Mounting device for molded drums and method for manufacturing tires

Abstract

To provide a mounting device that can temporarily place a molding drum body at a predetermined position with high precision using a robot arm, and a tire manufacturing method using the mounting device.SOLUTION: There is provided a tire manufacturing method using a mounting device. A procedure for manufacturing tires using the mounting device is configured in that: a molding drum body 12 is held movable and rotatable in any horizontal direction by a horizontal movement mechanism 5 so as to absorb an error even if a position of the molding drum body at which a robot arm 15 releases a holding is slightly different from a setting position; a mounting unit 2 that is held movable and rotatable in any vertical direction by a vertical movement mechanism 8 is moved; the molding drum body 12 is mounted on the mounting unit 2 by guiding a fitting portion 14 of the molding drum body 12 to a predetermined mounting position by a guide 3; the mounting unit 2 is fixed at a predetermined horizontal reference position by a horizontal position fixing mechanism 6; and the molding drum body 12 is temporarily placed in a predetermined position by fixing thereof at a predetermined vertical reference position by a vertical position fixing mechanism 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting device for a forming drum body and a method for manufacturing a tire. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mounting device for a forming drum body that can accurately temporarily place a forming drum body at a predetermined position using a robot arm in a tire forming process, and a method for manufacturing a tire using this mounting device.

Background Art

[0002] When forming a green tire, a method is known in which an annular support (forming drum body) is sequentially moved to a plurality of workstations, and tire constituent members are attached to the annular support at each workstation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A robot arm is used to move the annular support to the next workstation, and a holding station is installed between adjacent workstations. The robot arm arranged at the first workstation temporarily places the annular support on the holding station installed between the first and the second workstations. The robot arm arranged at the second workstation picks up the temporarily placed annular support and moves it to the second workstation. In this way, the green tire is formed by sequentially moving the annular support to adjacent workstations through the intervention of the holding station.

[0003] Since the specifications of the annular support used vary depending on the tire size, the mass of the annular support changes. If this change in the mass of the annular support is large, the change in the load (moment) acting on the robot arm when holding the annular support also becomes large. As a result, an error occurs in the positioning by the robot arm when temporarily placing the annular support on the holding station, making it difficult to accurately temporarily place the annular support at the predetermined position of the holding station. If the annular support is not temporarily placed at the predetermined position of the holding station, it also becomes difficult for the next robot arm to pick up this annular support. Therefore, there is room for improvement in accurately temporarily placing the forming drum body at a predetermined position using a robot arm.

Prior Art Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2003-515474 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a mounting device for a molded drum that can be precisely temporarily placed in a predetermined position using a robotic arm during the tire molding process, and a method for manufacturing a tire using this mounting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a mounting device for a molded drum body in which a molded drum body held by a robot arm is mounted in a lying position when the holding is released. The mounting device comprises: a mounting section on which the molded drum body is mounted in a lying position; a base section disposed below the mounting section and fixed at a predetermined position in a target area; and a horizontal movement holding section and an vertical movement holding section disposed vertically between the mounting section and the base section. The mounting section has a guide that engages with the molded drum body and guides the molded drum body to a predetermined mounting position on the mounting section. The horizontal movement holding section has a horizontal movement mechanism that supports the mounting section so that it can move and rotate in any direction horizontally, and a horizontal position fixing mechanism that stops the movement and rotation of the mounting section by the horizontal movement mechanism and fixes the mounting section at a predetermined horizontal reference position. The vertical movement holding section has an vertical movement mechanism that supports the mounting section so that it can move and rotate in any direction vertically, and an vertical position fixing mechanism that stops the movement and rotation of the mounting section by the vertical movement mechanism and fixes the mounting section at a predetermined vertical reference position.

[0007] The present invention relates to a tire manufacturing method in which a molded drum is sequentially moved to a plurality of work stations, a green tire is formed by attaching tire components to the molded drum at each of the work stations, and the green tire is vulcanized, wherein the molded drum, on which the tire components have been attached after the molding work at one of the work stations is completed, is held by a robot arm located at that work station, is moved above the mounting device described in any of claims 1 to 5, and the holding is released, thereby placing the molded drum on its side, and then the molded drum placed on the aforementioned mounting device is held by a robot arm located at the next work station, moved to this work station, and the molding work is performed at this work station. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the molding drum mounting device of the present invention, when the robot arm releases its grip and the molding drum is placed on the mounting section in a lying position, the mounting section is held so as to be movable and rotatable in any direction horizontally by the horizontal movement mechanism, and so as to be movable and rotatable in any direction vertically by the vertical movement mechanism. Therefore, even if there is some error in the position of the molding drum held by the robot arm relative to the set position, the mounting section moves to absorb that error, so that the molding drum is guided by the guide to the predetermined mounting position and placed on the mounting section. Furthermore, by fixing the mounting section to a predetermined horizontal reference position with the horizontal position fixing mechanism, and fixing the mounting section to a predetermined vertical reference position with the vertical position fixing mechanism, it becomes possible to temporarily place the molding drum placed on the mounting section at a predetermined position.

[0009] According to the tire manufacturing method of the present invention, when moving a molded drum to multiple work stations sequentially using a robotic arm, the above-described placement device can be used to temporarily place the molded drum at the predetermined position. Consequently, the molded drum, which is temporarily placed on the aforementioned placement device, can be more securely held by a robotic arm positioned at the next work station. Therefore, since the molded drum can be moved smoothly and sequentially to multiple work stations, it contributes to improving the productivity of tire production. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the tire molding process in a plan view. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a mounting device for a molded drum, showing the mounting section in a state where it can be freely moved, from a side view. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mounting device in a plan view. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mounting device in a cross-sectional view AA. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mounting device in a cross-sectional view of the BB. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a mounting device in which the mounting section is fixed in a predetermined position by operating the horizontal position fixing mechanism and the vertical position fixing mechanism shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mounting device in a cross-sectional view of the CC (Cross-Cup) structure. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating, from a side view, a state in which the gripping claws of the robot arm are positioned above the connecting portion of the molding drum body. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the molded drum body shown in Figure 8 in a plan view. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the gripping claw and connecting part are engaged and the molded drum body is held by the robot arm. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a molding drum is placed on the mounting device shown in Figure 2 in a horizontal position. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the molding drum body of FIG. 11 is temporarily placed at a predetermined position by a placing device. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating a partial enlarged view of the vulcanization process of a green tire in a longitudinal sectional view. [Figure 14] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of the placing device in a side view. [Figure 15] It is an explanatory diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the placing device in a side view. **[Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention]**

[0011] Hereinafter, the placing device for the molding drum body of the present invention and the method for manufacturing a tire will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0012] The tire molding process illustrated in FIG. 1 has a plurality of work stations S (S1, S2, S3). In FIG. 1, each work station S is demarcated by a two-dot chain line. The number of work stations S is not particularly limited, and the necessary work stations S are provided according to tire specifications and the like. A robot arm 15 is installed at each work station S, and a placing device 1 for the molding drum body (hereinafter referred to as the placing device 1) is installed near the boundary of adjacent work stations S (for example, in the area between work stations S). A molding drum body 12 is attached to the robot arm 15 for molding the green tire G.

[0013] At each work station S, one or more types of tire component members M (M1 to M5) are supplied by a member supply machine 16 to the molding drum body 12 and attached to the molding drum body 12. Examples of the types of tire component members M include an inner liner, a carcass layer, side rubber, a reinforcing layer, and tread rubber.

[0014] The embodiment of the placement device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 is used to temporarily place the molding drum body 12 at a preset predetermined position Pa in the tire molding process. The molding drum body 12 is released from the holding by the robot arm 15 and placed on the placement device 1 in a lying-down state. The molding drum body 12 placed and temporarily placed on the placement device 1 is held by the robot arm 15 and moved to another place (the next work station S).

[0015] The placement device 1 includes a placement portion 2, a base portion 10 disposed below the placement portion 2, a horizontal movement holding portion 4 and a vertical movement holding portion 7 disposed vertically between the placement portion 2 and the base portion 10. In this embodiment, the horizontal movement holding portion 4 is disposed above the vertical movement holding portion 7, and in order from above to below, the placement portion 2, the horizontal movement holding portion 4, the vertical movement holding portion 7, and the base portion 10 are disposed. In the placement device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, the placement portion 2 can move and rotate in an arbitrary direction in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0016] The placement portion 2 has a placement table 2a on which the molding drum body 12 is placed in a lying-down state, and a guide 3 provided on the placement table 2a. The placement table 2a can use various shapes on which the molding drum body 12 can be placed in a lying-down state. In this embodiment, a circular plate is used as the placement table 2a.

[0017] The guide 3 is an engaging body that engages with the molding drum body 12 and functions to guide the molding drum body 12 to a predetermined placement position Px of the placement portion 2 (placement table 2a). For example, the guide 3 is set to guide the axial center position of the molding drum body 12 to the predetermined placement position Px. In this embodiment, a frustum-shaped guide 3 protrudes upward on the upper surface of the placement table 2a.

[0018] The horizontal movement holding portion 4 has a horizontal movement mechanism 5 and a horizontal position fixing mechanism 6. The horizontal movement mechanism 5 supports the placement portion 2 so as to be movable and rotatable in an arbitrary direction in the horizontal direction. That is, the placement portion 2 is supported by the horizontal movement mechanism 5 from below so as to be freely movable and rotatable in an arbitrary direction in a plan view.

[0019] In this embodiment, three rotatable support balls 5a are used as the horizontal movement mechanism 5, spaced apart beneath the mounting base 2a. The mounting base 2a is supported at three points by these support balls 5a. The support balls 5a may be arranged at three or four equally spaced points in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the support base 8a in a plan view. The horizontal movement mechanism 5 is not limited to the exemplified structure, and various known structures that can support the mounting part 2 so that it can move and rotate in any direction in the horizontal direction can be adopted. For example, the mounting base 2a may be centered toward the center of the support base 8a in a plan view.

[0020] The horizontal position fixing mechanism 6 stops the movement and rotation of the mounting section 2 by the horizontal movement mechanism 5 and fixes the mounting section 2 at a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp. Therefore, in this embodiment, the horizontal position fixing mechanism 6 has projections 6a that protrude at multiple positions on the lower surface of the base (mounting base 2a in this embodiment) that supports the molded drum body 12, and holding blocks 6b corresponding to each projection 6a. Each holding block 6b is arranged opposite to the other at 180°. The V-shaped holding block 6b is joined to the tip of the rod of the fluid cylinder 6c.

[0021] The vertical movement support unit 7 includes a vertical movement mechanism 8 and a vertical position fixing mechanism 9. The vertical movement mechanism 8 supports the mounting unit 2 so that it can move and rotate in any direction in the vertical direction. That is, the mounting unit 2 is supported from below by the vertical movement mechanism 8 so that it can move and rotate freely in any direction when viewed from the side.

[0022] In this embodiment, the vertical movement mechanism 8 includes a support base 8a on which a mounting portion 2 is installed above, and biasing members 8c that support three positions on the lower surface of the support base 8a. An elastic body such as a spring or a rubber piece is used as the biasing member 8c. In this embodiment, a coil spring is used as the biasing member 8c. The biasing members 8c are preferably arranged at three or four equally spaced points in the circumferential direction relative to the center of the support base 8a or the base portion 10 in a plan view.

[0023] Three guide pins 8d are erected between the base portion 10 and the support base 8a. The upper end of each guide pin 8d is fixed to the support base 8a, and the lower end is attached to the base portion 10 via a rubber bushing 8e. A stopper 8f is fixed to the lower end of each guide pin 8d. Therefore, each guide pin 8d can move up and down to some extent relative to the base portion 10, but upward movement is prevented by the stopper 8f. Each guide pin 8d has a coil spring 8c inserted through it.

[0024] The mounting portion 2, supported on the support base 8a via the horizontal movement holding portion 4, is elastically supported by these biasing members 8c. The vertical movement mechanism 8 is not limited to the exemplified structure, and various known structures can be adopted that can support the mounting portion 2 so that it can move and rotate in any direction in the vertical direction.

[0025] The vertical position fixing mechanism 9 stops the movement and rotation of the mounting portion 2 by the vertical movement mechanism 8, thereby fixing the mounting portion 2 at a predetermined vertical reference position Vp. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vertical position fixing mechanism 9 has an engaging portion 9a that moves toward and away from the lower surface of the support base 8a (up and down movement). The engaging portion 9a is joined to the tip of the rod of the fluid cylinder 9b.

[0026] The base portion 10 is fixed to a predetermined installation position in the target area (such as the floor of the molding process). The base portion 10 is bolted to the floor, for example. In this embodiment, a metal box-shaped frame is used as the base portion 10, but it is not limited to this and various forms can be adopted. For example, a simple metal stand can also be used as the base portion 10. The base portion 10 is always fixed to a predetermined installation position in the target area when the molding drum body 12 is placed on the mounting portion 2 using the robot arm 15, and when the mounted molding drum body 12 is picked up from the mounting portion 2 using the robot arm 15. With the base portion 10 fixed to a predetermined setting position in this way, and the mounting portion 2 (mounting table 2a) fixed to a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp and a predetermined vertical reference position Vp, the predetermined mounting position Px is set to be positioned at a predetermined position Pa.

[0027] In the horizontal position fixing mechanism 6 illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the mounting section 2 (mounting base 2a) can be freely moved and rotated in any direction in a plan view. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the mounting section 2 is fixed to a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp by horizontal movement of the corresponding holding blocks 6b by the fluid cylinder 6c, which grips both sides of the projection 6a in the width direction. It is preferable to fix the mounting section 2 to a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp by making one fluid cylinder 6c press with a stronger pressing force than the other fluid cylinder 6c at all times, so that the projection 6a is pressed against the holding block 6c attached to the rod of the fluid cylinder 6c with the stronger pressing force.

[0028] Alternatively, one of the holding blocks 6a may be permanently fixed, while only the other holding block 6a is moved horizontally. The horizontal position fixing mechanism 6 is not limited to the example structure, and various known structures that can fix the mounting section 2 at a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp can be employed.

[0029] In the vertical position fixing mechanism 9 illustrated in Figure 2, the mounting portion 2 (mounting base 2a) can be freely moved and rotated in any direction when viewed from the side. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 6, the engaging portion 9a moves upward by the fluid cylinder 9b and engages with the support base 8a, thereby fixing the mounting portion 2 to a predetermined vertical reference position Hp. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 2 is fixed to a predetermined vertical reference position Vp by the engagement of the concave lower surface engaging portion 8b and the convex engaging portion 9a formed on the lower surface of the support base 8a. Therefore, the lower surface engaging portion 8b functions as part of the vertical position fixing mechanism 9.

[0030] The engaging portion 9a is not limited to one; multiple engaging portions can be provided. The engaging portion 9a may be concave and the lower engaging portion 8b may be convex. The mounting portion 2 may be fixed to a predetermined upper and lower reference position Hp by engaging the engaging portions 9a at multiple positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction on the outer edge of the support base 8a. The upper and lower position fixing mechanism 9 is not limited to the exemplified structure, and various known structures that can fix the mounting portion 2 to a predetermined upper and lower reference position Vp can be adopted.

[0031] The molded drum body 12 illustrated in Figures 8 to 10 functions as a core material when various tire components M are laminated to form a green tire G. For example, various known rigid cores can be used as the molded drum body 12. In this embodiment, a rigid core having an outer surface with the same profile as the inner surface of the tire T to be manufactured is used as the molded drum body 12.

[0032] The molded drum body 12 has a cylindrical portion 13 and a drum shaft 13a that extends in the direction of the cylinder axis from the center of the cylindrical portion 13. Figures 8 and 10 show the right half of the cylindrical portion 13 in a longitudinal cross-sectional view. The cylindrical portion 13 is constructed by assembling multiple segments that are divided in the circumferential direction and is detachable.

[0033] Disc portions 13b are fixed to both ends of the drum shaft 13a. One disc portion 13b has a connecting portion 13c on its surface, and the other disc portion 13b has a fitting portion 14 on its surface. The connecting portion 13c is gripped by the gripping claw 15b of the robot arm 15, which will be described later. The fitting portion 14 engages with the guide 3 formed on the mounting base 2a.

[0034] The fitting portion 14 has a recess that engages with the guide 3 protruding from the upper surface of the mounting base 2a. The recess of the fitting portion 14 is shaped like a mortar, widening in diameter towards the opening. Therefore, as the engagement depth between the guide 3 and the recess of the fitting portion 14 increases, the recess of the fitting portion 14 is guided toward the center of the guide 3 in a plan view.

[0035] Since the guide 3 and the mating portion 14 engage with each other, an appropriate shape is adopted depending on the shape of the mating part. For example, if the guide 3 has a recess provided on the upper surface of the mounting base 2a, the mating portion 14 has a projection that fits into the recess of the mounting base 2a. This recess is made into a mortar shape so that as the engagement depth between the recess of the guide 3 and the projection of the mating portion 14 increases, the projection of the mating portion 14 is guided toward the center of the guide 3 in a plan view.

[0036] The robot arm 15 can be of various known types (so-called industrial robot arms) that are controlled to perform desired movements based on programs or teaching. In this embodiment, the robot arm 15 has a drive motor 15M attached to the tip of an arm portion 15a that can move to a desired position in three dimensions, and a gripping claw 15b is installed via this drive motor 15M. This gripping claw 15b attaches to and detaches from the connecting portion 13c of the molding drum body 12.

[0037] When the drive motor 15M rotates the gripping claw 15b, the molding drum body 12 mounted on the robot arm 15 is rotated around the drum axis 13a. The drive motor 15M can be provided as desired, and if the robot arm 15 does not have a drive motor 15M, the gripping claw 15b is directly provided at the tip of the arm portion 15a.

[0038] Next, we will explain an example of the procedure for manufacturing tires using this mounting device 1.

[0039] In the tire molding process illustrated in Figure 1, a robot arm 15 and a mounting device 1 are used to sequentially move the molding drum 12 to the required work stations S (S1, S2, S3), where the necessary tire components M are attached to the molding drum 12. This molding process forms the green tire G.

[0040] Once the molding process at the first work station S1 is complete, the molded drum 12 is moved to the next work station S2. As illustrated in Figure 10, the robot arm 15 holding the molded drum 12 moves it above the mounting device 1. The molded drum 12 is held by the robot arm 15 by gripping the connecting portion 13c with the gripping claws 15b. The robot arm 15 orients the extension direction of the drum axis 13a vertically so that the fitting portion 14 is positioned downwards, and places the molded drum 12 on its side.

[0041] Next, as illustrated in Figure 11, the robot arm 15 moves the molding drum body 12 to a predetermined position Pa above the mounting device 1. This predetermined position Pa is set in advance by a program or teaching, and the robot arm 15 is controlled to move the molding drum body 12 (the axial position of the drum axis 13a) to this predetermined position Pa.

[0042] The specifications of the molded drum body 12 used vary depending on the tire size, and therefore the mass of the molded drum body 12 also changes. Furthermore, even with molded drum bodies 12 of the same specifications, variations in the tire components M attached to the molded drum body 12 can occur due to variations in the tire components M. As a result, the load (moment) acting on the robot arm 15 when holding the tire molded body 12 changes. Consequently, even when the robot arm 15 is controlled to move the molded drum body 12 to a predetermined position Pa, some error occurs. This error may also be caused by wear and tear of the robot arm 15's parts over time.

[0043] In this mounting device 1, when the molded drum body 12 is mounted, the mounting base 2a is movable and rotatable in any direction horizontally, and also movable and rotatable in any direction vertically. That is, in the horizontal movement holding section 4, the horizontal movement mechanism 5 supports the mounting base 2a so that it can move and rotate in any direction horizontally, without the horizontal position fixing mechanism 6 being activated. Furthermore, in the vertical movement holding section 7, the vertical movement mechanism 8 supports the mounting section 2 so that it can move and rotate in any direction vertically, without the vertical position fixing mechanism 9 being activated.

[0044] More specifically, in the horizontal position fixing mechanism 6, the rod of the fluid cylinder 6c is retracted, thereby separating each holding block 6b from the respective projections 6a protruding from the lower surface of the mounting base 2a. As a result, each projection 6a is surrounded by the V-shaped holding block 6b with a gap between them, as illustrated in Figure 4. Therefore, each projection 6a can move and rotate in any direction in the horizontal direction as long as it does not come into contact with the holding block 6b, and the mounting base 2a can also move integrally with each projection 6a.

[0045] In the vertical position fixing mechanism 9, the rod of the fluid cylinder 9b is retracted, thereby separating the engaging portion 9a from the lower surface (lower engaging portion 8b) of the support base 8a. As a result, the support base 8a is elastically supported by its respective biasing members 8c. Therefore, the support base 8a can move and rotate in any direction in the vertical direction within the range in which each biasing member 8c can elastically deform, and the mounting base 2a can also move integrally with the support base 8a.

[0046] The robot arm 15 is controlled to move the molding drum 12 to a predetermined position Pa, and then releases its grip on the molding drum 12. This causes the fitting portion 14 of the downward-moving molding drum 12 to engage with the guide 3 of the mounting portion 2. At this time, even if the position of the molding drum 12 moved by the robot arm 15 is slightly off from the predetermined position Pa, the mounting base 2a moves horizontally and vertically, and rotates, moving in all directions. Therefore, when the guide 3 and the fitting portion 14 engage, the mounting base 2a moves to absorb the above error. As the engagement depth between the fitting portion 14 and the guide 3 increases, the molding drum 12 is guided to the mounting position Px on the mounting base 2a and placed on the mounting base 2a in a sideways position.

[0047] Next, the horizontal position fixing mechanism 6 is activated to stop the movement and rotation of the mounting base 2a by the horizontal movement mechanism 5, thereby fixing the mounting base 2a at a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp. Furthermore, the vertical position fixing mechanism 9 is activated to stop the movement and rotation of the mounting base 2a by the vertical movement mechanism 8, thereby fixing the mounting base 2a at a predetermined vertical reference position Vp.

[0048] More specifically, in the horizontal position fixing mechanism 6, as illustrated in Figure 7, each holding block 6b is moved horizontally toward each projection 6a protruding from the lower surface of the mounting base 2a by advancing the rod of the fluid cylinder 6c. This causes both sides of the projection 6a in the width direction to be clamped by the holding block 6b. As each projection 6a is clamped by the corresponding holding block 6b, the mounting base 2a becomes unable to move or rotate horizontally, and the mounting base 2a is fixed at a predetermined horizontal reference position Hp.

[0049] In the vertical position fixing mechanism 9, the engaging portion 9a is moved upward toward the lower surface of the support base 8a by advancing the rod of the fluid cylinder 9b. As a result, the engaging portion 9a engages with the lower engaging portion 8b, preventing the mounting base 2a from moving or rotating in the vertical direction, and fixing the mounting base 2a at a predetermined vertical reference position Vp.

[0050] As illustrated in Figure 12, the molding drum 12, which is placed on its side on the mounting device 1, is temporarily placed at a predetermined position Pa. The molding drum 12, which is temporarily placed on the mounting device 1, is held by another robot arm 15 installed at the next work station S2 and lifted up from the mounting device 1.

[0051] The robot arm 15 installed at work station S2 is controlled by a program or teaching to move the tip of the arm 15a (gripping claw 15b) to a predetermined position Pa in order to hold the molding drum 12. Since the molding drum 12 is temporarily placed at the predetermined position Pa by the mounting device 1, the robot arm 15 can accurately position the gripping claw 15b on the guide 3. Subsequently, the robot arm 15 holds the molding drum 12 by gripping the guide 3 with the gripping claw 15b.

[0052] The molded drum body 12 is moved by the robot arm 15 to the next work station S2. At work station S2, the tire components M are attached to the molded drum body 12. When the molding work at work station S2 is completed and the molded drum body 12 is moved to the next work station S3, the molded drum body 12 is temporarily placed on the mounting device 1, similar to the movement between work stations S1 and S2.

[0053] The robot arm 15 may be configured to function solely for moving the molding drum 12, or it may be configured to function for molding operations in addition to this function. For example, as in this embodiment, by configuring the robot arm 15 to rotate the held molding drum 12 around the drum axis 13a using a drive motor 15M, it can be used for molding operations.

[0054] This molding process forms a green tire G on the outer surface of the molded drum body 12. This green tire G is then moved to the vulcanization process.

[0055] In the vulcanization process illustrated in Figure 13, the green tire G is vulcanized using a known method. The green tire G is placed together with the molding drum body 12 in a vulcanization mold 18 mounted on the vulcanization apparatus 17. Subsequently, the green tire G is vulcanized in the closed vulcanization mold 18 to complete the tire T. In this embodiment, a pneumatic tire T is manufactured, but this mounting device 1 is not limited to pneumatic tires and can be applied to the manufacture of various other types of tires T.

[0056] When moving the molded drum body 12 sequentially to multiple work stations S using a robot arm 15, the mounting device 1 allows the molded drum body 12 to be temporarily placed at a predetermined position Pa, as described above. Since the molded drum body 12 is temporarily placed at the predetermined position Pa by the mounting device 1, it can be held more securely by the robot arm 15 positioned at the work station S where the next molding operation will be performed. In other words, it is advantageous in avoiding problems that would occur if the molded drum body 12 could not be transferred at the mounting device 1, which would cause delays in the molding process. By using this mounting device 1, the molded drum body 12 can be moved smoothly and sequentially to multiple work stations S, thereby contributing to improved productivity of tire T.

[0057] As illustrated in Figure 14, the mounting device 1 can also be configured such that the horizontal movement holding part 4 is positioned below the vertical movement holding part 7. That is, in this embodiment, the mounting part 2, vertical movement holding part 7, horizontal movement holding part 4, and base part 10 are arranged in order from top to bottom. In this embodiment, since the lower surface of the support base 8a is supported by the support ball 5a, the guide pin 8d and stopper 8f are embedded in the support base 8a without protruding from the lower surface of the support base 8a.

[0058] In this embodiment as well, the horizontal movement holding unit 4 and the vertical movement holding unit 7 function in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Therefore, the same effects as in the previous embodiment can be obtained by using this mounting device 1.

[0059] As illustrated in Figure 15, the base unit 10 can also be equipped with a travel mechanism 11. For example, the travel mechanism 11 can consist of steerable wheels and a motor that rotates these wheels, which are installed on the base unit 10. This allows the base unit 10 to be moved to a desired position by the travel mechanism 11. Instead of the base unit 10 being permanently fixed in a predetermined installation position in the target area, the mounting device 1 equipped with this base unit 10 allows the robot arm 15 to place the molded drum body 12 on the mounting device 1, and then transport the placed molded drum body 12 to a distant location.

[0060] As a result, the degree of freedom in arranging the work station S is increased, which is advantageous for constructing a molding process that makes more efficient use of limited space. However, when the robot arm 15 places the molding drum 12 onto the mounting device 1, and when the robot arm 15 holds and picks up the molding drum 12 placed on the mounting device 1, the base portion 10 is fixed to a predetermined installation position in the target area. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1. Mounting device 2 Mounting section 2a Mounting platform 3. Guide (engaging element) 4 Horizontal movement holding part 5 Horizontal movement mechanism 5a Support ball 6 Horizontal position fixing mechanism 6a protrusion 6b Holding block 6c Fluid Cylinder 7 Vertical movement holding part 8. Vertical movement mechanism 8a Support stand 8b Bottom engaging part 8c biasing member 8d guide pin 8e bush 8f Stopper 9 Vertical position fixing mechanism 9a Engagement part 9b Fluid cylinder 10 Base section 11. Running mechanism 12 Molded drum body 13 Cylindrical section 13a Drum shaft 13b Disc section 13c Connecting part 14. Fitting part 15 Robot Arm 15a Arm section 15b Gripping claw 15M drive motor 16. Parts Feeding Machine 17 Vulcanizing apparatus 18 Vulcanizing mold M Tire component G Green Tire T vulcanized tires

Claims

1. In a mounting device for a molding drum, in which a molding drum held by a robot arm is released and placed on its side, The device comprises a mounting section on which the molded drum body is placed in a horizontal position, a base section positioned below the mounting section and fixed to a predetermined position in the target area, and a horizontal movement holding section and an vertical movement holding section positioned vertically between the mounting section and the base section. The mounting portion has a guide that engages with the molding drum body and guides the molding drum body to a predetermined mounting position of the mounting portion. The horizontal movement holding unit includes a horizontal movement mechanism that supports the aforementioned mounting unit so that it can move and rotate in any direction in the horizontal direction, and a horizontal position fixing mechanism that stops the movement and rotation of the aforementioned mounting unit by the horizontal movement mechanism and fixes the aforementioned mounting unit in a predetermined horizontal reference position. The aforementioned vertical movement holding unit is a mounting device for a molded drum body, comprising a vertical movement mechanism that supports the aforementioned mounting unit so that it can move and rotate in any direction in the vertical direction, and a vertical position fixing mechanism that stops the movement and rotation of the aforementioned mounting unit by the vertical movement mechanism and fixes the aforementioned mounting unit in a predetermined vertical reference position.

2. The mounting device for a molded drum according to claim 1, wherein the guide is an engaging body that is positioned on the upper surface of the mounting portion described above and engages with a fitting portion having a convex or concave portion positioned on the lower surface of the molded drum in a lying position, and the molded drum is guided to the mounting position described above as the molded drum moves downward and the engagement depth between the fitting portion and the engaging body increases.

3. The mounting device for a molded drum according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the horizontal position fixing mechanism has projections protruding from multiple positions on the lower surface of a base that supports the molded drum, and a holding block corresponding to each of the projections, and the holding block corresponding to each projection moves horizontally to clamp both sides of the projection in the width direction, thereby fixing the mounting portion to the predetermined horizontal reference position.

4. A mounting device for a molded drum body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vertical movement mechanism comprises a support base and biasing members that support three or more positions on the lower surface of the support base, and the vertical position fixing mechanism comprises an engaging portion that moves toward and away from the lower surface of the support base, and the engaging portion engages with a lower surface engaging portion formed on the lower surface of the support base to fix the mounting portion described above to the predetermined vertical reference position.

5. The mounting device for a molded drum body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base portion is provided with a traveling mechanism, and the device is movable to a desired position by this traveling mechanism.

6. In a tire manufacturing method, a molded drum is sequentially moved to multiple work stations, and at each of the work stations, tire components are attached to the molded drum to form a green tire, and this green tire is vulcanized, After the molding process is completed at any one of the aforementioned work stations, the molded drum body with the tire components attached is held by a robot arm positioned at the work station, moved above the mounting device described in any of claims 1 to 5, and the holding is released, thereby placing the molded drum body on its side. Next, the molding drum body placed on the aforementioned mounting device is held using a robotic arm positioned at the next work station, moved to the work station, and the molding operation is performed at the work station, in a method for manufacturing a tire.

Images