Supply system for supplying tire material to forming drum and tire manufacturing method

Abstract

Provided are a supply system for efficiently supplying a plurality of types of tire materials to a single forming drum while making a tire forming device compact, and a tire manufacturing method. Supply units (5, 6) for storing different types of tire materials (M1, M2) in a wound state at adjacent storage positions (P1, P2) are disposed, and a turning conveyor (5e) that turns in a plan view is disposed between each of the supply units (5, 6) and a supply conveyor (6e) such that supply directions of the tire materials (M1, M2) discharged from each of the supply units (5, 6) intersect each other in the plan view. For a belt drum (3) and a supply conveyor (6e) which are arranged at a predetermined position, tire materials (M1, M2) which are discharged from each supply unit (5, 6) and cut to length are transferred to the supply conveyor (6e) through a rotating conveyor (5e), are supplied to the belt drum (3), are wound on the belt drum (3) and are formed into a cylindrical shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire material supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum and a tire manufacturing method, and more specifically, to a tire material supply system and a tire manufacturing method capable of efficiently supplying multiple types of tire material to a single forming drum while making the tire forming apparatus more compact. Background Technology

[0002] Tires are manufactured by vulcanizing green tires. Green tires are formed by layering multiple types of tire materials. For example, a green tire is formed by integrating the inner liner, carcass material, belt material, tread rubber, and a pair of bead components onto a forming drum.

[0003] Various feeding devices for supplying multiple types of tire materials to a tire forming machine have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The feeding device proposed in Patent Document 1 comprises a material holding section storing each type of tire material in a wound state and a movable conveyor, and multiple such sections are provided in a manner that allows them to slide along a track. Furthermore, by sliding the desired section, it is arranged in a straight line with a fixed-position conveyor and a tire forming machine positioned at a predetermined location. Then, tire material is released from the material holding section of that section and supplied to the fixed-position conveyor and the tire forming machine via the movable conveyor.

[0004] In this feeding device, to supply multiple types of tire materials to a single tire forming machine, it is necessary to prepare a material holding unit and a movable conveyor assembly for each type of tire material, and to arrange each assembly in a manner that allows it to slide along a track. The sliding movement of each type of tire material assembly requires a large amount of space, making it difficult to compact the forming device. Furthermore, since the material holding unit and movable conveyor assembly is not lightweight, it is difficult to make it slide quickly. Therefore, there is room for improvement in both compacting the tire forming device and efficiently supplying multiple types of tire materials to a single tire forming machine.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-25124 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a tire material supply system and a tire manufacturing method that can efficiently supply multiple types of tire materials to a single forming drum while making the tire forming apparatus more compact.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a tire material supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum, comprising a supply unit for winding and storing strip-shaped tire material, a forming drum, and a supply conveyor disposed between the supply unit and the forming drum. The tire material, after being discharged from the supply unit and cut to length, is placed in a flat position on the supply conveyor and supplied to the forming drum, and formed into a cylindrical shape by winding it around the forming drum. The system is characterized in that it has the supply unit disposed at multiple storage locations, and supplies tire material from adjacent storage locations... The tire materials released by the supply units are of different types. The supply units are arranged in a manner that intersects each other at a predetermined angle when viewed from above, with the supply direction of the tire materials being supplied to each other. Between the supply units at each storage position and the supply conveyor, there is a rotary conveyor that rotates when viewed from above. For the forming drum and the supply conveyor located at a predetermined position, the tire materials released from the supply units at each storage position and cut to length are transferred to the supply conveyor via the rotary conveyor and supplied to the forming drum.

[0012] The tire manufacturing method of the present invention is characterized in that a green tire using the tire material is formed by a forming apparatus having the above-described supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum, and the green tire is vulcanized.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, a tire material supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum is provided, wherein the supply directions of the tire material discharged from the supply units at adjacent storage positions intersect each other at a predetermined angle when viewed from above, and a rotary conveyor is provided between the supply units at each storage position and the supply conveyor. Therefore, to supply different types of tire material to the forming drum, instead of moving the individual supply units, the rotary conveyor can simply rotate, thus eliminating the need for excessive space. Furthermore, the rotary conveyor does not require excessive space to rotate. Therefore, this is advantageous for making the tire forming apparatus more compact. Moreover, the rotary conveyor does not require a long rotation time, thus it is advantageous for efficiently supplying multiple types of tire material to the forming drum.

[0015] According to the tire manufacturing method of the present invention, the use of a forming apparatus having the above-described supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum is advantageous for manufacturing tires in a space-saving and highly productive manner. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram of a tire manufacturing system, illustrated from a top view, showing an embodiment of a supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum.

[0017] Figure 2 Therefore, we should take examples seriously. Figure 1 Explanatory diagram of each drum of the forming device.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a side view illustration of the supply path from the inner liner supply unit to the band drum.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a side view illustration of the supply path from the tire body material supply unit to the drum.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a side view illustration of the supply path from the supply unit on the tire side to the drum.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a side view illustration of the supply path from the belt material supply unit to the belt drum.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a side view illustration of the supply path from the supply unit on the tread to the belt drum.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a side view illustration of the supply path from the belt reinforcement supply unit to the belt drum.

[0024] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing, from a top view, the state in which the inner liner, tire body material, and tire sidewall are supplied to the drum.

[0025] Figure 10 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 9 An illustrative diagram showing the state of the inner liner, tire body material, and tire sidewall after the tire has been cut to size and moved forward.

[0026] Figure 11 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 10 An illustration of a supply conveyor carrying a liner rotating 90° and moving the sized-cut tire sidewall to the supply conveyor.

[0027] Figure 12 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 11 A diagram illustrating the state of the inner lining and body material moving toward the drum after being cut to length.

[0028] Figure 13 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 12 An illustrative diagram showing the state of the inner lining and body material wound around the drum after being cut to size.

[0029] Figure 14 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 13 An illustration of the state in which the drum moves along the width direction and wraps around the sizing-cut tire sidewall to form the inner circumferential component.

[0030] Figure 15 Therefore, a top view illustrates the external embedding of a pair of bead components. Figure 14 An explanatory diagram showing the state of the formed inner peripheral side component.

[0031] Figure 16 This is an explanatory diagram showing, from a top view, the state of the belt material and tire tread being supplied to the belt drum after being cut to length.

[0032] Figure 17 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 16 A diagram illustrating the state of the belt material after being cut to length and the tire face moving toward the belt drum.

[0033] Figure 18 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 17 An illustrative diagram showing the state of the belt material after being cut to length and wound around a belt drum.

[0034] Figure 19 This is an example of making Figure 18 A diagram illustrating the state of the belt material wound on one side of the belt drum, with the belt drum rotated 180° clockwise and the belt reinforcement wrapped around it.

[0035] Figure 20 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 19 An illustration of the state in which the tread section, after being cut to size, is wound around one belt drum to form the outer peripheral component, and the belt material is wound around the other belt drum.

[0036] Figure 21 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 20 The diagram illustrates the state of the belt drum after it has rotated 180° counterclockwise.

[0037] Figure 22 This is an illustration of a top view showing the shape drum in which the inner circumferential side members and a pair of bead members are fitted together.

[0038] Figure 23 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 22 An illustration of the state of a forming drum that rotates 180° clockwise and wraps the belt reinforcement around the other side of the belt drum.

[0039] Figure 24 Therefore, the top view illustrates the outer peripheral component that will be transferred from the belt drum and embedded in... Figure 23A diagram illustrating the state in which one forming drum is fitted with the inner peripheral side component and a pair of bead components on the other forming drum.

[0040] Figure 25 Therefore, the example is shown from above. Figure 24 An illustration of the state of the forming drum rotating counterclockwise 180° and the belt material being wound around one side.

[0041] Figure 26 Therefore, the example shown from above illustrates the process of giving birth from... Figure 25 An illustration of the state where one of the forming drums is removed and the belt drum is rotated 180° counterclockwise.

[0042] Figure 27 It is to Figure 26 An explanatory diagram showing a partial enlargement and longitudinal section of the vulcanizing apparatus for the vulcanization of the green tire. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The following describes the supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum and the tire manufacturing method of the present invention, based on the illustrated embodiments.

[0044] Figure 1 The tire manufacturing system illustrated herein includes a forming apparatus 1 and a vulcanizing apparatus 15. The forming apparatus 1 is equipped with an embodiment of the supply system (hereinafter referred to as the supply system) for supplying tire material to the forming drum according to the present invention. Multiple types of unvulcanized tire components M are stacked using the forming apparatus 1 to form a green tire G. The formed green tire G is vulcanized using the vulcanizing apparatus 15 to manufacture a tire T. A vulcanizing mold 16 corresponding to the tire specifications is mounted on the vulcanizing apparatus 15. Various known vulcanizing apparatuses 15 can be used.

[0045] As a tire component M, the green tire G at least includes: an inner peripheral component MA having an inner liner M1, a carcass material M2, and a sidewall portion M3; an outer peripheral component MB having a belt material M4 and a tread portion M5; and a pair of bead components MC. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral component MB also has a belt reinforcement M6. The belt reinforcement M6 can be used arbitrarily, and other types of materials can be used as needed for the tire component M. Furthermore, the inner liner M1, carcass material M2, sidewall portion M3, belt material M4, tread portion M5, and belt reinforcement M6 will be referred to below as tire materials M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, and M6, respectively. Tire materials M1 to M5 are strip-shaped, and tire material M6 is linear (a thin strip).

[0046] like Figures 1-8As illustrated, the forming device 1 includes three types of drums (forming drum bodies): forming drum 2 (2a, 2b), belt drum 3, and belt bundle drum 4 (4a, 4b); supply units 5 (5A, 5B), 6 (6A, 6B), 7 (7A, 7B), 8 (8A, 8B), 9 (9A, 9B), and 10 (10A, 10B) for each tire material M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, and M6; and a bead supply unit 11 (11A, 11B) for a pair of bead components MC. The X, Y, and Z arrows in the figure represent the width, depth, and height directions of the forming device 1, respectively, and are orthogonal to each other.

[0047] The device includes two forming drums 2 (2a, 2b), one belt drum 3, and two belt bundle drums 4 (4a, 4b). The forming drums 2 (2a, 2b) are arranged in the X direction between the belt drum 3 and the belt bundle drum 4. In this embodiment, the two forming drums 2a and 2b are positioned at a position that rotates 180° around a rotation axis 2p when viewed from above. The two forming drums 2a and 2b are alternately fixed in the same position by rotating 180° clockwise and counterclockwise around the rotation axis 2p.

[0048] The drum axis C1 of the belt drum 3 extends in the X direction and can move along the guide rail 3r extending in the X direction. Additionally, two belt drums 4a and 4b are positioned at a position that rotates 180° around the rotation axis 4p when viewed from above. The two belt drums 4a and 4b are alternately fixed in the same position by rotating 180° clockwise and counterclockwise around the rotation axis 4p.

[0049] When the forming drums 2a and 2b are rotated around the rotation axis 2p and fixedly positioned on the side of the belt drum 3 and the belt bundle drum 4, the drum axes C1 and C2 extend along the X direction (becoming parallel to the X direction). The drum axes C1 of the forming drum 2 and the belt drum 3, which are rotated and fixedly positioned on the side of the belt drum 3, are parallel to the X direction and coincide in the Y and Z directions. That is, the drum axes C1 of adjacent forming drums 2 and belt drums 3 coincide in the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0050] When each belt drum 4a and 4b is rotated and fixedly positioned on the side of the forming drum 2, opposite to the forming drum 2, the drum axes C2 and C3 extend along the X direction (becoming parallel to the X direction). The drum axes C2 of the belt drum 4 rotated and fixedly positioned on the side of the forming drum 2 and the forming drum 2 rotated and fixedly positioned on the side of the belt drum 4 are parallel to the X direction and coincide in the Y and Z directions. That is, the drum axes C2 of adjacent belt drums 4 and forming drums 2 coincide in the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0051] Each supply unit 5-10 is located at storage positions P1-P6 for each tire material M1-M6. The bead supply unit 11 is located at storage position P7 for the bead component MC. At each storage position P1-P6, multiple corresponding supply units are arranged side-by-side. Specifically, supply units 5A and 5B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P1, supply units 6A and 6B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P2, supply units 7A and 7B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P3, supply units 8A and 8B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P4, supply units 9A and 9B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P5, and supply units 10A and 10B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P6.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in one green tire G, one sheet of tire material M1 and M5 cut to length, two sheets of tire material M2 and M4 cut to length, and two sheets of tire material M3 cut to length are used. Therefore, at storage position P2, there are two supply units 6A and 6B arranged longitudinally (in a row along the Y direction). At storage position P4, there are also two supply units 8A and 8B arranged longitudinally (in a row along the Y direction). In order to form one green tire G, two sheets of tire material M2 are supplied sequentially from either the two longitudinally arranged supply units 6A or 6B, and two sheets of tire material M4 are supplied sequentially from either the two longitudinally arranged supply units 8A or 8B. In addition, two sheets of tire material M3 are stored in each supply unit 7A and 7B, and two sheets of tire material M3 are supplied sequentially from either supply unit 7A or 7B.

[0053] Each supply unit 5-10 has a winding core, and each tire material M1-M6 is stored in a wound state with its winding core as the center. Each tire material M1-M5 is wound together with a release liner with its winding core as the center. Tire material M6 is wound without a release liner with its winding core as the center. In this embodiment, each tire material M1-M6 is wound and stored in a long-dimensional state, but for tire materials M1-M5, multiple materials cut to a predetermined length can also be stored in a wound state with their winding cores as the center.

[0054] The bead supply unit 11 has an annular rack that rotates horizontally around a rotation axis 11p, on which multiple bead components MC are mounted. The rack is divided into two circumferentially regions, units 11A and 11B. A predetermined number of pairs of bead components MC are mounted in each bead supply unit 11A and 11B. As the rack rotates circumferentially, each bead supply unit 11A and 11B sequentially moves to a supply position and a waiting position. A pair of bead components MC is sequentially supplied from the bead supply unit 11 that has moved to the supply position.

[0055] Tire materials M1, M2, and M3 are supplied to belt drum 3 from each supply unit 5, 6, and 7 via each supply path. Tire materials M4, M5, and M6 are supplied to belt drum 4 from each supply unit 8, 9, and 10 via each supply path.

[0056] Between supply unit 5 and belt drum 3, a cutter 5c, a sliding conveyor 5d, a rotary conveyor 5e, and a supply conveyor 6e are arranged. Between supply unit 6 and belt drum 3, a cutter 6c, a sliding conveyor 6d, a rotary conveyor 5e, and a supply conveyor 6e are arranged. Between supply unit 7 and belt drum 3, a cutter 7c, a sliding conveyor 7d, and a supply conveyor 7e are arranged.

[0057] like Figure 4 As illustrated, each supply unit 6, arranged longitudinally at storage position P2, has a cutter 6c, and a supply guide is provided in two vertical sections between each cutter 6c and a sliding conveyor 6d. Specifically, material M2 discharged from the supply unit 6 located in the Y direction near the drum 3 is supplied to the sliding conveyor 6d via the lower supply guide. Tire material M2 discharged from the supply unit 6 located in the Y direction away from the drum 3 is supplied to the sliding conveyor 6d via the upper supply guide.

[0058] Between each supply unit 8, 9 and the belt drum 4, cutters 8c, 9c, sliding conveyors 8d, 9d, and supply conveyors 8e, 9e are arranged. For example... Figure 6As illustrated, each supply unit 8, arranged longitudinally at storage position P4, includes a cutter 8c, a sliding conveyor 8d, and a supply conveyor 8e, which are respectively arranged in two sections, one above the other. That is, material M4 discharged from the supply unit 8 located near the belt drum 4 in the Y direction is supplied to the sliding conveyor 8d and supply conveyor 8e located on the lower side via a supply guide. Tire material M4 discharged from the supply unit 6 located away from the belt drum 4 in the Y direction is supplied to the sliding conveyor 8d and supply conveyor 8e located on the upper side via a supply guide. In this embodiment, the upper cutter 8c slides together with the upper sliding conveyor 8d, and the lower cutter 8c slides together with the lower sliding conveyor 8d.

[0059] Between the supply unit 10 and the belt drum 4, a cutter 10c, a storage buffer (festoon) section 10d, and a head 10e are arranged. Figure 8 As illustrated, the tire material M6 discharged from each supply unit 10A, 10B is supplied to each head 10e, 10e via its own independent supply path. Each head 10e, 10e is arranged longitudinally along the Y direction below the belt drum 4.

[0060] Cutters 5c, 6c, 7c, 8c, and 9c cut each tire material M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 to a predetermined length. Sliding conveyors 5d, 6d, 7d, 8d, and 9d, rotary conveyor 5e, and supply conveyors 6e, 7e, 8e, and 9e are belt conveyors that transport each tire material M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 in a horizontal position.

[0061] A rotary conveyor 5e, viewed from above, is positioned between each of the sliding conveyors 5d and 6d and the supply conveyor 6e, and rotates horizontally at this location. In this embodiment, the rotation angle of the rotary conveyor 5e is set to 90°. Sliding conveyors 5d, 6d, 7d, 8d, and 9d are arranged at each storage position P1 to P5, for each of the parallel supply units 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. For example, at the storage position P1 for tire material M1, one sliding conveyor 5d is arranged that slides along the width direction of the parallel supply units 5 (5A, 5B). The sliding conveyor 5d moves in the width direction between each supply unit 5A and 5B in front of the supply direction of tire material M1. The other storage positions P2, P3, P4, and P5 are similarly configured.

[0062] The cutter 10c cuts the rear end of the tire material M6 when joining the tire materials M6 together. The storage buffer section 10d retains a predetermined amount (necessary length) of tire material M6. The head 10e guides the tire material M6 after passing through the storage buffer section 10d toward the drum surface of the belt drum 4. The tire material M6 is supplied to the belt drum 4 in a long-dimensional state and is cut to a predetermined length on the belt drum 4 by the head 10e.

[0063] A belt transfer machine 12 is disposed between the belt drum 3 and the forming drum 2. A belt transfer machine 13 is disposed between the belt drum 4 and the forming drum 2. A bead transfer machine 14 is disposed between the bead supply unit 11 and the forming drum 2.

[0064] At belt drum 3, cylindrical inner circumferential side members MA are formed using supplied tire materials M1-M3. At belt drum 4, cylindrical outer circumferential side members MB are formed using supplied tire materials M4-M6. Belt transfer machine 12 transfers the inner circumferential side members MA from belt drum 3 to forming drum 2. Belt transfer machine 13 transfers the outer circumferential side members MB from belt drum 4 to forming drum 2. Bead transfer machine 14 transfers a pair of bead members MC from one of the bead supply units 11A and 11B and embeds them into the cylindrical inner circumferential side members MA. At forming drum 2, a cylindrical green tire G is formed using the inner circumferential side members MA (M1-M3), the outer circumferential side members MB (M4-M6), and a pair of bead members MC.

[0065] The supply system of the present invention is a supply system that supplies tire materials M1 and M2 to a drum (forming drum) 3. That is, a typical embodiment of the supply system of the present invention is as follows: Figure 3 , 4 As illustrated in 9-13, the system includes supply units 5 and 6 that wind and store adjacent storage positions P1 and P2 containing tire materials M1 and M2, a belt drum 3, and a supply conveyor 6e disposed between the supply units 5 and 6 and the belt drum 3. Furthermore, a rotary conveyor 5e, rotating in plan view, is provided between each supply unit 5 and 6 and the supply conveyor 5e. Moreover, the tire materials M1 and M2 discharged from the supply units 5 and 6 at each storage position P1 and P2 are of different types, and the supply units 5 and 6 are arranged such that the supply directions of the tire materials M1 and M2 intersect each other at a predetermined angle S in plan view.

[0066] In this embodiment, the predetermined angle S is set to 90°, and the supply directions of the tire materials M1 and M2 discharged from each supply unit 5 and 6 are orthogonal when viewed from above. The predetermined angle S is, for example, 60° or more and 120° or less, preferably 85° or more and 95° or less. By setting the predetermined angle S within such a range, the supply units 5 and 6 at adjacent storage positions P1 and P2 can be arranged in a clustered manner, which is advantageous for making the forming apparatus 1 compact. Furthermore, the rotation angle of the rotary conveyor 5e is set to the same angle as the predetermined angle S.

[0067] In this embodiment, multiple supply units 5A and 5B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P1, and multiple supply units 6A and 6B are arranged side-by-side at storage position P2. However, the supply system of the present invention may also be configured such that a single supply unit 5A and 6A is arranged at each storage position P1 and P2. In this configuration, sliding conveyors 5d and 6d are not required for the supply units 5 and 6 at each storage position P1 and P2.

[0068] Furthermore, for the belt drum 3 and the supply conveyor 6e located at predetermined positions, the tire materials M1 and M2, which are discharged from the supply units 5 and 6 at each storage position P1 and P2 and cut to length, are transferred to the supply conveyor 6e via the rotary conveyor 5e and sequentially supplied to the belt drum 3. In this embodiment, when supplying the tire materials M1 and M2, the belt drum 3 and the supply conveyor 6e located at predetermined positions are arranged in a straight line with the supply unit 6A of one of the storage positions P2 (arranged longitudinally along the Y direction).

[0069] Next, an example of the steps in a tire manufacturing method using this manufacturing system will be described. In this manufacturing method, a raw tire G is sequentially and continuously formed using a forming apparatus 1 equipped with an embodiment of the supply system of the present invention. The forming apparatus 1 of this manufacturing system is equipped with an embodiment of the supply system of the present invention to supply two different tire materials M1 and M2. The forming apparatus 1 may also be equipped with the supply system of the present invention to supply multiple other types of tire materials.

[0070] Multiple green tires G are formed simultaneously in forming apparatus 1. Sometimes the simultaneously formed green tires G all have the same specifications, but sometimes they are switched to different specifications midway through the process. While continuously forming multiple green tires G without changing the tire specifications, at each storage position P1 to P6, the necessary amount of tire material M1 to M6 of the same specification is stored in each of the parallel supply units 5 to 10. At storage position P7, the necessary amount of bead components MC of the same specification is stored in each bead supply unit 11A and 11B.

[0071] In the case of forming a green tire G by changing the tire specifications midway through production, at each storage location P1 to P6, according to each of the supply units 5A to 10A on one side and 5B to 10B on the other side, a necessary amount of tire material M1 to M6 corresponding to the tire specifications of the green tire G to be formed is stored. At storage location P7, according to each of the bead supply units 11A and 11B, a necessary amount of bead component MC corresponding to the tire specifications of the green tire G to be formed is stored.

[0072] In this manufacturing method, the cylindrical inner peripheral component MA and the cylindrical outer peripheral component MB are formed simultaneously. For example... Figures 9-14 The inner peripheral component MA is formed as illustrated. Figures 16-21 The outer peripheral component MB is formed as illustrated. Furthermore, as... Figures 22-26 The calf G is formed using the inner peripheral side member MA, a pair of bead members MC, and the outer peripheral side member MC as illustrated.

[0073] like Figures 9-14 As illustrated, the tire materials M1 to M3 of the inner peripheral side component MA are supplied to the belt drum 3 from the storage positions P1 to P3 via the corresponding sliding conveyors 5d to 7d through the respective supply conveyors 6e and 7e, in a pre-cut state. At the belt drum 3, the inner peripheral side component MA is formed using the pre-cut tire materials M1 to M3.

[0074] In detail, tire materials M1, M2, M3, released from supply units 5A, 6A, 6A, and 7A are cut to predetermined lengths by cutters 5c, 6c, 6c, and 7c, and then placed on sliding conveyors 5d, 6d, 6d, and 7d positioned in front of each supply unit 5A, 6A, 6A, and 7A, and transported to supply conveyors 6e, 6e, 6e, and 7e. Tire materials M1 and M2 are then transported via a rotary conveyor 5e. The rotary conveyor 5e can rotate 90° when viewed from above. When receiving tire material M1 from sliding conveyor 5d, as... Figure 9 , Figure 10 As illustrated, it is arranged longitudinally in the X direction with the sliding conveyor 5d. The rotary conveyor 5e receives the tire material M1 from the sliding conveyor 5d, as shown. Figure 11 As illustrated, it rotates 90° to become longitudinally aligned with the sliding conveyor 6d and the supply conveyor 6e in the Y direction.

[0075] like Figure 12 As illustrated, tire material M1 supplied from one supply unit 5A, and tire material M2 supplied from each of the longitudinally arranged supply units 6A, 6A, are arranged in a straight line relative to the drum 3. Figure 13As illustrated, while the drum 3 rotates in one direction with the drum axis C1 as the center, the tire materials M1, M2, and M2, which are cut to length in a straight line, are sequentially wound around the drum 3 to form a cylindrical stack.

[0076] Additionally, while tire materials M1, M2, and M3 are wound around the belt drum 3 to form a cylindrical stack, a pair of tire materials M3, released from one of the supply units 7A and cut to length, are conveyed to the supply conveyor 7e. Next, the belt drum 3, positioned in front of the supply conveyor 7e, is... Figure 14 As illustrated, it moves along the X direction and is positioned in front of the supply conveyor 7e. Then, while rotating the belt drum 3 around its axis C1, a pair of tire materials M3, cut to length and placed on the conveyor 7e, are wound around the belt drum 3 and stacked in a cylindrical shape. This forms a cylindrical inner circumferential member MA, obtained by sequentially stacking tire materials M1, M2, and M3. In this way, the inner circumferential member MA is formed sequentially and continuously.

[0077] If the steps for supplying the tire materials M1, M2, and M2 after length cutting to the belt drum 3 are described in further detail, then as follows: Figure 12 , 13 As illustrated, during the conveying of each tire material M1, M2, M2 from the rotary conveyor 5e to the supply conveyor 6e, its position along its entire length and in the width direction (e.g., the center position in the width direction) is detected by sensors located above it. Furthermore, using the sensor-based detection data, each tire material M1, M2, M2 is appropriately wound onto the drum 3. For example, during the conveying process from... Figure 12When tire material M1 is wound onto drum 3, the amount of rotational movement (rotational speed) of the supply conveyor 6e relative to drum 3 is adjusted based on the total length data of tire material M1 detected by sensors. Furthermore, the width direction position of tire material M1 relative to drum 3 is adjusted by moving drum 3 along the width direction based on detected width direction position data. Simultaneously with the winding action of tire material M1 onto drum 3, a first tire material M2 is conveyed from rotary conveyor 5e to supply conveyor 6e, and the total length and width direction position of tire material M2 are detected by sensors. Then, simultaneously, a second tire material M2 is conveyed from sliding conveyor 6d to rotary conveyor 5e. Next, when the first tire material M2, placed on the supply conveyor 6e, is wound onto the drum 3, the rotational speed of the drum 3 is adjusted based on the total length data of the first tire material M2 detected by a sensor, and the width direction position of the drum 3 relative to the drum 3 is adjusted by moving the drum 3 along the width direction based on the detected width direction position data. Simultaneously with the winding action of the first tire material M2 onto the drum 3, the second tire material M2 is conveyed from the rotary conveyor 5e to the supply conveyor 6e, and the total length and width direction position of the second tire material M2 along its entire length are detected by a sensor. Next, when the second tire material M2, placed on the supply conveyor 6e, is wound onto the drum 3, the rotational speed of the drum 3 is adjusted based on the total length data of the second tire material M2 detected by a sensor, and the width direction position of the drum 3 relative to the drum 3 is adjusted by moving the drum 3 along the width direction based on the detected width direction position data.

[0078] Through the aforementioned supply steps, each tire material M1, M2, and M2 is continuously wound in a centered manner along the width direction of the drum 3 and spliced ​​together precisely along its length. During this supply process, as tire materials M1, M2, and M2 are continuously supplied to the drum 3, their overall length and width-direction positions are detected, and the movement of the drum 3 is controlled based on this data. As a result, with a pre-set short cycle time, each tire material M1, M2, and M2 is wound in a centered manner relative to the drum 3 before lamination, thus efficiently forming a high-quality cylindrical laminate that suppresses lamination misalignment.

[0079] Next, as Figure 15 As illustrated, a pair of bead components MC are supplied from one of the bead supply units 11A, and are externally fitted onto the inner circumferential member MA using a bead transfer machine 14. Each bead component MC is externally fitted at intervals along the width direction (X direction) of the inner circumferential member MA.

[0080] like Figures 16-21 As illustrated, the tire materials M4 and M5 of the outer peripheral component MB are supplied to the belt drum 4 from the storage positions P4 and P5 via the corresponding sliding conveyors 8e and 9e, respectively, in a pre-cut state. Material M6 is supplied in an elongated state via the storage buffer section 10c to the head 10e, which is adjacent to the belt drum 4 below. At the belt drum 4, the outer peripheral component MB is formed using the pre-cut tire materials M4 and M5 and the tire material M6 exiting from the head 10e.

[0081] Specifically, tire materials M4, M5 released from supply units 8A, 8A, 9A are cut to predetermined lengths by cutters 8c, 8c, 9c, and then placed on sliding conveyors 8d, 8d, 9d positioned in front of supply units 8A, 8A, 9A, and transported to supply conveyors 8e, 8e, 9e. Figure 6 The example shows two upper and lower supply conveyors 8e and 8e respectively carrying a tire material M4 cut to length.

[0082] like Figure 18 As illustrated, tire materials M4, M4 supplied from the longitudinally arranged supply units 8A, 8A are sequentially wound around a belt drum 4a to form a cylindrical stack. For example, while the belt drum 4a is rotated in one direction around the drum axis C2, the length-cut tire materials M4 placed on the upper supply conveyor 8e are wound around the belt drum 4a to form a cylindrical shape. Next, while the belt drum 4a is rotated in another direction around the drum axis C2, the length-cut tire materials M4 placed on the lower supply conveyor 8e are wound around the belt drum 4a to form a cylindrical shape.

[0083] Next, as Figure 19 As illustrated, the belt drum 4 is rotated 180° clockwise around the rotation axis 4p. This moves one belt drum 4a to the front of the supply conveyor 9e, and the other belt drum 4b to the front of the supply conveyors 8e. While one belt drum 4a is rotated in one direction around the drum axis C3, the tire material M6 supplied from the supply unit 10A is spirally wound around the belt drum 4a using one head 10e. This results in a belt reinforcement layer formed of the tire material M6 being stacked over a predetermined width direction (X direction) on the outer periphery of the cylindrical tire material M4.

[0084] Next, as Figure 20As illustrated, while one belt drum 4a is rotated in one direction around its drum axis C3, the length-cut material M5 placed on the supply conveyor 9e is wound around the belt drum 4a and stacked in a cylindrical shape. Thus, a cylindrical outer peripheral component MB, formed by sequentially stacking tire materials M4, M4, M6, and M5, is formed on one belt drum 4a. For the other belt drum 4b, while the belt drum 4b is rotated around its drum axis C2, the length-cut tire materials M4, M4 placed on each of the supply conveyors 8e, 8e are sequentially wound around the belt drum 4b and stacked in a cylindrical shape.

[0085] Next, as Figure 21 As illustrated, the belt drum 4 is rotated 180° counterclockwise around the rotation axis 4p. As a result, the belt drum 4a that forms the outer peripheral component MB is moved to the side of the forming drum 2.

[0086] like Figure 22 As illustrated, the formed inner circumferential side member MA is transferred from the belt drum 3 to one forming drum 2a using a belt conveyor 12. This results in the inner circumferential side member MA and a pair of bead members MC being embedded outside the forming drum 2a. Furthermore, at the forming drum 2a, the two ends of the inner circumferential side member MA in the width direction are folded around the bead members MC using a known method. While rotating the forming drum 2a around the drum axis C1, the two ends of the folded inner circumferential side member MA in the width direction are pressed towards the drum axis C1 using a known method.

[0087] Next, as Figure 23 As illustrated, the forming drum 2 is rotated 180° clockwise around the rotation axis 2p. This causes one forming drum 2a and one belt drum 4a to be placed side by side along the X direction.

[0088] Next, as Figure 24 As illustrated, the outer peripheral component MB is transferred from one belt drum 4a to one forming drum 2a using a belt transfer machine 13, and inserted into the inner peripheral component MA. At the forming drum 2a, the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral component MA abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral component MB. While rotating the forming drum 2a around the drum axis C2, the outer peripheral component MB is pressed towards the drum axis C2, integrating the inner peripheral component MA, the outer peripheral component MB, and a pair of bead components MC to form the tire G. Furthermore, for the other belt drum 4b, tire materials M6 and M5 are wound to form the outer peripheral component MB using the same steps as described above. Additionally, for the other forming drum 2b, the inner peripheral component MA and a pair of bead components MC are externally inserted using the same steps as described above.

[0089] Next, as Figure 25As illustrated, the forming drum 2 is rotated 180° counterclockwise around the rotation axis 2p. Then, as... Figure 26 As illustrated, the green tire G is removed from one of the forming drums 2a and conveyed to the vulcanizing unit 15.

[0090] like Figure 27 As illustrated, the green tire G is placed in a vulcanizing mold 16 assembled in the vulcanizing apparatus 15. Then, the green tire G is vulcanized between the closed vulcanizing mold 16 and the inflated vulcanizing airbag 17, thus completing the tire T. The vulcanization of the green tire G can be performed using various known methods. In this embodiment, an inflatable tire T is manufactured, but the present invention can also be applied in the manufacture of various types of tires T.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the supply system of the present invention, to supply different types of tire materials M1 and M2 to the drum 3, it is not necessary to move the individual supply units 5 and 6, but rather to slide the individual sliding conveyors 5d and 6d and rotate the rotary conveyor 5e, thus eliminating the need for excessive space. Winding the various types of tire materials M1 and M2 onto one drum 3 also does not require moving the drum 3. In the embodiment of the supply system of the present invention, where individual supply units 5A and 6A are arranged at each storage position P1 and P2, and the individual sliding conveyors 5d and 6d are absent, supplying multiple different types of tire materials M1 and M2 to one drum 3 only requires rotating the rotary conveyor 5e, which is more advantageous for making the forming device 1 more compact.

[0092] Furthermore, the rotary conveyor 5e does not require a long rotation time, which is advantageous for efficiently supplying multiple types of tire materials M1 and M2 to a single drum 3. As in this embodiment, even with sliding conveyors 5d and 6d, the sliding movement of the sliding conveyors 5d and 6d does not require a long time.

[0093] In the forming process of the green tire G in this embodiment, when a predetermined number of green tires G are formed, the tire materials M1 to M6 stored in one of the supply units 5A to 10A become empty at the storage positions P1 to P6 of each tire material M1 to M6. In this case, by sliding the sliding conveyors 5d to 9d along the width direction of the parallel supply units 5 to 9, the tire materials M1 to M5 can be supplied from the other supply units 5B to 9B.

[0094] That is, sliding conveyors 5d to 9d are moved to the front of the other supply units 5B to 9B and the tire materials M1 to M5 cut to length are placed on sliding conveyors 5d to 9d. Then, sliding conveyors 5d to 9d are moved to transfer the tire materials M1 to M5 to the supply conveyors 6e to 9e. Tire materials M1 and M2 are also transferred from sliding conveyors 5d and 6d to supply conveyor 6e using rotary conveyor 5e. Furthermore, during the supply of the tire materials M1 to M5 from the other supply units 5B to 9B to the supply conveyors 6e to 9e, the supply units 5A to 9A that are empty of tire materials M1 to M5 are replaced with new supply units 5A to 9A that contain the tire materials M1 to M5.

[0095] Therefore, tire materials M1-M5 can be continuously supplied from each storage position P1-P5 to the corresponding drums 3 and 4 via sliding conveyors 5d-9d (tire materials M1 and M2 are further supplied via rotary conveyor 5e) from any supply unit 5-9. This is advantageous for further reducing time loss due to replenishing tire materials M1-M5 and thus improving operational efficiency in the tire forming process. Furthermore, there is no need to load and store additional quantities of tire materials M1-M5 on supply conveyors 6e-9e to reduce time loss due to replenishing tire materials M1-M5, so the length of supply conveyors 6e-9e can be minimized. As a result, it is even more advantageous for making the forming apparatus 1 more compact.

[0096] Furthermore, when a pair of bead components MC in one bead supply unit 11A becomes empty, a pair of bead components MC can be supplied from the other bead supply unit 11B. Moreover, while a pair of bead components MC is being supplied from the other bead supply unit 11B, the bead supply unit 11A that has emptied its bead components MC can rotate from the supply position to the waiting position, allowing for the replenishment of a new pair of bead components MC to the bead supply unit 11A. Therefore, the molding process can be prevented from stopping due to the replenishment of a pair of bead components MC.

[0097] The tire manufacturing method of the present invention, which uses a forming apparatus 1 equipped with the supply system of the present invention described above to form a green tire G using tire materials M1 and M2 and vulcanize the green tire G, is advantageous for manufacturing tires T in a space-saving and highly productive manner.

[0098] Shortening the rotary conveyor 5e, the individual supply conveyors 6e-9e, and the individual sliding conveyors 5d-9d is advantageous for making the forming apparatus 1 more compact. The rotary conveyor 5e, the individual supply conveyors 6e-9e, and the individual sliding conveyors 5d-9d should be longer than the length of one sheet of tire materials M1-M5. Therefore, the length of the rotary conveyor 5e, the individual supply conveyors 6e-9e, and the individual sliding conveyors 5d-9d should, for example, be 100% to 150% of the length of one sheet of tire materials M1-M5 carried on the conveyor, more preferably 105% to 130%, and even more preferably 105% to 120%.

[0099] In this embodiment, the rotary conveyor 5e is provided for the supply units 5 and 6 at two storage locations P1 and P2, but it can also be provided for supply units at three or more storage locations. That is, it can also be configured such that tire material released from the supply units at three or more storage locations and cut to length is transferred via one rotary conveyor 5e to the supply conveyor 6e and supplied to the belt drum 3.

[0100] Furthermore, the drum axis C1 of the belt drum 3 and the forming drum 2 during the transfer of the inner peripheral component MA is set on the same axis, and the drum axis C2 of the belt bundle drum 4 and the forming drum 2 during the transfer of the outer peripheral component MB is set on the same axis. Therefore, the belt conveyor 12 and the belt bundle conveyor 13 can move only along the common drum axis C1 and C2 of each drum 2, 3, and 4, which is more advantageous for the compactness of the forming apparatus 1. As a result, it is advantageous to manufacture tires T with good productivity while simultaneously making the forming apparatus 1 compact.

[0101] Tire materials M1 to M5 shrink over time due to sizing, resulting in uneven shrinkage. However, at each storage location P1 to P5, each tire material M1 to M5 is pre-stored in a long-length state. The tire materials M1 to M5 are then released from supply units 5 to 9 and sizing. The sizing-cut tire materials M1 to M5 are then supplied to the corresponding drums 3 and 4 via corresponding sliding conveyors 5d to 9d and supply conveyors 6e to 9e (tire materials M1 and M2 are further supplied via rotary conveyor 5e). Alternatively, in an embodiment of the supply system of the present invention where each storage location P1 and P2 has a single supply unit 5A and 6A, and each sliding conveyor 5d and 6d is absent, the sizing-cut tire materials M1 and M2 are supplied from each supply unit 5A and 6A to the belt drum 3 via rotary conveyor 5e. In this way, by cutting the tire materials M1 to M5 to length just before the green tire G is formed, it is advantageous to minimize the shrinkage and unevenness of these tire materials M1 to M5 over time compared to pre-cutting and storing them. As a result, it helps to improve the quality of the manufactured tire T.

[0102] The supply system of the present invention is not limited to the forming apparatus 1 exemplified above, but can be applied to various known forming apparatuses 1. In addition, the forming drum that supplies tire material by the supply system of the present invention is not limited to the drums 2, 3, and 4 described above, but may be, for example, a so-called rigid core having an outer surface that is substantially the same as the inner surface of the tire T to be manufactured.

[0103] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0104] 1. Forming device

[0105] 2 (2a, 2b) Molding Drum

[0106] 2p gyro

[0107] 3 with drum

[0108] 3R guide rail

[0109] 4 (4a, 4b) Drum with strap

[0110] 4p gyro

[0111] 5 (5A, 5B) Lining Supply Unit

[0112] 5C Cutter

[0113] 5D sliding conveyor

[0114] 5e rotary conveyor

[0115] 6 (6A, 6B) Carcass Material Supply Unit

[0116] 6C Cutter

[0117] 6D sliding conveyor

[0118] 6e supply conveyor

[0119] 7 (7A, 7B) Supply unit for the tire sidewall

[0120] 7c Cutter

[0121] 7D sliding conveyor

[0122] 7e supply conveyor

[0123] 8 (8A, 8B) Supply unit for belt material

[0124] 8C Cutter

[0125] 8d sliding conveyor

[0126] 8e supply conveyor

[0127] 9 (9A, 9B) Tire tread supply unit

[0128] 9C Cutter

[0129] 9d sliding conveyor

[0130] 9e supply conveyor

[0131] 10 (10A, 10B) Supply unit for belt reinforcement

[0132] 10c cutter

[0133] 10d Storage Buffer Section

[0134] 10e head

[0135] 11 (11A, 11B) Bead supply unit

[0136] 11P Rotary Shaft

[0137] 12-belt transfer machine

[0138] 13 Belt Conveyor

[0139] 14. Tire Bead Transfer Machine

[0140] 15. Vulcanizing unit

[0141] 16. Vulcanizing molds

[0142] 17. Airbags for vulcanization

[0143] M tire components

[0144] MA inner peripheral component

[0145] MB peripheral components

[0146] MC bead components

[0147] M1 Lining

[0148] M2 carcass material

[0149] M3 sidewall

[0150] M4 belt material

[0151] M5 tire face

[0152] M6 belt reinforcement

[0153] G birth

[0154] T Tire that has completed vulcanization (finished tire)

Claims

1. A supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum, the supply system comprising a supply unit storing a strip of tire material, a forming drum, and a supply conveyor disposed between the supply unit and the forming drum, and configured such that the tire material, after being discharged from the supply unit and cut to length, is placed in a flat position on the supply conveyor and supplied to the forming drum, and is formed into a cylindrical shape by winding around the forming drum, wherein... The supply system is configured as follows: The system has supply units arranged in multiple storage locations, with tire materials dispensed from supply units in adjacent storage locations being of different types. The supply units are arranged such that their respective tire material supply directions intersect at a predetermined angle when viewed from above. Between the supply unit and the supply conveyor at each of the aforementioned storage locations, there is a rotary conveyor that rotates when viewed from above. For the forming drum and the supply conveyor located at a predetermined position, the tire material, which is discharged from the supply unit located at each of the storage positions and cut to length, is transferred to the supply conveyor via the rotary conveyor and supplied to the forming drum.

2. The supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum according to claim 1, wherein, The forming drum and the supply conveyor, located at the predetermined position, are arranged in a straight line with the supply unit at one of the storage positions.

3. The supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The predetermined angle is above 85° and below 95°.

4. The supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The supply system is configured such that each tire material, cut to length and released from the supply unit at each of the storage locations, is continuously supplied to the forming drum. The total length and width position of each tire material after being cut to length are detected by sensors during the transfer from the rotary conveyor to the supply conveyor. When each tire material is wound around the forming drum, the rotational speed and width position of the forming drum are adjusted based on the total length data and width position data of the tire material detected by the sensors.

5. A method for manufacturing a tire, wherein, A forming apparatus having a supply system for supplying tire material to a forming drum as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 is used to form a green tire using the tire material and to vulcanize the green tire.

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