Apparatus for tire and method for manufacturing tire

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for a tire capable of accurately correcting the positional shift of a slidably moving cylindrical body with respect to a target position, and a method for manufacturing the tire using the apparatus for the tire.SOLUTION: When a pair of drum body side 1Ab and side 2a constituting a shape drum side 2a are slid and moved along a cylinder axis direction and positioned at a preset target position, a driving motor side 4b is controlled by a control part 7 based on the position of the target position, and each drum body side 2a is slid and moved and positioned. A detection result obtained by the linear encoder 8 detecting the position of each positioned drum body side 2a in the cylinder axis direction is input to the control unit 7, a positional deviation amount between the detection result and the target position is calculated, and the green tire G molded by laminating the unvulcanized tire member M on each drum body side 2a in which the positional deviation in the sliding direction with respect to the target position is corrected based on the positional deviation amount is vulcanized to manufacture the tire T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire device and a tire manufacturing method, and more particularly to a tire device that can accurately correct the axial positional deviation of a cylindrical body that slides in the axial direction relative to a target position, and a tire manufacturing method using this tire device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various devices are used in the tire manufacturing process. Some of these tire devices have a cylindrical body that holds and slides an unvulcanized tire component, a green tire, or a vulcanized tire. For example, among the tire devices, a molding device for molding green tires has a cylindrical molding drum. More specifically, this molding drum has a pair of movable bodies that slide in the cylindrical axial direction, a cylindrical member, a slider, and a folding arm (see paragraph 0030 and FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1). These device components are slid and positioned to a target position by a drive mechanism according to the size (specifications) of the green tire to be molded. If the positional deviation between the positioned device components and the target position is large, it will affect the quality of the tire, so it is necessary to reduce this positional deviation.

[0003] As with the forming drum described in Patent Document 1, sliding device components are generally positioned at a target position by controlling a drive mechanism. However, there is a concern that the positioning accuracy will decrease due to wear and deformation of the drive mechanism over time, resulting in a large positional deviation from the target position. Therefore, there is room for improvement in accurately correcting the positional deviation in the axial direction of a cylindrical body that slides in the axial direction from the target position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-107537 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire device that can accurately correct the axial positional deviation of a cylindrical body that slides in the axial direction relative to a target position, and a tire manufacturing method using this tire device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tire device of the present invention has a cylindrical body that holds an unvulcanized tire component, a green tire, or a vulcanized tire, a drive unit that slides the cylindrical body along its cylindrical axis, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, and is characterized in that it has a linear encoder that detects the axial position of the cylindrical body, and when the cylindrical body is slid along its cylindrical axis to position it at a predetermined target position, the control unit controls the drive unit based on position data of the target position to slide the cylindrical body to position it, the detection result by the linear encoder that detected the axial position of the positioned cylindrical body is input to the control unit, the control unit calculates the amount of positional deviation between the detection result and the target position, and the positional deviation of the cylindrical body in the axial direction from the target position is corrected based on the calculated amount of positional deviation.

[0007] The tire manufacturing method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the tire manufacturing method in which a molded green tire is vulcanized, the cylindrical body of the tire device is a pair of drum bodies in which the unvulcanized tire components are held in a cylindrical shape, the tire device is a molding device used to mold the green tire, and the green tire is molded using this molding device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the tire device of the present invention, the axial position of the cylindrical body, which is slid by the drive unit controlled by the control unit based on the position data of the target position, is detected by the linear encoder in a system separate from the slide movement control. Then, the amount of positional deviation between the detection result by the linear encoder and the target position is calculated, and the axial positional deviation of the cylindrical body from the target position can be accurately corrected based on this amount of positional deviation. This is advantageous for accurately correcting the axial positional deviation of the cylindrical body from the target position without being affected by wear and deformation over time, such as the drive unit.

[0009] According to the tire manufacturing method of the present invention, the unvulcanized tire components are held in a cylindrical shape by the pair of drum bodies whose cylindrical axis directions are accurately positioned at target positions, thereby improving the quality of the green tires that are molded, and thereby contributing to improving the quality of tires vulcanized from the green tires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a tire manufacturing process in plan view. [Figure 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the molding step of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal structure of a shape drum in a cross-sectional view by enlarging a part of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the pair of drum bodies in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the amount of positional deviation between the position where the pair of drum bodies in FIG. 4 are slid and positioned and the target position. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a state in which a green tire is being built using the pair of drum bodies of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a shape drum in which the slip ring in FIG. 3 is replaced with a wireless power feeder. [Figure 8] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transfer device by enlarging a part of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the amount of positional deviation between a position where the pair of holding parts in FIG. 8 are slid and positioned and a target position. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a measurement device for measuring uniformity as seen from the front, with a portion in cross section. [Figure 11] 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in plan view, a state in which the uniformity of a tire is being measured by the measuring device of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in cross section, a state in which one of the holding rims in FIG. 10 is being controlled to slide; FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the amount of positional deviation between a position where one of the holding rims in FIG. 12 is slid and positioned and a target position. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A tire manufacturing apparatus and a tire manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, various devices are used in the tire manufacturing process (molding process, vulcanization process, inspection process, etc.). Tire devices 1A, 1B, and 1C of the present invention are various devices used in the tire manufacturing process. In the molding process illustrated in FIG. 1, tire components M (M1 to M5, etc.) having unvulcanized rubber are used to mold a green tire G. In the vulcanization process, the green tire G is vulcanized using a vulcanizer 15 to manufacture a tire T. A vulcanization mold according to the tire specifications is attached to the vulcanizer 15, and various known vulcanizers 15 are used.

[0013] As will be described later, this tire apparatus 1 has a cylindrical body 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) that holds an unvulcanized tire component M, a green tire G, or a vulcanized tire T, and the cylindrical body 2 slides along the cylindrical axial direction. Specific examples of the tire apparatus 1 include a molding apparatus 1A (1Aa, 1Ab) that has a drum body 2a and is used to mold a green tire G, and a transfer apparatus 1B (1Ba, 1Bb) that transfers the green tire G during molding in the molding process. In the vulcanization process (a post-vulcanization treatment process), a PCI (post-cure inflation) apparatus that cools the vulcanized tire T is exemplified as the tire apparatus. In the inspection process, a measuring device 1C that measures the uniformity of the tire T is exemplified as the tire apparatus.

[0014] 1 and 2, a pair of transfer rails 13 extending in the width direction X are disposed at two locations. The transfer rail 13 disposed on the right side of the drawing (hereinafter referred to as the right transfer rail 13) and the transfer rail 13 disposed on the left side of the drawing (hereinafter referred to as the left transfer rail 13) extend parallel to each other and are disposed at positions offset in the depth direction Y. The right transfer rail 13 is provided with a forming device 1A (band drum 1Aa) and a transfer device 1B (band transfer device 1Ba) that move in the width direction X along the transfer rail 13. The left transfer rail 13 is provided with a transfer device 1B (belt transfer device 1Bb) that moves in the width direction X along the transfer rail 13. The X, Y, and Z arrows in the drawings indicate the width direction, depth direction, and height direction of the manufacturing process, respectively, and are perpendicular to each other.

[0015] The shaping device 1A (shape drum 1Ab) is installed between the left end of the right-side transfer rail 13 and the right end of the left-side transfer rail 13. The shape drum 1Ab has two pairs of drum bodies 2a, 2a, and rotates 180° around a rotation axis Pv extending in the height direction Z. When one pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a is disposed at the left end of the right-side transfer rail 13, the other pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a is disposed at the right end of the left-side transfer rail 13. When each pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a rotates 180° around the rotation axis Pv, one pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a is disposed at the right end of the left-side transfer rail 13, and the other pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a is disposed at the left end of the right-side transfer rail 13. That is, one pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a and the other pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a are provided at positions rotated 180° around the pivot axis Pv in a plan view, and are alternately fixed and positioned at the same positions by rotating 180° clockwise and counterclockwise around the pivot axis Pv. Note that a belt drum is positioned on the left-side moving rail 13 to the left of the shape drum 1Ab, but is not shown in the figure.

[0016] Adjacent to the right-side transfer rail 13, component supply units 14a, 14b, and 14c are installed at positions spaced apart in the width direction X. The component supply units 14a and 14b are, for example, belt conveyor devices. The component supply unit 14a sequentially supplies a tire component (inner liner) M1 and a tire component (carcass material) M2. The component supply unit 14b supplies a tire component M3 (a pair of side rubbers). The component supply unit 14c supplies a tire component M4 (a pair of annular beads).

[0017] The band drum 1Aa is supported on a support base 12 that is slidably mounted on a movement rail 13, and has a drive motor (servo motor) that rotates the drum body 2a, and a slide movement drive motor (servo motor) that moves the support base 12 and the drum body 2a in the width direction X. The drum body 2a is a cylindrical body, and its cylindrical axis direction is parallel to the width direction X. By controlling this slide movement drive motor, the band drum 1Aa slides in the width direction X along the movement rail 13 and is positioned at a desired position in the width direction X.

[0018] The band transfer device 1Ba is supported by a support base 12 slidably mounted on a movement rail 13, and has a pair of holding portions 2b, 2b spaced apart in the width direction X. Each of the holding portions 2b, 2b is a cylindrical body with multiple plates arranged in an annular shape. The cylindrical axis of each of the holding portions 2b, 2b is parallel to the width direction X. Each of the holding portions 2b, 2b slides in the width direction X along the movement rail 13 together with the support base 12, and is positioned at a desired position in the width direction X.

[0019] The cylindrical axis P1 of the drum body 2a of the band drum 1Aa and the cylindrical axis P1 of each of the holding parts 2b, 2b of the band transfer device 1Ba are aligned in the X, Y, and Z directions. The cylindrical axis of each of the drum bodies 2a, 2a of the shape drum 1Ab arranged at the left end of the right-side moving rail 13 is configured to be aligned with this cylindrical axis P1 in the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0020] The belt transfer device 1Bb, which is arranged on the left-side moving rail 13, is supported by a support base 12 that is slidably erected on the moving rail 13, and has a cylindrical holding portion 2b. The holding portion 2b is a cylindrical body in which multiple plates are arranged in an annular shape. The cylindrical axis of the holding portion 2b is parallel to the width direction X. The belt transfer device 1Bb slides in the width direction X along the moving rail 13 between the shape drum 1Ab and the belt drum, and is positioned at a desired position in the width direction X.

[0021] The cylinder axes of the drum bodies 2a, 2a of the shape drum 1Ab arranged at the right end of the left-side transfer rail 13 are configured to coincide with the cylinder axis P2 of the holding part 2b of the belt transfer device 1Bb in the X, Y, and Z directions. The cylinder axes P1 and P2 also coincide in the height direction Z.

[0022] An example of a procedure for manufacturing the tire T in this manufacturing process will be described.

[0023] First, the banding drum 1Aa slides along the moving rails 13 and is positioned in front of the component supply unit 14a. The component supply unit 14a sequentially supplies tire components M1 and M2 to the drum body 2a of the positioned banding drum 1Aa. The supplied tire components M1 and M2 are sequentially wound around the drum body 2a and formed into a cylindrical shape. Next, the banding drum 1Aa slides along the moving rails 13 and is positioned in front of the component supply unit 14b. The component supply unit 14b supplies tire component M3 to the drum body 2a of the positioned banding drum 1Aa. The supplied tire component M3 is wound around the drum body 2a and formed into a cylindrical shape. Next, the banding drum 1Aa slides along the moving rails 13 and is positioned in front of the component supply unit 14c. The component supply unit 14c supplies tire component M4 to the drum body 2a of the positioned banding drum 1Aa. The supplied tire member M4 (a pair of annular beads) is fitted onto the formed tire members M1, M2, and M3 wound around the drum body 2a to form the band members (M1, M2, M3, and M4).

[0024] Next, the band transfer device 1Ba slides along the moving rail 13 and is positioned to cover the band member formed on the drum body 2a of the band drum 1Aa. The band member is then held in a cylindrical shape by the respective holding portions 2b, 2b of the band transfer device 1Ba. Next, the band transfer device 1Ba slides along the moving rail 13 and is positioned to cover the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a of the shape drum 1Ab, which is located at the left end of the moving rail 13. The band member held by the respective holding portions 2b, 2b is then fitted onto the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a. The band member is then subjected to a known forming process, such as turn-up, on the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a. Next, the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a is rotated 180° around the pivot axis Pv.

[0025] On the left-side transfer rail 13, a tire component M5 formed by a belt drum is held by the holding portion 2b of the belt transfer device 1Bb. The tire component M5 is formed into a cylindrical shape using belt material, tread rubber, and the like. The belt transfer device 1Bb slides along the transfer rail 13 and is positioned to cover the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a of the shape drum 1Ab disposed at the right end of the transfer rail 13. The tire component M5 held by the holding portion 2b is then fitted onto the band members (M1, M2, M3, M4) held by the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a. The tire components M1 to M5 are integrated on the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a, completing the formation of the green tire G.

[0026] The molded green tire G is transported from the shape drum 1Ab to the vulcanizing device 15. This green tire G is vulcanized by the vulcanizing device 15 to manufacture a tire T. The vulcanized tire T is transported to the measuring device 1C to measure the uniformity. Before measuring the uniformity, depending on the specifications of the tire T, a PCI process is performed using a PCI device to suppress deformation of the tire T due to thermal shrinkage of the tire reinforcement material after vulcanization.

[0027] The forming apparatus 1A (shape drum 1Ab) will be described in detail below. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the shape drum 1Ab has a support shaft 3 that supports a pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a, a ball screw 5 that extends in the axial direction of the cylinder at the center of the support shaft 3, two drive units 4a, 4b, a control unit 7, linear encoders 8 (8a, 8b), a slip ring 9 fitted onto the support shaft 3, and a scale converter 10.

[0028] The pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a are mounted on a support shaft 3 and spaced apart in the axial direction of the cylinder. The axis of the support shaft 3 coincides with the cylinder axis P1. Parts of the inside of the drum bodies 2a, 2a are threadedly engaged with a ball screw 5. The driving force of one of the drive units 4a is transmitted to the support shaft 3 via a transmission unit 6a provided on the drive unit 4a and a transmission unit 6b provided on the support shaft 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the drive unit 4a is driven, the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a rotates around the cylinder axis P1 together with the support shaft 3 connected to the drive unit 4a.

[0029] The driving force of the other drive unit 4b is transmitted to the ball screw 5 via a transmission unit 6c provided in the drive unit 4b and a transmission unit 6d provided in the ball screw 5. The inclination of the thread of the ball screw 5 is reversed at a reference position St in the axial direction of the cylinder, which will be described later. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, when the drive unit 4b is driven, the ball screw 5 connected to the drive unit 4b rotates, and the drum bodies 2a, 2a slide in the axial direction of the cylinder, moving toward or away from each other.

[0030] The drive unit 4a and the spindle 3 can be connected and disconnected by a clutch mechanism, and the drive unit 4b and the ball screw 5 can be connected and disconnected by a clutch mechanism. When the drive unit 4a drives and rotates the spindle 3, the drive unit 4b and the ball screw 5 are disconnected, and when the drive unit 4b drives and rotates the ball screw 5, the drive unit 4a and the spindle 3 are disconnected. A servo motor or the like is used for the drive units 4a and 4b. Gears, transmission belts, or the like are used for the transmission units 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d.

[0031] The control unit 7 controls various operations of the shape drum 1Ab. Various known computers are used as the control unit 7. In this embodiment, the control unit 7 controls each device in the forming process.

[0032] The linear encoder 8 has a linear scale 8a and a detector 8b. The linear scale 8a is installed on the surface of the support shaft 3, extending in the axial direction. A detector 8b is fixed to each drum body 2a. The linear encoder 8 can be of any known magnetic or optical type. The magnetic linear encoder 8 operates accurately even in environments where dust and other particles are present, making it suitable for tire manufacturing processes.

[0033] The slip ring 9 can be of various known specifications that can be arranged coaxially with the support shaft 3. The detection data (detection results) from the linear encoder 8 is input to a scale converter 10 via the slip ring 9, and then input to the control unit 7. Furthermore, the necessary power is supplied to the linear encoder 8 (detection unit 8b) from a power source via the slip ring 9.

[0034] In the shape drum 1Ab, a target value Pa for the distance in the axial direction between the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a is set according to the specifications (tire size, etc.) of the tire T. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, when the opposing surfaces of the respective drum bodies 2a, 2a are located at a position s1 apart in the axial direction from the reference position St of the support shaft 3, the distance between the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a in the axial direction becomes the target value Pa (=s1+s1). Position data for the target position in the axial direction of the opposing surfaces of the respective drum bodies 2a, 2a corresponding to this target value Pa (i.e., the position s1 apart in the axial direction from the reference position St) is input to the control unit 7.

[0035] The control unit 7 then controls the drive unit 4b based on the position data of the target positions to slide the drum bodies 2a, 2b in the axial direction. This positions the drum bodies 2a, 2a at the target positions in the axial direction. When the drive unit 4b is controlled by the control unit 7 based on the position data of the preset target positions, the opposing surfaces of the drum bodies 2a can usually be accurately positioned at the target positions. However, wear and deformation of the drive unit 4b and transmission units 6c, 6d over time can sometimes reduce the positioning accuracy. As a result, the positional deviation g of the opposing surfaces of the drum bodies 2a, 2a from the target positions increases.

[0036] In this embodiment, the axial position of the opposing surfaces of the drum bodies 2a, 2a, which are controlled and positioned by the control unit 7 based on the position data of the target position, is detected using each linear encoder 8. Position data for the installation position of each linear scale 8a relative to the reference position St and position data for the installation position of the detector 8b relative to the opposing surfaces of the drum bodies 2a, 2a are input to the control unit 7. Therefore, using each linear encoder 8, the axial position of the opposing surfaces of the drum bodies 2a, 2a relative to the reference position St can be detected as a detection result. In FIG. 5, it is detected that the opposing surface of the left drum body 2a is located axially r1 away from the reference position St, and it is detected that the opposing surface of the right drum body 2a is located axially r2 away from the reference position St.

[0037] The detection results from each linear encoder 8 are input via communication lines to a scale converter 10 via a slip ring 9, and then to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 calculates that the positional deviation g of the opposing surface of the left drum body 2a relative to the target position is r1-s1, and that the positional deviation g of the opposing surface of the right drum body 2a relative to the target position is r2-s1. In other words, the distance between the drum bodies 2a, 2a in the axial direction is calculated to be r1+r2. Note that the positional deviation g is actually less than 0.1 mm, but is exaggerated in the drawings.

[0038] Based on the calculated misalignment amounts g (= r1 - s1) and g (= r2 - s1), the control unit 7 controls the drive unit 4b to slide the drum bodies 2a in the axial direction so that the misalignment amounts g approach zero, thereby correcting the misalignment of the opposing surfaces. That is, the drum bodies 2a are slid in the axial direction so that the axial distance between the opposing surfaces of the drum bodies 2a after the misalignment has been corrected falls within a range (a preset range) that can be equated with the target value Pa. If the misalignment amount g is within a negligible range (a preset range), this correction is not performed. Note that the misalignment amounts g and g of the drum bodies 2a and 2a calculated by the control unit 7 are generally the same, but if the difference between the misalignment amounts g and g is greater than a preset reference value, the control unit 7 may determine that an abnormality exists and issue a warning (such as a warning sound or a warning display).

[0039] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the driver 4b to slide the drums 2a based on the position data for the target positions. Separately from this control, the linear encoders 8 detect the axial positions of the drums 2a. The controller 7 then repositions the drums 2a by sliding them in the axial direction based on the misalignment amounts g calculated by the controller 7. This allows for accurate correction of the misalignment of the drums 2a relative to the target positions. This is advantageous for accurately correcting the misalignment of the drums 2a relative to the target positions in the axial direction without being affected by wear and deformation over time of the driver 4b and the transmission units 6c and 6d.

[0040] After correcting the positional deviation of each drum body 2a from the target position in the cylindrical axis direction, the band member held in a cylindrical shape by each holding portion 2b of the band transfer device 1Ba is fitted onto the pair of drum bodies 2a. This band member has been subjected to a known forming process such as turn-up on the pair of drum bodies 2a, and is then held in a cylindrical shape by the pair of drum bodies 2a, as shown in FIG.

[0041] In this way, the unvulcanized band members (tire members M1 to M4) are fitted onto the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a whose positions in the cylindrical axis direction are accurately positioned at the target positions and held in a cylindrical shape, so that unnecessary deformation does not occur in the band members, improving the quality of the molded green tire G. This also contributes to improving the quality of the tire T obtained by vulcanizing the green tire G.

[0042] Since the pair of drums 2a, 2a attached to the support shaft 3 may be replaced, it is advisable to interpose a connector midway in the communication line connecting the detection unit 8b and the slip ring 9 so that the communication line can be separated by the connector. This allows the drums 2a, 2a to be replaced more smoothly. Furthermore, even if the drums 2a, 2a are replaced, the position of the linear scale 8a relative to the support shaft 3 remains unchanged, so they can continue to be used without any special adjustment work.

[0043] The confirmation process for correcting the axial positional deviation of each drum body 2a, 2a based on the detection results of the linear encoder 8 is performed, for example, immediately before the start of molding of the same lot in which multiple green tires G of the same specifications are continuously molded. That is, each time the target axial position for positioning each drum body 2a, 2a of the shape drum 1Ab is changed, the above-mentioned positional deviation amount g is calculated and used to correct the axial positional deviation of each drum body 2a, 2a. Alternatively, the above-mentioned confirmation process can be performed immediately before the start of molding each time a single green tire G is molded. Because the axial positional deviation amounts g, g of each drum body 2a, 2a do not increase in a short period of time, the above-mentioned confirmation process is generally performed each time the target position is changed. The above-mentioned confirmation process can be performed every day or every few days immediately before the start of molding of the green tires G, or it can be performed every time a predetermined number of green tires G have been molded immediately before the start of molding of the green tires G.

[0044] 3, a wireless power feeder 11 as shown in FIG. 7 can be used. The wireless power feeder 11 can use known specifications of an electromagnetic coupling system in which power supply and signal transmission are performed by electromagnetic coupling between a base unit 11a and a remote unit 11b attached to a support shaft 3.

[0045] Next, the transfer device 1B (band transfer device 1Ba) will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 8, the band transfer device 1Ba has a pair of holding parts 2b, 2b. One of the holding parts 2b has a support base 12, a drive part 4a installed on the support base 12, and a linear encoder 8 (8a, 8b). The other holding part 2b has the same members as the one holding part 2b.

[0046] The linear scales 8a, 8a are disposed extending on the surface of the moving rail 13. The detection units 8b, 8b are fixed to the lower ends of the support bases 12. The holding units 2b, 2b are driven by the driving units 4a, so that they slide in the cylindrical axial direction along the moving rail 13 together with the support bases 12. The various movements of the holding units 2b, 2b are controlled by the control unit 7.

[0047] In the band transfer device 1Ba, a target value Pa for the distance in the axial direction between the pair of holding portions 2b, 2b is set according to the specifications (tire size, etc.) of the tire T. That is, as illustrated in Fig. 9, when the opposing surfaces of the respective holding portions 2b, 2b are located at a position spaced apart in the axial direction by s1 from the reference position St of the transfer rail 13, the distance between the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a in the axial direction becomes the target value Pa (=s1+s1). Position data for the target position in the axial direction of the opposing surfaces of the respective drum bodies 2a, 2a corresponding to this target value Pa (i.e., the position spaced apart in the axial direction by s1 from the reference position St) is input to the control unit 7.

[0048] Therefore, the control unit 7 controls the respective drive units 4a, 4a based on the position data of the target positions to slide the respective holders 2b, 2b in the axial direction of the cylinder. This positions the respective holders 2b, 2b to the target positions in the axial direction of the cylinder. When the control unit 7 controls the respective drive units 4a, 4a based on the position data of the preset target positions, the opposing surfaces of the respective holders 2b, 2b can usually be accurately positioned to the target positions. However, the positioning accuracy may decrease due to wear and deformation over time of the drive unit 4a and the transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the drive unit 4a. As a result, the positional deviations g, g of the opposing surfaces of the respective holders 2b, 2b from the target positions increase.

[0049] In this embodiment, the axial position of the opposing surfaces of the holders 2b, 2b, which are controlled and positioned by the control unit 7 based on the position data of the target position, is detected using the respective linear encoders 8, 8. Position data for the installation position of the linear scales 8a, 8a relative to the reference position St and position data for the installation position of the detectors 8b, 8b from the opposing surfaces of the holders 2b, 2b on the respective support bases 12, 12, are input to the control unit 7. Therefore, the axial position of the opposing surfaces of the holders 2b, 2b relative to the reference position St can be detected as a detection result using the respective linear encoders 8, 8. In FIG. 9, it is detected that the opposing surface of the left holder 2b is located axially r1 away from the reference position St, and it is detected that the opposing surface of the right holder 2b is located axially r2 away from the reference position St.

[0050] The detection results from the linear encoders 8, 8 are input to a scale converter 10 (not shown) via a communication line and then input to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 calculates that the positional deviation amount g of the opposing surface of the left holding unit 2b relative to the target position is r1-s1, and that the positional deviation amount g of the opposing surface of the right holding unit 2b relative to the target position is r2-s1.

[0051] Then, based on the calculated positional deviation amounts g (= r1 - s1) and g (= r2 - s1), the control unit 7 controls the drive units 4b, 4b to slide the holders 2b, 2b in the cylindrical axis direction so that the positional deviation amounts g approach zero, thereby correcting the positional deviation of the opposing surfaces. That is, the holders 2b, 2b are slid in the cylindrical axis direction so that the distance between the opposing surfaces of the holders 2b, 2b in the cylindrical axis direction after the positional deviation of the opposing surfaces is corrected falls within a range (a preset range) that can be equated with the target value Pa. If the positional deviation amount g is within a negligible range (a preset range), this correction is not performed.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the respective drive units 4a, 4a based on the position data of the target positions to slide the respective holders 2b, 2b. Separately from this control, the linear encoders 8, 8 detect the axial positions of the respective holders 2b, 2b. Then, based on the respective positional deviations g, g calculated by the control unit 7, the respective holders 2b, 2b are slid in the axial direction and repositioned, thereby accurately correcting the axial deviation of the respective holders 2b, 2b from the target positions. This is advantageous for accurately correcting the axial deviation of the respective holders 2b, 2b from the target positions without being affected by wear and deformation over time of the drive unit 4a, transmission units, etc.

[0053] After correcting the positional deviation of each of the holding parts 2b, 2b from the target position in the cylindrical axis direction, the band member formed on the drum body 2a of the band drum 1Aa is held in a cylindrical shape by each of the holding parts 2b, 2b. Next, the band transfer device 1Ba slides along the transfer rail 13 and transfers the band member to the pair of drum bodies 2a, 2a of the shape drum 1Ab.

[0054] In this way, the unvulcanized band members (tire members M1 to M4) are held in a cylindrical shape by the pair of holding portions 2b, 2b whose cylindrical axial positions are accurately positioned at the target positions, so that unnecessary deformation of the band members does not occur, improving the quality of the molded green tire G. This also contributes to improving the quality of the tire T obtained by vulcanizing the green tire G. The various arrangements described for the above-mentioned shape drum 1Ab can be applied to this band transfer device 1Ba as well.

[0055] 1 and 2 to a target position (desired position) in the cylindrical axis direction, and when positioning the holding part 2b of the belt transfer device 1Bb to a target position (desired position) in the cylindrical axis direction, the above-mentioned correction of positional deviation using the linear encoder 8 in the band transfer device 1Ba can also be applied. Therefore, in the band drum 1Aa and the belt transfer device 1Bb, it is desirable to calculate the positional deviation amount g of the drum body 2a of the band drum 1Aa and the positional deviation amount g of the holding part 2b of the belt transfer device 1Bb based on the detection results of the linear encoder 8, just like in the band transfer device 1Ba, and correct the positional deviation of these drum body 2a and holding part 2b.

[0056] Next, the measuring device 1C will be described in detail. As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the measuring device 1C has a pair of holding rims 2c, 2c that hold the tire T, a support shaft 3 that supports each of the holding rims 2c, 2c, two driving units 4a, 4b, a control unit 7, a linear encoder 8 (8a, 8b), a slip ring 9 fitted onto the support shaft 3, and a scale converter 10 (not shown). The measuring device 1C also has a measuring rotating drum 2D arranged adjacent to the pair of holding rims 2c, 2c.

[0057] This measuring rotating drum 2D slides in the X direction to approach or move away from the tire T held by the pair of holding rims 2c, 2c. As illustrated in Fig. 11, in the measuring device 1C, the tread of the tire T held by the pair of holding rims 2c, 2c is pressed by the outer circumferential surface of the measuring rotating drum 2D, and the maximum value of the reaction force fluctuation (RFV) in the tire radial direction that occurs during one rotation of the tire T under load is measured as an index of uniformity.

[0058] The pair of retaining rims 2c, 2c are mounted on the support shaft 3 and spaced apart in the cylindrical axis direction (Z direction). The axis of the support shaft 3 coincides with the cylindrical axis center P1 of each retaining rim 2c, 2c. The support shaft 3 is divided into a lower portion to which the lower (one) retaining rim 2c is attached and an upper portion to which the upper (other) retaining rim 2c is attached, and the lower portion of the support shaft 3 has a fitting portion 3a that fits into the upper retaining rim 2c. The driving force of one of the driving units 4a is transmitted to the support shaft 3 via a transmission unit provided in the driving unit 4a and a transmission unit provided on the lower portion of the support shaft 3. Therefore, when the fitting portion 3a fits into the upper retaining rim 2c and the lower and upper portions of the support shaft 3 are integrated, when the driving unit 4a is driven, the pair of retaining rims 2c, 2c together with the support shaft 3 rotate about the cylindrical axis center P1.

[0059] The driving force of the other driving unit 4b is transmitted to the upper part of the support shaft 3 via a transmission unit provided in the driving unit 4b and a transmission unit provided in the upper part of the support shaft 3. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10, when the driving unit 4b is driven, the upper holding rim 2c together with the upper part of the support shaft 3 slides in the axial direction (Z direction), and the holding rims 2c, 2c move closer to or away from each other.

[0060] The drive unit 4a and the lower part of the support shaft 3 can be connected and disconnected by a clutch mechanism, and the drive unit 4b and the upper part of the support shaft 3 can be connected and disconnected by a clutch mechanism. When the drive unit 4a is driving the support shaft 3 to rotate, the drive unit 4b and the upper part of the support shaft 3 are disconnected, and when the drive unit 4b is sliding the upper part of the support shaft 3, the drive unit 4a and the lower part of the support shaft 3 are disconnected.

[0061] The control unit 7 controls various operations of the measurement device 1C. A linear scale 8a is installed on the surface of the engagement unit 3a and extends in the cylindrical axis direction (Z direction). A detection unit 8b is fixed to the upper holding rim 2c.

[0062] When measuring the uniformity of tire T, as illustrated in FIG. 12, tire T is placed sideways on the lower holding rim 2c. Next, the upper holding rim 2c is moved downward in the cylindrical axis direction. In the measuring device 1C, a target value Pa for the distance in the cylindrical axis direction (Z direction) between the pair of holding rims 2c is set according to the specifications of tire T (such as tire size). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when the opposing surfaces of the respective holding rims 2c are positioned s1 apart in the cylindrical axis direction from the reference position St of the support shaft 3, the distance in the cylindrical axis direction between the pair of holding rims 2c becomes the target value Pa (=s1). Position data for the target position in the cylindrical axis direction of the opposing surfaces of the upper holding rim 2c corresponding to this target value Pa (i.e., the position s1 apart in the cylindrical axis direction from the reference position St) is input to the control unit 7.

[0063] Therefore, the control unit 7 controls the driver 4b based on the position data of this target position, sliding the upper holding rim 2c in the axial direction (Z direction), as illustrated in FIG. 13. This positions the upper holding rim 2c at the target position in the axial direction. When the driver 4b is controlled by the control unit 7 based on the position data of the preset target position, the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c can usually be accurately positioned at the target position. However, the positioning accuracy may decrease due to wear and deformation over time of the driver 4b and the transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the driver 4b. As a result, the positional deviation g of the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c from the target position increases.

[0064] In this embodiment, the position in the axial direction of the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c, which has been controlled and positioned by the control unit 7 based on position data of the target position, is detected using a linear encoder 8. Position data for the installation position of the linear scale 8a relative to the reference position St and position data for the installation position of the detection unit 8b relative to the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c are input to the control unit 7. Therefore, using the linear encoder 8, the position in the axial direction of the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c relative to the reference position St can be detected as a detection result. In Figure 13, it is detected that the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c is located r1 away from the reference position St in the axial direction.

[0065] The detection result by the linear encoder 8 is input to a scale converter 10 via a communication line and a slip ring 9, and then input to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 calculates that the positional deviation amount g of the target position of the opposing surface of the upper holding rim 2c is r1-s1.

[0066] Then, based on the calculated positional deviation amount g (=r1-s1), the control unit 7 controls the drive unit 4b to slide the upper holding rim 2c in the axial direction so that the positional deviation amount g approaches zero, thereby correcting the positional deviation of the opposing surfaces of the upper holding rim 2c. In other words, the upper holding rim 2c is slid in the axial direction so that the distance between the opposing surfaces of the upper holding rim 2c in the axial direction after the positional deviation has been corrected falls within a range (a preset range) that can be equated with the target value Pa. If the positional deviation amount g is within a negligible range (a preset range), this correction is not performed.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the driver 4b to slide the upper retaining rim 2 based on the position data of the target position, and the linear encoder 8 detects the axial position of the upper retaining rim 2c in a separate system. Then, based on the above-mentioned positional deviation g calculated by the control unit 7, the upper retaining rim 2c is slid in the axial direction and repositioned, thereby accurately correcting the axial positional deviation of the upper retaining rim 2c from the target position. This is advantageous for accurately correcting the axial positional deviation of the upper retaining rim 2c from the target position without being affected by wear and deformation over time of the driver 4b and its transmission parts, etc.

[0068] By correcting the positional deviation of the upper holding rim 2c from the target position in the cylindrical axis direction, the tire T is held by the pair of holding rims 2c, 2c of the measuring device 1C. In this way, the tire T is held by the pair of holding rims 2c, 2c whose cylindrical axis direction is accurately positioned at the target position, so the tire T is stably held without unnecessary deviation. As a result, it becomes possible to measure the uniformity of the tire T more accurately. The various arrangements described for the shape drum 1Ab above can also be applied to this measuring device 1C.

[0069] The confirmation process for correcting the axial positional deviation of the upper holding rim 2c based on the detection results of the linear encoder 8 may be performed, for example, immediately before the start of measurement of the same lot in which multiple tires T of the same specifications are continuously measured. That is, each time the target position in the axial direction for positioning the upper holding rim 2c of the measuring device 1C is changed, the above-mentioned positional deviation amount g is calculated and used to correct the axial positional deviation of the upper holding rim 2c. Alternatively, the above-mentioned confirmation process may be performed immediately before the start of measurement of each tire T. Because the axial positional deviation amount g of the upper holding rim drum 2c does not increase in a short period of time, the above-mentioned confirmation process is generally performed each time the target position is changed. The above-mentioned confirmation process may be performed every day or every few days immediately before the start of measurement of the tire T, or may be performed every predetermined number of measurements of the tire T immediately before the start of measurement of the tire T.

[0070] The PCI device also has a pair of holding rims 2c, 2c that hold the tire T, and a target value Pa for the distance between the pair of holding rims 2c, 2c in the cylindrical axis direction (Z direction) is set according to the specifications of the tire T (such as tire size). Therefore, when positioning the other (upper) holding rim 2c of the PCI device to a target position in the cylindrical axis direction, the above-described correction of positional deviation using the linear encoder 8 in the measuring device 1C can also be applied. Therefore, in the PCI device as well, it is desirable to calculate the amount of positional deviation g of the upper holding rim 2c based on the detection results of the linear encoder 8, as with the measuring device 1C, and correct the positional deviation of this holding rim 2c.

[0071] In the various embodiments described above, the use of linear encoder 8 eliminates the need for complicated work to check the axial positional deviation of the cylindrical body sliding in the axial direction relative to the target position, and this positional deviation can be quickly corrected. Therefore, the tire apparatus (molding apparatus 1A, transfer apparatus 1B, measuring apparatus 1C) of the present invention contributes to improved work efficiency and productivity. In other words, the tire manufacturing method described above improves tire productivity.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the manufacturing process of pneumatic tires, but can be applied to manufacturing processes of various types of tires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1A Molding equipment (tire equipment) 1Aa Band Drums 1Ab Shaped Drum 1B Transfer device (tire device) 1Ba band transfer device 1Bb Belt transfer device 1C Measuring device (tire device) 2a Drum body (cylindrical body) 2b Holding part (cylindrical body) 2c Retaining rim (cylindrical body) Rotating drum for 2D measurements 3 spindle 3a Mating part 4a, 4b Drive motor (drive unit) 5 Ball screw 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Transmission parts 7 Control Unit 8 Linear Encoders 8a Linear Scale 8b Detection unit 9. Slip ring 10 Scale Converter 11 Wireless power supply 11a Base 11b Remote section 12 Support Base 13 Moving rail 14a, 14b, 14c Material supply section 15 Vulcanization equipment M (M1~M5) Tire components G Green Tire T Vulcanized tire

Claims

1. A tire device including a cylindrical body for holding an unvulcanized tire component, a green tire, or a vulcanized tire, a drive unit for sliding the cylindrical body along a cylindrical axis direction, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit, a linear encoder for detecting the position of the cylindrical body in the axial direction; When sliding the cylindrical body along a cylindrical axis direction to position it at a preset target position, the control unit controls the drive unit based on position data of the target position to slide the cylindrical body and position it, The detection results from the linear encoder that detects the axial position of the positioned cylindrical body are input to the control unit, and the control unit calculates the amount of positional deviation between the detection result and the target position, and the device for a tire corrects the axial positional deviation of the cylindrical body relative to the target position based on the calculated amount of positional deviation.

2. 2. The tire device of claim 1, wherein the linear encoder is a magnetic linear encoder.

3. 3. The tire device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is configured to rotate together with a support shaft around the center of rotation and to slide along the support shaft, the linear encoder has a linear scale extending on the surface of the support shaft, and has a slip ring arranged coaxially with the support shaft, and the detection result by the linear encoder is input to the control unit via the slip ring.

4. 4. The tire device according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body is a pair of drum bodies on which the unvulcanized tire components are held in a cylindrical shape, and the tire device is a molding device used for molding a green tire.

5. 4. The tire device according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body is a pair of holding rims for holding the vulcanized tire, and the tire device is a measuring device used to measure the uniformity of the vulcanized tire.

6. In a tire manufacturing method in which a molded green tire is vulcanized, A tire manufacturing method, comprising molding the green tire using the tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.

7. The method for manufacturing a tire according to claim 6, wherein the amount of positional deviation is calculated each time the target position is changed, and is used to correct the positional deviation.

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