Tire vulcanizing apparatus and tire vulcanizing method

Abstract

To provide a tire vulcanizing apparatus capable of removing air accumulated between a bladder and a suppressing member.SOLUTION: The tire mold includes a mold 20 having a molding face for molding a tire face, a bladder 31 expandable toward the molding face of the mold 20, and a suppressing member 41 for suppressing the expansion of the bladder 31 inside the mold 20 in the radial direction, and a through-hole 41A is formed in the suppressing member 41. The through-hole 42A includes a plurality of through-hole inner walls arranged in the radial direction of the stopper member 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tire vulcanizing apparatus and a tire vulcanizing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A tire vulcanizing apparatus manufactures pneumatic tires by vulcanizing and molding a green tire made of a plurality of rubber components and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The tire vulcanizing apparatus includes, for example, a mold having a molding surface for molding the tire surface, a bladder that can expand toward the molding surface of the mold, and a suppressing member that suppresses the expansion of the bladder on the radially inner side of the mold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6912069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the tire vulcanizing apparatus described above, when the bladder is inflated, it comes into contact with the restraining member. At this time, air may accumulate between the bladder and the restraining member. In this case, the surface of the bladder is oxidized and deteriorated. As a result, the bladder becomes sticky. Then, there is a risk that the sticky rubber (bladder) will stick to the bead portion of the tire.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tire vulcanizing apparatus and a tire vulcanizing method that can remove air trapped between the bladder and the restraining member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tire vulcanizing apparatus of the present invention comprises a mold having a molding surface for molding the tire surface, a bladder that can expand toward the molding surface of the mold, and a restraining member that restrains the expansion of the bladder radially inside the mold, and is characterized in that a through hole is formed in the restraining member.

[0007] The tire vulcanization method of the present invention is characterized in that it uses a vulcanization device that includes a mold having a molding surface that molds the tire surface, a bladder that can expand toward the molding surface of the mold, and a suppression member that suppresses the expansion of the bladder on the radially inner side of the bladder, and in which a through hole is formed in the suppression member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the tire vulcanizing apparatus and tire vulcanizing method of the present invention, air trapped between the bladder and the restraining member can be released. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vulcanizing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the restraining member of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the restraining member of the second embodiment as viewed from the inside. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the restraining member of the third embodiment as viewed from the inside. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the restraining member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the inside. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a vulcanization process according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, specific shapes, materials, directions, numerical values, etc. are examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc.

[0011] [Tire vulcanizing equipment] A tire vulcanizing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] The tire vulcanizing apparatus 10 manufactures a pneumatic tire by vulcanizing and molding a raw tire 100 made up of a plurality of rubber members and the like. The tire vulcanizing apparatus 10, as will be described in detail later, is capable of removing air trapped between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41. The tire vulcanizing apparatus 10 has a mold 20 and a bladder unit 30, each of which will be described in detail later.

[0013] In the following, the tire vulcanizing apparatus 10 may be described according to the axial direction (arrow P in the drawing) or radial direction (arrow R in the drawing) of the pneumatic tire. Also, the axial direction may be described as the up-down direction.

[0014] [Mold] The mold 20 is made up of a plurality of molding members. The mold 20 has sectors 21, side plates 22, and bead rings 23, each of which will be described in detail below. The mold 20 is held in a container (not shown) that is part of the tire vulcanization apparatus 10. The mold 20 is heated from the outside by a heating device (not shown).

[0015] The sectors 21 mold the tread of a pneumatic tire. The sectors 21 are arranged in a cylindrical shape. A molding surface for molding the tread of a pneumatic tire is formed on the inner diameter side surface of the sectors 21. The sectors 21 are made of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like. The sectors 21 can be moved in the radial direction by a radial movement device. The sectors 21 can be moved in the axial direction by an axial movement device.

[0016] The side plates 22 mold the sidewalls of the pneumatic tire. The pair of side plates 22 are arranged in the vertical direction. The pair of side plates 22 are arranged on the inner diameter sides of the multiple sectors 21. The side plates 22 are formed in a ring shape. A molding surface for molding the sidewalls of the pneumatic tire is formed on the lower surface of the upper side plate 22 and the upper surface of the lower side plate 22. The side plates 22 are formed of, for example, steel. The upper side plate 22 can be moved axially by an axial movement device.

[0017] The bead rings 23 form the beads of the pneumatic tire. A pair of bead rings 23 are arranged in the vertical direction. The pair of bead rings 23 are provided on the inner diameter sides of the upper and lower side plates 22, respectively. The bead rings 23 are formed in a ring shape. The bead rings 23 are formed of, for example, steel. The upper bead ring 23 can be moved in the axial direction by an axial movement device.

[0018] Here, the mold 20 is in an open state when the upper side plate 22, the upper bead ring 23, and all the sectors 21 are raised to a position away from the lower side plate 22 and the lower bead ring 23, and all the spaces between the sectors 21 are open. With the mold 20 in an open state, a tire can be inserted into or removed from the mold 20.

[0019] On the other hand, the mold 20 is closed when the upper side plate 22, the upper bead ring 23, and all the sectors 21 are lowered and all the adjacent molding members are in close contact with each other. When the mold 20 is closed, all the molding surfaces of the side plate 22, the bead ring 23, and the sectors 21 are integrated to form a single molding surface that molds the surface of the pneumatic tire. The position of each molding member during vulcanization molding is the position it is in when the mold 20 is closed.

[0020] [Bladder Unit] The bladder unit 30 inflates the bladder 31 inside the green tire 100. The bladder unit 30 includes the bladder 31, an upper clamp 32, a restraining member 41, a lower clamp 33, a support tube 35, and a center shaft 36, the details of which will be described later.

[0021] The bladder 31 is an expandable or contractible rubber member. The bladder 31 expands inside the green tire 100, thereby pressing the green tire 100 against the inner surface of the mold 20 and applying pressure. The bladder 31 also heats the green tire 100 because it becomes hot due to the heated fluid. The bladder 31 becomes substantially cylindrical when stretched in the vertical direction. When stretched in the vertical direction, the bladder 31 has an upper opening edge 31A at the upper end and a lower opening edge 31B at the lower end.

[0022] The upper clamp 32 holds the entire periphery of the upper opening edge 31A. The upper clamp 32 has an upper holding member 32A and a lower holding member 32B. The upper holding member 32A and the lower holding member 32B are ring-shaped members. The upper holding member 32A and the lower holding member 32B sandwich the upper opening edge 31A of the bladder 31 from above and below. In this way, the upper clamp 32 holds the upper opening edge 31A.

[0023] The restraining member 41 restrains the expansion of the bladder 31. The restraining member 41 is sandwiched between the upper holding member 32A of the upper clamp 32 and the upper bead ring 23. The restraining member 41 is formed in a ring shape. The restraining member 41 may be fixed to the upper bead ring 23 by a fastener such as a bolt (not shown). The restraining member 41 may also be fixed to the upper holding member 32A of the upper clamp 32 by a fastener such as a bolt (not shown). The restraining member 41 will be described in further detail below.

[0024] The lower clamp 33 holds the entire circumference of the lower opening edge 31B. The lower clamp 33 has an upper holding member 33A and a lower holding member 33B. The upper holding member 33A and the lower holding member 33B are ring-shaped members. The upper holding member 33A and the lower holding member 33B sandwich the lower opening edge 31B of the bladder 31 from above and below. This allows the lower clamp 34 to hold the lower opening edge 31B.

[0025] The support cylinder 35 is disposed on the inner diameter side of the mold 20. The support cylinder 35 is disposed so that its central axis is aligned with the central axis of the mold 20. A lower clamp 34 is fixed to the support cylinder 35. A flow path 35A through which a heated fluid flows is formed in the support cylinder 35. The flow path 35A communicates between the upper clamp 32 and the lower clamp 33. With this configuration, a heated fluid supplied from the outside passes through the flow path 35A and flows into the bladder 31, causing the bladder 31 to expand. The fluid may be, for example, steam, hot water, or an inert gas.

[0026] The center shaft 36 is inserted inside the support cylinder 35. The center shaft 36 is arranged so that its central axis is aligned with the central axis of the mold 20. The upper clamp 32 is fixed to the upper part of the center shaft 36. The upper part of the center shaft 36 protrudes upward from the support cylinder 35. The center shaft 36 is configured to be movable up and down. With this configuration, the center shaft 36 protrudes upward when the mold 20 is in an open state.

[0027] [Restraining member (first embodiment)] The restraining member 41 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] As described above, the restraining member 41 is a member that restrains the expansion of the bladder 31. The restraining member 41 is formed in a ring shape. The restraining member of the present invention is provided between the upper holding member 32A of the upper clamp 32 and the upper bead ring 23, and includes all members that come into contact with the bladder 31 when the bladder 31 is expanded. The restraining member of the present invention may also be referred to as an upper ring or an upper spacer, for example.

[0029] A plurality of through holes 41A are formed in the restraining member 41. The through holes 41A are holes that penetrate the front and back surfaces of the restraining member 41. In other words, the through holes 41A communicate the gap between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41 with the upper side (outside) of the restraining member 41. The through holes 41A allow air that accumulates between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41 to be released.

[0030] More specifically, when the bladder 31 is inflated, the bladder 31 comes into contact with the restraining member 41. At this time, air may accumulate between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41. In this case, the surface of the bladder 31 is oxidized and deteriorated. As a result, the bladder 31 becomes viscous. The viscous rubber (bladder 31) may then adhere to the bead portion of the pneumatic tire. As described above, the restraining member 41 of this embodiment is formed with a through hole 41A. As a result, air that accumulates between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41 is pressed by the expanding bladder 31 and is expelled from the through hole 41A to the upper side (outside) of the restraining member 41. This allows the air that accumulates between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41 to be released.

[0031] The arrangement or number of the multiple through holes 41A is not particularly limited. The multiple through holes 41A are preferably formed, for example, along the radial direction of the ring-shaped restraining member 41. Furthermore, the multiple through holes 41A are preferably formed, for example, along the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped restraining member 41. In other words, the multiple through holes 41A are preferably formed radially in alignment in the radial and circumferential directions. The diameter of the through holes 41A is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The shape of the through holes 41A is not particularly limited. The shape of the through holes 41A may be circular.

[0032] [Restraining member (second embodiment)] The restraining member 42 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] Regarding the restraining member 42, a description of the configuration common to the restraining member 41 described above will be omitted. Below, only the configuration different from the restraining member 41 described above will be described. The restraining member 42 has multiple grooves 42B. The grooves 42B are formed on the surface of the restraining member 42 that faces (comes into close contact with) the bladder 31. The grooves 42B are formed up to the inner or outer circumferential edge of the restraining member 42. In other words, the grooves 42B communicate with the inner or outer circumferential side of the restraining member 42. As a result, air trapped between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 42 is pressed by the expanding bladder 31 and expelled from the grooves 42B to the outside or inside of the restraining member 42. The air is then expelled to the outside through the gap between the restraining member 42 and the upper holding member 32A of the upper clamp 32 or the gap between the restraining member 42 and the upper bead ring 23. This allows air trapped between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 42 to be expelled.

[0034] The number and path of the grooves 42B are not particularly limited. The grooves 42B may be formed, for example, radially in the ring-shaped restraining member 42. The width of the grooves 42B is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The depth of the grooves 42B may be approximately the same as the width of the grooves 42B. The shape of the grooves 42B is not particularly limited. The shape of the grooves 42B may be, for example, rectangular, V-shaped, U-shaped, etc.

[0035] [Restraining member (third embodiment)] A restraining member 43 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] The restraining member 43 is obtained by adding a groove 43C to the restraining member 42 described above. Regarding the restraining member 43, a description of the configuration that is common to the restraining member 42 described above will be omitted. Below, only the configuration that is different from the restraining member 42 will be described. The restraining member 43 is formed with a plurality of grooves 43B and a plurality of grooves 43C. Groove 43B has the same configuration as groove 42B described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] Groove 43C is formed on the surface of restraining member 43 that faces (comes into close contact with) bladder 31. Groove 43C is formed along the circumferential direction of ring-shaped restraining member 43. As a result, air that accumulates between bladder 31 and restraining member 43 is pressed by the expanding bladder 31 and is discharged from groove 43C through groove 43B to the outside or inside of restraining member 43. The air is then discharged to the outside through the gap between restraining member 43 and upper holding member 32A of upper clamp 32, or the gap between restraining member 43 and upper bead ring 23. This allows air that has accumulated between bladder 31 and restraining member 43 to be released.

[0038] The number and path of the grooves 43C are not particularly limited. The width of the grooves 43C is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The depth of the grooves 43C may be approximately the same as the width of the grooves 43C. The shape of the grooves 43C is not particularly limited. The shape of the grooves 43C is preferably, for example, rectangular, V-shaped, U-shaped, or the like.

[0039] [Restraining member (fourth embodiment)] A restraining member 44 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] The restraining member 44 is obtained by adding through holes 44A to the restraining member 43 described above. Regarding the configuration of the restraining member 44 that is common to the restraining member 43 described above, a description will be omitted. Only the configuration that differs from the restraining member 43 will be described below. The restraining member 44 is formed with a plurality of through holes 44A, a plurality of grooves 44B, and a plurality of grooves 44C. Grooves 44B and 44C have the same configuration as the grooves 43B and 43C described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] Through-hole 44A is a hole that penetrates from the front surface to the back surface of restraining member 44. In other words, through-hole 44A connects the gap between bladder 31 and restraining member 44 with the outside of restraining member 44. As a result, air that accumulates between bladder 31 and restraining member 44 is pressed by the expanding bladder 31 and is discharged to the outside or inside of restraining member 44 via grooves 44C and 44B, or is discharged from through-hole 44A to the upper side (outside) of restraining member 44 via grooves 44C or 44B. This allows air that accumulates between bladder 31 and restraining member 44 to be released.

[0042] The arrangement or number of the multiple through holes 44A is not particularly limited. The through holes 44A are preferably formed so as to communicate with the grooves 44B or 44C. Furthermore, the through holes 44A are more preferably formed at the intersections of the grooves 44B and 44C. The diameter of the through holes 41A is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. The shape of the through holes 44A is not particularly limited. The shape of the through holes 44A is preferably circular.

[0043] [Tire vulcanization process] The tire vulcanization process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] The tire vulcanization process as a tire vulcanization method produces a pneumatic tire by vulcanizing and molding the green tire 100 using the above-described tire vulcanization apparatus 10. The tire vulcanization process includes a green tire 100 molding step S11, a mold closing step S12, a bladder expansion step S13, a bladder compression step S14, a mold opening step S15, and a pneumatic tire removal step S16.

[0045] In the green tire 100 molding step S11, a plurality of rubber members and the like are stacked in a cylindrical drum shape to mold the green tire 100. In the mold closing step S12, the mold 20 is heated until it reaches the temperature for vulcanization molding, the mold 20 is opened, the green tire 100 is inserted into the mold 20, and the mold 20 is closed.

[0046] In the bladder expansion step S13, heated fluid is introduced into the bladder 31, causing the bladder 31 to expand. As a result, the surface of the green tire 100 is pressed against the inner surface of the mold 20 by the bladder 31, and the green tire 100 is pressurized. At this time, because the fluid supplied into the inside of the bladder 31 is at a high temperature, the green tire 100 is heated not only from the mold 20 side but also from the bladder 31 side. As a result, the green tire 100 is pressurized at a predetermined pressure and heated to a predetermined temperature, thereby performing vulcanization molding.

[0047] Furthermore, in the bladder inflation step S13, when the bladder 31 is inflated, the bladder 31 comes into contact with the restraining member 41. At this time, air may accumulate between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41. In this case, the surface of the bladder 31 is oxidized and deteriorated. As a result, the bladder 31 becomes viscous. There is a risk that the viscous rubber (bladder 31) may adhere to the bead portion of the pneumatic tire. As described above, the restraining member 41 of this embodiment is formed with a through hole 41A. As a result, air that accumulates between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41 is pressed by the expanding bladder 31 and is discharged from the through hole 41A to the upper side (outside) of the restraining member 41. This allows the air that accumulates between the bladder 31 and the restraining member 41 to be released.

[0048] In the bladder compression step S14, after vulcanization molding has been carried out for a predetermined time, the fluid is discharged from inside the bladder 31, causing the bladder 31 to contract. In the mold opening step S15, the mold 20 is opened after the bladder 31 has completely contracted. In the pneumatic tire removal step S16, the pneumatic tire is removed from the opened mold 20. Then, finishing is performed, such as removing any rubber protrusions that have formed on the surface of the pneumatic tire.

[0049] [summary] The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following embodiments. Configuration 1: a mold having a molding surface for molding the tire surface; a bladder expandable toward the molding surface of the mold; a suppressing member that suppresses expansion of the bladder on the radially inner side of the mold; Equipped with The restraining member has a through hole formed therein. Vulcanizing equipment. Configuration 2: The vulcanizing apparatus according to configuration 1, The through holes are formed in a plurality along the radial direction of the restraining member. Vulcanizing equipment. Configuration 3: The vulcanizing apparatus according to configuration 1, The through holes are formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the restraining member. Vulcanizing equipment. Configuration 4: The vulcanizing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, The diameter of the through hole is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. Vulcanizing equipment. Configuration 5: The vulcanizing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, A groove is formed on the surface of the restraining member that contacts the bladder, The through hole and the groove are in communication with each other. Vulcanizing equipment. Configuration 6: A vulcanization method using a vulcanization device comprising: a mold having a molding surface for molding a tire surface; a bladder expandable toward the molding surface of the mold; and a restraining member radially inward of the bladder to restrain expansion of the bladder, the restraining member having a through hole formed therein.

[0050] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 tire vulcanizing apparatus, 20 mold, 21 sector, 22 side plate, 23 bead ring, 30 bladder unit, 31 bladder, 31A upper opening edge, 31B lower opening edge, 32 upper clamp, 32A upper holding member, 32B lower holding member, 33 lower clamp, 33A upper holding member, 33B lower holding member, 34 lower clamp, 35 support tube, 35A flow path, 35B opening, 36 center shaft, 41 restraining member, 41A through hole, 42 restraining member, 42A through hole, 42B groove, 43 restraining member, 43A groove, 43B groove, 43C groove, 44 restraining member, 44A through hole, 44B groove, 44C groove, 100 raw tire 100, S11 Raw tire 100 molding process, S12 mold closing process, S13 bladder expansion process, S14 bladder compression process, S15 mold opening process, S16 pneumatic tire removal process

Claims

1. a mold having a molding surface for molding the tire surface; a bladder expandable toward the molding surface of the mold; a suppressing member that suppresses expansion of the bladder on the radially inner side of the mold; Equipped with The restraining member has a through hole formed therein. Vulcanizing equipment.

2. The vulcanizing device according to claim 1, The through holes are formed in a plurality along the radial direction of the restraining member. Vulcanizing equipment.

3. The vulcanizing device according to claim 1, The through holes are formed in plurality along the circumferential direction of the restraining member. Vulcanizing equipment.

4. A vulcanizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The diameter of the through hole is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. Vulcanizing equipment.

5. A vulcanizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A groove is formed on the surface of the restraining member that contacts the bladder, The through hole and the groove are in communication with each other. Vulcanizing equipment.

6. A vulcanization method using a vulcanization device comprising: a mold having a molding surface for molding a tire surface; a bladder expandable toward the molding surface of the mold; and a restraining member radially inward of the bladder to restrain expansion of the bladder, the restraining member having a through hole formed therein.

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