Method and device for winding unvulcanized rubber member, and method for manufacturing tire

Abstract

To provide a method and an apparatus for winding an unvulcanized rubber member capable of suppressing a variation in shapes while maintaining a prescribed shape of each standardized-length member formed by cutting a wound-up elongated unvulcanized rubber member into a standardized length, and a method for manufacturing a tire using the standardized-length member.SOLUTION: An elongated member LR of an unvulcanized rubber is accommodated between side frame parts 7a at both ends of a liner 7 in a width direction and wound up into a spiral shape. Each side frame part 7a is interposed between liners 7 adjacent to each other in a radial direction to keep the elongated member LR to be in a non-contact state with the liner 7 located on an outer circumferential side to allow a pressing body 8 interposed between the elongated member LR and the liner 7 located on the outer circumferential side to press a leading end portion Rf and a rear end portion Rb to the liner 7 located on an inner circumferential side. Or the pressing body 8 covering the whole length of the elongated member LR and having side frame parts 11 is interposed between the elongated member LR and the liner 7 located on the outer circumferential side to allow the pressing body 8 to press the elongated member LR to the liner 7 located on the inner circumferential side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for winding up an unvulcanized rubber member and a method for manufacturing tires, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for winding up an unvulcanized rubber member that can suppress variation in shape while maintaining the specified shape of each fixed-length member formed by cutting a long wound unvulcanized rubber member to a fixed length, and a method for manufacturing tires using these fixed-length members. [Background technology]

[0002] In a process for manufacturing rubber products such as tires, a long unvulcanized rubber member extruded by an extruder or the like is sometimes wound up by a winding device with a liner interposed therebetween and temporarily stored. The wound up long unvulcanized rubber member is unwound when needed and cut to a fixed length for use. Various liners have been proposed in the past, including various types such as a liner with battens that has battens on both ends in the width direction (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] When a liner with bars as proposed in Patent Document 1 is used, the long wound unvulcanized rubber member is not crushed by the outer liner because the bars are interposed between the inner liner and the outer liner, and is suitable for maintaining a predetermined shape. On the other hand, the liner proposed in Patent Document 2 has a pressing body made of an elastic body that expands by injecting a fluid, instead of bars. This pressing body is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber member and the outer liner and abuts against the unvulcanized rubber member. When the pressing body presses the unvulcanized rubber member strongly, it deforms significantly, which is disadvantageous for maintaining a predetermined shape.

[0004] Incidentally, it is known that extruded unvulcanized rubber members deform over time. In general, unvulcanized rubber members shrink in the longitudinal direction over time, and their width and thickness increase. A long unvulcanized rubber member that is wound up with a liner is attached to the non-elastic liner on the inner circumference side, so this deformation over time is suppressed. However, when a liner with bars is used, the longitudinal leading and trailing ends of the unvulcanized rubber member are free ends, so that they are less attached to the inner circumference liner than the other parts (the longitudinal center part). Therefore, the longitudinal leading and trailing ends of a long unvulcanized rubber member that is wound up and stored deform more over time than the other parts (the longitudinal center part).

[0005] As a result, even if the longitudinal dimensions are the same, the width and thickness dimensions of the fixed-length members obtained by cutting the longitudinal front and rear ends of the wound long unvulcanized rubber member to a fixed length differ from those of the fixed-length members obtained by cutting the other parts to a fixed length. That is, due to the position at which the long unvulcanized rubber member is cut to a fixed length, the width and thickness dimensions of the cut fixed-length members vary, resulting in variation in shape. As a result, the weight of each fixed-length member also varies. If a tire is manufactured using fixed-length members with such a large variation in shape, this can lead to an excess or deficiency in tire weight, which can have an adverse effect on the running performance of the tire. Therefore, there is room for improvement in suppressing the variation in shape of each fixed-length member formed by cutting the wound long unvulcanized rubber member to a fixed length. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-301300 [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-358823 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for winding an unvulcanized rubber member, which can suppress variation in shape while maintaining the specified shape of each fixed-length member formed by cutting a long wound unvulcanized rubber member to a fixed length, and a method for manufacturing tires using these fixed-length members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the winding method of an unvulcanized rubber member of the present invention involves winding a long unvulcanized rubber member in a spiral shape with a liner interposed therebetween, the liner having battens protruding in the thickness direction of the liner and extending in the longitudinal direction at both ends in the width direction of the liner, the unvulcanized rubber member is contained between each of the battens and wound in a spiral shape, the battens are interposed between radially adjacent liners so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber member, and at the longitudinal leading and trailing ends of the unvulcanized rubber member, a pressing body is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber member and the liner located on the outer periphery, and the leading and trailing ends are pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

[0009] Another winding method for an unvulcanized rubber member of the present invention is a method for winding a long unvulcanized rubber member in a spiral shape with a liner interposed therebetween, characterized in that the unvulcanized rubber member is placed on the liner and wound in a spiral shape, a pressing body covering the entire length of the unvulcanized rubber member is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber member and the liner located on the outer periphery, the pressing body has battens protruding in the thickness direction at both widthwise ends and extending in the longitudinal direction, the unvulcanized rubber member is accommodated between each of the battens, and each of the battens is interposed between adjacent liners in the radial direction so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber member, and the unvulcanized rubber member is pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

[0010] The winding device for an unvulcanized rubber material of the present invention comprises a pair of rotatable winding cores, a liner that is wound and unwound by these winding cores, and a rubber material transport means that supplies a long unvulcanized rubber material to the liner, and the unvulcanized rubber material is wound in a spiral shape around one of the winding cores with the liner interposed therebetween. In the winding device for an unvulcanized rubber material, the liner has ribs that protrude in the thickness direction of the liner and extend in the longitudinal direction at both ends in the width direction of the liner, and each of the ribs The unvulcanized rubber member is housed between the liners and wound up in a spiral shape, with each of the crosspieces being interposed between adjacent liners in the radial direction so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber member, and a pressing body is provided at the longitudinal tip and rear end of the unvulcanized rubber member and between the unvulcanized rubber member and the liner located on the outer periphery, so that the tip and rear end are pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

[0011] Another unvulcanized rubber member winding device of the present invention includes a pair of rotatable winding cores, a liner that is wound up and unwound by these winding cores, and a rubber member transport means that supplies a long unvulcanized rubber member to the liner, and the unvulcanized rubber member is spirally wound around one of the winding cores with the liner interposed therebetween. In the unvulcanized rubber member winding device, the unvulcanized rubber member placed on the liner is wound up in a spiral shape, and a pressing body that covers the entire length of the unvulcanized rubber member is provided, The pressing body has battens protruding in the thickness direction from both ends in the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, the unvulcanized rubber material is accommodated between each of the battens, the pressing body is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber material and the liner located on the outer periphery, and each of the battens is interposed between adjacent liners in the radial direction, so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber material, and the unvulcanized rubber material is pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

[0012] The tire manufacturing method of the present invention is characterized in that the unvulcanized rubber member that has been wound up by any of the above-mentioned methods for winding an unvulcanized rubber member is unwound, cut to a fixed length, and the fixed-length member is used to form a green tire, and the green tire is vulcanized. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the method and device for winding an unvulcanized rubber member of the present invention, the ribs protruding from both ends of the width direction of the liner or the pressing body are interposed between the liners adjacent in the radial direction, so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the long unvulcanized rubber member. Therefore, the unvulcanized rubber member is advantageously maintained in a predetermined shape without being crushed by the liner located on the outer periphery. The leading end and trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member in the longitudinal direction are pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body, so that the leading end and trailing end are reliably attached to the liner located on the inner periphery. Since the liner is non-elastic, the rigidity of the liner suppresses the deformation over time of the leading end and trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member, and there is substantially no difference between the deformation over time of the other portions (the longitudinal center portion). As a result, it is advantageously possible to suppress the variation in shape while maintaining the predetermined shape of each fixed-length member formed by cutting the long unvulcanized rubber member to a fixed length.

[0014] According to the tire manufacturing method of the present invention, each fixed-length member formed by cutting the long unvulcanized rubber member to a fixed length maintains a predetermined shape while suppressing variation in shape. Therefore, regardless of which fixed-length member is used to manufacture a tire, it is advantageous for manufacturing a tire that meets the target specifications. It is also advantageous for suppressing variation in the quality of each manufactured tire. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a side view of a winding device for an unvulcanized rubber member according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the winding device of FIG. 1 in a plan view. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a liner and a pressing body. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the liner and the pressing body of FIG. 3 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Diagram 5] 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a long unvulcanized rubber material starts to be wound around one winding core, as viewed from the side; FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a pressing body is placed on the tip portion of the long unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 5 as viewed from the side. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a side view, a state in which the pressing body in FIG. 6 is wound around one winding core together with a long unvulcanized rubber member. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in cross section, a state in which a long unvulcanized rubber member on which a pressing body is placed is placed on a liner; FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the liner, the pressing body, and the long unvulcanized rubber member of FIG. 8 in vertical cross section. [Figure 10] 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in cross section, a state in which a long unvulcanized rubber member is wound around the outer circumferential side of the pressing body in FIG. 8 with a liner interposed therebetween. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the liner, the pressing body, and the long unvulcanized rubber member of FIG. 10 in vertical cross section. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a long unvulcanized rubber member is wound up and stored on a winding device as viewed from the side; FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tip end portion of a long unvulcanized rubber member in a wound state with a conventional liner with bars interposed therebetween. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a rear end portion of a long unvulcanized rubber member in a wound state with a conventional liner with bars interposed therebetween. [Figure 15] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of a pressing body and a liner in cross section. FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the pressing body and the liner of FIG. 15 in a vertical cross-sectional view. FIG. [Figure 17]16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in cross section, a state in which the long unvulcanized rubber member on which the pressing body in FIG. 15 is placed is placed on a liner. FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the liner, the pressing body, and the long unvulcanized rubber member of FIG. 17 in vertical cross section. FIG. [Figure 19] 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in cross section, a state in which a long unvulcanized rubber member and the pressing body are wound up with a liner interposed on the outer circumferential side of the pressing body in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the liner, the pressing body, and the long unvulcanized rubber member of FIG. 19 in vertical cross section. [Figure 21] 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, as seen from the side, another embodiment of a winding device in which a long unvulcanized rubber material is wound and stored. FIG. [Figure 22] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, from a side view, a process of unwinding a long wound unvulcanized rubber member and cutting it to a set length. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an upper half of a molded green tire in cross section. [Figure 24] 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the left half of a vulcanizing device that is vulcanizing the green tire of FIG. 23. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a method and an apparatus for winding an unvulcanized rubber member and a method for manufacturing a tire according to the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0017] 1 and 2, an embodiment of a winding device 1 for an unvulcanized rubber material (hereinafter referred to as winding device 1) of the present invention winds and stores a long unvulcanized rubber material LR (hereinafter referred to as long material LR) in a spiral shape with a liner 7 interposed therebetween. The long material LR is, for example, extruded from a rubber extruder or a similar device and shaped into a predetermined cross-sectional shape.

[0018] The long member LR wound by the winding device 1 is unwound from the winding device 1 when necessary, and cut to a predetermined length to form a fixed-length member SR. Examples of the fixed-length member SR include various members used in rubber products such as tire tread rubber and side rubber. The length of the long member LR is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 2 m to 120 m.

[0019] The winding device 1 includes a pair of rotatable winding cores 3A, 3B, a liner 7 that is wound and unwound by these winding cores 3A, 3B, a rubber material conveying means 12A that supplies the long material LR to the liner 7, and a pressing body 8. In this embodiment, the winding device 1 further includes a pressing body arrangement means 13 that arranges the pressing body 8 at a predetermined position of the long material LR, a position sensor 14, and a control unit 16.

[0020] Each of the winding cores 3A and 3B has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis 3c. A liner 7 is wound around each of the winding cores 3A and 3B and is suspended between them. The long member LR is spirally wound around one of the winding cores 3A with the liner 7 interposed therebetween, and an empty liner 7 is wound around the other winding core 3B. One of the winding cores 3A has a larger outer diameter than the other winding core 3b. Although the outer diameters of the winding cores 3A and 3B can be made the same, it is preferable to increase the outer diameter of the winding core 3A to make the radius of curvature of the wound long member LR as large as possible in order to prevent the wound long member LR from bending excessively.

[0021] In this embodiment, a pair of winding cores 3A, 3B are rotatably supported on the frame 2 of a movable cart. More specifically, bearing sections 2a are formed at spaced apart positions on the horizontal part of the frame 2, and each central shaft 3c is rotatably supported by these bearing sections 2a. The central shafts 3c supported by each bearing section 2a are pressed by openable and closable shaft pressing sections 2b, thereby preventing the central shafts 3c from coming off the bearing sections 2a. When removing the winding cores 3A, 3B from the frame 2, the closed shaft pressing sections 2b are opened.

[0022] One end of the central shaft 3c of one of the winding cores 3A is detachably attached to a rotation drive unit 4 such as a motor installed on the floor. When one end of this central shaft 3c is attached to the rotation drive unit 4 and the rotation drive unit 4 is operated, this central shaft 3c is rotated, and the winding core 3A is rotated about the central shaft 3c.

[0023] In this embodiment, a brake mechanism 5 is provided that moves toward and away from the side surfaces of each of the winding cores 3A, 3B. When the brake mechanism 5 comes into contact with the side surfaces of each of the winding cores 3A, 3B, each of the winding cores 3A, 3B is locked so as not to rotate around the central axis 3c. When the long member LR is wound up and unwound, the brake mechanism 5 is released and the winding cores 3A, 3B become rotatable. The brake mechanism 5 can have various configurations that can stop the rotation of each of the winding cores 3A, 3B. The brake mechanism 5 can be provided as desired.

[0024] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the liner 7 is a plate-like body made of hard resin or metal. In this embodiment, the liner 7 has crosspieces 7a protruding in the thickness direction at both ends in the width direction. A so-called crosspiece-equipped liner 7 is used in this embodiment. Each crosspiece 7a extends over the entire length of the liner 7 in the longitudinal direction, but it can be continuous without interruption over the entire length, or can be arranged intermittently over the entire length. The liner 7 is inelastic and does not expand or contract at all at the level of the tensile strength of the long member LR. Each crosspiece 7a is designed not to easily undergo plastic deformation, and is formed of, for example, hard resin, vulcanized rubber, etc.

[0025] The thickness (height) of each crosspiece 7a is set to be greater than the maximum thickness of the long member LR. To enable one type of liner 7 to accommodate winding of multiple types of long members LR with different dimensions, the thickness of crosspiece 7a is set to match the long member LR with the greatest maximum thickness among the long members LR to be wound. The width of crosspiece 7a is set to ensure the strength to prevent crosspiece 7a from being crushed when liner 7 is wound around winding cores 3A, 3B.

[0026] The pressing body 8 is disposed between each of the crosspieces 7a. In this embodiment, the pressing body 8 has a laminated structure in which a hard layer 9 and a soft layer 10 are laminated and integrated. The soft layer 10 is softer than the long member LR. Even when the soft layer 10 comes into contact with and presses the long member LR, the long member LR hardly deforms, and only the soft layer 10 deforms. The soft layer 10 is made of, for example, a sponge body made of a resin such as urethane.

[0027] The width of the soft layer 10 is set to a dimension that can cover almost the entire upper side surface of the long member LR. The thickness of the soft layer 10 is set to a dimension that is larger than the maximum unevenness (maximum height difference) of the upper surface of the long member LR, and when the soft layer 10 is pressed against the upper surface of the long member LR and deformed, it comes into contact with the entire upper side surface of the long member LR. When the upper surface of the long member LR is flat, the thickness of the soft layer 10 is set to, for example, about 10 mm or less. The length of the soft layer 10 is set to a dimension that can cover each of the front end Rf and rear end Rb of the long member LR, and is, for example, about 1000 mm to 4000 mm. The length of the soft layer 10 can be equal to or longer than the entire length of the long member LR.

[0028] The hard layer 9 laminated on the outer peripheral side of the soft layer 10 is harder than the long member LR. When the hard layer 9 presses the soft layer 10, the hard layer 9 does not substantially deform, but only the soft layer 10 deforms. For example, hard resin, hard vulcanized rubber, etc. are used as the hard layer 9. The hard layer 9 and the liner 7 can be made of the same material or different materials.

[0029] The width and length of the hard layer 9 are basically set to be the same as those of the soft layer 10. The thickness of the hard layer 9 is set so that when the long member LR is wound around the winding core 3A via the liner 7, the soft layer 10 is pressed against the upper surface of the long member LR and deformed to come into contact with the entire upper surface of the long member LR. The pressing body 8 may be made to have a single-layer structure of the soft layer 10 by omitting the hard layer 9, or may be made to have a laminated structure of three or more layers in which an appropriate number of hard layers 9 and soft layers 10 are laminated.

[0030] The rubber member transport means 12A may be any means capable of transporting the long member LR in the longitudinal direction toward the liner 7 without substantially plastically deforming the long member LR, and in this embodiment, a transport conveyor is used. This rubber member transport means 12A is set to be movable, but it is also possible to use a rubber member transport means 12A fixed at a predetermined position.

[0031] The pressing member placing means 13 may be any means capable of placing the pressing member 8 at a predetermined position on the long member LR, and a robot arm or the like may be used, but in this embodiment a transport conveyor is used. This pressing member placing means 13 is set to be movable, but pressing member placing means 13 fixed at a predetermined position may also be used.

[0032] A position sensor 14 is disposed above the rubber material conveying means 12A. The position sensor 14 detects the leading and trailing ends of the long material LR being conveyed by the rubber material conveying means 12A. A known non-contact sensor or the like is adopted as the position sensor 14. A detection signal from the position sensor 14 is input to the control unit 16. The pressing body arrangement means 13 is controlled by the control unit 16 based on the detection signal from the position sensor 14.

[0033] The control unit 16 controls the operation of various mechanisms and means of the winding device 1. Therefore, the control unit 16 controls the pressing body arrangement means 13 as well as the rotation drive unit 4, the rubber member transport means 12A, etc. A computer is used as the control unit 16. Note that arrows L, W, and H in the drawings indicate the longitudinal direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the long member LR, the liner 7, and the pressing body 8, respectively.

[0034] Next, an example of the procedure for the method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member according to the present invention will be described.

[0035] First, as shown in Fig. 5, the tip portion of the empty liner 7 is bridged and wound around one of the winding cores 3A from the other winding core 3B. This causes each crosspiece 7a of the one winding core 3A to protrude toward the outer periphery. In this state, the rubber member conveying means 12A conveys the long member LR toward the top of the liner 7 wound around one of the winding cores 3A. The pressing member 8 is placed on the pressing member placement means 13 with the soft layer 10 facing downward.

[0036] When the position sensor 14 detects the tip of the long member LR being conveyed, it inputs the detection signal to the control unit 16. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the control unit 16 operates the pressing body placement means 13 based on the detection signal input from the position sensor 14. As a result, the pressing body 8 is conveyed toward the long member LR being conveyed and placed on the tip portion Rf of the long member LR. The long member LR continues to be conveyed toward the top of the liner 7 with the pressing body 8 placed on the tip portion Rf.

[0037] Next, as shown in Fig. 7, at the timing when the tip portion Rf of the long member LR is placed on the liner 7 wound around the winding core 3A, the control unit 16 operates the rotation drive unit 4 to rotate the winding core 3A. As a result, the long member LR is spirally wound around the winding core 3A via the liner 7. In Fig. 7, the crosspiece 7a is partially cut out. The other winding core 3B that pays out the empty liner 7 rotates in the opposite direction to the one winding core 3A that is rotated.

[0038] 8 and 9, the long member LR is accommodated between the crosspieces 7a and placed on the liner 7. The pressing body 8 is placed on the tip end Rf of the long member LR. The soft layer 10 is in contact with the upper surface of the long member LR, but is not significantly compressed and deformed, so that a gap exists between the lower surface of the soft layer 10 and the upper surface of the long member LR.

[0039] 10 and 11, as the winding of the long member LR and the liner 7 progresses, the newly wound portions of the long member LR and the liner 7 are sequentially arranged on the outer circumferential side of the portions of the long member LR and the liner 7 that have already been wound. As a result, the pressing body 8 placed on the tip portion Rf is pressed toward the tip portion Rf by the newly wound portion of the liner 7. Accordingly, the tip portion Rf is reliably pressed against the surface of the liner 7 by the pressing body 8.

[0040] The winding core 3A is rotated while the long member LR is transported by the rubber member transport means 12A until the entire length of the long member LR is wound. When the position sensor 14 detects the rear end of the long member LR being transported by the rubber member transport means 12A, it inputs the detection signal to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 operates the pressing body arrangement means 13 based on the detection signal. As a result, another pressing body 8 is transported toward the long member LR and placed on the rear end Rb of the long member LR. As in the case of the leading end Rb described above, the pressing body 8 placed on the rear end Rb is pressed toward the rear end Rb by the newly wound part of the liner 7. Accordingly, the rear end Rb is reliably pressed against the surface of the liner 7 by the pressing body 8.

[0041] When the winding of the entire length of the long material LR is completed, the operation of the rubber material conveying means 12A and the rotational drive of the winding core 3A are stopped. Then, the winding cores 3A, 3B are locked so as not to rotate by the brake mechanism 5. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the long material LR that has been spirally wound around the winding core 3A via the liner 7 is temporarily stored until it is needed.

[0042] In this embodiment, the long member LR is wound up with the pressing bodies 8 placed on the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb, respectively. However, when the pressing bodies 8 are not used, the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb deform over time, as illustrated in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. In detail, when the long member LR is wound up through a liner 7 having ribs 7a at both ends in the width direction, as illustrated in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the ribs 7a are interposed between the liners 7 adjacent in the radial direction (the vertical direction in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14), so that the liner 7 located on the outer periphery side (the upper side in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14) is in a non-contact state with the long member LR. The longitudinal center of the long member LR (the portion between the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb) is reliably attached to the liner 7 located on the inner periphery side (the lower side in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14) by the sufficient action of its own weight, etc. Since the liner 7 does not easily expand or contract, the rigidity of the liner 7 suppresses the deformation over time of the long member LR attached to the liner 7.

[0043] On the other hand, since the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb are free ends, their adhesion to the liner 7 located on the inner circumference side is weaker than that of the longitudinal center of the long member LR. Therefore, the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb of the long member LR that has been wound and stored undergo greater deformation over time than that of the longitudinal center. As a result, the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb shrink in the longitudinal direction over time, and their width and thickness dimensions increase.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, at the leading end Rf and trailing end Rb of the long member LR, a pressing body 8 is interposed between the long member LR and the liner 7 located on the outer periphery, and the leading end Rf and trailing end Rb are pressed against the liner 7 located on the inner periphery by the pressing body 8. As a result, the time-dependent deformation of the leading end Rf and trailing end Rb is suppressed, so that the time-dependent deformation is small over the entire length of the long member LR, and the variation in the degree of time-dependent deformation caused by differences in the position of the long member LR is also small.

[0045] In this embodiment, two pressing bodies 8 are used, one covering only the front end Rf and the other covering only the rear end Rb, but it is sufficient that at least the front end Rf and the rear end Rb are covered by one or more pressing bodies 8. If one pressing body 8 covering the entire length of the long member LR is used, it is only necessary to operate the pressing body arrangement means 13 when the position sensor 14 detects the front end of the long member LR, and it is not necessary to detect the rear end of the long member LR and operate the pressing body arrangement means 13. On the other hand, if two pressing bodies 8 are provided, one covering the front end Rf and the other covering the rear end Rb, it is advantageous to shorten the pressing body 8 because it is not necessary to cover other parts of the long member LR.

[0046] When the rotation of each of the winding cores 3A, 3B is locked using the brake mechanism 5 as in this embodiment, the wound liner 7 is less likely to unwind (loosen). Accordingly, the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb can be more reliably and stably attached to the liner 7 located on the inner periphery side, which is even more advantageous in suppressing deformation of the leading end Rf and the trailing end Rb over time.

[0047] It is also possible to use a pressing body 8 as exemplified in Figures 15 and 16. This pressing body 8 includes a plate-shaped hard layer 9, crosspieces 11 protruding in the thickness direction of the hard layer 9 at both widthwise ends of the hard layer 9, and a soft layer 10 bonded to the underside of the hard layer 9 between the crosspieces 11. A plate-shaped liner 7 not including crosspieces 7a is used together with this pressing body 8.

[0048] The pressing body 8 (hard layer 9, soft layer 10, and crosspiece 11) extends to a length that covers the entire length of the long member LR. Specifications other than the length of the hard layer 9 and the soft layer 10 are the same as those of the previous embodiment. The specifications of the crosspiece 11 are the same as those of the crosspiece 7a of the previous embodiment.

[0049] The procedure for placing the pressing body 8 on the long member LR and winding it up together with the long member LR can be performed using the pressing body arrangement means 13 and the position sensor 14, as in the previous embodiment. The pressing body 8 is wound up in a spiral shape around the winding core 3A together with the long member LR via the liner 7.

[0050] 17 and 18, the soft layer 10 is placed in contact with the upper surface of the long member LR arranged between the crosspieces 11, and the hard layer 9 is not in contact with the long member LR. In this state, the long member LR is placed on the liner 7. Although the soft layer 10 is in contact with the upper surface of the long member LR, it is not significantly compressed and deformed, so there is a gap between the lower surface of the soft layer 10 and the upper surface of the long member LR. There is also a gap between the lower surface of each crosspiece 11 and the surface of the liner 7, so that each crosspiece 11 is suspended in mid-air.

[0051] 19 and 20, as the winding of the long member LR, the pressing body 8, and the liner 7 progresses, the newly wound portions of the long member LR, the pressing body 8, and the liner 7 are sequentially arranged on the outer circumferential side of the portions of the long member LR, the pressing body 8, and the liner 7 that have already been wound. As a result, the pressing body 8 that was placed on the long member LR is pressed toward the already wound portion of the long member LR by the newly wound portion of the liner 7. As a result, the long member LR is reliably pressed against the surface of the liner 7 by the pressing body 8 over its entire length.

[0052] When winding of the entire length of the long material LR is completed, the operation of the rubber material conveying means 12A and the rotational drive of the winding core 3A are stopped, and the winding cores 3A, 3B are locked so as not to rotate by the brake mechanism 5. As in the previous embodiment, the long material LR that has been spirally wound around the winding core 3A via the liner 7 is temporarily stored until it is needed, as shown in FIG.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 21, a support roller 6 protruding toward the winding core 3A can be provided on the frame 2 below the winding core 3A. This support roller 6 can be provided instead of or in addition to the brake mechanism 5. The support roller 6 supports the outermost surface of the liner 7 wound around the winding core 3A from below, preventing the liner 7 from sagging downward due to its own weight or the weight of the long member LR. In other words, the liner 7 wound around the support roller 6 is less likely to be unwound (loosened). The number, size and arrangement of the support rollers 6 can be determined appropriately. The support roller 6 may be structured so that it can be moved up and down and fixed at a desired vertical position.

[0054] The temporarily stored long member LR is unwound from the winding core 3A on which it has been wound when necessary, and cut into a fixed length of a predetermined length X, as shown in Fig. 22. In this embodiment, the long member LR is unwound while being transported by a rubber member transport means 12B, such as a known transport conveyor. The long member LR is cut into a fixed length by a known cutter 15 on the rubber member transport means 12B to form a fixed-length member SR.

[0055] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments of the winding device 1, the crosspieces 7a protruding from both ends of the width direction of the liner 7, or the crosspieces 11 protruding from both ends of the width direction of the pressing body 8, are interposed between the radially adjacent liners 7, so that the liners 7 located on the outer periphery are not in contact with the wound long material LR. Therefore, although the long material LR is made of unvulcanized rubber and is soft and easily deformed, it is advantageous for maintaining a predetermined shape without being crushed by the liner 7 located on the outer periphery.

[0056] At least the leading end Rf and trailing end Rb of the long member LR are pressed against the liner 7 located on the inner periphery side by the pressing body 8, suppressing deformation over time. Therefore, there is substantially no difference between the deformation over time of the leading end Rf and trailing end Rb and the deformation over time of other parts (the central part in the longitudinal direction). As a result, the fixed-length member SR obtained by cutting the leading end Rf and trailing end Rb of the wound long member LR to a fixed length and the fixed-length member SR obtained by cutting the other parts to a fixed length not only have the same longitudinal dimensions, but also have almost no difference in width and thickness dimensions. In other words, the problem of variation in the width and thickness dimensions of each fixed-length member SR due to differences in the longitudinal positions when the long member LR that has been wound and temporarily stored is cut to a fixed length is eliminated. Accordingly, variation in weight of each fixed-length member SR is also suppressed.

[0057] Therefore, the present invention is advantageous in suppressing the variation in shape while maintaining the predetermined shape of each fixed-length member SR. Conventionally, the front end portion Rf and the rear end portion Rb are more likely to deform over time than other portions (the longitudinal center portion) and therefore cannot be used as fixed-length members SR and are therefore wasted. However, the present invention can reduce such waste.

[0058] An example of the procedure for the tire manufacturing method of the present invention will be described.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 23, a green tire G is molded by a known method using a fixed-length member SR. In this embodiment, the fixed-length member SR is used as a tread rubber. The fixed-length member SR is disposed in an annular shape together with a belt layer on the outer circumferential side of a carcass layer that is stretched between a pair of bead members Tb, and the green tire G is molded.

[0060] 24, the molded green tire G is placed in a vulcanization mold 18 and vulcanized in a closed state using a known vulcanization device 17. After a predetermined vulcanization time has elapsed, the vulcanization mold 18 is opened and the completed pneumatic tire T is taken out.

[0061] Each fixed-length member SR maintains a predetermined shape while suppressing variation in shape. Therefore, regardless of which fixed-length member SR is used to manufacture a tire T, it is advantageous for manufacturing a tire T that meets target specifications (tire weight, uniformity, etc.). It is also advantageous for suppressing variation in the quality of each manufactured tire T. Note that the present invention is not limited to pneumatic tires, and can be applied when manufacturing various other types of tires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Winding device 2 Frames 2a Bearing part 2b Shaft holder 3A, 3B core 3c center axis 4 Rotation drive unit 5 Brake mechanism 6 Support roller 7. Liner 7a Cross section 8 Pressing body 9 hard layer 10 Soft layer 11 Cross section 12A, 12B Rubber member conveying means 13 Pressing body arrangement means 14 Position Sensor 15 Cutting machine 16 Control section 17 Vulcanizing equipment 18 Vulcanization mold G Green Tire Tb Bead part T Vulcanized tires LR Long unvulcanized rubber material (long material) Rf tip Rb rear end SR Unvulcanized rubber parts cut to standard lengths (standard length parts)

Claims

1. A method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member, in which a long unvulcanized rubber member is spirally wound with a liner interposed therebetween, comprising the steps of: a liner having battens protruding in the thickness direction of the liner at both ends in the width direction of the liner and extending in the longitudinal direction, the unvulcanized rubber material being contained between each of the battens and wound up in a spiral shape, the battens being interposed between radially adjacent liners so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber material, and a pressing body is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber material and the liner located on the outer periphery at the longitudinal leading and trailing ends of the unvulcanized rubber material, and the leading and trailing ends are pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

2. 2. The winding method for an unvulcanized rubber member according to claim 1, wherein the pressing body has a laminated structure formed by integrating a soft layer that is softer than the unvulcanized rubber member and a hard layer that is harder than the unvulcanized rubber member and is laminated on the outer peripheral side of the soft layer.

3. 3. The method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member according to claim 1, wherein two pressing bodies are used, one for covering the leading end portion and the other for covering the trailing end portion.

4. 3. The method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member according to claim 1, wherein a single pressing body covering the entire length of the unvulcanized rubber member is used as the pressing body.

5. A method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member, in which a long unvulcanized rubber member is spirally wound with a liner interposed therebetween, comprising the steps of: a winding method for an unvulcanized rubber member, characterized in that the unvulcanized rubber member is placed on the liner and wound up in a spiral shape, a pressing body covering the entire length of the unvulcanized rubber member is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber member and the liner located on the outer periphery, the pressing body has battens protruding in the thickness direction at both widthwise ends and extending in the longitudinal direction, the unvulcanized rubber member is accommodated between each of the battens, and each of the battens is interposed between adjacent liners in the radial direction so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber member, and the unvulcanized rubber member is pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

6. 6. A method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member as described in claim 5, wherein the area between each of the crosspieces of the pressing body has a laminated structure that integrates a soft layer that is softer than the unvulcanized rubber member and a hard layer that is harder than the unvulcanized rubber member and is laminated on the outer peripheral side of the soft layer.

7. A winding device for an unvulcanized rubber material includes a pair of rotatable winding cores, a liner that is wound and unwound by the winding cores, and a rubber material conveying means that supplies a long unvulcanized rubber material to the liner, and the unvulcanized rubber material is spirally wound around one of the winding cores with the liner interposed therebetween, a winding device for an unvulcanized rubber material, the winding device being characterized in that the liner has battens at both ends in the width direction of the liner that protrude in the thickness direction of the liner and extend in the longitudinal direction, the unvulcanized rubber material is contained between each of the battens and wound up in a spiral shape, the battens are interposed between radially adjacent liners so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber material, and a pressing body is provided at the longitudinal leading and trailing ends of the unvulcanized rubber material and the liner located on the inner periphery, so that the leading and trailing ends are pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

8. A winding device for an unvulcanized rubber material includes a pair of rotatable winding cores, a liner that is wound and unwound by the winding cores, and a rubber material conveying means that supplies a long unvulcanized rubber material to the liner, and the unvulcanized rubber material is spirally wound around one of the winding cores with the liner interposed therebetween, a winding device for an unvulcanized rubber material, the winding device being configured so that the unvulcanized rubber material placed on the liner is wound up in a spiral shape, the winding device is provided with a pressing body covering the entire length of the unvulcanized rubber material, the pressing body has battens protruding in the thickness direction at both widthwise ends and extending in the longitudinal direction, the unvulcanized rubber material is accommodated between each of the battens, the pressing body is interposed between the unvulcanized rubber material and the liner located on the outer periphery, and each of the battens is interposed between adjacent liners in the radial direction, so that the liner located on the outer periphery is not in contact with the unvulcanized rubber material, and the unvulcanized rubber material is pressed against the liner located on the inner periphery by the pressing body.

9. A method for manufacturing a tire, comprising the steps of: unwinding an unvulcanized rubber member that has been wound up by the method for winding an unvulcanized rubber member according to any one of claims 1 to 6; cutting the unvulcanized rubber member into a fixed length; forming a green tire using the fixed-length member; and vulcanizing the green tire.

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