CN111094929B

CN111094929B - Tire inspection device

Info

Publication number: CN111094929B
Application number: CN201780094854.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊东孝明; 宫崎晋一; 北本雅人
Original assignee: Yamato Scale Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yamato Scale Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2021-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-15
Also published as: WO2019053893A1; CN111094929A; JP6804174B2; JPWO2019053893A1

Abstract

The tire inspection device inspects a tire (6) by rotating the tire (6) together with an upper rim (2) and a lower rim (4) while supplying air into the tire (6) sandwiched between the upper rim (2) and the lower rim (4). An air swirl supply part (28, 30, 34) for supplying air into a tire (6) sandwiched by an upper rim (2) and a lower rim (4) while swirling the air is provided.

Description

Tire inspection device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tire inspection apparatus, and more particularly, to a countermeasure against dust, for example, rubber debris, which may be present in a tire when air is supplied to the tire for inspection.

Background

Conventionally, as a tire inspection device, for example, a device disclosed in patent document 1 is known. According to the technique of patent document 1, after a tire is sandwiched between an upper rim and a lower rim, air is supplied into the tire, and the tire is inflated and then inspected. The air is supplied to the tire by providing a plurality of injection ports penetrating the communication pipe in the radial direction at predetermined angles in a portion between the upper rim and the lower rim of the communication pipe penetrating the upper rim and the lower rim and supplied with air from the inside, and injecting air into the tire from the injection ports. The communication pipe is formed in a shaft inserted through the upper rim, and the shaft is fitted to the upper rim.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-83549

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Further, a chuck mechanism for locking the vertical movement of the upper rim and fixing the vertical spacing from the lower rim is provided below the lower rim. The change in the fixed state of the upper rim and the lower rim by the chuck mechanism affects the measurement accuracy of the load sensor provided in the tire checking device.

Therefore, for example, in order to prevent the contact portion between the shaft and the chuck mechanism from being worn, a material having high hardness is used for the shaft, and the shaft is subjected to surface treatment for preventing the wear. Further, the lubricant is applied to the shaft contact portion so as not to cause wear or seizure.

However, when air is supplied to the tire, rubber debris in the tire is rolled up, and for example, if the rubber debris enters a contact portion with the shaft of the chuck mechanism, the contact portion may be worn or the upper rim may be fixed in a state where the rubber debris is sandwiched between the contact portion. As a result, the fixed state of the upper rim changes, and the measurement accuracy may be affected. As a cause of intrusion of rubber chips into the chuck mechanism, for example, it is generally considered that rubber chips intrude into the chuck mechanism through a gap between the lower rim and the shaft.

Further, although patent document 1 mentioned above is an example of a chuck mechanism in which a shaft fitted to an upper rim is inserted below a lower rim, there is also an example of a chuck mechanism in which a shaft attached to a lower rim is inserted above an upper rim, and the same is true in this case.

The invention aims to provide a tire inspection device which prevents rubber scraps from entering a chuck mechanism when air is supplied to a tire.

Means for solving the problems

In a tire inspection apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the tire is inspected by rotating the tire together with an upper rim and a lower rim in a state where air is supplied into the tire sandwiched between the upper rim and the lower rim. When air is supplied into the tire, the air whirling supply portion whirls the air in the tire sandwiched by the upper rim and the lower rim. The swirling flow of air gradually forms a vortex of air.

In the tire checking device configured as described above, when air is supplied into the tire, since a vortex of air is generated in the tire, the vortex of air becomes a wall, and the rubber debris accumulated in the tire is prevented from being curled up to a position above the vortex of air, and the accumulated state is maintained. On the other hand, even in the case where it is assumed that the rubber chips are caught up in the vortex flow of the air, the rubber chips are rotated only by the swirling flow of the air. As a result, it is possible to appropriately prevent the entry of rubber chips in the tire into the chuck mechanism due to inflation.

In the tire checking device according to the above aspect, the air swirl supply unit includes an ejection unit that ejects air substantially along a tangential direction of an imaginary curve that is virtually drawn in the tire.

In the tire checking device configured as described above, the air is jetted in a tangential direction of the virtual curve in the tire, thereby generating a vortex of air in the tire.

The plurality of ejection portions are arranged at intervals along the virtual curve. With this configuration, the vortex of air can be generated more reliably.

The injection part may be provided on the upper rim, the lower rim, or between the upper rim and the lower rim.

Specifically, the air swirl supply portion may be formed to penetrate at least one of the upper rim and the lower rim, for example, and may have an air passage, and the virtual curve may be drawn substantially virtually around the air passage.

Alternatively, a shaft serving as the air passage may be inserted between the upper rim and the lower rim, a branch air passage may be provided between the upper rim and the lower rim and formed to penetrate the shaft, and the virtual curve may be drawn substantially virtually around the branch air passage.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partially omitted vertical cross-sectional front view of a tire checking device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partially omitted plan view of the tire checking device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional front view of the tire checking device of fig. 1 and a plan view of the jetting unit.

Fig. 4 is a partially omitted vertical cross-sectional front view of the tire checking device according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 5 is a partially omitted vertical cross-sectional front view of the tire checking device according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ejection part used in embodiment 4.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 3 show a tire inspection apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the tire inspection apparatus 1, air is supplied into the tire 6 in a state where the tire 6 is sandwiched between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 shown in fig. 1, and the tire 6 is inflated. In this inflated state, the tire 6 is rotated at a predetermined speed, and the dynamic balance of the tire 6 is checked.

The lower rim 4 is attached to the support rotating device 5, the upper rim 2 is attached to a lifting device shown by a broken line, and the lifting device lowers the upper rim 2 to hold the tire 6 in a state where the tire 6 is attached to the lower rim 4.

A through hole 8 is formed in the center of the upper rim 2, an upper rim shaft 10 is inserted into the through hole 8, and a flange 12 at the head thereof is brought into contact with a flat concave surface (bottom surface of a concave portion) 14 in the upper portion of the upper rim 2 and is coupled to the concave surface 14 by bolts (not shown). An air supply passage 16 is formed in the upper rim shaft 10 along the longitudinal direction thereof.

The upper rim shaft 10 passes through a through hole 18 formed in the center of the lower rim 4, and enters the support and rotation device 5 attached to the lower portion of the lower rim 4. When the upper rim 2 is lowered by the lifting device, the upper rim shaft 10 is coupled to an air supply source (not shown) located inside the support rotation device 5, the upper rim 2, the lower rim 4, and the tire 6 are integrated, and the rotation provided to the lower rim 4 by the support rotation device 5 is transmitted to the tire 6, the upper rim shaft 10, and the upper rim 2, the lower rim 4, and the tire 6, so that the upper rim 2, the lower rim 4, and the tire 6 are configured to rotate integrally. A chuck mechanism for fixing the vertical positional relationship between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 is provided in the tire checking device 1.

That is, as a part of the chucking mechanism, a plurality of grooves 500 are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the upper rim shaft 10, and as the other part of the chucking mechanism, four claw blocks 502 are located at predetermined positions around the grooves 500 at intervals of 90 degrees.

Each claw block 502 is attached to a case 504 supporting the rotating device 5, and the case 504 is attached to the lower rim 4. A claw 506 capable of entering the groove 500 is formed at the end of the claw block 502 on the upper rim shaft 10 side. Each claw block 502 is attached to the housing 504 so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the upper rim shaft 10. An end of each claw block 502 opposite to the upper rim shaft 10 protrudes outward from the case 504.

Guide pins 508 are mounted on the protruding portion, and these guide pins 508 are inserted through guide grooves 512 of guide blocks 510 disposed outside the housing 504. The guide groove 512 extends linearly from the upper portion to a halfway portion toward the lower portion, extends obliquely downward from the halfway portion toward the outer portion, and then extends linearly to the lower portion. The guide block 510 is moved up and down by a drive mechanism of the guide block 510, not shown, and the guide pin 508 is guided by the guide groove 512, whereby the pawl block 502 moves forward and backward and the pawl 506 moves forward and backward with respect to the groove 500.

In fig. 1, the claw 506 of the claw block 502 shown on the right side thereof is shown in a state of entering the groove 500, and the claw 506 of the claw block 502 shown on the left side thereof is shown in a state of retreating from the groove 500. In a state where the claws 506 enter one groove 500, the vertical positional relationship between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 is fixed. In a state where the claws 506 are retreated from the grooves 500, the fixation of the vertical positional relationship between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 is released.

Since the change in the fixed state of the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 affects the measurement accuracy, the upper rim shaft 10 is made of a material having high hardness so as not to be worn at the contact portion between the upper rim shaft 10 and the case 504, and the upper rim shaft 10 is subjected to surface treatment for preventing the wear. Further, a lubricant is applied to a contact portion of the upper rim shaft 10 and the housing 504 so as not to be worn or burned.

Further, a slight gap exists between the lower rim 4 and the upper rim shaft 10, and between the outer shell 504 and the upper rim shaft 10. When rubber debris enters the gap, as described above, the fixed state of the upper rim 2 changes, and measurement accuracy may be affected.

A flange 22 formed at the lower end of the support shaft 20 is coupled to the flange 12 of the upper rim shaft 10 by bolts, not shown, and the support shaft 20 is disposed concentrically with the upper rim shaft 10. The support shaft 20 is coupled to a lifting device, and the upper rim 2 is lifted and lowered together with the upper rim shaft 10 by lifting and lowering the support shaft 20.

An annular body 24 is disposed around the flange 12 of the upper rim shaft 10 and fixed to the concave surface 14 of the upper rim 2 by bolts (not shown). The annular body 24 has an annular inner bore 26 in the center. The annular inner hole 26 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the flange 12 of the upper rim shaft 12 to position the annular body 24. The annular body 24 has a substantially flange-like shape, and the recess thereof forms a 1 st air passage 28 with the concave surface 14.

An air communication passage 30 is formed in the flange 12 so that the 1 st air passage 28 communicates with the air supply passage 16 of the upper rim shaft 10. The air communication passage 30 is formed along the radial direction of the flange 12. The air communication passage 30 is provided in plural, for example, 6 as shown in fig. 2. The plurality of air connection passages 30 are arranged around the center of the flange 12, and are arranged at predetermined angular intervals, for example, 60 degrees.

An annular groove 32 is formed in the lower surface of the upper rim 2. The groove 32 has a width from a position corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the annular body 24 to a position slightly closer to the upper rim shaft 10 side, and the lower rim 4 side opens. A virtual curve (here, a virtual circle) is drawn by the grooves 32, and a plurality of, specifically, 6 ejection portions 34 are provided in each groove 32 at a predetermined angle, for example, 60 degrees. The imaginary circle is located outward of the outer peripheral surface of the upper rim shaft 10.

Here, the virtual curve is a curve virtually drawn in the tire 6, and in the present embodiment, a virtual circle having a center (for example, the central axis of the upper rim shaft 10) and drawn on one of the upper rim 2 side, the lower rim 4 side, and the space between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 is used as such a curve. As such a curve, not only a circular shape, but also a closed curve such as an oval shape or a cross-sectional shape of almond may be considered, and an open curve (circular arc or the like) may be drawn without drawing the closed curve within a range in which the operational effects of the present invention can be exerted. In addition, a closed curve having no center may be drawn within a range in which the effects of the present invention can be exhibited.

Therefore, although the same is applied to embodiments 2 to 4 described later, the ejection portions 34 are not arranged on the imaginary circle 38 at even equal intervals, and one or a plurality of ejection portions 34 may be arranged on the above-described open curve or closed curve such as an imaginary arc or ellipse, within a range in which the operational effect of the present invention can be exhibited.

These ejection portions 34 communicate with the 1 st air passage 28, respectively, and eject air supplied from the 1 st air passage 28 into the tire 6 to inflate the tire 6. Here, the air pressure and the air amount of the injection unit 34 are set in advance so that a swirling flow is generated in the tire 6 and a swirl of the air is gradually formed. The air vortex is generally considered to be a tornado-like (hurricane-like) vortex as if at least the air flow is wound upward from an imaginary circle.

As shown enlarged in fig. 3(a), in each jet part 34, a communication hole (2 nd air passage) 36 is formed in parallel with the upper rim shaft 10 so that the 1 st air passage 28 communicates with the groove 32. The 1 st air passage 28 and the communication hole 36 form an "air passage" according to the present invention.

Each communication hole 36 is located on an imaginary circle 38 drawn with the center axis of the rim shaft 10 as the center in a plan view. A pipe 40 as a component of the injection portion 34 is inserted through each of the communication holes 36. The communicating holes 36 and the tubes 40 are held in close contact by sealing or the like so that air does not flow between the communicating holes 36 and the tubes 40. One end of the pipe 40 is positioned on the communication hole 36 side, and the other end is positioned in the annular groove 32. The end of the pipe 40 on the communication hole 36 side is open and the end on the groove 32 side is closed, but a discharge hole 42 is formed in the peripheral wall on the groove 32 side. As indicated by arrows in fig. 2, the spouting holes 42 are oriented in the same direction along the tangential direction at different positions of the imaginary circle 38. Each pipe 40 is attached to a fan-shaped flange 46 shown in fig. 3(b) by various possible methods such as welding, and the flange 46 is fixed to the bottom 33 of the groove 32 by a bolt 49 inserted through an elongated hole 48 formed in the flange 46. The air is ejected from these ejection holes 42 at the same speed and at the same flow rate. These air communication passage 30, the 1 st air passage 28, the communication hole 36, and the injection portion 34 constitute an air swirl supply portion.

In the tire checking device 1, when the tire is sandwiched between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 and air is supplied from the air supply source in the support and rotation device 5 to the air supply passage 16, the air is ejected from the ejection hole 42 of the ejection part 34 through each of the air communication passage 30, the 1 st air passage 28, and the communication hole 36, and the tire 6 is inflated. At this time, since the discharge holes 42 are oriented in the same direction along the tangential direction of the imaginary circle 38 shown in fig. 2, a swirling flow that revolves around the upper rim shaft 10 is formed in the tire 6. The swirling flow gradually becomes a vortex of air.

It is considered that the air vortex becomes a wall to prevent the rubber crumb accumulated in the tire from being curled up to a position above the air vortex, and the accumulated state is maintained. On the other hand, even in the case where it is assumed that the rubber chips are caught up in the vortex flow of the air, the rubber chips are rotated only by the swirling flow of the air. As a result, it is possible to appropriately prevent the entry of rubber chips in the tire into the chuck mechanism due to inflation.

Fig. 4 shows a tire inspection apparatus 1a according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. In embodiment 1, the ejection portion 34 is provided on the upper rim 4, and the annular body 24 is provided around the flange 12 of the upper rim shaft 10, but these are removed in the tire inspection device 1a of embodiment 2. A groove 32a similar to the annular groove 32 formed in the upper rim 2 of the tire checking device 1 according to embodiment 1 is formed on the upper surface side of the lower rim 4. In the tire checking device 1a according to embodiment 2, the annular groove 32a is open to the upper rim 2 side. In the groove 32a, an ejection portion 34a having the same configuration as the ejection portion 34 of embodiment 1 is provided in a state of being turned upside down from the ejection portion 34.

In the tire checking device 1a according to embodiment 2, the jetting portions 34a are located on a virtual circle, and the jetting holes are provided in the same direction along the tangential direction of the virtual circle, as in the tire checking device 1 according to embodiment 1.

However, in the tire checking device 1a of embodiment 2, a virtual circle is drawn on the lower rim 4 side, and the ejection portions 34a are provided on the virtual circle. In embodiment 2, as an air passage that does not affect the vertical movement of the upper rim 2, for example, the pipe 50 is provided linearly toward the ejection portion 32a through the lower rim 4 at a position outside the outer peripheral surface of the upper rim shaft 10. The pipe 50 extends outside the casing 504 and is connected to an air supply source (not shown).

In embodiment 2, air is ejected from the ejection portions 34a in tangential directions at different positions on an imaginary circle, which is not an upper portion but a lower portion of the upper rim shaft 10, for example, which is formed substantially in an imaginary shape around the pipe 50 for air supply. In embodiment 2, it is needless to say that each of the ejection portions 34a may be arranged on a virtual arc.

The other configurations are the same as those of the tire checking device according to embodiment 1, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the tire checking device 1a configured as described above, when the tire is sandwiched between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 and air is supplied from the air supply source in the support rotation device to the air supply passage 16, the air is supplied to the ejection portion 34a via the pipe 50 and ejected, thereby inflating the tire 6. At this time, since the discharge holes are oriented in the same direction along the tangential direction of the imaginary circle, a swirling flow of air is formed in the tire 6. The swirling flow gradually becomes a vortex of air.

It is considered that the air vortex becomes a wall to prevent the rubber debris existing in the tire from being curled up to a position above the air vortex, and the rubber debris staying in the tire is maintained in a staying state. On the other hand, even in the case where it is assumed that the rubber chips are caught up in the vortex flow of the air, the rubber chips are rotated only by the swirling flow of the air. As a result, it is possible to appropriately prevent the entry of rubber chips in the tire into the chuck mechanism due to inflation.

In embodiment 2, since the pipe 50 as an air supply passage is provided so as to pass through the lower rim 4 from an air supply source (not shown) at a position outward of the outer peripheral surface of the upper rim shaft 10 and to be linear toward the ejection portion 32a, the pipe 50 does not catch on the lower rim 4 and the adjustment of the vertical position of the upper rim 2 is not hindered, unlike the case where a pipe is provided which passes through the upper rim shaft 12 and serves as an air flow passage which passes through the inside of the tire 6 and communicates with the air supply passage 18 of the upper rim shaft 10, when the vertical position of the upper rim 2 is adjusted by adjusting the chuck mechanism.

Fig. 5 shows a tire checking device 1b according to embodiment 3. In

embodiments

1 and 2, the

ejection portions

34 and 34a are provided on the upper rim 2 or the lower rim 4, but in the tire inspection device 1b of embodiment 3, the ejection portion 34b is provided on the portion of the upper rim shaft 10 located between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4. In this embodiment, an imaginary circle is drawn between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4, and the ejection portion 34b is located on the imaginary circle. In embodiment 3, a virtual open curve or closed curve may be drawn as in

embodiment

1, and 1 or more ejection portions 34b may be provided on the open curve or closed curve.

In embodiment 3, the plurality of ejection portions 34b are located at different positions on a virtual circle drawn with the central axis of the rim shaft 10 as the center, and the ejection holes 42a are provided in the same direction along tangential directions at different positions on the virtual circle. These injection portions 34b are formed by bending the tip end portions of tubes 54 that penetrate the air supply passage 16 in the upper rim shaft 10 and protrude toward the tire 6 side toward the lower rim 4 side, and forming injection holes 42a in the same manner as the injection holes 42 of embodiment 1. The other configurations are the same as those of the tire checking device 1 according to embodiment 1, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the tire checking device 1b configured as described above, when the tire is sandwiched between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4 and air is supplied from the air supply source in the support rotation device to the air supply passage 16, the air is also supplied to the respective ejection portions 34b via the tubes 54 and ejected, thereby inflating the tire 6. At this time, since the discharge holes 42a are oriented in the same direction along the tangential direction at different positions of the virtual circle, a swirling flow of air is formed in the tire 6. It is considered that the swirling flow gradually becomes a whirlwind-like air vortex.

Fig. 6 shows a jetting unit 34c of the tire checking device according to embodiment 4. The ejection portion 34c has ejection holes 42b formed in the side walls near the ends of the rectangular pipe, and inclined walls 56 are provided in the pipe so as to face the ejection holes 42 b. The other structure is the same as any of embodiments 1 to 3.

By providing the inclined wall 56 in this manner, air can be injected satisfactorily in the tangential direction of the imaginary circle. It is needless to say that a circular pipe may be used and an inclined wall may be provided inside the pipe.

In embodiments 1 to 3, the discharge holes 42, 42a, and 42b are arranged so as to be directed in the tangential direction of the virtual circle, but may be arranged so as to be offset from the tangential direction. For example, the discharge holes 42, 42a, and 42b may be arranged offset toward the rim shaft 10 or the tire 6 with respect to the tangential direction, or may be arranged offset toward the rim shaft 10 or the tire 6 by about 30 degrees, for example.

In embodiments 1 to 3, the number of the

ejection portions

34, 34a, and 34b is set to 6, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and only one ejection portion may be provided at minimum. Further, in embodiments 1 to 3, the

ejection portions

34, 34a, and 34b are provided along respective tangential directions of one imaginary circle, but a plurality of imaginary curves (imaginary open curves, closed curves, and the like) may be provided concentrically, and at least one of the imaginary curves may be provided in the tangential direction of the imaginary curves.

In embodiment 1, the air passage is formed in the annular body 24, but it may be eliminated, and the air communication passage 30 may be coupled to the tube 40 of the ejection portion 34 by a tube, for example. Similarly, in embodiment 2, the air supply source (not shown) is connected to the ejection portion 34a by the pipe 50, but the air supply passage 16 may be connected to the ejection portion 34a by forming an air connection passage and an air passage (the 1 st air passage 28 and the communication hole 36) having the same configuration as the air communication passage 30 in the lower rim 4 as in embodiment 1.

In this way, when embodiment 2 is the same air supply path as embodiment 1, unlike the case where a tube that passes through the shaft and serves as an air flow path that passes through the tire 6 is provided, when the chuck mechanism is adjusted to adjust the vertical position of the upper rim, the upper rim does not get caught on the lower rim, and the adjustment of the vertical position is not hindered.

In embodiments 1 to 3, the virtual circle 38 is drawn with the central axis of the upper rim shaft 10 as the center, but may be a virtual circle centered on a position horizontally offset from the central axis of the upper rim shaft 10 as long as the virtual circle is within a range in which a swirling flow can be generated and a swirling flow of air is formed in the tire.

The structure of the air flow path in the present invention is not limited to the examples of embodiments 1 to 3. Any configuration may be employed as long as air can be supplied from the outside of tire 6 to ejection portions 34a to 34c in tire 6. For example, in embodiments 1 to 3, the air flow path is open in the facing region between the upper rim 2 and the lower rim 4, but is not particularly limited thereto. This also depends on the place where the ejection portions 34a to 34c are provided, but in general, a special case is considered in which these ejection portions are provided outside the outer peripheral surface of the upper rim 2 or the lower rim 4. In this case, since the air flow path is required to be opened in the direction of the ejection portions 34a to 34c, it is not particularly necessary to open the opposing region.

The structure of the air flow path is not limited to the structure exemplified in embodiments 1 to 3, and for example, one or more of the air paths having a plurality of branch flow paths may be passed from the outside of the tire 6 through the upper rim 2 or the lower rim 4 from the front end of the main air flow path, and the branch flow paths may be opened in the direction of the ejection portions 34a to 34 c. In short, the swirling flow can be formed by the injection portions 34a to 34 c.

Alternatively, instead of being formed so that the air flow path is branched from the air supply path 18 of the upper rim shaft 12 as in embodiment 3 (see fig. 5), a member dedicated for air supply having no function of the upper rim shaft 12 may be provided so as not to penetrate the upper rim 2 or the lower rim 4, and may be opened in the direction of the ejection portions 34a to 34 c.

The diameter of the virtual circle 38 is also drawn to be substantially the same as or smaller than the diameter of the upper rim 2 or the lower rim 4 in the embodiments 1 to 3, but may be larger than the diameter of the upper rim 2 or the lower rim 4 within a range not affecting the operational effect of the present invention.

In embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention, since the air swirls are like a cyclone that winds up air above the imaginary circle, particularly rubber debris (for example, accumulated debris at the bottom of a tire) present at a position lower than the imaginary circle is prevented from being wound up in the tire 6 by the air swirls, and therefore measures against rubber debris at a position lower than the imaginary circle are particularly advantageous.

Claims

1. A tire inspection device for performing an inspection by rotating a tire,

the tire inspection device includes: an upper rim and a lower rim arranged at intervals; an air whirling supply unit configured to supply air into the tire held between the upper rim and the lower rim while whirling; and a shaft interposed between the upper rim and the lower rim,

the upper rim or the lower rim has a groove formed along an imaginary curve of a circumference of the shaft, the groove being open to a space side between the upper rim and the lower rim,

the air swirl supply portion has an injection portion that injects the air substantially along a tangential direction of the imaginary curve in the groove.

2. The tire inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

the lower rim has a hole therein and is provided with a hole therein,

the upper rim having the shaft inserted into the hole with a clearance between the hole and the shaft,

the hole is a through hole penetrating the lower rim,

the lower rim is mounted to a supporting rotating means,

the shaft enters the support rotation device through the through hole,

a chuck mechanism that fixes the positional relationship of the lower rim and the upper rim is provided between the shaft and the support rotation device.

3. The tire inspection apparatus according to claim 2,

the lower rim is mounted to a housing provided in the support rotating device,

the housing has a hole connected to the through hole, the shaft being inserted into the hole,

the chuck mechanism is disposed between the housing and the shaft.

4. The tire inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

the ejection portion has a tube connected to an air passage provided in the upper rim or the lower rim on which the ejection portion is provided, and the tube has an opening in a circumferential wall thereof substantially along the tangential direction.