Tire mounting method, tire processing method, and tire holding device

Abstract

To provide a tire mounting method, a tire processing method, and a tire holding device, that can restrict deviation between a center axis of a pair of division rim members and a rotation axis of a tire mounted to the pair of division rim members.SOLUTION: Provided is a tire mounting method for mounting a tire to a tire holding device 1. The tire holding device comprises a pair of division rim members 4 that are mutually opposed. A center axis A of each of the pair of division rim members is on a common specified axis O. The tire mounting method includes: a holding step for holding a tire by using the pair of division rim members; and a rotation step for fitting each bead part of the tire to the pair of division rim members, while rotating the pair of division rim members about the specified axis, after the holding step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire mounting method, a tire processing method, and a tire holding device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there are cases where measurement, processing, testing, etc. of a tire is carried out in a state where the tire is mounted on a pair of split rim members (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-31034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the past, there was a risk of misalignment between the central axis (rotation axis) of the pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members due to, for example, the weight of the tire, which could ultimately lead to a decrease in the accuracy of tire measurement, processing, testing, etc.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a tire mounting method, a tire processing method, and a tire holding device that can suppress misalignment between the central axis of a pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of a tire mounted on the pair of split rim members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tire mounting method of the present invention comprises the steps of: A tire mounting method for mounting a tire on a tire holding device, comprising: The tire holding device includes a pair of split rim members facing each other, the central axes of the pair of split rim members are on a common predetermined axis; The tire mounting method includes: a clamping step of clamping the tire between the pair of split rim members; a rotating step of, after the clamping step, mounting each bead portion of the tire onto the pair of split rim members while rotating the pair of split rim members around the predetermined axis; Includes: According to the tire mounting method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the central axis of a pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of a tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0007] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, In the rotating step, the rotation speed of the pair of split rim members is preferably 1 to 20 rpm. This further reduces misalignment between the central axes of the pair of split rim members and the rotational axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0008] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, During the rotating step, air is preferably injected into the tire until the internal pressure of the tire reaches a predetermined internal pressure. This further reduces misalignment between the central axes of the pair of split rim members and the rotational axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0009] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, The predetermined internal pressure may be 100 to 350 kPa.

[0010] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, After the clamping step and before the rotating step, the method further includes an approaching step of bringing the pair of split rim members closer to each other until the rim width of the pair of split rim members becomes a predetermined rim width that is narrower than the specified rim width, During the rotating step, it is preferable that the pair of split rim members are gradually moved away from each other until the rim width of the pair of split rim members becomes the specified rim width. This further reduces misalignment between the central axes of the pair of split rim members and the rotational axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0011] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, The pair of split rim members preferably have a rim diameter of 12 to 25 inches.

[0012] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, Preferably, the predetermined axis extends horizontally. This further reduces misalignment between the central axes of the pair of split rim members and the rotational axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0013] In the tire mounting method of the present invention, The tire holding device may further include a buffing unit configured to buff a tread portion of the tire, and may be configured as a buffing device.

[0014] The tire processing method of the present invention includes: a mounting step of mounting the tire on the pair of split rim members of the tire holding device by the tire mounting method described above; a buffing step of buffing the tread portion of the tire by the buffing unit of the tire holding device after the mounting step; Including, In the buffing step, the tread portion may be buffed to a thickness of 6 to 15 mm. According to the tire processing method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the central axis of a pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of a tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0015] The tire holding device of the present invention is A pair of split rim members facing each other are provided, the central axes of the pair of split rim members are on a common predetermined axis; The tire holding device is configured such that, with the tire clamped between the pair of split rim members, the pair of split rim members are rotated around the specified axis, thereby attaching each bead portion of the tire to the pair of split rim members. According to the tire holding device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the central axis of the pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to this invention, a tire mounting method, a tire processing method, and a tire holding device can be provided that can suppress misalignment between the central axis of a pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of a tire mounted on the pair of split rim members. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a tire holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a diagram illustrating a clamping step in a tire mounting method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 4 is a diagram illustrating an approach step in a tire mounting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating a rotation step in a tire mounting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a tire is mounted on a tire holding device after completion of a tire mounting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The tire mounting method and tire holding device according to the present invention are suitable for use, for example, when measuring, processing, and / or testing tires. Any pneumatic tire can be used as the tire used in the tire mounting method, tire processing method, and tire holding device of the present invention, and for example, pneumatic tires for passenger cars, pneumatic tires for heavy loads, etc. can be suitably used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a tire mounting method, a tire processing method, and a tire holding device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 schematically shows a tire holding device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tire holding device 1 is configured to hold a tire. Specifically, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the tire holding device 1 includes a holding mechanism 3 configured to hold a tire. The tire holding device 1 may be configured so that, while the tire is held by the holding mechanism 3, the tire can be measured, processed, and / or tested. In this embodiment, the tire holding device 1 includes a measurement unit 7 configured to measure the tire while it is held by the holding mechanism unit 3. The measurement unit 7 may include, for example, an optical sensor. The measurement unit 7 may be configured to perform any measurement related to the tire, for example, to measure the uniformity of the tire. However, the tire holding device 1 does not necessarily have to include the measurement unit 7. The tire holding device 1 may include a processing unit configured to process the tire while the tire is held by the holding mechanism unit 3. In this embodiment, the tire holding device 1 includes a buffing unit 6 (such as a grinder) configured to buff the tread rubber of the tread portion of the tire while the tire is held by the holding mechanism unit 3, and a suction unit 9 configured to suck up rubber powder generated by buffing. Accordingly, the tire holding device 1 of the embodiment in FIG. 1 is configured as a buffing device. The buffing unit 6 includes, for example, a grinder. The buffing unit 6 corresponds to an example of a processing unit. However, the processing unit may be configured to perform any processing on the tire other than buffing. However, the tire holding device 1 does not necessarily have to include the buffing unit 6 or any other processing unit. The tire holding device 1 may include a testing unit (not shown) configured to test the tire while the tire is held by the holding mechanism unit 3. The testing unit may be configured to perform any test related to the tire, such as a friction test, a drainage test, or a wear test. However, the tire holding device 1 does not have to include a testing unit. Measurement by the measuring unit 7, processing (e.g., buffing) by the processing unit (e.g., buffing unit 6), and / or testing by the testing unit are performed after the tire is mounted on the tire holding device 1 (specifically, the holding mechanism unit 3). When mounting the tire on the tire holding device 1, the tire mounting method of the present invention, which will be described later, is carried out.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the holding mechanism 3 includes a pair of split rim members 4 configured to hold a tire. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the holding mechanism 3 further includes a support frame 2 erected on a floor or the ground, and a pair of expandable and contractible units 5 connected between the support frame 2 and the pair of split rim members 4. Each expandable unit 5 is expandable and contractible in a direction parallel to a predetermined axis O described below, thereby displacing the corresponding split rim member 4 relative to the support frame 2 in the direction parallel to the predetermined axis O. However, each split rim member 4 may also be displaced relative to the support frame 2 in the direction parallel to the predetermined axis O by a configuration different from that of the expandable unit 5.

[0021] As shown schematically in Figure 2, the pair of split rim components 4 are roughly configured as if a rim, on which a tire is typically mounted, had been split in two by cutting it perpendicular to the rim's central axis (axis of rotation). The pair of split rim components 4 face each other. The central axis A of each of the pair of split rim components 4 lies on a common predetermined axis O. The central axis A of each split rim component 4 corresponds to the axis of rotation of the respective split rim component 4. The pair of split rim components 4 face each other in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis O. In this embodiment, the predetermined axis O extends in the horizontal direction.

[0022] For ease of explanation, the direction parallel to the predetermined axis O is referred to in this specification as the "predetermined axial direction." Furthermore, the side closer to the space between the pair of segment rim components 4 in the predetermined axial direction (i.e., the side closer to the tire equatorial plane CL of the tire T placed between the pair of segment rim components 4) is referred to as the "inner side in the predetermined axial direction," and the side farther from the space between the pair of segment rim components 4 in the predetermined axial direction (i.e., the side farther from the tire equatorial plane CL of the tire T placed between the pair of segment rim components 4) is referred to as the "outer side in the predetermined axial direction." The inner side in the predetermined axial direction corresponds to the inner side in the tire width direction of the tire T placed between the pair of segment rim components 4, and the outer side in the predetermined axial direction corresponds to the outer side in the tire width direction of the tire T placed between the pair of segment rim components 4.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the tire T has a pair of bead portions M, a pair of sidewall portions L each continuing from the bead portion M to the tire radially outward, and a tread portion K between the pair of sidewall portions L.

[0024] The pair of split rim members 4 have the same configuration. In the following, when describing the split rim members 4, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that each split rim member 4 is being described individually.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the split rim member 4 has a rim-shaped portion 41 and a rotation shaft 42 connected to the rim-shaped portion 41. The rotation shaft 42 is located outward from the rim-shaped portion 41 in a predetermined axial direction. The central axis A of the divided rim member 4 coincides with the central axis of the rotation shaft 42 and the rim-shaped portion 41 . The rim-shaped portion 41 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface. The rim-shaped portion 41 has one or more bead portion retaining surfaces 41R on its outer peripheral surface that are configured to retain the bead portions M of the tire T. Each bead portion retaining surface 41R consists of a bead seat surface 41C consisting of a substantially cylindrical surface that is substantially parallel to a predetermined axial direction, and a rim flange surface 41S consisting of a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the predetermined axial direction. Like the bead seats of a typical rim, the bead seat surface 41C has the function of contacting the inner surface of the bead portions M of the tire T in the tire radial direction and retaining the bead portions M in the tire radial direction. Like the rim flange of a typical rim, the rim flange surface 41S has the function of supporting the bead portions M of the tire T from the outer side in the tire width direction. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the rim-shaped portion 41 has two bead portion retaining surfaces 41R. When the rim-shaped portion 41 has multiple bead portion retaining surfaces 41R, as in this embodiment, each bead portion retaining surface 41R has a different rim diameter. This enables the segmented rim component 4 to retain multiple types of tires with different rim diameters. In this case, it is preferable that the bead portion retaining surfaces 41R on the rim-shaped portion 41 have larger rim diameters, the further outward the bead portion retaining surfaces 41R located in the direction of the specified axis. Here, the "rim diameter" of the bead portion holding surface 41R refers to the diameter of the bead portion holding surface 41R at the outer end in the predetermined axial direction of the bead seat surface 41C. When a tire is mounted on a pair of split rim members 4, as illustrated in Figure 5, a pair of bead portions M of the tire are mounted on a pair of bead portion retaining surfaces 41R in the pair of split rim members 4, which have the same rim diameter.

[0026] A tire mounting method according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The tire mounting method according to this embodiment is a method for mounting a tire T on a tire holding device 1, and specifically, as shown in Figure 5, is a method for mounting a pair of bead portions M of the tire T onto a pair of bead portion holding surfaces 41R of a pair of split rim members 4 that have the same rim diameter. The tire mounting method of this embodiment is preferably performed using the tire holding device 1 described above with reference to FIG. 1, but may also be performed using a tire holding device 1 having a configuration different from that shown in FIG. The tire mounting method of this embodiment includes a clamping step, an approaching step, and a rotating step.

[0027] First, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the tire T is clamped between a pair of split rim members 4 (clamping step). More specifically, in the clamping step, a worker or the like places the tire T between the pair of split rim members 4, and places the portion of the outer surface of the bead portion M or sidewall portion L of the tire T that is above the rotation axis R of the tire T on the rim-shaped portion 41 of each of the pair of split rim members 4. As a result, the tire T is placed between the pair of split rim members 4, and the upper portion of the tire T is clamped by the pair of split rim members 4, with the portion of the tire T below the upper portion hanging down. At this time, the rotation axis R of the tire T is shifted downward from the central axis A of the pair of split rim members 4 (and therefore the predetermined axis O) due to the weight of the tire T.

[0028] After the clamping step, the pair of split rim members 4 are brought closer to each other (approaching step) until the rim width of the pair of split rim members 4 becomes a predetermined rim width that is narrower than the specified rim width, as shown in Figure 3. As a result, the tire T is compressed in the tire width direction while maintaining contact with the pair of split rim members 4. The approaching step is preferably achieved by the tire holding device 1 displacing the pair of split rim members 4 in a predetermined axial direction by, for example, a pair of expansion and contraction portions 5 or the like. Here, "rim width of a pair of split rim members 4" refers to the specified axial distance between the specified axially outer ends of the respective bead seat surfaces 41C of the bead portion retaining surfaces 41R (in the examples of Figures 2 to 5, the bead portion retaining surfaces 41R located most inward in the specified axial direction) onto which the bead portion M of the tire T is attached, out of one or more (two in the examples of Figures 2 to 5) bead portion retaining surfaces 41R that each split rim member 4 has. Furthermore, among the one or more bead portion retaining surfaces 41R that the split rim member 4 has, it is preferable that the bead portion retaining surface 41R onto which the tire T will be mounted is the bead portion retaining surface 41R that has the rim diameter of the specified rim or the rim diameter closest thereto. Also, "regular rim width" refers to the rim width of the specified rim of tire T. Here, "regulatory rim" refers to the standard rim (Measuring Rim in the ETRTO Standards Manual, Design Rim in the TRA Year Book) for the applicable size that is described or will be described in the future as an industrial standard in effect in the region where the tire is produced and used, such as the JATMA Year Book of the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) in Japan, the Standards Manual of the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO) in Europe, or the Year Book of the Tire and Rim Association, Inc. (TRA) in the United States. (In other words, the above "regulatory rim" includes not only current sizes but also sizes that may be included in the above industrial standards in the future. An example of a "size to be described in the future" is the size listed as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of the ETRTO Standards Manual.) However, in the case of a size not described in the above industrial standards, it refers to the rim width of a rim that corresponds to the bead width of the tire.

[0029] After the approaching step, as illustrated in Figure 4, the pair of split rim members 4 are rotated in the same direction around a predetermined axis O, while each bead portion M of the tire T is attached to the pair of split rim members 4 (rotation step). The rotating step is preferably achieved by the tire holding device 1 rotating the pair of split rim members 4 around a predetermined axis O. In this embodiment, during the rotation step, air is injected into the tire T until the internal pressure of the tire T reaches a predetermined internal pressure. Air is injected into the tire T via an air injection unit 8. The air injection unit 8 may have any configuration as long as it is able to inject air into the tire T, and for example, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4, it may be composed of a hole that passes through the inside of at least one of the divided rim members 4. The air injected into the tire T may be atmospheric air or an inert gas such as nitrogen gas. In this embodiment, during the rotation step, the pair of split rim members 4 are further gradually moved away from each other until the rim width of the pair of split rim members 4 reaches the specified rim width. As a result, the tire T gradually expands in the tire width direction while maintaining contact with the pair of split rim members 4. Preferably, the operation of gradually moving the pair of split rim members 4 away from each other is achieved by the tire holding device 1 displacing the pair of split rim members 4 in a predetermined axial direction using, for example, a pair of expansion and contraction sections 5. During the rotation step, the tire T rotates together with the pair of split rim members 4 (specifically, the pair of rim-shaped portions 41) due to friction between the tire T and the pair of split rim members 4, and this friction causes the tire T to gradually move in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis O (upward in the example shown in the figure) so that the rotation axis R of the tire T approaches the central axis A (and therefore the predetermined axis O) of the pair of split rim members 4. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotation axis R of the tire T almost or completely coincides with the central axis A (and therefore the predetermined axis O) of the pair of split rim members 4, and the pair of bead portions M of the tire T ride up onto the bead seat surfaces 41C of the pair of bead portion holding surfaces 41R of the pair of split rim members 4, and ultimately becomes attached to the pair of bead portion holding surfaces 41R. This causes the tire T to be attached to the pair of split rim members 4 of the tire holding device 1, or in other words, the tire T is held by the pair of split rim members 4 of the tire holding device 1. That is, in the rotation step, the tire T is mounted to the pair of split rim members 4 solely by the interaction between the pair of split rim members 4, without requiring any external force from a worker or the like. When the rotating step is completed, the tire mounting method of this embodiment is completed.

[0030] In this embodiment, as described above, when the tire T is held by the tire holding device 1, the tire T is held by a pair of split rim members 4, which reduces the number of steps compared to, for example, using a rim member that is not divided into two and consists of a single part. Alternatively, it is possible to mount the tire T on a rim member that is not divided into two and then attach the rim member with the mounted tire T to a device that measures, processes, and / or tests the tire (for example, a buffing device), but in that case, not only does the number of steps increase, but there is also a risk that the rotational axis of the device and the rotational axis of the tire will become misaligned when the rim member is attached to the device, which could reduce the accuracy of the measurement, processing, and / or testing. In addition, in this embodiment, the tire T is held by a pair of split rim members 4, so multiple types of tires with different rim widths can be held without the need to replace the pair of split rim members 4. As described above, this embodiment involves a clamping step in which the tire T is clamped between a pair of split rim members 4, and a rotation step in which, after the clamping step, the pair of split rim members 4 is rotated around a predetermined axis O while each bead portion M of the tire T is attached to the pair of split rim members 4. By rotating the pair of split rim members 4 around the predetermined axis O while the tire T is clamped between the pair of split rim members 4, the tire T can gradually move in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis O while being rotated so that the rotation axis R of the tire T approaches the central axis A of the pair of split rim members 4 (and therefore the predetermined axis O). This makes it possible to suppress misalignment between the central axis A (and therefore the predetermined axis O) of the pair of split rim members 4 and the rotation axis R of the tire T attached to the pair of split rim members 4 of the tire holding device 1. This improves the roundness (runout) of the tire T when it is held by a pair of split rim members 4 of the tire holding device 1, thereby improving the accuracy of measurements, processing, testing, etc. of the tire T that are performed in that state. If tire T were to be mounted on a pair of split rim members 4 without performing the rotation step, the tire T would be mounted on the pair of split rim members 4 in a state where the rotation axis R of tire T is shifted downwardly from the central axis A (and therefore the specified axis O) of the pair of split rim members 4 due to the tire T's own weight, resulting in uneven bead seating and a deterioration in the roundness (runout) of tire T when held by the pair of split rim members 4 of the tire holding device 1, which may ultimately reduce the accuracy of measurements, processing, testing, etc. of tire T performed in that state.

[0031] 2, it is preferable that, in the clamping step, the upper portion of the inner end portion in the predetermined axial direction of the bead seat surface 41C of the bead portion holding surface 41R (in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 5, the bead portion holding surface 41R located most inward in the predetermined axial direction) onto which the bead portion M of the tire T will be attached, of one or more bead portion holding surfaces 41R of each divided rim member 4, clamps the tire T (and thus comes into contact with the tire T). This makes it easier for the bead portion M of the tire T to be attached to the bead portion holding surface 41R during the rotation step.

[0032] 2, in the clamping step, it is preferable that the portion of the tire T that is clamped by the pair of split rim members 4 (and thus comes into contact with the pair of split rim members 4) be a portion of the outer surface of the bead portion M or sidewall portion L of the tire T that gradually extends outward in the tire width direction as it moves outward in the tire radial direction. This makes it easier to clamp the tire T between the pair of split rim members 4, and also makes it easier for the bead portion M of the tire T to be attached to the bead portion holding surface 41R during the rotation step.

[0033] In the clamping step (Fig. 2), it is preferable that the rim width of the pair of divided rim members 4 is approximately the same as or greater than the specified rim width, which makes it easier for workers to perform the clamping step.

[0034] As described above, after the clamping step and before the rotating step, it is preferable to perform an approaching step (FIG. 3) in which the pair of split rim members 4 are brought closer to each other until the rim width of the pair of split rim members 4 reaches a predetermined rim width that is narrower than the specified rim width. By performing the approaching step, the pair of split rim members 4 can be brought closer to or in close contact with the tire T, and accordingly the internal space of the tire T can be made into a closed space or close to it. This makes it easier for air to enter the interior of the tire T more reliably when inflating the interior of the tire T thereafter, improving work efficiency. From a similar perspective, in the approaching step, it is preferable to bring the pair of split rim members 4 closer to each other until there is no gap in the tire width direction between the pair of split rim members 4 and the tire T (specifically, the bead portion M) (i.e., until the two are in close contact with each other without being separated in the tire width direction). Furthermore, it is even more preferable in the approaching step to bring the pair of split rim members 4 closer to each other until the central hole of the tire T is completely blocked by the pair of split rim members 4 (i.e., until the internal space of the tire T becomes a closed space). When performing the approaching step, as described above, it is preferable to gradually move the pair of split rim components 4 away from each other during the rotating step until the rim width of the pair of split rim components 4 reaches the specified rim width. This further reduces misalignment between the central axis A of the pair of split rim components 4 and the rotation axis R of the tire T mounted on the pair of split rim components 4.

[0035] In the rotating step (FIG. 4), the rotation speed of the pair of split rim members 4 is preferably 1 to 20 rpm, and more preferably 4 to 10 rpm. This makes it possible to further reduce misalignment between the central axis A of the pair of split rim members 4 and the rotational axis R of the tire T mounted on the pair of split rim members 4. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the number of times that the pair of split rim members 4 rotate in the rotating step is one to two times. In the rotating step, the rotation speed of the pair of split rim members 4 is preferably constant, but may be varied, for example, within the above rotation speed range.

[0036] The pair of split rim members 4 preferably have a rim diameter of 12 to 25 inches. When the tire T is a pneumatic tire for a passenger car, the pair of split rim members 4 more preferably have a rim diameter of 12 to 22 inches. This makes it possible to prevent the tire holding device 1 from becoming large, and also makes it possible to make the tire T mounted on the tire holding device 1 closer to the state in which the tire T is actually used. In addition, as in the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, when the split rim member 4 has multiple rim diameters due to having multiple bead portion holding surfaces 41R, it is preferable that each rim diameter of the split rim member 4 is within the above range.

[0037] As described above, any pneumatic tire can be used as the tire T, and for example, a pneumatic tire for a passenger car, a pneumatic tire for heavy loads, etc. can be suitably used. However, if a pneumatic tire for a passenger car is used, it is easier to obtain the effect of suppressing misalignment between the central axis A of the pair of split rim members 4 and the rotation axis R of the tire T mounted on the pair of split rim members 4.

[0038] As described above, during the rotation step (FIG. 4), it is preferable to inject air into the tire T until the internal pressure of the tire T reaches a predetermined internal pressure. This makes it possible to further reduce misalignment between the central axis A of the pair of split rim members 4 and the rotational axis R of the tire T mounted on the pair of split rim members 4. The predetermined internal pressure is arbitrary, and may be the same as the internal pressure when the tire T is actually used, or may be a lower internal pressure. For example, the predetermined internal pressure is preferably 100 to 350 kPa, and more preferably 150 to 250 kPa. In this case, when the tread portion K of the tire T is buffed by the buffing unit 6 after the tire T is mounted on the tire holding device 1, the worn state of the tire T after running can be easily reproduced, which is preferable. The predetermined internal pressure may be 900 kPa or less.

[0039] It is preferable that the predetermined axis O extends horizontally, as in the example of Figures 1 to 5. In this case, the tire T is mounted to the tire holding device 1 with the rotation axis R extending horizontally. This further reduces misalignment between the central axis A of the pair of split rim members 4 and the rotation axis R of the tire T mounted on the pair of split rim members 4. However, the predetermined axis O may extend in the vertical direction. In this case, the tire T is mounted on the tire holding device 1 with the rotation axis R extending in the vertical direction. In this case, by performing the rotation step after the clamping step as described above, it is possible to suppress misalignment between the central axis of the pair of split rim members and the rotation axis of the tire mounted on the pair of split rim members.

[0040] As described above, after the tire T is mounted on the tire holding device 1 by the tire mounting method, the tire T may be measured, processed, and / or tested. In this case, the measurement, processing, and / or testing of the tire T may be performed using the tire holding device 1 (specifically, the measurement unit 7, the processing unit (e.g., the buffing unit 6), and / or the testing unit). For example, a tire processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a mounting step in which the tire T is mounted on a pair of split rim members 4 of the tire holding device 1 by the tire mounting method described above, and a buffing step in which, after the mounting step, the tread portion K of the tire T is buffed by the buffing unit 6 of the tire holding device 1. In the buffing step, for example, the tire holding device 1 may rotate the tire T and move the buffing unit 6 relatively toward the tire T until the buffing unit 6 contacts the tread portion K of the tire T, thereby buffing the tread portion K of the tire T by the buffing unit 6. By undergoing the mounting step by the tire mounting method described above, the tire T can be more uniformly polished all around in the buffing step. This can improve the accuracy of subsequent performance evaluations, etc. In the buffing step, it is preferable to buff the tread rubber of the tread portion K of the tire T to a depth of 6 to 15 mm from the tire outer surface (tread surface). This allows the test to be carried out more appropriately in a state that reproduces the state of the tire T after wear. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the tread rubber of the tread portion K is buffed by an amount equivalent to approximately ¾ of the depth of the main grooves provided in the tread portion K of the tire T in the buffing step. From the same viewpoint, in the buffing step, it is preferable to buff the tread rubber of the tread portion K until the indicator provided in the tread portion K of the tire T is exposed on the outer surface of the tire. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] The tire mounting method and tire holding device according to the present invention are suitable for use, for example, when measuring, processing, and / or testing tires. Any pneumatic tire can be used as the tire used in the tire mounting method, tire processing method, and tire holding device of the present invention, and for example, pneumatic tires for passenger cars, pneumatic tires for heavy loads, etc. can be suitably used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: Tire holding device, 2: Support frame, 3: Holding mechanism section, 4: divided rim member, 41: rim-shaped portion, 41R: bead portion holding surface, 41C: bead seat surface, 41S: rim flange surface, 42: rotation axis, A: central axis, O: predetermined axis, 5: Telescopic part, 6: Buffing section, 7: Measurement section, 8: Air injection section, 9: Suction part, T: Tire, K: Tread, L: Sidewall, M: Bead, R: Tire rotation axis, CL: Tire equatorial plane

Claims

1. A tire mounting method for mounting a tire on a tire holding device, comprising: The tire holding device includes a pair of split rim members facing each other, the central axes of the pair of split rim members are on a common predetermined axis; The tire mounting method includes: a clamping step of clamping the tire between the pair of split rim members; a rotating step of, after the clamping step, mounting each bead portion of the tire onto the pair of split rim members while rotating the pair of split rim members around the predetermined axis; a tire mounting method, including:

2. 2. The tire mounting method according to claim 1, wherein in the rotating step, the rotation speed of the pair of split rim members is 1 to 20 rpm.

3. 3. The tire mounting method according to claim 1, wherein air is injected into the tire during the rotating step until the internal pressure of the tire reaches a predetermined internal pressure.

4. 4. The tire mounting method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined internal pressure is 100 to 350 kPa.

5. After the clamping step and before the rotating step, the method further includes an approaching step of bringing the pair of split rim members closer to each other until the rim width of the pair of split rim members becomes a predetermined rim width that is narrower than the specified rim width, A tire mounting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein during the rotating step, the pair of split rim members are gradually moved away from each other until the rim widths of the pair of split rim members become the specified rim width.

6. 6. The tire mounting method according to claim 1, wherein the pair of split rim members have a rim diameter of 12 to 25 inches.

7. The tire mounting method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined axis extends horizontally.

8. The tire mounting method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tire holding device further includes a buffing unit configured to buff a tread portion of the tire, and is configured as a buffing device.

9. A tire processing method, comprising: a mounting step of mounting the tire on the pair of split rim members of the tire holding device by the tire mounting method according to claim 8; a buffing step of buffing the tread portion of the tire by the buffing unit of the tire holding device after the mounting step; Including, In the buffing step, the tread portion is buffed to a thickness of 6 to 15 mm.

10. A tire holding device, A pair of split rim members facing each other are provided, the central axes of the pair of split rim members are on a common predetermined axis; The tire holding device is configured so that, with the tire held between the pair of split rim members, the pair of split rim members are rotated around the predetermined axis to attach each bead portion of the tire to the pair of split rim members.

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