Tire vulcanizing apparatus and method

Abstract

To provide a tire vulcanizing apparatus and method that minimizes the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides of the vulcanizing bladder during vulcanization, suppresses variation in the degree of vulcanization in tires, and is easy to maintain.SOLUTION: Each of the clamps 7A and 7B is composed of a stacking of two sections V1 and V2 that can be freely divided into upper and lower sections, and the upper and lower intervals between the sections V1 and V2 are connected to the injection channels 4A and 4B that extend up and down the central mechanism 3 and used as a part of the injection channels 4A and 4B. The vulcanizing mold 9 is closed in which the green tire G is placed in a horizontal position, with injection ports 4h which are arranged continuously or intermittently over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral end positions of the clamps 7A and 7B and positioned on the outer circumference outer than an outer edge 6b of the opening edge 6a of the bladder 6, the heating medium Mh and pressurizing medium Mp supplied from the supply sources 11A and 11B are injected from the injection port 4h to the inside of the bladder 6 to be expanded and the green tire G is vulcanized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire vulcanizing apparatus and method, and more specifically, to a tire vulcanizing apparatus and method that can reduce the temperature difference between the top and bottom of a vulcanizing bladder during vulcanization, suppress variation in the degree of vulcanization in the vertical direction of the tire during vulcanization, and is easy to maintain. [Background technology]

[0002] A method is known in which a vulcanization bladder inserted into a green tire in a closed vulcanization mold is inflated by injecting steam (heating medium) and nitrogen gas (pressurizing medium) through an inlet formed in the central mechanism, thereby vulcanizing the green tire and manufacturing the tire. In this vulcanization method using steam and nitrogen gas, the specific gravity of nitrogen gas is greater than that of steam, so that in the expanded vulcanization bladder, the steam exists in a compressed state at the top, and the nitrogen gas exists below it. Also, the steam condenses and becomes a drain, accumulating at the bottom. Therefore, during vulcanization, of In the vulcanization bladder, the temperature at the top is higher than that at the bottom, creating a temperature difference between the top and bottom. This causes the degree of vulcanization of the vulcanized tire to vary from top to bottom during vulcanization.

[0003] In order to solve such problems, various vulcanization methods and vulcanization devices have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Conventionally, for example, it has been proposed to specify the injection direction of steam or nitrogen gas, or to devise the injection timing of steam or nitrogen gas. This aims to suppress the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the vulcanization bladder by stirring the mixed gas of steam and nitrogen gas inside the vulcanization bladder and homogenizing the internal temperature.

[0004] However, since the inside of the vulcanization bladder is already in a state of considerable pressure, it is difficult to sufficiently stir the inside of the vulcanization bladder using the momentum of the injected steam or nitrogen gas. To sufficiently stir the inside of the vulcanization bladder, the injection pressure needs to be considerably high. Therefore, there is room for improvement in reducing the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the vulcanization bladder during vulcanization and suppressing the variation in the degree of vulcanization in the vertical direction of the tire during vulcanization. In addition, in order to keep the injection port (injection path) functioning normally, it is necessary to clean it at appropriate times to prevent clogging, so there is also a need to improve maintainability. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-80530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a tire vulcanization apparatus and method that can reduce the temperature difference between the top and bottom of a vulcanization bladder during vulcanization, suppress variation in the degree of vulcanization in the vertical direction of the tire during vulcanization, and is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the tire vulcanizing apparatus of the present invention comprises a central mechanism having a cylindrical vulcanizing bladder inserted vertically therethrough, a vulcanizing mold disposed so as to surround the central mechanism, an opening / closing means for opening and closing the vulcanizing mold, a supply source for supplying a heating medium and a pressurizing medium to the inside of the vulcanizing bladder, and an injection path extending vertically through the central mechanism to communicate the supply source with the inside of the vulcanizing bladder, wherein the upper and lower opening edge portions of the vulcanizing bladder are respectively held by disk-shaped clamp portions attached vertically at intervals to the central mechanism, and the heating medium and the pressurizing medium supplied through the injection path are injected into the inside of the vulcanizing bladder from an injection port of the injection path located inside the vulcanizing bladder, wherein each of the clamp portions is constructed by stacking vertically separable divided bodies, Each of the clamping parts constitutes the clamping part. The vertical gaps between each of the divided bodies are connected to the injection passage to form a part of the injection passage and the injection port, and the injection ports are arranged continuously or intermittently around the entire circumferential direction at the outer circumferential end positions of each of the clamping portions, and the injection ports are located outer circumferentially of the outer circumferential ends of the opening edge portions held by each of the clamping portions.

[0008] The tire vulcanization method of the present invention includes inserting a green tire into a cylindrical vulcanization bladder, the upper and lower opening edges of which are respectively held by disk-shaped clamp parts attached at intervals above and below a central mechanism, placing the green tire horizontally in the vulcanization mold installed so as to surround the central mechanism with the vulcanization mold opened, and then closing the vulcanization mold to inject a heating medium and a pressurizing medium supplied from a supply source through an injection passage extending above and below the central mechanism into the vulcanization bladder from an injection port of the injection passage located inside the vulcanization bladder, thereby expanding the vulcanization bladder to vulcanize the green tire, wherein each of the clamp parts is constructed by stacking divided bodies which can be freely separated into upper and lower parts, Each of the clamping parts constitutes the clamping part.The vertical gaps between each of the divided bodies are connected to the injection passage and utilized as part of the injection passage and the injection inlet, and the injection inlets are disposed continuously or intermittently around the entire circumferential direction at the outer circumferential end positions of each of the clamping portions, and the injection inlets are positioned outer than the outer circumferential ends of the opening edge portions held by each of the clamping portions. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the vertical intervals between the divided bodies are utilized as part of the injection paths for injecting the heating medium and the pressurizing medium into the vulcanizing bladder. The injection ports of the injection paths are disposed continuously or intermittently around the entire circumference at the outer circumferential end positions of the clamping portions, and are positioned on the outer circumferential side of the outer circumferential end of the opening edge portion of the vulcanizing bladder. That is, the injection ports are disposed at a closer distance to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the vulcanizing bladder in the circumferential direction than in the conventional case. Accordingly, even if the inside of the vulcanizing bladder is in a high pressure state, the injected heating medium and pressurizing medium can be easily caused to flow along the inner surface of the vulcanizing bladder. As a result, the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the vulcanizing bladder during vulcanization is reduced, which is advantageous in suppressing the variation in the degree of vulcanization in the vertical direction of the tire during vulcanization.

[0010] In addition, the stacked divided bodies of each clamping part can be separated into upper and lower parts. Therefore, the injection passages of each clamping part can be easily cleaned by separating the divided bodies into upper and lower parts, which greatly improves the maintainability of the injection passages and injection ports. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the left half of the tire vulcanization apparatus of the present invention in a vertical cross-sectional view with the vulcanization mold in a closed state. [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a segment, a sector mold, and a lower clamp portion in FIG. 1 in a plan view. FIG. [Diagram 3]2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the periphery of a lower clamp portion in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the clamp portion of FIG. 3 in a plan view. [Diagram 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the clamp portion of FIG. 4 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 6] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an upper clamp portion in FIG. 1 in a plan view. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the lower clamp portion in a plan view. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the clamp portion of FIG. 7 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the lower clamp portion in a plan view. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the clamp portion of FIG. 9 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing still another modified example of the lower clamp portion in a plan view. [Figure 12] 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of the clamp portion of FIG. 11 in a vertical cross-sectional view. [Figure 13] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the tire vulcanization apparatus in a state in which the vulcanization mold in FIG. 1 is opened and a heating medium is injected into the inside of the vulcanization bladder. FIG. [Figure 14] 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the segment, sector mold, and lower clamp portion of FIG. 14 in a plan view. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the tire vulcanization apparatus in a state in which a pressurized medium is being injected into the vulcanization bladder of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the vulcanization mold is opened after the green tire in FIG. 15 is vulcanized. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A tire vulcanizing apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0013] The tire vulcanizing apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as the vulcanizing apparatus 1) of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 includes a central mechanism 3 equipped with a vulcanizing bladder 6 (hereinafter referred to as the bladder 6), a vulcanizing mold 9 (hereinafter referred to as the mold 9) installed so as to surround the central mechanism 3, an opening / closing means (vertical movement plate section 2 and container ring 15) for opening and closing the mold 9, a pressurized medium supply source 11A, and a heated medium supply source 11B. In the central mechanism 3, injection paths 4A, 4B that connect the respective supply sources 11A, 11B to the inside of the bladder 6 extend vertically.

[0014] The vulcanizing device 1 further includes a discharge passage 5 extending vertically through the central mechanism 3, an upper plate 12 to which a mold 9 is attached, a lower plate 13, and a segment 14. The dashed line CL in the figure indicates the axial position of the central mechanism 3 (center post 3a). Although the left half of the vulcanizing device 1 is shown in Fig. 1, the right half has substantially the same structure as the left half.

[0015] The mold 9 is a sectional type and has an annular upper side mold 9A, an annular lower side mold 9B, and a plurality of sector molds 9C that are arc-shaped in a plan view. The upper side mold 9A is attached to the lower surface of the upper plate 12. The upper plate 12 and the upper side mold 9A move up and down independently of the vertically movable plate section 2 and the contouring 15.

[0016] The lower side mold 9B is fixedly attached to the upper surface of a lower plate 13 fixed to the base. Each sector mold 9C is attached to the inner peripheral surface of a corresponding segment 14.

[0017] An upper bead ring 10 is attached to the inner peripheral lower surface of the upper side mold 9A. A lower bead ring 10 is attached to the inner peripheral upper surface of the lower side mold 9B.

[0018] Each sector mold 9C (segments 14) is arranged in an annular shape around the central mechanism 3. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, each sector mold 9C (segments 14) is arranged in an annular shape in a plan view, and the center of the annular shape is indicated by a dashed line CL. This annular center CL is the annular center of the upper side mold 9A and the lower side mold 9B.

[0019] The outer peripheral surface of each segment 14 is inclined downward toward the outer periphery. Each segment 14 has a guide groove extending in the vertical direction along its outer peripheral inclined surface.

[0020] A cylindrical container ring 15 is installed on the underside of the vertically movable plate section 2, which moves up and down above the central mechanism 3. The container ring 15 is disposed around the central mechanism 3 (annular center CL) and moves up and down on the outer periphery side of each segment 14. The inner periphery surface of the container ring 15 is inclined from above toward the outer periphery side. This inner periphery inclined surface of the container ring 15 and the outer periphery inclined surfaces of each segment 14 are disposed so as to face each other.

[0021] A plurality of guide keys are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner sloping surface of the container ring 15. These guide keys extend in the vertical direction along the inner sloping surface of the container ring 15. Each guide key is engaged with a guide groove of the corresponding segment 14, and the guide key (the inner sloping surface of the container ring 15) and the guide groove (the outer sloping surface of each segment 14) are configured to slide against each other.

[0022] The central mechanism 3 has a central post 3a, disk-shaped clamping portions 7A and 7B attached to the central post 3a at an interval above and below, and a bladder 6 held by the respective clamping portions 7A and 7B. The upper and lower opening edges 6a of the cylindrical bladder 6 are held by the upper and lower clamping portions 7A and 7B, respectively. More specifically, the upper opening edge 6a is held by being sandwiched between the upper clamping portion 7A and the upper bead ring 10. The lower opening edge 6a is held by being sandwiched between the lower clamping portion 7B and the lower bead ring 10.

[0023] One of the injection passages 4A extends vertically through the central post 3a and extends from the upper end of the central post 3a toward the upper clamp portion 7A. The injection passage 4A terminates at the outer peripheral end of the upper clamp portion 7A, and an injection port 4h is disposed at the outer peripheral end of the clamp portion 7A. This injection port 4h is continuous over the entire circumferential direction of the clamp portion 7A. Furthermore, the injection port 4h is located on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral end 6b of the opening edge portion 6a held by the clamp portion 7A. This injection port 4h can also be disposed intermittently in the circumferential direction of the clamp portion 7A, as described later.

[0024] The other injection passage 4B extends vertically through the center post 3a and extends toward the lower clamp portion 7B at the longitudinal center of the center post 3a. The injection passage 4B terminates at the outer peripheral end of the lower clamp portion 7B, and an injection port 4h is disposed at the outer peripheral end of the clamp portion 7B. This injection port 4h is continuous over the entire circumferential direction of the clamp portion 7B. Furthermore, the injection port 4h is located on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral end 6b of the opening edge portion 6a held by the clamp portion 7B. This injection port 4h can also be disposed intermittently in the circumferential direction of the clamp portion 7B, as described later.

[0025] The exhaust passage 5 extends vertically inside the central post 3a and terminates at the longitudinal center of the central post 3a, where an exhaust port 5h is located. An opening / closing valve is provided at the lower end of the exhaust passage 5, and opening the opening allows the lower end of the exhaust passage 5 to communicate with the outside air.

[0026] An on-off valve is provided at the lower end of each of the injection paths 4A and 4B, and the lower end of each is connected to a pressurized medium supply source 11A and a heating medium supply source 11B. Therefore, the pressurized medium supply source 11A and the inside of the bladder 6 can communicate with each other through the injection path 4A. Also, the heating medium supply source 11B and the inside of the bladder 6 can communicate with each other through the injection path 4B. The pressurized medium supply source 11A supplies an inert gas such as nitrogen gas as the pressurized medium Mp. The heating medium supply source 11B supplies steam as the heating medium Mh.

[0027] Each of the clamping parts 7A, 7B is constructed by stacking vertically separable divided bodies V1, V2. The basic structure of each of the clamping parts 7A, 7B is almost the same, so the structure will be described using the lower clamping part 7B as an example.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the clamping portion 7B is constructed by stacking the divided bodies V1 and V2 one above the other and joining them together with a fixing member f such as a bolt. A gap is formed between the divided bodies V1 and V2. This gap is connected to the injection passage 4B. That is, the vertical gap between the divided bodies V1 and V2 is connected to the injection passage 4B and forms a part of the injection passage 4B. Similarly, the vertical gap between the divided bodies V1 and V2 of the upper clamping portion 7A is connected to the injection passage 4A and forms a part of the injection passage 4A.

[0029] In this embodiment, the injection port 4h is formed continuously around the entire circumference on the outer peripheral end face of the clamp portion 7B. And, since only the fixing member f exists in the vertical space between the divided bodies V1 and V2, the injection passage 4B formed in the clamp portion 7B is a wide passage having a circular ring shape in a plan view as shown in FIG.

[0030] The divided bodies V1 and V2 may be stacked without being connected to each other using the fixing member f, for example, by simply engaging and fixing the center of each divided body V1 and V2 in a plan view to the central mechanism 3 (central post 3a). With this structure, there is essentially nothing between the divided bodies V1 and V2.

[0031] As described later, the heating medium Mh is supplied through the injection passage 4B extending vertically and is sent into the injection passage 4B formed in the clamping portion 7B. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the heating medium Mh is injected into the bladder 6 from the injection port 4h that is continuous around the entire circumferential direction of the outer circumferential end of the clamping portion 7B.

[0032] Similarly, the pressurized medium Mp is supplied through the injection passage 4A extending vertically and is sent into the injection passage 4A formed in the clamp portion 7A. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the pressurized medium Mp is injected into the bladder 6 from the injection port 4h that is continuous around the entire circumferential direction of the outer circumferential end of the clamp portion 7A.

[0033] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, at least one of the divided bodies V1 (V2) can be designed to have a protrusion 8 protruding from the surface facing the stacked divided body V2 (V1). Protrusions 8 can also be provided on both divided bodies V1, V2. Protrusions 8 can also be provided only on one of the divided bodies V1 (V2), and the surface of the other divided body V2 (V1) facing the one divided body V1 (V2) can be made flat. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the lower divided body V2 is flat.

[0034] The protrusions 8 define the injection passages 4B in the clamp portion 7B. In this embodiment, four linear protrusions 8 extend radially from the center of the clamp portion 7B in a plan view. As a result, the injection passages 4B in the clamp portion 7B extend radially from the center in a plan view. Four injection ports 4h are intermittently formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral end surface of the clamp portion 7B. Each of the injection passages 4B branched into four is formed in a fan shape, gradually widening toward the injection port 4h. The number of protrusions 8 is not limited to four, and for example, about 2 to 10 protrusions 8 may extend radially from the center of the clamp portion 7B in a plan view.

[0035] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, multiple protrusions 8 having a substantially triangular shape in plan view can be arranged. As a result, the injection passages 4B in the clamp portion 7B extend radially from the center in plan view. Multiple injection ports 4h are intermittently formed around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral end face of the clamp portion 7B. Each of the multiple branched injection passages 4B gradually tapers toward the injection ports 4h.

[0036] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, multiple protrusions 8 that are arc-shaped in plan view can be disposed. As a result, the injection passages 4B in the clamp portion 7B extend radially from the center in plan view. Multiple injection ports 4h are intermittently formed over the entire circumferential direction on the outer peripheral end face of the clamp portion 7B. Each of the multiple branched injection passages 4B curves in the same direction toward the injection ports 4h.

[0037] The upper clamp portion 7A may also be provided with the protrusions 8 having the various specifications described above.

[0038] Next, an example of a procedure for vulcanizing a green tire G using the vulcanizer 1 to manufacture a pneumatic tire T will be described.

[0039] When vulcanizing the green tire G, the mold 9 is opened widely, and the green tire G is placed sideways on the lower side mold 9B. The lower bead core of the green tire G is placed on the lower bead ring 10. The vulcanization bladder 6 is slightly inflated to hold the green tire G.

[0040] Next, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the upper side mold 9A is moved downward together with the upper plate 12 which is in the upper standby position, and the container ring 15 and each of the segments 14 are moved downward together with the vertically movable plate section 2. As a result, each of the segments 14 is placed on the upper surface of the lower plate 13, and each of the segments 14 is sandwiched between the upper and lower plates 12 and 13. In this state, each of the sector molds 9C (segments 14) is disposed at an expanded diameter position in a plan view, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0041] Next, the container ring 15 is further moved downward together with the vertically movable plate section 2 from the state shown in Fig. 1 to the state shown in Fig. 13. As a result, the outer peripheral inclined surfaces of each segment 14 are pressed by the inner peripheral inclined surface of the downwardly moving container ring 15. As a result, as shown in Fig. 14, each sector mold 9C moves closer to the annular center CL, and these sector molds 9C are assembled into an annular shape, and the mold 9 is closed.

[0042] After the mold 9 is closed, the heating medium (steam) Mh supplied from the heating medium supply source 11B is injected through the injection passage 4B and into the inside of the bladder 6 from the injection ports 4h of the lower clamp portion 7B to further expand the bladder 6. Compared to the conventional arrangement, the injection ports 4h are arranged evenly in the circumferential direction and at a closer distance to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the bladder 6. Therefore, the injected steam Mh flows upward along the inner surface of the bladder 6, so that the bladder 6 can be heated to a predetermined temperature in a shorter time. The steam Mh can be injected horizontally, obliquely upward, or obliquely downward.

[0043] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the pressurized medium (nitrogen gas) Mp supplied from the pressurized medium supply source 11A is injected into the inside of the bladder 6 from the injection port 4h of the upper clamp portion 7A through the injection path 4A. The injected nitrogen gas Mp has a higher specific gravity than steam Mh. The injection ports 4h are arranged evenly in the circumferential direction and at a closer distance to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the bladder 6 than in the conventional case. Therefore, the injected nitrogen gas Mp flows downward along the inner surface of the bladder 6 without the injection pressure being significantly higher than the internal pressure of the bladder 6. The flow of the nitrogen gas Mp moderately stirs the mixed gas (M1, M2) inside the bladder 6, so that the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the bladder 6 during vulcanization is reduced. The nitrogen gas Mp can be injected horizontally, obliquely upward, or obliquely downward.

[0044] The green tire G is pressed against the inner surface of the mold 9 by the bladder 6 that is sufficiently heated and expanded by the injection of steam Mh and nitrogen gas Mp, and vulcanized. When the vulcanization is completed after a predetermined vulcanization time has elapsed, the tire T is manufactured.

[0045] After the vulcanization of the green tire G is completed, the mixed gas (M1, M2) inside the bladder 6 is discharged from the discharge port 5h through the discharge path 5 to the outside, and the bladder 6 is contracted to separate the inner surface of the tire T from the outer surface of the bladder 6. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the lower clamp portion 7B is inclined downward toward the center. Therefore, the mixed gas (M1, M2) and drainage can be easily collected at the discharge port 5h below the inclined surface.

[0046] 16, the upper movable plate portion 2 and the container ring 15 are moved upward to open the mold 9. Then, the tire T is removed from the opened mold 9.

[0047] As described above, the vertical gaps between the divided bodies V1, V2 of the clamping parts 7A, 7B are utilized as part of the injection paths 4A, 4B for injecting the heating medium Mh and the pressurized medium Mp into the inside of the bladder 6. The injection ports 4h are disposed continuously or intermittently around the entire circumferential direction at the outer circumferential end positions of the clamping parts 7A, 7B, and are positioned on the outer circumferential side of the outer circumferential end 6b of the opening edge part 6a of the bladder 6. That is, the injection ports 4h are disposed evenly in the circumferential direction on the cylindrical peripheral surface of the bladder 6 and at a closer distance than in the conventional case.

[0048] Therefore, even if the inside of the bladder 6 is in a high pressure state, the injected heating medium Mh and pressurizing medium Mp can be easily caused to flow along the inner surface of the bladder 6. As a result, the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the bladder 6 during vulcanization can be reduced, which is advantageous in suppressing the variation in the degree of vulcanization in the vertical direction of the tire during vulcanization. As a result, the tire quality is improved.

[0049] In addition, each of the clamping parts 7A, 7B can separate the stacked divided bodies V1, V2 into upper and lower parts. Therefore, the injection passages 4A, 4B in each of the clamping parts 7A, 7B can be easily cleaned by dividing the divided bodies V1, V2 into upper and lower parts. This significantly improves the maintainability of the injection passages 4A, 4B and the injection port 4h in the clamping parts 7A, 7B. In particular, the work efficiency is significantly improved when cleaning the injection passages 4A, 4B which branch out in many directions as shown in Figs. 9 and 11.

[0050] The heating medium Mh can also be injected into the bladder 6 through the injection ports 4h of both clamping parts 7A, 7B. Similarly, the pressurized medium Mp can also be injected into the bladder 6 through the injection ports 4h of both clamping parts 7A, 7B.

[0051] 4 and 6, in a specification in which the injection port 4h is formed continuously around the entire circumference on the outer peripheral end surface of the clamping portions 7A, 7B, the heating medium Mh and the pressurizing medium Mp are injected from the entire circumference of the outer peripheral ends of the clamping portions 7A, 7B. This makes it easier to suppress the temperature difference around the circumference of the bladder 6. The same effect can be obtained when the injection port 4h is formed continuously around almost the entire circumference on the outer peripheral end surface of each of the clamping portions 7A, 7B, as shown in FIG.

[0052] 9, in a case where the injection paths 4A, 4B extend radially from the center of the clamp parts 7A, 7B and gradually taper toward the injection port 4h, the injection speed at the injection port 4h is faster at the same injection pressure. This makes it possible to further increase the fluidity of the injected heating medium Mh and pressurized medium Mp inside the bladder 6.

[0053] 11, in a specification in which the injection paths 4A, 4B extend radially from the center of the clamp portions 7A, 7B and curve in the same direction toward the injection port 4h, the injected heating medium Mh and pressurized medium Mp tend to generate a swirling flow inside the bladder 6. This is expected to improve the stirring effect of the mixed gas (M1, M2) inside the bladder 6.

[0054] The shapes of the injection passages 4A, 4B in the clamping parts 7A, 7B vary depending on the tire specifications, allowing optimal vulcanization. Therefore, it is preferable to prepare multiple sets P of divided bodies V1, V2 in which the injection passages 4A, 4B in the clamping parts 7A, 7B have different shapes in plan view for one vulcanizing device 1. Then, depending on the specifications of the green tire G to be vulcanized by the vulcanizing device 1, one set P is selected from the multiple sets P and attached to the central mechanism 3 for use.

[0055] For example, if one of the divided bodies V1 (V2) does not have the protrusion 8, then by replacing only the other divided body V2 (V1), the shape of the injection path 4A (4B) in the clamping portion 7A (7B) where the divided bodies V1 and V2 are combined will change. As a result, it is possible to change and optimize the degree of vulcanization of the green tire G. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Vulcanizing equipment 2. Vertical movement plate 3 Central mechanism 3a Center Post 4A, 4B injection path 4h inlet 5 Exhaust channel 5h outlet 6 Vulcanizing bladder 6a Opening edge 6b Outer edge 7A, 7B Clamp section V1, V2 split body 8 Protrusion 9. Vulcanization mold 9A Upper side mold 9B Lower side mold 9C Sector Mold 10 Bead ring 11A heating medium supply source 11B Pressurized medium supply source 12 Top Plate 13 Lower Plate 14 Segments 15 Container Ring f Fixing member Mh heating medium Mp Pressurized Medium G Green Tire T Vulcanized tires

Claims

1. A tire vulcanization apparatus comprising a central mechanism having a cylindrical vulcanization bladder inserted vertically therethrough, a vulcanization mold disposed so as to surround the central mechanism, an opening / closing means for opening and closing the vulcanization mold, a supply source for supplying a heating medium and a pressurizing medium to the inside of the vulcanization bladder, and an injection path extending vertically through the central mechanism to communicate between the supply source and the inside of the vulcanization bladder, wherein upper and lower opening edge portions of the vulcanization bladder are respectively held by disk-shaped clamp portions attached to the central mechanism at intervals vertically, and the heating medium and the pressurizing medium supplied through the injection path are injected into the inside of the vulcanization bladder from an injection port of the injection path located inside the vulcanization bladder, A tire vulcanizing apparatus characterized in that each of the clamping sections is constructed by stacking vertically divisible divided bodies, the vertical gaps between the divided bodies constituting each of the clamping sections are connected to the injection passage, thereby forming a part of the injection passage and the injection inlet, the injection inlets are arranged continuously or intermittently around the entire circumferential direction at the outer circumferential end positions of each of the clamping sections, and the injection inlets are located outer than the outer circumferential end of the opening edge held by each of the clamping sections.

2. 2. The tire vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the injection port is formed continuously over the entire circumferential direction on the outer circumferential end face of each of the clamp portions.

3. 2. The tire vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the divided bodies of each of the clamping sections has a protrusion protruding from a surface facing the opposing divided body to be stacked, the protrusion partitioning the injection passage in each of the clamping sections, the injection passage in each of the clamping sections extending radially from a center in a plan view, and the injection ports are intermittently formed around the entire circumferential direction on the outer circumferential end surface of each of the clamping sections.

4. The tire vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the injection paths extending radially from the center of each of the clamp portions in a plan view is formed in a fan shape gradually widening toward the injection port, and the injection port is intermittently formed around the entire circumferential circumference of the outer peripheral end face of each of the clamp portions.

5. 4. The tire vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the injection paths extending radially from the center of each of the clamp portions in a plan view gradually tapers toward the injection port, and the injection port is intermittently formed around the entire circumferential circumference of the outer circumferential end face of each of the clamp portions.

6. The tire vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the injection paths extending radially from the center of each of the clamp portions in a plan view are curved in the same direction toward the injection port.

7. A tire vulcanization method comprising the steps of: inserting a green tire into a cylindrical vulcanization bladder having upper and lower opening edges respectively held by disk-shaped clamps attached at intervals above and below a central mechanism; arranging the green tire horizontally in a vulcanization mold installed so as to surround the central mechanism with the vulcanization mold opened; then closing the vulcanization mold; and injecting a heating medium and a pressurizing medium supplied from a supply source through an injection passage extending above and below the central mechanism into the vulcanization bladder from an injection port of the injection passage located inside the vulcanization bladder, thereby expanding the vulcanization bladder to vulcanize the green tire, A tire vulcanization method comprising the steps of: constructing each of the clamping portions by stacking vertically divisible segments; communicating the vertical gaps between the segments constituting each of the clamping portions with the injection passage and utilizing them as part of the injection passage and the injection inlet; arranging the injection inlets continuously or intermittently around the entire circumferential direction at the outer circumferential end positions of each of the clamping portions; and positioning the injection inlets on the outer circumferential side of the outer circumferential end of the opening edge portion held by each of the clamping portions.

8. 8. The tire vulcanization method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of sets of the divided bodies each having a different shape in a plan view of the injection path in the clamp portion; and selecting and using one of the plurality of sets of the divided bodies according to the specifications of the green tire to be vulcanized.

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