Apparatus and method for manufacturing a tubular tire member

Abstract

Provided is a manufacturing apparatus and method for a tubular tire member that accurately grasp the degree of positioning when a molding drum is moved in the width direction to position a band-shaped tire material at a reference position of the molding drum for winding, and that compact the space required for the sensor used for the grasping. A joint portion that moves the sensor (10) together with the molding drum (6) in the drum width direction has an extension portion (L) that extends upward at an inclination angle (S) of 30° or more and 60° or less with respect to the horizontal direction from the drum (6) toward the opposite side of the conveyor (16a), the sensor (10) is disposed in the extension portion (L) in side view, and the width direction position of the tire material (M1) on the molding drum (6) is calculated by the control portion (17) based on the width direction position data of the tire material (M1) on the molding drum (6) detected successively by the sensor (10) and the width direction setting position data of the sensor (10) with respect to the molding drum (6), and the width direction position of the tire material (M1) with respect to the reference position of the molding drum (6) in the width direction throughout the entire length is calculated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component, and more specifically, to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component that can accurately control the degree of positioning of a strip of tire material supplied by a conveyor in a flat position in the width direction of the forming drum and can make the space required for the sensor used to control the positioning compact. Background Technology

[0002] Tires are manufactured by vulcanizing green tires. Green tires are formed by layering multiple tire materials. When a strip of tire material supplied in a flat position by a conveyor is wound onto a forming drum and formed into a cylindrical shape, various schemes have been proposed to align the center position of the supplied tire material in the width direction with the center position of the forming drum in the width direction during winding the tire material to prevent serpentine deviation (for example, see Patent Document 1). Conventionally, as proposed in Patent Document 1, the center position of the tire material in the width direction is calculated successively based on the width direction position data of the tire material placed on the conveyor detected by a measuring instrument (sensor). Furthermore, the difference between the calculated center position of the tire material in the width direction and the center position of the forming drum in the width direction is calculated successively, and the conveyor is moved in the width direction in such a way that the difference is zero.

[0003] If the forming drum is moved in the width direction instead of the conveyor to achieve zero difference in the width-direction center positions of the two, then the width-direction center positions of the tire material and the forming drum must be calculated sequentially as described above. This makes the calculation complex. Furthermore, if there is an error in calculating the width-direction center position of either of the two, it is impossible to achieve zero difference and thus wind the tire material with high precision. Even if the tire material is wound by controlling the movement of the forming drum in the width direction, if the position of the tire material on the forming drum is not detected, it is practically impossible to determine the degree of precision with which the width-direction center position of the tire material is positioned and wound relative to the width-direction center position (reference position) of the forming drum.

[0004] To determine the positioning accuracy, the sensor is positioned above the forming drum. This requires either constructing a foundation for the sensor frame or suspending the sensor from the ceiling. Furthermore, the sensor needs to be placed on the forming drum at a location capable of accurately detecting the width direction position of the tire material. Consequently, the space occupied by the sensor frame increases. Therefore, when winding the strip of tire material, supplied horizontally by the conveyor, at a reference position in the width direction of the forming drum, there is room for improvement in accurately determining its positioning accuracy and keeping the space required for the sensor used for this determination compact.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-127986 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component that can accurately determine the positioning degree of a strip of tire material supplied by a conveyor in a flat position in the width direction of the forming drum and can make the space required for the sensor used to determine the positioning compact when the forming drum is moved in the width direction of the drum.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the manufacturing apparatus for a cylindrical tire component of the present invention comprises: a conveyor for supplying strip-shaped tire material in a flat state; a forming drum for winding and forming the tire material supplied by the conveyor into a cylindrical shape; and a drum moving mechanism for moving the forming drum in the drum width direction. The manufacturing apparatus is characterized by comprising: a sensor for detecting the tire material on the forming drum; a control unit for receiving, sequentially, width-direction position data of the tire material on the forming drum detected by the sensor; and a connecting portion for connecting the forming drum to the sensor so that the sensor and the forming drum move together in the drum width direction, the connecting portion having a direction relative to the horizontal direction from the forming drum toward the opposite side of the conveyor. An extension portion extending upwards at an angle of 30° to 60° is provided. When viewed from the side, the sensor is positioned on this extension portion. A sensor lifting mechanism is provided to move the sensor up and down. The sensor moves up and down along the extension portion via the sensor lifting mechanism and is fixed at a desired height relative to the forming drum. The forming drum is moved in the drum width direction using the drum moving mechanism to suppress serpentine deviation and wrap the tire material around the forming drum. Based on the sensor's position data set in the width direction relative to the forming drum and the width direction position data sequentially input to the control unit, the control unit calculates the width direction position of the tire material along its entire length relative to the width direction of the forming drum.

[0012] The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component. This method involves winding a strip of tire material supplied by a conveyor in a flat position onto a forming drum and forming it into a cylindrical shape. A drum moving mechanism is used to move the forming drum in the drum width direction to suppress serpentine deviation during the winding of the tire material onto the forming drum. The method is characterized by a configuration in which the forming drum is connected to a sensor via a connecting portion, and the sensor and the forming drum are moved together in the drum width direction via the drum moving mechanism. The connecting portion has an extension extending upward from the forming drum towards the opposite side of the conveyor at an angle of inclination of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal direction. In the extended portion, the sensor is arranged in the extended portion when viewed from the side. When the tire material is wound onto the forming drum and formed into a cylindrical shape, the sensor is raised and lowered along the extended portion by a sensor lifting mechanism and fixed at a desired height position relative to the forming drum. The width direction position data of the tire material on the forming drum detected by the sensor is successively input to the control unit. Based on the width direction position data of the sensor relative to the forming drum and the width direction position data successively input to the control unit, the control unit calculates the width direction position of the tire material throughout its entire length relative to the width direction of the forming drum.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, when the tire material is wound onto the forming drum, by moving the forming drum in the drum width direction, it is advantageous to position the tire material at a reference position in the width direction of the forming drum for winding in a way that suppresses serpentine deviation. Furthermore, since the sensor is connected to the forming drum and moves together in the drum width direction, the sensor's width direction setting position data relative to the forming drum remains unchanged regardless of whether the forming drum moves in the width direction, and the difference from the reference position of the forming drum is a known value obtained in advance. Therefore, it is advantageous to accurately calculate the width direction position of the tire material along its entire length relative to the reference position of the forming drum based on the sensor's width direction setting position data relative to the forming drum and the width direction position data successively input to the control unit. That is, it is possible to accurately determine the degree to which the width direction position of the tire material wound onto the forming drum is consistent (offset) with the reference position, thus ensuring quality.

[0015] Furthermore, since the connecting portion has an extension portion extending upwards from the opposite side of the forming drum toward the conveyor at an angle of inclination of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal direction, and the sensor is arranged on the extension portion when viewed from the side, it is unnecessary to install a frame-like structure for the sensor on a foundation or ceiling. Additionally, while the sensor can be raised and lowered along the extension portion and fixed at a desired height relative to the forming drum via a sensor lifting mechanism, the extension portion extends at an angle of 30° to 60°. Therefore, even without excessive extension in the vertical and horizontal directions, the sensor can be positioned at a location capable of accurately detecting the width direction position of the tire material on the forming drum. As a result, this facilitates a compact space requirement for the sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus for a cylindrical tire component, viewed from above.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an example of the main view. Figure 1 An explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an example of a side view. Figure 1 An explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the drum unit.

[0020] Figure 5 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the state of the drum unit moving to one of the winding positions.

[0021] Figure 6 This is an example of a side view. Figure 5 Explanation diagram of the drum unit.

[0022] Figure 7 This is an example in Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the state in which the tire material is being wound into the forming drum.

[0023] Figure 8 This is an example of a side view. Figure 7 Explanation diagram of the drum unit.

[0024] Figure 9 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 7 A diagram illustrating the state of the drum unit moving to the other winding position.

[0025] Figure 10 This is an example of a side view. Figure 9 Explanation diagram of the drum unit. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following describes the manufacturing apparatus and method for the cylindrical tire component of the present invention based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] use Figures 1-4 In the embodiment of the illustrated cylindrical tire component manufacturing apparatus 1, strips of tire materials M1 and M2 supplied by conveyors 16a and 16b are wound onto a forming drum 6 to manufacture a cylindrical tire component M. For example, inner liner and carcass materials are used as tire materials M1 and M2, and are sequentially supplied to the forming drum 6 to manufacture and laminate the inner liner layer and carcass layer as the cylindrical tire component M. The inner liner layer and carcass layer are used to form a green tire G. The formed green tire G is vulcanized to manufacture a tire T.

[0028] The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a drum unit 2 comprising a forming drum body 6, conveyors 16a and 16b, and a control unit 17. The drum unit 2 is divided vertically into a base 3 and an upper structural section 4, which are connected by a vertical moving mechanism 9. The drum unit 2 is an integral structure including the base 3, the upper structural section 4, and the vertical moving mechanism 9. The X, Y, and Z arrows in the figure represent the width, front-back, and height directions of the manufacturing apparatus 1 (drum unit 2, forming drum body 6), respectively, and are orthogonal to each other. In the figures, the direction from the conveyors 16a and 16b toward the forming drum body 6 in the front-back direction (Y direction) is forward.

[0029] Conveyors 16a and 16b are belt conveyors or similar conveying means that supply tire materials M1 and M2 to the forming drum 6 in a flat state. Multiple conveyors 16a and 16b are arranged side-by-side in the width direction. Each conveyor 16a and 16b is substantially fixed to a certain position on the foundation and does not move. In this embodiment, the front-to-back position of the front ends of each conveyor 16a and 16b is set to substantially the same position, while the vertical position is set to slightly different positions. Alternatively, the front-to-back position of the front ends of each conveyor 16a and 16b may be different, or the vertical position may be set to substantially the same position.

[0030] The base 3 is mounted on a guide rail 2a extending in the width direction on a foundation. A drive motor or the like constituting a sliding movement mechanism 8 is provided on the base 3. Various known mechanisms that move the base 3 along the guide rail 2a can be used as the sliding movement mechanism 8. When the base 3 moves along the guide rail 2a via the sliding movement mechanism 8, the drum unit 2 moves integrally in the width direction.

[0031] The upper structure 4 includes a mounting plate 5a, a sliding plate 5b, a forming drum 6, a rotation drive unit 6a, a drum moving mechanism 7, sensors 10a and 10b (collectively referred to as sensor 10), a sensor sliding mechanism 12, and a sensor lifting mechanism 13. A vertical moving mechanism 9 is connected to the lower surface of the mounting plate 5a, and the sliding plate 5b and the drum moving mechanism 7 are provided on the mounting plate 5a.

[0032] The sliding plate 5b moves relative to the mounting plate 5a in the width direction via the drum moving mechanism 7. The sliding plate 5b engages, for example, with a groove formed on the mounting plate 5a that extends in the width direction. Various known mechanisms, such as a lever that moves forward and backward via a fluid cylinder or a servo motor, can be used as the drum moving mechanism 7. The drum moving mechanism 7 is a separate mechanism from the sliding moving mechanism 8.

[0033] A forming drum 6 and a rotary drive unit 6a are provided on the sliding plate 5b. The forming drum 6 winds and shapes the tire materials M1 and M2 supplied by the conveyors 16a and 16b into a cylindrical shape. The drum axis C of the forming drum 6 extends in the X direction. The forming drum 6 rotates around the drum axis C by the rotary drive unit 6a.

[0034] A support column 14 is erected on the rotary drive unit 6a, and a crossbeam 14a extending in the width direction is connected to the support column 14. A portal-shaped support frame 15 is fixed to the crossbeam 14a. A sensor support beam 11 extending in the width direction is mounted on the support frame 15. Figure 3 As illustrated, the support column 14 is inclined upwards at a midpoint in the height direction towards the opposite side of the conveyors 16a and 16b, and the inclination angle S of the support column 14 relative to the horizontal is set to approximately 45° (e.g., more than 30° and less than 60°). The support frame 15 is also inclined at this inclination angle S. That is, a portion of the support column 14 and the support frame 15 become an extension L extending upwards from the molding drum 6 towards the opposite side of the conveyor 16a at an inclination angle S of more than 30° and less than 60° relative to the horizontal direction.

[0035] Two sensors 10a and 10b are spaced apart on the sensor support beam 11 in the width direction. Sensors 10a and 10b are moved along the sensor support beam 11 and fixed to desired positions in the width direction via their respective sensor sliding mechanisms 12. Various known mechanisms, such as rods that move forward and backward via servo motors or fluid cylinders, can be used as the sensor sliding mechanism 12. Alternatively, it can be configured such that the sensor 10 is rotatably supported on a support shaft extending in the width direction, allowing the detection orientation to be variable by enabling the sensor 10 to tilt vertically.

[0036] The sensor support beam 11 is raised and lowered at an angle S along the support frame 15 via the sensor lifting mechanism 13 and is fixed at a desired position in the height direction. In this embodiment, the sensor lifting mechanism 13 is provided on the crossbeam 14a, and its forward and backward lever is connected to the sensor support beam 11. Various known mechanisms, such as levers that are moved forward and backward by a fluid cylinder or servo motor, can be used as the sensor lifting mechanism 13. When the sensor support beam 11 is raised and lowered via the sensor lifting mechanism 13, the sensor 10 is raised and lowered at an angle S and fixed at a desired position in the height direction.

[0037] Sensor 10 is positioned above the forming drum 6 to detect the presence and position of tire materials M1 and M2 supplied to the forming drum 6. Various known non-contact detection sensors can be used as sensor 10. In this embodiment, to detect each tire material M1 and M2 across its entire width direction, sensors 10a and 10b are positioned at two points spaced apart in the width direction (X direction). By moving each sensor 10a and 10b in the width direction, the width direction position data of all width dimensions of tire materials M1 can be obtained with high precision. Furthermore, if a single sensor 10 can detect each tire material M1 and M2 across its entire width direction, then only one sensor 10 is required. The detection data detected by sensor 10 is sequentially input to the control unit 17. This detection data includes the width direction position data of the tire materials M1 and M2 on the forming drum 6.

[0038] The control unit 17 uses the input data, stored data, etc., to perform calculations and control the various components of the manufacturing apparatus 1. Various known computers can be used as the control unit 17.

[0039] The vertical movement mechanism 9 moves the upper structural part 4 vertically relative to the base 3. Various known mechanisms, such as a lever that moves forward and backward via a fluid cylinder or servo motor, can be used as the vertical movement mechanism 9. In this embodiment, the vertical movement mechanism 9 is positioned between the base 3 and the mounting plate 5a.

[0040] Therefore, the upper structural part 4 moves up and down as a whole via the up-and-down moving mechanism 9. Furthermore, various components directly and indirectly connected to the sliding plate 5b move as a whole in the width direction via the drum moving mechanism 7. That is, the forming drum 6 and the sensor 10 move synchronously in the width direction by the same amount via the drum moving mechanism 7.

[0041] In this embodiment, the sliding plate 5b, the rotary drive unit 6a, the support column 14, the crossbeam 14a, the support frame 15, and the sensor support beam 11 function as a connecting part that connects the molding drum 6 and the sensor 10, allowing the sensor 10 and the molding drum 6 to move together in the width direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As illustrated, the connecting portion has an extension L extending upward at an angle S from the opposite side of the forming drum 6 toward the conveyor 16a. The sensor 10 is disposed in this extension L when viewed from the side. Alternatively, it can be configured such that the forming drum 6 and the sensor 10 are indirectly connected by the support column 14 being disposed, for example, directly on the sliding plate 5b instead of being erected on the rotary drive 6a, and the sensor 10 is disposed in the extension L when viewed from the side.

[0042] Next, an example of the steps for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component M using the manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0043] In this embodiment, multiple conveyors 16a and 16b arranged side-by-side in the width direction relative to the forming drum 6 supply and wind tire materials M1 and M2 into the forming drum 6 in a flat state. When supplying each tire material M1 and M2, the forming drum 6 is moved and positioned near the top end of the conveyors 16a and 16b supplying the tire materials M1 and M2 (winding positions P1 and P2).

[0044] First, such as Figure 5 , Figure 6 As illustrated, the forming drum 6 is moved and positioned at a winding position P1 near the front end of the conveyor 16a that supplies tire material M1 to the forming drum 6. Therefore, as... Figure 5 As illustrated, the drum unit 2 is moved integrally in the width direction by the sliding movement mechanism 8 and positioned at the winding position P1 (X-direction position). Additionally, as... Figure 6 As illustrated, the upper structural part 4 is moved vertically by the vertical moving mechanism 9 and positioned at the winding position P1 (Z-direction position). The winding position P1 is a suitable position that allows the tire material M1 to be smoothly transferred from the conveyor 16a to the forming drum 6.

[0045] The positions of the front end of conveyor 16a (X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction positions) and the Y-direction position of the forming drum 6 are preset. Therefore, by using various positions of the forming drum 6 (X-direction and Z-direction positions) to conduct pre-tests such as transferring tire material M1 from conveyor 16a to the forming drum 6, the winding position P1 is predetermined. Similarly, the winding position P2 is determined for the other conveyor 16b.

[0046] By pre-determining the winding position P1, when supplying tire material M1 to the forming drum 6, the sliding movement mechanism 8 adjusts the width direction position of the forming drum 6, and the up-down movement mechanism 9 adjusts the vertical position of the forming drum 6, thus setting the forming drum 6 at the winding position P1. Specifically, to set the forming drum 6 at the winding position P1, the control unit 17 controls the sliding movement mechanism 8 to adjust the width direction position of the forming drum 6 based on the width direction position of the top end of the conveyor 16a supplying tire material M1. Furthermore, the control unit 17 controls the up-down movement mechanism 9 to adjust the vertical position of the forming drum 6 based on the vertical position of the top end of the conveyor 16a. Through this control, the forming drum 6 can be automatically set at the winding position P1. In order to set the forming drum 6 more quickly at the winding position P1, during the period when the forming drum 6 (drum unit 2) is moved toward the winding position P1 in the width direction by the sliding moving mechanism 8, the forming drum 6 is moved in the vertical direction by the vertical moving mechanism 9 to be at the height position of the winding position P1.

[0047] Furthermore, the sensors 10 are moved in the width direction via their respective sensor sliding mechanisms 12, and the sensors 10 are moved up and down via the sensor lifting mechanism 13, and then moved and fixed to the detection position. The detection position is an appropriate position in which the sensors 10 can accurately detect the width direction positions of both ends of the tire material M1 on the forming drum 6. This detection position varies depending on the configuration of the conveyor 16a relative to the forming drum 6 and the width direction dimensions of the tire material M1, etc. Therefore, the detection position is predetermined by performing various tests such as pre-testing to detect the tire material M1 on the forming drum 6, with the sensor 10 positioned in different directions (X, Y, and Z directions). The detection position is also determined in the same way for the other conveyor 16b and the tire material M2. It is preferable to move the sensors 10 to the detection position while the forming drum 6 (drum unit 2) is moved toward the winding position P1 in the width direction via the sliding movement mechanism 8. This detection position is stored in the control unit 17.

[0048] Since the sensor 10 moves up and down along the extension L which is inclined at an angle S, the position of the sensor 10 in the front-to-back direction (Y direction) and the position of the sensor 10 in the height direction (Z direction) can be adjusted at the same time by this up-and-down movement. By setting the angle S to 30° or more and 60° or less, more preferably 40° or more and 50° or less, and approximately 45°, it is advantageous to move and fix the sensor 10 at a detection position corresponding to the configuration of the conveyor 16a relative to the forming drum 6 and the width dimension of the tire material M1, even without making the extension L too long.

[0049] Next, as Figure 7 , Figure 8 As illustrated, at the winding position P1, the forming drum 6 rotates around the drum axis C to wind the tire material M1 supplied by the conveyor 16a. The tire material M1 placed on the conveyor 16a often exhibits a serpentine deviation in the width direction. Therefore, using known sensors, the width direction position of the tire material M1 on the conveyor 16a is detected. Based on this detection data, the control unit 17 controls the drum moving mechanism 7 to move the forming drum 6 in the width direction. In this way, the tire material M1 is positioned at a reference position Px in the width direction of the forming drum 6 while being wound, suppressing the serpentine deviation. This reference position Px can be set at any position. For example, the center position in the width direction of the forming drum 6 can be preset at the reference position Px, so that the center position in the width direction of the tire material M1 is aligned with this reference position Px, and it is wound into a cylindrical shape by the forming drum 6.

[0050] Even when the tire material M1 is wound onto the forming drum 6 in this way, it is unclear to what extent the center position of the wound tire material M1 in the width direction is aligned (offset) with the reference position Px. Therefore, in this embodiment, based on the width direction setting position data of the sensor 10 relative to the forming drum 6 and the width direction position data of the tire material M1 on the forming drum 6 detected by the sensor 10 and successively input to the control unit 17, the control unit 17 calculates the width direction position of the tire material M1 along its entire length relative to the reference position Px of the forming drum 6.

[0051] In detail, the center position (i.e., reference position Px) of the molding drum 6 in the width direction is calculated based on the position data of the sensor 10 relative to the molding drum 6 in the width direction. Furthermore, during the period from the start of winding the tire material M1 onto the molding drum 6 to the end of winding, the control unit 17 calculates the center position of the tire material M1 along the entire length of the molding drum 6 in the width direction based on the width direction position data of the tire material M1 detected successively by each sensor 10a and 10b. Moreover, the difference Dx in the width direction between the calculated reference position Px and the calculated center position of the tire material M1 in the width direction is calculated along the entire length of the tire material M1.

[0052] Here, since the sensor 10 is connected to the forming drum 6 and moves together in the width direction, the width direction setting position data of the sensor 10 relative to the forming drum 6 remains unchanged regardless of whether the forming drum 6 moves in the width direction. Furthermore, the positions of each sensor 10 are stored in the control unit 17 and are known; therefore, the width direction distance between each sensor 10 and the reference position Px of the forming drum 6 is also a known value. In other words, the reference position Px can be accurately determined based on the positions of each sensor 10. Therefore, to calculate the difference Dx, the reference position Px accurately determined based on the positions of each sensor 10 can be used. That is, the width direction center position of the tire material M1 on the forming drum 6 can be calculated over the entire length of the tire material M1 based on the width direction position data of the tire material M1 detected successively by the sensor 10, and the difference Dx mentioned above is calculated as the difference between the calculated result and the reference position Px accurately determined based on the positions of each sensor 10 stored in the control unit 17.

[0053] Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is a simple configuration that connects the sensor 10 to the forming drum 6 so that the sensor 10 and the forming drum 6 move together in the width direction. Even when the forming drum 6 is moved frequently in the width direction, it is advantageous to accurately calculate the width direction position of the tire material M1 along its entire length relative to the reference position Px. That is, it is possible to accurately determine the degree to which the center position of the tire material M1 wound onto the forming drum 6 in the width direction is consistent (offset) with respect to the reference position Px, thus ensuring the quality of the manufactured tubular tire component M.

[0054] In this manufacturing apparatus 1, during the period from the start of winding the tire material M1 around the forming drum 6 to the end of winding, each sensor 10a and 10b sequentially detects the width direction position data of the tire material M1. Therefore, an additional process (time) is not required to calculate the width direction position of the tire material M1 along its entire length relative to the reference position Px. That is, it is not necessary to rotate the forming drum 6 around the drum axis C again after the tire material M1 has been formed into a cylindrical shape and use the sensor 10 to detect the degree of width direction deviation of the cylindrical tire component M. Therefore, it is beneficial to improve the productivity of the tire component M.

[0055] Next, as Figure 9 , Figure 10 As illustrated, in order to manufacture a cylindrical tire component M using tire material M2 supplied from the other conveyor 16b, the forming drum 6 is moved to a winding position P2 near the front end of the other conveyor 16b. The step of setting the forming drum 6 at the winding position P2 is the same as the step of setting it at the winding position P1 described above. That is, as... Figure 9As illustrated, the drum unit 2 is moved integrally in the width direction via the sliding mechanism 8. Additionally, as... Figure 10 As illustrated, the upper structural part 4 is moved in the vertical direction by the vertical moving mechanism 9.

[0056] The steps for moving and fixing sensors 10a and 10b to the detection positions are the same as those performed at the winding position P1. That is, sensors 10a and 10b are moved in the width direction by the sensor sliding mechanism 12 and raised and lowered by the sensor lifting mechanism 13 and fixed to the detection positions corresponding to the conveyor 16 and the tire material M2.

[0057] Next, following the same steps as with tire material M1, the forming drum 6 is moved in the width direction using the drum moving mechanism 7, and the tire material M2 is positioned at the reference position Px in the width direction of the forming drum 6 while being wound. Since a cylindrical tire component M has already been manufactured and wound on the forming drum 6, the tire material M2 is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the tire component M at the winding position P2. Therefore, at the winding position P2, the tire component M obtained by forming the cylindrical shape from the tire material M2 is manufactured in a stacked state relative to the tire component M already manufactured on the forming drum 6. Since the width direction deviation of each stacked tire component M1 is suppressed, a stack of tire components M with excellent quality is manufactured. Furthermore, regarding tire material M2, similarly to tire material M1, the width direction difference Dx between the reference position Px and the calculated width direction center position of tire material M2 is calculated over the entire length of tire material M2.

[0058] According to the manufacturing apparatus 1, as described above, a sensor 10 is disposed on the extension portion L in a side view, and the sensor 10 is indirectly connected to the forming drum 6. Therefore, it is unnecessary to install a frame-like structure on the foundation or roof for mounting the sensor 10 used to detect the width direction position of the tire materials M1 and M2 on the forming drum 6. In addition, since the extension portion L extends from the forming drum 6 toward the opposite side of the conveyors 16a and 16b at an inclination angle S of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal direction, it is easy to place the sensor 10 at a position that can accurately detect the width direction position of the tire materials M1 and M2 on the forming drum 6 in a manner that does not cause the extension portion L to extend excessively in the vertical and horizontal directions. As a result, it is advantageous to make the space required for the sensor 10 compact.

[0059] This allows for a wider space to be secured for the operation and maintenance of the manufacturing apparatus 1. Furthermore, even in situations where the space for the manufacturing apparatus 1 is limited, it is easy to position the sensor 10 at the detection location.

[0060] In this embodiment, by moving the forming drum 6 in the width direction using the drum moving mechanism 7 at winding positions P1 and P2, it is possible to correct the deviation of the width direction position of the tire materials M1 and M2 while winding them into the forming drum 6. The drum moving mechanism 7 moves the components of the drum unit 2, which are mounted on the sliding plate 5, in the width direction, rather than the drum unit 2 itself. Therefore, it is advantageous to move the forming drum 6 to the desired width direction position more quickly and frequently compared to the drum unit 2.

[0061] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, a conveyor 16a is positioned at one of the two separated parts in the width direction, and a conveyor 16b is positioned at the other part. However, the number of conveyors 16a and 16b positioned at each location is not limited to one; sometimes multiple conveyors (e.g., two to four) are arranged longitudinally. When multiple conveyors 16a are arranged longitudinally at one location, multiple tire materials M1 are sequentially and continuously supplied to the forming drum 6 by the longitudinally arranged conveyors 16a, each forming a cylindrical stack. As described in the above embodiment, by moving the forming drum 6 relative to the conveyors 16a fixed at predetermined positions in the width direction, the sequentially supplied tire materials M1 are positioned at a reference position Px in the width direction of the forming drum 6 while being wound up, preventing serpentine deviation. That is, when multiple tire materials M1 are sequentially supplied and wound around the forming drum 6 in a centered manner, the positions of the longitudinally arranged conveyors 16a are fixed, so that each tire material M1 can be continuously supplied to the forming drum 6 through each conveyor 16a.

[0062] On the other hand, in a method where the forming drum 6 is fixed in a predetermined position and the conveyor 16a immediately preceding the forming drum 6 moves in the width direction to centrally wind the sequentially supplied tire materials M1 onto the forming drum 6, during the movement of the conveyor 16a immediately preceding the forming drum 6 in the width direction, it is impossible to transfer tire materials M1 from the rear conveyor 16a to the conveyor 16a immediately preceding the forming drum 6. As a result, the supply of tire materials M1 to the forming drum 6 stagnates, resulting in unnecessary waiting time before the centralization process performed by the conveyor 16a immediately preceding the forming drum 6 is completed. Consequently, the productivity of the cylindrical tire component M decreases. Therefore, in the method described above, where the tire material M1, supplied sequentially, is positioned at a reference position Px in the width direction of the forming drum 6 by moving the forming drum 6 relative to each conveyor 16a fixed at a predetermined position in the width direction, thereby suppressing the serpentine offset of the material M1, and simultaneously winding it, the excessive waiting time until each tire material M1 is supplied to the forming drum 6 can be suppressed, which is beneficial to improving the productivity of the cylindrical tire component M. Similarly, when multiple conveyors 16b are arranged longitudinally in the other position, the same applies. By moving the forming drum 6 relative to the conveyors 16b fixed at a predetermined position and arranged longitudinally in the width direction, and winding the sequentially supplied tire materials M2 centrally onto the forming drum 6, the productivity of the cylindrical tire component M is also improved.

[0063] In this embodiment, the top ends of each conveyor 16a and 16b are positioned above the forming drum 6, but they can also be positioned below it. Alternatively, the top end of one conveyor 16a can be positioned above the forming drum 6, and the top end of the other conveyor 16b can be positioned below the forming drum 6. The number of conveyors 16a and 16b is not limited to two; the manufacturing apparatus 1 can be used with one conveyor or with three or more conveyors arranged side-by-side. When there is only one conveyor, it is not necessary to move the drum unit 2 integrally in the width direction, thus eliminating the need for unnecessary components such as the sliding movement mechanism 8.

[0064] The molding drum 6 is not limited to the various types of molding drums known in general, but can also be, for example, a so-called rigid core having an outer surface that is substantially the same as the inner surface of the manufactured tire T.

[0065] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0066] 1 Manufacturing apparatus

[0067] 2 Drum Units

[0068] 2a guide rail

[0069] 3. Base

[0070] 4. Upper structural section

[0071] 5a mounting plate

[0072] 5b Sliding plate

[0073] 6. Molded drum body

[0074] 6a Rotary drive unit

[0075] 7. Drum moving mechanism

[0076] 8. Sliding moving mechanism

[0077] 9. Up and down moving mechanism

[0078] 10 (10a, 10b) Sensors

[0079] 11 Sensor support beam

[0080] 12 Sensor sliding mechanism

[0081] 13 Sensor lifting mechanism

[0082] 14 pillars

[0083] 14a crossbeam

[0084] 15 Support frame

[0085] 16a and 16b conveyors

[0086] 17 Control Department

[0087] L extension

[0088] M1 and M2 strip tire materials

[0089] M tire components

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor for feeding strip-shaped tire material in a flat position; a forming drum for winding and shaping the tire material supplied by the conveyor into a cylindrical shape; and a drum moving mechanism for moving the forming drum in the drum width direction. in, The manufacturing apparatus is configured as follows: The device includes: a sensor for detecting tire material on the molding drum; a control unit that receives width-direction position data of the tire material on the molding drum detected by the sensor, input sequentially; and a connection unit that connects the molding drum to the sensor, causing the sensor and the molding drum to move together in the drum width direction. The connecting portion has an extension portion that extends upward from the opposite side of the forming drum toward the conveyor at an angle of inclination of 30° or more and 60° or less relative to the horizontal direction. When viewed from the side, the sensor is positioned on the extension. The system includes a sensor lifting mechanism that allows the sensor to move up and down along the extension via the sensor lifting mechanism, and to be fixed at a desired height relative to the molded drum. By utilizing the drum moving mechanism to move the forming drum body in the drum width direction, the tire material is wound around the forming drum body, suppressing serpentine deviation. Based on the position data set by the sensor in the width direction relative to the forming drum and the width direction position data input to the control unit sequentially, the control unit calculates the width direction position of the reference position of the tire material throughout its entire length relative to the width direction of the forming drum.

2. The manufacturing apparatus for the cylindrical tire component according to claim 1, wherein, The manufacturing apparatus is configured to have a sensor sliding mechanism that moves the sensor in the drum width direction, and the sensor is moved and fixed to a desired position in the drum width direction by the sensor sliding mechanism.

3. The manufacturing apparatus for the cylindrical tire component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sensor is positioned at two locations spaced apart in the width direction of the drum.

4. A method for manufacturing a cylindrical tire component, wherein when a strip of tire material supplied by a conveyor in a flat position is wound onto a forming drum and formed into a cylindrical shape, a drum moving mechanism is used to move the forming drum in the drum width direction to suppress serpentine deviation in the winding of the tire material onto the forming drum. in, The device is configured such that the molding drum body is connected to the sensor via a connecting part, and the sensor and the molding drum body move together in the drum width direction via the drum moving mechanism. The connecting portion has an extension portion extending upward from the opposite side of the forming drum toward the conveyor at an angle of inclination of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal direction, and the sensor is positioned on the extension portion when viewed from the side. When the tire material is wound onto the forming drum and formed into a cylindrical shape, the sensor is raised and lowered along the extension portion by a sensor lifting mechanism, and fixed at a desired height position relative to the forming drum. The width-direction position data of the tire material on the molding drum detected by the sensor is successively input to the control unit. Based on the position data set by the sensor relative to the width direction of the forming drum and the width direction position data successively input to the control unit, the control unit calculates the width direction position of the reference position of the tire material throughout its entire length relative to the width direction of the forming drum.

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