Tire manufacturing apparatus and tire component supply method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tire manufacturing apparatus comprising a tire material servicer for supplying tire material to a supply surface and an applicator for transporting the tire material. The tire material servicer comprises a support molding member and a platform that can be retracted in the retraction direction from a support position to a retracted position relative to the support molding member, wherein the platform is recessed and spaced apart from the supply surface. The applicator comprises a tip holding section having a first claw member and a second claw member that can be positioned on both sides of the supply surface, wherein one of the first and second claw members can be positioned between the platform and the supply surface when the platform retracts from the support position to the retracted position and / or to the retracted position. The present invention further relates to a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to a tire manufacturing apparatus and a method for supplying tire members.

Background Art

[0002] JP2528266B2 discloses that, during the tire manufacturing process, a soft strip material such as a sidewall is transferred from a support portion of a cutting device to a molding member drum by a work head that advances in the moving direction along a reciprocating frame. The work head includes a first pressing device in the shape of a pressing finger that holds near the tip of the strip material, a second pressing device in the shape of a roller that presses the strip material against the molding member drum, and a third pressing device in the shape of a suction tool that holds near the rear end of the strip material. The third pressing device is disposed on the downstream side of the first pressing device in the moving direction, and the second pressing device is disposed between the first pressing device and the third pressing device.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The drawback of the work head disclosed in JP2528266B2 is that the first pressing device does not pick up the farthest position of the tip of the strip material, that is, the tip portion. Instead, the first pressing device picks up the strip material at a short distance upstream of the tip portion when viewed in the moving direction, so the tip portion protrudes freely from the first pressing device and is pressed against the molding member drum by the second pressing device. While transferring the strip material from the support portion of the cutting device to the molding member drum, the tip portion becomes temporarily unsupported and / or uncontrollable. There is a possibility that the position of the tip portion shifts during transfer and / or the shape of the tip portion is deformed. This is particularly prominent when applying a relatively thin strip material (for example, less than 1 millimeter thick), and there is a possibility that it will easily undulate, fold, and / or flutter during transfer. As a result, when applying the strip material to the molding member drum, the position of the tip portion may be unclear and / or inaccurate, which may have an adverse effect on subsequent processes of the tire manufacturing process such as splicing and / or application of any subsequent layers, and the overall tire quality.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a tire manufacturing apparatus and a method for supplying tire components, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of strip-shaped material on a tire component drum.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a tire manufacturing apparatus comprising a tire member servicer for supplying a tire member into a supply plane, and an applicator for transferring a tire molding member from the tire member servicer to a tire member drum in the coating direction. The tire component servicer comprises a support member that supports the tire component within the supply plane, and a platform that can be retracted relative to the support member from the support position in the storage direction. The platform, at the support position, is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the support member within the supply plane, but moves toward or transitions toward the storage position. The platform is recessed relative to the support member and is located at a distance from the supply surface. The applicator includes a tip holder for holding the tip of a tire member, and the tip holder includes a first claw member and a second claw member that can be positioned on opposite sides of the supply plane. When the platform is retracted from the support position toward the retraction position and / or into the retraction position, one of the first claw member and the second claw member can be positioned between the platform and the supply plane.

[0006] In the support position, the platform can cooperate with the support members to support the tire member within the supply surface when performing operations such as cutting, aligning, and repositioning on the tire member on the supply surface. Furthermore, in the support position, the platform can prevent deformation of the tire member when it is transferred from the supply surface to the platform. On the other hand, in the storage position, the platform can temporarily secure space below the supply surface or remove obstacles from that space, thereby allowing the tire part to be conveniently picked up from below. In particular, by storing the platform in the storage position, the tire member remains largely supported by the support members, and one claw member of the applicator can be suitably positioned below the portion of the tire member that was previously supported by the platform. One claw member can cooperate with the other claw member above the supply surface to securely grip the tire member from both sides of the supply surface without being obstructed by the platform in the storage position.

[0007] By using the platform, only the leading edge of the tire component can be exposed, allowing the tire component to be picked up, securely held, transferred to the tire component drum, and attached to the tire component. This reduces the likelihood of the leading edge shifting or deforming due to the force applied to the tire component. Consequently, the positioning accuracy of the tire component on the tire component drum during pickup, transfer, attachment, and / or stitching is improved.

[0008] In one preferred embodiment, when the platform is in the support position, the support member and the platform are continuous on the supply surface. Therefore, the tire member can be supplied onto the platform on the supply surface over the support member without causing significant interruptions, gaps, or transitions.

[0009] In another embodiment, the tire member servicer further includes a retraction drive device that drives the platform between a retracted position and a supported position. This allows for automatic or semi-automatic control of the platform's retraction.

[0010] In another embodiment, the tire member servicer is configured to supply the tire member in a supply direction parallel to the supply surface, and the support member is positioned upstream of the platform with respect to the supply direction. Thus, the tire member is initially supported on the support member before being transported onto the platform in the supply direction. Furthermore, when operations such as cutting are performed on the tire member on the platform, at least a portion of the remaining length of the tire member continues to be supported on the support member upstream of the platform.

[0011] Preferably, the tire member servicer includes a cutting device that cuts the tire member along a cutting line extending perpendicular to the supply direction within the supply plane, and the platform is configured to support the tire member along the cutting line in a support position and to move away from the cutting device in the storage direction. Thus, the platform can cooperate with the cutting device when cutting the tire member and move away from the cutting device after the tire member has been cut.

[0012] In particular, the cutting device includes a cutter configured to work in cooperation with a platform to cut tire molded parts along a cutting line. Preferably, the cutter is a disc cutter. The disc cutter can cut tire components by rotating and moving left and right along the cutting line.

[0013] More preferably, the platform is a cutting bar configured to cooperate with the cutter. The cutting bar can be made of a rigid material suitable for repeatedly cutting tire components to a predetermined length in cooperation with the cutter. The cutting bar may also be equipped with cutting features such as cutting blades, cutting slots, or cutting profiles for cooperating with the cutter along the cutting line.

[0014] In further embodiments, applicable independently of the platform and applicator storage functions, and for example when combined with a conventional tire member servicer with a fixed cutting bar, the cutting device further comprises a holder that holds the cutter relative to the feed surface and a tilting drive device that tilts the holder about an inclination axis parallel to the cutting line. By tilting the holder, and by extension the cutter held in the holder, the cutter can be moved away from the platform and / or tire member, thereby reducing wear and damage to the cutter, platform, and / or tire member during non-cutting operations such as the extension and retraction of the platform and / or the return of the cutter to its lateral and / or upward starting position of the tire member.

[0015] More specifically, the platform comprises a pair of molded members having opposing cutting surfaces extending perpendicular to the supply direction and ending with opposing cutting blades parallel to or coinciding with the cutting line, and the cutter comprises cutting blades whose cutting surfaces end with the cutting blades. The holder is tiltable in a first tilting direction around a tilting axis from a cutting position configured in which the cutting blades cooperate with the opposing cutting blades to cut the tire member along the cutting line of the cutting surfaces to a first tilting position in which the cutting surfaces move away from the cutting surfaces at the supply surface. By moving the cutting surfaces away from each other at least at the height of the supply surface, a gap is created between the cutting surfaces and the opposing cutting surfaces, which reduces wear between the cutting surfaces during non-cutting operations as described above.

[0016] Preferably, the cutting surface is moved away from the cutting surface by at least one vector component within the supply surface in the clearance direction opposite to the supply direction. Thus, the cutting surface can move upstream of the cutting surface by at least one vector component, thereby effectively forming a clearance gap between the cutting surface and the opposing cutting surface, and reducing wear as the two cutting surfaces move relative to each other.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the holder is tilted from the cutting position to a first tilting position at a first tilting angle of at least 0.1 degrees, preferably at least 0.2 degrees, and most preferably at least 0.3 degrees. Even this relatively small first tilting angle can ensure sufficient clearance and reduce wear.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the cutting device includes a tilting drive device that tilts the holder about an inclination axis, which is operationally connected to a retraction drive device and is configured to tilt the holder in a first inclination direction before or simultaneously with the platform retracting from the support position to the retraction position. In this way, the cutting surface can be separated from the opposing cutting surface before or immediately after the platform begins to move to the retraction position, thereby preventing wear on both cutting surfaces as the platform retracts.

[0019] In another embodiment, the holder is tiltable about the tilt axis in a second tilt direction opposite to the first tilt direction, from the first tilt direction to the second tilt direction in which the cutting blade protrudes at least partially downstream of the cut surface. By tilting the holder and the cutter held in the holder in the second tilt direction above and away from the platform, the cutter can be returned to the starting position without interfering with the platform and / or the tire member.

[0020] Preferably, the holder is tilted from the cutting position to the first tilting position by a second tilting angle of at least 2 degrees, preferably at least 3 degrees. The second tilting angle is sufficient to tilt the holder so that the cutter is above the platform and / or tire members and spaced away from them.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the tilting drive is configured to tilt the holder from the first tilting position to the second tilting position after the platform has been retracted from the support position to the storage position. At this stage, the tire member is picked up by the applicator and conveyed towards the tire assembly drum. By tilting the holder to the second tilting position, the cutter can return to the starting position on the opposite side of the tire member along the cutting line without interfering with the conveyance of the tire member.

[0022] In another embodiment, the application direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the supply direction. Thus, the tire can be conveyed in the same direction as the supply direction.

[0023] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of supplying a tire member to a tire manufacturing drum using the tire manufacturing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method including the following steps: Providing a platform in a support position to support the tire member within the supply plane; Moving the platform towards and / or to the retracted position from the support position; and Placing one of the first claw member and the second claw member between the platform and the supply plane when the platform is being retracted towards the storage position and / or when the platform is in the storage position.

[0024] This method relates to the actual implementation of the tire manufacturing apparatus and thus has similar technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes the following steps: Cutting the tire member along a cutting line extending within the supply plane perpendicular to the supply direction to form a tip portion; and Placing the platform in the support position to support the tire member at the cutting line.

[0026] More preferably, the method further includes the following steps: When the platform is moving backward toward the retracted position and / or when it has moved backward to the retracted position, the tip of the tire member is held within the supply surface while the first claw member and the second claw member are on the opposite side of the supply surface.

[0027] In another embodiment, it can also be applied regardless of the elasticity of the platform. For example, in combination with a conventional fixed cutting bar, a tire member service includes a cutting device for cutting the tire member along a cutting line. The cutting device includes a cutter configured to cooperate with the platform to cut the tire member along the cutting line. The method further comprises the following steps: Tilt the cutter about an inclined axis parallel to the cutting line.

[0028] Preferably, the platform includes an opposing forming member having an opposing cutting surface that extends in a cutting plane perpendicular to the supply direction and ends with opposing cutting edges parallel or coinciding with the cutting line. The cutter includes a cutting blade having a cutting surface that ends with a cutting edge. The method includes the following steps: Tilt the cutter in a first tilting direction about the tilting axis from a cutting posture in which the cutting edge is configured to cooperate with the opposing cutting edge to cut the tire along the cutting line in the cutting surface to a first tilting posture in which the cutting surface moves away from the cutting surface when considered within the supply surface.

[0029] More preferably, the cutting surface is moved away from the cutting plane by at least a vector component in the supply plane in a clearance direction opposite to the supply direction.

[0030] In another embodiment, the holder is tilted from the cutting direction to the first tilting direction over a first tilting angle of at least one-tenth of a degree, preferably at least two-tenths of a degree, and most preferably at least three-tenths of a degree.

[0031] In another embodiment, before the platform retracts from the support position to the retracted position or simultaneously with the retraction, the cutter is tilted in the first tilting direction.

[0032] In another embodiment, the cutter is tiltable in a second tilting direction opposite to the first tilting direction, around the tilting axis, such that the cutting blade protrudes at least partially downstream of the cut surface from the first tilting direction.

[0033] Preferably, the holder is tilted from the cutting direction to the first tilting direction over a second tilting angle of at least 2 degrees, preferably at least 3 degrees.

[0034] Furthermore, or alternatively, after the platform retracts from the support position to the retracted position, the cutter is tilted from the first inclination direction to the second inclination direction.

[0035] In another embodiment of the method, which can be applied independently of the platform and its associated functions, the method further includes the following steps: During cutting, tension is generated in the tire material in the supply direction. The tension generated in the tire material reduces wear between the cutter and the tire material, promoting clean and / or precise cutting of the tire material. Furthermore, this tension ensures proper separation of the cut ends of the continuous strip material after cutting.

[0036] In another embodiment of this method, which can be applied independently of the platform and its associated functions, the tire member servicer comprises a first cutting clamp: Using a first cutting clamp, the tire member is clamped to the support member at a clamping position upstream of the cutting line during cutting; The process of holding the tip of the tire component with a tip holder; To release the tire member from the first cutting clamp, the first cutting clamp is moved away from the support member to a first release distance; The steps include: moving the applicator away from the tire member servicer in order to transfer the cut-length tire member from the tire member servicer to the tire manufacturing drum; and The first cutting clamp is moved further away from the support member to a second release distance which is greater than the first release distance. Preferably, the second release distance is at least twice as large as the first release distance, and preferably at least three times as large as the first release distance.

[0037] When the applicator passes the tire component through the tire component servicer and transfers the tip to the tire component drum, parts of the tire component may unexpectedly undulate, shake, or bounce. To prevent damage to the tire component due to contact with or entanglement with the tire component servicer during this transfer, the tire component extraction speed is intentionally kept low. However, by moving the first cutting clamp away from the support member, the opening through which the tire component is extracted can be significantly enlarged. Therefore, the tire component extraction speed and transfer speed can be significantly improved.

[0038] The various aspects and features described and presented herein can be applied individually as far as possible. These individual aspects, in particular those described in the attached dependent claims, may be the subject of a divisional patent application. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] The present invention will be described based on exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying schematic diagrams. Figures 1 to 6 show side views of the tire member servicer at each step of the tire member supply method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows a top view of the tire component servicer according to Figures 1-6. Detailed description of the present invention

[0040] Figures 1 to 7 show a tire manufacturing machine 1 for manufacturing or constructing green tires or unvulcanized tires according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the tire manufacturing machine 1 comprises a tire manufacturing drum 2, a tire material supply device or service device 3 that supplies a continuous strip material 9 to the tire manufacturing drum 2 in the supply direction S, and an applicator 5 that transfers and / or applies cut-length tire material 90, 90' from the tire material servicer 3 to the tire manufacturing drum 2 in the application direction A. In this example, the application direction A is parallel to or in line with the supply direction S.

[0042] In this example, the continuous strip material 9 is a cord-reinforced strip made of elastomer or rubber material, and is particularly a reinforcing strip for reinforcing the longitudinal edge of a breaker. Alternatively, the continuous strip material 9 can be used to manufacture cap strip material, gum strip material, sidewall, or other strip material used in tire manufacturing or tire assembly, with or without cord reinforcement. The continuous strip material 9 is cut to a predetermined length to form tire members 90, 90' having a leading end LE, LE' and a trailing end TE, TE', with respect to the supply direction S. Note that the cutting in Figure 1 creates the trailing end TE' of the tire member 90' from the previous cycle, and at the same time creates a new leading end LE of the subsequent tire member 90.

[0043] The tire material servicer 3 comprises a base 30 and a support member 33 that supports a continuous strip material 9 within a supply surface P relative to the base 30. In this example, the supply surface P extends parallel to the supply direction S. The support member 33 may be a support table, a roller conveyor, or a belt conveyor.

[0044] The tire member servicer 3 further includes a platform 34 that can be retracted relative to the support member 33, moving from the support position shown in Figure 1 to the storage position shown in Figure 2. The platform 34 has a limited length in the supply direction S relative to the length of the support member 33. Specifically, the length of the platform 34 in the supply direction S is less than 20 centimeters, preferably less than 10 centimeters. Specifically, the length of the platform 34 in the supply direction S is at least one-third, preferably at least one-quarter, of the length of the support member 33 in the supply direction S. Therefore, the support member 33 can support most of the tire member 90, while the platform 34 supports only a small portion of the tire member 90, particularly the portion of the tire member 90 where the front end LE and rear end TE' shown in Figure 1 are formed.

[0045] More specifically, the platform 34 is the last, foremost, or leading part of the tire member servicer 3, and is the part that supports the tire member 9 from below in front of the tire manufacturing drum 2. In other words, there are no further support surfaces or elements of the tire member servicer 3 downstream of the platform 34 in the supply direction S.

[0046] In the support position, the platform 34 is substantially coplanar with and adjacent to the support member 33 on the supply surface P. In the retracted position, the platform 34 is retracted relative to the support member 33 and is positioned away from the supply surface P in a retraction direction D perpendicular to the supply surface P. In other words, the platform 34 is moved from a support position where the platform 34 is at a first distance from or to the supply surface P to a retracted position where the platform 34 is at a second distance greater than the first distance from the supply surface P and / or below the supply surface P.

[0047] In this example, the tire member servicer 3 is further provided with a retraction drive device 39 for retracting or returning the platform 34 between a retracted position and a support position. The retraction drive device 39 may be a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder. The retraction drive device 39 is functionally, electronically, and operationally connected to the control unit 10.

[0048] As best illustrated in Figure 1, the tire member servicer 3 further comprises a cutting device 4 for cutting a continuous strip of material 9 to a predetermined length along a cutting line L extending to a supply surface P. In this example, the cutting line L extends laterally or perpendicularly to the supply direction S. The cutting device 4 is provided with a knife or cutter 41 and a holder 40 for holding the cutter 41 relative to the supply surface P and the cutting line L. In particular, the holder 40 is movable in a cutting direction parallel to the cutting line L in order to move the cutter 41 along the cutting line L. The holder 40 is rotatable, pivotable, swiveling, or tiltable about an inclination axis T parallel to the cutting line L.

[0049] The cutter comprises a cutting blade 42 or a cutting knife. In this example, the cutter 41 is a disc cutter with a circular or disc-shaped knife or cutting blade 42. Alternatively, the cutter 41 may be an ultrasonic knife or a guillotine cutter. The cutting blade 42 is provided with a cutting surface 43, which in this example is terminated by a circular cutting blade 44.

[0050] Similarly, the platform 34 includes a counter-molding member 35, which has or defines a counter-cutting surface 36 for working with the cutting surface 43 to cut the tire member 90. In this example, the counter-cutting surface 36 extends to a cutting surface C perpendicular to the supply direction S. The counter-cutting surface 36 extends at least partially above the supply surface P. The counter-cutting surface 36 terminates with a counter-cutting blade 37 that coincides with the cutting line L. In this example, the counter-cutting blade 37 extends above the supply surface P, thereby slightly lifting the continuous strip material 9 from the cutting line L. The counter-cutting blade 37 is linear. During cutting, the cutting blade 44 overlaps with or intersects with the counter-cutting blade 37. Once cutting is complete, the platform 34 moves away from the supply surface P to the storage position, as shown in Figure 2, exposing the newly cut tip LE as a freely protruding tip.

[0051] The cutter 41 can rotate, pivot, swivel, or tilt together with the holder 40 around the tilt axis T between the cutting direction shown in Figure 1, the first tilting direction shown in Figure 2, and the second tilting direction shown in Figure 3.

[0052] The cutting device 4 further includes a tilt drive device 45 for driving or controlling the tilt of the holder 40 around the tilt axis T. The tilt drive device 45 is functionally, electronically, and operationally connected to the control unit 10 and is also directly or indirectly connected to the retraction drive device 39.

[0053] As further shown in Figure 1, the tire manufacturing machine 1 optionally includes a first cutting clamp 15 and / or a second cutting clamp 16, preferably provided as part of the tire member servicer 3, which clamp the tire member 90 at a clamping position G upstream of the cutting line L on the supply surface P during cutting. The first cutting clamp 15 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the supply surface P away from the support member 33, thereby releasing the tire member 90 after cutting in a manner described later. The second cutting clamp 16 can be retracted from the supply surface P to a position below the supply surface P.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the applicator 5 is movable in the application direction A along a guide (not shown). As shown in Figure 1, the applicator 5 comprises a front-end holder 6 for holding the front end LE of the tire member 9, a rear-end holder 7 for holding the rear end TE of the tire member 9, a stitcher 8 for stitching the tire member 9 to the tire member drum 2, and an applicator body 50 that relatively supports the front-end holder 6, the rear-end holder 7, and the stitcher 8. In particular, the applicator body 50 holds or positions the front-end holder 6 at a front-end holder position considered in the supply direction S. The applicator body 50 further holds or positions the rear-end holder 7 at a rear-end holder position downstream of the front-end holder position considered in the supply direction S. Finally, the applicator body 50 holds or positions the stitcher 8 at a stitcher position between the front-end holder position and the rear-end holder position considered in the supply direction S.

[0055] As further shown in Figure 4, the tip holding section 6 includes a tip clamp 60 for holding the tip LE of the tire member 9 within the supply surface P by clamping it. Specifically, the tip clamp 60 includes an upper claw member (first claw member 61) and a lower claw member (second claw member 62) that can be positioned on both sides of the supply surface P. In this example, the first claw member 61 is positioned below the supply surface P and is movable toward the second claw member 62 in a holding direction B that crosses or is perpendicular to the supply surface P. Alternatively, the second claw member 62 may be movable toward the first claw member 61, or both claw members 61 and 62 may be movable toward each other.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the second claw member 62 can be positioned in the space created by the platform 34 or in the previously occupied space when the platform 34 is retracted to its retracted position. In particular, the second claw member 62 is sized to fit between the platform 34 and the supply surface P when the platform 34 is in the retracted position, or can be positioned between the platform 34 and the supply surface P.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, the rear end retainer 7 includes at least one rear end suction cup 70 for holding the rear end TE of the tire member 9 to the supply surface P by suction force. In this example, the rear end retainer 7 includes one or more rear end suction cups 70. Alternatively, the rear end retainer 7 may be a rear end clamp similar to the front end clamp 6.

[0058] Finally, the stitcher 8 includes a stitcher roller 80 that rolls and stitches the tire material 9 to the tire manufacturing drum 2.

[0059] The tire manufacturing machine 1 may further include a rear end support 17 that supports the rear end TE of the tire member 90' generated when the cutter 41 optionally cuts the continuous strip material 9 to a predetermined length. The rear end support 17 cooperates with the rear end retaining part 7 to clamp the rear end TE. When the rear end TE engages with the rear end retaining part 7, the applicator 5 is moved to a position slightly lower than the height at which the continuous strip material 9 is supported on the platform 34, thereby applying a slight tension to the continuous strip material 9 and facilitating cutting. The rear end support 17 can be held within or slightly below the feed surface P so as not to lower the applicator 5 excessively relative to the feed surface P. The height position of the rear end support 17 can be controlled by an actuator, in particular a linear actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder.

[0060] Next, with reference to Figures 1 to 6, a method for supplying the tire member 9 to the tire manufacturing drum 2 using the tire member servicer 3 or the tire manufacturing machine 1 described above will be explained.

[0061] Figure 1 shows the tip of the tire member 90' from the previous cycle of the method applied to the tire manufacturing drum 6. The applicator 5 is returned to the platform 34 or a nearby rear end pickup position in the opposite direction to the application direction A.

[0062] The platform 34 is in a support position flush with the support member 33. The opposing cutting surface 36 extends along the cutting surface C. The cutting device 35, controlled by the holder 40, moves the cutter 41 from a lateral position on the continuous strip material 9 along the cutting line L to cut the continuous strip material 9 laterally. The cutter 41 is held by the holder 40 in a cutting position in which the cutting surface 43 of the cutter 41 extends along or parallel to the cutting surface C. In this position, the cutting blade 44 of the cutter 41 is configured to cooperate with the opposing cutting blade 37 of the opposing molded member 35 formed by the platform 34 to cut the continuous strip material 9 to a predetermined length, forming the rear end TE' of the tire member 90' from the previous cycle. At the same time, a new tip LE for the next tire member 90 to be applied in the current cycle of this method is formed. Before, during, or after cutting, the rear end retaining molded member 7 is controlled to engage or hold the rear end TE'. The rear end support member 17 is optionally controlled or positioned on the opposite side of the rear end holding molding member 7, and supports the rear end TE' from the opposite side of the supply surface P.

[0063] The cutting clamps 15 and 16 are controlled to clamp the continuous strip material 9 or the tire member 90 to be cut from the continuous strip material 9 on the supply surface P.

[0064] Figure 2 shows the state where the rear end TE' is held by the rear end holding part 7, and the applicator 5 moves toward the tire member drum 2 in the coating direction A, reaching a position above or near the rear end release position. The platform 34 moves backward toward the retracted position to expose the tip LE that was cut off in Figure 1.

[0065] On the other hand, in the tire member servicer 3, before the platform 34 moves to the retracted position, or simultaneously with it moving to the retracted position, the holder 40 is tilted from the cutting position in Figure 1 to the first tilting position R1 by the tilting drive device 45, as shown in Figure 2. The holder 40 is tilted from the cutting position to the first tilting position by a first tilting angle H1 of at least 1 / 10th of a degree, preferably at least 2 / 10ths of a degree, and most preferably at least 3 / 10ths of a degree.

[0066] Due to the inclination of the holder 40, the cutting surface 43 of the cutter 41 is positioned on or parallel to the first inclined surface V1, which extends at the same first inclination angle H1 as the cutting surface C. The cutter 41 is considered to be inclined slightly forward with respect to the feed direction S. As a result, the cutting surface 43 moves away from the cutting surface C in the clearance direction E opposite to the feed direction S, by at least a vector component within the feed surface P. This creates a small clearance gap between the cutting surfaces 36, 43 before or during the retraction of the platform 34, preventing both cutting surfaces 36, 43 from wearing down during the retraction.

[0067] It should be noted that after completing the cut, the cutter 41 moves further along the cutting line L to a lateral position on the tire member 9, as shown in the lower part of Figure 7 where the position of the cutter 41 is indicated. Therefore, the inclination of the cutter 41 occurs laterally on the tire member 90 and does not interfere with the tire member 90 itself. This can also be seen from Figure 2, where the cutter 41 appears to extend forward of the tip LE of the tire member 90 relative to the plane of the drawing.

[0068] Figure 3 shows the state in which the holder 40 is tilted by the tilt drive device 45 from the first tilt position shown in Figure 2 to a second tilt direction R2 opposite to the first tilt direction R1, around the tilt axis T. Specifically, the holder 40 tilts from the first tilt position, through the cutting position, to the second tilt position at a second tilt angle H2 of at least 2 degrees, preferably at least 3 degrees.

[0069] Due to the inclination of the holder 40 in the opposite direction, the cutting surface 43 of the cutter 41 is positioned within or parallel to the second inclined surface V2, which is inclined in the opposite direction to the cutting surface C, compared to the first inclined surface V1 in Figure 2. The cutter 41 is considered to be slightly rearward or inclined backward with respect to the supply direction S. In particular, the lower end of the cutter 41, more specifically the lower end of the cutting blade 42 or the lower end of the cutting edge 44, extends or protrudes at least partially downstream of the cutting surface P.

[0070] Similar to the situation in Figure 2, the cutter 41 in Figure 3 is still positioned laterally to the tire member 9, as shown by the position of the cutter 41 at the bottom of Figure 7, and the inclination does not interfere with the tire member 90. In Figure 7, the inclination of the cutter 41 is schematically shown by a dashed line. Once the cutter 41 has tilted sufficiently above the tire member 90 and moved away from the tire member 90, the holder 40 can be controlled to return the cutter 41 to the starting position in Figure 1 in a direction parallel to the cutting line L, as shown by the return arrow K in Figure 7.

[0071] Figure 4 shows the applicator 5 moved to a tip pickup position above the tire member servicer 3, specifically above or near the platform 34 for picking up the tip LE. The tip clamp 60 extends towards or near the supply surface P. Subsequently, the applicator 5 is moved in the opposite direction to the supply direction S, so that the claws 61 and 62 of the tip clamp 60 are on the opposite side of the holding direction B of the tip LE.

[0072] Figure 5 shows the state in which the applicator 5 or tip holder 6 is moved slightly upward from the platform 34, and the held tip LE is lifted from the support member 33.

[0073] Furthermore, the first cutting clamp 15 is moved from the support member 33 to a first release distance X1, releasing the tire member 90 from the first cutting clamp 15. The second cutting clamp 16 also retracts as necessary, releasing the tire member 90 from the second cutting clamp 16.

[0074] Figure 6 shows the applicator 5 being moved away from the tire member servicer 3 and in the coating direction A in order to transfer the tire member 90, which has been cut to length, from the tire member servicer 3 to the tire manufacturing drum 2.

[0075] It should be noted that the first cutting clamp 15 is further away from the support member 33 to a second release distance X2 which is greater than the first release distance X1, in order to increase the gap within the tire member servicer 3 for the tire member 90 to pass through.

[0076] After applying the tip LE to the drum 2, the aforementioned steps of the method can be repeated over another cycle of the method.

[0077] It should be understood that the above description is intended to illustrate the operation of a preferred embodiment and does not limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations fall within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1. Tire manufacturing machine 10 Control Unit 15. First cutting clamp 16. Second cutting clamp 17 Rear end support section 2 Tire component drum 3. Tire component service 30 base 33 Support member 34 Platforms 35 Counter Members 36 Counter-cut surface 37 Counter-cutting edge 39 Retraction Drive 4 Cutting device 40 holders 41 Cutter 42 Cutting blade 43 Cut surface 44 Cutting edge 45 Tilt Drive 5 Applicators 50 Applicator Body 6. Tip retainer 60 Tip Clamp 61 First claw member 62 Second claw member 7. Rear retainer 70 sucker 8 stitchers 80 Stitch Roller 9. Continuous strip material 90 Tire components 90' Tire components A. Application direction B Holding direction C cutting plane D Retraction direction E clearance direction G clamp position H1 First tilt angle H2 Second tilt angle K (Return Arrow) L cutting line LE tip LE tip P supply side R1 First slope direction R2 Second slope direction S Supply direction T tilt axis TE rear end V1 First Inclined Surface V2 Second Inclined Surface X1 First release distance X2 Second release distance X2

Claims

1. A tire manufacturing apparatus comprising a tire parts servicer for supplying tire parts into a supply surface, and an applicator for transporting the tire parts from the tire parts servicer to a tire manufacturing drum in a coating direction, wherein the tire parts servicer comprises a support member for supporting the tire parts within the supply surface, and a platform that is retractable from a support position toward a retracted position and / or within the retracted position toward a retracted position relative to the support member, and the platform is, at the support position, on the same plane as, or substantially on the same plane as, the support member within the supply surface, and the platform A tire manufacturing apparatus wherein, in the retracted position, the support member is recessed relative to the support member and is provided at a distance from the supply surface, the applicator comprises a tip holder for holding the tip of the tire part, the tip holder comprises a first claw member and a second claw member that are positionable on opposite sides of the supply surface from each other, and one of the first claw member and the second claw member is positionable between the platform and the supply surface when the platform retracts from the support position toward and / or into the retracted position.

2. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member and the platform are continuous within the supply surface when the platform is in the support position.

3. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tire parts servicer is further provided with a retraction drive unit that drives the platform between the retracted position and the support position.

4. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tire parts servicer is configured to supply the tire parts in a supply direction parallel to the supply surface, and the support member is provided upstream of the platform, which is considered to be relative to the supply direction.

5. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tire part servicer comprises a cutting machine for cutting the tire part along a cutting line extending in the supply plane perpendicular to the supply direction, and the platform is configured to support the tire part along the cutting line in the support position and move away from the cutting machine in the reversing direction.

6. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cutting machine comprises a cutter configured to cooperate with the platform when cutting the tire part along the cutting line.

7. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the platform is a cutting bar configured to cooperate with the cutter.

8. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cutter is a disc cutter.

9. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the cutting machine further comprises a holder that holds the cutter relative to the supply surface, and a tilting drive unit that tilts the holder with respect to an inclined axis parallel to the cutting line.

10. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the platform comprises a counter member having a counter cutting surface extending in a cutting plane perpendicular to the supply direction and terminating at a counter cutting end parallel to or coinciding with the cutting line, the cutter comprises a cutting blade having a cutting surface terminating at a cutting end, and the holder is tiltable in a first tilting direction with respect to the tilting axis from a cutting position configured such that the cutting end cooperates with the counter cutting end to cut the tire part along the cutting line in the cutting plane, to a first tilting position in which the cutting surface moves away from the cutting plane in a plane considered to be within the supply plane.

11. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cutting surface moves away from the cutting plane in a clearance direction opposite to the supply direction, with at least one vector component within the supply surface.

12. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the holder is tilted from the cutting position to the first tilting position over a first tilting angle of at least 1 / 10th of a degree, preferably by at least 2 / 10ths of a degree, and more preferably by 3 / 10ths of a degree.

13. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 and any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cutting machine comprises a tilt drive unit for driving the tilt of the holder with respect to the tilt axis, the tilt drive unit is operably connected to the retraction drive unit, and is configured to tilt the holder to the first tilt position prior to or simultaneously with the retraction of the platform from the support position to the retraction position.

14. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the holder is tiltable with respect to the tilt axis in a second tilt direction opposite to the first tilt direction, from a first tilt position to a second tilt position in which the cutting blade protrudes at least partially downstream of the cutting plane.

15. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the holder is tilted from the cutting position to the second tilting position by a second tilting angle of at least 2 degrees, preferably by at least 3 degrees.

16. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 13, 14, or 15, wherein the tilting drive unit is configured to tilt the holder from a first tilting posture to a second tilting posture after the platform has moved back from the support position to the retracted position.

17. The tire manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the coating direction is parallel to or substantially parallel to the supply direction.

18. A method for supplying tire components to a tire manufacturing drum using a tire manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, The steps include: positioning the platform at the support position that supports the tire component within the supply surface; The steps of moving the platform from the support position toward and / or into the retracted position, The steps include positioning one of the first and second claw members between the platform and the supply surface as the platform moves toward and / or into the retracted position, A method for providing this.

19. The steps include cutting the tire component along a cutting line extending in the supply plane perpendicular to the supply direction to form the tip portion, The steps include supporting the tire component with the cutting line while the platform is in the support position, The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of holding the leading edge of the tire component within the supply surface, with the first claw member and the second claw member facing opposite sides of the supply surface, as the platform moves toward and / or into the retracted position.

21. The tire parts servicer comprises a cutting machine for cutting the tire parts along the cutting line, and the cutting machine comprises a cutter configured to cooperate with the platform when cutting the tire parts along the cutting line. The method according to claim 19 or claim 20, further comprising the step of tilting the cutter with respect to an inclined axis parallel to the cutting line.

22. The platform comprises a counter member having a counter cutting surface that extends in a cutting plane perpendicular to the supply direction and terminates at a counter cutting end parallel to or coinciding with the cutting line, and the cutter comprises a cutting blade having a cutting surface that terminates at a cutting end, The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of tilting the cutter in a first inclination direction with respect to the inclination axis, from a cutting position in which the cutting end is configured to cooperate with the counter cutting end to cut the tire part along the cutting line in the plane of the cutting surface, to a first inclination position in which the cutting surface moves away from the cutting plane in a plane considered to be within the feed plane.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the cutting surface moves away from the cutting plane in a clearance direction opposite to the supply direction, with at least one vector component within the supply surface.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the holder is tilted from the cutting position to the first tilting position by a first tilting angle of at least 1 / 10th of a degree, preferably by at least 2 / 10ths of a degree, more preferably by 3 / 10ths of a degree.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the cutter tilts to the first tilted position prior to or simultaneously with the retraction of the platform from the support position to the retracted position.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the cutter is tiltable with respect to the tilt axis in a second tilt direction opposite to the first tilt direction, from a first tilt position to a second tilt position in which the cutting blade protrudes at least partially downstream of the cutting plane.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the holder is tilted from the cutting position to the first tilting position by a second tilting angle of at least 2 degrees, preferably by at least 3 degrees.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the cutter tilts from the first tilted position to the second tilted position after the platform has moved back from the support position to the retracted position.

29. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, further comprising the step of generating tension in the tire component in the supply direction crossing the cutting line during the cutting.

30. The tire parts servicer is provided with a first cutting clamp, and the first cutting clamp is, Using the first cutting clamp, during the cutting process, the tire part is clamped to the support member located at the clamp position upstream of the cutting line. The tip of the tire component is held by the tip holding portion, Move the first cutting clamp away from the support member to a first release distance, and release the tire part from the first cutting clamp. In order to transport the cut tire parts from the tire parts servicer to the tire manufacturing drum, the applicator is moved in the application direction away from the tire parts servicer. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the first cutting clamp is moved further away from the support member to a second release distance greater than the first release distance.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the second release distance is at least twice as large as the first release distance, and preferably at least three times as large as the first release distance.

Images