Unvulcanized rubber sheet feeding device and method

Abstract

To provide a supply device and method for unvulcanized rubber sheets that can smoothly feed the sheets by separating them from a liner while they are being wound.SOLUTION: An unwinding drum 2 and a winding drum 3 rotate in opposite directions. An unvulcanized rubber sheet S and a liner L, which are unwound from the unwinding drum 2, pass over and under a peeling section 6, causing them to separate. This unvulcanized rubber sheet S is then placed on a roller conveyor section 9. The liner L is pressed by a pressure roller 8, which rolls while being wound onto the winding drum 3. The rotation of the rolling pressure roller 8 rotatably drives a drive roller 9a of the roller conveyor section 9, conveying the unvulcanized rubber sheet S forward. The JIS hardness of the circumferential surface of the pressure roller 8 is set to 70 degrees or less, and the circumferential width is set to a predetermined width or greater to prevent rotational slip of the pressure roller 8 when rolling over the liner L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for supplying unvulcanized rubber sheets, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for supplying unvulcanized rubber sheets that can smoothly unwind an unvulcanized rubber sheet that has been wound with a liner interposed therebetween by separating the liner from the sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] At manufacturing sites of rubber products such as tires, for example, a long unvulcanized rubber sheet extruded by an extruder or the like is sometimes wound around a winding shaft with a liner interposed therebetween and temporarily stored. The wound long unvulcanized rubber sheet is then unwound from the winding shaft when needed. The unvulcanized rubber sheet is then cut to a specified length and fed to a forming drum or the like.

[0003] A supplying device has been proposed that separates and unwinds an unvulcanized rubber sheet that has been wound with a liner interposed therebetween (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the supplying device proposed in Patent Document 1, the unvulcanized rubber sheet unwound from the unwinding drum is separated from the liner by a peeling roller installed at the rear end of a support frame, and the unvulcanized rubber sheet is then placed on free rollers and drive rollers journaled on the support frame and transported to a building drum. The separated liner is pressed against a pair of pressure rollers journaled on the support frame and arranged at a distance in the drum width direction, and is wound onto a winding drum arranged in tandem with the unwinding drum while the pair of pressure rollers are rotated.

[0004] The rotation of the rolling pressure roller rotates and drives the drive roller on which the unvulcanized rubber sheet is placed. Therefore, if rolling slippage occurs in the rolling pressure roller, the driving force of the drive roller that transports the unvulcanized rubber sheet forward becomes smaller, so there is room for improvement in separating the unvulcanized rubber sheet wound on the unwinding drum from the liner and smoothly unwinding it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-123218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an unvulcanized rubber sheet supplying device and method that can smoothly unwind an unvulcanized rubber sheet that has been wound with a liner interposed therebetween by separating the liner from the sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the unvulcanized rubber sheet supply device of the present invention comprises an unwinding drum on which an unvulcanized rubber sheet is wound with a liner interposed therebetween, and a winding drum on which the liner is wound, which are arranged in a longitudinal row from front to back, a support frame extending from the front side of the unvulcanized rubber sheet to above the unvulcanized rubber sheet, and a roller conveyor section connected to the front end of the support frame and extending forward with a number of rollers arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction, a peeling section extending in the drum width direction of the unvulcanized rubber sheet, a pressure roller being installed on the support frame forward of the peeling section, and a drive roller included in the roller conveyor section, which is configured so that the drive roller is rotationally driven by the rotation of the pressure roller. In this unvulcanized rubber sheet supply device, the unwinding drum and the winding drum are rotated in opposite directions, the unvulcanized rubber sheet unwound from the unwinding drum passes over the peeling section, and the liner passes under the peeling section, thereby peeling the unvulcanized rubber sheet from the liner, the peeled unvulcanized rubber sheet is placed on the roller conveyor section and transported forward, and the peeled liner is pressed against the pressure roller, causing the pressure roller to roll and be wound up on the winding drum.The JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller is set to 70 degrees or less, and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or more, so that rolling slip of the pressure roller when the pressure roller rolls on the liner is prevented.

[0008] The unvulcanized rubber sheet supply method of the present invention comprises arranging an unwinding drum on which an unvulcanized rubber sheet is wound with a liner interposed therebetween and a winding drum on which the liner is wound in a longitudinal line, extending a support frame from the front side of the unvulcanized rubber sheet to above the unvulcanized rubber sheet, providing a peeling section extending in the drum width direction of the unvulcanized rubber sheet at the rear end of the support frame, providing a pressure roller on the support frame forward of the peeling section, connecting a roller conveyor section extending forward and having a number of rollers arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction to the front end of the support frame, the roller conveyor section including a drive roller, and the drive roller is rotationally driven by the rotation of the pressure roller, and the unvulcanized rubber sheet is supplied to the unvulcanized rubber sheet supply unit. In this method for supplying an unvulcanized rubber sheet, the unvulcanized rubber sheet is separated from the liner by rotating the unwinding drum and the winding drum in opposite directions, and the unvulcanized rubber sheet unwound from the unwinding drum passes over the peeling section and the liner passes under the peeling section, and the separated unvulcanized rubber sheet is placed on the roller conveyor section and transported forward, while the separated liner is pressed against the pressure roller to roll the pressure roller and wind it up onto the winding drum.The method is characterized in that the JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller is set to 70 degrees or less and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or more, thereby preventing the pressure roller from slipping when rolling on the liner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller is set to 70 degrees or less and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or more, preventing the pressure roller from slipping when rolling on the liner, thereby ensuring reliable rotation of the pressure roller. Accordingly, the drive roller is driven to rotate more reliably. The unvulcanized rubber sheet separated from the liner is stably transported forward by the driven drive roller, allowing the unvulcanized rubber sheet to be smoothly separated from the liner and unwound from the unwinding drum. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a supply device as seen from the side; [Figure 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the supply device of FIG. 1 in a plan view. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an explanatory view showing an enlarged example of the upper periphery of the winding drum in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of FIG. 3 in a plan view. [Figure 5] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the winding diameter of the unwinding drum in FIG. 3 is minimized. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory side view illustrating another embodiment of the supply device. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the supply device of FIG. 6 in a plan view with components covering a pressure roller omitted. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the supply device of FIG. 6 in a plan view with the pressure roller omitted. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for supplying an unvulcanized rubber sheet according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0012] The embodiment of the unvulcanized rubber sheet supply device 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 includes an unwinding drum 2 and a winding drum 3 arranged in a vertical line from front to back, and a support frame 5 extending from the front side of the unwinding drum 2 to above the unwinding drum 2. An unvulcanized rubber sheet S (hereinafter referred to as sheet S) is wound around the unwinding drum 2 with a liner L interposed therebetween.

[0013] Examples of the sheet S include various known types of tire tread rubber and sidewall rubber made entirely of unvulcanized rubber, and carcass material made of unvulcanized rubber and reinforcing cords. Because the sheet S contains unvulcanized rubber, it is prone to adhesion and deformation. Therefore, when the sheet S is wound up, a liner L is inserted between the sheets S to prevent them from adhering to each other. The liner L is made of various known hard resins or metals such as aluminum. Convex spacers Ls are provided at both widthwise ends of the liner L.

[0014] The sheet S, which has been unwound from the unwinding drum 2 and has had the liner L peeled off, is transported forward along the support frame 5. The liner L peeled off from the sheet S is taken up onto the take-up drum 3. Arrows Fw and Bw in the figure indicate the front and rear, respectively, and arrow W indicates the drum width direction of the unwinding drum 2 and the take-up drum 3. Note that the liner L may have one long sheet S (such as tread rubber) layered on it, or two long sheets S (such as side rubber) layered on it that are parallel to each other in the drum width direction.

[0015] The unwinding drum 2 is supported by a carriage or the like so as to be rotatable around a drum shaft 2a. The drum width of the unwinding drum 2 is, for example, 400 mm to 600 mm. The winding drum 3 is supported by a carriage or the like so as to be rotatable around a drum shaft 3a. The drum width of the winding drum 3 is approximately the same as the drum width of the unwinding drum 2. The unwinding drum 2 is disposed in front of the winding drum 3.

[0016] The unwinding drum 2 and the winding drum 3 are rotated in opposite directions by a drive motor 4. Specifically, the unwinding drum 2 and the winding drum 3 are driven to rotate outward from each other.

[0017] The support frame 5 has a pair of left and right frame bodies, and its front end is connected to the rear end of the roller conveyor unit 9 by a support shaft 5a so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The width of the support frame 5 is equal to or slightly larger than the drum width of the unwinding drum 2 and the winding drum 3. A peeling unit 6 extending in the drum width direction is provided at the rear end of the support frame 5, and a pressure roller 8 is provided in front of the peeling unit 6 on the support frame 5. A roller conveyor unit 9 extending forward is provided in front of the support frame 5. In this embodiment, the support frame 5 further has a guide roller 7 between the peeling unit 6 and the roller conveyor unit 9 that extends in the drum width direction and is driven to rotate.

[0018] The peeling unit 6 can swing up and down and has, for example, a shaft extending in the width direction of the drum and a number of parallel rollers rotatably supported on the shaft. The peeling unit 6 enters between the stacked sheets S and the liner L to peel them off.

[0019] The guide roller 7 is a rotatably driven cylindrical body made of metal, resin, etc. For example, the driving force of the electric motor 4 is transmitted to the guide roller 7 by a transmission means such as a chain or a timing belt, thereby driving the guide roller 7 to rotate.

[0020] The pressure rollers 8 are rotatably supported by the support frame 5 and are disposed opposite one end and the other end of the guide roller 7 in the longitudinal direction, with a gap between them. That is, a pair of left and right pressure rollers 8 are disposed with a gap between them in the drum width direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, a pair of front and rear pressure rollers 8 are disposed at one end of the guide roller 7 in the longitudinal direction, with the guide roller 7 sandwiched between them. A pair of front and rear pressure rollers 8 are disposed at the other end of the guide roller 7 in the longitudinal direction, with the guide roller 7 sandwiched between them. Therefore, in this embodiment, a total of four pressure rollers 8 are provided. The number of pressure rollers 8 can be determined as appropriate; for example, one pressure roller 8 can be disposed opposite one end and one other end of the guide roller 7 in the longitudinal direction. The guide rollers 7 generally have a smaller diameter than the pressure rollers 8.

[0021] The pressure roller 8 is made of various resins, such as urethane resin. As will be described later, the pressure roller 8 presses the liner L and rolls on the liner L. In order to prevent the pressure roller 8 from slipping during rolling, the JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller 8 is set to 70 degrees or less, and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or greater.

[0022] The JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller 8 is the durometer hardness specified in JIS-K6253, and is measured at a temperature of 20°C using a type A durometer. If the JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller 8 exceeds 70 degrees, the degree of adhesion between the pressure roller 8 and the liner L decreases, making it difficult to prevent rolling slippage of the pressure roller 8. The JIS hardness of this peripheral surface is preferably 60 degrees, and more preferably 50 degrees. If the JIS hardness of this peripheral surface is too low, problems will arise with the durability of the pressure roller 8, so the lower limit is, for example, 40 degrees. Only the outer peripheral portion including the peripheral surface of the pressure roller 8 (for example, a portion having a radial thickness of 10 to 30 mm from the peripheral surface) may be formed from a material having a JIS hardness of 70 degrees or less, or the entire pressure roller 8 may be formed from a material having a JIS hardness of 70 degrees or less.

[0023] The predetermined width of the peripheral surface width of the pressure roller 8 is, for example, 35 mm. If the peripheral surface width is less than the predetermined width, the contact area between the pressure roller 8 and the liner L will be too small, making it difficult to prevent the pressure roller 8 from rolling slipping. This predetermined width is more preferably 40 mm. In the case of pressure rollers 8 that are disposed opposite and spaced apart from one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the guide roller 7, the sheet S must pass between the opposing pressure rollers 8, so the peripheral surface width is set to 60 mm or less, or 50 mm or less. The outer diameter of the pressure roller 8 is, for example, 80 mm to 120 mm.

[0024] The roller conveyor unit 9 is installed so that it can rotate up and down around a support shaft 9c at the front end. The width of the roller conveyor unit 9 is approximately the same as that of the support frame 5. In the roller conveyor unit 9, a large number of rollers 9a, 9b extending in the drum width direction are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. Each roller 9a, 9b is a cylindrical body made of metal or resin, and includes a mixture of drive rollers 9a and free rollers 9b. The rotation of the pressure roller 8 is transmitted to the drive roller 9a via a transmission means such as a chain or timing belt, and the rotation of the pressure roller 8 drives the drive roller 9a to rotate.

[0025] Next, an example of a procedure for peeling the sheet S, which has been wound around the unwinding drum 2 with the liner L interposed therebetween, from the unwinding drum 2 and unwinding it from the liner L will be described.

[0026] In the supply device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support frame 5 rotates downward around a support shaft 5a at its front end due to the action of its own weight and other factors. As a result, the pressure roller 8, which is disposed above the unwinding drum 2, contacts and presses both ends (at positions corresponding to the spacers Ls) of the outermost liner L wound around the unwinding drum 2 in the drum width direction. The peeling unit 6 also contacts the liner L. As the wound sheet S and liner L are unwound from the unwinding drum 2, the winding diameter gradually decreases, and as the unwound liner L is wound on the winding drum 3, the winding diameter gradually increases. As the winding diameter of the unwinding drum 2 decreases, the roller conveyor unit 9 rotates downward around a support shaft 9c at its front end, and the support frame 5 rotates downward around a support shaft 5a.

[0027] In the setting operation, the peeling unit 6 is inserted between the sheet S and the liner L that have been unwound from the unwinding drum 2, and the sheet S from which the liner L has been peeled is passed over the peeling unit 6, and the liner L from which the sheet S has been peeled is passed under the peeling unit 6. This sheet S passes between the pressure rollers 8 and is passed over the guide rollers 7, and then placed on the roller conveyor unit 9. The liner L from which the sheet S has been peeled is unwound from the outer periphery of the unwinding drum 2 and wound around the take-up drum 3.

[0028] After the setting operation is completed in this manner, the unwinding drum 2 and the winding drum 3 are rotated in opposite directions, so that the sheet S unwound from the unwinding drum 2 continues to pass over the peeling section 6, and the liner S passes under the peeling section 6, and the sheet S and the liner L continue to be peeled off from each other.

[0029] The sheet S from which the liner L has been peeled off is then passed over the guide roller 7, and then placed on the roller conveyor section 9 and transported forward. The liner L from which the sheet S has been peeled off is then pressed against the pressure roller 8, causing the pressure roller 8 to roll, and is then taken up onto the take-up drum 3. The difference between the payout speed of the sheet S and liner L from the unwinding drum 2 and the peripheral speed of the rotating guide roller 7 and drive roller 9a is set to be small so that the sheet S can be transported smoothly without being substantially stretched.

[0030] As described above, the JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller 8 is set to 70 degrees or less, and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or more. This prevents the pressure roller 8 from slipping when rolling on the liner L. The pressure roller 8 can be reliably rotated by the rotation of the unwinding drum 2, so the drive roller 9a is more reliably driven to rotate. Therefore, the sheet S placed on the roller conveyor unit 9 is transported forward by the drive roller 9a. In this embodiment, the sheet S is also transported forward by the guide roller 7. As a result, the sheet S separated from the liner L is transported forward stably, which is advantageous for smoothly separating the sheet S from the liner L and unwinding it from the unwinding drum 2.

[0031] The long sheet S conveyed forward by the supply device 1 is cut to a fixed length while being supplied to the forming drum. The cut sheet S is wound around the forming drum and used as a tire component. Therefore, the supply device 1 contributes to improving tire productivity. This supply device 1 can be applied to the manufacturing processes of not only pneumatic tires, but also various other types of tires and various other rubber products.

[0032] As the sheet S and liner L continue to be unwound from the unwinding drum 2, the winding diameter of the unwinding drum 2 reaches its minimum, as illustrated in FIG. 5. At this time, the central axis of the guide roller 7 is located rearward of the center of the unwinding drum 2 (the axis of the drum shaft 2a). The dashed-dotted line in the figure indicates the position of the axis of the drum shaft 2a. When the winding diameter of the unwinding drum 2 reaches its minimum (when the rear end of the sheet S is unwound), the inclination angle of the tangent connecting the upper surfaces of the peeling section 6 and the guide roller 7 relative to the horizontal is preferably between 5° and 25°. If this inclination angle exceeds 25°, it is disadvantageous for smoothly conveying the sheet S forward. This inclination angle reaches its maximum when the winding diameter of the unwinding drum 2 reaches its minimum. Therefore, it is preferable to configure the inclination angle to be 25° or less throughout the entire period from the start to the end of unwinding the sheet S and liner L from the unwinding drum 2.

[0033] To reliably bring the fed sheet S into contact with the guide roller 7 between the peeling unit 6 and the roller conveyor unit 9 and to suspend the fed sheet S, the outer diameter of the guide roller 7 should be set to, for example, 70 mm or more, more preferably 80 mm or more. Alternatively, the axis of the guide roller 7 should be positioned higher so that the fed sheet S comes into contact with the guide roller 7 and is suspending the fed sheet S.

[0034] In another embodiment of the supply device 1 illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, the pressure roller 8 extends continuously from one end to the other end in the drum width direction. That is, the peripheral width of the pressure roller 8 is as wide as the width of the liner L. In Figure 7, to make it easier to understand the pressure roller 8, the parts that cover the pressure roller 8 (the peeling portion 6 and the free roller 9b) are omitted. In Figure 8, to make it easier to understand the parts that cover the pressure roller 8 (the peeling portion 6 and the free roller 9b), the pressure roller 8 is omitted.

[0035] In this embodiment, since it is not possible to pass the sheet S between a pair of left and right pressure rollers 8 spaced apart in the drum width direction as in the previous embodiment, the guide roller 7 is omitted, and instead a group of rollers (free rollers 9b) arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction is installed to cover the top of the pressure roller 8. The free roller 9b arranged at the rearmost position in this group of rollers functions as the peeling unit 6. This group of rollers and the pressure roller 8 are supported by a support frame 5, and the support frame 5 and the roller conveyor unit 9 are connected via a support shaft 5a.

[0036] In this embodiment, the sheet S from which the liner L has been peeled off is sequentially placed on a group of rollers arranged to cover the top of the pressure roller 8 and on the roller conveyor unit 9, and conveyed forward. The pressure roller 8 is a cylindrical body extending continuously from one end of the drum width direction to the other, which significantly increases the contact area with the liner L, making it even more advantageous for preventing rolling slippage. As a result, the drive roller 9a is driven to rotate more reliably, making it even more advantageous for peeling the sheet S from the liner L and smoothly unwinding it from the unwind drum 2. In this embodiment, two pressure rollers 8 are arranged at a distance in the front-to-rear direction, but it is also possible to use only one pressure roller 8.

[0037] In the specification using a pair of left and right pressure rollers 8, 8 as in the previous embodiment, if the liner L meanders, one of the pressure rollers 8 may come off the liner L and be unable to press the liner L, making it unable to roll. In this embodiment, even if the liner L meanders, a sufficient contact area with the liner L can be ensured, so the drive roller 9a can be reliably driven to rotate, and the sheet S can be separated from the liner L and smoothly unwound from the unwinding drum 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Feeding device 2 Unwinding drum 2a Drum shaft 3 Winding drum 3a Drum shaft 4 Drive motor 5 Support Frame 5a spindle 6 Peeling part 7 Guide roller 8 Pressure roller 9 Roller conveyor section 9a Drive roller 9b Free Roller 9c spindle S Unvulcanized rubber sheet L Liner Ls spacer

Claims

1. an unwinding drum on which an unvulcanized rubber sheet is wound with a liner interposed therebetween, and a winding drum on which the liner is wound, which are arranged in a longitudinal line in front of and behind the unwinding drum; a support frame extending from the front side of the unwinding drum to above the unwinding drum; and a roller conveyor section connected to the front end of the support frame and extending forward, in which a number of rollers are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction, a peeling portion extending in the drum width direction of the unwinding drum is provided at the rear end of the support frame, a pressure roller is provided on the support frame forward of the peeling portion, the roller conveyor unit includes a drive roller, and the drive roller is rotationally driven by the rotation of the pressure roller; In this unvulcanized rubber sheet supply device, the unwinding drum and the winding drum are rotated in opposite directions, the unvulcanized rubber sheet unwound from the unwinding drum passes over the peeling section and the liner passes under the peeling section, thereby separating the unvulcanized rubber sheet from the liner, the separated unvulcanized rubber sheet is placed on the roller conveyor section and transported forward, and the separated liner is pressed against the pressure roller to cause the pressure roller to roll while being wound up on the winding drum, The JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller is set to 70 degrees or less, and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or more, thereby preventing the pressure roller from slipping when rolling on the liner.

2. A guide roller extending in the drum width direction of the unwinding drum and driven to rotate is installed between the peeling portion of the support frame and the roller conveyor portion, and the pressure roller is arranged opposite one end side and the other end of the longitudinal direction of the guide roller at a distance, so that the unvulcanized rubber sheet unwound from the unwinding drum is stretched over the guide roller and then placed on the roller conveyor portion.

3. 3. The unvulcanized rubber sheet supplying device according to claim 2, wherein the angle of inclination of a tangent line connecting the upper surfaces of the peeling portion and the guide roller 7 with respect to the horizontal is set to 25 degrees or less.

4. 2. The unvulcanized rubber sheet supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure roller extends continuously from one end to the other end in the drum width direction of the unwinding drum.

5. An unwinding drum on which an unvulcanized rubber sheet is wound with a liner interposed therebetween, and a winding drum on which the liner is wound are arranged in a longitudinal line in front of and behind the unwinding drum, a support frame extends above the unwinding drum from the front side of the unwinding drum, a peeling section extending in the drum width direction of the unwinding drum is provided at the rear end of the support frame, a pressure roller is provided on the support frame forward of the peeling section, and a roller conveyor section extending forward and having a number of rollers arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction is connected to the front end of the support frame, and the roller conveyor section includes a drive roller, and the pressure roller a pressure roller that rotates to rotate the drive roller, the unwinding drum and the winding drum are rotated in opposite directions, the unvulcanized rubber sheet unwound from the unwinding drum passes over the peeling section and the liner passes under the peeling section, thereby separating the unvulcanized rubber sheet from the liner, the separated unvulcanized rubber sheet is placed on the roller conveyor section and transported forward, and the separated liner is pressed against the pressure roller to roll the pressure roller and be wound onto the winding drum, A method for supplying an unvulcanized rubber sheet, in which the JIS hardness of the peripheral surface of the pressure roller is set to 70 degrees or less and the peripheral width is set to a predetermined width or more, thereby preventing the pressure roller from slipping when rolling on the liner.

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