JP2010158920A - Tubular body, method for manufacturing tubular body, and tire - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the occurrence of crease on a tubular body. <P>SOLUTION: The tubular body 21 is formed of thermoplastic material in an endless state in the circumferential direction of a tire and has an outer periphery 21a attached with a tread 22. A flat section 23 is formed to continuously extend in the circumferential direction of the tire. Plural split tube bodies 30, formed in endless states in the circumferential direction of the tire, are juxtaposed about a tube axis C extending in the circumferential direction of the tire. Under such states, side ends 31, placed adjacent to each other, are joined and formed. The side ends, placed adjacent to each other, are located at the flat section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube body, a method for manufacturing the tube body, and a tire.

  Conventionally, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a tire having a tube body formed endlessly along a tire circumferential direction is known. From the viewpoint of weight reduction and recycling, as a method for efficiently producing this type of tube body using a thermoplastic material, for example, a known method such as vacuum forming, an endless tube divided body along the tire circumferential direction is used. A method is considered in which a plurality of these are formed, then arranged around the tube axis extending along the tire circumferential direction, and the side end portions adjacent to each other are joined together.

International Publication No. 2004/037565 Pamphlet

  However, in this case, since the side end portions of the tube divided bodies have a curvature that follows a circular shape centered on the tube axis, the tube divided bodies adjacent to each other around the tube axis are connected to each side end portion. May be deformed so that the side end portions undulate in a direction approaching or separating from the tube shaft, and wrinkles may occur in the tube body. there were.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the situation mentioned above, Comprising: The objective is the tube body which can suppress generation | occurrence | production of wrinkles, the manufacturing method which manufactures this tube body, and a tire provided with this tube body. Is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The tube body according to the present invention is a tube body that is formed endlessly along the tire circumferential direction with a thermoplastic material and has a tread attached to the outer peripheral portion, and is a flat portion that extends continuously along the tire circumferential direction. In the state where a plurality of endless tube segments along the tire circumferential direction are arranged around the tube axis extending along the tire circumferential direction, the side end portions adjacent to each other are joined to each other, In the flat portion, the side end portions adjacent to each other are located.

  Moreover, the manufacturing method of the tube body which concerns on this invention is a manufacturing method which manufactures the said tube body which concerns on the said this invention, Comprising: When joining the side edge parts located in the said flat part, an outer surface side and an inner surface side And is pressurized.

  The tire according to the present invention includes the tube body according to the present invention and a tread attached to an outer peripheral portion of the tube body.

According to the present invention, since the side end portions adjacent to each other are positioned on the flat portion, when manufacturing the tube body, the side end portions are joined to join the side end portions adjacent to each other. Can be prevented from wavy in the direction in which these side end portions approach or separate from the tube shaft when the pressure is applied between the outer surface side and the inner surface side. Therefore, it is possible to apply pressure while the outer surfaces and the inner surfaces are flush with each other, and it is possible to suppress wrinkles from being generated in the tube body.
In addition, since the tube body is shape | molded using the tube division body, it can shape | mold easily and at low cost compared with the case where this tube body is shape | molded integrally, for example. Examples of the thermoplastic material include thermoplastic resins such as urethane resin, olefin resin, vinyl chloride resin, and polyamide resin, and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Of these, when a thermoplastic elastomer is used, it is easier to mold than, for example, conventional vulcanized rubber tires, and it also improves riding comfort (elasticity) when compared to, for example, a thermoplastic resin. Can be made.

  Further, in the tube body according to the present invention, the side end portions positioned in the flat portion are welded with a welding member that covers each side end edge that is abutted with each other from the outer surface side over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction. May be joined.

In this case, since the side edge parts located in a flat part are joined by the said welding member being welded, joining of side edge parts can be made strong.
Further, since the side end portions are abutted at each other side edge, when manufacturing this tube body, in order to join the side end portions, the respective side end portions are sandwiched from the outer surface side and the inner surface side. When pressurizing, it is ensured that these side end portions are deformed in the direction approaching or separating from the tube axis as compared with the case where the side end edges overlap each other in the thickness direction of the tube segment, for example. It becomes possible to suppress to. Therefore, wrinkles can be reliably suppressed from occurring in the tube body.

  Moreover, in the tube body which concerns on this invention, the two said tube division bodies divided | segmented in the center part of the tire width direction may be joined and formed.

In this case, since the tube body is formed by joining two tube divided bodies divided at the central portion in the tire width direction, the two tube divided bodies are converted into the tube bodies when the tube body is manufactured. Since it is only necessary to join at two locations on the outer peripheral portion side and the inner peripheral portion side, the tube divided bodies can be joined easily and with high efficiency.
In addition, since the two tube divided bodies divided at the center in the tire width direction are joined and formed in this way, the two tube divided bodies can be made the same shape and the same size. Costs can be further reduced.

  Moreover, in the tube body which concerns on this invention, while the said flat part is formed in the center part of the tire width direction in the said outer peripheral part, you may extend along the tire width direction.

  In this case, since the flat portion is formed at the center portion in the tire width direction in the outer peripheral portion and extends along the tire width direction, the tread can be easily attached to the outer peripheral portion.

  Further, in the tube body according to the present invention, a flange portion extending over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction is provided projecting toward the inner side in the tire radial direction on the inner circumferential portion, A flange-like joint projecting toward the inside in the tire radial direction may be joined to the side edge of each side end located on the inner peripheral side in each tube segment.

  In this case, since the flange portions are formed by joining the flange-like joint portions to each other, when joining the inner peripheral side when manufacturing the tube body, the flange-like joint portions are arranged in the tire width direction. By sandwiching and pressurizing from both sides, it is possible to firmly bond after suppressing generation of wrinkles in the flange portion.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing method of the tube body which concerns on this invention, after joining the side edge parts located in the said flat part, the said flange-shaped joined parts are inserted | pinched from both sides of a tire width direction, and it presses and joins them. good.

  In this case, after joining the side end portions located in the flat portion, the flange-like joint portions are sandwiched from both sides in the tire width direction and pressed and joined together. It is possible to pressurize the respective side end portions of the two tube divided bodies from the inner side in the tire radial direction by the pressurizing means through between the flange-like joint portions on the peripheral side. Moreover, since the latter joining should just pressurize from both sides of a tire width direction, it can join easily. Therefore, wrinkles can be reliably suppressed from occurring in the tube body, and these can be easily joined.

  In the tire according to the present invention, a corner portion that is continuous from the outer side in the tire width direction to the flat portion in the outer peripheral portion of the tube body may be covered from the outer side in the tire radial direction by the tread.

  In this case, since the corner portion of the tube body is covered with the tread from the outer side in the tire radial direction, the flat portion of the tube body is pressed by the tread when a load is applied to the tire from the outer side in the tire radial direction. It is possible to suppress the load from being concentrated on the corner due to the deformation so as to be embedded.

  Further, a reinforcing layer may be disposed between the outer peripheral portion and the tread, and the corner portion may be covered with the reinforcing layer from the outer side in the tire radial direction.

In this case, since the reinforcing layer is disposed, the rigidity of the tire can be improved.
Moreover, since the corners are covered with the reinforcing layer from the outer side in the tire radial direction, when a load is applied to the tire from the outer side in the tire radial direction, the load can be dispersed throughout the outer peripheral part via the reinforcing layer. it can. Therefore, it can suppress that a load concentrates locally in a flat part resulting from deform | transforming so that the flat part of a tube body may be pressed and squeezed by a reinforcement layer.

  According to the present invention, generation of wrinkles in the tube body can be suppressed.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a tire / rim assembly including a tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tire / rim assembly shown in FIG. 1 is cut along the tire width direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected a part of tire shown in FIG. 1 along the tire width direction. It is a figure explaining 1 process of the manufacturing method which manufactures the tube body shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining 1 process of the manufacturing method which manufactures the tube body shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the tube body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view of a flat part. It is a figure which shows the modification of the tube body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is an expanded sectional view of a flat part.

  Hereinafter, a tire / rim assembly provided with a tire according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tire / rim assembly including a tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tire / rim assembly shown in FIG. 1 is cut along the tire width direction. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tire shown in FIG. 1 cut along the tire width direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tire / rim assembly 1 includes a rim 10 formed in a disc shape, and a tire 20 mounted on a support portion 12 described later of the rim 10. Each of the tires 20 is arranged coaxially with a common axis extending along the tire width direction H.
As shown in FIG. 2, the rim 10 is connected to a disc-shaped rim main body 11 and an outer peripheral surface of the rim main body 11, and a longitudinal sectional view shape along the tire width direction H faces outward in the tire radial direction. And a support portion 12 formed in an open V shape. Further, a plurality of mounting holes 13 for assembling the rim 10 to an axle (not shown) are formed in the central portion in the radial direction of the rim body 11.

  Here, both surfaces facing the inside in the tire width direction H in the support portion 12 and a bottom surface connecting these surfaces, that is, the support surface 12a, are formed in an arc shape that is smoothly connected in a longitudinal sectional view along the tire width direction H. It is along the said longitudinal cross-sectional view shape in the inner peripheral part 21c of the tube body 21 mentioned later. That is, both end portions in the tire width direction H of the support portion 12 are support protrusions 12b that extend in the tire radial direction and support the tube body 21 described later from the outside in the tire width direction H. In the illustrated example, the support protrusion 12b gradually extends toward the outer side in the tire width direction H toward the outer side in the tire radial direction. Further, the shape of the rim 10 viewed from the longitudinal section is line-symmetric with respect to a virtual center line passing through the center portion in the tire width direction H.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tire 20 includes a tube body 21 that is formed endlessly along the tire circumferential direction, and a tread 22 that is attached to an outer peripheral portion 21 a of the tube body 21. Further, in the present embodiment, a belt-like reinforcing layer 23 is disposed between the outer peripheral portion 21 a of the tube body 21 and the tread 22. In the present embodiment, the tube body 21 is filled with, for example, air or nitrogen gas, and a positive gas pressure is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the tire / rim assembly 1, the tube body in a state where the central portions in the tire width direction H of the rim 10, the tube body 21, the reinforcing layer 23, and the tread 22 are aligned with each other. 21 is fitted to the support surface 12a of the rim 10, the reinforcing layer 23 is adhered to the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21, and the tread 22 is fitted to the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21 so as to be removable from the outside of the reinforcing layer 23. Are combined. Further, the tube body 21 has both ends in the tire width direction H of the outer peripheral portion 21a in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tread 22 through the reinforcing layer 23 due to the positive gas pressure inside the tube body 21, and the inner peripheral portion 21c. Is fixed between the tread 22 and the rim 10 by being in close contact with the support surface 12 a of the rim 10.

  The tube body 21 is a donut-like body having an airtight space A that extends continuously over the entire circumference and has a circular shape in the longitudinal sectional view. And it can hold | maintain to a positive pressure by filling this airtight space A with air. Both side portions 21b of the tube body 21 in the tire width direction H are not covered with the support surface 12a and the tread 22 of the rim 10 and are exposed to the outside. The tread 22 is formed of vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanizing natural rubber and / or a rubber composition.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tube body 21 is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a longitudinal elastic modulus of 1.0 MPa to 500 MPa.
Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include an amide thermoplastic elastomer (TPA), an ester thermoplastic elastomer (TPC), an olefin thermoplastic elastomer (TPO), a styrene thermoplastic elastomer (TPS) specified in JIS K6418, Examples thereof include urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPU), crosslinked thermoplastic rubber (TPV), and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPZ).

  The thickness of the tube body 21 is, for example, about 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, and the gas pressure applied to the inside thereof is, for example, about 50 kPa to 500 kPa. For example, general motorcycles and ordinary passenger cars having a total weight of less than 3 t can be mentioned.

In addition, when the thickness of the tube body 21 is less than 0.5 mm, the pressure resistance and blade resistance may be insufficient. When the thickness is greater than 5.0 mm, the weight increases or the tube body 21 is subjected to bending strain. When acting, there is a possibility that the difference in stress generated between the outer surface side and the inner surface side becomes large and the fatigue resistance deteriorates.
Further, when the gas pressure applied to the tube body 21 is lower than 50 kPa, the load supporting performance may be lowered, and when it is higher than 500 kPa, the riding comfort and pressure resistance may be deteriorated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tube body 21 is formed with a flat portion 24 that continuously extends along the tire circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface 24a and the inner surface 24b of the flat portion 24 are both flat surfaces having an infinite curvature radius. Further, in the present embodiment, the flat portion 24 is formed at the center portion in the tire width direction H of the outer peripheral portion 21a and extends along the tire width direction H, and the outer surface 24a of the flat portion 24 and All the inner surfaces 24b are orthogonal surfaces orthogonal to the tire radial direction. Further, the central portion of the flat portion 24 in the tire width direction H coincides with the central portion of the tube body 21 in the tire width direction H.
By forming the flat portion 24 in this manner, each portion of the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21 that is continuous with the flat portion 24 from both ends in the tire width direction H becomes a corner portion 24c that is pointed outward in the tire radial direction. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing layer 23 has a structure in which a plurality of steel cords or organic fibers are arranged and embedded inside a cylindrical rubber sheet. The size of the reinforcing layer 23 along the tire width direction H is larger than the size of the flat portion 24 along the tire width direction H. The reinforcing layer 23 is fixed by bonding its inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21 using, for example, an adhesive.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the corner 24 c of the tube body 21 is covered with the reinforcing layer 23 from the outer side in the tire radial direction. Further, the corner portion 24 c is covered with the tread 22 from the outer side in the tire radial direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the support surface 12a of the rim 10 and the inner peripheral portion 21c of the tube body 21 are respectively engageable with each other and positioned along the tire width direction H with respect to the rim 10 of the tube body 21. Engaging grooves 25 and engaging convex portions (flange portions) 26 for preventing displacement are provided separately.
The engaging groove 25 is provided at the center portion in the tire width direction H on the support surface 12a of the rim 10, and is recessed toward the inside in the tire radial direction over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction on the support surface 12a. It has become. In the example shown in the drawing, the engagement groove 25 has a first groove 25a having a rectangular shape with a plan view long in the tire circumferential direction, and a rectangular shape with a plan view shape long in the tire circumferential direction and in the tire radial direction. The second concave grooves 25b having a depth along the tire that is larger than the depth of the first concave grooves 25a are alternately arranged adjacently along the tire circumferential direction. Note that, among the wall surfaces defining the engaging groove 25, the wall surfaces facing each other in the tire width direction H are all flush.

  In addition, the engagement convex portion 26 is provided at the inner peripheral portion 21c of the tube body 21 at the central portion in the tire width direction H so as to extend over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction and project toward the inner side in the tire radial direction. Yes. In the illustrated example, the engaging convex portion 26 includes a first convex portion 26a engaged with the first concave groove 25a and a second convex portion 26b engaged with the second concave groove 25b. Corresponding to 25a and 25b, they are formed by being alternately arranged adjacently along the tire circumferential direction. That is, the 2nd convex part 26b has the protrusion height which is a magnitude | size along the tire radial direction rather than the 1st convex part 26a. In the engaging convex portion 26, the surfaces facing the outside in the tire width direction H are all flush. Moreover, the engaging convex part 26 is solid over the whole region.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the vertical sectional view shapes of the engaging groove 25 and the engaging protrusion 26 are both rectangular. Then, the engaging convex portion 26 provided in the tube body 21 is fitted into the engaging concave groove 25 provided in the rim 10 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the engaging concave groove 25 without a gap. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engagement convex part 26 is inserted into the engagement groove 25 by the positive gas pressure in the tube body 21 and is in close contact with the inner surface of the engagement groove 25 without a gap.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rim 10 can be divided into a disk-shaped first divided rim 14 and a ring-shaped second divided rim 15. In the illustrated example, the support portion 12 of the rim 10 is divided into two equal parts at the center portion in the tire width direction H by the first divided rim 14 and the second divided rim 15. The substrate is divided into a base disc portion 16 serving as a base and an auxiliary ring portion 17 that can be attached to and detached from the base disc portion 16. Thereby, the engagement concave groove 25 is divided into two in the tire width direction H.

The second divided rim 15 includes one of the support parts 12 divided into two equal parts and the auxiliary ring part 17, and both are integrally formed.
The auxiliary ring portion 17 includes an annular portion 17a that protrudes inward in the tire radial direction from the inner edge in the tire width direction H toward the inner side in the tire radial direction on one side of the support portion 12, and an annular portion 17a. And a plurality of fixing portions 17b projecting inward in the tire radial direction at intervals from the inner edge in the tire radial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the surfaces facing the inner side in the tire width direction H in each of the ring portion 17 a and the fixed portion 17 b form a split surface B of the second split rim 15. In the illustrated example, five fixing portions 17b are formed at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction.

The first divided rim 14 includes the other of the support parts 12 divided into two equal parts and the base disk part 16, and both are integrally formed.
A mounting recess 16 a in which the auxiliary ring portion 17 is mounted is formed in a shape corresponding to the auxiliary ring portion 17 on the outer peripheral edge portion of the base disk portion 16 in the tire radial direction. Of the wall surfaces defining the mounting recess 16 a, the wall surface facing the inner side in the tire width direction H forms the split surface B of the first split rim 14.

In the present embodiment, the rim body 11 is formed with an insertion hole 18 penetrating both the first divided rim 14 and the second divided rim 15 in addition to the mounting hole 13. In the illustrated example, one insertion hole 18 is formed in each fixing portion 17 b in the auxiliary ring portion 17. In the base disk portion 16, the insertion hole 18 is formed in the insertion hole 18 formed in the auxiliary ring portion 17. It is formed at a corresponding position, that is, at a position facing the insertion hole 18 formed in the auxiliary ring portion 17 in the tire width direction H. The insertion hole 18 has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 13.
Then, by screwing nuts to bolts (not shown) inserted into the insertion holes 18, the divided surfaces B of the first divided rim 14 and the second divided rim 15 are brought into intimate contact with each other. The first divided rim 14 and the second divided rim 15 are fixed.

  And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, as for the tube body 21, the endless tube division body 30 along the tire circumferential direction was arranged in multiple numbers around the tube axis | shaft C extended along a tire circumferential direction. In this state, the side end portions 31 adjacent to each other are joined to each other, and the side end portions 31 adjacent to each other are positioned on the flat portion 24. In the illustrated example, two tube segments 30 divided at the center in the tire width direction H are joined and formed, and these two tube segments 30 are formed in the same shape and size. Has been.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the side end portions 31 located on the flat portion 24 are welded to cover the respective side end edges that face each other over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction from the outer surface 24 a side. The member 32 is joined by welding. The welding member 32 is formed in a belt shape, and is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic material, preferably the same material as the tube body 21.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the engagement convex part 26 is a tire over the perimeter of a tire circumferential direction on the side edge of each side edge part 31 located in the inner peripheral part 21c side in each of the two tube division bodies 30. A flange-like joint portion 33 projecting inward in the radial direction is formed by joining inner surfaces 33a facing each other in the tire width direction H. In the example shown in the drawing, the engaging convex portion 26 is divided into two in the tire width direction H by the flange-like joint portion 33.

Next, a method for manufacturing the tube body 21 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining one step of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the tube body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining one step of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the tube body shown in FIG. 1.
First, two tube division bodies 30 are formed by a known method such as vacuum forming using a thermoplastic elastomer.

Subsequently, these tube division bodies 30 are arranged around the tube axis C, and the side end portions 31 adjacent to each other are joined to each other.
At this time, first, the side end portions 31 located on the flat portion 24 are joined together. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the side end portions 31 are butted against each other at the side end edges, and the welding member 32 is disposed. And while heating the side edge part 31 and the welding member 32 with a hot air, a laser, etc., or vibrating with an ultrasonic wave and generating frictional heat, the side edge parts 31 are mutually pressed by pressurizing means D, such as a roll, for example. It joins by pinching from the outer surface 24a side and the inner surface 24b side, pressurizing, and welding.

Next, after retracting the pressurizing means D, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner surfaces 33a of the flange-like joint portions 33 are brought into contact with each other, and the flange-like joint portion 33 is heated with hot air, laser, or the like, or The flange-like joint portions 33 are sandwiched by pressure means D such as a roll from both sides in the tire width direction H while being vibrated by sound waves to generate frictional heat, and are joined by pressure.
The manufacture of the tube body 21 is thus completed.

As described above, according to the tube body 21 according to the present embodiment, the side end portions 31 that are adjacent to each other are located on the flat portion 24, and therefore, when the tube body 21 is manufactured, the sides that are adjacent to each other. When the side end portions 31 are sandwiched and pressed from the outer surface 24a side and the inner surface 24b side in order to join the end portions 31 to each other, the side end portions 31 approach or move away from the tube axis C. Rippling can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to apply pressure while the outer surfaces 24a and the inner surfaces 24b are flush with each other, and the occurrence of wrinkles in the tube body 21 can be suppressed.
Moreover, since the tube body 21 is molded using the tube divided body 30, it can be molded easily and at a lower cost than, for example, the case where the tube body 21 is molded integrally.
In addition, since a thermoplastic elastomer is used as a material for forming the tube body 21, it is easier to mold than, for example, a conventional vulcanized rubber tire, and moreover, for example, when traveling than a case where a thermoplastic resin is used. The riding comfort (elasticity) can be improved.

Moreover, since the side edge parts 31 located in the flat part 24 are joined by welding the welding member 32, the joining of the side edge parts 31 can be made strong.
Further, since the side end portions 31 are abutted with each other at the side end edges, when manufacturing the tube body 21, in order to join the side end portions 31 to each other, the side end portions 31 are connected to the outer surface 24a side. When sandwiching and pressurizing from the inner surface 24b side, for example, these side end portions 31 are closer to the tube axis C or compared to the case where the side edges of each other are overlapped in the thickness direction of the tube segment 30. It is possible to reliably suppress deformation in the separating direction. Therefore, wrinkles can be reliably suppressed from occurring in the tube body 21.

In addition, since the tube body 21 is formed by joining two tube divided bodies 30 divided at the center in the tire width direction H, the two tube divided bodies 30 are produced when the tube body 21 is manufactured. Can be joined at two locations on the outer peripheral portion 21a side and the inner peripheral portion 21c side of the tube body 21, so that the tube divided body 30 can be easily and efficiently joined.
Further, since the two tube divided bodies 30 divided at the center portion in the tire width direction H are joined and formed in this way, the two tube divided bodies 30 can be made the same shape and the same size as each other. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

Moreover, since the flat part 24 is formed in the center part of the tire width direction H in the outer peripheral part 21a, and extends along the tire width direction H, the tread 22 is easily attached to the outer peripheral part 21a. Can do.
In addition, since the engaging convex portion 26 is formed by joining the flange-like joint portions 33 to each other, when the inner peripheral portion 21c side is joined when the tube body 21 is manufactured, each flange-like joint portion is formed. By sandwiching and pressing 33 from both sides in the tire width direction H, it is possible to firmly join the joints while suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles on the engaging convex portions 26. In addition, since the flange-like joint portion 33 protrudes toward the inside in the tire radial direction, other components of the tube body 21 do not interfere with the pressurization.

  Further, when the two tube divided bodies 30 are joined when manufacturing the tube body 21, the side end portions 31 positioned on the flat portion 24 are joined together, and then the flange-like joined portions 33 are joined in the tire width direction H. Since they are sandwiched from both sides and pressurized and joined, as shown in FIG. 4, when the former is joined, the pressure means D passes between the flange-like joints 33 on the inner peripheral portion 21c side that are not joined to each other. Each side end portion 31 of the two tube divided bodies 30 can be pressurized from the inner side in the tire radial direction. Moreover, since the latter joining should just pressurize from both sides of the tire width direction H, as shown in FIG. 5, it can join easily. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the generation of wrinkles in the tube body 21 and to easily join them.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the tube body 21 is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and no reinforcing material having organic fibers, steel cords, or the like is embedded therein, the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be simplified. Can be reduced and the weight can be reduced.

Further, according to the tire 20 according to the present embodiment, since the corner portion 24c of the tube body 21 is covered from the outer side in the tire radial direction by the tread 22, when a load is applied to the tire 20 from the outer side in the tire radial direction. In addition, it is possible to prevent the load from being concentrated on the corner portion 24 c due to the flat portion 24 of the tube body 21 being deformed so as to be pressed and recessed by the tread 22.
Further, since the reinforcing layer 23 is provided, the rigidity of the tire 20 can be improved.
In addition, since the corner 24c is covered with the reinforcing layer 23 from the outside in the tire radial direction, when a load is applied to the tire 20 from the outside in the tire radial direction, the entire outer peripheral portion 21a is loaded via the reinforcing layer 23. Can be dispersed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the load from being locally concentrated in the flat portion 24 due to the flat portion 24 of the tube body 21 being deformed so as to be pressed and recessed by the reinforcing layer 23.

  Further, since the bead core is not embedded in the tire 20 and the tube body 21 is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having high flexibility, the tire 20 is lighter than the tire 20 in which the bead core is embedded. Furthermore, the tube body 21 can be easily deformed without applying a strong force when assembling or unpacking the rim, so that the workability of rim assembly and rim unraveling can be improved. In addition, the tube body 21 can be prevented from being damaged when the rim is assembled or unwound.

In the present embodiment, since the tread 22 is detachably fitted to the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21, when either one of the tread 22 or the tube body 21 is worn or deteriorated, Only one of them can be exchanged, and efficient exchange is realized, and the cost required for this exchange can be reduced.
Moreover, in this embodiment, since the said both-sides part 21b of the tube body 21 is exposed, the tread 22 can be easily attached or detached with respect to the tube body 21. FIG.

Further, according to the tire / rim assembly 1 according to the present invention, since the outer peripheral portion 21 a of the rim 10 includes the support protrusion 12 b, the tube body 21 is positioned along the tire width direction H with respect to the rim 10. It can suppress shifting.
Further, since the engaging groove 25 is provided on the support surface 12a of the rim 10 and the engaging convex portion 26 is provided on the inner peripheral portion 21c of the tube body 21, the tube body 21 is removed by eliminating the bead core. It becomes possible to prevent the position of the rim 10 from being easily displaced along the tire width direction H, and actual usability can be ensured.

Further, since the engagement concave groove 25 and the engagement convex portion 26 are provided in this way, when the tube body 21 is fitted to the support surface 12a of the rim 10, the tire width of the tube body 21 with respect to the rim 10 is determined. The position along the direction H can be determined easily and with high accuracy, and the workability of the rim assembly can be further improved.
Moreover, since the engagement convex part 26 is provided in the tube body 21 and the engagement concave groove 25 is provided in the rim 10, the engagement convex part is caused by the expansion of the tube body 21 due to the positive gas pressure. 26 can be easily forced to enter the engaging groove 25, and the engaging protrusion 26 and the engaging groove 25 can be firmly engaged.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the engaging convex portion 26 is a solid protruding portion, the protruding height of the engaging convex portion 26 from the tube body 21 due to the expansion of the tube body 21 due to the positive gas pressure. It is possible to prevent the dimension from becoming unstable, such as a change in sheath width, and to ensure that the engaging convex portion 26 enters the engaging concave groove 25.
In this way, the engagement convex portion 26 is surely entered into the engagement concave groove 25 and the both are firmly engaged, thereby reliably suppressing the displacement (relative displacement) between the tube body 21 and the rim 10. Is possible. Therefore, as in the rim / tire assembly 1 shown in the present embodiment, these configurations are configured so that the input from the road surface is transmitted to the rim 10 via the tube body 21, so that the positions of the tube body 21 and the rim 10 This is extremely effective in a configuration in which the deviation needs to be sufficiently suppressed.

In addition, the engaging grooves 25 are alternately arranged adjacent to each other along the tire circumferential direction, with the first and second grooves 25a and 25b having different depths. Since the first protrusions 26a and the second protrusions 26b that are different from each other are formed adjacently and alternately along the tire circumferential direction, the rim 10 and the tube body 21 along the tire circumferential direction. The relative displacement can be prevented, and when the tube body 21 is fitted to the support surface 12a of the rim 10, the relative position along the tire circumferential direction of the tube body 21 and the rim 10 can be easily and high. The accuracy can be determined.
As described above, it is possible to prevent not only the relative displacement in the tire width direction H of the rim 10 and the tire 20 but also the displacement in the tire circumferential direction, and the relative tire width direction of the rim 10 and the tire 20. Not only the position of H but also the position in the tire circumferential direction can be determined easily and with high accuracy, the above-mentioned actual usability can be ensured reliably, and workability at the time of rim assembly and rim unpacking can be ensured. This can be further improved.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing layer 23 is disposed between the tube body 21 and the tread 22, but is not limited thereto, and the reinforcing layer 23 may be formed integrally with the tread 22, Further, the reinforcing layer 23 may be omitted.
Here, even if the reinforcing layer 23 is not provided, the tube body 21 is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer having a longitudinal elastic modulus of 1.0 MPa or more and 500 MPa or less. It can be provided with a certain degree of rigidity. In this case, since the tread 22 is detachably fitted to the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21, and the tube body 21 is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer, the tube body 21 and the tread 22 are separated. Further, it is not necessary to separate another member from the tube body 21, and if the tube body 21 is simply heated and melted, it can be remolded, and the tire 20 can be provided with excellent recyclability.

In the above-described embodiment, the tread 22 is formed in an endless belt shape and is detachably fitted to the outer peripheral portion 21a of the tube body 21. Instead, the tread 22 is added to the outer peripheral portion of the tube body. You may employ | adopt the tread integrally bonded by sulfur bonding.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the tire width direction with respect to the rim | limb 10 of the tube body 21 is used as the flange part extended in the inner peripheral part 21c over the perimeter of the tire circumferential direction, and protruding toward the inner side of the tire radial direction. Although the engaging convex portion 26 that prevents the positional deviation along H is employed, the flange portion may not have the function of preventing the positional deviation like the engaging convex portion 26. It is not necessary.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the engagement convex part 26 was made into the solid protrusion, you may make it hollow.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the engaging convex part 26 is formed by alternately arrange | positioning the 1st convex part 26a and the 2nd convex part 26b from which protrusion height differs adjacently along a tire circumferential direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a certain protruding height along the tire circumferential direction.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, the rim | limb 10 is not restricted to what was shown to the said embodiment, For example, the rim | limb which is not divided | segmented may be sufficient. Further, the rim may not have an engaging groove.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, two rolls are employ | adopted as the pressurizing means D, and the side edge parts 31 located in the flat part 24 are these rolls from the outer surface 24a side and the inner surface 24b side. Although it is assumed that it is sandwiched and pressurized, it is not limited to this. For example, one of the pressurizing means may be a roll, the other may be a support that supports pressurization by the roll, and the side end portions 31 may be sandwiched between these rolls and the support to apply pressure.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the side edge parts 31 located in the flat part 24 shall be welded to the welding member 32, it is not restricted to this. FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified example of the tube body according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged sectional view of a flat portion. FIG. 7 is a view showing a modification of the tube body according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged sectional view of a flat portion. For example, like the tube body 21A shown in FIG. 6, the side end portions 31A of the tube divided body 30A located in the flat portion 24A are welded to each other without using a welding member, or are bonded using an adhesive or the like. May be joined. Further, as in the tube body 21B shown in FIG. 7, the side end portions 31B positioned on the flat portion 24B may be bonded to each other in the thickness direction of the tube divided body 30B by welding or bonding. Furthermore, when manufacturing the tube bodies 21A and 21B as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the same or different thermoplastic material as the tube bodies 21A and 21B is melted and poured between the side end portions 31A and 31B. The side end portions 31A and 31B may be bonded by pressure bonding.
Further, even when the side end portions 31 positioned in the flat portion 24 are welded to the welding member 32, the side end edges may not be abutted against each other.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the flange-shaped junction part 33 shall be joined after joining the side edge parts 31 located in the flat part 24, the order of joining is not restricted to this.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the tube body 21 shall be formed with a thermoplastic elastomer, if it is a thermoplastic material, it will not be restricted to this, For example, you may form a tube body with a thermoplastic resin. . Examples of the thermoplastic resin include urethane resin, olefin resin, vinyl chloride resin, and polyamide resin.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the flat part 24 shall be formed in the outer peripheral part 21a, it is not restricted to this, For example, you may form in the inner peripheral part and it is formed in the other part. Also good. Moreover, you may change the shape of a tube division body according to the position in which the flat part 24 is formed. For example, the tube body may be formed by a tube split body divided into two in the tire radial direction, or may be formed by three or more tube split bodies.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the positive gas pressure shall be given inside the tube body 21, it is not restricted to this.

Next, a verification test related to the above-described operation effect will be described.
As a conventional example, a tube body having a circular shape in a longitudinal sectional view and having no flat part, which is manufactured by joining two tube divided bodies obtained by dividing the tube body into two in the tire width direction. As an example, the tube bodies shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 were adopted, and 50 pieces of each were manufactured. Each of the tube bodies has an outer diameter of 500 mm centered on the common axis in a side view viewed from the tire width direction, an outer diameter of 90 mm centered on the tube axis in the longitudinal sectional view, and a wall thickness of 2 mm. The thing was adopted. Further, as the material of these tube bodies, an olefin thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) having a longitudinal elastic modulus of 50 MPa was adopted. Then, from the viewpoint of preventing undulation, the case where the depth along the tire radial direction of the concave portion generated in the outer peripheral portion of the tube body was determined to be 10 mm or more was judged as defective, and the defect rate between the conventional example and the example was measured.
As a result, in the conventional example, the defect rate was 95%, whereas in the example, the defect rate was 5%, and the defect rate of the example was lower than that of the conventional example, that is, the tube body was wrinkled. It was confirmed that the occurrence was suppressed.

20 tire 21, 21A, 21B tube body 21a outer peripheral portion 21c inner peripheral portion 22 tread 23 reinforcing layer 24, 24A, 24B flat portion 24a outer surface 24b inner surface 24c corner portion 26 engaging convex portion (flange portion)
30, 30A, 30B Tube segment 31, 31A, 31B Side end of tube segment 32 Welding member 33 Flange-shaped joint C Tube shaft H Tire width direction

Claims (10)

A tube body is formed endlessly along the tire circumferential direction with a thermoplastic material, and a tread is attached to the outer periphery,
A flat portion extending continuously along the tire circumferential direction is formed,
In a state where a plurality of endless tube divisions along the tire circumferential direction are arranged around a tube axis extending along the tire circumferential direction, side end portions adjacent to each other are joined to each other,
The tube body characterized in that the side end portions adjacent to each other are located in the flat portion. The tube body according to claim 1,
The side end portions located in the flat portion are joined by welding welding members that cover the respective side end edges that face each other over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction from the outer surface side. A tube body. The tube body according to claim 1 or 2,
A tube body characterized in that two tube segments divided at the center in the tire width direction are joined to each other. The tube body according to claim 3,
The said flat part is formed in the center part of the tire width direction in the said outer peripheral part, and is extended along the tire width direction, The tube body characterized by the above-mentioned. The tube body according to claim 3 or 4,
A flange portion extending over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction is provided on the inner circumferential portion so as to protrude toward the inner side in the tire radial direction,
The flange portion is formed by joining a flange-shaped joint projecting toward the inner side in the tire radial direction to the side edge of each side end located on the inner peripheral side in each of the two tube divided bodies. A tube body characterized by being made. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the tube body according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A method for manufacturing a tube body, comprising pressing between the outer surface side and the inner surface side when joining side end portions positioned on the flat portion. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the tube body according to claim 5,
After joining the side edge parts located in the said flat part, the said flange-shaped joined parts are inserted | pinched from the both sides of a tire width direction, and it pressurizes and joins, The manufacturing method of the tube body characterized by the above-mentioned. The tube body according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
And a tread mounted on the outer periphery of the tube body. The tube body according to claim 4 or 5,
A tread mounted on the outer periphery of the tube body,
In the outer periphery of the tube body, a corner portion that is continuous with the flat portion from the outer side in the tire width direction is covered with the tread from the outer side in the tire radial direction. The tire according to claim 9, wherein
A reinforcing layer is disposed between the outer peripheral portion and the tread,
The corner is covered from the outer side in the tire radial direction by the reinforcing layer.

Images