Method and joining device for joining the front end and the rear end of a tire component

Abstract

To provide a method and an apparatus for joining together a front end and a rear end of a tire component.SOLUTION: In a method and an apparatus for joining a front end LE and a rear end TE of a tire component together, the method includes: a step (a) of joining the front end and the rear end together along a joining path extending across the tire component in a joining direction from a first side part 91 of the tire component to a second side part 92 of the tire component opposite the first side part; and a step (b) of forming a preparation joint between the front end and the rear end at a joining preparation position X along the joining path closer to the second side part than to the first side part prior to joining.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a joining device for joining the front end and the rear end of a tire component, in particular an apex or a filler strip, to each other.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the front end and the rear end of an apex have been joined in an overlapping configuration using a joining device having a relatively large joining roller, i.e., a roller having a radius larger than the width of the apex. However, the relatively large joining roller cannot reliably join the apex, especially at its thin upper part.

[0003] To solve the above problems, it is known to alternatively provide the joining device with a relatively small joining roller that can closely follow the contour of the apex during joining. The relatively small joining roller has the additional advantage that it can apply a relatively high pressure to the surface of the apex.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The disadvantage of the known small joining roller compared to the relatively large joining roller is that the rubber material of the apex tends to bulge or undulate in front of the small joining roller, which can have an adverse effect on the consistency of the joining. In particular, the front end and the rear end can be slightly displaced relative to each other, and / or the joining may not be completely closed as a result of the bulging or undulating. Thus, the front end and the rear end can remain separated, or can be forced further apart from each other as the small joining roller passes through.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a joining device for joining the front end and the rear end of a tire component, particularly an apex or a filler strip, to each other, which can improve the quality and / or consistency of the joining.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for joining the front end and the rear end of a tire component to each other, the method comprising: a) joining the front end and the rear end to each other in a joining direction from a first side portion of the tire component towards a second side portion of the tire component opposite to the first side portion along a joining path extending across the tire component; b) forming a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at a joining preparation position along the joining path before joining, wherein the joining preparation position is spaced apart from the first side portion; and including.

[0007] The preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at the joining preparation position can prevent the front end and the rear end from being separated towards the second side portion of the tire component as a result of undulation or bulging during subsequent joining in step a). Therefore, even when a relatively high pressure is applied to the tire component during step a) using a relatively small first joining member, a closed joint can be obtained. The higher pressure can result in a more consistent, more reliable, and / or higher-quality joint. Furthermore, the relatively small first joining member can more accurately follow the contour of the tire component.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the joining preparation position is closer to the second side portion than the first side portion. The joining preparation position is preferably arranged as close as possible to the second side portion or at the second side portion in order to prevent further separation of the front end and the rear end downstream of the aforementioned joining preparation position in the joining direction.

[0009] Preferably, the front end and the rear end are joined between the first side and the joining preparation position only by the joining in step a). Thus, there is no joining in the region between the first side and the joining preparation position other than the joining in step a) in the joining direction. The front end and the rear end are not yet exposed to the undulations or bulges that occur during step a). Thus, the preliminary joint can still be formed reliably and / or without loss of dimensional accuracy before the joining in step a).

[0010] In a further embodiment, the joining in step a) is carried out continuously from the first side to the second side. Thus, the joining can be as consistent as possible.

[0011] In another embodiment, the front end and the rear end are pressed in step b) in a pressing direction that crosses the joining direction or is perpendicular to the joining direction, and / or in a pressing direction normal to the surface of the tire component being pressed. By this pressing, the material of the tire components at the front end and the rear end adheres to form a preliminary joint. The pressing in step b) is carried out in a direction different from the joining direction and enables local pressing of only the front end portion and the rear end portion at the joining preparation position without interfering with the region of the tire component between the first side and the joining preparation position.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the tire component is an apex. The apex is joined annularly on a bead-apex drum when the apex is combined with the bead.

[0013] In particular, the apex has a triangular cross-section with a base and a tip, the first side is the tip, and the second side is the base. The apex has a relatively large volume or mass at the base and thus is most likely to be split during joining at a relatively high pressure. Thus, by pressing the front end and the rear end at or near the base in step b), the splitting of the aforementioned front end and the aforementioned rear end during the subsequent joining from the tip to the base in step a) can be effectively prevented.

[0014] Alternatively, the first side is the base and the second side is the tip. In that case, the tip can be prepared in step b) due to the relatively high pressure applied from the base towards the tip towards the apex during the joining in step a).

[0015] In another embodiment, a first joining member is used for the joining in step a), and a second joining member is used for the formation of the preliminary joint in step b). By having two joining members instead of a single joining member, step a) can be carried out immediately after or right after step b). Furthermore, each joining member can be optimized for its specific function. For example, the type, shape, or dimensions of the joining members may be different.

[0016] In its preferred embodiment, the first joining member follows the second joining member in the joining direction. Thus, when the formation of the preliminary joint in step b) is completed, the first joining member can already be in a position behind the second joining member in order to carry out the joining in step a).

[0017] In a further embodiment, the first joining member is a first joining roller that is rotatable about a first roller axis, and the joining in step a) is achieved by rolling the first joining roller along the joining path in the joining direction. The first joining roller can join the front end and the rear end uniformly with each other by rolling along the joining path while applying pressure to the tire component.

[0018] Preferably, the first joining member is moved along the joining path as part of an oscillating movement about an oscillation axis. The oscillating movement is a relatively simple and easily controllable movement. It does not require a complex multi-axis manipulator or an XY drive system. Furthermore, if the radius of the oscillating movement is large enough, it can approximate a linear movement.

[0019] More preferably, the first joining member and the second joining member are moved together in a rocking motion about the rocking axis. Therefore, no individual holders or drives are necessary. Instead, the first joining member and the second joining member can be attached to a common holder that moves together or in unison. The first joining member can advantageously follow the second joining member in the joining direction in order to perform the joining in step b) immediately after or right after the formation of the preliminary joint in step b) is completed. After step b), step a) can be performed in one operation.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the second joining member comprises at least one second joining roller, and the method further comprises the step of rolling at least one second joining roller away from the joining preparation position in the joining direction along the joining path after the formation of the preliminary joint in step b). In this way, the second joining roller can prepare the front end and the rear end for the joining in step a) not only at the joining preparation position but also in the region of the tire component between the joining preparation position and the second side. Therefore, when the joining preparation position is spaced apart from the second side, it is possible to prevent the front end and the rear end from being separated downstream of the joining preparation position in the joining direction. Further, the second joining roller can roll away from the joining preparation position in the same way as and / or in a single movement as the first joining roller approaches the joining preparation position.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the second joining member comprises a non-circular pressing member, and the pressing in step b) is achieved by pressing the non-circular pressing member against the front end and the rear end at the joining preparation position. The non-circular pressing member is not configured to roll the tire component in the joining direction. Instead, it can be moved towards and away from the tire component to complete the pressing in step b).

[0022] In a further alternative embodiment, the first joining member and the second joining member are movable independently of each other. Thus, the individual movements can be optimized for each step performed by the joining members described above with respect to timing, speed, force, and / or interference between steps.

[0023] In another embodiment, the front end and the rear end are supported on a joining support extending at a specific support height, and the second joining member is movable in a pressing direction transverse to or perpendicular to the joining direction towards the joining support up to a floating height less than the support height described above. In this way, for example, when the tire component is an apex and the second joining member rolls on the base at the second side of the apex, it is possible to prevent the second joining member from deforming the tire component excessively. In other words, by limiting the movement or stroke of the second joining member to the floating height, the second joining member remains floating above the joining support without excessively compressing or deflecting the material of the tire component.

[0024] Preferably, the floating height is adjustable and is set before the formation of the preliminary joint in step b). Thus, the floating height can be set according to the characteristics of the tire component to be pressed, i.e., shape and / or dimensions.

[0025] In another embodiment, the front end and the rear end are pressed in step b) with a variable pressing force, and the pressing force is changed during the pressing in step b) or set before the pressing in step b). Thus, the pressure can be set according to the characteristics of the tire component to be pressed, i.e., the compound or recipe.

[0026] In another embodiment, the front end and the rear end are joined in step a) with a variable joining force, and the joining force is changed during the joining in step a) or set before the joining in step a). The joining force can be varied, for example, according to the shape and / or characteristics of the tire component to obtain a uniform and / or reliable joint.

[0027] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a joining device for joining the front end and the rear end of a tire component, in particular an apex, and the joining device joins the front end and the rear end to each other in a joining direction from a first side of the tire component toward a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side along a joining path extending across the tire component, and the joining device further includes a second joining member for forming a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at a joining preparation position along the joining path, and the joining preparation position is spaced apart from the first side.

[0028] The joining device can be used to carry out steps b) and a) of the method described above, and as a result, it has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0029] In one embodiment of the joining device, the first joining member follows the second joining member in the joining direction.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the joining device, the first joining member is a first joining roller rotatable about a first roller axis.

[0031] Alternatively, the first joining member comprises a circular segment rotatable about a pivot axis. The circular segment can swing back and forth along the joining path along at least a part of its circumference.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the joining device comprises a base and a holder rotatable relative to the base in a rocking motion about a rocking axis, and the first joining member is attached to the holder and is movable together with the holder in a rocking motion about the rocking axis.

[0033] Preferably, the second joining member is attached to the holder and is movable together with the first joining member in a rocking motion about the rocking axis.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the joining device comprises a rocking drive unit for driving the rotation of the holder about the rocking axis.

[0035] In another embodiment, the joining device comprises a pressing drive unit for biasing the first joining member and / or the second joining member towards the tire component in a pressing direction transverse or perpendicular to the joining direction and / or in a pressing direction normal to the surface of the tire component being pressed. As a result of the biasing, the first joining member and / or the second joining member can apply a consistent and / or uniform pressing force to the tire component during joining and / or pressing. Further, the biasing can improve the ability of the first joining member and / or the second joining member to follow a substantially linear path, i.e., parallel to the joining direction, while the above-described holder rotates about the rocking axis. In particular, the biasing can introduce a radial component into other rotational movements.

[0036] Preferably, the pressing drive unit is a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder can press to adaptively bias the first joining member and / or the second joining member according to the shape and / or dimensions of the tire component.

[0037] In another embodiment of the joining device, the second joining member comprises a second joining roller rotatable about a second roller axis.

[0038] Alternatively, the second joining member comprises two or more second joining rollers rotatable about second roller axes parallel and spaced apart from each other. The two or more second joining rollers can be smaller than the above-described (single) second joining roller and can apply a higher local pressing force to the tire component. Further, by pressing the tire component at two spaced positions where the most upstream position is the joining preparation position, the reliability of the preliminary joint formed by the two or more second joining rollers described above can be improved.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the first joining member comprises two or more first joining rollers rotatable about first roller axes that are parallel to each other and spaced apart. The two or more first joining rollers may be even smaller than the single second joining roller described above, or may have the same size as the set of two second joining rollers described above, and exert a relatively high local joining force on the tire component along the joining path. A preliminary joint can prevent the front end and the rear end in front of the two or more first joining rollers from being separated.

[0040] In a further alternative embodiment, the second joining member comprises a non-circular pressing member.

[0041] In another embodiment of the joining device, the first joining member and the second joining member are movable independently of each other.

[0042] Preferably, the joining device comprises a first drive for moving the first joining member and a second drive for moving the second joining member. The first drive and the second drive can be controlled independently.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the joining device comprises one or more drives for driving the first joining member and the second joining member, and a control unit operably connected to the one or more drives, the control unit controlling the one or more drives to perform the following steps, namely, a) moving the first joining member in the joining direction along the joining path to join the front end and the rear end to each other along the aforementioned joining path; and b) before the movement in step a), moving the second joining member to a joining preparation position to form a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at the aforementioned joining preparation position; and is configured to execute.

[0044] Therefore, in addition to the above-described joining device suitable for performing the steps of the above method, in this embodiment, it is actually configured to perform the steps, that is, specifically adapted or programmed.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that two steps of the present method can also be performed using a single joining member that first moves to a joining preparation position and then moves in a joining direction along a joining path. This may cause a slight delay between the steps, but such a variation is also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Such an alternative joining device is not characterized by having two joining members. Instead, it is characterized by having a control unit programmed to control a single joining member in a specific manner.

[0046] In particular, according to a third aspect, the present invention provides a joining device for joining a tire component, in particular the front end and the rear end of an apex, to each other. The joining device includes a joining member, a drive unit for moving the joining member, and a control unit operably connected to the drive unit. The control unit controls the drive unit to perform the following steps, namely a) moving the joining member in a joining direction from a first side of the tire component to a second side of the tire component opposite the first side along a joining path extending across the tire component, to join the front end and the rear end to each other along the aforementioned joining path; b) moving the joining member to a joining preparation position along the joining path before the movement in step a), to form a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at the aforementioned joining preparation position; and is configured to perform The joining preparation position is spaced apart from the first side.

[0047] The various aspects and features described and illustrated herein can be applied individually as much as possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, can be the subject of a divisional patent application.

[0048] The present invention will be described based on exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying schematic diagrams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0049]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0050] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a joining device 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The joining device 1 is used to couple, stitch or join the front end LE and the rear end TE of a tire component 9.

[0051] In this example, the tire component 9 is an apex 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the apex 9 is joined in an annular or ring shape at the front end LE and the rear end TE. In the joined state, the apex 9 extends in the circumferential direction C. The apex 9 is typically a join on a bead apex drum. In FIGS. 1 to 6, a part of the bead apex drum is schematically represented by the joining support 8. The joining support 8 may be formed by a segment of the aforementioned bead apex drum or may be a dedicated joining table. The apex 9 may be joined in the orientation in which the apex 9 is placed on the bead apex drum. Thereafter, the apex 9 is turned up in a manner known per se.

[0052] The apex 9 has a strip 90 with a triangular or substantially triangular cross section. In particular, the apex 9 has a first side 91 that forms a tip 94 with a triangular cross section and a second side 92 that is opposite the first side 91 and forms a base 93 with a triangular cross section. The first side 91 and the second side 92 are longitudinal sides of the strip 90 that extend in the circumferential direction C when the apex 9 is joined.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the joining device 1 includes a first joining member 2, a second joining member 3, and a holder 10 for holding the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 with respect to the joining support 8.

[0054] The first joining member 2 is configured to join a front end LE and a rear end TE to each other along a joining path P that extends across the tire component 9 from the first side 91 toward the second side 92, that is, from the tip 94 toward the base 93. The joining path P crosses the circumferential direction C or extends perpendicular to the circumferential direction C. The first joining member 2 is moved or driven in a joining direction S within a joining plane Z parallel to the joining path P from the first side 91 toward the second side 92, that is, from the tip 94 toward the base 93, during the joining of the front end LE and the rear end TE along the joining path P.

[0055] In this exemplary embodiment, the first joining member 2 is or includes a first joining roller 20 having a circular body and rotatable about a first roller axis A1. The first joining roller 20 can have a slightly crowned surface (not shown) to reduce or prevent an imprint on the tire component 9. Additionally or alternatively, the first joining roller 20 may have teeth, grooves, serrations, or another suitable surface texture (not shown) to improve the joining of the front end LE and the rear end TE. The teeth, grooves, or serrations may be arranged at an angle oblique to the first roller axis A1 to prevent or reduce an air pocket between the front end LE and the rear end TE during joining.

[0056] The second joining member 3 is configured to press the front end LE and the rear end TE at a joining preparation position X along the joining path P. As can be best seen in FIG. 2, the joining preparation position X is closer to the second side portion 92, i.e., the base 93, than the first side portion 91, i.e., the tip 94. In other words, the joining preparation position X is located in the second half of the joining path P considered in the joining direction S and / or in the second half of the width of the tire component 9 considered in the joining direction S. The joining preparation position X may also be located on or very close to the second side portion 92, for example, at the highest point 95 of the base 93.

[0057] In this exemplary embodiment, the second joining member 3 is or includes a second joining roller 30 having a circular body and rotatable about a second roller axis A2. The second roller axis A2 is parallel or substantially parallel to the first roller axis A1. Similar to the first joining roller 20, the second joining roller 30 can have a slightly crowned surface (not shown) to reduce or prevent imprinting on the tire component 9. The second joining roller 30 is shown as having the same or substantially the same diameter as the first joining roller 20. However, the diameters of the joining rollers 20, 30 may be different. For example, the first joining roller 20 may have a smaller diameter than the second joining roller 30 to locally increase the pressing force and / or the joining force in each of the joining rollers 20, 30 and / or to enable a more accurate following of the contour of the tire component 9.

[0058] The holder 10 is arranged to hold both the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3. That is, both the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 are attached to the holder 10. The first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 move together with the holder 10 and remain in the same relative position with respect to each other. In particular, the first joining member 2 follows the second joining member 3 in the joining direction S.

[0059] The joining device 1 further comprises a frame or base 14 which is part of the "fixed area". The base or frame may be arranged directly or indirectly on the factory floor. The holder 10 is attached to the aforementioned base 14 by a pivoting or rocking movement M about a pivot axis or rocking axis B and is rotatable relative to the base. The rocking axis B extends perpendicular to the joining plane Z. Preferably, the rocking axis B is parallel or substantially parallel to the first roller axis A1. Alternatively, the first roller axis A1 may be slightly offset relative to the rocking axis B. As a result, the first joining roller 20 is in a slightly different tow relative to the joining path P and / or the joining direction S, and the closing of the joint between the front end and the rear end during joining can be further promoted. The joining device 1 comprises a rocking drive 15 for driving the rotation of the holder 10 about the rocking axis B. In this example, the rocking drive 15 is a linear drive such as a pneumatic cylinder arranged between the holder 10 and the base 14 at a position spaced from the rocking axis B. Alternatively, the rocking drive 15 may be a suitable rotary drive that engages the holder 10 directly or concentrically with the rocking axis B.

[0060] The rocking drive 15 can comprise a regulator (not shown), for example a throttle valve, in particular an adjustable throttle valve, for controlling the speed of rotation about the rocking axis B.

[0061] The first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 are located at a radius from the rocking axis B that is large enough such that a circular path about the rocking axis B within the scope of the joining path P, which is followed by the aforementioned first joining member 2 and second joining member 3, as well as the holder 10, extends over a few degrees about the rocking axis B. Thus, the circular path can approximate a linear path.

[0062] The joining device 1 further includes a pressing drive unit 16 for urging the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 toward the tire component 9 in a pressing direction F that crosses the joining direction S or is perpendicular to the joining direction S. The pressing direction F extends in a radial plane with respect to the swing axis B and / or the joining roller axes A1, A2, that is, in the plane of the drawing in FIG. 2. The pressing drive unit 16 can introduce components that are radial or substantially radial with respect to the swing axis B around the swing axis B to the first joining member 2, the second joining member 3, and other circular orbits of the holder 10. Therefore, even though the aforementioned holder 10 moves along a circular orbit centered on the swing axis B, the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 can firmly press against the tire component 9 along the joining path P. The pressing force applied to the tire component 9 by the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 acts on the aforementioned tire component 9 in a normal direction with respect to the surface of the pressed tire component 9.

[0063] Alternatively, the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 may be moved in a pressing direction that is normal to or parallel to the surface of the pressed tire component 9.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the holder 10 includes a first holder member 11 connected to the base 14 at the swing axis B and a second holder member 12 that is movable with respect to the first holder member 11 in the pressing direction F. In this example, the second holder member 12 is movable with respect to the first holder member 11 via a pair of guide rails 17. The pressing drive unit 16 is disposed between the first holder member 11 and the second holder member 12 and is a linear drive unit, that is, a pneumatic cylinder, that urges the second holder member 12 toward the tire component 9 in the pressing direction F with respect to the first holder member 11.

[0065] Alternatively, the first joining member 2 and / or the second joining member 3 may be individually urged by urging members located between the holder 10 and the respective joining members 2, 3.

[0066] The second holder member 12 is movable relative to the first holder member 11 along a stroke distance D restricted by the lower stroke limiter 18 and the upper stroke limiter 19. The stroke limiters 18, 19 may be provided with an elastic cushioning material for absorbing shock. Accordingly, the movement of the second holder member 12 relative to the first holder member 11 can be made faster without damaging the joining device 1 and / or the tire component 9. Preferably, the stroke distance D is greater than the stroke distance necessary to bring the second joining member 3 into contact with the tire component 9, and the remaining stroke is used to apply a pressing force in the pressing direction F.

[0067] As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the joining device 1 further comprises a control unit 5 operably and / or electronically connected to the swing drive unit 15 and the pressing drive unit 16 for controlling the aforementioned drive units 15, 16. The control unit 5 may be arranged on the joining device 1 or may be arranged remotely. The control unit 5 is configured to execute the steps of a method of joining the front end LE and the rear end TE of the tire component 9 to each other using the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3. In particular, the control unit 5 is arranged, adapted or configured to load instructions or software or to execute the steps of the method. The control unit 5 may be connected to or may comprise a user interface for semi-automatically controlling the steps, or alternatively, the control unit 5 may be configured to fully automatically control the joining device 1.

[0068] Here, a method of joining the front end LE and the rear end TE of the tire component 9 in conjunction with the use of the joining device 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a situation in which the tire component 9 is arranged on the joining support 8 with its front end LE and rear end TE. The tire component 9 is held in an annular or ring shape.

[0070] Figure 2 shows a situation where the holder 10 rotates to a position centered on the rocking axis B, and the second joining member 3 is aligned with the second side portion 92 of the tire component 9 or is at least partially above it, particularly near the joining preparation position X along the joining path P, at least in the pressing direction F.

[0071] Figure 3 shows a situation where the second holder member 12 is driven, biased, or moved in the pressing direction F towards the tire component 9, whereby the pressing drive unit 16 is actuated or controlled so that the second joining member 3 contacts and / or presses against the tire component 9 at the joining preparation position X along the joining path P. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the second joining member 3 is pressed at the front end LE and the rear end TE. The pressing forms a local preliminary joint between the front end LE and the rear end TE at the joining preparation position X, which can prevent the front end LE and the rear end TE from being separated towards the second side portion 92 of the tire component 9 as a result of undulation or bulging during subsequent joining, as will be described later.

[0072] The step in Figure 3 is referred to as "step b)" in the claims.

[0073] Figure 4 shows a situation where the rocking drive unit 15 is actuated or controlled so as to drive or rotate the holder 10 as a whole relative to the base 14 in a rocking motion M centered on the rocking axis B in a direction such that the second joining roller 30 rolls along the joining path P in the joining direction S away from the joining preparation position X. At the same time, the first joining member 2 is brought to the position of the first side portion 91 of the tire component 9 to start joining the tire component 9 along the joining path P. In particular, the first joining roller 20 is arranged on the joining support 8 of the first side portion 91, i.e., the tip 94, of the tire component 9 or immediately upstream thereof, considered in the joining direction S.

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a situation where the swing drive unit 15 is actuated or controlled to further move or rotate the holder 10 in a swinging motion M about the swing axis B, causing the first joining roller 20 to roll along the joining path P to at least the joining preparation position X, and optionally to the second side portion 92, i.e., the base portion 93, of the tire component 9 or beyond onto the tire component 9. Preferably, the range of the first joining roller 20 along the joining path P is sufficient to join the entire width of the tire component 9 in the joining direction S.

[0075] The steps of FIGS. 4 and 5 are referred to as "step a)" in the claims.

[0076] During the joining in step a), the pressing drive unit 16 continuously biases the second holder member 12 so as to move it in the pressing direction F towards the tire component 9 with respect to the first holder member 11. Thereby, the first joining roller 20 can be continuously pressed against the tire component 9.

[0077] Optionally, the pressing force applied to the second holder member 12 by the pressing drive unit 16 is variable. The pressure can be set before the pressing in step b). Alternatively, the pressure may be changed when performing step a) and / or step b). As a result, the joining force or pressing force applied to the tire component during the joining in step a) can also be changed during the joining.

[0078] FIG. 6 shows in more detail the moment when the second joining roller 30 moves upward in the joining direction S from the joining preparation position X and exceeds the highest point 95 of the base 93 at the second side portion 92 of the tire component 9. At the position of the second joining roller 30 shown by the solid line, the second joining roller 30 has already moved past the highest point 95 of the base 93 and, as a result of the biasing of the second holder member 12 in the pressing direction F, it should be noted that it has started to descend toward the joining support 8 along the opposite inclination of the second side portion 92 of the tire component 9. The joining support 8 extends at a support height H0. The highest point 95 of the base 93 may be excessively deformed when the second joining roller 30 can move downward along the second side portion 92 of the tire component 9 to the support height H0 of the joining support 8. To prevent such excessive deformation, the movement of the second joining member 3 is restricted in the pressing direction F to a floating height H1 that is shorter than the aforementioned support height H0 or at a distance spaced from the aforementioned support height H0.

[0079] Optionally, the floating height H1 may be adjustable, for example, by mechanically changing the position of the lower stroke limiter 18 in FIG. 3 or, in particular, by adjusting the relative position or stroke of the pressing drive unit 16 with respect to the joining support 8. The floating height H1 can be set before the pressing in step b).

[0080] The floating height H1 may be set by allowing the pressing drive unit 16 to move freely and then moving the joining support 8 relative to the joining device 1. The pressing drive unit 16 may be released, separated or detached from its initial position, for example, on the first holder member 11, for example, by releasing a brake. Thereafter, the pressing drive unit 16 may be freely moved relative to the aforementioned first holder member 11, for example, along a guide rail. The joining support 8 can be adapted to such movement in a manner known per se as part of a plurality of radially movable segments of a bead apex drum. The joining support 8 can actively lift the second joining member 3 to the desired floating height H1, at which point the pressing drive unit 16 is actuated, fixed, connected or coupled again, for example, by engaging the brake again, and its stroke distance D is effectively adjusted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 1, by performing step b) before step a), the front end LE and the rear end TE are pressed only initially and / or in the joining preparation position X. Thus, the front end LE and the rear end TE are not yet exposed to the undulations or bulges occurring during step a). Thus, a preliminary joint can still be reliably formed before joining in step a).

[0082] FIG. 7 shows an alternative joining device 101 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the aforementioned joining device 1 in that the second joining member 103 comprises a set of two second joining rollers 131, 132. The second joining rollers 131, 132 are rotatable about second roller axes that are parallel to and spaced from each other. The set of second joining rollers 131, 132 is attached to a common carriage 130 that is pivotable about a pivot axis G relative to the holder 10, enabling the set of second joining rollers 131, 132 to assume an optimal orientation for pressing and / or forming a preliminary joint in step b). The second joining rollers 131, 132 can have a relatively small diameter compared to the diameter of the first joining roller 20 in order to enable a more local and / or higher pressing force in the joining preparation position X. The second joining member 103 can optionally have three or more second joining rollers. For the purposes of the present invention, the most upstream second joining roller 131 considered in the joining direction S defines the joining preparation position X.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows a further alternative joining device 201 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the aforementioned joining devices 1, 101 in that the first joining member 202 comprises a set of two first joining rollers 221, 222 attached to the holder 10 in a manner similar to the set of second joining rollers 131, 132 in the previous embodiment. The first joining rollers 221, 222 can have a relatively small diameter compared to the diameter of the second joining roller 30 in order to enable a more local and / or higher joining force along the joining path P.

[0084] FIG. 9 shows a further alternative joining device 301 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the aforementioned joining devices 1, 101, 201 in that the first joining member 302 comprises a circular segment 320. The circular segment 320 can have a relatively large radius in order to distribute the joining force more uniformly along the joining path P. The circular segment 320 can rock, roll, and / or pivot back and forth along the joining path P about a pivot axis A301.

[0085] Figure 10 shows a further alternative joining device 301 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the foregoing joining devices 1, 101, 201, 301 in that the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 are movable independently of each other. In particular, the further alternative joining device 301 includes a first holder 411 and a second holder 412 for holding the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 independently, respectively. The first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3 remain rotatable about their respective roller axes A1, A2 with respect to their respective holders 411, 412. The further alternative joining device 401 further includes a first drive unit 415 for moving the first holder 411 and / or the first joining member 2, a second drive unit 416 for moving the second holder 412 and / or the second joining member 3, and a control unit 405 electronically and / or operably connected to the first drive unit 415 and the second drive unit 416 for independently controlling the foregoing drive units 415, 416. Each of the drive units 415, 416 can include a multi-axis manipulator such as a robot arm or an XY drive system.

[0086] The independent drive units 415, 416 can provide greater flexibility when positioning the first joining member 2 and the second joining member 3. The movement can include a linear trajectory, a circular trajectory, a non-circular trajectory, or a combination thereof. The first joining member 2 can, for example, accurately follow and / or move along the joining path P. The second joining member 3 can be pressed against the tire component 9 in a pressing direction F that is perpendicular or normal to the joining support 8 or to the orientation of the upper surface of the tire component 9, and can return in the opposite direction.

[0087] Figure 11 shows a further alternative joining device 501 according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which differs from the joining device 401 according to the third embodiment of the present invention in that the second joining member 503 is or comprises a non-circular pressing member 530, i.e., has a shape adapted to optimally match the shape and / or orientation of the tire component 9 in the joining preparation position X. In this example, the non-circular pressing member 530 has the shape of a block with a flat pressing surface. Alternatively, the non-circular pressing member 530 may have a finger form. Further, in this example, the second joining member 503 is still rotatable relative to the second holder 412 about the second roller axis A2, enabling the non-circular pressing member 530 to assume an optimal orientation for pressing the tire component 9. Alternatively, the second joining member 503 may be fixed or integral with the second holder 412. The pressing in step b) is achieved by pressing the non-circular pressing member 530 at the front end LE and the rear end TE in the joining preparation position X. The non-circular pressing member 530 is not rolled away from the aforementioned joining preparation position X. Instead, it is lifted in a direction opposite to the pressing direction F from the tire component 9 after the pressing in step b).

[0088] Figure 12 shows a variant of the method shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, which differs from the aforementioned method in that the orientation of the tire component 9 relative to the joining device 1 and / or the joining support 8 is reversed. In particular, the triangular cross-section of the tire component 9 here has a base 93 on the first side 91 and a tip 94 on the second side 92. As a result, the joining preparation position X is located at or near the tip 94 rather than at or near the base 93. Step b) is carried out at or near the aforementioned tip 94, and step a) includes joining the tire component 9 in the joining direction S from the base 93 of the first side 91 towards the tip 94 of the second side 92.

[0089] In the apex-like tire component 9 from FIGS. 1 to 12, the influence of undulation and bulging was the greatest, but it is assumed that the method according to the present invention can be applied to tire components other than the apex. FIG. 13 shows a further modification of the method shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, which is different from the aforementioned method in that an alternative tire component 109 having a different cross-sectional shape is used. In this example, the alternative tire component 109 has a strip 190 having a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section. Nevertheless, the alternative tire component 109 still has a first side portion 191 and a second side portion 192 that can be pressed in step b) and joined in substantially the same manner as in step a).

[0090] Alternatively, the tire component may have a non-rectangular, non-triangular cross-section, for example, a crowned or trapezoidal cross-section.

[0091] It is further observed that the method according to the present invention can alternatively be carried out by a single joining member, for example the first joining member 2 in FIG. 10. In such a scenario, the control unit 405 is operably connected to the drive unit 415 and is configured to control the drive unit 415 to first move the single joining member 2 to the joining preparation position X for pressing in step b), and subsequently move the single joining member 2 along the joining path P across the tire component 9 for joining in step a).

[0092] In the above-described embodiments, the joining devices 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 are used to join the front end LE and the rear end TE in an overlapping configuration, such as that schematically shown in FIG. 14. In particular, the front end LE and the rear end TE are cut obliquely. Thus, the overlapping portion of the rear end TE can be firmly adhered to the lower portion of the front end LE by pressing the tire component 9 in the pressing direction F with one of the aforementioned joining devices 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 15, an alternative tire component 209 having non-overlapping front end LE and rear end TE can be provided. In particular, the front end LE and the rear end TE are cut at right angles. Such a front end LE and a rear end TE are butt-jointed. According to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a further alternative joining device 601 may be provided to surely form a preliminary joint between the front end LE and the rear end TE before butt-joining. The aforementioned further alternative joining device 601 is different from the aforementioned joining devices 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501 in that it has at least one second joining member 631 and preferably a set of two second joining members 631, 632 inclined with respect to the joining plane Z so as to exert pressing forces in pressing directions F1, F2 towards the other of the front end LE and the rear end TE on at least one of the front end LE and the rear end TE. Preferably, the two second joining members 631, 632 simultaneously apply pressing forces to the respective end portions LE, TE from both sides of the joining plane Z.

[0094] It should be understood that the above description is included to explain the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. From the above discussion, many variations within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0095] 1 Joining device 10 Holder 11 First holder member 12 Second holder member 14 Base 15 Oscillation drive unit 16 Pressing drive unit 17 Guide 18 Lower stroke limiter 19 Upper stroke limiter 2 First joining member 20 First joining roller 3 Second joining member 30 Second joining roller 5 Control unit 8 Joining support 9 Tire components 90 Belt 91 First side part 92 Second side part 93 Base part 94 Tip 95 Highest point of the base part 91 First side part 92 Second side part 101 Alternative joining device 103 Second joining member 130 Carriage 131 Second joining roller 132 Second joining roller 109 Alternative tire components 190 Belt 201 Alternative joining device 202 First joining member 221 First joining roller 222 First joining roller 209 Alternative tire components 301 Further alternative joining device 302 First joining member 320 First circular segment 401 Further alternative joining device 405 Control unit 411 First holder 412 Second holder 415 First drive part 416 Second drive part 501 Further alternative joining device 503 Second joining member 530 Non - circular pressing member 601 Further alternative joining device 631 First joining roller 632 Second joining roller A1 First roller axis A2 Second roller axis A301 Swivel axis B Oscillation axis C Circumferential direction D Stroke distance F Pressing direction F1 First pressing direction F2 Second pressing direction G Rotation axis H0 Support height H1 Floating height LE Front end M Oscillatory motion P Joining path S Joining direction TE Rear end X Joining preparation position Z Joining plane

Claims

1. A method for joining a front end and a rear end of a tire component to each other, comprising: a) joining the front end and the rear end to each other in a joining direction from a first side of the tire component toward a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side along a joining path extending across the tire component; b) forming a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at a joining preparation position along the joining path prior to the joining, wherein the joining preparation position is spaced apart from the first side, and the joining preparation position is closer to the second side than the first side. A method.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the front end and the rear end are joined between the first side and the joining preparation position only by the joining in step a). The method according to claim 1.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the joining in step a) is performed continuously from the first side to the second side. The method according to claim 1.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the front end and the rear end are pressed in step b) in a pressing direction transverse to or perpendicular to the joining direction. The method according to claim 1.

5. The tire component is an apex. The method according to claim 1.

6. The apex has a triangular cross section having a base and a tip, the first side is the tip, and the second side is the base. The method according to claim 5.

7. The apex has a triangular cross section having a base and a tip, the first side is the base, and the second side is the tip. The method according to claim 5.

8. A first joining member is used for the joining in step a), and a second joining member is used for the formation of the preliminary joint in step b). The method according to claim 1.

9. The first joining member follows the second joining member in the joining direction. The method according to claim 8.

10. The first joining member is a first joining roller rotatable about a first roller axis, and the joining in step a) is achieved by rolling the first joining roller along the joining path in the joining direction. The method according to claim 8.

11. As a part of the rocking motion that is parallel to the first roller axis and centered on a rocking axis spaced apart from the first roller axis, the first joining member is moved along the joining path The method according to claim 10

12. The first joining member and the second joining member are moved together in the rocking motion about the rocking axis The method according to claim 11

13. The second joining member includes at least one second joining roller, and the method further comprises the step of rolling at least one second joining roller along the joining path in the joining direction away from the joining preparation position after the formation of the preliminary joint in step b) The method according to claim 9

14. The second joining member includes a non-circular pressing member, and the pressing in step b) is achieved by pressing the non-circular pressing member against the front end and the rear end at the joining preparation position The method according to claim 9

15. The first joining member and the second joining member are movable independently of each other The method according to claim 9

16. The front end and the rear end are supported on a joining support that extends at a specific support height, and the second joining member is movable toward the joining support in a pressing direction that crosses or is perpendicular to the joining direction to a floating height that is at a distance from the support height The method according to claim 9

17. The floating height is adjustable, and the floating height is set before the formation of the preliminary joint in step b) The method according to claim 16

18. The front end and the rear end are pressed in step b) with a variable pressing force, and the pressing force is changed during the pressing in step b) or set before the pressing in step b) The method according to claim 1

19. The front end and the rear end are joined in step a) with a variable joining force, and the joining force is changed during the joining in step a) or set before the joining in step a) The method according to claim 1

20. A tire component, a joining device for joining a front end and a rear end to each other, comprising The joining device includes a first joining member that joins the front end and the rear end to each other in a joining direction from a first side portion of the tire component toward a second side portion of the tire component on the side opposite to the first side portion along a joining path extending across the tire component. The joining device further includes a second joining member for forming a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at a joining preparation position along the joining path. The joining preparation position is spaced apart from the first side portion, and the joining preparation position is closer to the second side portion than the first side portion. Joining device.

21. The first joining member follows the second joining member in the joining direction. The joining device according to claim 20.

22. The first joining member is a first joining roller rotatable about a first roller axis. The joining device according to claim 20.

23. The first joining member includes a circular segment rotatable about a turning axis. The joining device according to claim 20.

24. The joining device includes a base and a holder rotatable relative to the base in a rocking motion about a rocking axis. The first joining member is attached to the holder and is movable together with the holder in the rocking motion about the rocking axis. The joining device according to claim 20.

25. The second joining member is attached to the holder and is movable together with the first joining member in the rocking motion about the rocking axis. The joining device according to claim 24.

26. The joining device includes a rocking drive unit for driving the rotation of the holder about the rocking axis. The joining device according to claim 24.

27. The joining device includes a pressing drive unit for biasing the first joining member or the second joining member toward the tire component in a pressing direction crossing or perpendicular to the joining direction. The joining device according to claim 20.

28. The pressing drive unit is a pneumatic cylinder. The joining device according to claim 27.

29. The second joining member includes a second joining roller rotatable about a second roller axis. The joining device according to claim 20.

30. The second joining member includes two or more second joining rollers rotatable about second roller axes parallel to and spaced apart from each other. The joining device according to claim 20.

31. The first joining member includes two or more first joining rollers that are rotatable about first roller axes that are parallel to and spaced apart from each other. The joining device according to claim 20.

32. The second joining member includes a non-circular pressing member. The joining device according to claim 20.

33. The first joining member and the second joining member are movable independently of each other. The joining device according to claim 20.

34. The joining device includes a first drive unit for moving the first joining member and a second drive unit for moving the second joining member. The joining device according to claim 33.

35. One or more drive units for driving the first joining member and the second joining member, and a control unit operably connected to the one or more drive units, the control unit controlling the one or more drive units to perform the following steps, namely a) moving the first joining member in the joining direction along the joining path to join the front end and the rear end to each other along the joining path; b) before the movement in step a), moving the second joining member to the joining preparation position to form a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at the joining preparation position. configured to execute The joining device according to claim 20.

36. A joining device for joining a front end and a rear end of a tire component, the joining device includes a joining member, a drive unit for moving the joining member, and a control unit operably connected to the drive unit, the control unit controlling the drive unit to perform the following steps, namely a) moving the joining member in a joining direction along a joining path extending across the tire component from a first side portion of the tire component to a second side portion of the tire component opposite the first side portion to join the front end and the rear end to each other along the joining path; b) before the movement in step a), moving the joining member to a joining preparation position along the joining path to form a preliminary joint between the front end and the rear end at the joining preparation position along the joining path; configured to execute the joining preparation position is spaced apart from the first side portion. The joining preparation position is closer to the second side portion than the first side portion. Joining device.

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