continuous and without gaps in the longitudinal direction. Based on the light and dark values ​​in each of the obtained image data, the computing device calculates the magnitude of fluctuation of the predetermined quality in the longitudinal direction of the tire component.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, by using image data acquired by irradiating a predetermined length range of the tire component from the surface side while the tire component is conveyed in the longitudinal direction, it is unnecessary to stop conveying the tire component in order to determine the predetermined quality. Furthermore, image data can be acquired continuously along the predetermined length range without gaps in the longitudinal direction, and the predetermined quality can be determined with high precision based on the shading in each acquired image data. This is advantageous for quickly and accurately determining the magnitude of fluctuations in the predetermined quality of the tire component along the longitudinal direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tire component quality inspection system in a side view.

[0015] Figure 2 It will Figure 1 An explanatory diagram showing an enlarged example of the periphery of an X-ray inspection apparatus.

[0016] Figure 3 It is shown in a top-down manner Figure 2 An illustration of the range shown in FIG.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a tire component to be inspected in a cross-sectional view.

[0018] Figure 5 It will Figure 4 An explanatory diagram showing a tire component of FIG. 1 with a portion thereof cut away and viewed from above.

[0019] Figure 6 is exemplified by Figure 1 An explanatory diagram of image data obtained by an X-ray inspection device.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an example Figure 4 Graph of X-ray transmission at positions in the width direction of tire components.

[0021] Figure 8 : is a graph illustrating the distribution of the widthwise dimension of the component M1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] Figure 9 : is a graph illustrating the distribution of the mass of tire components in the longitudinal direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the tire component quality inspection method and system according to the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

[0024] Figures 1 to 3The embodiment of the tire component quality inspection system 1 (hereinafter referred to as system 1) illustrated in FIG is used to determine the magnitude of fluctuation in the predetermined quality of a long tire component R in the longitudinal direction L. Arrows L and W in the figure indicate the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the tire component R, respectively.

[0025] Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The inspection target is a long tire component R formed by joining together multiple components M (M1 to M5) as illustrated in the figure. In this embodiment, the tire component R to be inspected is a tread rubber formed by joining together components M1 to M5 composed of unvulcanized rubber extruded from an extruder 6 (6a to 6e). The tire component R to be inspected is not limited to tread rubber but may also be various well-known components primarily made of rubber and used in tire manufacturing, such as sidewall rubber.

[0026] The components M1 to M5 are different types of unvulcanized rubber, and may include, for example, the same raw rubber with different compounding ingredients, the same raw rubber with different compounding ingredients, different raw rubbers with different compounding ingredients, and the same raw rubber with different compounding ingredients.

[0027] The number of components M can be multiple and is not limited to five. For example, the number can be from two to eight. All components M may be composed of unvulcanized rubber, and some components M may be reinforcing materials (such as reinforcing cords). The dimensions of the tire components R are not particularly limited. For example, the length can be from several meters to several hundred meters, the width can be from 10 mm to 2000 mm, and the thickness (maximum thickness) can be from 0.3 mm to 100 mm.

[0028] exist Figure 4 、 Figure 5 In the tire component R shown in the example, sheet-like components M2 and M3 are stacked up and down, component M4 is stacked thereon, and component M5 covering both ends of components M2 and M3 in the width direction is stacked at both ends in the width direction. Moreover, in the center of the width direction of the tire component R, component M1 penetrates the tire component R up and down (in the thickness direction). Components M1, M4, and M5 are exposed on the surface of the tire component R, and components M1, M2, and M5 are exposed on the back surface. The back surface is in contact with the conveying device 2, and the tire component R is placed on the conveying device 2. If the tire component R is a good product, each component M1 to M5 is approximately Figure 4 The cross-sectional shape illustrated in FIG extends over the entire length in the longitudinal direction L. In addition, the boundaries between the components M are shown by dotted lines in the drawings.

[0029] Component M1 is a ground-contacting tread rubber blended with a large amount of carbon black but without silica. Component M1 has a generally rectangular cross-section, is the thickest of the components M, has the highest carbon black content (weight ratio) among the components M, and has the lowest specific gravity (density). Component M1 has a width dimension of, for example, 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

[0030] Component M2 is a bonding rubber compounded with carbon black and no or a small amount of silica, and is the thinnest sheet-like component among component M. Component M3 is a base tread rubber compounded with carbon black and no or a small amount of silica, and is a thicker sheet-like component than component M2.

[0031] Component M4 is a top rubber with no or a small amount of carbon black added, but with a large amount of silica instead of carbon black. Component M4 is the second thickest component in the components M after component M1. Its surface has concave and convex portions extending in the longitudinal direction L, and its thickness varies depending on its widthwise position. Component M5 is an end rubber with carbon black added but no silica added. Component M5 forms the inclined surface of the widthwise end face of the tire component R, and its thickness varies depending on its widthwise position.

[0032] Each component M1 to M5 has a different specific gravity (density), and their specific gravity (average value) is known in advance. Among the components M, component M4, which contains the most silica and is significantly incorporated, has a higher specific gravity than the other components M1, M2, M3, and M5. Furthermore, each component M may contain other known components depending on the required performance. The term "not incorporated" does not necessarily mean "absolute absence of the component" but also includes "inclusion of a very small amount."

[0033] This system 1 includes a conveyor 2, an X-ray inspection apparatus 3, and a computing device 4. A monitor 5 is communicatively connected to the computing device 4. An extruder 6 is disposed upstream of the conveyor 2 in the conveying direction. A winder 7 and a discharge conveyor 10 are disposed in parallel on the downstream side of the conveyor 2, sandwiching a distribution conveyor 9. A cutter 8 is disposed above the conveyor 2, downstream of the X-ray inspection apparatus 3 in the conveying direction.

[0034] The conveying device 2 conveys the tire component R in the longitudinal direction L. As the conveying device 2, various known specifications such as a belt conveyor device and a roller conveyor device in which a plurality of rotating rollers are arranged can be adopted.

[0035] The X-ray inspection apparatus 3 includes an irradiating unit 3a and a light receiving unit 3b. The irradiating unit 3a is positioned above the tire component R placed on the conveying device 2, while the light receiving unit 3b is positioned below the tire component R. Therefore, the tire component R conveyed by the conveying device 2 passes between the irradiating unit 3a and the light receiving unit 3b.

[0036] The irradiation unit 3a irradiates a predetermined length range C of the tire component R conveyed by the conveying device 2 with X-rays across the entire width of the tire component R. The X-rays transmitted through the tire component R are received by the light receiving unit 3b. Furthermore, the X-ray inspection device 3 acquires image data D based on the X-ray transmittance of the predetermined length range C of the tire component R that was irradiated with X-rays. Various known X-ray inspection devices 3 can be used.

[0037] The irradiation unit 3a irradiates X-rays continuously or intermittently to acquire image data D for each predetermined length range C that is continuous in the longitudinal direction L. Adjacent predetermined length ranges C in the longitudinal direction L may overlap slightly in the longitudinal direction L, but are not separated in the longitudinal direction L. When irradiating X-rays intermittently, the faster the transport speed of the tire component R by the transport device 2 or the smaller the predetermined length range C, the shorter the intervals and the more frequent the X-ray irradiation. In other words, the slower the transport speed of the transport device 2 or the larger the predetermined length range C, the longer the intervals between intermittent X-ray irradiations.

[0038] The size (length) of the predetermined length range C and the transport speed of the transport device 2 can be set arbitrarily. For example, the size of the predetermined length range C is approximately 50 mm (5 mm to 1000 mm). Furthermore, the transport speed of the transport device 2 is approximately 50 mm / s to 1000 mm / s. Furthermore, the X-ray irradiation intensity (X-ray tube voltage and current) is set, through prior testing and other means, to a range that allows for the acquisition of clearer image data D, based on the specifications of the tire component R to be inspected.

[0039] Image data D acquired by the X-ray inspection apparatus 3 is sequentially input to the computing device 4. Various other data are also input to the computing device 4, and various computations are performed using installed programs. A known computer can be used as the computing device 4. The computing device 4 can be provided independently of the X-ray inspection apparatus 3 or integrated as part of the X-ray inspection apparatus 3.

[0040] Image data D acquired by the X-ray inspection apparatus 3 and data (image data, etc.) processed by the calculation device 4 are displayed on the monitor 5. Various known specifications may be employed as the monitor 5.

[0041] The extruder 6 (6a to 6e) has a cylinder with a screw that is driven to rotate. The unvulcanized rubber after the raw rubber is mixed with various compounding ingredients is sent forward while the screw is rotated to make it have a suitable viscosity and is extruded from the extrusion head 6H. Extruders 6 of various known specifications can be used. In this embodiment, the tire component R is formed by joining five components M1 to M5, so five extruders 6a to 6e are used. Different types of unvulcanized rubber forming the corresponding components M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 are extruded from each extruder 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e. The unvulcanized rubbers extruded by the extruders 6a to 6e are joined by passing through the extrusion head 6H and are extruded from the extrusion head 6H as an integrated tire component R.

[0042] The winder 7 winds up and temporarily stores the tire component R conveyed by the conveyor 2. The winder 7 includes a winding drum that winds up the tire component R together with the liner. In a direct extrusion and molding line, where the manufactured tire component R is directly used in the next step, the winder 7 is not required.

[0043] The cutter 8 cross-cuts the tire component R placed on the conveying device 2. As the cutter 8, a known cutting tool such as a rotary circular blade is used.

[0044] The distribution conveyor 9 rotates up and down with one end (the upstream end in the conveying direction) as the center. The tire component R conveyed by the conveying device 2 is guided to the winder 7 when the other end of the distribution conveyor 9 rotates downward, and is guided to the discharge conveyor 10 when it rotates upward.

[0045] The following describes an example of a procedure for determining the magnitude of fluctuations in the predetermined quality of a tire component R along the longitudinal direction L using the quality inspection method of the present invention. First, the case of determining the distribution of the widthwise dimensions along the longitudinal direction L of a component M1 formed of unvulcanized rubber and having a higher content of a specific component (carbon black) than other components M2 to M5 as the predetermined quality is described.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown in the example, the tire component R extruded from the extruder 6 through the extrusion head 6H is placed on the conveying device 2 arranged in the front and conveyed in the longitudinal direction L. During this conveying process, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As illustrated, while the tire component R is conveyed in the longitudinal direction L, the irradiation unit 3a irradiates the surface of the tire component R with X-rays over a predetermined length range C from the surface side of the tire component R. The X-rays that have passed through the predetermined length range C of the tire component R are sequentially received by the light receiving unit 3b.

[0047] Thus, the X-ray inspection device 3 obtains the X-ray transmittance of the predetermined length range C. Figure 6 . By continuously performing this process of acquiring image data D, image data D covering a predetermined length range C that is continuous and seamless in the longitudinal direction L is acquired. Each acquired piece of image data D is sequentially input to the computing device 4, where it is processed and analyzed. The computing device 4 calculates the magnitude (fluctuation) of the fluctuation in the width dimension of the component M1 in the longitudinal direction L based on the shading in the image data D. The calculation process of the computing device 4 will be described in detail later.

[0048] X-rays irradiated from the irradiation unit 3a pass through the tire component R and are received by the light receiving unit 3b. The thicker the tire component R, the greater the attenuation of X-rays in the tire component R (the greater the absorption), so the amount of X-rays received by the light receiving unit 3b (the transmitted radiation dose) decreases. Furthermore, if the tire component R contains a high content of components that easily attenuate X-rays (high atomic number and density), the amount of X-rays received by the light receiving unit 3b (the transmitted radiation dose) decreases. Consequently, the obtained image data D becomes closer to black and darker. On the other hand, the thinner the tire component R, the less attenuation of X-rays in the tire component R (the less absorption), so the amount of X-rays received by the light receiving unit 3b increases. Furthermore, if the tire component R contains a low content of components that easily attenuate X-rays, the amount of X-rays received by the light receiving unit 3b increases. Consequently, the obtained image data D becomes closer to white and lighter.

[0049] Silica is a component that significantly attenuates (absorbs) X-rays compared to carbon black. Therefore, component M containing silica or a high silica content will appear darker and closer to black in image data D than component M containing carbon black or a high carbon black content instead of silica. Thus, the intensity of the image data D depends on the thickness and composition of the tire component R at the location where the X-rays pass through.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown by the dashed line Z in FIG, the X-ray transmission dose Z of the tire component R changes in the width direction W. Figure 7 To facilitate understanding of the widthwise position of the tire component R, a cross-sectional view of the tire component R is shown below the graph. The transmitted radiation dose Z represents the amount of X-rays received by the backside of the tire component R when X-rays are irradiated from the front side. The transmitted radiation dose Z can be calculated based on the thickness, specific gravity, and attenuation coefficient of the tire component R at the location where the X-rays are transmitted. The greater the widthwise position where the transmitted radiation dose Z is, the darker the color in the image data D.

[0051] Therefore, in Figure 6In the image data D shown in the example, the color is darkest at the thickest position of component M4 and becomes lighter at the thinnest position. Although component M1 is the thickest component, it has the smallest specific gravity, so the color of the image data D becomes lighter at the position where component M1 is arranged. At the position where component M5 is arranged, the color of the image data D becomes lighter as it goes to the width direction end of the tire component R. Figure 6 In the figure, the arrangement pitch of the oblique lines is changed according to the lightness or darkness of the color. In the part with relatively dark color, the arrangement pitch of the oblique lines is reduced and the description is denser.

[0052] Therefore, in Figure 6 In the image data D, there are dark and light areas, with the light areas existing in multiple locations (the thinnest location of component M4, the location of component M1, and the location of component M5). Therefore, simply by looking at the light and dark areas in the image data D, it is difficult to identify which light area is where component M1. However, when the thickness of the same type of unvulcanized rubber changes, the change in the amount of transmitted radiation Z changes gradually, just like the change in thickness, so the change in light and dark in the image data D is slow. On the other hand, in different types of unvulcanized rubber, the amount of transmitted radiation Z varies significantly due to the differences in the ingredients contained, so the change in light and dark in the image data D becomes more rapid.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, Figure 7 The amount of transmitted radiation Z in the width direction W of the tire component R shown in the example is used to make use of the difference in the amount of transmitted radiation Z. That is, the amount of transmitted radiation Z of each component M is known in advance, and the following is set: Figure 7 As illustrated in the example, the reference range of the difference in the amount of transmitted radiation Z between the components M adjacent to each other in the width direction W is set. In other words, the reference range is set so that if the change in the amount of transmitted radiation Z in the width direction W falls within the reference range, it can be substantially guaranteed that the components M1 and M4 are adjacent to each other in the width direction W.

[0054] The range of differences in shading within the image data D corresponding to the set reference range is then stored in the computing device 4 as a criterion. The computing device 4 calculates the magnitude of the shading difference in the width direction W for each piece of image data D. When a position where this difference falls within the criterion is detected, the computing device 4 determines that the detected widthwise position is the boundary between components M1 and M4. If one component M1 extends in the longitudinal direction L within the tire component R, the boundary between components M1 and M4 is detected at two locations separated by a gap in the width direction W. The gap between these boundaries in the width direction W is calculated as the widthwise dimension of component M1.

[0055] The results, such as Figure 8 As exemplified in , the magnitude of the fluctuation in the widthwise dimension of the component M1 in the tire component R in the longitudinal direction L is calculated. Figure 8 The vertical axis Mc represents the design value of the width dimension of the component M1, which allows us to understand the extent to which the width dimension of the component M1 varies in the longitudinal direction L in the manufactured tire component R. Figure 8 The case where the width direction dimension becomes zero "means that the component M1 is interrupted in the middle of the length direction L. Therefore, according to Figure 8 The data can be used to understand the continuity of the component M1 with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

[0056] On the monitor 5, as a result of quality confirmation, for example, Figure 6 On the image data D, the portion determined to be "component M1 present" (the region between the aforementioned boundaries in the width direction W) is marked with a color (e.g., yellow, light blue) that is easily visually recognized and displayed. This allows personnel to easily grasp the quality verification results immediately by viewing the monitor 5.

[0057] In this embodiment, X-rays are irradiated from the irradiation unit 3a to a predetermined length range C of the tire component R so as to cover the entire width of the tire component R. However, the widthwise position where the component M1 is arranged in the tire component R is known in advance. Therefore, the widthwise range to which X-rays are irradiated may be set to a narrower range that includes the widthwise position known in advance as "where the component M1 is arranged."

[0058] If the calculated fluctuation in the widthwise dimension of component M1 in the longitudinal direction L is within a pre-set tolerance, the corresponding predetermined length range C is determined to be a good portion. The good portion of tire components R conveyed by conveyor device 2 is then guided by distribution conveyor 9 to winder 7 for winding. In the case of a directly connected extrusion and molding line, the good portion of tire components R is directly conveyed to the next process.

[0059] If the calculated fluctuation in the width dimension of the component M1 in the longitudinal direction L is outside the permissible range, the corresponding predetermined length range C (defective portion) is cut off by the cutter 8 on the conveying device 2. After the cut predetermined length range C (defective portion) is conveyed to the downstream end of the conveying device 2 in the conveying direction, the distribution conveyor 9 rotates toward the discharge conveyor 10. As a result, the cut predetermined length range C (defective portion) is placed on the discharge conveyor 10 and conveyed, and removed from the production line.

[0060] As described above, by using image data D acquired by irradiating a predetermined length range C with X-rays from the surface side of the tire component R while being conveyed in the longitudinal direction L by the conveying device 2, it is not necessary to stop conveyance of the tire component R in order to determine the widthwise dimension of the component M1. Furthermore, by acquiring image data D covering the predetermined length range C, which is continuous and seamless in the longitudinal direction L, the computing device 4 can accurately determine the widthwise dimension of the component M1 based on the shading in each piece of image data D. This is advantageous for rapidly and accurately determining fluctuations in the widthwise dimension of the component M1 in the longitudinal direction L (i.e., the continuity of the component M1 in the longitudinal direction L).

[0061] In the above embodiment, the example of "observing the longitudinal distribution of component M1 formed of unvulcanized rubber having a higher content of carbon black as a specific component than that of the unvulcanized rubber forming other components M" is used. This specific component is not limited to carbon black and can be other components depending on the purpose. Furthermore, the specific component to be inspected is not limited to component M1 and can also be other components M.

[0062] Next, the case of "comprehending the mass distribution of the tire component R in the longitudinal direction L as a predetermined quality to be inspected by the X-ray inspection device 3" will be described. This distribution can be grasped as an alternative to or in addition to the magnitude of the fluctuation in the width dimension of the component M1 in the longitudinal direction L described above.

[0063] In advance, the aforementioned image data D is acquired under the same conditions for a plurality of tire component R samples. Furthermore, mass data per unit length is acquired for each sample. Using these image data D and mass data as training data, machine learning is performed to generate a prediction model (computer program) that estimates the mass per unit length of a predetermined length range C corresponding to the image data D acquired as the inspection target, and the prediction model is stored in the computing device 4.

[0064] As described above, the shading in image data D varies depending on the thickness and composition of the tire component R. Therefore, the shading distribution is correlated with the mass per unit length of the portion of the tire component R corresponding to the image data D (predetermined length range C). Therefore, for example, the image data D is subdivided into a plurality of microregions, and machine learning is performed to obtain the correlation between the shading level and position of each microregion and the mass per unit length corresponding to the image data D, thereby generating an estimation model. Various well-known machine learning methods, such as deep learning using neural networks, can be used as machine learning methods.

[0065] When estimating the mass of each predetermined length range C of the transported tire component R, image data D successively acquired by the X-ray inspection device 3 is input into an estimation model and processed by the calculation device 4. Thus, the mass of each predetermined length range C is estimated and calculated.

[0066] The results, such as Figure 9 As exemplified in , the magnitude of fluctuation in the mass (mass per unit length) of the tire component R in the longitudinal direction L is calculated. Figure 9 The vertical axis Ra represents the permissible range of the mass (mass per unit length) of the tire component R. Figure 9 , it is possible to understand to what extent the mass of the manufactured tire component R varies in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 9 When the medium quality is within the allowable range Ra, the corresponding predetermined length range C is determined to be a good part. When it is outside the allowable range Ra, the corresponding predetermined length range C is determined to be a defective part.

[0067] In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, the predetermined length range C corresponding to the good portion is guided to the coiler 7 by the distribution conveyor 9. The predetermined length range C corresponding to the defective portion is cut by the cutter 8 on the conveying device 2, guided to the discharge conveyor 10 by the distribution conveyor 9, and removed from the production line.

[0068] Description of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1: Quality inspection system;

[0070] 2: Transport device;

[0071] 3: X-ray inspection device;

[0072] 3a: irradiation part;

[0073] 3b: light receiving part;

[0074] 4: computing device;

[0075] 5: Monitor;

[0076] 6 (6a-6e): extruder;

[0077] 6H: extrusion head;

[0078] 7: Coiler;

[0079] 8: cutting machine;

[0080] 9: Distribution conveyor;

[0081] 10: discharge conveyor;

[0082] R: tire components;

[0083] M (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5): constituent parts;

[0084] C: Predetermined length range;

[0085] D: Image data.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting the quality of a tire component, wherein the method comprises inspecting the predetermined quality of a long tire component formed by joining a plurality of components. While conveying the tire component in the longitudinal direction, X-rays are irradiated from the surface side of the tire component to a predetermined length range of the tire component, and the process of obtaining image data based on X-ray transmittance of the predetermined length range is continuously performed. The image data of the predetermined length range that is continuous and seamless in the longitudinal direction are obtained, and the magnitude of fluctuation of the predetermined quality in the longitudinal direction of the tire component is understood based on the light and dark values ​​in each piece of the obtained image data.

2. The tire component quality inspection method according to claim 1, As the predetermined quality, the distribution of the width dimension of a specific component in the length direction is grasped, and the specific component is a component formed of unvulcanized rubber having a higher carbon black content than the unvulcanized rubber forming the other components.

3. The tire component quality inspection method according to claim 1 or 2, As the predetermined quality, the distribution of the mass of the tire component in the longitudinal direction is grasped.

4. A tire component quality inspection system for determining the predetermined quality of a long tire component formed by joining a plurality of components, wherein: The quality inspection system comprises: a conveying device for conveying the tire component in the longitudinal direction; an X-ray inspection device for irradiating a predetermined length range of the tire component with X-rays from the surface side of the tire component conveyed by the conveying device to obtain image data based on X-ray transmittance of the predetermined length range; and a computing device to which the image data is input. The quality inspection system is configured to continuously perform the process of acquiring the image data, acquire the image data of the predetermined length range that is continuous and without gaps in the longitudinal direction, and calculate the magnitude of fluctuation of the predetermined quality in the longitudinal direction of the tire component based on the light and dark values ​​in each of the acquired image data by the computing device.

Images