Tire transport method, vertically placed tire horizontal placement method, and attitude change device

Abstract

To provide a tire T conveying method that can contribute to stable production of high-quality tires T.SOLUTION: In the conveying method, (1) rollers 22, which move back and forth between a standby position and a holding position and rotate about respective shafts 28, are placed at the standby position, (2) the rollers 22 are placed inside the inner peripheral surface of a tire T, (3) while changing the circumferential positions and the radial positions of the shafts 28, the rollers 22 are brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface and rolled, and the rollers 22 are made to reach the holding position, (4) the tire T held by the rollers 22 is rotated and the tire T is placed horizontally, and (5) at the moment when a moving rack 108 passes the loading position where the tire T is placed, the rollers 22 are moved from the holding position to the standby position, and the tire T is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire transport method, a tire horizontal placement method for a vertically placed tire, and a posture changing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A tire is obtained by vulcanizing a raw tire (a tire in an unvulcanized state, also called a raw cover). The raw tire molded by a molding machine is transported to the vulcanizer. A transport device is used to transport the raw tire. Patent Document 1 below discloses an example of a transport device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-182417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the molding machine, the green tire is obtained in a vertical position. In the vulcanization process, the green tire is placed in a horizontal position in the mold. In tire manufacturing, the orientation of the green tire obtained in the molding machine is changed in the process of transporting it to the vulcanizer.

[0005] When raw tires are transported by a trolley conveyor as in the transport device disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the raw tires are hung on hangers. Raw tires are soft. When the raw tires are hung on hangers, their shape changes from a circle to an ellipse due to their own weight. If the shape of the raw tires changes significantly, the uniformity of the tires is lost. If the raw tires are transported in a horizontal position, it is expected that deformation of the raw tires due to their own weight can be prevented.

[0006] When raw tires are transported using a rack on which the raw tires can be placed horizontally, the rack supports the raw tires on a surface thereof. From the viewpoint of maintaining the balance of the rack during transportation, it is required that the raw tire be placed on the rack with its center aligned with the center of the raw tire placement surface formed on the rack.

[0007] In tire production lines where raw tires are transported on trolley conveyors, there is a need to establish technology that can change the orientation of the raw tire from vertical to horizontal while determining the center of the tire, in order to consistently produce high-quality tires.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a method for horizontally placing a vertically placed tire, a tire transport method, and a posture changing device that can contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A tire transport method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for transporting tires by using a rack in which vertically placed tires are placed horizontally and suspended from a trolley line and guided to a destination by the trolley line, (1) A roller that moves between a standby position, which is a position a predetermined distance radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the tire, and a holding position, which contacts the inner circumferential surface to hold the tire, and rotates about a shaft, is disposed at the standby position; (2) The roller is disposed inside an inner circumferential surface of the tire, (3) rolling the roller in contact with the inner circumferential surface while changing the circumferential position and the radial position of the shaft, until the roller reaches the holding position; (4) rotating the tire held by the rollers to lay the tire horizontally; and (5) When the moving rack passes a loading position where the tire is placed, the roller is moved from the holding position to the standby position, and the tire is released.

[0010] Preferably, in this tire transport method, the force with which the roller presses the inner circumferential surface is weakened before the tire is released.

[0011] Preferably, in this tire conveying method, the roller includes a cylindrical main body and the shaft located at the center of the main body. The main body includes a base portion on which a bead portion of the tire is placed. The base portion includes a flange portion extending radially outward.

[0012] Preferably, in this tire conveying method, the base is made of a material selected from the group consisting of fluororesin and fluororesin.

[0013] Preferably, in this tire conveying method, the rollers are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0014] Preferably, in this tire conveying method, the tire is an unvulcanized tire.

[0015] A method for horizontally placing a vertically placed tire according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for horizontally placing a vertically placed tire, the method comprising the steps of: (1) A roller that moves between a standby position, which is a position a predetermined distance radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the tire, and a holding position, which contacts the inner circumferential surface to hold the tire, and rotates about a shaft, is disposed at the standby position; (2) The roller is disposed inside an inner circumferential surface of the tire, (3) The roller is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface and rolled while changing the circumferential position and the radial position of the shaft, and the roller reaches the holding position. (4) rotating the tire held by the rollers to lay the tire horizontally; and (5) moving the roller from the holding position to the standby position and releasing the tire;

[0016] A posture changing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a posture changing device for a tire that changes a vertically placed tire to a horizontal position, and includes a holding unit that holds the tire, and a rotating unit that rotates the holding unit. The holding unit includes a holding section having an expansion / contraction function, and a drive section that exerts the expansion / contraction function. The holding section includes a roller and a link mechanism to which the shaft of the roller is rotatably attached. The drive section includes a rotating shaft and a prime mover that rotates the rotating shaft. The link mechanism includes a pair of support frames that support the roller. Each of the support frames includes an arm, a rotating plate, and a fixed plate. The arm supports the roller at one end so that the roller can rotate around the shaft. The arm is attached to the rotating plate at the other end via a rotating pin, and is supported by the rotating plate so that the arm can rotate around the rotating pin. The rotating plate is fixed to the rotating shaft so that the arm can rotate around the rotating shaft. The fixed plate is fixed to the rotating unit by a reference pin. The arm has a guide groove that guides the reference pin. When the rotary plate rotates, the other end of the arm rotates about the rotary pin while moving in a circumferential direction, and the movement of the arm is restricted by the reference pin. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a method for horizontally placing a vertically placed tire, a tire transport method, and a posture changing device can be provided, which can contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing a conveying device for carrying out a tire conveying method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a posture changing device which is a part of the transport device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the posture changing device. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the holding portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the holding portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the operation of the holding portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the rack. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the rack. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the operation of the transport device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the operation of the transport device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the operation of the transport device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the operation of the transport device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the operation of the transport device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating the operation of the transport device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

[0020] [Transportation device] 1 shows a conveying device 2 for carrying out a tire conveying method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The conveying device 2 is used to convey a green tire T molded in a molding machine (not shown) to a vulcanizer (not shown). The conveying device 2 includes a posture changing device 4 and a trolley conveyor 6.

[0021] [Posture change device 4] An overview of the posture changing device 4 will be explained with reference to FIGS. The position changing device 4 is a device for changing a vertically placed raw tire T into a horizontal position. The position changing device 4 includes a holding unit 8, a rotating unit 10, and a lifting unit 12. Although not described in detail, the position changing device 4 includes a main frame 14 as a framework formed by combining a number of frame pieces. The support unit 8, the swivel unit 10, and the lift unit 12 are attached to the main frame 14 to form the position changing device 4.

[0022] The holding unit 8 holds the green tire T. The holding unit 8 includes a holding portion 16 and a driving portion 18. The holding portion 16 and the driving portion 18 are fixed to the turning unit 10. The holding unit 8 further includes a fixing portion 20 for fixing the holding portion 16 and the driving portion 18 to the turning unit 10.

[0023] The holding portion 16 is disk-shaped. The holding portion 16 includes rollers 22 and a link mechanism 24. In the conveying device 2, the holding portion 16 includes a plurality of rollers 22. Specifically, the holding portion 16 includes five rollers 22. These rollers 22 form the radial outer edge portion of the holding portion 16. These rollers 22 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the holding portion 16. These rollers 22 (specifically, the centers of the rollers 22) are located on the same circumference. The outer diameter of the holding portion 16 is represented by the diameter of a circle circumscribing these rollers 22 (more specifically, the main body 26 of the rollers 22, which will be described later in detail). In this transport device 2, the number of rollers 22 provided in the holding section 16 is preferably three or more and seven or less.

[0024] In the holding unit 16, each roller 22 has a shaft 28 at the center of a cylindrical body 26, and this shaft 28 is rotatably attached to the link mechanism 24. The holding unit 16 has a plurality of rollers 22 on its radially outer portion. Each roller 22 can rotate around the shaft 28. The main body 26 of the roller 22 is provided at one end with a flange portion 30 that expands outward in the radial direction of the roller 22. As will be described later, a bead portion B of the green tire T is placed on this flange portion 30.

[0025] The link mechanism 24 can arrange the multiple rollers 22 provided on the holding portion 16 on the same circumference, and can simultaneously change the positions of these rollers 22. The link mechanism 24 includes a pair of support frames 32 that support the rollers 22. In the conveying device 2, the rollers 22 are sandwiched between one support frame 32 and the other support frame 32 and are held by these support frames 32.

[0026] In this transfer device 2, one of a pair of support frames 32 is fixed to the swivel unit 10 via a fixed frame . The fixed frame 34 forms a part of the fixed portion 20 described above. The fixed frame 34 of the transport device 2 includes a pair of side plate pieces 36 and a top plate piece 38. One end of each side plate piece 36 is fixed to the swivel unit 10, and the other end is fixed to the top plate piece 38. The top plate piece 38 bridges the other ends of both side plate pieces 36. A part of the support frame 32 is fixed to this top plate piece 38.

[0027] In this transport device 2, one support frame 32 fixed to the fixed frame 34 is also referred to as an inner support frame 32U, and the other support frame 32 is also referred to as an outer support frame 32S. The inner support frame 32U and the outer support frame 32S have approximately the same configuration. The support frame 32 includes an arm 40 , a rotating plate 44 and a fixed plate 46 .

[0028] The arm 40 supports the roller 22 at one end 40a so that the roller 22 can rotate around the shaft 28. Specifically, the arm 40 in the inner support frame 32U supports one end of the shaft 28 at one end 40a, and the arm 40 in the outer support frame 32S supports the other end of the shaft 28 at one end 40a. The arm 40 is attached at the other end 40b to a rotation plate 44 via a rotation pin 48. The arm 40 is supported by the rotation plate 44 so as to be rotatable about the rotation pin 48. The circumferential and radial positions of the rotation pin 48 on the arm 40 of the inner support frame 32U coincide with the circumferential and radial positions of the rotation pin 48 on the arm 40 of the outer support frame 32S. As mentioned above, the holder 16 includes five rollers 22. Each support frame 32 includes five arms 40.

[0029] In this transport device 2, the arm 40 has an L-shaped planar shape. This arm 40 is configured by combining an L-shaped plate piece 42 and a regulating plate 50. The plate piece 42 includes an inner plate piece 42u including one end 40a and an outer plate piece 42s including the other end 40b. The plate piece 42 is bent at the boundary between the inner plate piece 42u and the outer plate piece 42s. A groove 54 is engraved in the inner plate piece 42u, penetrating the inner plate piece 42u in the thickness direction and extending in the length direction of the inner plate piece 42u.

[0030] The regulating plate 50 is stacked on and attached to the inner plate piece 42u of the plate piece 42. A groove 56 is engraved in the regulating plate 50, penetrating the regulating plate 50 in its thickness direction and extending in the length direction of the regulating plate 50. In this transport device 2, the groove 56 of the regulating plate 50 and the groove 54 of the inner plate piece 42u are combined to form a guide groove 60 that guides a reference pin 58, which will be described later. The arm 40 has a guide groove 60 that guides the reference pin 58 .

[0031] The rotating plate 44 is fixed to a rotating shaft 62 of the drive unit 18, which will be described later. When the rotating shaft 62 rotates, the rotating plate 44 rotates about the rotating shaft 62. In this transport device 2, the rotating plate 44 in the inner support frame 32U and the rotating plate 44 in the outer support frame 32S rotate integrally about the rotating shaft 62. The rotating plate 44 is disk-shaped. Taking into consideration interference with the roller 22, the rotating plate 44 is configured with a recess 64 recessed radially inward from the outer edge, except for the portion where the rotating pin 48 is attached. The rotating plate 44 has a star-shaped planar shape.

[0032] The fixed plate 46 is supported by the rotating shaft 62 via a bearing 66. The fixed plate 46 is fixed to the rotating unit 10 by a reference pin 58. Specifically, the fixed plate 46 is fixed to the rotating unit 10 by the reference pin 58 via the fixed frame 34 of the fixed portion 20. In this transport device 2, the fixed plate 46 of the inner support frame 32U is fixed to the fixed frame 34 (specifically, to the top plate piece 38 that forms part of the fixed frame 34) by a reference pin 58. The fixed plate 46 of the outer support frame 32S is fixed to the fixed plate 46 of the inner support frame 32U via a spacer ring 68. The fixed plate 46 of the inner support frame 32U and the fixed plate 46 of the outer support frame 32S are fixed integrally to the fixed frame 34. Even if the rotating shaft 62 rotates, the fixed plate 46 does not rotate. The fixed plate 46 is disk-shaped. Taking into consideration interference with the roller 22, the fixed plate 46 is configured with a recess 70 recessed radially inward from the outer edge, except for the portion where the reference pin 58 is attached. The fixed plate 46 has a star-shaped planar shape.

[0033] Similar to the fixed plate 46 of the inner support frame 32U, a reference pin 58 is also attached to the fixed plate 46 of the outer support frame 32S. The circumferential and radial positions of the reference pin 58 on the fixed plate 46 of the outer support frame 32S coincide with the circumferential and radial positions of the reference pin 58 on the fixed plate 46 of the inner support frame 32U.

[0034] In the holding part 16, as described above, the other end 40b of the arm 40 is attached to the rotating plate 44 via the rotating pin 48, and the rotating plate 44 rotates around the rotating shaft 62. When the rotating plate 44 rotates, the rotating pin 48 moves in the circumferential direction. When the rotating pin 48 moves, the other end 40b of the arm 40 moves in the circumferential direction. As described above, even if the rotating plate 44 rotates, the fixed plate 46 to which the reference pin 58 is attached does not rotate. Even if the rotating plate 44 rotates, the reference pin 58 does not move. In this transport device 2, the head 58h of the reference pin 58 is fitted into the guide groove 60 provided in the arm 40. The reference pin 58 in the inner support frame 32U is provided with a convex portion 58t corresponding to the head 58h at a portion corresponding to the position of the guide groove 60, and this convex portion 58t is fitted into the guide groove 60. When the rotating plate 44 rotates, the other end 40b of the arm 40 is moved in the circumferential direction, but the movement of the arm 40 is restricted by this reference pin 58. In this transport device 2, when the rotating plate 44 rotates, the other end 40b of the arm 40 rotates around the rotating pin 48 while moving in the circumferential direction. As a result, the circumferential position and the radial position of the shaft 28 supported by one end 40a of the arm 40 change. In this transfer device 2, the link mechanism 24 changes the circumferential and radial positions of the shaft 28.

[0035] In Fig. 4, a two-dot chain line TL indicates the locus of the center of the shaft 28 that moves as the rotating plate 44 rotates. The symbol TS indicates one end of the locus TL, and the symbol TU indicates the other end of the locus TL. In the holding part 16 shown in Fig. 4, the center of the shaft 28 is located at one end TS of the locus TL. One end TS of the locus TL is located outside the other end TU in the radial direction. In the holding part 16 shown in Fig. 4, the rollers 22 are located on the outside in the radial direction, and this holding part 16 is in an expanded diameter state. In contrast, in the holding part 16 shown in Fig. 6, the center of the shaft 28 is located at the other end TU of the locus TL. Fig. 6 shows the holding part 16 in a reduced diameter state with the rollers 22 located on the inside.

[0036] 4, that is, in the holding portion 16 in the expanded diameter state, when the rotating plate 44 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the center of the shaft 28 moves along a trajectory TL from one end TS to the other end TU. The rollers 22 move in the circumferential direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotating plate 44, and move inward in the radial direction. This causes the outer diameter of the holding portion 16 to decrease. In this conveying device 2, the rollers 22 of the holding portion 16 can move inward in the radial direction while changing their circumferential and radial positions on the shaft 28.

[0037] 6, that is, in the holding unit 16 in a reduced diameter state, when the rotating plate 44 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the center of the shaft 28 moves along a trajectory TL from the other end TU to the one end TS. The rollers 22 move in the circumferential direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotating plate 44, and move outward in the radial direction. This causes the outer diameter of the holding unit 16 to expand. In this conveying device 2, the rollers 22 of the holding unit 16 can move radially outward while changing their circumferential and radial positions on the shaft 28.

[0038] The holding portion 16 has a function of being able to expand and contract in diameter (hereinafter also referred to as an expansion / contraction function). The driving portion 18 causes the holding portion 16 to exert the expansion / contraction function. The driving section 18 includes a prime mover 72. As will be described later, the prime mover 72 of the transport device 2 is fixed to the swivel unit 10 via a mounting plate 74. This mounting plate 74 forms a part of the fixed section 20 described above.

[0039] The prime mover 72 rotates the above-mentioned rotating shaft 62. By driving the prime mover, the rotating shaft 62 rotates. This causes the rotating plate 44, which is a part of the above-mentioned holding unit 16, to rotate. In this conveying device 2, an electric motor is used as the prime mover 72. From the viewpoint of effectively controlling the expansion and contraction function of the holding unit 16, a servo motor is preferable as the electric motor. In this case, this conveying device 2 can control the amount of rotation of the rotation plate 44 with high precision in accordance with the size of the green tire T to be held.

[0040] As described above, the holding portion 16 of the holding unit 8 holds the raw tire T. In this conveying device 2, the holding portion 16 is passed through the inside of the raw tire T to hold the raw tire T. At this time, the holding portion 16 is reduced in diameter as shown in FIG. 6. The rollers 22 of the holding portion 16 in the reduced diameter state are disposed at positions spaced a predetermined distance radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T. In the present disclosure, the positions of the rollers 22 in the holding portion 16 in the reduced diameter state are the standby positions of the rollers 22. In this conveying device 2, when the holding portion 16 expands in diameter, the rollers 22 of the holding portion 16 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T. This allows the holding portion 16 to hold the raw tire T. In the present disclosure, when the holding portion 16 is in the expanded diameter state, the position where the rollers 22 come into contact with the inner circumferential surface and can hold the raw tire T is the holding position of the rollers 22. This holding position of the rollers 22 is changed depending on the size of the raw tire T to be held. In this conveying device 2, the rollers 22 of the holding section 16 move between a waiting position, which is a position a predetermined distance radially inward from the inner surface of the raw tire T, and a holding position, where the rollers 22 contact the inner surface of the raw tire T and hold the raw tire T.

[0041] The swivel unit 10 swivels the holding unit 8. The swivel unit 10 is supported by the lifting unit 12. The swivel unit 10 includes a support frame piece 76 and a pair of swivel portions 78.

[0042] The support frame piece 76 is a member extending in the width direction. The support frame piece 76 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The four side surfaces 80 of the support frame piece 76 are composed of a pair of wide side surfaces 80w arranged opposite to each other and a pair of narrow side surfaces 80n arranged opposite to each other. In this transport device 2, the holding section 16 and the driving section 18 of the holding unit 8 are fixed to a widthwise central portion of the support frame piece 76. The holding section 16 is fixed to one of a pair of wide side surfaces 80w via a fixed frame 34, and the driving section 18 is attached to the other wide side surface 80w via a mounting plate 74. Since the driving section 18 has a rotating shaft 62, a hole (not shown) penetrating between both wide side surfaces 80w is provided in the support frame piece 76, and the rotating shaft 62 passes through this through hole.

[0043] The pair of pivot portions 78 are located on the outer sides of the support frame pieces 76 in the width direction. Each rotating section 78 includes a rotating frame 82 and a support member 84. Both ends of the support frame piece 76 are fixed to the rotating frame 82. The rotating frame 82 includes a rotating shaft 86. The rotating shaft 86 extends outward in the width direction. The support member 84 is a member that extends vertically. Although not shown, the upper part of this support member 84 supports the rotating shaft 86 of the rotating frame 82 via a bearing. This support member 84 supports the rotating shaft 86 so that the rotating shaft 86 can rotate. The lower part of this support member 84 is used as a frame piece of the lifting unit 12, which will be described later.

[0044] 3, one of the pair of rotating parts 78 further includes a prime mover 88. The prime mover 88 rotates a rotating shaft 86 of a rotating frame 82 that forms a part of the rotating part 78. The prime mover 88 is an electric motor. In the conveying device 2, a servo motor is preferably used as the electric motor.

[0045] In this transport device 2, the rotation of the rotating shaft 86 causes the support frame piece 76 to rotate about this rotating shaft 86. The above-mentioned holding unit 8 is fixed to the support frame piece 76. By driving the prime mover 88, the rotating shaft 86 of the rotating frame 82 rotates, and the holding unit 8 rotates together with the support frame piece 76 about this rotating shaft 86.

[0046] The lifting unit 12 supports the swivel unit 10 so that the swivel unit 10 can move up and down. The holding unit 8 is fixed to the swivel unit 10. The lifting unit 12 raises and lowers the holding unit 8.

[0047] The lifting unit 12 includes a pair of lifting sections 90. Each lifting section 90 supports a corresponding swivel section 78. The lifting section 90 is located substantially below the swivel section 78. The lifting section 90 includes a guide section 92 and a cylinder section 94 . The guide portion 92 includes a guide plate 96 that extends vertically, and a slider 98 that guides the guide plate 96. The guide plate 96 is fixed to the support member 84 of the swivel unit 10. The slider 98 is fixed to a height frame piece 100 that forms part of the main frame 14. In this transport device 2, the guide plate 96 moves vertically relative to the slider 98.

[0048] The cylinder portion 94 extends vertically. The cylinder portion 94 is fixed to a frame piece 100 having the same height as the slider 98. A rod 102 of the cylinder portion 94 is fixed at its tip end to the support member 84 of the swivel unit 10 via a connecting plate 104. In this transport device 2, when the rod 102 extends, the support member 84 rises while being guided by the guide portion 92. When the rod 102 retracts, the support member 84 descends while being guided by the guide portion 92. Since the holding unit 8 is fixed to the turning unit 10 including the support member 84, when the rod 102 extends, the holding unit 8 rises, and when the rod 102 retracts, the holding unit 8 descends.

[0049] [Trolley Conveyor 6] Next, an overview of the trolley conveyor 6 will be described. 1, the trolley conveyor 6 includes a trolley line 106 and a rack 108 that is suspended from the trolley line 106 and guided to a destination by the trolley line 106. The trolley line 106 of the transport device 2 includes a guide rail 110 and a carriage 112 that is fitted into the guide rail 110 and guided by the guide rail 110. The rack 108 is suspended from the carriage 112. In this trolley conveyor 6, a cart 112 is pulled by a chain (not shown). As a result, the rack 108 is guided by the guide rail 110 and moves.

[0050] In this conveying device 2, the horizontally placed raw tire T is placed on a rack 108. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the rack 108 as long as the rack 108 is capable of placing the horizontally placed raw tire T thereon. FIG. 7-8 shows an example of the rack 108. The outline of the rack 108 will be described with reference to FIG. 7-8.

[0051] The rack 108 of the transport device 2 comprises a main frame 114 and a pair of base plates 116. The main frame 114 is a frame structure combining a width frame piece, a depth frame piece, and a height frame piece. The main frame 114 comprises a pair of support frames 118 on its lower side, which are spaced apart in the width direction of the rack 108. The base plates 116 each have an arc-shaped planar shape. The base plates 116 are placed on and fixed to the support frame 118 so that their outer circumferential surfaces are positioned outward. 1, a green tire T is placed horizontally on left and right base plates 116. In this transport device 2, the left and right base plates 116 form a placement surface 120 on which the green tire T is placed.

[0052] The mounting surface 120 of the base plate 116 is preferably subjected to a non-adhesive treatment. This prevents the raw tire T from adhering to the base plate 116. A preferred non-adhesive treatment is a coating process that forms irregularities on the surface, such as "Tosical Coating (TS-1080)" manufactured by Toshiko Corporation.

[0053] [Transportation method] Next, a tire conveying method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9-14. This tire conveying method is a method in which a vertically placed tire is placed horizontally and conveyed using a rack 108 that is suspended from a trolley line 106 and guided to a destination by the trolley line 106. In this conveying method, the above-mentioned attitude changing device 4 and trolley conveyor 6 are used. Below, this conveying method will be described assuming that the object to be conveyed is a raw tire T, but this conveying method can also be applied to a tire obtained by vulcanizing the raw tire T.

[0054] 9 shows a raw tire T set on an inspection table 122. This raw tire T is set on the inspection table 122 in a vertically placed state. After a predetermined inspection is completed, this raw tire T is transported to a vulcanizer where the next vulcanization process is performed. This raw tire T is in a state before transport.

[0055] In this transport method, the posture changing device 4 is disposed next to the inspection table 122. This posture changing device 4 only needs to be disposed next to the equipment on which the raw tire T is set, and may be disposed next to equipment other than the inspection table 122 as long as the raw tire T is set thereon.

[0056] In this transport method, the holding part 16 is disposed so that its center coincides with the central axis of the raw tire T on the inspection table 122. As shown in Fig. 9, the diameter of the holding part 16 of the holding unit 8 is reduced and the posture changing device 4 is placed on standby. In the standby state, the rollers 22 of the holding part 16 are placed at the standby position. This transport method includes the step of placing the rollers 22 at the standby position.

[0057] In this conveying method, when the raw tire T is in a state ready for conveyance, the posture changing device 4 is moved toward the raw tire T by a front-rear moving means (not shown). As a result, the rollers 22 are disposed on the inside of the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T. This conveying method includes a step of disposing the rollers 22 on the inside of the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T.

[0058] 10, in this conveying method, when the side surface of the roller 22 reaches the radially inner side of the bead portion B on the posture changing device 4 side, the prime mover 72 of the holding unit 8 is driven. The prime mover 72 rotates the rotating shaft 62, thereby rotating the rotating plate 44. The roller 22 is brought closer to the inner peripheral surface of the raw tire T while changing the circumferential position and radial position of the shaft 28. Eventually, the roller 22 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface.

[0059] 6, the locus TL of the roller 22 is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the holding portion 16. The angle that this locus TL makes with respect to the radial direction (hereinafter, the inclination angle of the locus TL) increases as the center of the shaft 28 moves on the locus TL from the other end TU toward the one end TS. The roller 22 rolls on the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T and reaches the holding position. In other words, after coming into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T, the roller 22 rolls on the inner circumferential surface and reaches the holding position. The roller 22 that has reached the holding position presses against the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T. As a result, a certain tension is generated on the inner circumferential surface of the raw tire T, and the raw tire T is held by the holding portion 16.

[0060] In this conveying method, the roller 22 is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface and rolled, and the roller 22 is made to reach a holding position. This conveying method includes a step of bringing the roller 22 into contact with the inner circumferential surface and rolling the roller 22 while changing the circumferential position and the radial position of the shaft 28, and making the roller 22 reach the holding position.

[0061] In this conveying method, the rollers 22 reach the holding position while rotating, so that the central axis of the raw tire T is aligned with the center of the holding portion 16 and the holding portion 16 holds the raw tire T at approximately the same time. Compared to a conventional conveying method in which the central axis of the tire T is aligned with the center of the holding portion 16 and the holding portion 16 holds the tire T are performed separately, this conveying method can shorten the time required to align the central axis of the raw tire T with the center of the holding portion 16 and hold the raw tire T in the holding unit 8. Since the inclination angle of the locus TL is larger closer to the radially outer one end TS, by setting the holding position closer to the one end TS, the distance over which the roller 22 contacts the inner circumferential surface and reaches the holding position is set to be longer. In this case, the raw tire T is held in the holding unit 8 with the central axis of the raw tire T and the center of the holding part 16 sufficiently aligned.

[0062] When the holding portion 16, i.e., the holding unit 8 holds the green tire T, the prime mover 88 of the turning unit 10 is driven. The prime mover 88 rotates the rotating shaft 86, causing the holding unit 8 to rotate about the rotating shaft 86 together with the support frame piece 76. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11, the green tire T held by the rollers 22 is turned, and the green tire T is laid horizontally. This conveying method includes a step of turning the green tire T held by the rollers 22, and laying the green tire T horizontally.

[0063] As described above, the green tire T is held in the holding unit 8 with the central axis of the green tire T aligned with the center of the holding portion 16. This conveying method makes it possible to change the orientation of the green tire T from vertical to horizontal while grasping the center of the green tire T.

[0064] In this transport method, the raw tire T held by the rollers 22 is rotated and placed horizontally, and the height of the raw tire T is adjusted taking into consideration the passing position of the rack 108. Specifically, the rod 102 of the cylinder portion 94 of the lifting unit 12 is extended, and the holding unit 8 holding the raw tire T is raised as shown in Fig. 12. This transport method includes a step of adjusting the height of the raw tire T. In this transport method, the height of the green tire T is not adjusted when the height of the green tire T after turning is at the passing position of the rack 108. In this case, this transport method does not include a step of adjusting the height of the green tire T.

[0065] The rack 108 of the trolley conveyor 6 moves back and forth between a loading position for the raw tire T and a destination. In this transport method, the posture changing device 4 adjusts the height of the raw tire T, and then waits in the adjusted height state until the moving rack 108 arrives. As shown in FIG. 13, when the moving rack 108 passes the loading position, the prime mover 72 of the holding unit 8 is driven, and the holding portion 16 is contracted in diameter. This causes the roller 22 to move from the holding position to the standby position, and the raw tire T is released. This transport method includes a step of moving the roller 22 from the holding position to the standby position, and releasing the raw tire T, when the moving rack 108 passes the loading position where the raw tire T is placed. The raw tire T released from the holding unit 8 is placed on a rack 108 as shown in Fig. 14. At the same time as the raw tire T is released, the rod 102 of the cylinder portion 94 of the lifting unit 12 is contracted and the holding unit 8 is lowered. This completes the loading of the raw tire T onto the rack 108. The raw tire T placed on the rack 108 is guided by the trolley line 106 and transported to the vulcanizer, which is the destination.

[0066] As described above, in this transport method, the green tire T is held in the holding unit 8 with the central axis of the green tire T aligned with the center of the holding portion 16, and the center of the green tire T is grasped and laid horizontally. In this transport method, when the green tire T is placed on the mounting surface 120 for the green tire T formed on the rack 108, the center of the green tire T can be easily aligned with the center of the mounting surface 120. In this transport method, the green tire T can be placed on the rack 108 with the center of the mounting surface 120 aligned with the center of the mounting surface 120. In this transport method, the rack 108 is easy to balance, so the green tire T is transported stably.

[0067] In this conveying method, the raw tire T can be conveyed while being laid horizontally. Since deformation of the raw tire T due to its own weight is prevented, a tire having good uniformity can be obtained. This conveying method can contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires.

[0068] In this conveying method, the roller 22 includes a body 26 and a shaft 28. Of the body 26, a portion on which the bead portion B is placed is referred to as a base portion 124. The body 26 includes the base portion 124 on which the bead portion B is placed. The base portion 124 includes the flange portion 30 described above. In this conveying method, when the holding unit 8 holds the green tire T, the bead portion B of the green tire T comes into close contact with the base portion 124. There is a concern that the bead portion B may adhere to the base portion 124.

[0069] In this conveying method, before releasing the green tire T from the holding portion 16, the holding portion 16 is slightly reduced in diameter in accordance with the inner diameter of the green tire T, thereby weakening the force with which the roller 22 presses the inner peripheral surface. As a result, the green tire T descends by its own weight and is placed on the flange portion 30 of the roller 22. Thereafter, the holding portion 16 is reduced in diameter all at once, thereby making it possible to place the green tire T on the rack 108 without the green tire T adhering to the roller 22. This conveying method can effectively contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires. From this viewpoint, in this conveying method, it is preferable that the force with which the roller 22 presses the inner peripheral surface is weakened before releasing the green tire T. In other words, it is preferable that this conveying method includes a step of weakening the force with which the roller 22 presses the inner peripheral surface before releasing the green tire T. In this case, from the viewpoint of holding the green tire T, it is more preferable that the base portion 124 of the roller 22 is provided with the flange portion 30.

[0070] In this conveying method, the material of the base portion 124 is a fluororesin. Even if the bead portion B is in close contact with the base portion 124, the bead portion B is unlikely to adhere to the base portion 124. This conveying method can effectively contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires. From this perspective, the material of the base portion 124 is preferably a fluororesin.

[0071] Examples of fluororesins that can be used as the material for the base 124 include polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polyvinyl fluoride. Among these, polytetrafluoroethylene is preferable as the fluororesin that can be used as the material for the base 124.

[0072] Although the tire conveying method has been described using the raw tire T as an example, this conveying method can also be applied to the case where a tire obtained by vulcanizing the raw tire T is conveyed by the trolley conveyor 6. Even in this case, the tire is held in the holding unit 8 by aligning the center axis of the tire with the center of the holding part 16. Since the center of the tire is grasped and the tire is placed horizontally, in this conveying method, when the tire is placed on the mounting surface 120 of the rack 108, the center of the tire is easily aligned with the center of the mounting surface 120. In this conveying method, the tire can be placed on the rack 108 by aligning the center of the tire with the center of the mounting surface 120. In this conveying method, the rack 108 is easily balanced, so the tire is stably conveyed. Even in this case, this conveying method can contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires.

[0073] [How to lay vertically placed tires horizontally] The above-mentioned conveying method disposes the roller 22, which moves between a standby position and a holding position and rotates around the shaft 28, at the standby position. This conveying method disposes the roller 22 inside the inner circumferential surface of the tire. This conveying method causes the roller 22 to contact the inner circumferential surface and roll while changing the circumferential and radial positions of the shaft 28, and causes the roller 22 to reach the holding position. This conveying method further rotates the tire held by the roller 22 and places the tire horizontally. This conveying method then moves the roller 22 from the holding position to the standby position and releases the tire. As a result, the vertically placed tire is placed horizontally. This conveying method includes a method of placing a vertically placed tire horizontally and a method of placing a vertically placed tire horizontally. This method for horizontally placing vertically placed tires makes it possible to grasp the center of the raw tire T or tire and place the raw tire T or tire horizontally. This method for horizontally placing vertically placed tires makes it possible to accurately place the raw tire T or tire horizontally in a predetermined position. As a result, the position of the raw tire T or tire can be accurately and easily set in the next process. This method for horizontally placing vertically placed tires can contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires.

[0074] As described above, according to the present invention, a method for horizontally placing a vertically placed tire, a tire transport method, and a posture changing device can be provided, which can contribute to the stable production of high-quality tires. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The technique for changing a vertically-mounted tire into a horizontally-mounted tire as described above can be applied to various types of tires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 2. Transport device 4. Posture change device 6···Trolley conveyor 8. Holding unit 10. Rotating unit 12 Lifting unit 16...Holding part 18 Drive unit 22. Laura 24 Link mechanism 28...Shaft 30...Flange 40···Arm 48···Rotating pin 58 Reference pin 60···Guide groove 76 Support frame piece 78... Swivel section 90 Lifting section 106···Trolley Line 108···Rack 124... Base of roller 22

Claims

1. A method for transporting tires by using a rack in which vertically placed tires are placed horizontally and suspended from a trolley line and guided to a destination by the trolley line, comprising the steps of: a roller that moves between a standby position, which is a position spaced a predetermined distance radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the tire, and a holding position, which contacts the inner circumferential surface to hold the tire, and rotates about a shaft, is disposed at the standby position; The roller is disposed inside an inner circumferential surface of the tire, The roller is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface and rolled while changing the circumferential position and the radial position of the shaft, and the roller reaches the holding position; The tire held by the rollers is rotated to lay the tire horizontally; When the moving rack passes a loading position where the tire is placed, the roller is moved from the holding position to the standby position, and the tire is released. How tires are transported.

2. before releasing the tire, the force with which the roller presses against the inner circumferential surface is reduced; A method for transporting tires according to claim 1.

3. The roller comprises a cylindrical body and the shaft located at the center of the body, The main body includes a base portion on which a bead portion of the tire is placed, The base portion includes a flange portion that extends radially outward. The tire transport method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The material of the base is a fluororesin. The tire transport method according to claim 3.

5. A plurality of said rollers are circumferentially spaced apart. The tire conveying method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The tire is an unvulcanized tire. A tire conveying method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A posture changing device for changing a vertically-positioned tire to a horizontal position, A holding unit for holding the tire; A rotating unit for rotating the holding unit; Equipped with The holding unit includes a holding portion having an expansion / contraction function and a drive portion for exerting the expansion / contraction function, The holding portion includes a roller and a link mechanism to which a shaft of the roller is rotatably attached, The drive unit includes a rotating shaft and a prime mover that rotates the rotating shaft, the link mechanism includes a pair of support frames that support the rollers, Each of the support frames includes an arm, a rotating plate, and a fixed plate; the arm supports the roller at one end thereof so that the roller can rotate about a shaft; the arm is attached to the rotation plate via a rotation pin at the other end thereof and is supported by the rotation plate so as to be rotatable about the rotation pin; the rotating plate is fixed to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable about the rotating shaft; The fixed plate is fixed to the swivel unit by a reference pin, the arm has a guide groove that guides the reference pin, When the rotating plate rotates, the other end of the arm rotates around the rotating pin while moving in a circumferential direction, and the movement of the arm is restricted by the reference pin. Posture change device.

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