Tire building machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to a tire building machine which comprises a tire part supply device used for supplying tire parts in a supply plane and an applicator used for transferring the tire parts, and the tire part supply device comprises a supporting component and a platform. The platform is retractable in a retracted direction relative to the support member from a support position to a retracted position in which the platform is recessed and spaced apart from the supply plane, where the applicator includes a front end retainer, the front end holder has first and second claw members positionable on opposite sides of the supply plane, where when the platform is retracted from the support position toward the retracted position, the first claw member and the second claw member are movable relative to each other. One of the first claw member and the second claw member is positionable between the platform and the supply plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a tire forming machine for supplying tire components. Background Technology

[0002] JP 2528266B2 discloses a working head that advances along a reciprocating frame in the travel direction during a tire manufacturing process to transfer a strip (such as a sidewall) from a support section of a cutting device to a forming drum. The working head includes a first pressing device in the form of a pressing finger for holding the strip near its front end, a second pressing device in the form of a roller for pressing the strip onto the forming drum, and a third pressing device in the form of a suction tool for holding the strip near its rear end. The third pressing device is located downstream of the first pressing device in the travel direction, and the second pressing device is located between the first and third pressing devices. Utility Model Content

[0003] The disadvantage of the working head disclosed in JP 2528266B2 is that the first pressing device does not pick up the strip at the furthest part of the front end (i.e., the tip). Instead, the first pressing device picks up the strip a short distance upstream of the tip in the direction of travel, allowing the tip to protrude freely from the first pressing device and be pressed onto the forming drum by the second pressing device. During the transfer of the strip from the support section of the cutting device to the forming drum, the tip is temporarily unsupported and / or uncontrolled. The position of the tip may shift and / or the shape of the tip may deform during the transfer. This is particularly pronounced when applying relatively thin strips (e.g., less than one millimeter thick) that may be prone to wrinkling, folding, and / or trembling during the transfer. Therefore, the position of the tip is unknown and / or may be inaccurate when the strip is applied to the forming drum, which may negatively affect subsequent steps in the tire manufacturing process (such as splicing and / or the application of any subsequent layers) and the overall tire quality.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tire forming machine for supplying tire components, wherein the positioning accuracy of the strip on the tire forming drum can be improved.

[0005] This utility model provides a tire forming machine, which includes a tire component supplier for supplying tire components in a supply plane, and an applicator for transferring the tire components from the tire component supplier to a tire forming drum in an application direction. The tire component supplier includes a support member for supporting the tire components in the supply plane, and a platform retractable in a retraction direction from a support position toward a retractable position and / or back to a retracted position relative to the support member. In the support position, the platform is flush or substantially flush with the support member in the supply plane; in the retracted position, the platform is recessed relative to the support member and spaced apart from the supply plane. The applicator includes a front end retainer for holding the front end of the tire components. The front end retainer includes a first claw member and a second claw member that can be positioned on opposite sides of the supply plane. When the platform retracts from the support position toward the retracted position and / or back to the retracted position, one of the first and second claw members can be positioned between the platform and the supply plane.

[0006] In the supported position, the platform can cooperate with the support member to support the tire component in the supply plane, for example, when operations such as cutting, aligning, and repositioning the tire component are performed in the supply plane. Furthermore, the platform in the supported position prevents deformation of the tire component at the transition from the supply plane to the platform. Simultaneously, in the retracted position, the platform can effectively temporarily free up or clear the space below the supply plane, which can be used for convenient picking up the tire component from below. Specifically, by retracting the platform to the retracted position, the tire component remains largely supported by the support member, while one of the applicator's claw members can be conveniently positioned below a portion of the tire component previously supported by the platform. One claw member can cooperate with another claw member above the supply plane to securely engage the tire component from the opposite side of the supply plane without being obstructed by the platform in the retracted position.

[0007] The platform can be used to expose only the very end of the front end, allowing the tire component to be picked up, reliably held, transferred, and / or applied to the tire forming drum. Therefore, the front tip is less likely to deviate or deform due to the forces applied to the tire component. Consequently, the positioning accuracy of the tire component on the tire forming drum can be improved during pick-up, transfer, application, and / or pressing.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, when the platform is in the supported position, the support member and the platform are adjacent to each other in the supply plane. Therefore, the tire component can be supplied to the platform on the support member in the supply plane without any noticeable interruption, gap, or transition.

[0009] In another embodiment, the tire component supplier is further provided with a retraction actuator for driving the platform between the retracted position and the supported position. Therefore, the retraction of the platform can be controlled automatically or semi-automatically.

[0010] In another embodiment, the tire component supplier is configured to supply the tire component in a supply direction parallel to the supply plane, wherein the support member is located upstream of the platform relative to the supply direction. Thus, the tire component can be initially supported on the support member before being further conveyed onto the platform in the supply direction. Furthermore, when operations such as cutting are performed on the tire component at the platform, at least a portion of the remaining length of the tire component can still be supported by the support member upstream of the platform.

[0011] Preferably, the tire component supplier includes a cutting device for cutting the tire component along a cutting line extending perpendicular to the supply direction in the supply plane, wherein the platform is configured to support the tire component at the cutting line at the support position and to move away from the cutting device in the retraction direction. Thus, the platform can cooperate with the cutting device for cutting the tire component, and once the tire component has been cut, it moves away from the cutting device.

[0012] Specifically, the cutting device includes a cutter configured to cooperate with the platform for cutting the tire component along the cutting line. Preferably, the cutter is a disc cutter. The disc cutter can move laterally along the cutting line while rotating to cut the tire component.

[0013] More preferably, the platform is a cutting bar configured to cooperate with the cutter. The cutting bar may be made of a rigid material suitable for cooperating with the cutter to repeatedly cut tire components to the desired length. The cutting bar may also be provided with cutting features, such as cutting edges, cutting grooves, or cutting contours, to cooperate with the cutter along the cutting line.

[0014] In another embodiment (which can also be applied independently of the retractability of the platform and applicator, for example in a tire component supplier combined with a conventional fixed cutting bar), the cutting device further includes a retainer for holding the cutter relative to the supply plane and a tilting actuator for tilting the retainer about an inclined axis parallel to the cutting line. By tilting the retainer and thus tilting the cutter held by the retainer, the cutter can be moved away from the platform and / or tire component to reduce wear or damage to the cutter, platform, and / or tire component during non-cutting operations, such as the retraction of the platform and / or the return of the cutter to a starting position next to and / or above the tire component.

[0015] More specifically, the platform includes opposing members having opposing cutting surfaces that extend in a cutting plane perpendicular to the supply direction and terminate at opposing cutting edges parallel to or coinciding with the cutting line. The cutter includes a cutting blade having a cutting surface terminating at the cutting edge. The retainer is tiltable from a cutting orientation to a first tilt orientation about the tilt axis in a first tilt direction. In the first tilt orientation, the cutting edge is configured to cooperate with the opposing cutting edge to cut the tire component along the cutting line in the cutting plane. In the first tilt orientation, the cutting surface moves away from the cutting plane, considered in the supply plane. By moving the cutting surface away from the cutting plane at least at the level of the supply plane, a gap can be created between the cutting surface and the opposing cutting surface to reduce wear between the cutting surfaces during non-cutting operations, as described above.

[0016] Preferably, the cutting surface moves away from the cutting plane in a gap direction opposite to the supply direction, at least by a vector component in the supply plane. Thus, the cutting surface can move at least by a vector component in a direction upstream of the cutting plane, effectively creating a gap between the cutting surface and the opposing cutting surface to reduce wear when the cutting surfaces move relative to each other.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the retainer is tilted from the cutting orientation to the first tilting orientation at a first tilt angle of at least one-tenth of a degree, preferably at least two-tenths of a degree, and most preferably at least three-tenths of a degree. The relatively small first tilt angle may be sufficient to provide clearance and reduce wear.

[0018] In another embodiment, the cutting device includes a tilting driver for driving the retainer to tilt about the tilting axis, wherein the tilting driver is operatively connected to the retraction driver and configured to tilt the retainer to the first tilting orientation before or simultaneously with the platform retracting from the supported position to the retracted position. In this way, the cutting surfaces can move away from the opposing cutting surfaces before or once the platform begins to move toward the retracted position, thereby preventing wear on both cutting surfaces due to the platform's retraction.

[0019] In another embodiment, the retainer is tiltable about the tilt axis from the first tilt orientation to a second tilt orientation in a second tilt direction opposite to the first tilt direction, in which the cutting blade protrudes at least partially downstream of the cutting plane. By tilting the retainer and the cutter held by the retainer to the second tilt orientation above and away from the platform, the cutter is allowed to return to its starting position without interfering with the platform and / or tire components.

[0020] Preferably, the retainer is tilted from the cutting orientation to the first tilting orientation at a second tilt angle of at least two degrees, and preferably at least three degrees. The second tilt angle may be sufficient to tilt the retainer such that the cutter is above and away from the platform and / or tire component.

[0021] In another embodiment, the tilting actuator is configured to tilt the retainer from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation after the platform retracts from the supported position to the retracted position. During this phase, the tire component can be picked up by the applicator and transferred toward the tire forming drum. By tilting the retainer to the second tilting orientation, the cutter can return to its starting position on the other side of the tire component along the cut line without interfering with the transfer of the tire component.

[0022] In another embodiment, the application direction is parallel to or substantially parallel to the supply direction. Therefore, the tire component can be moved in the same direction as its supply direction.

[0023] The various aspects and features described and illustrated in the specification may be applied individually in any possible circumstances. These individual aspects may become the subject of a divisional patent application. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The present invention will be explained based on exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1-6 A side view of a tire component supplier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown during a step of a method for supplying tire components; and

[0026] Figure 7 It shows that according to Figure 1-6 A top view of the tire component supplier. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1-7 A tire forming machine 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown for forming or manufacturing raw tires or uncured tires.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the tire forming machine 1 includes a tire forming drum 2, a tire component supply device or feeder 3 for supplying a continuous strip 9 to the tire forming drum 2 in the supply direction S, and an applicator 5 for transferring and / or applying length-cut tire components 90, 90' from the tire component feeder 3 to the tire forming drum 2 or the tire forming drum 2 in the application direction A. In this example, the application direction A is parallel to or straight with the supply direction S.

[0029] In this example, the continuous strip 9 is a cord-reinforced strip of elastomeric material or rubber, particularly a reinforcing strip for reinforcing the longitudinal edges of the disconnector. Alternatively, the continuous strip 9 can be used to manufacture cap strips, rubber strips, or sidewalls with or without cord reinforcement, or any other strip used in tire molding or tire manufacturing. The continuous strip 9 is cut to length to form tire components 90, 90' having front ends LE, LE' and rear ends TE, TE' in the supply direction S. Note that... Figure 1 The cutting process generates a rear end TE' for the tire component 90' of the previous cycle, and simultaneously generates a new front end LE for the subsequent tire component 90.

[0030] The tire component supplier 3 includes a base 30 and a support member 33 for supporting a continuous strip 9 relative to the base 30 in a supply plane P. In this example, the supply plane P extends parallel to the supply direction S. The support member 33 may be a support platform, a roller conveyor, or a belt conveyor.

[0031] The tire component supplier 3 also includes a platform 34, which is available relative to the support member 33 from, for example Figure 1 The support position shown is oriented as follows Figure 2 The platform 34 is retracted from the supported position to the retracted position as shown. The platform 34 has only a limited length relative to the length of the support member 33 in the supply direction S. Specifically, the length of the platform 34 in the supply direction S is less than twenty centimeters, and preferably less than ten centimeters. In particular, the length of the platform 34 in the supply direction S is at least three times smaller than the length of the support member 33 in the supply direction S, and preferably at least four times smaller. Thus, the support member 33 can support most of the tire component 90, while the platform 34 only supports a small portion of the tire component 90, especially... Figure 1 The tire component 90 forms the front end LE and the rear end TE'.

[0032] More specifically, it can be seen that platform 34 is the last, foremost, or front portion of tire component supplier 3, supporting tire component 9 from below before tire forming drum 2. In other words, there are no additional support surfaces or elements of tire component supplier 3 downstream of platform 34 in the supply direction S.

[0033] In the supported position, platform 34 is flush, substantially flush, coplanar, and / or adjacent to support member 33 in the supply plane P. In the retracted position, platform 34 is recessed relative to support member 33 and spaced apart from supply plane P in a retraction direction D perpendicular to supply plane P. In other words, platform 34 moves from the supported position to the retracted position, in which the platform 34 is located at a first distance from supply plane P or at supply plane P, and in the retracted position, the platform 34 is located at a second distance from supply plane P greater than the first distance and / or below supply plane P.

[0034] In this example, the tire component supplier 3 is also provided with a retraction actuator 39 for driving the platform 34 to retract and / or return between a retracted position and a supported position. The retraction actuator 39 may be a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder. The retraction actuator 39 is functionally, electronically, and / or operatively connected to the control unit 10.

[0035] like Figure 1 As best shown, the tire component supplier 3 also includes a cutting device 4 for cutting the continuous strip 9 to a certain length along a cutting line L extending in the supply plane P. In this example, the cutting line L extends transversely or perpendicularly to the supply direction S. The cutting device 4 is provided with a blade or cutter 41 and a retainer 40 for holding the cutter 41 relative to the supply plane P and / or the cutting line L. In particular, the retainer 40 is movable in a cutting direction parallel to the cutting line L to move the cutter 41 along the cutting line L. The retainer 40 is rotatable, pivotable, rotating, or tiltable about an inclined axis T parallel to the cutting line L.

[0036] The cutter includes a cutting blade 42 or a cutting knife. In this example, the cutter 41 is a disc cutter with a circular or disc-shaped blade or cutting blade 42. Alternatively, the cutter 41 may be an ultrasonic scalpel or a guillotine cutter. The cutting blade 42 is provided with, has, or defines a cutting surface 43 that terminates at a cutting edge 44 (a circular cutting edge in this example).

[0037] Similarly, platform 34 includes opposing member 35, which is provided with, has, or defines opposing cutting surfaces 36 for cooperating with cutting surface 43 to cut tire component 90. In this example, opposing cutting surface 36 extends in cutting plane C perpendicular to the supply direction S. Opposing cutting surface 36 extends at least partially above supply plane P. Opposing cutting surface 36 terminates at opposing cutting edge 37 coinciding with cutting line L. In this example, opposing cutting edge 37 extends above supply plane P, thereby slightly raising the continuous strip 9 from cutting line L. Opposing cutting edge 37 is linear. During cutting, cutting edge 44 overlaps with or intersects opposing cutting edge 37. When cutting is complete, platform 34 moves away from supply plane P toward a retracted position, as... Figure 2 As shown, the newly cut front end LE is exposed as a free-protruding front end.

[0038] The cutter 41 can be used together with the retainer 40 around the inclined axis T as shown in the image. Figure 1 The cutting orientation shown, such as Figure 2 The first tilt orientation shown and as Figure 3 Rotation, pivoting, turning, or tilting between the second tilt orientations shown.

[0039] The cutting device 4 also includes a tilting driver 45 for driving or controlling the tilt of the retainer 40 about the tilting axis T, the tilting driver 45 being functionally, electronically and / or operatively connected to the control unit 10 and / or directly or indirectly connected to the retraction driver 39.

[0040] like Figure 1 As further shown, the tire forming machine 1 optionally includes a first cutting clamp 15 and / or a second cutting clamp 16, preferably configured as part of the tire component supplier 3, for clamping the tire component 90 in a clamping position G upstream of the cutting line L in the supply plane P during cutting. The first cutting clamp 15 is movable away from the support member 33 in a direction perpendicular to the supply plane P to release the tire component 90 after cutting in a manner described in more detail below. The second cutting clamp 16 is retractable from the supply plane P to a position below the supply plane P.

[0041] For example, through comparison Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the applicator 5 can move along the guide (not shown) in the application direction A. Figure 1As shown, the applicator 5 includes a front retainer 6 for holding the front end LE of the tire component 9, a rear retainer 7 for holding the rear end TE of the tire component 9, a presser 8 for pressing the tire component 9 onto the tire forming drum 2, and an applicator body 50 for supporting the front retainer 6, the rear retainer 7, and the presser 8 relative to each other. Specifically, the applicator body 50 holds or positions the front retainer 6 in a front holding position in the supply direction S. The applicator body 50 also holds or positions the rear retainer 7 in a rear holding position downstream of the front holding position in the supply direction S. Finally, the applicator body 50 holds or positions the presser 8 in a presser position between the front holding position and the rear holding position in the supply direction S.

[0042] like Figure 4 As further shown, the front retainer 6 includes a front clamp 60 for holding the front end LE of the tire component 9 in or at the supply plane P by clamping. Specifically, the front clamp 60 includes an upper jaw member or first jaw member 61 and a lower jaw member or second jaw member 62, which are positionable on opposite sides of the supply plane P. In this example, the first jaw member 61 is located below the supply plane P and is movable toward the second jaw member 62 in a holding direction B transverse to or perpendicular to the supply plane P. Alternatively, the second jaw member 62 may be movable toward the first jaw member 61, or the two jaw members 61, 62 may be movable toward each other.

[0043] When the platform 34 retracts to the retracted position, the second claw member 62 can be positioned in the space created, vacated, and / or previously occupied by the platform 34, such as... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram. In particular, the second claw member 62 is sized to engage between the platform 34 and the supply plane P when the platform 34 is in the retracted position, or to be positionable between the platform 34 and the supply plane P.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the rear retainer 7 includes at least one rear suction cup 70 for holding the rear end TE of the tire component 9 in or at the supply plane P by suction. In this example, the rear retainer 7 includes one or more rear suction cups 70. Alternatively, the rear retainer 7 may be a rear clamp similar to the front clamp 6.

[0045] Finally, the presser 8 includes a press roller 80 for pressing the tire component 9 onto the tire forming drum 2 by rolling.

[0046] The tire forming machine 1 may optionally include a rear end support 17 for supporting the rear end TE of the tire part 90' produced when the cutter 41 cuts the continuous strip 9 to a certain length. The rear end support 17 cooperates with the rear end retainer 7 to clamp the rear end TE. When the rear end TE is engaged by the rear end retainer 7, the applicator 5 can move to a position slightly below the level where the continuous strip 9 is supported on the platform 34, thereby slightly tensioning the continuous strip 9 to facilitate cutting. The rear end support 17 can be held in or slightly below the supply plane P to ensure that the applicator 5 is not lowered too far relative to the supply plane P. The height position of the rear end support 17 can be controlled by an actuator (particularly a linear actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder).

[0047] Now refer to Figure 1-6 A method for supplying tire components 9 to tire forming drum 2 using the tire component supplier 3 and / or the tire forming machine 1 described above is explained.

[0048] Figure 1 This illustrates a situation where the front end of the tire component 90' from the previous cycle of this method has been applied to the tire forming drum 6. The applicator 5 has returned to the rear pickup position at or near the platform 34 in the direction opposite to the application direction A.

[0049] Platform 34 is in a supported position flush with support member 33. Opposing cutting face 36 extends in cutting plane C. Cutting device 35 is controlled to retainer 40 to move cutter 41 along cutting line L from a position laterally parallel to continuous strip 9, thereby laterally cutting continuous strip 9. Cutter 41 is held by retainer 40 in a cutting orientation, wherein cutting face 43 of cutter 41 extends in or parallel to cutting plane C. In this orientation, cutting edge 44 of cutter 41 is configured to cooperate with opposing cutting edge 37 of opposing member 35 formed by platform 34 to cut continuous strip 9 to a certain length, thereby generating rear end TE' for tire component 90' of the previous cycle. Simultaneously, a new front end LE is generated for subsequent tire component 90 applied during the current cycle of the method. Before, during, or after cutting, rear end retainer 7 is controlled to engage or retain rear end TE'. Optionally, the rear support 17 is controlled or positioned relative to the rear retainer 7 to support the rear end TE' from the opposite side of the supply plane P.

[0050] Cutting fixtures 15 and 16 are controlled to hold the continuous strip 9 or the tire component 90 to be cut from the continuous strip 9 in the supply plane P.

[0051] Figure 2The diagram illustrates a position where the applicator 5, with the rear end TE' held in the rear end retainer 7, moves in the application direction A toward the tire forming drum 2 above, at, or near the rear end release position. The platform 34 retracts toward and / or back to the retracted position to expose... Figure 1 The front-end LE has been cut off.

[0052] Simultaneously, at the tire component supplier 3, before or at the same time as the platform 34 retracts to the retracted position, the retainer 40, via the tilt actuator 45, moves from the first tilt direction R1... Figure 1 The cutting orientation is tilted to the first tilt orientation, such as Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, the retainer 40 is tilted from the cutting orientation to the first tilt orientation at a first tilt angle H1 of at least one-tenth of a degree, preferably at least two-tenths of a degree, and most preferably at least three-tenths of a degree.

[0053] The tilting of the retainer 40 causes the cutting surface 43 of the cutter 41 to be positioned in or parallel to a first tilting plane V1, which extends at the same first tilt angle H1 as the cutting plane C. The cutter 41 can be considered to be slightly tilted forward relative to the supply direction S. As a result, the cutting surface 43 moves away from the cutting plane C in a gap direction E opposite to the supply direction S, at least with a vector component in the supply plane P. This creates a small gap between the cutting surfaces 36 and 43 before or during the retraction of the platform 34, preventing wear on the two cutting surfaces 36 and 43 during the retraction.

[0054] Note that after the cut is completed, the cutter 41 has moved further along the cutting line L to a position next to the tire component 9, as shown. Figure 7 The position of the cutter 41 at the bottom is shown. Therefore, the tilting of the cutter 41 occurs laterally alongside the tire component 90 and does not interfere with the tire component 90. This is also... Figure 2 The fact that the cutter 41 is shown as extending in front of the front end LE of the tire component 90 relative to the plane of the figure reflects this.

[0055] Figure 3 The retainer 40 is shown to move from the first tilting direction R1 to the second tilting direction R2 around the tilting axis T via the tilting actuator 45. Figure 2 The case where the first tilting orientation is tilted to the second tilting orientation. In particular, the retainer 40 is tilted from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation by a second tilting angle H2 of at least two degrees and preferably at least three degrees.

[0056] The opposite tilt of the retainer 40 causes the cutting surface 43 of the cutter 41 to be positioned in or parallel to the second tilt plane V2, which is... Figure 2 The first inclined plane V1 is inclined in the opposite direction to the cutting plane C. The cutter 41 can be considered to be slightly inclined backward or rearward relative to the supply direction S. In particular, the lower end of the cutter 41, and more particularly, the lower end of the cutting blade 42 or the lower end of the cutting edge 44, extends or protrudes at least partially downstream of the cutting plane P.

[0057] Similar to Figure 2 In the situation, Figure 3 The cutter 41 is still located laterally on one side of the tire component 9, as... Figure 7 The position of the cutter 41 at the bottom is shown, ensuring that the tilt does not interfere with the tire component 90. The tilt of the cutter 41 is... Figure 7 The image is schematically shown using dashed lines. Once the cutter 41 has been sufficiently tilted above and away from the tire component 90, the retainer 40 can be controlled to return the cutter 41 in a direction parallel to the cutting line L. Figure 1 Its starting position, such as Figure 7 The return arrow K is shown in the diagram.

[0058] Figure 4 The diagram shows the applicator 5 moved above the tire component supplier 3, particularly above platform 34, at or near platform 34, to a front-end pickup position for picking up the front end LE. The front-end clamp 60 extends at or near the supply plane P. The applicator 5 then moves in a direction opposite to the supply direction S, positioning the claw members 61, 62 of the front-end clamp 60 on opposite sides of the front end LE in the holding direction B.

[0059] Figure 5 This illustrates a situation where the applicator 5 or the front retainer 6 has been moved slightly upward away from the platform 34 to lift the retained front end LE from the support member 33.

[0060] Furthermore, the first cutting clamp 15 has moved away from the support member 33 until a first release distance X1 is reached to release the tire component 90 from the first cutting clamp 15. The second cutting clamp 16 may also optionally retract to release the tire component 90 from the second cutting clamp 16.

[0061] Figure 6 This illustrates a scenario where the applicator 5 has moved away from the tire component supplier 3 in the application direction A to transfer the length-cut tire component 90 from the tire component supplier 3 toward the tire forming drum 2.

[0062] Note that the first cutting clamp 15 has moved further away from the support member 33 until the second release distance X2, which is greater than the first release distance X1 to increase the gap in the tire component supplier 3 for the movement of the tire component 90.

[0063] After applying the front end LE to drum 2, the above steps of this method can be repeated for another loop of this method.

[0064] It should be understood that the above description is intended to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and does not imply a limitation on the scope of the present invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and these variations will be covered by the scope of the present invention.

[0065] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0066] 1. Tire forming machine;

[0067] 10 control units;

[0068] 15. First cutting fixture;

[0069] 16. Second cutting fixture;

[0070] 17. Rear support components;

[0071] 2. Tire forming drum;

[0072] 3. Tire component supplier;

[0073] 30 base;

[0074] 33 Supporting components;

[0075] 34 platform;

[0076] 35 opposing components;

[0077] 36 opposing cutting surfaces;

[0078] 37 Opposite cutting edges;

[0079] 39. Retraction driver;

[0080] 4. Cutting device;

[0081] 40 retainer;

[0082] 41. Cutter;

[0083] 42 cutting blades;

[0084] 43 cutting facets;

[0085] 44 Cut edges;

[0086] 45-degree tilt drive;

[0087] 5. Applicator;

[0088] 50 Applicator body;

[0089] 6. Front-end retainer;

[0090] 60 front-end fixture;

[0091] 61 First claw component;

[0092] 62 Second claw component;

[0093] 7. Rear retainer;

[0094] 70 suction cups;

[0095] 8. Press;

[0096] 80 pressing rollers;

[0097] 9 continuous strips;

[0098] 90 tire components;

[0099] 90' tire components;

[0100] A applies the direction;

[0101] B maintains its direction;

[0102] C-cut plane;

[0103] D retraction direction;

[0104] E gap direction;

[0105] G clamping position;

[0106] H1 First tilt angle;

[0107] H2 second tilt angle;

[0108] K returns the arrow;

[0109] L-shaped cutting line;

[0110] LE front end;

[0111] LE's front end;

[0112] P supply plane;

[0113] R1 First tilt direction;

[0114] R2 second tilt direction;

[0115] S supply direction;

[0116] T-axis tilt;

[0117] TE backend;

[0118] V1 First inclined plane;

[0119] V2 second inclined plane;

[0120] X1 First release distance;

[0121] X2 Second Release Distance.

Claims

1. A tire forming machine, the tire forming machine comprising a tire component supplier for supplying tire components in a supply plane, and an applicator for transferring the tire components from the tire component supplier to a tire forming drum in an application direction, characterized in that, The tire component supplier includes a support member for supporting the tire component in the supply plane, and a platform retractable in a retraction direction relative to the support member from a supported position to a retracted position. In the supported position, the platform is flush with the support member in the supply plane, and in the retracted position, the platform is recessed relative to the support member and spaced apart from the supply plane. The applicator includes a front retainer for holding the front end of the tire component, wherein the front retainer includes a first claw member and a second claw member that can be positioned on opposite sides of the supply plane, wherein when the platform retracts from the supported position to the retracted position, one of the first claw member and the second claw member can be positioned between the platform and the supply plane.

2. The tire forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the platform is in the supported position, the supporting member and the platform are adjacent to each other in the supply plane.

3. The tire forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tire component supplier is also provided with a retraction actuator for driving the platform between the retracted position and the supported position.

4. The tire forming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tire component supplier is configured to supply the tire component in a supply direction parallel to the supply plane, wherein the support member is located upstream of the platform relative to the supply direction.

5. The tire forming machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tire component supplier includes a cutting device for cutting the tire component along a cutting line extending perpendicular to the supply direction in the supply plane, wherein the platform is configured to support the tire component at the cutting line at the support position and to move away from the cutting device in the retraction direction.

6. The tire forming machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cutting device includes a cutter configured to cooperate with the platform to cut the tire component along the cutting line.

7. The tire forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The platform is a cutting rod, which is configured to work in conjunction with the cutter.

8. The tire forming machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cutter is a disc cutter.

9. The tire forming machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The application direction is parallel to the supply direction.

Images