Method and apparatus for joining unvulcanized rubber members

Abstract

To provide a method and an apparatus for joining an unvulcanized rubber member that can more reliably join the tip and rear end of the unvulcanized rubber member to form a ring shape, while avoiding unnecessary deformation.SOLUTION: An unvulcanized rubber member 2 transferred from a transport device 10 is wrapped around a drum 3, and a tip 2a and rear end 2b of the unvulcanized rubber member, which are made to face each other, are heated by non-contact heating means 5. The tip 2a and rear end 2b in a heated state are sandwiched between a pressing part 4a of a pressing mechanism 4 that moves proximally toward an outer circumference 3a of the drum 3 and the outer circumference 3a, and the tip 2a and rear end 2b are crimped together to form a ring shape of the unvulcanized rubber member 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for joining unvulcanized rubber members, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for joining unvulcanized rubber members that can more reliably join the front and rear end portions of the unvulcanized rubber members to form a ring shape while avoiding the occurrence of unnecessary deformation. [Background technology]

[0002] In the manufacture of rubber products such as tires, a process is performed in which a strip-shaped unvulcanized rubber member is wound around a drum and its leading end and trailing end are joined to form a ring. The ring-shaped member thus formed is joined to other members to complete an unvulcanized molded body. This molded body is then vulcanized to complete a rubber product. If there is a poor joint between the leading end and trailing end of the strip-shaped unvulcanized rubber member when forming the ring-shaped member, it is expected that cracks or the like will occur in the completed rubber product due to this poor joint.

[0003] In order to prevent such poor bonding, an invention has been proposed in which the leading and trailing ends of an unvulcanized rubber member (tread rubber) are heated by a heater on the servicer, and then the unvulcanized rubber member is wrapped around a forming drum to bond the leading and trailing ends (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The leading and trailing ends are improved in adhesiveness by being heated, which is advantageous for firmly bonding the two.

[0004] However, in the invention proposed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to transfer the unvulcanized rubber member from the servicer to the molding drum after heating the leading end and the trailing end. The leading end and the trailing end are softened and easily deformed by heating, so unnecessary deformation occurs during this transfer process. If unnecessary deformation occurs in the leading end and the trailing end, the quality of the manufactured rubber product may be affected. In addition, since this transfer process requires a certain amount of time, the effect of firmly joining the leading end and the trailing end is reduced by the amount of temperature drop until the leading end and the trailing end are joined. Therefore, if the heating temperature is increased or the transfer speed is increased in consideration of this temperature drop, the risk of unnecessary deformation occurring in the leading end and the trailing end increases. Therefore, there is room for improvement in more reliably joining the leading end and the trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member to form a ring shape while avoiding the occurrence of unnecessary deformation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-132122 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for joining unvulcanized rubber members, which can more reliably join the front and rear end portions of an unvulcanized rubber member to form a ring shape while avoiding the occurrence of unnecessary deformation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for joining unvulcanized rubber members, which comprises wrapping an unvulcanized rubber member around a drum and opposing front and rear ends of the unvulcanized rubber member, and moving a pressing part of a pressing mechanism toward an outer circumferential surface of the drum to sandwich the front and rear ends between the pressing part and the outer circumferential surface, thereby forming an annular unvulcanized rubber member, the method comprising the steps of: On the outer circumferential surface of the drumThe tip portion and the rear end portion, which are opposed to each other, are heated by a non-contact heating means, and the tip portion and the rear end portion in the heated state are pressure-bonded by the pressing mechanism.

[0008] The joining device for unvulcanized rubber members of the present invention includes a drum around which an unvulcanized rubber member is wound, and a pressing mechanism having a pressing part which moves toward and away from an outer peripheral surface of the drum, in which the unvulcanized rubber member wound around the drum is crimped between the pressing part which moves toward the outer peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface in a state in which the leading end and the trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member face each other, thereby forming an annular unvulcanized rubber member by being pressure-bonded, On the outer circumferential surface of the drum The device is characterized in that it has a non-contact heating means for heating the tip and rear end portions which are in an opposing state, and that the tip and rear end portions which have been heated by the heating means are pressure-bonded together by the pressing mechanism. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the leading and trailing ends of the unvulcanized rubber member are heated by the heating means after being wound around the drum, which is more advantageous in avoiding unnecessary deformation of the leading and trailing ends, which are easily deformed by heating, than when the leading and trailing ends are heated before being wound around the drum. In addition, since a non-contact heating means is used, the heating means does not come into contact with the leading and trailing ends, which is even more advantageous in avoiding unnecessary deformation of the leading and trailing ends. Furthermore, the leading and trailing ends are pressure-bonded to each other using a pressing mechanism in a state where they have been heated and have improved adhesion, so that the unvulcanized rubber member can be more reliably and firmly bonded to form an annular shape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a side view of a joining device for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the joining device of FIG. 1 in a plan view. [Diagram 3]2 is an explanatory view illustrating a joining device as viewed from an arrow A in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the leading end and trailing end of an unvulcanized rubber member are aligned on a molding drum as viewed from the side; FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, as viewed from the side, a state in which the leading end and trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 4 are heated after being aligned. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the vicinity of the front end and rear end of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the joining device as viewed from an arrow B in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a side view, a state in which the temperatures of the leading end and the trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 5 are detected by temperature sensors after heating. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, as viewed from the side, a state in which the leading end and trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member in FIG. 8 are pressure-bonded by a pressing mechanism. FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the leading end and trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member are heated before alignment, as viewed from the side; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method and an apparatus for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0012] 1 to 3, a leading end 2a and a trailing end 2b of a strip-shaped unvulcanized rubber member 2 (hereinafter referred to as rubber member 2) are joined together to form the rubber member 2 into an annular shape. That is, an annular member made of the rubber member 2 is manufactured by this joining device 1. The annular rubber member 2 is used as a component of various rubber products, such as tire tread rubber and side rubber.

[0013] The joining device 1 includes a drum 3, a pressing mechanism 4, a non-contact heating means 5, and a control unit 9. The operation of the drum 3, the pressing mechanism 4, and the heating means 5 is controlled by the control unit 9. In this embodiment, the joining device 1 further includes a temperature sensor 8. The front end 2a and the rear end 2b of the rubber member 2 wound around the drum 3 are pressure-bonded using the pressing mechanism 4, and the rubber member 2 is formed into an annular shape on the drum 3. The front end 2a and the rear end 2b have inclined end faces that are inclined in the same direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the rubber member 2 in a side view. In the drawings, the width direction (drum width direction) of the drum 3 is indicated by an arrow W, and the circumferential direction (drum circumferential direction) is indicated by an arrow C.

[0014] A cylindrical drum 3 is disposed in front of a transport device 10 such as a belt conveyor. The rubber member 2 transported by the transport device 10 is transferred and wound around the drum 3. The drum 3 is driven to rotate in the drum circumferential direction C about its central axis (clockwise in FIG. 1). For example, a suction pad may be provided on the outer circumferential surface 3a of the drum 3 to make it easier to hold the tip portion 2a of the transferred rubber member 2. The operation of the transport device 10 is also controlled by the control unit 9.

[0015] The pressing mechanism 4 is disposed below the drum 3. The pressing mechanism 4 has a pressing part 4a that moves toward and away from the outer circumferential surface 3a of the drum 3. The pressing mechanism 4 is configured, for example, such that the pressing part 4a is attached to the tip of a rod that moves back and forth by a hydraulic cylinder, a servo motor, or the like. The pressing mechanism 4 can be disposed at any position near the outer circumferential surface 3a of the drum 3, not limited to a position below the drum 3, but is preferably disposed directly below the central axis of the drum 3 as in this embodiment.

[0016] The pressing portion 4a extends in the drum width direction W, and its surface directly contacts the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b. Therefore, the surface of the pressing portion 4a is shaped to correspond to the surface shapes of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b with which it contacts, or is deformable to a shape corresponding to the surface shape. In order to shape its surface to correspond to the surface shapes of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b with which it contacts, the pressing portion 4a can be configured to be detachably attached to the rod of the pressing mechanism 4, and the pressing portion 4a corresponding to the surface shapes of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b can be attached and used.

[0017] The heating means 5 heats the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b of the rubber member 2 wound around the drum in a non-contact manner. For example, a hot air heater that blows hot air toward the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b is used as the heating means 5. A heat source lamp such as a halogen lamp can also be used as the heating means 5, or a hot air heater and a heat source lamp can be used in combination. The heating means 5 is not limited to one unit, and multiple heating means 5a, 5b can also be provided.

[0018] The degree of heating by the heating means 5 (hot air temperature, air volume, heating time) is controlled by the control unit 9. Incidentally, data on the appropriate degree of heating is obtained in advance through a preliminary test and input to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the heating means 5 to heat the front end portion 2a and the rear end portion 2b based on the data on the appropriate degree of heating obtained in advance.

[0019] In this embodiment, the heating means 5 is pivotally supported so that the vertical direction of the hot air outlet can be changed relative to the base 6. The heating means 5 may be pivotally supported so that the horizontal direction (drum width direction W) of the hot air outlet can be changed relative to the base 6, and the heating means 5 may also be configured so that the vertical and horizontal directions are variable.

[0020] The heating means 5 is installed by engaging a base 6 with a slide guide 7 that extends linearly toward the drum 3. The heating means 5 is configured to move along the slide guide 7 using a servo motor or the like and stop at predetermined positions (a heating position and a standby position, which will be described later). The movement of the heating means 5 is controlled by a control unit 9.

[0021] In this embodiment, two heating means 5a, 5b are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween in the drum width direction W. The heating means 5a, 5b are movable independently of each other along a slide guide 7, but the heating means 5a, 5b may also be movable integrally along the slide guide 7.

[0022] The temperature sensor 8 is disposed near the pressing mechanism 4 (pressing section 4a). More specifically, the temperature sensor 8 is disposed slightly upstream of the pressing mechanism 4 (pressing section 4a) in the rotation direction of the drum 3. The temperature sensor 8 detects the temperatures of the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b of the rubber member 2 wound around the drum 3 in a non-contact manner. Various known non-contact temperature sensors can be used as the temperature sensor 8. Detected temperature data detected by the temperature sensor 8 is input to the control section 9. The temperature sensor 8 can be provided as an option.

[0023] A computer is used as the control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the various operations described above, and also performs calculation processing using input data. The allowable temperature range AR of the front end portion 2a and rear end portion 2b in the heated state is input to the control unit 9. This allowable range AR is set to a temperature range in which the front end portion 2a and rear end portion 2b exhibit sufficient adhesion to avoid poor bonding between them, and is determined in advance by a preliminary test.

[0024] Next, an example of a procedure for a method of joining the rubber members 2 using the joining device 1 will be described.

[0025] First, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, a predetermined length of the rubber member 2 placed on the upper surface of the conveying device 10 is conveyed toward the drum 3 by operating the conveying device 10. With the tip portion 2a of the rubber member 2 placed on the outer circumferential surface 3a of the drum 3, the drum 3 is rotated to transfer the rubber member 2 from the conveying device 10 to the drum 3. In this transfer step, the control unit 9 controls the conveying device 10 and the drum 3 to synchronize with each other so that the conveying speed of the conveying device 10 and the circumferential speed of the outer circumferential surface 3a of the drum 3 match. This synchronization control allows the rubber member 2 to be wound around the drum 3 without being stretched or compressed.

[0026] In this transfer process, the heating means 5 is stopped at a standby position away from the drum 3. In addition, the pressing portion 4a is at a position away from the outer circumferential surface 3a of the drum 3.

[0027] 4, the rubber member 2 wound around the drum 3 has a leading end 2a and a trailing end 2b facing each other and overlapping each other in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the drum circumferential direction C) of the rubber member 2. If the transfer process is performed without manual intervention, the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b may be misaligned in the drum width direction W and the drum circumferential direction C, resulting in a gap between them that exceeds a standard value.

[0028] Therefore, for example, the drum 3 is rotated to move the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b to the position indicated by the arrow P in FIG. 4, and the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped. Next, at the position indicated by the arrow P, the position of the trailing end 2b relative to the leading end 2a is adjusted manually. This aligns the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b to correct the relative deviation in the drum width direction W and the drum circumferential direction C. As a result, the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b facing each other are temporarily joined, but not completely joined. This alignment can also be performed by a dedicated device instead of manually.

[0029] Next, the drum 3 is rotated to move the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b to a position above the front end of the slide guide 7 as shown in Fig. 5, and the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped. At this time, or at a point before this time, the heating means 5 is moved from the standby position to a heating position (the front end of the slide guide 7) close to the drum 3 and stopped there.

[0030] The heating means 5 arranged at the heating position is positioned so that the direction of the hot air blowing port faces the gap (seam) between the front end 2a and the rear end 2b. The distance between the front end 2a and the rear end 2b is, for example, about 1 mm to 10 mm. As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the heating means 5 blows hot air toward the front end 2a and the rear end 2b facing each other, thereby heating the front end 2a and the rear end 2b.

[0031] In this embodiment, two heating means 5a, 5b are arranged side by side with an interval in the drum width direction W, so that the entire width of the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b are heated. If the entire width of the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b can be heated, one heating means 5 may be sufficient. Since the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b are heated while wrapped around the drum 3 and facing each other, it becomes possible to heat the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b simultaneously under the same conditions using the same heating means 5.

[0032] When a hot air heater is used as the heating means 5, hot air can enter the gap between the front end 2a and the rear end 2b, and can heat the rear sides of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b. This is therefore advantageous for quickly heating the front end 2a and the rear end 2b as a whole.

[0033] The hot air outlet of the heating means 5 is disposed at a position, for example, 20 mm to 100 mm away from the gap between the front end 2a and the rear end 2b. The hot air outlet angle is set so as to be parallel to the inclined end faces of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b. Specifically, the hot air outlet angle is preferably set within a range of ±5° with respect to the inclination of the inclined end faces of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b.

[0034] The heating condition (hot air temperature, air volume, heating time) by the heating means 5 is set so that the temperature of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b when they are pressure-bonded is 60°C to 100°C (about 70°C). If the temperature is less than 60°C, the adhesiveness of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b may not be high enough, and if it exceeds 100°C, vulcanization of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b may proceed excessively, resulting in a decrease in adhesiveness. Therefore, it is important not to heat the front end 2a and the rear end 2b to a temperature higher than 100°C when the front end 2a and the rear end 2b are heated by the heating means 5.

[0035] The temperature of the hot air is set, for example, at 250° C. to 350° C., and more preferably at 280° C. to 320° C. The volume of the hot air is set, for example, at 400 L / min to 500 L / min, and more preferably at 430 L / min to 470 L / min. The heating time is set, for example, at 5 seconds to 15 seconds, and more preferably at 8 seconds to 12 seconds.

[0036] After the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b have been heated by the heating means 5, the drum 3 is rotated to move the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b to a position above the temperature sensor 8 as shown in Fig. 8, and the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped. In this state, the temperature sensor 8 detects the temperatures of the heated leading end 2a and trailing end 2b. After heating of the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b is completed, the heating means 5 is moved from the heating position to the standby position along the slide guide 7 at an appropriate time.

[0037] Temperature data of the front end 2a and rear end 2b detected by the temperature sensor 8 is input to the control unit 9, which judges whether or not it is within a preset allowable range AR. If it is judged that the detected temperatures of the front end 2a and rear end 2b are outside the allowable range AR, the subsequent process is interrupted, and the control unit 9 notifies the worker of the occurrence of a temperature abnormality by a warning means (such as an alarm or warning display). The cause of the temperature abnormality is then investigated, and once the cause has been identified, a new joining process is started.

[0038] If it is determined that the detected temperatures of the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b are within the allowable range AR, the drum 3 is rotated to move the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b to a position above the pressing part 4a as shown in Fig. 9, and the rotation of the drum 3 is stopped. Next, the control unit 9 moves the pressing part 4a of the pressing mechanism 4 upward and closes it to the outer circumferential surface 3a.

[0039] The heated leading end 2a and trailing end 2b are sandwiched between the pressing part 4a, which has moved toward the outer circumferential surface 3a, and the outer circumferential surface 3a, whereby the two are pressure-bonded together, completing the entire process. As a result, the rubber member 2 is formed into an annular shape on the drum 3, and the annular member is manufactured.

[0040] As described above, in the present invention, the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b of the rubber member 2 are heated by the heating means 5 after being wound around the drum 3, so the rubber member 2 with the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b in a heated state is not transferred to another device before being pressure-bonded. In other words, compared to the conventional technology in which the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b are heated before being transferred to the drum 3, the present invention is advantageous in preventing unnecessary deformation of the leading end 2a and trailing end 2b, which have become softened and easily deformed by heating.

[0041] In addition, since the present invention uses a non-contact type heating means 5, the heating means 5 does not come into contact with the front end 2a and the rear end 2b and cause unnecessary deformation, which is even more advantageous in avoiding the occurrence of unnecessary deformation. Furthermore, the front end 2a and the rear end 2b are pressure-bonded to each other using the pressing mechanism 4 in a state where they are heated and have improved adhesion, so that they can be more reliably and firmly bonded. Accordingly, in rubber products manufactured using this formed annular member, defects such as cracks caused by poor bonding between the front end 2a and the rear end 2b are prevented.

[0042] The time from when the front end 2a and the rear end 2b are heated by the heating means 5 as illustrated in Fig. 5 to when they are pressure-bonded by the pressing mechanism 4 as illustrated in Fig. 9 is preferably within 15 seconds, more preferably within 10 seconds. If this time exceeds 15 seconds, the temperature drop of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b during pressure bonding compared to when they are heated becomes large, and the effect of improving the adhesiveness of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b is reduced by the amount of the temperature drop. As a result, it is disadvantageous to firmly bond the front end 2a and the rear end 2b.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, before the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b are heated by the heating means 5, alignment is performed to correct the deviation between the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b in the drum width direction W and the drum circumferential direction C. By performing alignment at this timing, it becomes easier to keep constant the time from the end of heating the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b by the heating means 5 to the pressure bonding by the pressing mechanism 4. That is, the time from the end of heating to the pressure bonding can be kept constant with high accuracy, regardless of the time required for the alignment work. This is advantageous in avoiding the occurrence of poor bonding between the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b. Note that when the rubber member 2 is transferred from the conveying device 10 to the drum 3, if there is no deviation between the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b in the drum width direction W and the drum circumferential direction C, this alignment can be omitted.

[0044] Alternatively, the timing of this alignment can be changed. For example, this alignment can be performed after the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b are heated by the heating means 5 and before the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b are pressure-bonded by the pressing mechanism 4. In detail, the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b of the rubber member 2 wound around the drum 3 are heated by the heating means 5 in a state in which they face each other as shown in FIG. 10 from the state shown in FIG. 1. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, alignment is performed to correct the deviation between the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b in the drum width direction W and the drum circumferential direction C. Next, the temperature sensor 8 detects the temperatures of the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b, and the pressing mechanism 4 pressure-bonds the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b, in that order.

[0045] The degree of heating (hot air temperature, air volume, heating time) by each of the heating means 5a, 5b may be the same or different. For example, if it is known that there is an area in the width direction of the rubber member 2 where poor bonding is relatively likely to occur at the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b, the degree of heating can be made different in this width direction. That is, the degree of heating is made higher (more heating energy is applied) in the area where poor bonding is relatively likely to occur than in the area where no bonding is relatively likely to occur. By changing the degree of heating in this way, it is possible to ensure more uniform adhesion over the entire width of the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b, which is advantageous in avoiding the occurrence of poor bonding.

[0046] There are cases where the thickness of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b is not constant in the width direction of the rubber member 2. For rubber members 2 with uneven thickness in the width direction, the degree of heating by the heating means 5 can be changed according to the thickness of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b. Specifically, the degree of heating is made higher (more heating energy is applied) in the relatively thick regions of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b than in the relatively thin regions. By changing the degree of heating in this way, it is possible to ensure more uniform adhesion over the entire width of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b regardless of the difference in the thickness in the width direction of the leading end 2a and the rear end 2b, which is advantageous in avoiding the occurrence of poor bonding.

[0047] In this embodiment, the heating means 5a, 5b are movable independently of each other along the slide guide 7. Therefore, by varying the distance from the hot air outlet of each heating means 5a, 5b to the gap between the front end 2a and the rear end 2b, the degree of heating of the front end 2a and the rear end 2b by each heating means 5a, 5b can be varied (changed).

[0048] As in this embodiment, by making the heating means 5 movable between a heating position close to the drum 3 and a standby position away from the drum 3, the heating means 5 can be disposed at an optimum position for heating the leading end 2a and the trailing end 2b according to the size of the drum 3 and the thickness of the rubber member 2. In other words, regardless of the size of the drum 3 and the thickness of the rubber member 2, it is possible to perform optimum heating by simply adjusting the position (distance) of the heating means 5 relative to the drum 3 on the slide guide 7 while keeping the degree of heating (hot air temperature, air volume, heating time) by the heating means 5 constant. Accordingly, the work of adjusting the degree of heating (hot air temperature, air volume, heating time) is no longer necessary, thereby reducing the complexity of the work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Unvulcanized rubber component joining device 2 Unvulcanized rubber material 2a Tip 2b Rear end 3 Drums 3a Outer surface 4 Pressing mechanism 4a Pressing part 5, 5a, 5b Heating means 6. Base 7 Slide Guide 8 Temperature Sensor 9. Control Unit 10. Conveyor

Claims

1. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members, comprising the steps of: wrapping an unvulcanized rubber member around a drum and opposing a front end and a rear end of the unvulcanized rubber member; moving a pressing part of a pressing mechanism toward an outer peripheral surface of the drum to sandwich the front end and the rear end of the unvulcanized rubber member between the pressing part and the outer peripheral surface of the drum, thereby forming an annular unvulcanized rubber member; A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members, characterized in that the leading end and the trailing end, which are opposed to each other on the outer peripheral surface of the drum, are heated by a non-contact heating means, and the leading end and the trailing end in the heated state are pressure-bonded by the pressing mechanism.

2. 2. The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to claim 1, wherein the heating means comprises a hot air heater for blowing hot air toward the front end and the rear end.

3. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein before the leading end and the trailing end are heated by the heating means, alignment is performed to correct any misalignment between the leading end and the trailing end in the drum width direction and drum circumferential direction.

4. 3. The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of: heating the leading end portion and the trailing end portion by the heating means; and before the leading end portion and the trailing end portion are pressure-bonded together by the pressing mechanism, alignment is performed to correct any misalignment between the leading end portion and the trailing end portion in the drum width direction and drum circumferential direction.

5. 5. The method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to claim 1, wherein the front end and rear end are pressure-joined by the pressing mechanism within 15 seconds after the heating means has finished heating the front end and rear end.

6. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein immediately before the front end and the rear end heated by the heating means are pressure-bonded by the pressing mechanism, the temperatures of the front end and the rear end are detected by a non-contact temperature sensor, and a control unit determines whether the detected temperature is within a preset allowable range.

7. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating means is configured to be movable between a heating position close to the drum and a standby position away from the drum, and when heating the leading end and the trailing end, the heating means is moved from the standby position to the heating position.

8. A method for joining unvulcanized rubber members as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the degree of heating of the front end portion and the rear end portion by the heating means is varied in the width direction depending on the thickness of the unvulcanized rubber member at the front end portion and the rear end portion in the width direction.

9. A joining device for an unvulcanized rubber member includes a drum around which an unvulcanized rubber member is wound, and a pressing mechanism having a pressing part which moves toward and away from an outer peripheral surface of the drum, in which the unvulcanized rubber member wound around the drum is crimped between the pressing part which moves toward the outer peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface while a leading end and a trailing end of the unvulcanized rubber member face each other, thereby forming an annular unvulcanized rubber member, The joining device for unvulcanized rubber members is characterized in that it has a non-contact heating means for heating the leading end and the trailing end which are facing each other on the outer peripheral surface of the drum, and the leading end and the trailing end which are heated by the heating means are pressure-joined by the pressing mechanism.

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