JP2023042145A - Kneading method and kneading system for unvulcanized rubber - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a kneading method and a kneading system for an unvulcanized rubber capable of more assuredly manufacturing the unvulcanized rubber into which a vulcanization compounding agent is kneaded.SOLUTION: When kneading a primary kneaded rubber R1 obtained by kneading a non-vulcanization compounding agent M2 into a raw material rubber M1 and a vulcanization compounding agent M3 while circulating on a circulation route formed using a delivery conveyor 6 and a re-kneading conveyer 5 of a roll kneading machine 2, the kneading method introduces a masterbatch Mb obtained by coloring the vulcanization compounding agent M3 into a color different from the primary kneaded rubber R1 into the circulation route on which the primary kneaded rubber R1 circulates. A non-contact color identification sensor 9 detects color data on a surface of the circulation route at predetermined positions in an extending direction of the circulation route. On the basis of the detected color data, an arithmetic unit 10 determines appropriateness degree in the introduction of the vulcanization compounding agent M3 into the primary kneaded rubber R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a kneading method and a kneading system for unvulcanized rubber, and more particularly, a kneading method and kneading method for unvulcanized rubber that can more reliably produce unvulcanized rubber mixed with a vulcanization compounding agent. It is about the system.

Various rubber products such as tires and conveyor belts are manufactured by vulcanizing unvulcanized rubber. This unvulcanized rubber contains raw rubber, unvulcanized compounding agents, and vulcanized compounding agents. As a procedure for producing this unvulcanized rubber, for example, raw rubber and unvulcanized compounding agents are kneaded to produce a primary kneaded rubber. After that, the primary kneaded rubber and the vulcanization compounding agent are kneaded to produce an unvulcanized rubber.

As an apparatus for kneading unvulcanized rubber, various open-structure roll kneaders have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When kneading the primary kneaded rubber and the vulcanization type compounding agent using an open-structure roll kneader, the vulcanization type compounding agent is put in the circulation path in which the primary kneaded rubber circulates in lumps or sheets. Contain it in raw rubber and put it in. At this time, a problem may occur in which the vulcanization compounding agent is not reliably introduced into the circulation path because the raw rubber bounces and falls off in the circulation path. Therefore, there is room for improvement in more reliably producing unvulcanized rubber in which vulcanization compounding agents are kneaded.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-142802

An object of the present invention is to provide an unvulcanized rubber kneading method and a kneading system that can more reliably produce unvulcanized rubber in which a vulcanization compounding agent is kneaded.

In order to achieve the above object, the unvulcanized rubber kneading method of the present invention comprises a primary kneaded rubber in which an unvulcanized compounding agent is kneaded into a raw material rubber, and a vulcanized compounding agent, which are mixed on a roll having an open structure. In a kneading method for unvulcanized rubber in which unvulcanized rubber is produced by kneading by circulating a circulation path of a kneader, a masterbatch in which the vulcanization compounding agent is colored in a color different from that of the primary kneaded rubber. is prepared, the masterbatch is put into the circulation path in which the primary kneaded rubber is circulating, and the non-contact color identification sensor detects the masterbatch at a predetermined position in the extension direction of the circulation path. It is characterized in that color data on the surface is detected, and based on the detected color data, the computing device judges the appropriateness of adding the vulcanizing compounding agent to the primary kneaded rubber.

The unvulcanized rubber kneading system of the present invention has an open structure having a circulation path for circulating and kneading the primary kneaded rubber in which the unvulcanized compounding agent is kneaded into the raw rubber and the vulcanized compounding agent. a non-contact color identification sensor for detecting color data on the surface of the circulation path at a predetermined position in the extending direction of the circulation path; and a computing device to which data is input, and a masterbatch colored in a color different from that of the primary kneaded rubber is used as the vulcanization compounding agent, and the color data detected by the color identification sensor is used. Based on this, it is characterized in that the appropriateness of adding the vulcanizing compounding agent to the primary kneaded rubber is judged by the computing device.

According to the present invention, since a masterbatch in which the vulcanization compounding agent is colored in a color different from that of the primary kneaded rubber is used, the vulcanization compounding agent is properly added to the primary kneaded rubber. The color data detected by the color identification sensor differs depending on whether the color identification sensor is inserted properly or not. Therefore, by using the detected color data as a basis, it is possible to accurately determine the appropriateness of adding the vulcanization compounding agent to the primary kneaded rubber by the computing device. As a result, it is advantageous to more reliably produce unvulcanized rubber kneaded with vulcanization compounding agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing which illustrates embodiment of the kneading system of unvulcanized rubber by the side view. 1. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the state which is discharged|emitted from the roll kneader of FIG. 1 at the manufactured unvulcanized rubber. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically exemplifying the periphery of the detection range of the color identification sensor of FIG. 1 in plan view; 1. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates typically the periphery of the detection range of the color identification sensor after throwing a masterbatch into the roll kneading machine of FIG. 1 by planar view. FIG. 4 is a graph diagram schematically exemplifying changes over time in detection intensity of color data in a detection range detected by a color identification sensor; FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of index data for grasping the degree of kneading of a vulcanization compounding agent.

The kneading method and kneading system for unvulcanized rubber of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

In the embodiment of the unvulcanized rubber kneading system 1 of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. The unvulcanized rubber R is produced by kneading with the agent M3. The raw rubber M1, the unvulcanized compounding agent M2, and the vulcanized compounding agent M3, which constitute the unvulcanized rubber R, are each used in a preset compounding amount.

As the raw rubber M1, one type or a plurality of types are used from natural rubber, various synthetic rubbers, and the like, depending on the purpose. The non-vulcanized compounding agent M2 is appropriately selected from various known compounding agents such as carbon black and silica according to the purpose. The vulcanization compounding agent M3 is appropriately selected from various known compounding agents such as sulfur, a vulcanization activator, and a vulcanization accelerator, depending on the purpose.

The primary kneaded rubber R1 is obtained by kneading the raw rubber M1 and the non-vulcanized compounding agent M2. The primary kneaded rubber R1 may be one kneaded by this roll kneader 2 or one kneaded by another kneader (for example, a Banbury mixer).

In this embodiment, the vulcanization compounding agent M3 is used in the form of a masterbatch Mb that is colored differently from the primary kneaded rubber R. That is, a masterbatch Mb is used which is produced by pre-kneading the raw rubber M1, the vulcanizing compounding agent M3, and the colorant so that the powdery vulcanizing compounding agent M3 does not scatter.

The color of the masterbatch Mb is preferably set to a color that can be easily distinguished from the color of the primary kneaded rubber R1. Since the primary kneaded rubber R1 is generally black, it is preferable to set the color of the masterbatch Mb to white, red, yellow, blue, or the like.

This kneading system 1 includes an open-structure roll kneader 2 , a non-contact type color identification sensor 9 , and an arithmetic unit 10 . The kneading system 1 further comprises a display 11 and a warning device 12. A display 11 and warning device 12 may optionally be provided.

The roll kneader 2 has a circulation path for circulating and kneading the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the vulcanization compounding agent M3. As the roll kneader 2, various known open structures can be used. The roll kneader 2 includes a pair of opposing kneading rolls 2 a and 2 b , a kneading conveyor 5 , a delivery conveyor 6 , a supply conveyor 7 and a control device 8 .

The pair of kneading rolls 2a and 2b are rotated by separately provided hydraulic or electric drive motors 4a and 4b, and their rotational speeds can be independently adjusted and can rotate forward and backward. An actuator 3 such as a hydraulic cylinder is connected to one kneading roll 2a, and the gap (roll gap) between the kneading rolls 2a and 2b is adjusted by moving the kneading roll 2a toward and away from the other kneading roll 2b. It is possible.

The kneading conveyor 5 extends horizontally from above the pair of kneading rolls 2a and 2b, and the extending direction changes obliquely downward along the way. The transfer conveyor 6 extends horizontally from below the pair of kneading rolls 2a and 2b, and is vertically rotatable along the way. The obliquely downwardly extending end of the kneading conveyor 5 is positioned around the rotation center of the delivery conveyor 6 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the transfer conveyor 6 is turned upward halfway, the kneading conveyor 5 and the transfer conveyor 6 form a circulation path. As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the delivery conveyor 6 rotates downward halfway and the delivery conveyor 6 becomes flat over its entire length, the circulation path is eliminated.

The supply conveyor 7 is arranged above the pair of kneading rolls 2a and 2b. A strip-shaped masterbatch Mb (vulcanization compounding agent M3) transported by a supply conveyor 7 is introduced between a pair of kneading rolls 2a and 2b. The kneading conveyor 5, the transfer conveyor 6, and the supply conveyor 7 can each use known conveyor devices. An object to be conveyed is placed and conveyed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt provided for each of them.

The operation of the pair of kneading rolls 2a, 2b (driving motors 4a, 4b), the actuator 3, the kneading conveyor 5, the transfer conveyor 6, and the supply conveyor 7 is controlled by the controller 8. The controller 8 is supplied with data such as drive torque of the drive motors 4a and 4b, surface speed of the kneading rolls 2a and 2b, roll gap, and rubber temperature. to control.

The color identification sensor 9 detects color data on the surface of the circulation path formed by the kneading conveyor 5 and the delivery conveyor 6 at a predetermined position in the extending direction of the circulation path. As the color identification sensor 9, various known devices capable of identifying the color of the detection range Z (differences in color) in a non-contact state with respect to the detection range Z can be used.

In this embodiment, the predetermined position where the color identification sensor 9 is arranged is set above the horizontally extending portion of the kneading conveyor 5 . At this predetermined position, the color identification sensor 9 senses color data on the upper surface of the conveyor belt of the kneading conveyor 5 which constitutes the circulation path. The predetermined position where the color identification sensor 9 is arranged is not limited to this position, and may be a position above the delivery conveyor 6 .

As illustrated in FIG. 3, two color identification sensors 9 are arranged above the kneading conveyor 5 in this embodiment. In the drawing, the detection range Z by each color identification sensor 9 is indicated as a range surrounded by a dashed line. It is preferable that the color identification sensor 9 covers the entire width range of the circulation path at a predetermined position and detects color data. That is, it is preferable to set the detection range Z so as to cover the entire width of the circulation route (upper surface of the belt conveyor). If the detection range Z can be set so as to cover the entire width of the circulation path (upper surface of the belt conveyor) with one color identification sensor 9, one color identification sensor 9 may be placed. For example, the required number of color identification sensors 9 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the circulation route.

The color discrimination sensor 9 of this embodiment acquires image data in the detection range Z and analyzes the image data to discriminate colors (differences in colors). A color identification sensor 9 of a type that identifies the color (color difference) of the detection range Z using the wavelength (band) of the reflected light in the detection range Z may be used.

Color data detected by the color identification sensor 9 is input to the arithmetic unit 10 . A computer is used as the arithmetic unit 10 . Color data of the masterbatch Mb is stored in advance in the arithmetic unit 10 . It is preferable that color data of the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the surface of the circulation path in the detection range Z (upper surface of the conveyor belt) are also stored in the arithmetic unit 10 in advance. Based on the color data input from the color identification sensor 9, the arithmetic unit 10 determines the appropriateness of the vulcanization compounding agent M3 for the primary kneaded rubber R.

The display 11 displays data input to the computing device 10, data processed by computation, and the like. The display 11 can also function as a warning device 12, which will be described later.

The warning device 12 operates based on the determination by the computing device 10 . Examples of the warning device 12 include warning lights, alarms, and various devices that display warnings.

Next, an example of the procedure for producing the unvulcanized rubber R according to the present invention will be explained.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a masterbatch Mb is fed onto a pair of kneading rolls 2a and 2b of a roll kneader 2 by a supply conveyor 7. As shown in FIG. In this roll kneader 2 , the primary kneaded rubber R circulates through an annular circulation path formed by the kneading conveyor 5 and the delivery conveyor 6 .

The masterbatch Mb introduced into this circulation route repeatedly circulates through the circulation route together with the primary kneaded rubber R1. In the circulation path, the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb are passed between kneading rolls 2a and 2b that rotate in opposite directions and are pressed under pressure, so that an appropriate shearing force is applied. By repeatedly applying a shear force by the kneading rolls 2a and 2b, the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb are kneaded while the vulcanizing compounding agent M3 is gradually dispersed over a wide range in the primary kneaded rubber R1. Then, the unvulcanized rubber R having the target viscosity is produced.

When the unvulcanized rubber R is produced, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the middle of the transfer conveyor 6 is rotated downward to eliminate the circulation path. The manufactured unvulcanized rubber R is then discharged from the roll kneader 2 by the delivery conveyor 6 and conveyed to the next process.

In the present invention, the color identification sensor 9 detects color data on the surface of the circulation path during the kneading of the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb. As illustrated in FIG. 3, before the masterbatch Mb is introduced into the circulation path, only the primary kneaded rubber R1 exists on the surface of the circulation path. Therefore, the color data detected by the color identification sensor 9 is mainly the color data of the primary kneaded rubber R1, and part of the color data of the surface of the conveyor belt is also detected. However, the color data of masterbatch Mb is not detected.

Color data of the masterbatch Mb is stored in advance in the arithmetic unit 10 . Further, the color of the masterbatch Mb is different from that of the primary kneaded rubber R. When the color data detected by the color identification sensor 9 is input to the arithmetic unit 10, the input color data and the stored color data of the masterbatch Mb are compared to calculate the degree of matching between the two. As a result, the degree of matching between the two is calculated to be low, so it is determined that the masterbatch Mb does not exist in the detection range Z. That is, it is determined that the vulcanization compounding agent M3 is not kneaded into the primary kneaded rubber R1.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, after the masterbatch Mb is introduced into the circulation path, the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb are present on the surface of the circulation path. Therefore, the color data detected by the color identification sensor 9 mainly changes to the color data of the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the color data of the masterbatch Mb.

When the color data detected by the color identification sensor 9 is input to the arithmetic unit 10, the input color data and the stored color data of the masterbatch Mb are compared to calculate the degree of matching between the two. . As a result, the degree of matching between the two is calculated to be high, so it is determined that the masterbatch Mb is present in the detection range Z. That is, it is determined that the vulcanization compounding agent M3 is kneaded into the primary kneaded rubber R1.

Accordingly, immediately after the masterbatch Mb is fed into the roll kneader 2 by the supply conveyor 7, the color identification sensor 9 thus detects the color data on the surface of the circulation path. As a result, it is possible to determine the appropriateness of the injection of the vulcanization compounding agent M3 into the primary kneaded rubber R1 (whether it is surely injected or not) based on the color data detected by the color identification sensor 9. .

Even if the masterbatch Mb (vulcanization compounding agent M3) is surely added to the primary kneaded rubber R1, as the kneading of the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb progresses, the coloring matter of the masterbatch Mb becomes primary. It disperses widely in the kneaded rubber R1, and the color data of the masterbatch Mb gradually becomes undetectable. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the detection intensity of the color data of the masterbatch Mb gradually decreases. In FIG. 5, the change in the detection intensity D of the color data is simplified and described as linearly decreasing.

Therefore, in order to accurately determine the appropriateness of the addition of the vulcanization compounding agent M3 to the primary kneaded rubber R1, a preset relatively short period ( It is necessary to use color data detected with a small number of cycles). An appropriate value for this relatively short period (small number of circulations) is grasped by prior kneading using the roll kneader 2 or the like.

As described above, according to the present invention, the masterbatch Mb in which the vulcanization compounding agent M3 is colored in a color different from that of the primary kneaded rubber R1 is used, and based on the color data detected by the color identification sensor 9, It is determined whether or not the vulcanization compounding agent M3 is added to the primary kneaded rubber R. Therefore, this determination can be made with high accuracy, which is advantageous for more reliably manufacturing the unvulcanized rubber R kneaded with the vulcanization compounding agent M3.

Further, the color data is detected in a non-contact manner using the color identification sensor 9 with respect to the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb circulating in the circulation path. Therefore, it is advantageous for efficient production without impairing the productivity of the unvulcanized rubber R.

The masterbatch Mb may be mixed with the primary kneaded rubber R1 while being unevenly distributed in the width direction. Therefore, if the color data is detected covering the entire width range of the circulation path at a predetermined position as in this embodiment, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether the vulcanization type compounding agent M3 is properly injected into the primary kneaded rubber R1. becomes advantageous.

In this embodiment, the color identification sensor 9 detects color data in the flat area of the circulation path. That is, although the detection range Z is set to the flat area of the conveyor belt, the detection range Z can also be set to, for example, a curved area around the pulleys of the belt conveyor. In such a curved region of the circulation path, the circulating rubber material is pulled relatively strongly, and it may be possible to detect the color inside the rubber material. Therefore, it is possible to detect the color data of the masterbatch Mb embedded in the primary kneaded rubber R1.

When using a plurality of types of vulcanization compounding agents M3, it is preferable to prepare and use masterbatches Mb colored in different colors for each type. As a result, the color data of each masterbatch Mb can be identified and detected by the color identification sensor 9, so that it is possible to determine the appropriateness of input to the primary kneaded rubber R1 for each type of vulcanization compounding agent M3. becomes possible. In this case, it is preferable to set the color of each masterbatch Mb to an easily identifiable color.

When the display 11 is provided, the image data of the detection range Z and the detection intensity D of the color data input to the arithmetic device 10 can be displayed on the display 11 in real time. This makes it easy to grasp the kneading state of the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb just by looking at the display 11 .

When the computing device 10 determines that the addition of the vulcanizing compounding agent M3 to the primary kneaded rubber R1 is not proper, the warning device 12 issues a warning to inform that it is not proper. The display 11 functions as a warning device 12 if it is configured to display a warning to notify of this on the display 11 . By providing the warning device 12, it is possible to grasp the occurrence of a problem without delay, so that quick countermeasures can be taken.

The degree of mixing of the vulcanization compounding agent M3 with the primary kneaded rubber R1 can also be determined using the change over time of the detection intensity D of the color data illustrated in FIG. This detection intensity D gradually decreases when the masterbatch Mb (vulcanization compounding agent M3) is reliably added to the primary kneaded rubber R1.

Therefore, data on the change over time of the detection intensity D when the masterbatch Mb (vulcanized compounding agent M3) was properly added to the primary kneaded rubber R1 and kneaded to produce a good unvulcanized rubber R, It is used as index data Dm as illustrated in FIG. A permissible range Ar is set for this index data Dm. Then, the temporal change data of the detection intensity D acquired when the primary kneaded rubber R1 and the masterbatch Mb (vulcanization compounding agent M3) were kneaded are compared with the index data Dm of FIG. As a result of the comparison, if the obtained data of changes in detection intensity D over time falls within the allowable range Ar of the index data Dm in FIG. 6, it can be determined that the kneading state is good.

1 Kneading system 2 Roll kneaders 2a, 2b Kneading rolls 3 Actuators 4a, 4b Drive motor 5 Kneading conveyor 6 Delivery conveyor 7 Supply conveyor 8 Control device 9 Color identification sensor 10 Arithmetic device 11 Display 12 Warning device R Unvulcanized rubber R1 Primary kneaded rubber M1 Raw rubber M2 Non-vulcanized compounding agent M3 Vulcanized compounding agent Mb Masterbatch

Claims (6)

Unvulcanized rubber is produced by circulating and kneading the primary kneaded rubber, which is raw rubber mixed with non-vulcanized compounding agents, and the vulcanized compounding agents by circulating the circulation path of an open-structured roll kneader. In the method for kneading the unvulcanized rubber to be produced,
A masterbatch in which the vulcanization compounding agent is colored in a color different from that of the primary kneaded rubber is prepared in advance, and the masterbatch is introduced into the circulation path in which the primary kneaded rubber is circulated. A color identification sensor detects color data on the surface of the circulation path at a predetermined position in the direction in which the circulation path extends, and based on the detected color data, an arithmetic unit controls the vulcanization system for the primary kneaded rubber. A method for kneading unvulcanized rubber, characterized by judging the appropriateness of adding a compounding agent. 2. The method of kneading unvulcanized rubber according to claim 1, wherein the color data is detected covering the entire width range of the circulation path at the predetermined position. 3. The method of kneading unvulcanized rubber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the degree of mixing of said vulcanization compounding agent in said primary kneaded rubber is judged based on the change over time of said color data. The method for kneading unvulcanized rubber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the masterbatch is colored differently depending on the type of the vulcanization compounding agent. The unvulcanized unvulcanized product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the arithmetic unit determines that the addition of the vulcanization compounding agent to the primary kneaded rubber is not appropriate, a warning is issued to notify the occurrence of trouble. Rubber kneading method. Unvulcanized rubber equipped with an open structure roll kneader having a circulation path for circulating and kneading primary kneaded rubber in which unvulcanized compounding agents are kneaded into raw rubber and vulcanized compounding agents. In the kneading system,
a non-contact type color identification sensor for detecting color data on the surface of the circulation path at a predetermined position in the extending direction of the circulation path; A masterbatch colored in a color different from that of the primary kneaded rubber is used as a compounding agent, and the vulcanization system for the primary kneaded rubber is determined by the computing device based on the color data detected by the color identification sensor. A kneading system for unvulcanized rubber, characterized in that it is configured to determine the appropriateness of adding compounding agents.

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