Adhesive application device, unvulcanized tire manufacturing device, and application method

Abstract

To provide a sticking device capable of appropriately controlling the retention length of a rubber strip which an accumulator retains.SOLUTION: A sticking device 1 includes; an applicator 2 for transportation of a rubber strip G to a sticking position P; an accumulator 3 for temporary retention of the rubber strip G before the applicator 2; a measurement part 4 for measurement of a feed rate V2 on sticking the rubber strip G to a sticking object 200; and a calculation part 5 for calculation of a retention length X of the rubber strip G which the accumulator 3 retains based on a difference V2-V1 between an extrusion rate V1 at which the rubber strip G is extruded and the feed rate V2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for supplying and attaching an unvulcanized rubber strip extruded from an extruder to an object to be attached.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an attaching device for attaching an unvulcanized rubber strip has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a rubber extruder, an accumulator, and an applicator. The accumulator is arranged between the rubber extruder and the applicator, and temporarily stores the rubber strip extruded from the rubber extruder in front of the applicator.

[0005] However, it has been difficult to appropriately control the storage length of the rubber strip stored in the accumulator. <{

[0006] The present invention has been devised in view of the above actual situation, and a main object thereof is to provide an attaching device or the like that can appropriately control the storage length of the rubber strip stored in the accumulator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention relates to an adhesive application apparatus for supplying and applying an unvulcanized rubber strip extruded from an extruder to an object to be applied, comprising: an applicator for transporting the rubber strip to an application position; an accumulator for temporarily storing the rubber strip extruded from the extruder in front of the applicator; a measuring unit for measuring the supply speed at which the rubber strip is applied to the object to be applied; and a calculation unit for calculating the storage length of the rubber strip stored in the accumulator based on the difference between the extrusion speed at which the rubber strip is extruded from the extruder and the supply speed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the adhesive application device of the present invention, the measuring unit measures the supply speed at which the rubber strip is applied to the object to be applied, and the calculation unit calculates the storage length based on the difference between the extrusion speed and the supply speed of the rubber strip. Therefore, even if the supply speed fluctuates due to changes in the application position, for example, the storage length can be accurately calculated, and the accumulator can be appropriately controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing one embodiment of the adhesive device of the present invention. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows the electrical configuration of the adhesive device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the procedure for applying a rubber strip to an unvulcanized tire, which is an example of an object to which the strip will be applied. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the applicator in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the applicator in Figure 4 in a rotated state. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of one of the applicators. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the procedure for one embodiment of the application method of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a side view of the adhesive application device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the adhesive application device 1.

[0011] The adhesive device 1 is a device that supplies an unvulcanized rubber strip G extruded from an extruder 100 to an object 200 to be adhered to. The speed at which the rubber strip G is extruded from the extruder 100 is defined as the extrusion speed V1. The extrusion speed V1 of the rubber strip G is obtained, for example, by detecting the rotational speed of the roller 101 that drives the rubber strip G near the outlet of the extruder 100.

[0012] The application device 1 includes an applicator 2, an accumulator 3, a measuring unit 4, and a calculation unit 5.

[0013] Applicator 2 transports the rubber strip G to the application position P.

[0014] The accumulator 3 is positioned between the extruder 100 and the applicator 2. The accumulator 3 temporarily stores the rubber strip G extruded from the extruder 100 before it reaches the applicator 2. The accumulator 3 in this embodiment is a device also known as a festoon, which stores the rubber strip G by causing it to meander between the extruder 100 and the applicator 2. The length of the portion of the rubber strip G stored by the accumulator 3 is denoted as the storage length X.

[0015] The measuring unit 4 measures the application speed of the rubber strip G. The application speed of the rubber strip G is the supply speed V2 at which the rubber strip G is supplied by the applicator 2 when it is applied to the object 200, and is the movement speed of the rubber strip G within the applicator 2.

[0016] The calculation unit 5 calculates the storage length X of the rubber strip G stored in the accumulator 3 based on the difference V2 - V1 between the extrusion speed V1 at which the rubber strip G is extruded from the extruder 100 and the supply speed V2. The calculation unit 5 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various arithmetic processes, information processes, etc., a program that controls the operation of the CPU, and a memory that stores various information. Various functions of the calculation unit 5 are realized by the CPU, the memory, and the program.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the measurement unit 4 measures the supply speed V2 when the rubber strip G is attached to the object to be attached 200, and the calculation unit 5 calculates the storage length X based on the difference V2 - V1 between the extrusion speed V1 and the supply speed V2 of the rubber strip G. Therefore, for example, even when the supply speed V2 varies due to fluctuations in the attachment position P or the like, the storage length X can be accurately calculated, and the accumulator 3 can be appropriately controlled.

[0018] The pasting device 1 includes a control unit 6 that controls the accumulator 3. The control unit 6 is composed of, for example, a CPU equivalent to the calculation unit 5. The calculation unit 5 and the control unit 6 may be integrated into a single CPU or the like.

[0019] The control unit 6 controls the accumulator 3 so that the storage length X calculated by the calculation unit 5 is obtained. Even when the supply speed V2 varies due to fluctuations in the attachment position P or the like, it is possible to suppress the shortage of the rubber strip G stored in the accumulator 3. In addition, it is possible to suppress the excessive storage of the rubber strip G in the accumulator 3 and suppress the waste of the rubber strip G.

[0020] The applicator 2 includes a roller 21 for conveying the rubber strip G. The roller 21 is rotationally driven by a prime mover (not shown) or the like. The rotational speed of the roller 21 is controlled by the control unit 6. By the rotation of the roller 21, the rubber strip G is driven and conveyed to the attachment position P.

[0021] The measuring unit 4 includes a detection unit 41 for detecting the rotational speed of the roller 21. For example, a rotary encoder may be used for the detection unit 41. The detection unit 41 may detect the rotational speed of the roller 21 based on the rotational speed of the prime mover. The detection unit 41 detects the rotation angle of the roller 21 per unit time, i.e., the rotational speed, and calculates the supply speed V2 based on that rotational speed. More specifically, the supply speed V2 is calculated as the product of the radius of the roller 21 and the rotation angle.

[0022] The applicator 2 of this embodiment has an endless belt 22 for conveying the rubber strip G from the accumulator 3 to the application position P while holding it. The endless belt 22 is arranged to circulate around a forward path 22G, which moves together with the rubber strip G from the vicinity of the extruder 100 through the accumulator 3 to the application position P, and a return path 22R, which moves independently from the application position P through the accumulator 3 to the vicinity of the extruder 100. The endless belt 22 is tensioned by a plurality of rollers 23 so that no slack occurs in the forward path 22G and the return path 22R.

[0023] The endless belt 22 is made of a material with low elasticity. This suppresses the stretching and contraction of the rubber strip G.

[0024] It is preferable that the roller 21 drives the endless belt 22 on the return path 22R. This suppresses the rolling of the rubber strip G during transport.

[0025] The accumulator 3 has a forward section 31 and a return section 32. The forward section 31 has an upper roller 31U and a lower roller 31L. Similarly, the return section 32 also has an upper roller 32U and a lower roller 32L.

[0026] The control unit 6 increases the storage length X of the rubber strip G by increasing the distance between the upper roller 31U and the lower roller 31L of the forward path 31 and causing the endless belt 22 holding the rubber strip G to meander in a zigzag pattern. At the same time, the control unit 6 reduces the distance between the upper roller 32U and the lower roller 32L of the return path 32 to maintain the circumference of the endless belt 22.

[0027] On the other hand, when the rubber strip G is applied to the object 200 at a supply speed V2 faster than the extrusion speed V1, the control unit 6 reduces the distance between the upper roller 31U and the lower roller 31L of the forward path 31, thereby reducing the storage length of the rubber strip G. At this time, the control unit 6 increases the distance between the upper roller 32U and the lower roller 32L of the return path 32, maintaining the circumference of the endless belt 22. This prevents excessive tension from being generated in the endless belt 22, and prevents the endless belt 22 from breaking.

[0028] The calculation unit 5 calculates the storage length X of the rubber strip G by multiplying the difference V2-V1 by the time required to attach the rubber strip G. This allows for easy and accurate calculation of the storage length X.

[0029] Figure 3 shows how to attach a rubber strip G to an unvulcanized tire 201, which is an example of an object to be attached 200. The rubber strip G is attached, for example, to the outside of the sidewall portion 202 of the unvulcanized tire 201. The rubber strip G constitutes at least a part of the sidewall rubber of the unvulcanized tire 201. In the figure, the rubber strip G is attached to the buttress region of the unvulcanized tire 201. Such a rubber strip G makes it possible to locally increase the thickness of the sidewall rubber in the buttress region. Therefore, for example, it becomes possible to easily provide convex decorations in the buttress region, and the design freedom of the sidewall portion of the vulcanized tire is increased.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the rubber strip G is wound spirally along the outer circumferential surface of the sidewall portion 202 of the rotationally driven unvulcanized tire 201, shifting in the tire radial and tire axial directions. For this reason, the applicator 2 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction corresponding to the tire radial direction and the horizontal direction corresponding to the tire axial direction.

[0031] When the rubber strip G is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the sidewall portion 202, even if the rotational speed of the unvulcanized tire 201 during application is controlled to be constant, the circumference of the rubber strip G fluctuates as the application position P moves in the radial direction of the tire, causing the application speed of the rubber strip G, i.e., the supply speed V2, to fluctuate. For this reason, when calculating the storage length X of the rubber strip G using the rotational speed of the unvulcanized tire 201, it becomes difficult to operate the accumulator 3 at an appropriate storage length X.

[0032] In the adhesive application device 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 6 increases or decreases the rotational speed of the roller 21 and varies the supply speed V2 of the rubber strip G in accordance with the movement of the adhesive position P in the radial direction of the tire. The calculation unit 5 then calculates the storage length X of the rubber strip G using the supply speed V2 of the rubber strip G itself, which is based on the rotational speed of the roller 21, making it easy to operate the accumulator 3 with an appropriate storage length X.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the applicator 2. In this embodiment, a pair of applicators 2 are provided symmetrically with respect to the equator of the unvulcanized tire 201. This allows the rubber strip G to be attached simultaneously to the sidewall portions 202 on both sides of the equator of the unvulcanized tire 201, thereby improving the production efficiency of the unvulcanized tire 201.

[0034] It is preferable that the applicator 2 is configured to be rotatable around the direction of transport of the rubber strip G. This makes it possible to spirally wrap the rubber strip G along the outer surface of the sidewall portion 202 of the unvulcanized tire 201.

[0035] Figure 5 shows the applicator 2 rotated around the direction of transport of the rubber strip G. The applicator 2 in this figure is rotated 90° relative to the applicator 2 in Figure 4, making it possible to attach the rubber strip G to the sidewall portion 202 in the widest region of the unvulcanized tire 201. By further increasing the rotation angle of the applicator 2, it becomes possible to attach the rubber strip G to the sidewall portion 202 in the region near the bead.

[0036] Figure 6 shows one of the applicators 2 (the left side in Figure 4). The applicator 2 includes a plate member 24 for rotatably supporting rollers 21 and 23, a guide member 25 coupled to the plate member 24, and a support portion 26 for supporting the guide member 25.

[0037] The plate member 24 extends along the direction of transport of the rubber strip G. The plate member 24 cantilever-supports the rollers 21 and 23. The rollers 21 and 23 are arranged on one side of the plate member 24. A guide member 25 is arranged on the other side of the plate member 24. The plate member 24 is provided with a cutting section (not shown) for cutting the rubber strip G.

[0038] The guide member 25 has an inner end face 25a and an arc-shaped outer periphery 25b. The guide member 25 is connected to the plate member 24 at the inner end face 25a. The outer periphery 25b is supported by the support portion 26.

[0039] The support portion 26 is positioned below the guide member 25 and supports the outer circumference 25b while guiding the guide member 25 so that it can rotate around the direction of transport of the rubber strip G. In this way, the plate member 24, rollers 21 and 23, and guide member 25 are configured to rotate integrally.

[0040] The support portion 26 is provided with a prime mover 27 for rotationally driving the guide member 25. A pinion 27b is provided on the output shaft 27a of the prime mover 27. On the other hand, the guide member 25 has a gear 25c on its arc-shaped outer circumference 25b that meshes with the pinion 27b (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0041] A trochoidal cam gear is preferably used for gear 25c. The pinion 27b is provided with multiple rollers that mesh with gear 25c, for example. This eliminates backlash between the pinion 27b and gear 25c, allowing for precise control of the angles of the plate member 24, rollers 21 and 23, and guide member 25, and consequently, the angle θ of the rubber strip G with respect to the axial direction of the unvulcanized tire 201 (see Figure 3), thereby improving the molding accuracy of the unvulcanized tire 201.

[0042] The support portion 26 is configured to be movable in the axial direction of the unvulcanized tire 201. The support portion 26 is configured to move outward in the axial direction in synchronization with the rotation of the guide member 25, according to the profile of the unvulcanized tire 201. This prevents interference between the guide members 25 when they rotate.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the application device 1, which can apply the rubber strip G to the unvulcanized tire 201, constitutes part of the unvulcanized tire manufacturing device 10 (see Figure 1).

[0044] Figure 7 shows the procedure for the application method 300, in which an unvulcanized rubber strip G is supplied to and applied to the object 200 to be applied.

[0045] The application method 300 includes a first step S1 for obtaining the extrusion speed V1, a second step S2 for transporting the rubber strip G to the application position P, a third step S3 for measuring the supply speed V2, and a fourth step S4 for calculating the storage length X of the rubber strip G.

[0046] In the first step S1, the extrusion speed V1 of the rubber strip G extruded from the extruder 100 is obtained. The extrusion speed V1 is obtained, for example, by the calculation unit 5 based on the rotational speed of the roller 101.

[0047] In the second step S2, the applicator 2 transports the rubber strip G extruded from the extruder 100 to the application position P. At this time, the accumulator 3 temporarily stores the rubber strip G. This ensures that even if the extrusion speed V1 and the supply speed V2 do not match, the accumulator 3 absorbs the difference V2-V1.

[0048] In the third step S3, the supply speed V2 of the rubber strip G is measured as the rubber strip G is applied to the object 200. The supply speed V2 is measured by the measuring unit 4 based on the rotation speed of the roller 21.

[0049] In the fourth step S4, the storage length X of the rubber strip G stored in the second step S2 is calculated based on the difference V2-V1 between the extrusion speed V1 and the supply speed V2.

[0050] In the application method 300 of this embodiment, the supply speed V2 when the rubber strip G is applied to the object 200 is measured in the third step S3, and the storage length X is calculated in the fourth step S4 based on the difference V2-V1 between the extrusion speed V1 and the supply speed V2 of the rubber strip G. Therefore, even if the supply speed V2 fluctuates due to changes in the application position P, for example, the storage length X can be calculated accurately, and the accumulator 3 can be controlled appropriately.

[0051] The application method 300 preferably further includes a fifth step S5 of supplying and applying the rubber strip G.

[0052] In the fifth step S5, it is desirable to supply and attach the rubber strip G at a supply speed V3 that is greater than the extrusion speed V1. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the manufacturing efficiency of the unvulcanized tire, even when the waiting time for attaching the rubber strip G is long in the manufacturing method of the unvulcanized tire, in which the attachment of the rubber strip G in the fifth step S5 is intermittent.

[0053] Furthermore, when calculating the storage length X, it is desirable to supply and attach the rubber strip G in the second step S2 at a speed close to the extrusion speed V1 (i.e., a provisional speed smaller than the supply speed V3 in the fifth step S5). This prevents a shortage of rubber strip G stored in the second step S2 before the appropriate storage length X is calculated.

[0054] Although the adhesive application device 1 and adhesive application method 300 of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0055] [Note] The present invention includes the following embodiments.

[0056] [Invention 1] An adhesive device that supplies and applies an unvulcanized rubber strip extruded from an extruder to an object to be attached, An applicator for transporting the rubber strip to the application position, An accumulator that temporarily stores the rubber strip extruded from the extruder in front of the applicator, A measuring unit for measuring the supply speed when the rubber strip is attached to the object to be attached, The accumulator includes a calculation unit that calculates the storage length of the rubber strip stored in the accumulator based on the difference between the extrusion speed at which the rubber strip is extruded from the extruder and the supply speed. Adhesive device. [Invention 2] The adhesive device according to the present invention 1, including a control unit that controls the accumulator so that the storage length calculated by the calculation unit becomes the storage length. [Invention 3] The applicator includes rollers for conveying the rubber strip, The adhesive device according to invention 1 or 2, wherein the measuring unit includes a detection unit for detecting the rotational speed of the roller, and the supply speed is calculated based on the rotational speed. [4th Invention] The applicator has an endless belt for transporting the rubber strip from the accumulator to the application position while holding it in place. The roller drives the endless belt, as described in invention 3 of the adhesive device. [5th ​​Invention] The attachment device according to any one of inventions 1 to 4, wherein the calculation unit calculates the storage length of the rubber strip by multiplying the difference by the time required to attach the rubber strip. [Invention 6] The adhesive device according to any one of inventions 1 to 5, wherein the object to be adhered is an unvulcanized tire. [7th Invention] The adhesive device according to the present invention, wherein the rubber strip constitutes at least a portion of the sidewall rubber of the unvulcanized tire. [8th Invention] The applicator is configured to be rotatable around the direction of transport of the rubber strip, as described in invention 7. [Invention 9] The application device according to the present invention, comprising a trochoidal cam gear for rotationally driving the applicator, as described in the 8th of the present invention. [Invention 10] An apparatus for manufacturing unvulcanized tires, comprising an adhesive device according to any one of the inventions 6 to 9. [Invention 11] A method of applying an unvulcanized rubber strip, extruded from an extruder, to an object to be applied to, A first step is to obtain the extrusion speed at which the rubber strip is extruded from the extruder, A second step involves transporting the rubber strip extruded from the extruder to the application position while temporarily storing it, A third step involves measuring the supply speed when the rubber strip is attached to the object to be attached, The fourth step includes calculating the storage length of the rubber strip to be stored in the second step based on the difference between the extrusion rate and the supply rate. Instructions for application. [Invention 12] The bonding method according to the present invention 11, further comprising a fifth step of supplying and bonding the rubber strip at a speed greater than the extrusion speed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1: Adhesive device 2: Applicator 3: Accumulator 4: Measuring part 5: Calculation section 6: Control Unit 10: Unvulcanized tire manufacturing equipment 21: Roller 22: Endless belt 23: Roller 25b: Trochoid Cam Gear 41: Detection area 100: Extruder 101: Roller 200: Object to be affixed 201: Unvulcanized tires 300: Application Method G: Rubber strip P: Placement S1: Step 1 S2: Step 2 S3: Step 3 S4: Step 4 S5: Step 5 V1: Extrusion speed V2: Feeding speed

Claims

1. An adhesive device that supplies and applies an unvulcanized rubber strip extruded from an extruder to an object to be attached, An applicator for transporting the rubber strip to the application position, An accumulator that temporarily stores the rubber strip extruded from the extruder in front of the applicator, A measuring unit for measuring the supply speed when the rubber strip is attached to the object to be attached, The accumulator includes a calculation unit that calculates the storage length of the rubber strip stored in the accumulator based on the difference between the extrusion speed at which the rubber strip is extruded from the extruder and the supply speed. Adhesive device.

2. The adhesive device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the accumulator so that the storage length calculated by the calculation unit becomes the storage length.

3. The applicator includes rollers for conveying the rubber strip, The adhesive device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit includes a detection unit for detecting the rotational speed of the roller, and the supply speed is calculated based on the rotational speed.

4. The applicator has an endless belt for transporting the rubber strip from the accumulator to the application position while holding it in place. The adhesive device according to claim 3, wherein the roller drives the endless belt.

5. The attachment device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the storage length of the rubber strip by multiplying the difference by the time required to attach the rubber strip.

6. The adhesive device according to claim 1, wherein the object to be adhered is an unvulcanized tire.

7. The adhesive device according to claim 6, wherein the rubber strip constitutes at least a portion of the sidewall rubber of the unvulcanized tire.

8. The applicator is configured to be rotatable around the direction of transport of the rubber strip, as described in claim 7.

9. The applicator according to claim 8, further comprising a trochoidal cam gear for rotationally driving the applicator.

10. An apparatus for manufacturing unvulcanized tires, comprising the adhesive device described in any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. A method of applying an unvulcanized rubber strip, extruded from an extruder, to an object to be applied to, A first step is to obtain the extrusion speed at which the rubber strip is extruded from the extruder, A second step involves transporting the rubber strip extruded from the extruder to the application position while temporarily storing it, A third step involves measuring the supply speed when the rubber strip is attached to the object to be attached, The fourth step includes calculating the storage length of the rubber strip to be stored in the second step based on the difference between the extrusion speed and the supply speed, Instructions for application.

12. The method of application according to claim 11, further comprising a fifth step of supplying and applying the rubber strip at a speed greater than the extrusion speed.

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