JP2004034486A - Rubber tube retaining device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a rubber tube before vulcanization from becoming inflated one-sidedly by its own weight by retaining the rubber tube in a flat crosssectional shape when inflated. <P>SOLUTION: An unvulcanized rubber tube 50 is arranged between an inner peripheral ring 30 and an outer peripheral ring 36 and an inner pressure is applied to the rubber tube 50. Since the gap between the inner peripheral ring 30 and the outer peripheral ring 36 is narrowly set, the inflation of the rubber tube 50 is controlled by the inner peripheral ring 30 on the inner peripheral side and by the outer peripheral ring 36 on the outer peripheral side and thus the rubber tube 50 is retained in a flat shape. After applying the inner pressure to the rubber tube 50, it is retained by the rings 30 and 36 for a specified time by periodically rotating both rings 30 and 36 by 180°. It is possible to prevent the weight of the rings 30 and 36 from localizing its effect on the rubber tube 50 for a long time by periodically reversing the rings 30 and 36 by 180° and consequently the tube 50 from becoming inflated one-sidedly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rubber tube holding device, and more particularly to a rubber tube holding device that can hold a relatively thick rubber tube before vulcanization in a state of being expanded into a flat cross-sectional shape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The rubber tube for general tires is applied with an internal pressure before vulcanization, and the rubber material is applied to about 90% of the inner diameter cross-section of the vulcanization mold to prevent quality trouble during vulcanization.
[0003]
Further, since the radial cross-sectional shape of the rubber tube for a general tire is a perfect circle, the radial cross-sectional shape of the rubber tube forming surface of the vulcanization mold is also a perfect circle.
[0004]
Therefore, the inflated shape of the rubber tube for a general tire before vulcanization is a perfect circle. It should be noted that the rubber tube is attached to the inner peripheral side restriction ring, and the rubber tube tries to become a perfect circle by applying internal pressure.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when trying to make a rubber tube having a flat radial cross-sectional shape in accordance with the shape of the tire, the conventional technology could not hold the flat shape.
[0006]
Further, in the prior art, in the case of a rubber tube having a thick gauge, there is a problem that the own weight acts locally to cause partial swelling.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a rubber tube holding device capable of holding a rubber tube before vulcanization in a state of being expanded into a flat cross-sectional shape and preventing partial swelling by its own weight. is there.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The rubber tube holding device according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral ring that regulates an inner periphery of the annular rubber tube before vulcanization, and an outer periphery of the rubber tube are regulated, and between the inner peripheral ring. An outer ring capable of holding the rubber tube in a flat cross-section in the radial direction is provided, and rotation support means rotatably supporting the inner ring and the outer ring.
[0009]
Next, the operation of the rubber tube holding device according to the first aspect will be described.
[0010]
When the annular rubber tube before vulcanization is inserted between the inner ring and the outer ring to apply internal pressure, the rubber tube expands and the inner surface contacts the inner ring and the outer surface contacts the outer ring. As a result, the radial cross-sectional shape is maintained in a flat state.
[0011]
When the rubber gauge of the rubber tube is thick, there is a possibility that swelling may occur due to its own weight, but by rotating the inner ring and the outer ring, it is possible to prevent the self-weight from locally acting for a long time, Can be prevented.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the rubber tube holding device according to the first aspect, the inner peripheral ring includes a plurality of arc-shaped inner peripheral ring pieces, and the outer peripheral ring includes an arc-shaped plurality. Outer ring piece, at least one of the plurality of inner ring pieces, and at least one of the plurality of outer ring pieces are provided to be movable in the radial direction, It is characterized by:
[0013]
Next, the operation of the rubber tube holding device according to the second aspect will be described.
[0014]
In the rubber tube holding device according to the second aspect, at least one of the inner ring pieces and at least one of the plurality of outer ring pieces are provided so as to be movable in the radial direction. By moving at least one of the peripheral ring pieces radially inward and moving at least one of the plurality of peripheral ring pieces radially outward, attachment and detachment of the rubber tube becomes easy.
[0015]
In addition, it is preferable that all the outer ring pieces of the outer peripheral ring can be moved radially outward.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the rubber tube holding device according to the first or second aspect, a rotation drive unit provided on the rotation support unit and configured to rotate the inner ring and the outer ring, A control device for controlling the rotation driving means so that the expanded rubber tube does not partially expand.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the rubber tube holding device according to the third aspect will be described.
[0018]
In the rubber tube holding device according to the third aspect, the inner peripheral ring and the outer peripheral ring can be rotated by rotation driving means such as a motor.
[0019]
Further, the rotation of the rotation driving means is controlled by the control means so that the expanded rubber tube before vulcanization does not partially expand.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rubber tube holding device according to any one of the first to third aspects, an internal pressure applying unit that applies an internal pressure to the rubber tube and the outer peripheral ring are provided. A sensor for detecting that the rubber tube has expanded and contacted, and control means for controlling the internal pressure applying means based on a signal from the sensor.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the rubber tube holding device according to claim 4 will be described.
[0022]
In the rubber tube holding device according to the fourth aspect, the internal pressure is applied to the rubber tube by the internal pressure applying means.
[0023]
The rubber tube to which the internal pressure is applied expands and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral ring.
[0024]
The sensor detects that the rubber tube has come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.
[0025]
The control device can control the internal pressure applying means based on a signal from the sensor. For example, the internal pressure application (that is, gas supply) is stopped when a certain period of time has elapsed after the contact, and the rubber tube Can be expanded to a certain state.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rubber tube holding device 10 of the present embodiment includes a frame 14 that can be moved by casters 12.
[0028]
A support 14A is provided on the frame 14, and a bearing 16 is attached to an upper portion of the support 14A.
[0029]
On this bearing 16, a horizontally arranged shaft 18 is rotatably supported.
[0030]
A sprocket 20 is attached to the shaft 18.
[0031]
A rotary actuator 22 is attached to the support 14 </ b> A, and a sprocket 24 is attached to a shaft of the rotary actuator 22.
[0032]
A chain 26 is wound around the sprocket 20 and the sprocket 24 so that the rotational driving force of the rotary actuator 22 can be transmitted to the shaft 18.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary actuator 22 is connected to a control device 28 to control the rotation.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a steel inner peripheral ring 30 is provided at one end of the shaft 18.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner peripheral ring 30 includes four １ ／ arc-shaped inner peripheral support pieces 30A, B, C, and D, and the inner peripheral support pieces 30A facing each other. And the inner peripheral support piece 30C are connected to each other by a connecting plate 32.
[0036]
The shaft 18 penetrates and is fixed to the connecting plate 32.
[0037]
A pair of air cylinders 34 is attached to the shaft 18 with the axis interposed therebetween.
[0038]
An inner peripheral support piece 30B is attached to a rod 34A of one air cylinder 34, and the inner peripheral support piece 30B is movable in the radial direction.
[0039]
Similarly, an inner peripheral support piece 30D is attached to the rod 34A of the other air cylinder 34, and the inner peripheral support piece 30D is movable in the radial direction.
[0040]
A steel outer ring 36 is provided coaxially outside the inner ring 30 in the radial direction.
[0041]
The outer peripheral ring 36 is constituted by six outer peripheral support pieces 36A having a １ ／ arc shape.
[0042]
A support plate 38 is fixed to the shaft 18 on the side of the outer peripheral ring 36 in the direction of the arrow L.
[0043]
The support plate 38 is provided with a plurality of support members 40 extending in the direction of the arrow L corresponding to the respective outer peripheral support pieces 36A.
[0044]
A shaft 42 is attached to the tip of the support member 40, and the outer peripheral support piece 36A is supported by the shaft 42 and is swingable.
[0045]
A slide member 44 is disposed on the support plate 38 on the arrow L side.
[0046]
The shaft 18 passes through the slide member 44, and the slide member 44 is slidably supported by a plurality of rollers 46 only in the axial direction of the shaft 18.
[0047]
A pair of air cylinders 48 is attached to the support plate 38 in parallel with the shaft 18, and a rod 48 </ b> A of the air cylinder 48 is fixed to the slide member 44.
[0048]
Therefore, the slide member 44 is slidable by a certain dimension by the air cylinder 48.
[0049]
A link 51 extending outward in the radial direction of the shaft 18 is attached to the outer peripheral ring 36 side of the slide member 44.
[0050]
A shaft 52 is attached to the tip of the link 51.
[0051]
An elongated hole 56 is formed at an end of the outer peripheral support piece 36A, and the shaft 52 is slidably inserted into the elongated hole 56.
[0052]
Here, in a state where the rod 48A of the air cylinder 48 projects most, the outer peripheral support pieces 36A come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction as shown by a solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the rod 48A is retracted, each outer peripheral support piece 36A is inclined with respect to the shaft 18 as shown by the imaginary line in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. Becomes open.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 1, a sensor 53 for detecting that an unvulcanized rubber tube 50 described later is pressed against the inner peripheral surface is attached to the outer peripheral support piece 36A.
[0054]
A linear actuator 54 is attached to the slide member 44. A stopper pin 57 is attached to the linear actuator 54. The stopper pin 57 is provided with a hole (not shown) in the shaft 18 so that the slide member 44 does not move when the outer peripheral support pieces 36A are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction. (Not shown).
[0055]
The rubber tube holding device 10 of the present embodiment includes an air supply source 60 (see FIG. 5) for applying an internal pressure to the rubber tube 50.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 5, the air supply source 60 includes an air compressor 62, a regulator 64, a solenoid valve 66, and the like.
[0057]
The solenoid valve 66 is controlled by the control device 28 to open and close.
[0058]
In the rubber tube holding device 10 of the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the inner ring 30 is about 590 mm, and the inner diameter of the outer ring 36 is about 750 mm.
[0059]
Note that the control device 28 includes a microcomputer, a storage device, and the like.
(Action)
Next, a method of using the rubber tube holding device 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
(1) The air cylinder 48 is operated to open the outer peripheral support pieces 36A, and the air cylinder 34 is operated to move the inner peripheral support pieces 30B and D radially inward.
(2) The unvulcanized rubber tube 50 is arranged on the outer circumference of the inner ring 30.
[0060]
The rubber tube 50 of the present embodiment has a rubber gauge of 6 mm.
(3) The air cylinder 48 is actuated to close the outer peripheral support pieces 36A to form a cylinder, and the air cylinder 34 is actuated to move the inner peripheral support pieces 30B and D radially outward to move the inner peripheral ring 30A. Is cylindrical.
(4) The linear actuator 54 is operated to insert the stopper pin 57 into the hole of the shaft 18 to fix the slide member 44.
[0061]
Internal pressure is applied to the rubber tube 50 via a valve (not shown).
[0062]
When the sensor 53 detects that the rubber tube 50 has come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 36, the controller 28 stops the air supply after a certain time (prestored) has elapsed, and The tube 50 is expanded to a certain state.
[0063]
Since the interval between the inner peripheral ring 30 and the outer peripheral ring 36 is set to be small, the expansion of the rubber tube 50 is restricted by the inner peripheral ring 30 on the inner peripheral side and is restricted by the outer peripheral ring 36 on the outer peripheral side, and is held in a flat shape. You.
[0064]
Further, since the slide member 44 is fixed by the stopper pin 57, the outer peripheral support pieces 36A do not move even if the rubber tube 50 expands.
(5) After applying the internal pressure to the rubber tube 50, the inner peripheral ring 30 and the outer peripheral ring 36 are periodically rotated by 180 degrees to hold the rubber tube 50 for a predetermined time.
[0065]
By periodically inverting the inner peripheral ring 30 and the outer peripheral ring 36 by 180 degrees in this manner, it is possible to prevent the self-weight from locally acting for a long time, and to prevent the rubber tube 50 from bulging partially.
[0066]
In the present embodiment, the rubber tube 50 is periodically inverted by 180 degrees. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rubber tube 50 may be rotated by 180 degrees in one direction, continuously or intermittently at a constant angle. May be rotated.
[0067]
Further, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral ring 36 is divided into six parts, but the number of divisions may be any number such as two parts.
[0068]
Further, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral ring 36 is made of steel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least the expansion of the rubber tube 50 can be restricted. Is also good.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since the rubber tube holding device according to claim 1 has the above-described configuration, the rubber tube can be held in a flat cross-sectional shape, and can be prevented from bulging by its own weight. Has the effect.
[0070]
Since the rubber tube holding device according to the second aspect has the above-described configuration, the rubber tube can be easily attached and detached.
[0071]
Since the rubber tube holding device according to the third aspect has the above-described configuration, it has an excellent effect that the held rubber tube can be automatically rotated.
[0072]
Since the rubber tube holding device according to claim 4 has the above-described configuration, it has an excellent effect that the application of the internal pressure can be automatically stopped.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a rubber tube holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a rubber tube holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a rubber tube holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view near the inner peripheral ring.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electric system.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Rubber tube holding device 16 Bearing (rotation support means)
18 Shaft (rotation support means)
20 sprockets (rotation drive means)
24 sprockets (rotation drive means)
26 chain (rotation drive means)
28 Controller 30 Inner ring 30A Inner ring 30B Inner ring 30C Inner ring 30D Inner ring 36 Outer ring 36A Outer ring 50 Rubber tube 53 Sensor 62 Compressor (internal pressure applying means)

Claims (4)

An inner ring that regulates the inner circumference of the annular rubber tube before vulcanization,
An outer ring that regulates the outer periphery of the rubber tube and that can hold a radial cross-sectional shape of the rubber tube in a flat shape between the inner ring and the inner ring.
Rotation support means for rotatably supporting the inner peripheral ring and the outer peripheral ring,
A rubber tube holding device, comprising: The inner peripheral ring is composed of a plurality of arc-shaped inner peripheral ring pieces,
The outer peripheral ring is configured by a plurality of arc-shaped outer peripheral ring pieces,
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of inner peripheral ring pieces and at least one of the plurality of outer peripheral ring pieces are provided so as to be movable in a radial direction. 3. Rubber tube holding device. A rotation drive unit provided on the rotation support unit, for rotating the inner ring and the outer ring,
A control device that controls the rotation driving means so that the expanded rubber tube does not partially expand,
The rubber tube holding device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: Internal pressure applying means for applying an internal pressure to the rubber tube,
A sensor that is provided on the outer peripheral ring and detects that the rubber tube has expanded and contacted;
Control means for controlling the internal pressure applying means based on a signal from the sensor,
The rubber tube holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

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