Tire curing press and method for producing tires

Abstract

The invention relates to a tire curing press comprising at least one loading and / or unloading device, and to a method for producing tires. According to the invention, there is no need for a separate pillar for the loading and / or unloading device and the latter is arranged at the upper part of the tire curing press, at the guide pillar of a pillar press-type tire curing press or on the drive unit.

Description

[0001] Tire heating press and method for manufacturing tires

[0002] The invention relates to a tire curing press with at least one loading and / or unloading device.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing tires using a tire heating press.

[0004] According to known designs of tire curing presses with at least one loading and / or unloading device, these are usually mounted on a separate column which is arranged in the area of ​​the tire curing press, usually in front of or behind it.

[0005] These stationary loading and / or unloading devices usually have a lifting drive with a position measuring system, a swivel mechanism, a stationary column as a vertical guide, which is fastened to the hall floor or the press base, and a receiving device for receiving and holding the green tires or tires to be loaded or unloaded.

[0006] In addition to the cost of a dedicated column for a loading and / or unloading device, the space required for setting up and securing the separate column is also disadvantageous. Firstly, the space required for the tire curing press with such a loading and / or unloading device is correspondingly large, and secondly, the usable working area around the tire curing press is reduced. This is particularly hindering during maintenance or repair work or when inserting, changing, or removing molds from the cavity. It is therefore an object of the invention to create a tire curing press that at least partially overcomes these disadvantages.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a tire heating press according to patent claim 1.

[0008] It is further an object of the invention to provide an improved method for producing tires.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for producing tires according to patent claim 11.

[0010] The dependent patent claims claim advantageous developments of the invention.

[0011] The features of a tire curing press and a method for producing tires disclosed below are part of the invention in all executable combinations.

[0012] A tire curing press according to the invention has at least one cavity, also called a vulcanization chamber, and is divided into a lower press part and an upper press part, wherein the upper press part can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the lower press part for opening and closing the at least one cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, a tire heating press according to the invention has at least one loading and / or unloading device, wherein at least one loading and / or unloading device is arranged on the upper part of the press.

[0014] In other embodiments of the invention, the at least one loading and / or unloading device is arranged on at least one guide column of a tire curing press designed as a column press or on at least one drive device of the tire curing press.

[0015] The loading and / or unloading device has at least one pivot drive and at least one receiving device for receiving and holding the green tires or tires to be loaded or unloaded, which is designed, for example, as a fork and / or a gripper. In the corresponding embodiments of the invention, the at least one loading and / or unloading device is arranged on the press upper part in such a way that it can be moved together with the press upper part.

[0016] The loading and / or unloading device further comprises at least one lifting device with which the at least one receiving device can be moved vertically. The position of the at least one receiving device can thus be adjusted relative to the upper part of the press.

[0017] This allows at least one receiving device of the loading and / or unloading device to be moved into the position required for the process step being performed with the tire curing press at any given time. If this mobility of the receiving device were not available in embodiments with a loading and / or unloading device mounted on the upper press section, it would have to be permanently positioned below the upper press section at the height required for loading and / or unloading the tire curing press. If the tire curing press is closed, the corresponding space next to the lower press section would have to be kept free. Furthermore, due to the high overall weight, precise positioning of the upper press section is considerably more complex than simply moving the receiving device to the required height.

[0018] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the loading and / or unloading device has at least one linear guide element for guiding the at least one receiving device during vertical movement with the aid of the at least one lifting device.

[0019] In embodiments of the invention, the swivel drive of the at least one loading and / or unloading device has at least one linear drive, at least one converter for converting the linear movement of the linear drive into a rotary movement, and at least one rotatable axis.

[0020] Using the linear drive, a drive element can be moved back and forth on a linear motion axis.

[0021] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the linear drive of the swivel drive is arranged such that the linear movement axis of the linear drive and the rotational axis of the swivel drive are approximately parallel or identical. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the linear drive of the swivel drive is arranged such that the linear movement axis of the linear drive is aligned approximately vertically. This corresponding arrangement of the linear drive enables a particularly space-saving design of the swivel drive with regard to the area required in plan view.

[0022] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the converter for converting the linear movement of the linear drive into a rotary movement has at least one guide and at least one sliding element guided in the guide.

[0023] The guide is designed to receive the sliding element and, in embodiments of the invention, is shaped at least partially in a spiral or helical manner.

[0024] In embodiments of the invention, the guide is formed as a groove or as a slot in a guide body.

[0025] In embodiments of the invention, the guide body is cylindrical or tubular.

[0026] In embodiments of the invention, the sliding element is designed as a pin, for example, with a cylindrical body. In embodiments of the invention, the sliding element is designed as a roller pin and / or provided with a mushroom head.

[0027] In various embodiments of the invention, one of the guide elements, guide body, or sliding element is rigidly connected to the drive element of the linear drive, at least in the direction of the linear movement axis. The other element is mounted for rotation relative to the element rigidly connected to the linear drive in such a way that it can be set into a rotational movement around the rotational axis of the pivot drive by the linear movement of the drive element of the linear drive and by the guidance of the sliding element in the guide.

[0028] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the pivot drive has at least one pivot bearing, for example, designed as a rolling bearing, for the rotatable mounting of the respective rotatable element. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention are conceivable in which the drive element of the linear drive is rotatable and / or has a rotatable region.

[0029] In embodiments of the invention, the rotatable element is fixedly connected to a rotatable axis which serves to connect the swivel drive to the assembly of a loading and / or unloading device to be swiveled.

[0030] In the corresponding embodiments of the invention, the guide in the guide body has a first and a second end and runs in the direction of the axis of rotation of the pivot drive from the first end to the second end in or on the guide body.

[0031] In a section plane to which the axis of rotation is perpendicular, the angle between the first and second ends of the guide defines the maximum angle of rotation of the rotary actuator.

[0032] With a constant / uniform movement of the drive element of the linear drive, the change in angle specified by the guide as a function of the distance traveled by the drive element defines the rotational speed of the rotary actuator.

[0033] Through areas with a small change in angle depending on the path, slow elements can be included in the rotational movement.

[0034] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the guide has a linear section or a section with a slight change in angle depending on the travel in at least one of the end regions. This allows for a motion profile that eliminates the need for shock absorbers.

[0035] For example, motion profiles with two or more stopping points can be realized, in which the guide is designed linearly in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0036] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the latter comprises two corresponding guides arranged opposite one another on or in the guide body, each of which guides a sliding element. This ensures lower forces acting on a single sliding element and thus reduces wear. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the converter is at least partially arranged in a housing. In embodiments of the invention, the housing conceals the guide or encloses the guide body and / or the sliding element in such a way that they are protected from the ingress of dirt and dust and / or that, for safety reasons, access by persons is prevented.

[0037] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the pivot drive has at least one straight guide which ensures a linear movement of at least one sliding element on a linear movement axis.

[0038] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one sliding element engages both in the at least one guide and in the at least one linear guide. Either the linear guide or the guide is arranged in a stationary and immovable manner, so that rotation of the rotatable element provided with the respective other guide element can be forced.

[0039] In embodiments of the invention, the linear guide is realized using the linear drive. For example, the shaft of the drive element is designed to be non-rotatable in the direction of the rotation axis, corresponding to a corresponding opening in the linear drive through which the shaft of the drive element extends. In embodiments according to the invention, this can be achieved, for example, by an at least monogonal shape of the corresponding opening and the shaft cross-section.

[0040] In embodiments of a tire heating press according to the invention, it is designed as a column press and has at least one column.

[0041] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is designed as a fixed column. Compared to pivotable or retractable columns, fixed columns allow for a smaller footprint of the tire curing press, so that during operation of the tire curing press, no space is required in front of or behind the tire curing press for pivoting the press upper part to open it, or below the tire curing press for lowering the columns.

[0042] In embodiments of the invention, fixed columns are neither pivotable nor retractable, but rather remain stationary and immobile in all functional states of the assembled tire curing press. In embodiments of the invention, the tire curing press has exactly two columns.

[0043] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is designed to guide the upper part of the press.

[0044] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is arranged vertically in its longitudinal direction.

[0045] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is designed as a circular guide.

[0046] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is rigidly connected to the lower press section, and the upper press section is guided in its movement along the column. Preferably, the at least one column in these embodiments of the invention is designed as a stationary column.

[0047] In other embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is firmly connected to the upper press section and guided in the region of the lower press section. In such embodiments of the invention, the at least one column is preferably retractable into a floor on which the tire curing press is installed.

[0048] For moving the upper press part relative to the lower press part, the tire heating press according to the invention has at least one drive unit.

[0049] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one drive unit can be operated electrically and / or hydraulically.

[0050] In embodiments of the invention, at least one drive unit is realized as a cylinder, in particular as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0051] However, designs with other drive units are also conceivable. It is important that these are suitable for lifting the weight of the press upper section vertically or lowering it in a controlled manner.

[0052] In embodiments of the invention with a drive unit and at least two columns, the drive unit is preferably arranged centrally between two of the columns. In embodiments of the invention, at least two of the columns are assigned a separate drive unit and arranged in the region of the respective column.

[0053] In embodiments of the invention, the associated drive unit is arranged close to the respective column.

[0054] In other embodiments of the invention, a drive unit is integrated into at least one of the columns.

[0055] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention with at least one cylinder as a drive unit, this is arranged so that the force is diverted directly into the ground on which the tire heating press is placed.

[0056] In embodiments of the invention, the tire curing press is designed as a double tire curing press having two cavities for vulcanizing tires.

[0057] In a tire curing press designed as a double curing press with cavities arranged next to one another, the parts of the adjacent cavities arranged on the upper part of the press are mechanically connected to one another in preferred embodiments of the invention so that they can be moved together.

[0058] By mechanically connecting the cavities to each other, a common operating mode is realized for both cavities in embodiments of the invention. This means that the cavities can be controlled synchronously for the vulcanization process, but especially for opening and closing the cavities.

[0059] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the adjacent cavities are arranged very close to one another. This allows for a particularly narrow width of the tire curing press. Preferably, the adjacent cavities in the upper press section are arranged so close to one another that they just barely touch.

[0060] In embodiments of the invention, all columns are arranged between the opposite lateral ends of the at least one cavity, so that the width of the tire curing press is defined by the at least one cavity. In embodiments of the invention, all columns are arranged entirely within the area defined by the smallest rectangle enclosing the at least one cavity in a plan view. As a result, the width and depth of the tire curing press are defined by the width and depth of the at least one cavity and are not increased by columns located externally adjacent to the at least one cavity.

[0061] The press upper part has at least a part of the at least one cavity and at least one connecting element for connecting the press upper part to the drive unit and for guiding the press upper part along the at least one guide column.

[0062] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the press upper part has a hood-like cavity component. Particularly preferably, the hood-like cavity component is designed as an insulating hood, thus creating a thermally insulated vulcanization chamber.

[0063] The at least one connecting element is preferably designed as a stable support structure, for example made of steel, which provides an engagement point for the at least one drive unit on the press upper part and to which the parts of the at least one cavity arranged on the press upper part are fastened. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, at least one guide element guiding the press upper part along the at least one guide column is also a component of the connecting element.

[0064] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the at least one connecting element is arranged directly in the region of the at least one guide column.

[0065] In embodiments of the invention, the press upper part has at least one connecting element per guide column.

[0066] In advantageous embodiments, the press upper part has at least one laterally arranged and vertically aligned mounting surface to which a loading and / or unloading device can be fastened.

[0067] In preferred embodiments, the at least one mounting surface is provided on at least one connecting element. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the at least one loading and / or unloading device is connected to the press upper part via the at least one mounting surface provided on the press upper part.

[0068] If the mounting surface is provided as part of the supporting structure or the connecting element, a stable and secure connection of at least one loading and / or unloading device to the upper part of the press is possible.

[0069] If the mounting surface(s) is / are furthermore provided close to the at least one guide column, a weight distribution on the press upper part which is advantageous for the safe and stable movement of the press upper part is also achieved.

[0070] In advantageous embodiments of the invention with at least one cylinder as the drive unit, this has at least one extension on the upper part of the tire curing press, which is connected to the at least one cavity and projects upwards beyond the latter. This extension enables the tire curing press to be installed at ground level while providing the required stroke to fully open the at least one cavity. The point of engagement of the at least one cylinder on the upper part of the press is positioned so high with the aid of the extension that the required stroke can be achieved.

[0071] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one loading and / or unloading device is arranged on an extension on the head part of the tire curing press. Preferably, in corresponding embodiments, the linear guide and / or the lifting drive of the loading and / or unloading device is mounted on the extension.

[0072] Particularly preferably, the extension is part of the connecting element or part of the stable supporting structure of the press upper part.

[0073] A method according to the invention for producing tires using a tire heating press comprising an upper press part and a lower press part comprises at least the following method steps:

[0074] Opening the tire heating press by moving the upper part of the press relative to the lower part of the press,

[0075] Moving at least one receiving device of at least one loading and / or unloading device to the height of the loading or unloading position,

[0076] Swinging the receiving device into the cavity of the tire curing press, picking up a vulcanized tire from the cavity or placing a green tire in the cavity,

[0077] Swinging out of the cavity.

[0078] When loading the tire curing press, in embodiments of the method according to the invention, the receiving device is first moved into a receiving position for receiving a green tire from a receiving station.

[0079] After loading the cavity, the tire curing press is closed and at least one green tire is vulcanized in at least one cavity.

[0080] During unloading of the tire curing press, in embodiments of the method according to the invention, the receiving device is moved into a depositing position for depositing the tire on a depositing station after the vulcanized tire has been removed from the cavity of the tire curing press and pivoted out of the cavity.

[0081] In various embodiments of the invention, at least one separate loading device and unloading device or at least one loading and unloading device can be used with which the tire curing press is loaded and unloaded.

[0082] In advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention in which a tire curing press with at least one loading and / or unloading device connected to the upper part of the press is used, the following process sequence is implemented, whereby the description can be extended accordingly to tire curing presses with more than one cavity:

[0083] In a first step, the tire curing press is opened and the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device is moved into the waiting position with regard to its height.

[0084] In a second step, the tire curing press is closed by moving the upper press part onto the lower press part.

[0085] Following step two, or in parallel with it, the receiving device of at least one loading and / or unloading device is moved into the receiving position in the area of ​​a receiving station. Typically, the receiving device is moved downwards for this purpose. In the receiving position, a green tire is picked up using the receiving device.

[0086] The tire curing press is then opened by moving the upper press section relative to the lower press section, and the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device is moved vertically into the loading position. Depending on the dimensions of the curing press, the stroke for opening the tire curing press, and the height of the receiving position, the loading position is reached either by moving the upper press section alone or by additionally moving the receiving device. Typically, the receiving device is moved further downward relative to the upper press section for this purpose.

[0087] Then, the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device is pivoted into the cavity and the tire curing press is loaded with the green tire.

[0088] After the green tire is deposited in the cavity, the holding device is pivoted out of the cavity. Depending on the tool used to hold the green tire, this may require the holding device to be raised to a pivoting position beforehand.

[0089] The tire curing press is then closed by moving the upper part of the press relative to the lower part.

[0090] If a loading and unloading device is used, the receiving device must remain free and is moved to a waiting position.

[0091] If separate loading and unloading devices are used, the loading device can be moved back into the receiving position for receiving the next green tire at this point. In other embodiments of the method according to the invention, the receiving device is nevertheless moved into a waiting position.

[0092] To reach the waiting position, the receiving device is usually moved upwards.

[0093] After closing the tire curing press, the green tire is vulcanized in the cavity of the tire curing press. The tire curing press is then reopened, and the vulcanized tire is moved into the unloading position by moving the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device in terms of its height.

[0094] Subsequently, the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device is pivoted into the cavity and the vulcanized tire is picked up.

[0095] With the vulcanized tire, the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device is pivoted out of the cavity.

[0096] Depending on the positioning of a storage station, the receiving device of the at least one loading and / or unloading device is moved into the storage position in terms of its height and the tire is placed on the storage station.

[0097] In embodiments of the invention, the vulcanized tire is transferred to a post-treatment device.

[0098] In preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, in which a tire curing press with at least two cavities is used, a common operating procedure is implemented with regard to the loading and / or unloading of the cavities in such a way that the at least two cavities are loaded and unloaded synchronously.

[0099] This can be done by a loading and / or unloading device with at least two receiving devices or by at least two separate loading and / or unloading devices.

[0100] In embodiments of the method according to the invention for producing tires, a tire heating press according to the invention is used.

[0101] The following figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show:

[0102] Figure 1: A perspective view of a tire heating press according to the invention with two cavities arranged next to each other in an open state,

[0103] Figure 2: The tire heating press shown in Figure 1 in a closed state, Figure 3: The tire heating press shown in Figures 1 and 2 with for receiving the

[0104] Raw tires moved downwards receiving elements of the loading and / or unloading devices,

[0105] Figure 4: The tyre curing press opened for loading with the tyres moved to the loading height

[0106] Receiving devices for loading and / or unloading devices and

[0107] Figure 5: A top view of the tire curing press without showing the loading and / or

[0108] Unloading device.

[0109] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a tire heating press (1) according to the invention with an upper press part (2) and a lower press part (3) in an open state.

[0110] The tire heating press (1) is designed as a column press with two columns (4) arranged between two cavities (5).

[0111] The drive unit (6) is implemented by two cylinders, each located outside one of the columns (4). Using the drive unit (6), the upper press section (2) can be moved vertically to open and close the tire curing press (1). In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinders are extended for this purpose.

[0112] For this purpose, the drive unit (6) is attached to the press upper section (2) using connecting elements (7). The connecting elements (7) have extensions that protrude upwards beyond the cavities (5) to enable the required stroke of the press upper section (2) when the tire curing press (1) is installed at ground level.

[0113] In addition, the tire heating press (1) has two loading and / or unloading devices (8) which are attached to the upper part of the press (2).

[0114] The loading and / or unloading devices (8) are each assigned to a cavity (5) and each have a receiving device (9) and a common lifting device (10).

[0115] With the aid of the lifting device (10), the receiving devices (9), here designed as gripper and fork combinations, can be moved vertically along the respective linear guide (11) relative to the press upper part (2). The linear guides (11) and the lifting device (10) are arranged on the extension of the connecting element (7).

[0116] In addition, the loading and / or unloading devices (8) each have a pivot drive (12) with which the receiving devices (9) can be pivoted about a vertical axis of rotation.

[0117] In the lower area in front of the tire heating press (1) there are two receiving stations (13), each of which holds a green tire (14).

[0118] The drive device (6), the columns (4) and the press base (3) are firmly connected to each other via a frame construction.

[0119] According to Figure 2, the tire curing press (1) is closed by retracting the drive device (6). The receiving devices (9) are positioned above the green tires (14) lying on the receiving stations (13).

[0120] According to Figure 3, the receiving devices (8) are lowered into the receiving position by means of the lifting device (10) along the linear guide (11) for receiving the raw tires (14).

[0121] Figure 4 shows the tire curing press (1) after it has been opened from the position shown in Figure 3 by moving the upper press section (2) upwards. In addition, the receiving devices (9) were further lowered using the lifting device (10) and thus moved into the loading position.

[0122] From this position, the cavities (5) of the tire curing press (1) are loaded by pivoting the receiving devices (9) into the cavities (5) and depositing the green tires (14) therein. If necessary, the receiving device (9) is further lowered after pivoting in and / or raised before pivoting out.

[0123] Figure 5 shows a plan view of a tire heating press (1) according to the invention, but without the at least one loading and / or unloading device (8).

[0124] The columns (4) are shown, as are the hood-like parts of the cavities (5) and the connecting elements (7) as components of the press upper section (2). The connecting elements (7) form the supporting structure of the press upper section (2), with the hoods of the cavities (5) being connected to them or suspended from them.

[0125] The connecting elements (7) are guided along the columns (4) and also connect the upper part of the press (2) to the drive device (6).

Claims

Patent claims 1. Tire heating press (1) comprising at least one cavity (5), at least one drive unit (6), a lower press part (3) and an upper press part (2), wherein the upper press part (2) can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the lower press part (3) with the aid of the drive unit (6) in order to open and close the at least one cavity (5), the tire heating press (1) further comprising at least one loading and / or unloading device (8), characterized in that at least one loading and / or unloading device (8) is arranged on the upper press part (2).

2. Tire heating press (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one loading and / or unloading device (8) has at least one pivoting drive (12) and at least one receiving device (9) for receiving and holding the green tires (14) or tires to be loaded or unloaded.

3. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one loading and / or unloading device (8) is arranged on the upper press part (2) in such a way that it can be moved together with the upper press part (2).

4. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading and / or unloading device (8) has at least one lifting device (10) with which the at least one receiving device (9) in vertical direction such that the position of the at least one receiving device (9) is variable in relation to the upper press part (2).

5. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading and / or unloading device (8) has at least one linear guide element (11) for guiding the at least one receiving device (9) during vertical movement with the aid of the at least one lifting device (10).

6. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a column press and has at least one column (4).

7. Tire heating press (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the press upper part (2) has at least a part of the at least one cavity (5) and at least one connecting element (7) for connecting the press upper part (2) to the drive unit (6) and for guiding the press upper part (2) along the at least one column (4).

8. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press upper part (2) has at least one laterally arranged and vertically aligned mounting surface to which the at least one loading and / or unloading device (8) is fastened.

9. Tire heating press (1) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the at least one mounting surface is arranged on at least one connecting element (7).

10. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connecting element (7) has an extension which projects upwards beyond the at least one cavity (5) and that the at least one loading and / or unloading device (8) is fastened to such an extension (7) on the press upper part (2).

11. A method for producing tires using a tire heating press (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising at least the following method steps: Opening the tire heating press (1) by moving the upper press part (2) relative to the lower press part (3), Moving at least one receiving device (9) of at least one loading and / or unloading device (8) to the height of the loading or unloading position, pivoting the receiving device (9) into an open cavity (5) of the tire heating press (1), Picking up a vulcanized tire from the cavity (5) or placing a green tire (14) in the cavity (5), Swinging the receiving device (9) out of the cavity (5).

12. A method for producing tires according to claim 11, characterized in that when loading the tire heating press (1), the receiving device (9) is first moved into a receiving position for receiving a green tire (14) from a receiving station (13).

13. A method for producing tires according to one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the tire heating press (1) is closed after the cavity (5) has been loaded with a green tire (14) and the green tire (14) is vulcanized in the cavity (5).

14. A method for producing tires according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the receiving device (9) is moved into a depositing position for depositing the tire on a depositing station during the unloading of the tire heating press (1) after the removal of the vulcanized tire from the cavity (5) of the tire heating press (1) and the pivoting out of the cavity (5).

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