Method and system for joining unvulcanized rubber member

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for joining vulcanized rubber members capable of quickly joining the rear end of the unvulcanized rubber member and the tip of the unvulcanized rubber member supplied next without misalignment.SOLUTION: A joining guide 10 having a guide groove 11 extending in the supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward is used, the width dimension of the guide groove 11 is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates the displacement in the width direction of unvulcanized rubber members R1 and R2, the first member R1 is held between a reel 4 on which the first member R1 is unrolled and the joining guide 10 by a pushing portion 6, after cutting the first member R1 stretched between the pushing portion 6 and the joining guide 10, the first member R1 is moved forward and the cut rear end is positioned at the predetermined position of the guide groove 11, and the portion protruding in front of a gripping portion 7 of the next member R2 is inserted into the guide groove 11, so that the rear end of the first member R1 and the tip of the next member R2 are overlapped and the overlapped portions are then pressed by a downwardly moved pressing portion 14 to be crimp-joined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for joining unvulcanized rubber members, and more specifically to a method and system for joining unvulcanized rubber members that can quickly join the rear end of an unvulcanized rubber member to the front end of a subsequently supplied unvulcanized rubber member without any misalignment. [Background technology]

[0002] When manufacturing tires, various unvulcanized rubber members are used. For example, in a molding drum, a supplied unvulcanized rubber member is wound around the drum surface to mold a green tire. If the supply of the unvulcanized rubber member to the molding drum is interrupted, the green tire molding process is interrupted and productivity decreases. Therefore, a method has been proposed to eliminate interruptions in the supply of unvulcanized rubber members and reduce loss of work time (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the method proposed in Patent Document 1, two reels are installed on a supply table, and when the supply of rubber material from one reel runs out, the rear end of the rubber material is cut off and held (Figures 4, 5, etc.). Next, the supply table is rotated to pull out new rubber material from the other reel, and the leading end of the pulled out rubber material and the trailing end of the previously held rubber material are sandwiched and joined by joint claws (Figures 6, 7, etc.). In this method, the trailing end of the cut rubber material is held in an upwardly raised state (paragraph 0040). The leading end of the new rubber material is placed below the trailing end of the held rubber material, and the trailing end and the leading end of the rubber material are joined in a state in which they can move freely relative to each other (Figure 7). Therefore, there is a risk that the rubber material will be misaligned in the width direction or length direction at the joint between the two. Therefore, there is room for improvement in quickly joining the trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member and the leading end of the next unvulcanized rubber member to be supplied without misalignment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-39717 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for joining unvulcanized rubber members, which can quickly join the rear end of an unvulcanized rubber member to the front end of a subsequently supplied unvulcanized rubber member without any misalignment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for joining unvulcanized rubber members, which comprises unwinding an unvulcanized rubber member that has been previously supplied as a previous member and an unvulcanized rubber member that has been subsequently supplied as a next member from reels on which the previous member and the next member are individually stocked, joining a rear end of the previous member to a front end of the next member, and continuously supplying the unvulcanized rubber member with the rear end and the front end joined to a next process, the method comprising the steps of: using a joining guide having a guide groove that extends in a supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber members and opens upward; setting a width dimension of the guide groove to a predetermined dimension that regulates a shift in the width direction of the unvulcanized rubber members; while the previous member is passing through the guide groove and being supplied to the next process, holding the front end of the next member by a gripping portion and standing by in a state in which it protrudes in front of the gripping portion by a predetermined length; and, when the previous member has been supplied by the predetermined length, the leading member is clamped between the reel being pulled out and the joining guide by a pressing portion to hold the leading member in a tensioned state between the pressing portion and the joining guide, the leading member is cut between the pressing portion and the joining guide, the leading member is moved forward to position the cut rear end at a predetermined position in the guide groove, the gripping portion is then moved downward to insert a portion of the next member that protrudes forward of the gripping portion into the guide groove to overlap the rear end of the leading member, the pressing portion is then moved downward to insert the next member into the guide groove, and the overlapped rear end and the leading end are pressed by the pressing portion to crimp and join them, the pressing portion is then moved upward to release the pressing, and the gripping of the next member by the gripping portion is released, and the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and leading end is passed through the guide groove to be supplied to the next process.

[0007] The joining system for unvulcanized rubber members of the present invention includes reels on which the previously supplied unvulcanized rubber member is a previous member and the next supplied unvulcanized rubber member is a next member, the previous member and the next member are individually stored, a pull drum which pays out the previous member and the next member from each of the reels, a joining means which joins the rear end of the previously fed previous member to the front end of the next member, and the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and front end is continuously supplied to the next process using the pull drum. The joining means includes a joining guide having a guide groove extending in the supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward, and a pressing portion which moves downward and is at least partially inserted into the guide groove, a gripping portion which grips the tip end of the next member while the previous member is passing through the guide groove and being supplied to the next process, and a tensioning portion which holds the previous member between the reel which is unwinding the previous member and the joining guide by a pressing portion when a predetermined length of the previous member has been supplied. a tensioner and a cutter that cuts the preceding member in a tensioned state between the pressing portion and the joining guide, the width dimension of the guide groove is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates the shifting of the unvulcanized rubber member in the width direction, the leading end of the next member is gripped by the gripping portion and waits in a state in which it protrudes in front of the gripping portion by a predetermined length, the preceding member cut by the cutter is moved forward using the pull drum, and the rear end of the cut member is positioned at a predetermined position in the guide groove, and the gripping portion is moved downward to cut the preceding member in front of the next member. The method is characterized in that the forward protruding portion of the gripping portion is inserted into the guide groove and maintained in an overlapping state on the rear end of the previous member, the overlapping rear end and the front end are pressed by the pressing portion moving downward to be crimped and joined, the pressing portion is moved upward to release the pressure by the pressing portion, and the gripping of the next member by the gripping portion is released, and then the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and front end is passed through the guide groove by the pull drum and supplied to the next process. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a joining guide having a guide groove extending in the supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward is used as a joining means for joining the rear end of the preceding member and the front end of the following member, so that the rear end and the front end are overlapped in the guide groove while preventing a shift in the width direction. The rear end of the preceding member is positioned at a predetermined position in the guide groove, and the front end is held in a state where it protrudes forward by a predetermined length from the gripping part. Therefore, the overlapping portion of the rear end and the front end is pressed in the guide groove by the pressing part moving downward, so that it is possible to quickly press and join them without any shifting. As a result, the unvulcanized rubber member can be continuously supplied to the next process, which greatly contributes to improving productivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a joint system from a side view. [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the joining system of FIG. 1 in a plan view. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a joint guide and a pressure roller as viewed from the arrow AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the joint guide and the pressing portion of FIG. 3 as viewed from the front. [Figure 7] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 3 is clamped by a pressing portion. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which the unvulcanized rubber member clamped by the pressing portion in FIG. 7 has been cut. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the rear end of the cut unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 8 is positioned at a predetermined position in a guide groove. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the inside of the guide groove of FIG. 9 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the leading end portion of the next unvulcanized rubber member is overlapped on the rear end portion of the previous unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the inside of the guide groove in FIG. 11 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 13] 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the rear end portion of the previous unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 11 and the front end portion of the next unvulcanized rubber member are joined by pressure bonding. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the inside of the guide groove of FIG. 13 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 15] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressure-bonded unvulcanized rubber member is being supplied to the next process. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a tip end portion of a newly joined unvulcanized rubber member is held by a holding portion and is on standby; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a method and a system for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0011] 1 to 4, an embodiment of the joining system 1 for unvulcanized rubber members joins, by automatic control, the rear end of an unvulcanized rubber member R1 (hereinafter referred to as the previous rubber member R1) that is previously supplied to a molding drum 17 in the next process, and the front end of an unvulcanized rubber member R2 (hereinafter referred to as the subsequent rubber member R2) that is supplied to the molding drum 17 after the previous rubber member R1. Then, the joining system 1 continuously supplies the unvulcanized rubber members R with the rear end and front end joined to the molding drum 17.

[0012] In the next process, for example, a green tire or an intermediate product of a green tire is manufactured by a molding drum 17 using the supplied unvulcanized rubber member R. Therefore, the combination of the joining system 1 and the molding drum 17 functions as a green tire manufacturing system. In this embodiment, a festoon unit 16 is provided between the joining system 1 and the molding drum 17. The festoon unit 16 temporarily stores the unvulcanized rubber member R supplied to the molding drum 17. As the festoon unit 16, various known types can be used. The festoon unit 16 can be provided as desired.

[0013] The unvulcanized rubber member R (R1, R2) is a member having unvulcanized rubber on the surface, and is a composite of unvulcanized rubber and reinforcing material (fiber reinforcement layer, metal wire reinforcement layer, etc.). In the case of unvulcanized rubber that has hardened to a certain extent and does not easily deform, the unvulcanized rubber member R may be composed of unvulcanized rubber only.

[0014] This joining system 1 includes supply units 3A, 3B in which a previous member R1 and a next member R2 are individually stocked, a pull drum 2 that feeds the previous member R1 and the next member R2 from the supply units 3A, 3B, respectively, joining means (joining guide 10 and pressing unit 14) that joins the rear end of the previous member R1 to the front end of the next member R2, a gripping unit 7, a tensioner 8, a cutter 9, and a control unit 15. The control unit 15 controls the operation of each component of the joining system 1. Any of various known computers can be used as the control unit 15.

[0015] In addition, the arrow L in the drawing indicates the supply direction (length direction) of the unvulcanized rubber member R and the length direction of the joining guide 10. The arrow W in the drawing is a direction perpendicular to the L direction and indicates the width direction of the unvulcanized rubber member R and the joining guide 10.

[0016] An unvulcanized rubber member R (R1, R2) is wound around the pull drum 2. As the pull drum 2 rotates, the wound unvulcanized rubber member R (R1, R2) is unwound from the reels 4 of the supply units 3A and 3B and supplied toward the molding drum 17.

[0017] The supply units 3A and 3B have basically the same configuration, with one supply unit 3A being arranged on the lower level and the other supply unit 3B being arranged on the upper level. Each supply unit 3A, 3B can be moved in the width direction W to be arranged in a standby position and a supply position. In Figs. 1 and 2, one supply unit 3A is arranged in the supply position, and the other supply unit 3B is arranged in the standby position. When the other supply unit 3B is arranged in the supply position, one supply unit 3A is arranged in the standby position.

[0018] The supply units 3A and 3B each have a reel 4, a component detection sensor 5, and a pressing unit 6. The previous component R1 is wound around the reel 4 of the supply unit 3A. The next component R2 is wound around the reel 4 of the supply unit 3B.

[0019] The component detection sensor 5 detects the presence or absence of the previous components R1, R2 that have been paid out from the reel 4. Various known non-contact sensors such as a photoelectric sensor and a laser sensor can be used as the component detection sensor 5. If the previous components R1, R2 that have been paid out from the reel 4 are not detected by the component detection sensor 5, the control unit 15 determines that the reel 4 is empty and there is no stock of the previous components R1, R2.

[0020] The pressing unit 6 clamps and presses the preceding members R1 and R2 at a mid-way position in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the pressing unit 6 has opposing rotating rollers and a pressing plate. At least one of the rotating rollers and the pressing plate moves so as to change the opposing distance between them. When the opposing distance between them is wide, the preceding members R1 and R2 extend and pass between the opposing rotating rollers and the pressing plate. When the opposing distance between them is narrow, the preceding members R1 and R2 are clamped between the opposing rotating rollers and the pressing plate. Even if the preceding members R1 and R2 are clamped by the pressing unit 6, if a large tension acts on the preceding members R1 and R2, the rotating rollers rotate, and excessive tension on the preceding members R1 and R2 can be avoided.

[0021] The gripper 7 can move in the vertical direction and also in the width direction W to be located at a waiting location and a supplying location, similar to the supplying units 3A and 3B. In this embodiment, a pair of gripping pieces attached to the tip of a cylinder rod that moves up and down is used as the gripper 7. The gripper 7 grips the tip of the next member R2 that is unwound from the reel 4 of the supplying unit 3B that is in the waiting location. The tip of the next member R2 is gripped by the gripper 7 and waits in a state where it protrudes in front of the gripper 7 by a predetermined length. The next member R2 is set by the operator in a state where it protrudes in front of the gripper 7 by a predetermined length.

[0022] The tensioner 8 has a support part 8b installed at the tip of an arm that rotates around a pivot 8a. The support part 8b is, for example, a rotating roller that is rotatably supported. The support part 8b is disposed between the holding part 6 and the joining guide 10, and supports the lower surface of the previous member R1. The tensioner 8 puts the previous member R1 in a tensioned state between the holding part 6 that holds the previous member R1 and the joining guide 10. That is, while the pull drum 2 pulls the previous member R1, the support part 8b that supports the lower surface of the previous member R1 rotates upward around the pivot 8a to lift the previous member R1, thereby applying tension to the previous member R1.

[0023] The cutter 9 cuts the previous member R1 that is clamped by the holding portion 6 between the holding portion 6 and the joint guide 10. As the cutter 9, various known types can be used.

[0024] The joining guide 10 constituting the joining means has a guide groove 11 that extends in the supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) and opens upward. The width dimension of the guide groove 11 is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates the widthwise deviation of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2). The appropriate value of the width dimension of the guide groove 11 varies depending on the width dimension of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2), but is, for example, 101% to 110% of the width dimension of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2), or the width dimension of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) plus 1 mm to 20 mm. More preferably, the width dimension of the guide groove 11 is 103% to 105% of the width dimension of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2), or the width dimension of the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) plus 3 mm to 10 mm.

[0025] In this embodiment, an expansion portion 11a that widens toward the rear end in a plan view is formed at the rear end of the guide groove 11 in the length direction L. Furthermore, an expansion portion 11b that widens toward the upper end in a front view is formed in the guide groove 11. The depth of the guide groove 11 is set sufficiently larger than the total thickness of the previous member R1 and the next member R2, for example, 5 times or more this total thickness.

[0026] In this embodiment, the guide groove 11 is further provided with an entrance guide 12 and a pressure roller 13. The entrance guide 12 is installed at the rear end of the guide groove 11 in the length direction L and has an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface. The supplied unvulcanized rubber member R (R1, R2) abuts against the arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of the entrance guide 12 and is smoothly introduced into the guide groove 11. The entrance guide 12 can be, for example, a fixed cylinder or a rotatable cylinder.

[0027] The pressure roller 13 is installed at the end of the guide groove 11 in the length direction L. The pressure roller 13 is rotatably supported on the end of the cylinder rod of the fluid cylinder. The supplied unvulcanized rubber material R (R1, R2) is pressed downward by the pressure roller 13 rolling on its surface and passes through the guide groove 11. By adjusting the vertical position of the pressure roller 13, the pressing force applied to the unvulcanized rubber material R (R1, R2) is set to an appropriate value, neither excessive nor insufficient. The entrance guide 12 and the pressure roller 13 can be provided as desired.

[0028] The pressing part 14 constituting the joining means is moved up and down by a fluid cylinder, a servo motor, or the like. The pressing part 14 moves downward and at least a part of it is inserted into the guide groove 11. In this embodiment, the pressing part 14 is formed in a T-shape when viewed from the front. It is preferable that the width dimension of the part of the pressing part 14 inserted into the guide groove 11 is equal to or greater than the width dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member R (R1, R2). In addition, it is preferable that the length dimension of the part of the pressing part 14 inserted into the guide groove 11 is equal to or greater than the overlap length between the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 that are overlapped in the guide groove 11.

[0029] The portions of the guide groove 11 and the pressing unit 14 where the unvulcanized rubber member R (R1, R2) come into contact should preferably have low-friction surfaces. A low-friction surface is one in which the dynamic friction coefficient (measured in accordance with JIS K7125) with respect to the supplied unvulcanized rubber member R is, for example, 0.3 or less, more preferably 0.2 or less. For example, the surface is made of fluororesin, is subjected to fluorine surface treatment, or is formed with minute irregularities to create a low-friction surface. Note that in Figs. 2 and 4, the fluid cylinder that moves the pressure roller 13 up and down and the pressing unit 14 are not shown.

[0030] Hereinafter, an example of a procedure for joining the rear end portion of the first rubber member R1 and the front end portion of the rear rubber member R2 using the joining system 1 will be described.

[0031] First, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, one supply unit 3A is placed at a supply location, and the other supply unit 3B and the gripping unit 7 are placed at a standby location. In this state, the leading member R1 is paid out from the reel 4 of the supply unit 3A and passed through the pressing unit 6. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, this leading member R1 is subsequently passed through the joining guide 10 (guide groove 11) and wrapped around the pull drum 2, which is driven to rotate. The leading member R1 wrapped around the pull drum 2 is paid out from the reel 4 by the rotation of the pull drum 2, temporarily stored in the festoon unit 16, and then supplied to the rotating forming drum 17.

[0032] On the forming drum 17, the previous component R1 is wound and the green tire G is formed. The rotation of the forming drum 17 is stopped every time one green tire G is formed. In this embodiment, since the festoon unit 16 is provided between the joining system 1 and the forming drum 17, when the rotation of the forming drum 17 is resumed, the previous component R1 is again supplied from the festoon unit 16 to the forming drum 17. Regardless of the rotation and stop of the forming drum 17, the pull drum 2 supplies the previous component R1 to the festoon unit 16 so that the accumulation amount of the previous component R1 in the festoon unit 16 does not fall below a certain amount.

[0033] While the previous member R1 is being paid out from the reel 4 and passed through the joining guide 10 (guide groove 11) to be supplied to the next process, the other supply unit 3B pays out the next member R2 from the reel 4 and passes it through the pressing portion 6, and the tip of the member is gripped by the gripping portion 7, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. Then, the next member R2 is kept on standby with a predetermined length of the member protruding in front of the gripping portion 7.

[0034] When a predetermined length of the leading member R1 is supplied from the reel 4 and the reel 4 becomes empty, the member detection sensor 5 detects this. At the point in time when the member detection sensor 5 detects that the leading member R1 is gone from the reel 4, the leading member R1 is clamped by the holding portion 6 between the reel 4 and the joining guide 10, as illustrated in Fig. 7. Then, the tensioner 8 is used to tension the leading member R1 between the holding portion 6 and the joining guide 10.

[0035] More specifically, when the component detection sensor 5 detects that the previous component R1 is no longer on the reel 4, the rotation of the pull drum 2 is stopped and the previous component R1 is clamped by the holding portion 6. Thereafter, the pull drum 2 is rotated slightly and the support portion 8b is rotated upward about the pivot shaft 8a to lift the previous component R1 between the joining guide 10 and the holding portion 6. As a result, an appropriate tension is applied to the previous component R1 between the support portion 8b and the joining guide 10 by using the pull drum 2 and the tensioner 8, placing it in a stretched state.

[0036] 8, the tensioned previous member R1 is cut by the cutter 9 between the support portion 8b and the joint guide 10. Since the position at which the previous member R1 is cut by the cutter 9 is determined in advance, the distance X (see FIG. 9) from the rear end of the cut previous member R1 to the rear end of the guide groove 11 in the length direction L is known.

[0037] 9 and 10, the cut member R1 is moved forward and the rear end of the cut member is positioned at a predetermined position P of the guide groove 11. Then, the pull drum 2 is rotated so that the rear end of the cut member R1 moves forward by a distance (=X+Y) that is the sum of the known distance X and the distance Y from the rear end of the guide groove 11 in the length direction L to the predetermined position P. As a result, the rear end of the cut member R1 is positioned at the predetermined position P of the guide groove 11. That is, the rear end of the previous member R1 is disposed along the guide groove 11. When the rear end of the previous member R1 is positioned at the predetermined position P, the rotation of the pull drum 2 is stopped.

[0038] After the previous member R1 is cut by the cutter 9, the supply unit 3B moves in the width direction W together with the gripper 7 gripping the leading end of the next member R2 to be placed at the supply location. Next, as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the gripper 7 placed at the supply location is moved downward to insert the forward protruding portion of the gripper 7 of the next member R2 into the guide groove 11. Since the rear end of the previous member R1 is already placed in the guide groove 11, the leading end of the next member R2 is placed overlapping the rear end of the previous member R1.

[0039] The distance in the longitudinal direction L between the gripping part 7 and the joining guide 10 (guide groove 11) is set constant, and the next member R2 protrudes in advance by a predetermined length in front of the gripping part 7 (forward in the longitudinal direction L). Therefore, in the guide groove 11, the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 are precisely overlapped with the desired overlap amount.

[0040] 13 and 14, the pressing part 14 is moved downward and inserted into the guide groove 11, whereby the overlapping portion S of the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 are pressed and pressure-bonded by the pressing part 14. As a result, an unvulcanized rubber member R is formed having a pressure-bonded portion S that is uniformly and justly pressed by the pressing part 14. That is, the previous member R1 and the next member R2 are joined together to form an integrated unvulcanized rubber member R.

[0041] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the pressing unit 14 is moved upward and pulled out from the joining guide 10 (guide groove 11), and the pressing of the pressing unit 14 on the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) is released. The grip of the gripping unit 7 on the next member R2 is released, and the gripping unit 7 is moved upward to the standby position. Then, the pull drum 2 is rotated to pass the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) having the pressure-bonded portion S between the previous member R1 and the next member R2 through the guide groove 11 and supplied toward the festoon unit 16 and the molding drum 17. When the pressure-bonded portion S passes through the guide groove 11, it is pressed again by the pressure roller 13, and is more reliably pressure-bonded.

[0042] Thereafter, one of the supply units 3A and the gripping part 7 moves in the width direction W and is disposed in the standby place from the supply place. When the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 are joined and the unvulcanized rubber member R having the pressure-bonded joint portion S is supplied to the next process, this next member R2 becomes the new previous member R1. After releasing its grip on the next member R2, the gripping part 7 moves in the width direction W and is disposed in the standby place where one of the supply units 3A is disposed.

[0043] When the next member R2 continues to be unwound from the reel 4, the reel 4 becomes empty. Before that, a new reel 4 with an unvulcanized rubber member R wound thereon is set on one of the supply units 3A that has been moved to a standby location. This unvulcanized rubber member R is to be supplied to the next process as the new next member R2. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the unvulcanized rubber member R unwound from the reel 4 newly set on one of the supply units 3A is held by the gripper 7 as the new next member R2 at its tip. Then, the tip of this new next member R2 is held by the gripper 7 and waits in a state where it protrudes in advance by a predetermined length in front of the gripper 7. That is, the state of FIG. 16 is substantially the same as the state illustrated in FIG. 3. Note that the cutter 9 is omitted in FIG. 16. Thereafter, the rear end of the new previous member and the tip of the new next member are joined in the same procedure as illustrated in FIG. 7 to FIG. 15.

[0044] In the building drum 17, the supplied unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) are used to build a green tire G. The built green tire G is vulcanized by a known method to complete the tire.

[0045] As described above, according to this joining system 1, the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 are joined using the joining guide 10, so that the rear end and the front end to be joined are arranged overlapping in the guide groove 11 while the deviation in the width direction W is regulated. Furthermore, since the rear end of the previous member R1 is positioned at a predetermined position P in the guide groove 11 and the front end of the next member R2 is held in a state where it protrudes forward by a predetermined length from the holding portion 7, the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 are arranged overlapping with high accuracy with a desired overlap amount in the guide groove 11. That is, the deviation in the length direction L of the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 are also regulated and the two are arranged overlapping.

[0046] In this state, the rear end of the previous member R1 and the leading end of the next member R2 are pressed by the pressing portion 14 in the guide groove 11. Therefore, the rear end of the previous member R1 and the leading end of the next member R2 are prevented from shifting in the width direction W due to this pressing. Then, the rear end and the leading end can be pressure-bonded quickly by simply inserting the pressing portion 14 into the guide groove 11. Therefore, the rear end and the leading end can be pressure-bonded quickly without shifting. As a result, the unvulcanized rubber member R can be continuously supplied to the next process, which greatly contributes to improving the productivity of green tires G and, ultimately, tire productivity.

[0047] Since the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 can be joined quickly, it is possible to minimize the length (size) of the festoon portion 16, which also contributes to space saving in the manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, in the case of manufacturing equipment that does not have the festoon portion 16, by using this joining system 1, the time that the operation of the next process is stopped in order to join the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2 can be minimized. In other words, this is advantageous in avoiding a decrease in productivity.

[0048] As in this embodiment, by forming the extensions 11a, 11b in the guide groove 11, the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) can be more smoothly inserted and introduced into the guide groove 11. In addition, by providing a low-friction surface to the guide groove 11 and the pressing portion 14 at the portions where the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) come into contact, it is possible to prevent the unvulcanized rubber members R (R1, R2) from firmly adhering to each other, which is all the more advantageous for smoothly and quickly crimping and joining the rear end of the previous member R1 and the front end of the next member R2.

[0049] The present disclosure includes the following inventions. [Invention 1] A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members, comprising the steps of: taking an unvulcanized rubber member that has been previously supplied as a previous member and an unvulcanized rubber member that is next supplied as a next member, unwinding the previous member and the next member from reels on which they are individually stocked, joining a rear end of the previous member to a front end of the next member, and continuously supplying the unvulcanized rubber members with the rear end and the front end joined to a next process, a joining guide having a guide groove extending in a supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward is used, and a width dimension of the guide groove is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates a widthwise shift of the unvulcanized rubber member; while the previous member is being passed through the guide groove and fed to the next process, a tip end of the next member is held by a gripping portion and is made to protrude in front of the gripping portion by a predetermined length in advance, and the next member is kept on standby; When the leading member has been supplied by a predetermined length, the leading member is clamped between the reel that is unwinding the leading member and the joining guide by a pressing portion so that the leading member is in a tensioned state between the pressing portion and the joining guide, and the leading member is cut between the pressing portion and the joining guide, and then the leading member is moved forward to position the cut rear end at a predetermined position in the guide groove; Next, the gripping portion is moved downward, and the forward protruding portion of the gripping portion of the next member is inserted into the guide groove and placed over the rear end portion of the previous member; Next, the pressing portion is moved downward and inserted into the guide groove, so that the overlapping rear end portion and the front end portion are pressed by the pressing portion to be crimped and joined; Next, the pressing portion is moved upward to release the pressure, and the gripping portion of the next member is released, and the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and front end portions is passed through the guide groove and supplied to the next process. [Invention 2] The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to [Invention 1], wherein an expansion portion that expands toward the rear end in a plan view is formed at the rear end of the guide groove in the supply direction. [Invention 3] The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to [Invention 1] or [Invention 2], wherein an extension portion that widens toward the upper end when viewed from the front is formed in the guide groove. [Invention 4] A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members described in any one of [Invention 1] to [Invention 3], wherein the pressing portion has an opposing rotating roller and pressing plate, and at least one of the rotating roller and the pressing plate is moved so as to change the opposing distance between them, thereby reducing the opposing distance so as to clamp the preceding member by the pressing portion. [Invention 5] A joining system for unvulcanized rubber members, comprising reels on which a previously supplied unvulcanized rubber member is designated as a previous member and a next supplied unvulcanized rubber member is designated as a next member, the previous member and the next member being individually stored, a pull drum which pays out the previous member and the next member from each of the reels, a joining means which joins a rear end of the previously fed previous member to a front end of the next member, and the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and front end is continuously supplied to a next process by using the pull drum, The joining means includes a joining guide having a guide groove extending in a supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward, and a pressing portion that moves downward and at least a part of which is inserted into the guide groove, a gripping portion that grips a tip end portion of the next member while the previous member is passing through the guide groove and being supplied to the next process; a tensioner that, when a predetermined length of the leading member has been supplied, clamps the leading member between the reel that is unwinding the leading member and the joining guide with a pressing portion to tension the leading member between the pressing portion and the joining guide; a cutter that cuts the preceding member in a tensioned state between the pressing portion and the joining guide, a width dimension of the guide groove is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates the width-direction shift of the unvulcanized rubber member, the tip end of the next member is gripped by the gripping portion and is kept in a standby state in a state where it protrudes in front of the gripping portion by a predetermined length, The tip of the member cut by the cutter is moved forward by the pull drum, and the rear end of the cut member is positioned at a predetermined position in the guide groove. The gripping portion is moved downward, and a portion of the next member that protrudes forward of the gripping portion is inserted into the guide groove and maintained in an overlapping state with the rear end portion of the previous member, and the overlapping rear end portion and the front end portion are pressed by the downwardly moving pressing portion to be crimped and joined, A system for joining unvulcanized rubber members, in which the pressing portion is moved upward to release the pressing force from the pressing portion, and the gripping portion of the next member is released, and then the unvulcanized rubber member with the rear end and the front end joined is passed through the guide groove using the pull drum and supplied to the next process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Joining System 2 Pull Drum 3A, 3B Supply Unit 4 Reels 5. Component detection sensor 6 Presser section 7 Grip 8 Tensioner 8a Swivel axis 8b Support part 9. Cutter 10 Joint Guide 11 Guide groove 11a, 11b Extensions 12 Entrance Guide 13 Pressure roller 14 Pressing section 15 Control section 16 Festoon Club 17 Forming drum R Unvulcanized rubber material R1: Unvulcanized rubber material supplied first (first material) R2 Next supplied unvulcanized rubber part (next part)

Claims

1. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members, comprising the steps of: taking an unvulcanized rubber member that has been previously supplied as a previous member and an unvulcanized rubber member that is next supplied as a next member, unwinding the previous member and the next member from reels on which they are individually stocked, joining a rear end of the previous member to a front end of the next member, and continuously supplying the unvulcanized rubber members with the rear end and the front end joined to a next process, a joining guide having a guide groove extending in a supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward is used, and a width dimension of the guide groove is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates a widthwise shift of the unvulcanized rubber member; while the previous member is being passed through the guide groove and fed to the next process, a tip end of the next member is held by a gripping portion and is made to protrude in front of the gripping portion by a predetermined length in advance, and the next member is kept on standby; When the leading member has been supplied by a predetermined length, the leading member is clamped between the reel that is unwinding the leading member and the joining guide by a pressing portion so that the leading member is in a tensioned state between the pressing portion and the joining guide, and the leading member is cut between the pressing portion and the joining guide, and then the leading member is moved forward to position the cut rear end at a predetermined position in the guide groove; Next, the gripping portion is moved downward, and the forward protruding portion of the gripping portion of the next member is inserted into the guide groove and placed over the rear end portion of the previous member; Next, the pressing portion is moved downward and inserted into the guide groove, so that the overlapping rear end portion and the front end portion are pressed by the pressing portion to be crimped and joined; Next, the pressing portion is moved upward to release the pressure, and the gripping portion of the next member is released, and the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and front end portions is passed through the guide groove and supplied to the next process.

2. The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to claim 1 , wherein an expansion portion that expands toward the rear end in a plan view is formed at a rear end of the guide groove in the supply direction.

3. 3. The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is formed with an expanded portion that expands toward an upper end when viewed from the front.

4. 3. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing portion has an opposing rotating roller and pressing plate, and at least one of the rotating roller and the pressing plate is moved so as to change the opposing distance between them, thereby reducing the opposing distance to clamp the previous member by the pressing portion.

5. A joining system for unvulcanized rubber members, comprising reels on which a previously supplied unvulcanized rubber member is designated as a previous member and a next supplied unvulcanized rubber member is designated as a next member, the previous member and the next member being individually stored, a pull drum which pays out the previous member and the next member from each of the reels, a joining means which joins a rear end of the previously fed previous member to a front end of the next member, and the unvulcanized rubber member with the joined rear end and front end is continuously supplied to a next process by using the pull drum, The joining means includes a joining guide having a guide groove extending in a supply direction of the unvulcanized rubber member and opening upward, and a pressing portion that moves downward and at least a part of which is inserted into the guide groove, a gripping portion that grips a tip end portion of the next member while the previous member is passing through the guide groove and being supplied to the next process; a tensioner that, when a predetermined length of the leading member has been supplied, clamps the leading member between the reel that is unwinding the leading member and the joining guide with a pressing portion to tension the leading member between the pressing portion and the joining guide; a cutter that cuts the preceding member in a tensioned state between the pressing portion and the joining guide, a width dimension of the guide groove is set to a predetermined dimension that regulates the width-direction shift of the unvulcanized rubber member, the tip end of the next member is gripped by the gripping portion and is kept in a standby state in a state where it protrudes in front of the gripping portion by a predetermined length, The tip of the member cut by the cutter is moved forward by the pull drum, and the rear end of the cut member is positioned at a predetermined position in the guide groove. The gripping portion is moved downward, and a portion of the next member that protrudes forward of the gripping portion is inserted into the guide groove and maintained in an overlapping state with the rear end portion of the previous member, and the overlapping rear end portion and the front end portion are pressed by the downwardly moving pressing portion to be crimped and joined, A system for joining unvulcanized rubber members, in which the pressing portion is moved upward to release the pressing force from the pressing portion, and the gripping portion of the next member is released, and then the unvulcanized rubber member with the rear end and the front end joined is passed through the guide groove using the pull drum and supplied to the next process.

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