Method and apparatus for manufacturing unvulcanized belt-like rubber member

Abstract

To provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an unvulcanized belt-like rubber member that corrects contraction of the unvulcanized belt-like rubber member and achieves a target length within an allowable range with higher accuracy across the entire width in the width direction.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing an unvulcanized belt-like rubber member comprises: (i) detecting a length Lr and a thickness t of a belt-like rubber member R placed flat on a placement section 2 across the entire width in the width direction, by means of a length sensor 3 and a profile sensor 4, respectively; (ii) setting, by a control unit 8, a position in a thickness direction T of the belt-like rubber member R for a rotation center Ct of a plurality of roller bodies 6 arranged in parallel in the width direction, based on target length Lg data across the entire width in the width direction of the belt-like rubber member R, the length Lr data detected by the length sensor 3, and the thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4; (iii) rotating each roller body 6 about the rotation center Ct while pressing the roller bodies against a rear end part Rb of the belt-like rubber member R; and (iv) adjusting the length of the belt-like rubber member R to fall within an allowable range AL of the target data Lg across the entire width in the width direction and joining the rear end part Rb to a front end part Ra by pressure bonding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member that can correct shrinkage in the longitudinal direction and accurately approach a target length across the entire width in the width direction.

Background Art

[0002] When manufacturing rubber products such as tires, an unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member is used. For example, both longitudinal ends of this strip-shaped rubber member are joined on the outer peripheral surface of a forming drum and processed into an annular rubber member. Since the unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member shrinks over time, the longitudinal ends are pressed with a roller or the like to correct the shrinkage in the longitudinal direction. The strip-shaped rubber member may have a cross-sectional shape in which the thickness varies not only in a certain thickness specification but also in the width direction (a specific profile shape). When a simple cylindrical roller is applied and pressed against a strip-shaped rubber member having a specific profile shape, there is a widthwise distribution in which there are a range that is pressed too strongly and a range that is not pressed sufficiently.

[0003] Therefore, in order to make the widthwise distribution of the pressing force uniform, a pressure roll in which a plurality of disks are arranged in parallel in the width direction and each disk is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction has been proposed. (See Patent Document 1). When using the pressure roll proposed in Patent Document 1, the position of the rotation center of each disk moves in the vertical direction according to the profile shape (thickness) of the strip-shaped rubber member. As a result, the surface of the strip-shaped rubber member having a specific profile shape can be pressed by each disk across the entire width in the width direction. However, the degree of shrinkage of the strip-shaped rubber member is not the same across the entire width in the width direction, and ranges with large shrinkage and small shrinkage are distributed in the width direction. Therefore, simply using such a pressure roll has room for improvement because the length of the unvulcanized rubber member cannot be accurately approximated to the target length across the entire width in the width direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an unvulcanized strip rubber member that can correct shrinkage in the longitudinal direction of the unvulcanized strip rubber member and accurately approach a target length across the entire width in the width direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing an unvulcanized strip rubber member according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing an unvulcanized strip rubber member in which at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion of the unvulcanized strip rubber member is rotated while being pressed by a pressing roller to bring the length of the strip rubber member closer to a target length across the entire width in the width direction. The pressing roller has a number of roller bodies arranged in parallel in the width direction of the strip rubber member, and each of the roller bodies is configured to be movable in the thickness direction of the strip rubber member. In a state where the unvulcanized strip rubber member is flatly placed on a placement portion, the length of the strip rubber member is detected by a length sensor across the entire width in the width direction, and the thickness of the strip rubber member is detected by a profile sensor across the entire width in the width direction. Based on the target length data across the entire width of the strip rubber member, the length data detected by the length sensor, and the thickness data detected by the profile sensor, the control unit sets the position in the thickness direction of the strip rubber member of the rotation center of each of the roller bodies. In this set state, at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion is rotated at the rotation center while pressing each of the roller bodies, so that the length of the strip rubber member is within the allowable range of the target data across the entire width in the width direction.

[0007] The manufacturing apparatus for an unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member of the present invention includes a placement portion for flatly placing the unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member, a length sensor for detecting the length of the belt-shaped rubber member on the placement portion across the entire width in the width direction, a profile sensor for detecting the thickness of the belt-shaped rubber member on the placement portion across the entire width in the width direction, a pressing roller, and a control unit. The pressing roller rotates while being pressed against at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion of the belt-shaped rubber member to bring the length of the belt-shaped rubber member across the entire width in the width direction closer to a target length. The manufacturing apparatus for an unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member is characterized in that the pressing roller has a number of roller bodies arranged in parallel in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member, and each of the roller bodies is provided so as to be movable in the thickness direction of the belt-shaped rubber member. The control unit is input with target length data across the entire width in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member, length data detected by the length sensor, and thickness data detected by the profile sensor. Based on each of the input data, the control unit sets the position in the thickness direction of the belt-shaped rubber member of the rotation center of each of the roller bodies. In this set state, at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion is rotated at the rotation center while pressing each of the roller bodies, so that the length of the belt-shaped rubber member across the entire width in the width direction is within the allowable range of the target length data.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, considering the thickness data detected by the profile sensor, the position in the thickness direction of the belt-like rubber member at the rotation center of each of the roller bodies is set by the control unit. Therefore, even for a belt-like rubber member having a specific profile shape, the surface of the belt-like rubber member can be pressed by each of the roller bodies over the entire width in the width direction. Further, considering the target length data and the length data detected by the length sensor, the position in the thickness direction of the belt-like rubber member at the rotation center of each of the roller bodies is set by the control unit. Therefore, according to the width direction distribution of the shrinkage degree of the belt-like rubber member, an appropriate pressing force can be applied to the belt-like rubber member by each of the roller bodies. Therefore, the longitudinal shrinkage of the belt-like rubber member is corrected, and its length becomes within the allowable range of the target length data over the entire width in the width direction, and it can be accurately approximated to the target length.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus and method for an unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0011] In the embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus 1 for an unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing apparatus 1) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shrinkage of the unvulcanized strip-shaped rubber member R that has shrunk longitudinally over time is corrected, and its length Lr is made to approach the target length Lg with high precision across the entire width in the width direction. That is, the strip-shaped rubber member R whose length Lr varies in the width direction is made to be within the allowable range AL of the target length Lg with high accuracy across the entire width in the width direction. This allowable range AL is a value obtained by adding a certain length α to the target length Lg (allowable range AL = target length Lg + α). The value of this α is, for example, 0 mm or more and 20 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The arrows L, W, and T in the figure indicate the longitudinal direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the strip-shaped rubber member R, respectively.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the strip-shaped rubber member R has a specific profile in which the thickness t varies in the width direction W. That is, in the strip-shaped rubber member R, portions with a large thickness t and small thickness t are distributed in the width direction W. Examples of the strip-shaped rubber member R include various tire constituent members such as tread rubber and side rubber of a tire formed of unvulcanized rubber.

[0013] The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a placement unit 2 for flatly placing the strip-shaped rubber member R, a length sensor 3 for detecting the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R on the placement unit 2 across the entire width in the width direction, a profile sensor 4 for detecting the thickness t of the strip-shaped rubber member R on the placement unit 2 across the entire width in the width direction, a pressing roller 5, and a control unit 8. As the control unit 8, various known computers can be used. Further, a front-end holding unit 10 for holding the front end Ra of the strip-shaped rubber member R and a rear-end holding unit 11 for holding the rear end Rb are provided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction L. As the front-end holding unit 10 and the rear-end holding unit 11, various known mechanisms such as suction pads can be used.

[0014] In this embodiment, a forming drum 9 is arranged in the vicinity of the front of the placement unit 2. The width direction of the forming drum 9 and the width direction W of the strip-shaped rubber member R are the same direction. The forming drum 9 rotates about a drum shaft 9b passing through the center of the cross section. The rotation of the forming drum 9 is controlled by the control unit 8.

[0015] The placement unit 2 extends in the longitudinal direction L and conveys the strip-shaped rubber member R forward in a flatly placed state. As the placement unit 2, a known conveyor device in which a conveyor belt 2a is stretched between a pair of pulleys or a conveying mechanism similar thereto can be used. The operation of the placement unit 2 is controlled by the control unit 8.

[0016] As the length sensor 3, various known types (such as optical sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, camera devices, etc.) for non-contact detection of the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R can be used. For example, by detecting the distance from the front end to the rear end of the strip-shaped rubber member R at each position where the strip-shaped rubber member R is subdivided in the width direction W, the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R can be detected across the entire width in the width direction. In this embodiment, the length sensor 3 is installed above the rear end of the placement unit 2. The length data detected by the length sensor 3 is input to the control unit 8.

[0017] The profile sensor 4 can use various known types (such as optical sensors, laser sensors, ultrasonic sensors, camera devices, etc.) to non - contact detect the thickness t of the strip rubber member R. Since the vertical distance H between the profile sensor 4 and the upper surface of the mounting portion 2 is known in advance, by detecting the vertical distance h between the profile sensor 4 and the surface of the strip rubber member R with the profile sensor 4 and subtracting the detected vertical distance h from the vertical distance H, the thickness t of the strip rubber member R can be detected (thickness t = vertical distance H - vertical distance h). In this embodiment, the profile sensor 4 is also installed above the rear end portion of the mounting portion 2.

[0018] The profile sensor 4 only needs to be able to detect the thickness t in the range pressed by the pressing roller 5 of the strip rubber member R across the entire width in the width direction. In this embodiment, since the rear end portion Rb is pressed by the pressing roller 5, the thickness t of the rear end portion Rb is detected by the profile sensor 4 across the entire width in the width direction. When the front end portion Ra of the strip rubber member R is pressed by the pressing roller 5, the thickness t of the front end portion Ra is detected by the profile sensor 4 across the entire width in the width direction. The thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4 is input to the control unit 8. Here, the rear end portion Rb is in the range from the rear end of the strip rubber member R to a predetermined length X in the longitudinal direction, and the front end portion Ra is in the range from the front end of the strip rubber member R to a predetermined length X in the longitudinal direction. This predetermined length X is, for example, about 30 mm to 100 mm, or 50 mm to 70 mm.

[0019] The pressing roller 5 is rotatably supported by the support arm 7 and is arranged above the forming drum 9. By moving the support arm 7, the pressing roller 5 moves closer to and away from the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9.

[0020] The pressing roller 5 has a number of roller bodies 6 arranged in parallel in the width direction W. The gap between adjacent roller bodies 6 in the width direction W is minute, for example, 1 mm or less, and the width dimension Wr of each roller body 6 can be arbitrarily determined, for example, between 5 mm and 50 mm. Each roller body 6 is movable independently of one another in the thickness direction T. In the figure, the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 is indicated by a dashed line. More specifically, each roller body 6 is a rigid body formed of metal, hard resin, or the like, and rotates about the center of the circle of the roller body 6 as the rotation center Ct. The rotation center Ct (rotation axis) of each roller body 6 is movable independently of one another in the thickness direction T using, for example, hydraulic pressure. The pressing roller 5 having such a number of roller bodies 6 can adopt various known specifications.

[0021] In this embodiment, the pressing roller 5 is designed to be wider than the strip-shaped rubber member R. And this pressing roller 5 has at least one roller body 6a disposed on the outer side in the width direction at each of both ends in the width direction of the strip-shaped rubber member R among the number of roller bodies 6.

[0022] The control unit 8 is input with the target length Lg data and the allowable range AL of the target data across the entire width in the width direction of the strip-shaped rubber member R. The target length Lg data is the target value of the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R. In this embodiment, it is the circumferential length of the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9 around which the strip-shaped rubber member R is directly wound. When the strip-shaped rubber member R is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a member already wound around the forming drum 9, the circumferential length of the outer peripheral surface of the member already wound around the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9 becomes the target length Lg data. The allowable range AL (target length Lg + α) is preset. When the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R is within the allowable range AL, the front end Ra and the rear end Rb of the strip-shaped rubber member R wound around the forming drum 9 can be joined without excess or deficiency.

[0023] As will be described later, based on the target length Lg data, the length Lr data detected by the length sensor 3, and the thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4, the control unit 8 sets the position in the thickness direction T of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6. That is, by the control unit 8, each roller body 6 is controlled to move in the thickness direction T and fixed at the set position in the thickness direction T.

[0024] Furthermore, correlation relationship data RD between the pressing amount in the thickness direction T by the pressing roller 5 (each roller body 6) and the deformation amount (elongation amount) in the longitudinal direction L of the belt-like rubber member R is input to the control unit 8. Since this correlation relationship data RD varies slightly depending on the thickness t of the belt-like rubber member R, it is preferable that this correlation relationship data RD is input for each range of a certain thickness t.

[0025] Next, an example of a procedure for correcting the shrinkage in the longitudinal direction L of the belt-like rubber member R and making the length Lr of the belt-like rubber member R within the allowable range AL across the entire width in the width direction using this manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the placement unit 2 and the adjacent conveyor device are operated to transfer the belt-like rubber member R onto the placement unit 2 and convey it forward. Then, after conveying the belt-like rubber member R forward until the rear end portion Rb is positioned at the rear end portion of the conveyor belt 2a, the conveyor belt 2a is stopped. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire length of the belt-like rubber member R is flatly placed on the placement unit 2. Since this belt-like rubber member R shrinks over time (is shrinking), immediately before being used for tire molding, the shrinkage in the longitudinal direction L of the belt-like rubber member R is corrected to make the belt-like rubber member R within the allowable range AL across the entire width in the width direction.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R in a flat state on the placement portion 2 is detected across the entire width in the width direction. As illustrated in FIG. 5, during the conveyance of the strip-shaped rubber member R transferred onto the placement portion 2 forward, the widthwise distribution of the leading end position and the trailing end position of the strip-shaped rubber member R is detected across the entire width in the width direction by a length sensor 3 disposed at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction L. Since the conveyance speed of the strip-shaped rubber member R by the placement portion 2 is known, based on this conveyance speed and the widthwise distribution of the leading end position and the trailing end position of the strip-shaped rubber member R detected by the length sensor 3, the control unit 8 calculates the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R across the entire width in the width direction. Thereby, the widthwise distribution of the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R is detected and grasped. If necessary, the length sensor 3 is moved in the width direction W, or a plurality of length sensors 3 are arranged at intervals in the width direction W. Incidentally, without operating the placement portion 2 on which the strip-shaped rubber member R is placed in a flat state, the length sensor 3 can be moved in the longitudinal direction L or the width direction W to detect and grasp the length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R across the entire width in the width direction.

[0028] Furthermore, the thickness t of the trailing end portion Rb in a flat state on the placement portion 2 is detected across the entire width in the width direction. As illustrated in FIG. 5, during the conveyance of the strip-shaped rubber member R transferred onto the placement portion 2 forward, the thickness t of the trailing end portion Rb is detected across the entire width in the width direction by a profile sensor 4 disposed at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the widthwise distribution of the thickness t of the trailing end portion Rb is detected and grasped. If necessary, the profile sensor 4 is moved in the width direction W, or a plurality of profile sensors 4 are arranged at intervals in the width direction W. Incidentally, without operating the placement portion 2 on which the strip-shaped rubber member R is placed in a flat state, the profile sensor 4 can be moved in the longitudinal direction L or the width direction W to detect and grasp the thickness t of the trailing end portion Rb across the entire width in the width direction.

[0029] The length Lr of the strip-shaped rubber member R can also be detected across the entire width in the width direction using the profile sensor 4. Therefore, the profile sensor 4 can also be used instead of the length sensor 3.

[0030] Next, the belt-like rubber member R is transferred from the placement portion 2 to the forming drum 9. Therefore, the front end portion Ra is held by the front end portion holding portion 10, and the rear end portion Rb is held by the rear end portion holding portion 11. While operating the placement portion 2 to convey the belt-like rubber member R forward, the front end portion holding portion 10 and the rear end portion holding portion 11 are also moved forward in synchronization with the belt-like rubber member R being conveyed forward. The forming drum 9 is rotated about the drum shaft 9b so that the peripheral speed on the outer peripheral surface 9a is the same as the conveying speed of the belt-like rubber member R. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the belt-like rubber member R is sequentially wound around the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9 from the front end portion Ra toward the rear end portion Rb. When the belt-like rubber member R is wound around the forming drum 9, the longitudinal direction L becomes the circumferential direction of the forming drum 2, and the thickness direction T becomes the radial direction of the forming drum 2.

[0031] Since the belt-like rubber member R wound around the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9 is contracted, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a gap g is generated between the opposing front end portion Ra and rear end portion Rb. The size of this gap g is not constant in the width direction W but varies. The size of this gap g is calculated by subtracting the length Lr of the belt-like rubber member R from the target length Lg by the control unit 8 (gap g = target length Lg - length Lr). Therefore, the gap g is relatively small at the width direction position where the length Lr of the belt-like rubber member R is large, and the gap g is relatively large at the width direction position where the length Lr is small.

[0032] To make the gap g zero, it is necessary to extend the rear end portion Rb in the longitudinal direction L by more than the size of the gap g at that width direction position. And by applying a greater pressing force to the rear end portion Rb, the rear end portion Rb can be extended more greatly in the longitudinal direction L.

[0033] Therefore, first, the thickness direction T of the belt-like rubber member R of each roller body 6 is changed so that each roller body 6 is positioned just in contact with the surface of the rear end portion Rb. For this purpose, based on the thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4, the control unit 8 sets the position of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T. That is, using the thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4, the rotation centers Ct of the respective roller bodies 6 are independently moved in the thickness direction T so that the opposing surfaces of the respective roller bodies 6 with the rear end portion Rb have the same profile as the profile of the rear end portion Rb. When the arm body 7 is moved in this state and the pressing roller 5 (each roller body 6) is moved close to the rear end portion Rb, each roller body 6 will be positioned just in contact with the surface of the rear end portion Rb.

[0034] And, at the width direction positions where the respective roller bodies 6 are arranged, in order to stretch the rear end portion Rb in the longitudinal direction L so that the clearance g becomes zero, based on the target length Lg data across the entire width in the width direction of the belt-like rubber member R and the length Lr data detected by the length sensor 3, the control unit 8 sets the position of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T. That is, the rotation centers Ct of the respective roller bodies 6 are independently moved in the thickness direction T and fixed at this set position.

[0035] Specifically, as described above, since the correlation data RD between the pressing amount in the thickness direction T of the belt-like rubber member R of each roller body 6 (that is, the movement amount of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T) and the deformation amount (stretching amount) in the longitudinal direction L of the belt-like rubber member R is known, using this correlation data RD, the control unit 8 calculates the movement amount of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T that makes the clearance g zero. By setting the rotation center Ct at the position moved by this calculated movement amount in the thickness direction T from the position where each roller body 6 is just in contact with the surface of the rear end portion Rb, it becomes possible to press the rear end portion Rb with each roller body 6 to make the clearance g zero.

[0036] Therefore, based on the target length Lg data across the entire width in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member R, the length Lr data detected by the length sensor 3, and the thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4, as described above, the position of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T is set. Then, the pressing roller 5 illustrated in FIG. 8 in this set state is brought into contact with and pressed against the surface of the rear end portion Rb as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0037] Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the forming drum 9 is rotated about the drum shaft 9b. As a result, each roller body 6 is rotated at the rotation center Ct while being pressed against the rear end portion Rb. The rear end portion Rb is pressed by each roller body 6 so that the clearance g becomes zero. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the rear end portion Rb is stretched so that the clearance g becomes zero, and the length Lr of the belt-shaped rubber member R becomes within the allowable range AL across the entire width in the width direction.

[0038] According to this embodiment, since the position of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T is set by the control unit 8 in consideration of the thickness t data detected by the profile sensor 4, even for a belt-shaped rubber member R having a specific profile shape, the surface of the belt-shaped rubber member R can be pressed by each roller body 6 across the entire width in the width direction. Furthermore, since the position of the rotation center Ct of each roller body 6 in the thickness direction T is set by the control unit 8 in consideration of the target length Lg data and the length Lr data detected by the length sensor 3, an appropriate pressing force that can make the clearance g zero by each roller body 6 can be applied to the rear end portion Rb according to the width direction distribution of the shrinkage degree of the belt-shaped rubber member R. Therefore, the shrinkage in the longitudinal direction L of the belt-shaped rubber member R can be corrected, and it can be made closer to the target length Lg across the entire width in the width direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, the rear end portion Rb and the front end portion Ra of the belt-shaped rubber member R disposed on the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9 are rolled while being pressed by the respective roller bodies 6, and the rear end portion Rb is firmly crimped to the front end portion Ra. As a result, the front end portion Ra and the rear end portion Rb are joined without excess or deficiency over the entire width in the width direction. Thereby, the belt-shaped rubber member R is formed into an annular shape, and the unvulcanized annular rubber member RC is manufactured.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, when the roller body 6 is pressed against the rear end portion Rb and rotated about the rotation center Ct, the roller bodies 6a disposed on the outer sides in the width direction of both ends in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member R are rotated about the rotation center Ct while contacting another surface (the outer peripheral surface 9a of the forming drum 9 in this embodiment) that is below the same level as the lower surface of the belt-shaped rubber member R.

[0041] Therefore, even if the rear end portion Rb is pressed by the roller body 6 and the width dimension tends to increase, the roller body 6a restricts the deformation of the rear end portion Rb outward in the width direction. That is, the unvulcanized rubber of the rear end portion Rb that attempts to bulge and deform in the width direction W is blocked by the side surface of the roller body 6a. Therefore, the width dimension of the rear end portion Rb can be maintained, and accordingly, the deformation (stretching) of the rear end portion Rb in the longitudinal direction due to the pressing of the roller body 6 is promoted. As a result, it is advantageous for the belt-shaped rubber member R to be within the allowable range AL while reducing the pressing force applied to the rear end portion Rb by the roller body 6.

[0042] The pressing roller 5 (each roller body 6) can be disposed not over the entire width in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member R but only in a desired partial range in the width direction W. Further, not only can the position of the rotation center Ct of the roller body 6 be set in units of one, but also the rotation centers Ct of a plurality of roller bodies 6 adjacent to each other in the width direction W can be collectively set at the same position in the thickness direction T.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, on the outer peripheral surface of the forming drum 9, the pressing roller 5 is rolled while pressing it against the rear end portion Rb of the belt-like rubber member R, so that the length Lr of the belt-like rubber member R is within the allowable range AL across the entire width in the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, on the placing portion 2, the pressing roller 5 (each roller body 6) can be pressed against the rear end portion Rb or the front end portion Ra of the belt-like rubber member R and rolled, so that the length Lr of the belt-like rubber member R is within the allowable range AL across the entire width in the width direction. In the above-described embodiment, the shrinkage of the belt-like rubber member R having a specific profile in which the thickness t changes in the width direction W is corrected to approach the target length Lg. However, the present invention can also be applied to a belt-like rubber member R having a rectangular cross-section in which the thickness t does not change in the width direction W.

Explanation of Signs

[0044] 1 Manufacturing apparatus 2 Placing portion (conveyor apparatus) 2a Conveyor belt 3 Length sensor 4 Profile sensor 5 Pressing roller 6, 6a Roller body 7 Support arm 8 Control unit 9 Forming drum 9a Outer peripheral surface 9b Drum shaft 10 Front end portion holding part 11 Rear end portion holding part R Belt-like rubber member Ra Front end portion Rb Rear end portion RC Annular rubber member

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member, wherein at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion of the unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member is rotated while pressing a pressing roller to bring the length of the belt-shaped rubber member closer to a target length over the entire width in the width direction, the pressing roller has a number of roller bodies arranged in parallel in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member, and each of the roller bodies is configured to be movable in the thickness direction of the belt-shaped rubber member, in a state where the unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member is flatly placed on the placement portion, the length of the belt-shaped rubber member is detected by a length sensor over the entire width in the width direction, and the thickness of the belt-shaped rubber member is detected by a profile sensor over the entire width in the width direction, based on the target length data over the entire width in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member, the length data detected by the length sensor, and the thickness data detected by the profile sensor, the control unit sets the position in the thickness direction of the rotation center of each of the roller bodies with respect to the belt-shaped rubber member, and in this set state, at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion is rotated at the rotation center while pressing each of the roller bodies to make the length of the belt-shaped rubber member fall within the allowable range of the target data over the entire width in the width direction. A method for manufacturing an unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member.

2. The method for manufacturing an unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member according to claim 1, wherein the belt-shaped rubber member is arranged on the forming drum, and each of the roller bodies is rotated at the rotation center while pressing the rear end portion, and the rear end portion is joined to the front end portion to form an annular shape.

3. The pressing roller is made wider than the belt-shaped rubber member, and at least one of the roller bodies is arranged on each outer side in the width direction at both ends in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member. When rotating at the rotation center while pressing each of the roller bodies at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion, the roller bodies arranged on each outer side in the width direction at both ends in the width direction of the belt-shaped rubber member are brought into contact with and rotated on a surface different from the belt-shaped rubber member and below the same level as the lower surface of the belt-shaped rubber member. The method for manufacturing an unvulcanized belt-shaped rubber member according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A manufacturing apparatus for an unvulcanized strip rubber member, comprising: a placement part for flatly placing the unvulcanized strip rubber member; a length sensor for detecting the length of the strip rubber member on the placement part across the entire width in the width direction; a profile sensor for detecting the thickness of the strip rubber member on the placement part across the entire width in the width direction; a pressing roller; and a control part, wherein the pressing roller rotates while being pressed against at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion of the strip rubber member, so as to bring the length of the strip rubber member closer to a target length across the entire width in the width direction. The pressing roller has a number of roller bodies arranged in parallel in the width direction of the strip rubber member, and each of the roller bodies is provided so as to be movable in the thickness direction of the strip rubber member. The control part is input with target length data across the entire width in the width direction of the strip rubber member, length data detected by the length sensor, and thickness data detected by the profile sensor. Based on each of the input data, the control part sets the position in the thickness direction of the strip rubber member of the rotation center of each of the roller bodies. In this set state, at least one of the front end portion or the rear end portion is rotated at the rotation center while pressing each of the roller bodies, so that the length of the strip rubber member is within the allowable range of the target length data across the entire width in the width direction. A manufacturing apparatus for an unvulcanized strip rubber member.

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