Transfer device

Abstract

To provide a transfer device that can suppress occurrence of defects such as air intrusion and deterioration of uniformity.SOLUTION: A transfer device according to the present invention comprises annular frames 41, 42 and 43 that can surround outer peripheries of a first drum 10 and of a second drum 20, and adsorption parts 44, 45 and 45 provided on the annular frames 41, 42 and 43. The adsorption parts 44, 45 and 45 comprise: a plurality of central adsorption pads 50, provided side by side in a circumferential direction of the annular frame 41, which adsorbs a central part in an axial direction of a tire constituting member 1; a plurality of end part adsorption pads 55, provided side by side in the circumferential direction, which adsorbs end parts in the axial direction of the tire constituting member 1; clearances Sa and Sb formed along the circumferential direction between the central adsorption pads 50 and the end part adsorption pads 55; and an adjustment device 47 that adjusts lengths Sa and Sb in the axial direction of the clearances Sa and Sb.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer device.

Background Art

[0002] In a tire molding apparatus used for manufacturing pneumatic tires, a method is known in which tire constituent members are prepared in parallel by division using a plurality of drums and a transfer device.

[0003] For example, a step of molding a cylindrical band member including an inner liner and a carcass on a band drum, a step of molding a cylindrical belt member including a belt on a belt drum, and a step of integrating the band member and the belt member and molding (shaping) them into a tire shape are performed in separate stages, and a transfer device is used for transferring (i.e., moving) the tire constituent members between the steps.

[0004] As such a transfer device, for example, there is known one having a moving means for approaching and separating from a drum and a moving means for transferring to the next step, and having a moving mechanism in an adsorption pad that adsorbs a cylindrical tire constituent member wound around the outer periphery of the drum from the outer diameter side (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the transfer device of the above-cited Document 1, a plurality of suction pads are provided side by side in the axial direction of a cylindrical tire component, and are configured to move in the radial direction and the axial direction by a single moving mechanism. Therefore, when transporting a cylindrical tire component whose thickness changes in the axial direction, excessive suction force acts on the thick portion, making it easy for the tire component to undergo undesired deformation, and there is a risk of deterioration of air entry and uniformity.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to propose a transfer device capable of suppressing problems such as deterioration of air entry and uniformity even when transporting a cylindrical tire component whose thickness changes in the axial direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention includes the embodiments shown below.

[0009] [1] In a band transfer that receives a cylindrical tire component formed on a first drum and transports it to a second drum, an annular frame capable of surrounding the outer circumferences of the first drum and the second drum, a suction portion provided on the annular frame, and a transport device that transports the annular frame between the first drum and the second drum, the suction portion includes a plurality of central suction pads provided side by side in the circumferential direction of the annular frame and sucking the central portion in the axial direction of the tire component, a plurality of end suction pads provided side by side in the circumferential direction and sucking the axial end portions of the tire component, a gap provided along the circumferential direction between the central suction pads and the end suction pads, and an adjustment device that adjusts the axial length of the gap. A band transfer.

[0010] [2] The adjustment device moves the end suction pads in the axial direction to adjust the axial length of the gap. The band transfer according to [1] above.

[0011] [3] The end suction pads include a first end suction pad provided at one axial end of the tire component and a second end suction pad provided at the other axial end of the tire component. The adjusting device synchronously moves the first end suction pad and the second end suction pad in opposite axial directions to adjust the axial length of the gap. The band transfer device according to [2] above.

Effect of the Invention

[0012] In the present invention, by having the above characteristics, even when transporting a cylindrical tire component whose thickness varies in the axial direction, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as air entry and deterioration of uniformity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples, and those appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0015] 1. Overall Structure of Tire Molding Apparatus The layout of the tire molding apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. This tire molding apparatus includes a first drum 10, a second drum 20, and a transfer device 30 that receives a tire component member molded on the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 and conveys it to the second drum 20.

[0016] The first drum 10 is a drum with a known structure in which a plurality of segments are arranged circumferentially and the whole is cylindrical. When the plurality of segments move simultaneously in the drum diameter direction, the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 expands and contracts in diameter.

[0017] A rubber member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 to mold the tire component member 1. As an example, here, when molding a cylindrical carcass band as the tire component member 1, as shown in Fig. 2, first, an inner liner 2 is attached to the central portion in the axial direction X of the first drum 10. Then, a rubber chafer 3 is attached on both sides in the axial direction X of the first drum 10 so as to overlap a part of the inner liner 2. Then, a carcass ply 4 is attached to the central portion in the drum axial direction X so as to overlap the inner liner 2 and the rubber chafer 3. Next, belt under pads 5 are attached to both axial ends of the first drum 10 at a predetermined distance from the center in the axial direction X of the first drum 10 so that the belt under pads 5 are located at positions where the ends of the belt will be arranged in a later process. Thus, a carcass band (tire component member) 1 including the inner liner 2, the rubber chafer 3, the carcass ply 4, and the belt under pads 5 is completed. The tire component member 1 has a larger rubber thickness at the portion where the belt under pad 5 is provided than at other portions, and a shape bulging radially outward of the first drum 10 is continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the first drum 10 (see Fig. 4).

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the first drum 10 has a rotating shaft supported by a support base 11, and the support base 11 is mounted on a conveying device 12 for moving along rails described later.

[0019] The second drum 20 is a drum on which the tire component 1 formed on the first drum 10 is conveyed. For example, a cylindrical belt band formed on a drum (not shown) together with the tire component 1 is conveyed, and it is a drum for forming these bands into a tire shape.

[0020] The second drum 20 has a rotating shaft supported by a support base 21, and the support base 21 is mounted on a conveying device 22 for moving along a rail described later.

[0021] The transfer device 30 includes a hollow portion 31 into which the first drum 10 and the second drum 20 are inserted. The transfer device 30 receives the cylindrical tire component 1 from the first drum 10 inserted into the hollow portion 31, and then, when the second drum 20 is inserted into the hollow portion 31, transfers the tire component 1 received from the first drum 10 to the outer peripheral surface of the second drum 20. The specific configuration of the transfer device 30 will be described in detail later.

[0022] As rails for the first drum 10, the second drum 20, and the transfer device 30 to move, a first rail 13, a second rail 23, and a third rail 33 are provided. The first rail 13 and the second rail 23 are linear rails and are arranged parallel to each other. The third rail 33 is a linear rail and is orthogonal to the extending direction of the first rail 13 and the second rail 23.

[0023] The first drum 10 moves between a standby position (indicated by A in FIG. 1) and an intersection (indicated by B in FIG. 1) with the third rail 33 as the conveying device 12 moves on the first rail 13.

[0024] The second drum 20 moves between a standby position (indicated by C in FIG. 1) and an intersection (indicated by D in FIG. 1) with the third rail 33 as the conveying device 22 moves on the second rail 23.

[0025] The transfer device 30 moves between the intersection B and the intersection D as the conveying device 32 moves on the third rail 33. After receiving the tire component 1 from the first drum 10 at the intersection B, the transfer device 30 moves to the intersection D and transfers the tire component 1 to the second drum 20 at the intersection D.

[0026] Note that the first drum 10, the second drum 20, and the transfer device 30 are arranged such that the axial direction X faces the same direction. The axial direction X of these drums 10, 20 and the transfer device 30 is parallel to the extension directions of the first rail 13 and the second rail 23.

[0027] 2. Transfer device 30 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the transfer device 30 includes a holding device 40 that holds the outer peripheral surface of the tire component 1, a conveying device 32 that moves the holding device 40 along the third rail 33, and a control device 34 that controls the holding device 40 and the conveying device 32.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the holding device 40 includes a plurality (three in this embodiment) of annular frames 41, 42, 43, suction portions 44, 45, 45 provided on the annular frames 41, 42, 43, and an adjusting device 47 that moves the annular frames 41, 43 in the axial direction X.

[0029] The plurality of annular frames 41, 42, 43 are ring-shaped members having a hollow portion capable of surrounding the outer peripheries of the first drum 10 and the second drum 20. The plurality of annular frames 41, 42, 43 are arranged concentrically at intervals in the axial direction X and form the hollow portion 31 of the transfer device 30.

[0030] The annular frames 41, 43 are end annular frames arranged at both axial ends, and the annular frame 42 is a central annular frame arranged between the end annular frames 41, 43.

[0031] The suction part 44 provided on the central annular frame 42 includes a plurality of suction pads 50 that suction the outer peripheral surface of the tire constituent member 1, and a plurality of moving mechanisms 51 that move the plurality of suction pads 50 in the radial direction of the annular frame.

[0032] Specifically, the plurality of suction pads 50 are central suction pads that suction the central part in the axial direction of the tire constituent member 1. The central suction pads 50 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the central annular frame 42 as shown in FIG. 3, and are arranged side by side at intervals in the axial direction X as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] The plurality of central suction pads 50 arranged side by side in the axial direction X are supported by a support part 52 connected to the moving mechanism 51. On the other hand, the central suction pads 50 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the central annular frame 42 are supported by a support part 52 connected to different moving mechanisms 51.

[0034] That is, the central suction pads 50 provided at different positions in the circumferential direction can be separately moved in the radial direction of the central annular frame 42 by different moving mechanisms 51, but the plurality of suction pads 50 arranged side by side in the axial direction X move in the radial direction of the central annular frame 42 synchronously by the operation of the same moving mechanism 51.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a vacuum chamber 53 connected to a vacuum device 70 (see FIG. 6) is formed inside the support part 52, and the central suction pad 50 is connected to the vacuum chamber 53. Thereby, when the vacuum chamber 53 is decompressed by the operation of the vacuum device 70, the inside of the central suction pad 50 connected to the vacuum device is also decompressed, and the central suction pad 50 vacuum-suction the central part in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the tire constituent member 1.

[0036] The moving mechanism 51 includes a cylinder in which the rod 51a moves in the radial direction of the central annular frame 42. The moving mechanism 51 moves the rod 51a to an arbitrary position within the movable range of the rod 51a in response to an instruction from the control device 34. Further, the moving mechanism 51 is provided with a locking mechanism 51b for fixing the position of the rod 51a so that it does not change (see Fig. 6).

[0037] A support portion 52 is fixed to the rod 51a of such a moving mechanism 51. The moving mechanism 51 moves the rod 51a in the radial direction of the central annular frame 42 so that the central suction pad 50 moves between a position radially outward from the tire constituent member 1 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 (separated position) and a position in contact with the tire constituent member 1 (contact position).

[0038] Suction portions 45, 45 for holding the outer peripheral surface of the tire constituent member 1 are provided on the end annular frames 41, 43. The suction portion 45 provided on the end annular frame 41 sucks one axial end portion of the tire constituent member 1, and the suction portion 45 provided on the end annular frame 43 sucks the other axial end portion of the tire constituent member 1. Note that the suction portion 45 provided on the end annular frame 43 has a different position for sucking the tire constituent member 1 from the suction portion 45 provided on the end annular frame 41, but since the structures are common, here, the suction portion 45 provided on one end annular frame 41 will be described, and for the suction portion 45 provided on the other end annular frame 43, the same reference numerals as those of the suction portion 45 of the end annular frame 41 will be given to the corresponding configurations and the description will be omitted.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the suction portion 45 has the same configuration as the suction portion 44 provided on the central annular frame 42, and includes a plurality of suction pads 55 for sucking the outer peripheral surface of the tire constituent member 1 and a plurality of moving mechanisms 56 for moving the plurality of suction pads 55 in the radial direction of the annular frame.

[0040] The plurality of suction pads 55 provided on the end annular frame 41 are end suction pads that abut against and suction one axial end of the tire component 1. As shown in FIG. 3, these end suction pads 55 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular frame 41, and are arranged side by side at intervals in the axial direction X as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] The plurality of end suction pads 55 arranged side by side in the axial direction X are supported by a support portion 57 connected to the moving mechanism 56. It is preferable that the number of end suction pads 55 arranged side by side in the axial direction X is less than the number of central suction pads 50 arranged side by side in the axial direction X. The end suction pads 55 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the end annular frame 41 are supported by support portions 57 connected to different moving mechanisms 56.

[0042] That is, the end suction pads 55 provided at different positions in the circumferential direction move separately in the radial direction of the annular frame 42 by different moving mechanisms 56, but the plurality of end suction pads 55 arranged side by side in the axial direction X move synchronously in the radial direction of the end annular frame 41 by the operation of the same moving mechanism 56.

[0043] Inside the support portion 57, a vacuum chamber 58 connected to the vacuum device 70 is formed, and the end suction pad 55 is connected to the vacuum chamber 58. Thereby, when the vacuum chamber 58 is depressurized by the operation of the vacuum device 70, the inside of the end suction pad 55 connected to the vacuum device 70 is also depressurized, and the end suction pad 55 vacuum-suction the axial end of the outer peripheral surface of the tire component 1.

[0044] The moving mechanism 56 includes a cylinder in which a rod 56a moves in the radial direction of the end annular frame 43. The moving mechanism 56 moves the rod 56a to an arbitrary position within the movable range of the rod 56a in response to an instruction from the control device 34. Further, the moving mechanism 56 is provided with a locking mechanism 56b for fixing the position of the rod 56a so as not to change (see FIG. 6).

[0045] A support portion 57 is fixed to a rod 56a of such a moving mechanism 56. The moving mechanism 56 moves the rod 56a in the radial direction of the annular frame 43 so that the end suction pad 55 moves between a separation position away from the tire component member 1 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 in the radial direction and a contact position in contact with the tire component member 1.

[0046] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the holding device 40 is viewed from the axial direction X, the central suction pad 50 provided on the annular frame 42 and the end suction pads 55 provided on the end annular frames 41 and 43 overlap each other, and the central suction pad 50 and the end annular frames 41 and 43 are arranged on the central annular frame 42 and the end annular frames 441 and 43.

[0047] The end annular frames 41 and 43 provided with the suction portion 45 as described above are connected to a guide shaft 48 fixed to the central annular frame 42 via a bearing (not shown), and can move closer to and away from the central annular frame 42 in the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the end annular frames 41 and 43 are connected to the central annular frame 42, a gap 59a extending parallel to the axial direction X is formed between the central suction pad 50 provided on the central annular frame 42 and the end suction pad 55 provided on the end annular frame 41, and a gap 59b extending parallel to the axial direction X is formed between the central suction pad 50 provided on the central annular frame 42 and the end suction pad 55 provided on the end annular frame 43.

[0048] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting device 47 provided on the end annular frames 41 and 43 includes a screw shaft 60 arranged parallel to the guide shaft 48, a mounting bracket 61 having a screw hole screwed with the screw shaft 60, and a drive portion 62 that rotates the screw shaft 60 around its axis. The adjusting device 47 slides the end annular frames 41 and 43 fixed thereto together with the mounting bracket 61 in the axial direction X by rotating the screw shaft 60 around its axis by the drive portion 62 via a drive belt 63. Thereby, the lengths La and Lb in the axial direction X of the above-described gaps 59a and 59b are changed.

[0049] In this embodiment, the adjusting device 47 moves the one-end annular frame 41 and the other-end annular frame 43 synchronously in opposite directions along the axial direction X. That is, the adjusting device 47 moves the one-end annular frame 41 and the other-end annular frame 43 closer to or away from the central annular frame 42 by the same distance, and moves the end annular frames 41 and 43 so that the gap 59a and the gap 59b are equal.

[0050] The control device 34 is mainly composed of a microcomputer and controls the overall operation of the transfer device 30. The control device 34 controls the transfer device 32, the adjusting device 47, the moving mechanisms 51, 56, 56, the locking mechanisms 51b, 56b, 56b of these, and the vacuum device 70 that decompresses the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58.

[0051] 3. Operation of the transfer device 30 Next, the operation when the transfer device 30 receives the cylindrical tire constituent member 1 formed on the first drum 10 and conveys it to the second drum 20 will be described.

[0052] First, the transfer device 30 sets the range in which the moving mechanisms 51, 56, 56 of the suction portions 44, 45, 45 move the rods 51a, 56a, 56a according to the size of the tire constituent member 1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10. That is, the range in which the rods 51a, 56a, 56a of the moving mechanisms 51, 56, 56 move is set so that the suction pads 50, 55, 55 move between a separated position away from the tire constituent member 1 in the radial outward direction and a contact position in contact with the tire constituent member 1.

[0053] Also, when the first drum 10 moves into the hollow portion 31 of the transfer device 30, the belt lower pad 5 provided on the tire constituent member 1 is positioned in the gaps 59a and 59b formed between the central suction pad 50 and the end suction pads 55 and 55 in the axial direction X. The adjusting device 47 changes the axial position of the end annular frames 41 and 43 with respect to the central annular frame 42 in the axial direction X to adjust the lengths La and Lb of the gaps 59a and 59b (step S1 in FIG. 7).

[0054] Note that the setting of the range in which the moving mechanisms 51, 56, and 56 move the rods 51a, 56a, and 56a and the adjustment of the lengths La and Lb of the gaps 59a and 59b are performed when the size or type of the tire to be manufactured is changed, and it is not necessary to perform them every time the tire constituent member 1 is conveyed.

[0055] Then, with the transfer device 30 positioned at the intersection B and the suction pads 50, 55, and 55 in the separated positions, the first drum 10 having the tire constituent member 1 formed on its outer peripheral surface is moved to the intersection B and the first drum 10 is inserted into the hollow portion 31 of the transfer device 30 (step S2 in FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, the first drum 10 is inserted into the hollow portion of the transfer device 30 so that the central portion of the tire constituent member 1 in the axial direction X coincides with the central portion of the suction portion 44 provided on the central annular frame 42 in the axial direction X (see FIG. 4).

[0056] As described above, in the transfer device 30, the separated positions and contact positions of the suction pads 50, 55, and 55 and the gaps 59a and 59b formed between the central suction pad 50 and the end suction pads 55 and 55 are set according to the size of the tire constituent member 1. Therefore, when the first drum 10 is inserted into the hollow portion 31 of the transfer device 30, the suction pads 50, 55, and 55 of the suction portions 44, 45, and 45 face the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 with a space therebetween on the radially outer side of the tire constituent member 1 provided thereon, and the belt lower pad 5 provided on the tire constituent member 1 is disposed at the positions of the gaps 59a and 59b of the transfer device 30 in the axial direction X.

[0057] After that, the transfer mechanisms 51, 56, 56 move the suction pads 50, 55, 55 from the separated position to the contact position to bring the suction pads 50, 55, 55 into contact with the tire component 1 (step S3 in FIG. 7). Since the belt-under pads 5 provided on the tire component 1 are arranged at the positions of the gaps 59a, 59b of the transfer device 30, the central suction pad 50 contacts the tire component 1 inside the belt-under pad 5 (on the central side in the axial direction X from the belt-under pad 5), and the end suction pads 55, 55 contact the tire component 1 outside the belt-under pad 5 (on the end side in the axial direction X from the belt-under pad 5). That is, the central suction pad 50 and the end suction pads 55, 55 contact the tire component 1 while avoiding the belt-under pad 5.

[0058] Then, when the suction pads 50, 55, 55 move to the contact position and contact the tire component 1, the locking mechanisms of the transfer mechanisms 51, 56, 56 are actuated to fix the positions of the rods 51a, 56a, 56a of the transfer mechanisms 51, 56, 56 and prevent the positions of the central suction pad 50 and the end suction pads 55, 55 from changing (step S4 in FIG. 7).

[0059] Then, the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 provided in the support portions 52, 57, 57 are depressurized by the vacuum device 70 to suck and hold the tire component 1 with the central suction pad 50 and the end suction pads 55, 55 (step S5 in FIG. 7).

[0060] Then, the outer peripheral surface of the first drum 10 is reduced in diameter, and then the first drum 10 is moved from the intersection B to the standby position A to transfer the tire component 1 from the first drum 10 to the transfer device 30 (step S6 in FIG. 7).

[0061] Then, with the second drum 20 arranged at the standby position C, the transfer device 30 is moved from the intersection B to the intersection D (step S7 in FIG. 7).

[0062] Then, the second drum 20 is moved from the standby position C to the intersection D, and the second drum 20 is inserted into the hollow portion 31 of the transfer device 30 (step S8 in FIG. 7). When moving from the standby position C to the intersection D, the outer peripheral surface of the second drum 20 has a reduced diameter and is smaller than the inner diameter of the tire constituent member 1.

[0063] Then, the outer peripheral surface of the second drum 20 is expanded in diameter to contact the inner peripheral surface of the tire constituent member 1, and the tire constituent member 1 is held by the second drum 20 (step S9 in FIG. 7).

[0064] Then, the decompression of the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 by the vacuum device 70 is stopped, and the adsorption and holding of the tire constituent member 1 by the central adsorption pad 50 and the end adsorption pads 55, 55 are released (step S10 in FIG. 7).

[0065] Then, the moving mechanisms 51, 56, 56 move the adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 from the contact position to the separated position to transfer the tire constituent member 1 to the second drum 20 (step S11 in FIG. 7).

[0066] 4. Effects In the present embodiment, since the adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 provided at different positions in the circumferential direction can be moved separately in the radial direction by different moving mechanisms 51, even if the size of the tire constituent member changes, the tire constituent member can be adsorbed and released by changing the range in which the adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 move. Therefore, even when manufacturing tires of different sizes, it is possible to suppress an increase in the man-hours for changeover and simplify the management of replacement parts.

[0067] Further, when the suction pads 50, 55, 55 are moved from the separated position to the contact position, a compressive force may act on the tire component 1, and when moved from the contact position to the separated position, a tensile force may act on the tire component 1. In the present embodiment, since the suction pads 50, 55, 55 provided at different positions in the circumferential direction are separately moved in the radial direction by different moving mechanisms 51, 56, the above-mentioned compressive force and tensile force are likely to act evenly in the radial direction, and local deformation of the tire component 1 can be suppressed.

[0068] Further, the moving mechanisms 51, 56, 56 for moving the suction pads 50, 55, 55 are provided with lock mechanisms 51b, 56b, 56b for restricting the movement of the suction pads 50, 55, 55. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the suction pads 50, 55, 55 from moving when holding the tire component and causing undesired deformation of the tire component 1.

[0069] In the present embodiment, since the axial lengths La, Lb in the X-axis direction of the gaps 59a, 59b formed between the central suction pad 50 and the end suction pads 55, 55 can be adjusted, even if a convex shape bulging radially outward is continuously formed in the circumferential direction on the tire component, the suction pads 50, 55, 55 can be adsorbed at positions avoiding the convex shape. Therefore, the suction force of the suction pads 50, 55, 55 is less likely to act locally on the tire component. As a result, it is possible to prevent air from entering the tire component 1 or the uniformity of the tire in which reinforcing members such as carcass cords are unevenly arranged and molded from deteriorating.

[0070] Further, in the present embodiment, the adjusting device 47 adjusts the axial lengths La, Lb in the X-axis direction of the gaps 59a, 59b by moving one end annular frame 41 and the other end annular frame 43 in synchronization with each other in the opposite direction of the X-axis direction. Therefore, both end annular frames 41, 43 can be moved by a common drive source in the adjusting device 47, and the configuration of the adjusting device 47 can be simplified.

[0071] 5. Modification Example A modification example of the above-described embodiment will be described. With respect to the above-described embodiment, any one of a plurality of modification examples described below may be applied, or any two or more of the modification examples described below may be combined and applied. Note that various other modifications are possible in addition to the following modification examples.

[0072] (1) Modification Example 1 When adsorbing and holding the tire component 1 by a plurality of adsorption pads 50, 55, 55, the adsorption forces of the plurality of adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 for adsorbing the tire component 1 may be set to be equal in all the adsorption pads 50, 55, 55. However, the plurality of adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 may be divided into a first adsorption pad group with a strong adsorption force and a second adsorption pad group with a weaker adsorption force than the first adsorption pad group, and the adsorption force may be varied depending on the position where the adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 adsorb the tire component 1.

[0073] For example, when the axial direction X of the transfer device 30 is arranged horizontally, a plurality of central adsorption pads 50 and end adsorption pads 55, 55 that adsorb the upper side of the tire component 1 are set as the first adsorption pad group, and a plurality of central adsorption pads 50 and end adsorption pads 55, 55 that adsorb the lower side of the tire component 1 are set as the second adsorption pad group, and the adsorption forces of the plurality of adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 set in the second adsorption pad group are made smaller than the adsorption forces of the plurality of adsorption pads 50, 55, 55 set in the first adsorption pad group.

[0074] By setting the first adsorption pad group and the second adsorption pad group in this way, the force acting on the tire component 1 can be made uniform in the circumferential direction in consideration of the gravity acting on the tire component 1. It is possible to prevent the adsorption force of the tire component 1 from being insufficient on the upper side of the tire component 1 and the tire component 1 from not being able to be held, or the adsorption force of the tire component 1 from becoming excessive on the lower side of the tire component 1 and causing an undesired deformation of the tire component 1.

[0075] (2) Modification Example 2 When the moving mechanisms 51, 56, 56 move the suction pads 50, 55, 55 from the contact position to the separated position to transfer the tire component 1 to the second drum 20, the suction and holding of the tire component 1 by all the suction pads 50, 55, 55 may be simultaneously released, and then all the suction pads 50, 55, 55 may be simultaneously moved to the separated position. However, the plurality of suction pads 50, 55, 55 may be divided into a first suction pad group that first moves from the contact position to the separated position and a second suction pad group that moves to the separated position after the suction pads belonging to the first suction pad group have moved, and the timing of moving the suction pads 50, 55, 55 from the contact position to the separated position may be made different depending on the position where the suction pads 50, 55, 55 adsorb the tire component 1.

[0076] For example, all the suction pads 50, 55, 55 are divided into a first suction pad group and a second suction pad group such that the suction pads 50, 55, 55 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction belong to different suction pad groups.

[0077] Then, after sequentially executing each step from step S1 to step S9 in the above-described embodiment (that is, after bringing the outer peripheral surface of the second drum 20 into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tire component 1 and holding the tire component 1 on the second drum 20), while maintaining the suction and holding of the tire component 1 by the suction pads 50, 55, 55 belonging to the second suction pad group, the suction and holding of the tire component 1 by the suction pads 50, 55, 55 belonging to the first suction pad group are released, and then the suction pads 50, 55, 55 belonging to the first suction pad group are moved to the separated position.

[0078] Thereafter, the suction and holding of the tire component 1 by the suction pads 50, 55, 55 belonging to the second suction pad group are released, and then the suction pads 50, 55, 55 belonging to the second suction pad group are moved to the separated position.

[0079] By moving the adjacent suction pads 50, 55, 55 in the circumferential direction to the separated positions at different timings as in this modification example, when moving the suction pads 50, 55, 55 to the separated positions, the suction pads 50, 55, 55 are likely to be peeled off from the tire component 1, and it is possible to prevent the tire component 1 from being undesirably deformed.

[0080] (3) Modification Example 3 In the above embodiment, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressures in the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 may be provided, and based on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor, it may be determined whether the tire component 1 is normally adsorbed and held by the suction pads 50, 55, 55, or whether the adsorption and holding of the tire component 1 by the suction pads 50, 55, 55 is normally released.

[0081] For example, after sequentially executing each step from step S1 to step S5 in the above-described embodiment (that is, after reducing the pressure in the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 by the vacuum device 70), the pressure in the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, after 3 seconds) since the start of the pressure reduction in the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 is measured by the pressure sensor. If the measured detected pressure reaches a predetermined value or less, it is determined that the tire component 1 is normally adsorbed and held by the suction pads 50, 55, 55, and the process proceeds to the next step S6.

[0082] On the other hand, if the detected pressure does not reach a predetermined value or less, it is determined that the tire component 1 is not normally adsorbed and held by the suction pads 50, 55, 55, and the process does not proceed to the next step S6, and an abnormality is notified.

[0083] Also, after sequentially executing each step up to step S11 in the above-described embodiment (after moving the suction pads 50, 55, 55 to the separated positions), the pressure of the vacuum chambers 53, 58, 58 after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, after 3 seconds) since the suction pads 50, 55, 55 were moved to the separated positions is measured by a pressure sensor. If the measured detected pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the tire component 1 has separated from the suction pads 50, 55, 55 and the tire component 1 has been normally transferred to the second drum 20, and the transfer of the tire component 1 to the second drum 20 is completed.

[0084] On the other hand, if the detected pressure has not reached the predetermined value or more, it is determined that the tire component 1 has not separated from the suction pads 50, 55, 55 and the tire component 1 has not been normally transferred to the second drum 20, and an abnormality is notified.

[0085] In this modification example, it is possible to detect that the tire component 1 is normally adsorbed and held by the suction pads 50, 55, 55 and that the adsorption and holding of the tire component 1 is normally released with a simple configuration.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 10…First drum, 11…Support base, 12…Conveyor device, 13…First rail, 20…Second drum, 21…Support base, 22…Conveyor device, 23…Second rail, 30…Transfer device, 31…Hollow portion, 32…Conveyor device, 33…Third rail, 34…Control device, 40…Holding device, 41…End annular frame, 42…Central annular frame, 43…End annular frame, 44…Suction portion, 45…Suction portion, 47…Adjusting device, 48…Guide shaft, 50…Central suction pad, 51…Moving mechanism, 51a…Rod, 51b…Locking mechanism, 52…Support portion, 53…Vacuum chamber, 55…Suction pad, 56…Moving mechanism, 56a…Rod, 56b…Locking mechanism, 57…Support portion, 58…Vacuum chamber, 60…Screw shaft, 61…Mounting bracket, 62…Drive portion, 63…Drive belt, 70…Vacuum device

Claims

1. In a band transfer that receives a cylindrical tire component formed on a first drum and conveys it to a second drum, an annular frame capable of surrounding the outer circumferences of the first drum and the second drum; a suction portion provided on the annular frame; a transfer device that transfers the annular frame between the first drum and the second drum; comprising: The suction portion includes a plurality of central suction pads arranged in the circumferential direction of the annular frame for sucking the central portion in the axial direction of the tire component, a plurality of end suction pads arranged in the circumferential direction for sucking the end portions in the axial direction of the tire component, a gap provided along the circumferential direction between the central suction pads and the end suction pads, and an adjustment device for adjusting the axial length of the gap. A band transfer

2. The band transfer according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment device adjusts the axial length of the gap by moving the end suction pads in the axial direction.

3. The end suction pads include a first end suction pad provided at one end in the axial direction of the tire component and a second end suction pad provided at the other end in the axial direction of the tire component. The band transfer according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment device adjusts the axial length of the gap by synchronously moving the first end suction pad and the second end suction pad in opposite directions in the axial direction.

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