JP2020106439A - Rubber cross section measuring device and rubber cross section measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

To calculate the thickness dimension of a cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member by corresponding to the position in a width direction of the unvulcanized rubber member during measuring the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member.SOLUTION: In an unvulcanized rubber member, a constant cross-sectional shape extends in one direction. Identifiable line information made of a ridge-shaped projecting line extending in an extension direction is provided at a predetermined position in a width direction on a top surface of the unvulcanized rubber member. A cut surface and the top surface of the unvulcanized rubber member are acquired within the same visual field and imaged during measuring the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member. A thickness dimension at a measuring position of the unvulcanized rubber member is calculated by measuring a correspondence dimension on the cut surface in an image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape at the measuring position separated from a reference position by a distance predetermined in the width direction with a position in the width direction at which the line information extending in the extension direction comes into contact with the cut surface in an image of the top surface in the picked-up image as a reference position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a rubber cross-section measuring device and a rubber cross-section measuring method for measuring the cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member having a constant cross-sectional shape extending in one direction.

The tread rubber member of the pneumatic tire is an unvulcanized tire that is the target of vulcanization by winding the unvulcanized tread rubber member around the outer periphery of the unvulcanized rubber structure before it becomes an unvulcanized tire in the molding process. To make. This unvulcanized tire is put into a vulcanization mold and vulcanized under predetermined conditions to produce a pneumatic tire with a tread pattern.

The tread portion of the manufactured pneumatic tire is a portion that comes into contact with the road surface, and the contact surface of the tread portion that is in contact with the ground is a portion that receives a force from the road surface. The distribution of the force received from the road surface varies greatly depending on the shape of the contact surface, and the shape of the contact surface greatly affects the tire performance. For this reason, it is preferable that the profile shape representing the cross-sectional shape of the tread portion, which greatly affects the shape of the ground contact surface, is formed as desired. Even if a pneumatic tire is manufactured using the same vulcanizing mold, such a profile shape of the tread portion is likely to change depending on the sectional shape of the unvulcanized tread rubber member. Therefore, in order to align the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized tread rubber member with the target shape, the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized tread rubber member is managed. For example, in order to produce a large number of unvulcanized tires of the same type in the same lot, before winding the first unvulcanized tread rubber member in the same lot around the unvulcanized rubber structure, the unvulcanized tread rubber member Measurement of the cross-sectional shape, that is, thickness measurement is performed. Further, the unvulcanized rubber member, even in the same lot, whether the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized tread rubber member has changed, thickness measurement of the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized tread rubber member It is done regularly. Further, when the unvulcanized tread rubber member is a member in which rubber layers having different compounding compositions are laminated, in order to control whether or not each rubber layer has a target thickness in the unvulcanized tread rubber member. The thickness of each rubber layer is also measured.

For example, image data of a cut surface of an extruded tread photographed by a CCD camera is image-processed by a tread internal structure inspection device to calculate the brightness of each rubber layer having a different composition, and the calculated brightness difference between the rubber layers. From the above, the position of the boundary line on the cutting surface is specified, and the boundary line is compared with a preset reference boundary line to determine the quality of the internal structure of the photographed extruded tread. A method for inspecting an extruded tread is known (Patent Document 1).

JP, 2003-075343, A

However, even when the image data is image-processed by the tread internal structure inspection device, when the boundary line of the imaged image of the extrusion tread is compared with the preset reference boundary line, the extruded tread in the imaged image is compared. In the extruded tread in which the thickness of the rubber layer is distributed in the width direction, it is not possible to obtain the reference position in the width direction in the cross-sectional shape of. It may not be known which position in the width direction of the boundary line to be compared. Therefore, in the above inspection method, it is difficult to compare the thickness dimension at the measurement position of the rubber layer and further the extruded tread with the target dimension at the same measurement position. Therefore, it is desired to obtain the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member in correspondence with the position in the width direction.

Therefore, in the present invention, when measuring the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member, the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member is obtained in correspondence with the position in the width direction of the unvulcanized rubber member. An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber cross-section measuring device and a rubber cross-section measuring method capable of performing the above.

One aspect of the present invention is a rubber cross-section measuring device for measuring the cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member having a constant cross-sectional shape extending in one direction.
The unvulcanized rubber member has a planar bottom surface, the normal direction of the bottom surface is the thickness direction, the one direction is the extending direction, the thickness direction and the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. When the width direction is, the end of the unvulcanized rubber member in the extending direction includes a cutting surface cut by a surface parallel to the width direction,
The unvulcanized rubber member extends in the extending direction of the unvulcanized rubber member on the upper surface of the unvulcanized rubber member when viewed from a direction opposite to the bottom surface side in the thickness direction. The ridge-shaped convex line or groove-shaped concave line, or identifiable line information composed of a color line having a color different from that of the unvulcanized rubber member is provided at a predetermined position in the width direction. There is.
The rubber cross section measuring device is
An image pickup device having an image pickup unit that picks up the cut surface of the unvulcanized rubber member and the upper surface provided with the line information in the same field of view,
In the image of the upper surface in the image captured by the imaging unit, the position in the width direction at which the line information extending in the extending direction contacts the cutting surface is set as a reference position, and the position in advance from the reference position in the width direction. At the measurement position of the cut surface separated by a predetermined distance, by measuring the corresponding dimension along the cut surface in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction of the measurement position, A processing unit having a calculation unit that calculates the thickness dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member at the measurement position.

The processing device compares the calculated thickness dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member with a target dimension at the measurement position of a predetermined target shape of the unvulcanized rubber member to obtain the unvulcanized rubber member. It is preferable to have an evaluation unit that evaluates the target shape of the cross-sectional shape of the member.

The cutting surface has a direction inclined to the extending direction in the normal direction with respect to the normal direction of the bottom surface, and the cutting surface is an inclined surface facing the upper surface side,
It is preferable that the light receiving surface of the image pickup device of the image pickup unit is provided so as to be parallel to the cut surface.

In the cut surface, the direction inclined along the cut surface is the tilt direction,
The calculation unit calculates a thickness dimension in the thickness direction at the measurement position by measuring a dimension along the inclination direction of the unvulcanized rubber member at the measurement position in the image, Is preferred.

The unvulcanized rubber member is a composite rubber member having a configuration in which a plurality of rubber layers having different rubber types are laminated so as to have a boundary surface along the width direction,
It is preferable that the calculating unit calculates, as the thickness dimension, a thickness dimension of each rubber layer of the composite rubber member and a thickness dimension of the entire composite rubber member.

The image pickup unit includes an image pickup device of a line sensor, and the image pickup device is provided so that an array direction of the image pickup devices of the line sensor is orthogonal to the width direction.
It is preferable that the image pickup device is configured to scan the cut surface in the width direction while moving relatively to the cut surface.

It is preferable that the image pickup device is provided in parallel with the cut surface.

The photographing device is
An upper surface illumination light source that illuminates an image capturing position of the upper surface captured by the image sensor, a cut surface main illumination light source that illuminates an image capturing position of the cut surface imaged by the image sensor, and the image capturing position of the cut surface. Two cut surface sub-illumination light sources that illuminate the element from both sides in the width direction,
An illumination light control unit that controls the intensity of the illumination light of the top surface illumination light source, the cutting surface main illumination light source, and the cutting surface sub-illumination light source according to the type of the unvulcanized rubber member to be measured. , Is preferred.

A base on which the unvulcanized rubber member is placed,
The thickness in order to calibrate the length in the width direction of the cut surface obtained from the thickness dimension calculated in the calculation unit and the length information in the width direction in the image, which is provided in the base, It is preferable that the jig includes a calibration test chart having a pattern image having a length of a predetermined reference dimension in the depth direction and the width direction.

Another aspect of the present invention is a rubber cross-section measuring method for measuring the cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member having a constant cross-sectional shape extending in one direction.
The unvulcanized rubber member has a planar bottom surface, the normal direction of the bottom surface is the thickness direction, the one direction is the extending direction, the thickness direction and the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. When the width direction is, the end of the unvulcanized rubber member in the extending direction includes a cutting surface cut by a surface parallel to the width direction,
A ridge-shaped concave line or groove-shaped convex line extending along the extension of the unvulcanized rubber member is formed on the upper surface of the unvulcanized rubber member that faces the bottom surface, or the unvulcanized rubber member. Distinguishable line information including color lines having different colors is provided at a predetermined position in the width direction.
The rubber cross section measuring method,
A step of capturing the cut surface of the unvulcanized rubber member and the upper surface provided with the line information in the same field of view;
From the reference position, the line information extending in the extending direction is specified in the image of the upper surface in the captured image, and the position in the width direction in contact with the cut surface of the specified line information is set as a reference position. By measuring the corresponding dimension along the cutting surface in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction at the measurement position of the cutting surface that is separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction. Calculating the thickness dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member at the measurement position.

The cutting surface is formed by cutting the unvulcanized rubber member with the cutting blade while moving the cutting blade from the cutting blade initial position to the width direction,
The step of imaging, after cutting the unvulcanized rubber member, before the cutting blade returns to the cutting blade initial position, one of the cut unvulcanized rubber member is separated, the cutting blade is While returning to the cutting blade initial position, it is preferable that the cutting surface and the upper surface are imaged by scanning with an image sensor while moving with the cutting blade.

Before cutting the unvulcanized rubber member, with the bottom surface of the unvulcanized rubber member placed on a base, press the upper surface with a pressing member,
It is preferable that the pressing of the upper surface by the pressing member is continued until the imaging of the cut surface and the upper surface is completed.

Before the step of imaging, depending on the type of the unvulcanized rubber member to be measured, an upper surface illumination light source that illuminates the imaging position of the upper surface, a cutting surface main illumination light source that illuminates the imaging position of the cutting surface, Also, it is preferable to adjust the intensity of illumination light emitted from each of the two auxiliary illumination light sources for illuminating the imaging position of the cut surface from both sides in the width direction.

According to the rubber cross-section measuring device and the rubber cross-section measuring method described above, the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member can be obtained in correspondence with the position in the width direction of the unvulcanized rubber member.

(A) And (b) is a figure explaining the composition of the rubber section measuring device of one embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the cut surface and upper surface of an unvulcanized rubber member. (A) And (b) is a figure showing an example of a rubber section measuring device of one embodiment.

Hereinafter, the rubber cross-section measuring device and the rubber cross-section measuring method of one embodiment will be described in detail.
1A and 1B are views for explaining the configuration of a rubber cross section measuring device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is a side view of the rubber section measuring device, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the rubber section measuring device. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cut surface and an upper surface of the unvulcanized rubber member.

In the present embodiment, the unvulcanized rubber member G (hereinafter, simply referred to as the rubber member G) is a member having a constant cross-sectional shape extending in one direction, has a flat bottom surface G1, and has a flat bottom surface G1. The thickness direction is defined as the thickness direction T (see FIG. 1A), and the extension direction L (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) that extends in the same sectional shape. A direction orthogonal to T and the extending direction L is a width direction W (see FIG. 1B). An end of the rubber member G in the extending direction L includes a cut surface G2 cut along a surface parallel to the width direction W.
A ridge-shaped convex line R (extending in the extending direction L of the rubber member G is formed on the upper surface G3 of the rubber member G when the rubber member G is viewed from the direction opposite to the bottom surface G1 side in the thickness direction T. Line information (see FIG. 1B) is provided at a predetermined position in the width direction W.
When measuring the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G, the rubber cross-section measuring device 10 measures a corresponding dimension along the cut surface corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cut surface G2 in the thickness direction T of the cut. The rubber cross-section measuring device 10 calculates the thickness dimension by using the corresponding dimension by using the inclination angle α [radian] of the cut surface G2 with respect to the bottom surface G1.

The thickness dimension has a distribution in the width direction W of the rubber member G. For this reason, if the position of the calculated thickness dimension in the width direction W cannot be specified, it is unknown at which position in the width direction W the thickness dimension is. In the present embodiment, in order to clarify which position in the width direction W the measurement position corresponds to, the line information including the ridge-shaped convex line R provided on the upper surface G3 of the rubber member G is set in the width direction. Used as the reference position of W. The position where the convex line R is provided in the width direction W, for example, is provided at the center of the width direction W, or is provided at a position that is apart from the end of the rubber member G in the width direction W by a predetermined length. , The position of the convex line R in the width direction W is determined. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cut surface G2 is imaged by the imaging device, and the convex line R obtained by the imaging is used as a reference position for measurement at a measurement position that is separated from the reference position by a predetermined distance in the width direction W. The thickness dimension at the measurement position of the rubber member G is calculated by measuring the corresponding dimension of the cutting plane G2 corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction W along the cutting plane G2 in the image.

However, the line width of the convex line R is extremely thin and the convex height is also extremely low, the shape of the convex line R changes on the cut surface G2 of the rubber member G, and the slightly protruding contour shape of the convex line R on the cut surface G2 changes. Hard to show up. Therefore, when the cut surface G2 is imaged, the upper surface G3 is also imaged at the same time. The convex line R can be recognized on the image by illuminating the upper surface G3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cut surface G2 of the rubber member G and the upper surface G3 on which the line information (convex line R) is provided are included in the same field of view and imaged by the imaging device. Then, the position in the width direction W at which the line information (convex line R) extending in the extending direction L contacts the cut surface G2 in the image of the upper surface G3 in the image obtained by imaging is set as a reference position, and from this reference position A position separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction W is set as a measurement position. The thickness dimension at the measurement position of the vulcanized rubber member G is calculated by measuring the corresponding dimension along the cutting plane G2 in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction T at this measurement location. ..
Accordingly, it is possible to specify which position in the width direction W the measurement position is, and when measuring the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G, make the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G correspond to the position in the width direction. Can be obtained.

The rubber cross-section measuring apparatus 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B mainly includes an imaging device 12 and a processing device 14.
The imaging device 12 mainly includes an imaging unit 12a and a lighting light source.
The image capturing unit 12a is configured to capture an image of the cut surface G2 of the rubber member G and the upper surface G3 provided with the convex line R that is line information in the same visual field.
The illumination light sources 12b to 12e are configured to illuminate the cut surface G2 and the upper surface G3.

The processing device 14 is formed of a computer and includes a CPU 14a and a memory 14b, and the calculation unit 14c and the evaluation unit 14d function by calling and activating a program stored in the memory 14b. That is, the calculation unit 14c and the evaluation unit 14d are software modules. A display 16 and an input operation system 18 are connected to the processing device 14.

The display 16 displays the image picked up by the image pickup device 14, and also displays on screen the contents of the calculation process of the thickness dimension and the evaluation process of the sectional shape of the rubber member G performed by the processing device 14. If necessary, desired information is input through the input operation system 18 such as a mouse and a keyboard.

The calculation unit 14c determines, as a reference position, a position in the width direction W at which the convex line R, which is line information extending in the extension direction L in the image of the upper surface G3 in the image captured by the imaging unit 12a, contacts the cutting plane G2. .. Further, the calculation unit 14c cuts the measurement position, which is separated from the reference position by a predetermined distance in the width direction W, into a cut surface in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape (the dimension in the thickness direction T at the measurement position). It is configured to calculate the thickness dimension of the rubber member G at the measurement position by measuring the corresponding dimension along G2.
The evaluation unit 14d compares the calculated thickness dimension of the rubber member G with the target dimension of the predetermined target shape of the rubber member G to evaluate the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G with respect to the target shape, that is, rubber. The cross-sectional shape of the member G is configured to evaluate whether or not it is the target shape.

When the cut surface G2 has a direction inclined to the extending direction L with respect to the normal direction of the bottom surface G1 and the cut surface G2 is an inclined surface facing the upper surface side, the imaging unit It is preferable that the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 12a is provided so as to be parallel to the cut surface G2. For example, in the rubber member G, when the unvulcanized tread rubber rubber member is wound around the outer periphery of the unvulcanized rubber structure in the molding step, both ends of the unvulcanized tread rubber rubber member are abutted and bonded to each other, so that the bonding is firm. For this reason, the cut surface G2 is an inclined surface in order to increase the cut surface of the end. By providing the light receiving surface of the image pickup device of the image pickup unit 12a so as to be parallel to the cut surface G2 on such an inclined surface, the thickness dimension of the rubber member G can be accurately measured from the imaged image. ..

In addition, in the cutting plane G2, the calculation section 14c measures the dimension along the tilting direction of the cutting plane G2 of the rubber member G at the measurement position in the image, with the direction tilted along the inclined plane G2 as the tilting direction. Thus, it is preferable to calculate the thickness dimension in the thickness direction T at the measurement position. When the inclination angle of the inclined surface G2 is α [radian], the dimension on the cutting plane G2 obtained from the dimension along the inclination direction in the image is calculated, and the calculated dimension is multiplied by sin α, The thickness dimension can be calculated.

In the present embodiment, the ridge-shaped convex line R is used as the line information, but the line information may be such that it can be identified in the image that it extends in the extending direction L on the upper surface G3. As long as it is not limited to the ridge-shaped convex line R, it may be a groove-shaped concave line or a color line having a color different from that of the rubber member G (for example, red, yellow, white, etc.). Good.

The calculating unit 14c displays the images of the cut surfaces G2 and G3 captured on the display 16 and sets the position where the convex line R is in contact with the cut surface G2 as the reference position. By performing the image processing of the included image, the portion linearly extending in the extending direction L can be extracted and automatically specified. In addition, when the operator positions the cursor at a position where the convex line R on the image displayed on the display 16 is in contact with the cutting plane G2 and the operator clicks the input operation system 18 (for example, a mouse), the cursor is moved based on this click. The position may be specified as the reference position.
Further, the calculation of the corresponding dimension in the cut surface G2 in the image, which corresponds to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape, is performed by obtaining the distance from the top surface G3 to the bottom surface G1. Further, as will be described later, when a plurality of rubber layers are laminated and the boundary line of the rubber layers extends in the width direction W, the thickness dimension is the total thickness of the rubber material G in the thickness direction T, Including the distance from the upper surface G3 to the boundary line between the uppermost rubber layer and the lower rubber layer, the distance between two boundary lines of the rubber layer, and the distance from the lowermost rubber layer boundary line to the bottom surface G1. ..

As shown in FIG. 2A, the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G has a distribution in the thickness direction T. Further, the example rubber member G shown in FIG. 2A is a composite rubber member in which three rubber layers Ga, Gb, Gc having different rubber types are laminated so as to have a boundary line along the width direction W. Is. In this case, the calculating unit 14c preferably calculates, as the thickness dimension, the thickness dimension of each rubber layer Ga, Gb, Gc of the composite rubber member and the total thickness dimension of the rubber member G. When the total thickness of the rubber member G deviates from the target dimension, by comparing the thickness dimension of the rubber layer with the target dimension of each rubber layer, the rubber member is It is possible to know whether the dimension of the total thickness of G deviates from the target dimension.

As shown in FIG. 2B, four convex lines R may be provided on the upper surface G3. The position of each convex line R in the width direction W is predetermined, and is provided, for example, at a position separated from the center position of the rubber member G in the width direction W by a predetermined distance. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined measurement position to be compared with the target dimension is determined by the distance from the convex line R that is closest to the measurement position among the convex lines R. Thereby, even if the rubber member G is long in the width direction W, the thickness dimension can be accurately calculated in correspondence with the position in the width direction W.

Furthermore, the imaging unit 12a includes an imaging element 12a1 of a line sensor according to an embodiment. In this case, the image sensor 12a1 is provided so that the array direction of the image sensor 12a1 of the line sensor is orthogonal to the width direction W, as shown in FIGS.
The image sensor 12a1 of the line sensor is preferably configured to scan the cutting plane G2 in the width direction W while moving relative to the cutting plane G2. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the rubber member G is long in the width direction W and the thickness dimension is smaller than the length in the width direction W, if the entire cut surface G2 is attempted to be imaged at one time, the width direction W Requires a wide imaging field of view according to the length. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of a small thickness dimension is low. Although it is possible to increase the pixel size of the image sensor, the cost of the image sensor becomes extremely high because there are many wasted portions that are not used in the image. From this point, by configuring the image sensor 12a1 of the line sensor to scan the cutting plane G2 in the width direction W while moving it relative to the cutting plane G2, the measurement accuracy of a small thickness dimension is increased. can do.
In this case, it is preferable that the image sensor 12a1 of the line sensor is provided parallel to the cut surface G2. Thereby, the measurement accuracy of the thickness dimension can be increased.

The imaging device 12 includes an upper surface illumination light source 12b that illuminates the imaging position of the upper surface G3 that the imaging element 12a1 images, a cutting surface main illumination light source 12c that illuminates the imaging position of the cutting surface G2 that the imaging element 12a1 images, and a cutting surface. Two cut surface auxiliary illumination light sources 12d and 12e are provided for illuminating the image pickup position of G2 with respect to the image pickup element 12a1 from both sides in the width direction W. Further, the imaging device 12 controls the intensity of the illumination light of the upper surface illumination light source 12b, the cut surface main illumination light source 12c, and the cut surface sub illumination light sources 12d and 12e according to the type of the rubber member G to be measured. It is preferable to have the control unit 20.

The arrangement of the rubber layers and the thickness of the rubber layers in the composite rubber member differ depending on the type of the rubber material G. Therefore, in order to make the boundary line of the rubber layer stand out, it is preferable to change the intensity of the illumination light. The intensity of the illumination light includes zero, that is, the illumination light OFF is included.
For example, when the operator inputs the information of the type of the rubber member G to be measured from the input operation system 18, the information of the target dimension of the target shape of the rubber member G is called from the memory 14b and calculated from the captured image. The thickness dimension of the rubber member G at the measured position is compared with the target dimension. At this time, the arrangement of each rubber layer can be known from the type of the rubber member G. Depending on the arrangement of the rubber layers, the boundary line between the rubber layers cannot be distinctly distinguished unless the way of illuminating the illumination light is changed according to the arrangement of the rubber layers.
Therefore, the illumination light control unit 20 determines the upper surface illumination light source 12b, the cutting surface main illumination light source 12c, and the cutting surface sub-illumination light source 12d based on the information on the type of the rubber member G to be measured, which is obtained by the processing device 14. The intensity of the illumination light of 12e is controlled.

For example, when the boundary line of the rubber layer extends in the width direction W, in order to make the convex line R distinguishable, the upper surface illumination light source 12b that illuminates the imaging position of the upper surface G3 and the boundary line that extends along the width direction W are defined. In order to make it distinguishable, the illumination light of the cutting plane main illumination light source 12c that illuminates the imaging position of the cutting plane G2 is used. In this case, the illumination light from the cut surface auxiliary illumination light sources 12d and 12e is turned off, or the intensity of the illumination light from the cut surface auxiliary illumination light sources 12d and 12e is reduced. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the rubber layer Gd is in a certain range in the width direction W and extends from the surface G3 in the thickness direction T to the rubber layer Gc, the rubber layer Gd and the rubber layer The boundary line of the layer Ga extends along the thickness direction T. In this case, in order to distinguishably distinguish the boundary line extending in the thickness direction T, the illumination light from the cut surface sub-illumination light sources 12d and 12e which is unnecessary when the boundary line extends in the width direction W is turned on. Is preferred. Therefore, when calculating the thickness dimension of the rubber layer Gd at the boundary line between the rubber layer Ga and the rubber layer Gd, in addition to the top surface illumination light source 12b and the cut surface main illumination light source 12c, the cut surface sub illumination light sources 12d and 12e are illuminated. Also used.
In this way, the illumination light control unit 20 controls the intensity of the illumination light of the top surface illumination light source 12b, the cut surface main illumination light source 12c, and the cut surface sub illumination light sources 12d and 12e according to the type of the rubber material G. The thickness dimension with high measurement accuracy can be calculated.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are views showing an example of the rubber cross section measuring apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.
3A shows a state before cutting the rubber member G, and FIG. 3B shows a state after cutting the rubber member G.
3A and 3B, the top surface illumination light source 12b, the cut surface main illumination light source 12c, and the cut surface sub illumination light sources 12d and 12e are not shown.
The rubber cross-section measuring apparatus 10 is provided with a base 50 on which the rubber member G is placed, jigs 52 and 54 having a calibration test chart, and a cutting blade 56.
The cutting blade 56 cuts the rubber member G while moving in the width direction W from the cutting blade initial arrangement position 58. Therefore, the cutting blade 56 is configured to move freely in the width direction W of the rubber member G. The imaging unit 12a is configured to move together with the movement of the cutting blade 56 in the width direction W, as shown in FIGS. The upper surface illumination light source 12b, the cutting surface main illumination light source 12c, and the cutting surface sub-illumination light sources 12d and 12e (not shown) are also configured to move along with the movement of the cutting blade 56 in the width direction W.

The calibration test charts are provided on both sides of the mounting position of the rubber member G of the base 50 in the width direction W, and the imaging unit 12a moves in the width direction W to start imaging the cut surface G2 and the upper surface G3. The image capturing unit 12a is configured to capture an image before and after the image capturing. The calibration test chart includes a pattern image having a length of a predetermined reference dimension in the thickness direction T and the width direction W. This calibration test chart is for calibrating the thickness dimension calculated by the calculation unit 14c, and further for calibrating the length in the width direction W on the cutting plane G2 obtained from the length information in the width direction W in the image. Is used. Since this calibration test chart has a pattern image having a length of a predetermined reference dimension (for example, a length of 1 mm or 5 mm) in the thickness direction T and the width direction W, the calibration test chart has The length (the number of pixels) is obtained, the ratio between the length in the image and the length of the reference dimension is calculated, and each dimension can be calculated from the length in the image using this ratio.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the imaging unit 12a images the cutting surface G2 and the upper surface G3 while moving along with the cutting blade 56 while the cutting blade 56 returns to the cutting blade initial position. It is preferable to image the cut surface G2 and the upper surface G3 by scanning with the element 12a1. In this case, after cutting the rubber member G with the cutting blade 56, one of the cut rubber members G is separated so that the cutting surface G2 can be imaged before the cutting blade 56 returns to the cutting blade initial position 58. One of the cut rubber members G is separated by moving the portion of the base 50 on which the cut rubber member G is placed forward by the drive of the drive motor 52, so that the rubber member G is separated and the cut surface is cut. G2 appears so that it can be photographed. Since the shape of the cut surface G2 immediately after cutting the rubber member G to be measured is measured in this way, it is possible to prevent the soft rubber member 12a from being deformed by being gripped by an operator or the like, and the rubber can be deformed in a small deformation state. The cross section of the member G can be measured.

Although not shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, according to one embodiment, the bottom surface G1 of the rubber member G is placed on the base 50 before the rubber member G is cut. Then, it is preferable to press the upper surface G3 with a pressing member. In this case, it is preferable that the pressing of the upper surface G3 by the pressing member be continued until the imaging of the cut surface G2 and the upper surface G3 is completed. Thereby, stable imaging of the cut surface G2 can be performed.

As described above, when the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G is measured, the cut surface G2 of the rubber member G and the upper surface G3 provided with the line information of the convex line R are put in the same visual field and imaged. The line information of the convex line R extending in the extending direction L in the image of the upper surface G3 in the captured image is specified, and the position in the width direction where the specified line information contacts the cutting plane G2 is set as the reference position. By measuring the corresponding dimension along the cutting plane G2 in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction T at the measurement position that is separated from the reference position by a predetermined distance in the width direction W, the rubber The thickness dimension of the member G at the measurement position is calculated. Therefore, the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the rubber member G can be obtained in correspondence with the position of the rubber member G in the width direction.

Before being imaged, depending on the type of the rubber member G to be measured, the upper surface illumination light source 12b that illuminates the imaging position of the upper surface G3, the cutting surface main illumination light source 12c that illuminates the imaging position of the cutting surface G2, and the cutting surface. Adjusting the intensity of the illumination light emitted from each of the two cut surface sub-illumination light sources 12d and 12e that illuminates the imaging position of G2 from both sides in the width direction W makes the boundary line distinguishable. preferable.

The rubber cross-section measuring device and the rubber cross-section measuring method of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it's good. For example, in a molding step during the manufacturing process of a pneumatic tire, the rubber cross-section measuring device of the above-described embodiment is combined with a cutting mechanism for cutting a rubber extruding member to be an unvulcanized rubber member used in the molding step, immediately before molding. By measuring the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member obtained by cutting the rubber extruding member, the cross-sectional shape of the unvulcanized rubber member used for molding can be measured for each tire.

10 rubber cross-section measuring device 12 image pickup device 12a image pickup part 12a1 image pickup device 12b upper surface illumination light source 12c cut surface main illumination light sources 12d, 12e cut surface auxiliary illumination light source 14 processing device 14a CPU
14b Memory 14c Calculation unit 14d Evaluation unit 16 Display 18 Input operation system 20 Illumination light control unit 50 Bases 52, 54 Jig 56 Cutting blade 58 Cutting blade initial position

Claims (13)

A rubber cross-section measuring device for measuring the cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member having a constant cross-sectional shape extending in one direction,
The unvulcanized rubber member has a planar bottom surface, the normal direction of the bottom surface is the thickness direction, the one direction is the extending direction, the thickness direction and the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. When the width direction is, the end of the unvulcanized rubber member in the extending direction includes a cutting surface cut by a surface parallel to the width direction,
The unvulcanized rubber member extends in the extending direction of the unvulcanized rubber member on the upper surface of the unvulcanized rubber member when viewed from a direction opposite to the bottom surface side in the thickness direction. The ridge-shaped convex line or groove-shaped concave line, or identifiable line information composed of a color line having a color different from that of the unvulcanized rubber member is provided at a predetermined position in the width direction. Cage,
An image pickup device having an image pickup unit that picks up the cut surface of the unvulcanized rubber member and the upper surface provided with the line information in the same field of view,
In the image of the upper surface in the image captured by the imaging unit, the position in the width direction at which the line information extending in the extending direction contacts the cutting surface is set as a reference position, and the position in advance from the reference position in the width direction. At the measurement position of the cut surface separated by a predetermined distance, by measuring the corresponding dimension along the cut surface in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction of the measurement position, And a processing device having a calculation unit for calculating the thickness dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member at the measurement position. The processing device compares the calculated thickness dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member with a target dimension at the measurement position of a predetermined target shape of the unvulcanized rubber member to obtain the unvulcanized rubber member. The rubber cross-section measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising an evaluation unit that evaluates the target shape of the cross-sectional shape of the member. The cutting surface has a direction inclined to the extending direction in the normal direction with respect to the normal direction of the bottom surface, and the cutting surface is an inclined surface facing the upper surface side,
The rubber cross-section measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a light-receiving surface of the image pickup element of the image pickup section is provided so as to be parallel to the cut surface. In the cut surface, the direction inclined along the cut surface is the tilt direction,
The calculating unit calculates a thickness dimension in the thickness direction at the measurement position by measuring a dimension along the inclination direction of the unvulcanized rubber member at the measurement position in the image, Item 3. The rubber cross-section measuring device according to item 3. The unvulcanized rubber member is a composite rubber member having a configuration in which a plurality of rubber layers having different rubber types are laminated so as to have a boundary surface along the width direction,
The said calculation part calculates the thickness dimension of each rubber layer of the said composite rubber member, and the thickness dimension of the said whole composite rubber member as the said thickness dimension, Any one of Claims 1-4. Rubber cross-section measuring device. The image pickup unit includes an image pickup device of a line sensor, and the image pickup device is provided so that an array direction of the image pickup devices of the line sensor is orthogonal to the width direction.
The rubber cross-section measurement according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup device is configured to scan the cut surface in the width direction while moving relatively to the cut surface. apparatus. The rubber cross-section measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the imaging element is provided in parallel with the cut surface. The photographing device is
An upper surface illumination light source that illuminates an image capturing position of the upper surface captured by the image sensor, a cut surface main illumination light source that illuminates an image capturing position of the cut surface imaged by the image sensor, and the image capturing position of the cut surface. Two cut surface sub-illumination light sources that illuminate the element from both sides in the width direction,
An illumination light control unit that controls the intensity of the illumination light of the top surface illumination light source, the cutting surface main illumination light source, and the cutting surface sub-illumination light source according to the type of the unvulcanized rubber member to be measured. The rubber cross-section measuring device according to claim 6 or 7. A base on which the unvulcanized rubber member is placed,
The thickness in order to calibrate the length in the width direction of the cut surface obtained from the thickness dimension calculated in the calculation unit and the length information in the width direction in the image, which is provided in the base, The jig|tool provided with the calibration test chart which has the pattern image which has the length of a predetermined reference dimension in the width direction and the said width direction, The rubber cross section of any one of Claims 1-8. measuring device. A rubber cross-section measuring method for measuring the cross-sectional shape of an unvulcanized rubber member having a constant cross-sectional shape extending in one direction,
The unvulcanized rubber member has a planar bottom surface, the normal direction of the bottom surface is the thickness direction, the one direction is the extending direction, the thickness direction and the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. When the width direction is, the end of the unvulcanized rubber member in the extending direction includes a cutting surface cut by a surface parallel to the width direction,
A ridge-shaped concave line or groove-shaped convex line extending along the extension of the unvulcanized rubber member is formed on the upper surface of the unvulcanized rubber member that faces the bottom surface, or the unvulcanized rubber member. Distinguishable line information consisting of color lines with different colors is provided at a predetermined position in the width direction,
A step of capturing the cut surface of the unvulcanized rubber member and the upper surface provided with the line information in the same field of view;
From the reference position, the line information extending in the extending direction is specified in the image of the upper surface in the captured image, and the position in the width direction in contact with the cut surface of the specified line information is set as a reference position. By measuring the corresponding dimension along the cutting surface in the image corresponding to the thickness dimension of the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction at the measurement position of the cutting surface that is separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction. And a step of calculating the thickness dimension of the unvulcanized rubber member at the measurement position. The cutting surface is formed by cutting the unvulcanized rubber member with the cutting blade while moving the cutting blade from the cutting blade initial position to the width direction,
The step of imaging, after cutting the unvulcanized rubber member, before the cutting blade returns to the cutting blade initial position, one of the cut unvulcanized rubber member is separated, the cutting blade is The rubber cross-section measuring method according to claim 10, wherein, while returning to the cutting blade initial position, the cutting surface and the upper surface are imaged by scanning with an image sensor while moving with the cutting blade. Before cutting the unvulcanized rubber member, with the bottom surface of the unvulcanized rubber member placed on a base, press the upper surface with a pressing member,
The rubber cross-section measuring method according to claim 11, wherein the pressing of the upper surface by the pressing member is continued until the imaging of the cut surface and the upper surface is completed. Before the step of imaging, depending on the type of the unvulcanized rubber member to be measured, an upper surface illumination light source that illuminates the imaging position of the upper surface, a cutting surface main illumination light source that illuminates the imaging position of the cutting surface, And the rubber according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which adjusts the intensity of the illumination light emitted by each of the two cutting surface auxiliary illumination light sources that illuminate the imaging position of the cutting surface from both sides in the width direction. Section measurement method.

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