JP4054129B2

JP4054129B2 - Mold changing apparatus and mold changing method

Info

Publication number: JP4054129B2
Application number: JP9758999A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 泰三伊藤; 章男大林
Original assignee: Bridgestone Corp
Current assignee: Bridgestone Corp
Priority date: 1999-04-05
Filing date: 1999-04-05
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-05
Also published as: JP2000289030A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、金型交換装置及び金型交換方法に関し、特に、空気入りタイヤの加硫成型用金型を加硫機へ移載し又は加硫機から使用済金型を取出し、新たに次使用金型を移載する金型交換装置と、この装置を用いた加硫機に対する金型交換方法とに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
空気入りタイヤ（以下タイヤという）生産の最終段階に近い加硫成型工程では、前段の成型工程にて、一般化している頻繁なサイズ切替乃至種類切替に対応しなければならない。これら成型サイズ切替乃至成型種類切替に合わせ、それまで加硫機に取付けていたタイヤ加硫成型用旧金型を新金型と交換する必要が生じるケースが殆ど全てである。
【０００３】
タイヤの加硫成型用金型は相当な重量物であり、よって、この種の金型を加硫機に取付けるにも、また、加硫機に取付けている使用済旧金型を次使用の新金型に交換するにしても、取扱いや作業は容易ではない。このことは、金型が二つ割り合わせモールドの場合にも当てはまるが、合わせモールドに比し、より一層構造が複雑な割りモールドの場合が深刻である。なぜなら、割りモールドは、円周方向に多数個に分割したトレッド部形成用金型エレメントと、各エレメントに連結し、各エレメントを放射方向内外に移動させるセグメントとを有するからである。
【０００４】
すなわち、新旧金型の搬送にはフォークリフトを使用し、加硫機からの旧金型の取出及び加硫機への新金型の装填にはホイストやクレーンを使用するのが一般である。しかし、これらの作業は、人手と多くの時間とを要し、加硫生産性を低下させ、さらに、長時間に及ぶ高温内作業が余儀なくされるなど、多くの問題を含む。
【０００５】
そこで、重量物の金型交換における自動化及び省力化を目指し、特開平５−２２９６４３号公報（その一）では、複数台の低圧鋳造機のごとき成型機に対する上下金型の交換装置に関し、成形機の前をガイド手段に沿って走行可能な親台車に子台車を搭載し、上下金型を載せた子台車が、親台車に回動自在に取付けた連結部材と、成型機に固定した被連結部材との連結体上を走行して、成型機のベース上に乗り移る交換装置を開示している。
【０００６】
また、タイヤ加硫機における上下金型交換台車に関し、特開平６−３１５９３８号公報（その二）は、多数の加硫機に沿い自走可能な台車と、該台車上に設けた、加硫機に向かいスライド可能なスライド台車と、該スライド台車上の旋回台とで構成し、旋回台は２セットの金型組立体の搭載部を有し、金型を搭載したスライド台車が、旋回台上のレ−ルと加硫機内のレールとの接続レール上を往復スライド移動する金型交換台車を開示している。
【０００７】
また、加硫機から取出した使用済金型を金型置場に戻し、金型置場から選択し取出した次使用金型を加硫機に装填する金型交換装置に関し、特開平１０−６３４５号公報（その三）では、上下一対の金型載置台と、これら一対の載置台の昇降手段と、これら載置台を加硫機に接近離隔させる手段としてのリフタとで構成し、リフタにより載置台を交換位置まで移動させる金型交換装置を開示している。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
まず前記公報その一が開示する上下金型の交換装置は、一度に多数個の金型交換を要するタイヤ生産の場合には生産性が低く不向きである。さらに、親台車及び連結部材と被連結部材との連結体上それぞれの走行面と、複数台乃至多数台の成型機の複数乃至多数の走行面とを、相互に同一水平面上に位置させることは実際上、不可能と言える。どうしても３者の走行面に不揃いが生じ、このことは、重量物である上下金型の円滑なベース上への乗り移り及び子台車への乗り移りに支障をきたす。また、ベース上での金型の位置決めが不十分であり、これは、特に精密な位置決めが高品質の最終決め手となるタイヤ加硫成型用金型移載の場合に問題となる。
【０００９】
次に、前記公報その二が開示する上下金型交換台車は、２セットの金型組立体の搭載部を有する点で公報その一が提案する交換装置よりタイヤ生産に適合する。しかし、金型交換に当り、金型組立体の搭載部の旋回動作を必要とするため、交換効率が低い点で改善を要する。さらに、スライド台車を往復スライド移動させるためのレールを加硫機内に設ける必要があり、加硫機の大幅改造を必要とする点に難点も有する。また、位置決め手段は、スライド台車の加硫機に対する位置決めであり、必ずしも金型の加硫機に対する位置決めではなく、正確な心出とは言えず、問題が残る。
【００１０】
最後に、前記公報その三が開示する金型交換装置は、前２者と対比して、加硫機の改造を必要とせず現行の加硫機をそのまま使用することができる点、かつ、円滑な金型交換が可能である点で、優れた金型交換装置である。しかし、２個の次使用金型を同時に加硫機に移載すること、そして、２個の使用済金型を加硫機から同時に取出すことはできず、これらの点で改善の余地を残す。また、金型自体の正確な位置決めに関しては、加硫機に対する金型交換装置の位置決めに止まるため改良を要する。さらに、装置の構成が複雑であり、従って高価となる点も合わせ改善するのが良い。
【００１１】
ここに、タイヤ生産工場における加硫機の実状は下記の通りである。
すなわち、実状その一として、日常、比較的高頻度で実施されるサイズ切替又は種類切替に際し、少なくとも量産タイヤにおいては、全般に、多数個の金型を一斉に交換することが必要である。
【００１２】
乗用車用タイヤを代表とする比較的小形サイズの加硫成型については、生産性向上のため、全般に、１基の加硫機に２個の金型を取付けるツインタイプ加硫機を充当する。この種の加硫機は１基内に同一サイズ、同一種類の金型を用いる。この場合、２個の金型を対として同時期に取付け、又は交換するのが一般である。
【００１３】
比較的大型サイズの代表としてのトラック及びバス用タイヤの加硫成型には、１基の加硫機に１個の金型を取付けるシングルタイプ加硫機を充当する。しかし、量産タイヤである限り、多数基の横並び加硫機に隣合わせで同一金型を用いるので、ツインタイプ加硫機と同様に２個以上の金型を同時期に取付け、又は交換するのが普通である。
【００１４】
実状その二として、ツインタイプ加硫機につき、隣合う２個の金型配置間隔は、或る数の加硫機群の中では一様であるが、全加硫機を通じてみれば不揃いであるのが一般である。また、隣合う２基のシングルタイプ加硫機における各金型間隔も同様に不揃いが普通である。実状その三として、加硫機下方部の金型支持面の床からの高さは一様ではない。
【００１５】
上記実状その一〜その三についてみれば、前記公報その一〜その三が提案する金型交換装置は、総じて、タイヤ生産及び加硫機双方の実状に則して金型交換を効率良く実施する上で多くの改善点を有している。これら改善を要する機能は、金型が割りモールドの場合はなおさら深刻である。なぜなら、割りモールドは、タイヤの加硫形付けに直接係わる金型本体と、金型本体を包み込むコンテナとの２種金型から構成する、複雑な構造を有するからである。
【００１６】
従って、この発明の請求項１〜１３に記載した発明は、タイヤ生産及び加硫機双方の実状に則して、いずれの加硫機にも即時に対応可能であり、２個の金型を正確な位置決めの下で迅速に加硫機に移載することができ、かつ、２個の金型を加硫機から円滑迅速に取出すことができる、高能率かつ高精度な金型交換装置の提供を目的その一とする。
【００１７】
また、この発明の請求項１４〜２０に記載した発明は、請求項１〜１３に記載した発明の金型交換装置を用いて、２個の金型の高能率な金型交換方法の提供を目的その二とする。
【００１８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
まず、上記目的その一を達成するため、この発明の請求項１に記載した発明は、加硫機外の金型を加硫機内に移載し、加硫機内の金型を取出す移載手段と、該移載手段を支持する台と、加硫機に対する位置合わせ手段とを備える金型交換装置において、金型交換装置は、同一台上に、加硫機に向かって横方向に並び対向配置になる一対の移載手段と、各移載手段の相互間隔を調整する間隔調整機構とを有することを特徴とする金型交換装置である。
【００１９】
請求項１に記載した発明の一対の移載手段の対向配置に関し、実際上は、請求項２に記載した発明のように、２個の金型を正面に向かって横方向に並べて隣合わせで取付ける加硫機に対する金型交換装置の位置合わせの下で、一対の移載手段の対向方向は、上記加硫機の２個の金型取付方向に沿うものとする。そのため、好適には、一対の移載手段の支持台は、加硫機内金型配列方向と平行な方向に沿って案内される台車とする。
【００２０】
請求項１、２に記載した発明に関し、請求項３に記載した発明は、間隔調整機構は、少なくとも一方の移載手段を対向方向に往復移動させる移動手段を有する。
【００２１】
請求項３に記載した発明は、実際上、請求項４に記載した発明のように、間隔調整機構の移動手段は、一方の移載手段の上記移動を案内する案内手段と、該案内部材の案内に従って一方の移載手段を移動させる駆動手段とを有する。
【００２２】
請求項４に記載した発明は、実際上、請求項５に記載した発明のように、移動手段の駆動手段は、ナットを移載手段に固着したボールねじと、そのおねじを駆動するモータとを有する。
【００２３】
また、請求項５に記載した間隔調整機構に関し、請求項６に記載した発明のように、間隔調整機構は、加硫機の２個の金型取付間隔データと、一方の金型中心軸線位置と位置合わせ手段の基準位置との間の距離データとに基づき、上記モータの回転方向及び回転数を制御する制御装置を備える。
【００２４】
加硫機相互間の金型支持面の床からの高さ不揃いに対応させるため、請求項７に記載した発明のように、一対の移載手段は、載置する金型の移載高さを調整する高さ調整手段を有する。
【００２５】
請求項７に記載した発明は、実際上、請求項８に記載した発明のように、上記高さ調整手段は、台上に固定するモータと、該モータの駆動により昇降動作を行う二対の台上隅部ジャッキと、該ジャッキの昇降部上端に連結するフレームとを有し、該フレーム上に間隔調整機構の移動手段を配置する。
【００２６】
また、請求項９に記載した発明のように、高さ調整手段のフレームは、台の４隅部から垂直に延びる案内部材と摺動係合する摺動部材を有し、該摺動部材はジャッキ昇降部上端に連結する。
【００２７】
また、円滑な金型移載を実現するために、その一として、請求項１０に記載した発明のように、各移載手段は、対向方向と直交する方向に対する位置を固定した第一のコンベヤと、該第一のコンベヤとのフレーム上併置位置と加硫機内との間を往復移動自在な第二のコンベヤとを備える。
【００２８】
その二として、請求項１１に記載した発明のように、各移載手段は、第一のコンベヤと第二のコンベヤとに載る往復移動可能な金型載置プレートを有する。
【００２９】
先に記載した位置合わせ手段と間隔調整機構とにより金型配置方向の金型位置決めは十分であり、残りの位置決めについては、請求項１２に記載した発明のように、各移載手段は、加硫機奥行き方向に移載金型を位置決めする金型位置決め手段を有する。
【００３０】
請求項１２に記載した発明は、実際上、請求項１３に記載した発明のように、金型位置決め手段は、加硫機奥側に設けた位置決め部材と嵌まり合う金型載置プレートのノッチと、該プレートに設けた金型心出用レジスタとから成る。
【００３１】
次に、前記目的その二を達成するため、この発明の請求項１４に記載した発明は、請求項１〜１３のいずれか一項に記載した金型交換装置を用いて、移載手段上に載置する２個の金型を所定加硫機内に移載するに当り、予め、間隔調整機構を作動させ、一対の移載手段の相互間隔を所定加硫機の２箇所の金型取付間隔に合わせた上で、２個の金型を同時に加硫機内に移載することを特徴とする金型交換方法である。
【００３２】
また、同じく目的その二を達成するため、請求項１５に記載した発明は、請求項１〜１３のいずれか一項に記載した金型交換装置を用いて、所定加硫機内の２個の金型を取出すに当り、予め、間隔調整機構を作動させ、一対の移載手段の相互間隔を所定加硫機の２箇所の金型取付間隔に合わせた上で、所定加硫機内の２個の金型を同時に移載手段上に移載することを特徴とする金型交換方法である。
【００３３】
ここに、金型交換とは、加硫機内に装填している金型を取出し、次に使用する金型を加硫機内に装填（移載）する作業に止まらず、加硫機内に始めて金型を装填（移載）する作業を含むものとする。なぜなら、交換作業は金型装填（移載）から始まるからである。また、移載とは、金型交換装置から加硫機内に金型を移載する作業と、加硫機内の金型を金型交換装置上に取出す、２種の作業内容を含むものとする。
【００３４】
請求項１４、１５に記載した発明に関し、請求項１６に記載した発明のように、予め、所定加硫機の隣合う２個の金型取付間隔データを制御装置に入力し、
金型交換装置を所定加硫機に対面させる間に、
所定加硫機からの入力データに見合う信号を制御装置から出力し、
この出力信号を受けて間隔調整機構は、一対の移載手段の相互間隔を調整して所定加硫機の２個の金型取付間隔に合わせる。
【００３５】
請求項１４〜１６に記載した発明に関し、請求項１７に記載した発明のように、一対の移載手段の相互間隔調整は、一方の移載手段を移動させ、他方の移載手段を停止させて実施する。
【００３６】
請求項１４〜１７に記載した発明に関し、請求項１８に記載した発明のように、一対の移載手段の相互間隔は、各移載手段上に心出する２個の金型の中心軸線間距離とし、所定加硫機の２箇所の金型取付間隔は、加硫機に取付ける２個の金型中心軸線間距離とし、これら二つの中心軸線間距離を等しくする。
【００３７】
請求項１４〜１８に記載した発明に関し、請求項１９に記載した発明のように、間隔調整機構の作動に合わせて、移載手段を、加硫機の下方部上を所定クリアランスの下で移動可能とする第一段階の高さと、加硫機の下方部に当接させる第二段階の高さとの間で調整する。
【００３８】
請求項１９に記載した発明に関し、請求項２０に記載した発明のように、予め、所定加硫機の下方部通過可能高さデータと金型取付高さデータとを制御装置に入力し、一対の移載手段の相互間隔調整に合わせ、所定加硫機の高さデータに見合う信号を制御装置から出力し、この出力信号を受けて、移載手段を、前記の２段階で調整する。
【００３９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の実施の形態を図１〜図５に基づき説明する。
図１は、加硫機下方部と金型交換装置とを線図により簡略図解した平面図であり、
図２は、図３に示すII−II線に沿う金型交換装置の要部正面図であり、
図３は、金型交換装置の駆動系及び昇降系を示す平面図であり、
図４は、金型交換装置と加硫機下方部との要部平面図であり、
図５は、金型交換装置と、図４に示す加硫機とは別の加硫機下方部との要部平面図である。
【００４０】
図１において、複数基乃至多数基を横並びに据付け固定した金型移載対象加硫機１それぞれは、１基内に２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂを正面に向かって横並びに取付けるツインモールドタイプのタイヤ加硫成型装置である。しかし、図示を省略したが、金型２Ａ、２Ｂ移載対象加硫機１は、シングルタイプの２基横並びタイヤ加硫成型装置とすることもできる。金型２Ａ、２Ｂは、二つ割り合わせモールド又は割りモールドのいずれも可とする。割りモールドの場合に、加硫機１の下方部１ｕは、金型２Ａ、２Ｂを受け入れる下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂ（外周のみ示す）を備える。
【００４１】
図１及び図２において、金型交換装置１０は、走行駆動部１１と４個の走行車輪１２とを備え、これらにより、金型交換装置１０は、床ＦＬに設けた軌道の案内で両端矢印Ｘ方向に自走自在である。図１に示す金型交換装置１０は、加硫機１との相互位置合わせ手段１３を利用して、金型２Ａ、２Ｂ（二点鎖線で示す）を移載すべき所定加硫機１の前面で停止している状態をあらわす。
【００４２】
ここにいう移載とは、金型交換装置１０上の金型２Ａ、２Ｂを加硫機１内に移載すること、そして、加硫機１内の金型２Ａ、２Ｂを金型交換装置１０上に移載する（取出す）ことの双方を言い、以下同じである。なお、図２に示す台（符号２１）は走行車輪１２を備えるので以下台車と言う。
【００４３】
金型交換装置１０は、一対の移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂと、これら両者を支持する一つの台車２１とを有する。図１に示す金型交換装置１０の状態において、一対の移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂは、加硫機１に向かって横並びの対向配置とする。この対向配置とは、加硫機１内の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ2A、Ｃ2Bを互いに結ぶ直線Ｌ₂ と、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂ上に心出した金型２Ａ、２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ20A 、Ｃ20B を互いに結ぶ直線Ｌ₂₀とが互いに平行となる配置を指す。移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂそれぞれの金型２Ａ、２Ｂ載置面は同一平面内にある。
【００４４】
また、金型交換装置１０は、移載手段２０Ａと移載手段２０Ｂとの間の直線Ｌ₂₀に沿う相互間隔を調整する間隔調整機構（詳細は後述する）を有する。この間隔調整機構を動作させることで、図１、２に例示するように、一方の移載手段２０Ａを、実線で示す位置と二点鎖線で示す位置との間で直線Ｌ₂₀方向に移動可能とする。その一方で、他方の移載手段２０Ｂは直線Ｌ₂₀方向に位置を固定しておく。この他に、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂ両者にそれぞれ間隔調整機構を設けることができる。以下、主として移載手段２０Ｂ固定例につき説明する。
【００４５】
ここに、多数基の加硫機１相互間では、２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの配置間隔、すなわち中心軸線Ｃ2A、Ｃ2B間距離Ｄ₂ は一定ではなく、差を有するのが一般である。そこで、間隔調整機構の調整ストロークＳを、１基の金型交換装置１０が交換を受け持つ多数基の加硫機１の２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの少なくとも配置間隔差に見合う値とする。これにより、一対の移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂ上の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ20A 、Ｃ20B 間距離Ｄ₂₀を、常に、相対する加硫機１の２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ2A、Ｃ2B間距離Ｄ₂ と等しくすることができる。
【００４６】
相互位置合わせ手段１３は、加硫機１の他方の金型、例えば金型２Ｂを基準として設け、一方の金型２Ａを間隔変動対象金型として扱う。このような扱いの下では、一方の移載手段２０Ａに間隔調整機構を設け、他方の移載手段２０Ｂを直線Ｌ₂₀方向に位置を固定する金型交換装置１０とすることができる。
【００４７】
これにより、距離Ｄ₂ が様々に異なる多数基の受持ち加硫機１の全てに対して、金型交換装置１０は、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂを加硫機１内外に往復移動させることで、２個の金型交換を一時に正確に実施することが可能となる。ただし、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂの往復移動方向は直線Ｌ₂₀に直交する方向とする。
【００４８】
図３は、二点鎖線で示す移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂの下方部を示す。図１〜図３において、間隔調整機構は、一方の移載手段２０Ａを直線Ｌ₂₀と平行に往復移動させる移動手段２４と、移動手段２４の制御装置２５とを有する。移動手段２４は、移載手段２０Ａの往復移動を案内する案内手段２６と、案内手段２６の案内に沿って移載手段２０Ａを移動させる駆動手段２７とを有する。
【００４９】
案内手段２６は、直線Ｌ₂₀を挟む両側に、直線Ｌ₂₀と平行な直線運動を行う２個のすべり案内機構乃至ころがり案内機構が適合する。これら案内機構は、直線Ｌ₂₀と平行に延びる２本の案内レール２８と、各レール２８と滑り係合乃至転がり係合する一対のブロック状部材２９とを有する。各部材２９の上端は移載手段２０Ａ底に固着する。一対の転がり案内機構での各ブロック状部材２９は、例えばＬＭガイド２９、例えばＴＨＫ株式会社製が適合する。いずれにしても、案内手段２６は、円滑でかつ高精度の直線運動が可能であれば案内部材の種類を問わない。
【００５０】
駆動手段２７は、モータ３０と、ボールねじ３１と、モータ３０の回転駆動力をボールねじ３１のおねじ３１ｓに伝達するタイミングベルト３２と、そして、ボールねじ３１端部のロータリエンコーダ３３とを有する。ボールねじ３１のナット３１ｎを移載手段２０Ａに固着する。制御装置２５はエンコーダ３３の出力信号を入力して、モータ３０の回転数を制御する。これらにより、駆動手段２７は高精度の移載手段２０Ａの移動を保証する。
【００５１】
予め、制御装置２５に多数基の加硫機１の固有情報を機種ナンバ毎に入力し記憶させておく。固有情報は、２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ2A、Ｃ2B間距離Ｄ₂ 、位置合わせ手段１３の基準位置と距離Ｄ₂ との関連情報及び加硫機１内金型２Ａ、２Ｂの床ＦＬからの高さなどである。
【００５２】
さて、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂは、台車２１の４隅部に固着した二対のジャッキ３５の各昇降部上端に連結したフレーム３６の上に位置させる。一方の移載手段２０Ａは、フレーム３６の底板上に取付けた案内手段２６及び駆動手段２７を介してフレーム３６に取付ける。実際上は、これら手段２６、２７のうち二対のブロック状部材２９とナット３１ｎとを介して取付ける。他方の移載手段２０Ｂはフレーム３６に直接取付ける。図３では、説明の便宜上、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂとフレーム３６とを二点鎖線で示す。
【００５３】
一対の移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂは、それらの上に載置する金型２Ａ、２Ｂの底面高さ、例えば床ＦＬからの底面高さを調整する高さ調整手段を有する。高さ調整手段は、制御装置２５の制御の下で動作する１台のモータ３７と、モータ３７の回転駆動により昇降動作する二対のジャッキ３５とである。モータ３７は台車２１上に固着する。モータ３７は、各ジャッキ３５に対し、１台のギヤボックス３８及び一対のギヤボックス３８−１と、一対の対向ドライブシャフト３９及び二対の対向ドライブシャフト３９−１とを介して回転動力を伝達する。
【００５４】
フレーム３６は、台車２１の４隅部近傍位置それぞれから上方へ垂直に延びる案内部材４０と摺動係合する摺動部材４１を備え、摺動部材４１の下面をジャッキ３５の昇降部上端に連結する。これにより、一対の移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂは、上下垂直な両端矢印Ｚ方向（図２参照）に円滑で正確な昇降動作が可能になる。
【００５５】
図４及び図５は、加硫機１の下方部１ｕに金型２Ａ、２Ｂを移載する時点のありさまと、加硫機１から金型２Ａ、２Ｂを移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂ上に取出す直前のありさまとを示す。各図では金型２Ａ、２Ｂの図示を省略した。
【００５６】
移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂはそれぞれ、本体ボディ５０Ａ、５０Ｂ（図１〜図３参照）上部に一対の第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂと、一対の第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂとを有する。各図では一対の第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂの内側に第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂが位置する例を示すが、この逆も可とする。また内側に位置するコンベヤは１個のみでも良い。
【００５７】
第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂは直線Ｌ₂₀と直交するＹ方向（両端矢印で示す）に対し位置を固定する。これに対し、第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂは両端矢印Ｙ方向に往復移動自在とする。すなわち、第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂは、第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂとの併置位置（図示省略）と、加硫機１の下方部１ｕの上方位置（図４、５に示す）との間を、前進後退する往復移動自在な構成を有する。この往復移動はモータ５３Ａ、５３Ｂの駆動により行う。
【００５８】
また、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂはそれぞれ、第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂと、第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂとに載る往復移動可能なプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂ（二点鎖線で示す）を有する。プレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂは、第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂと第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂとの併置位置上と、前進位置の第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂ上との間を前進後退する往復移動自在な構成を有する。この往復移動はモータ５６Ａ、５６Ｂの駆動により行う。
【００５９】
金型２Ａ、２Ｂはプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂ上に心出して載置する。プレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂは金型２Ａ、２Ｂの内周面と嵌まり合うレジスタ５６Ａ、５６Ｂを備え、これらにより相互の心出を行う。レジスタ５６Ａ、５６Ｂの中心軸線は、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ20A 、Ｃ20B と一致させる。レジスタ５６Ａ、５６Ｂは、加硫機１内金型２Ａ、２Ｂの適正位置に対する金型位置決め手段のうちの一手段である。
【００６０】
他の金型位置決め手段は、加硫機１下方部１ｕに設けた位置決め部材５７Ａ、５７Ｂと嵌まり合うプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂのノッチ５８Ａ、５８Ｂである。ノッチ５８Ａ、５８Ｂはプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂの加硫機１側縁に設ける。正確な位置決め動作を得るため、位置決め部材５７Ａ、５７Ｂとノッチ５８Ａ、５８Ｂとは、それぞれ一対宛とするのが良い。
【００６１】
以上述べた通り、
（１）２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂ相互間隔Ｄ₂ の不揃い、
（２）加硫機１の下方部１ｕの金型２Ａ、２Ｂ据え付け面高さの差、
（３）下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂの高さの差、
を有する多数基の加硫機１の配置ラインにおけるタイヤ生産の実状に則し、
金型交換装置１０は、極めて短時間内に、高精度の位置決めで２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂを同時に交換することができる。また、第一のコンベヤ５１Ａ、５１Ｂ及び第二のコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂを用いることで、金型２Ａ、２Ｂは円滑に金型交換装置１０と加硫機１下方部１ｕとの間を移動することができる。これらの効果は、特に、金型２Ａ、２Ｂが割りモールドの場合に顕著に現れる。
【００６２】
以下、図１〜図５に基づき説明した金型交換装置１０を用いた金型２Ａ、２Ｂの交換方法を述べる。
位置合わせ手段１３により、移動する金型交換装置１０を、金型２Ａ、２Ｂの移載対象加硫機１に位置合わせし、両者を適正に対面させる。このとき、対面前に、予め、移載対象加硫機１の隣合う金型２Ａ、２Ｂの取付間隔データを制御装置２５に入力しておく。併せて、加硫機１毎の床ＦＬからの下方部１ｕ通過可能高さ、ここでは下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂ通過可能高さ及び金型２Ａ、２Ｂの床ＦＬからの取付け高さデータ（各金型底面の高さデータ）も制御装置２５に入力しておく。
【００６３】
次に、間隔調整機構の移動手段２４を動作させ、一対の移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂの相互間隔を、加硫機１の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの取付間隔に合わせる。この動作は、両者の適正対面が完了する間に、制御装置２５からの出力信号に基づき、自動で実施する。また、取付間隔は、加硫機１側の金型２Ａ、２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ2A、Ｃ2B間距離Ｄ₂ と、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ20A 、Ｃ20B 間距離Ｄ₂₀とする。この間隔合わせの際に、位置合わせ手段１３の基点Ｐを基準として、距離Ｄ₂₀を距離Ｄ₂ に合わせる。
【００６４】
これを詳細に説明すれば、まず、平面図内にて、基点Ｐを通り直線Ｌ₂ と直交する直線を基準線Ｌとし、金型２Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ2Bから基準線Ｌまでの距離Ｄを、所定の金型交換装置１０が受け持つ全ての加硫機１に共通とする。換言すれば、移載手段２０Ｂの中心軸線Ｃ20B から基準線Ｌまでの距離Ｄを固定するということである。
【００６５】
次に、最大の距離Ｄ₂ の１／２が距離Ｄとなる加硫機１を基準加硫機１とし、基準加硫機１の金型２Ａの中心軸線Ｃ2Aに対応する中心軸線Ｃ20A 位置を、移載手段２０Ａの移載手段２０Ｂに対する間隔調整の始点とする。この始点位置における移載手段２０Ａを図１に実線で示す。
【００６６】
次に、最小の距離Ｄ₂ をもつ加硫機１に対しては、移載手段２０Ａを、始点位置から、距離Ｄ₂ （ｍｍ）と距離Ｄ（ｍｍ）との距離差ｄ（ｍｍ）に相当する終点位置まで移動させる。つまり、間隔調整は移載手段２０Ａの片移動方法による。距離差ｄ（ｍｍ）を間隔調整機構の調整ストロークＳ（ｍｍ）とする。なお、この調整ストロークＳは最小ストロークとし、実際上の調整ストロークＳは、始点位置が距離Ｄを超える距離の位置とし、終点位置が距離差ｄを超える距離の位置とするのが好ましい。
【００６７】
図４に示す例は、基準加硫機１に位置合わせした金型交換装置１０を示し、図５に示す例は、間隔調整機構を作動させ、距離差ｄ（ｍｍ）に相当する位置まで移載手段２０Ａを移動させた金型交換装置１０を示す。図４に示す一実施例では、Ｄ₂ ＝１９００ｍｍ、Ｄ＝９５０ｍｍであり、図５に示す一実施例では、Ｄ₂ ＝１６７０ｍｍ、Ｄ＝９５０ｍｍ、ｄ＝２３０ｍｍである。
【００６８】
なお、距離差ｄの値が著しく大きいときは、移載手段２０Ｂにも移載手段２０Ａと同様な間隔調整機構を設けるのが好ましい。そのとき、距離差ｄを距離ｄ₁ と距離ｄ₂ に分け、移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂの両者を移動させてこれらの相互間隔を調整する
【００６９】
以上述べた距離Ｄ₂ と距離Ｄ₂₀との整合には、図１及び図４に示す位置合わせ手段１３が基点Ｐを形成する大きな役割を担う。この点で、この発明による位置合わせ手段１３は、金型交換装置１０を単に加硫機１に位置合わせする既知の手段とは異なる。
【００７０】
移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂのコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂが、加硫機１下方部１ｕの下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂに対し不適切な高さに位置するとき、間隔調整機構の移動手段２４の動作に併せ、高さ調整手段を動作させる。ここに、不適切な高さとは、コンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂが下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂに対し高さの過不足を有する場合である。要するに、コンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂは、下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂを通過可能な高さに止めるためである。
【００７１】
高さ調整手段の動作も、加硫機１と金型交換装置１０との適正対面が完了する間に、制御装置２５からの出力信号に基づき自動で実施する。金型交換の前後で金型２Ａ、２Ｂの高さが同一であれば、高さ調整手段を動作させない。高さ調整を要するときは、高さ調整手段を動作させ、第一段階として、コンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂが下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂを通過可能な高さとした後、第二段階で、コンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂを下降させ下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂに当接させる。これら第一段階及び第二段階それぞれの高さ調整も自動で行う。
【００７２】
次いで、モータ５６Ａ、５６Ｂを動作させて、プレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂを加硫機１に向け前進移動させ、ノッチ５８Ａ、５８Ｂが位置決め部材５７Ａ、５７Ｂに当接した時点でプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂの移動を停止させる。図４及び図５は、前進移動を停止したプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂ（二点鎖線で示す）を示す。ここまでのプロセスは、加硫機１に対する金型２Ａ、２Ｂの移載と、加硫機１からの金型２Ａ、２Ｂの取出とに共通する。以下個別に説明する。
【００７３】
加硫機１への金型２Ａ、２Ｂ移載では、これら金型を載置したプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂを前進移動させ加硫機１内に位置決めする。プレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂ上で位置決めした金型２Ａ、２Ｂは、加硫機１下方部１ｕ、ここでは下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂとコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂとを介して十分に支持される。
【００７４】
この状態の金型２Ａ、２Ｂを、加硫機１上方部の吊り上げ装置（図示省略）、例えば割りモールドのコンテナにより、一旦、上方へ吊り上げる。勿論、吊り上げ装置は金型２Ａ、２Ｂに対し心出しておく。この状態で、僅か上昇させたコンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂを、プレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂと共に移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂ上に後退移動させる。その後、吊り上げ装置を下降させ、金型２Ａ、２Ｂを加硫機１の下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂ上に載置する。
【００７５】
加硫機１からの金型２Ａ、２Ｂの取出では、これら金型を加硫機１上方部の、上記と同じ吊り上げ装置により上方へ吊り上げた状態で、コンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂを前進移動させ、下部ホルダ３Ａ、３Ｂに当接させる。次いで、或いは同時に、プレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂを位置決め位置まで前進移動させ、金型２Ａ、２Ｂをプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂ上に下降させて載置し、吊り上げ装置から切り離す。次いで、金型２Ａ、２Ｂを載置したプレート５５Ａ、５５Ｂを移載手段２０Ａ、２０Ｂ上に後退移動させた後、コンベヤ５２Ａ、５２Ｂを後退移動させる。
【００７６】
上述の加硫機１への金型２Ａ、２Ｂ移載方法及び加硫機１からの金型２Ａ、２Ｂの取出方法は、使用済金型２Ａ、２Ｂを次使用金型２Ａ、２Ｂに交換するときに適用する。そのとき、２基の金型交換装置１０を直列に配備する。また、この金型２Ａ、２Ｂ移載方法は、非稼働状態の加硫機１に更めて金型２Ａ、２Ｂを移載し据え付けるときにも適用する。また、加硫機１の情報を制御装置２５に入力することにより、金型交換を全自動乃至半自動で実行させることができる。
【００７７】
金型交換装置１０を用い、以上述べた方法を適用することで、加硫機１の仕様の相違及び据え付けの差異を問わず、高能率でしかも高精度で加硫機１に対し２個の金型２Ａ、２Ｂを交換することができる。
【００７８】
【発明の効果】
この発明の請求項１〜１３に記載した発明によれば、仕様が異なる各種の加硫機群に対し、２個の金型の移載作業を一時に、高能率かつ高精度で実施することができる金型交換装置を提供することができ、
この発明の請求項１４〜２０に記載した発明によれば、請求項１〜１３に記載した発明の金型交換装置を用いて、実際上有利に、上記加硫機群に対し２個の金型を一時に、正確に移載し、また上記加硫機群から２個の金型を一時に取出すことができる高能率な金型交換方法を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の金型交換装置と加硫機下方部とを線図により簡略図解した平面図である。
【図２】この発明の金型交換装置の要部正面図である。
【図３】この発明の金型交換装置の駆動系及び昇降系を示す平面図である。
【図４】この発明の金型交換装置と加硫機下方部との要部平面図である。
【図５】この発明の金型交換装置と別の加硫機機下方部との要部平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１加硫機
１ｕ加硫機下方部
２Ａ、２Ｂ金型
３Ａ、３Ｂ下部ホルダ
１０金型交換装置
１１走行駆動部
１２走行車輪
１３位置合わせ手段
２０Ａ、２０Ｂ移載手段
２１台車
２４移動手段
２５制御装置
２６案内手段
２７駆動手段
２８案内レール
２９ブロック状部材
３０、３７モータ
３１ボールねじ
３１ｓおねじ
３１ｎナット
３２タイミングベルト
３３ロータリエンコーダ
３５ジャッキ
３６フレーム
３８、３８−１ギヤボックス
３９、３９−１ドライブシャフト
４０案内部材
４１摺動部材
５０Ａ、５０Ｂ本体ボディ
５１Ａ、５１Ｂ第一のコンベヤ
５２Ａ、５２Ｂ第二のコンベヤ
５３Ａ、５３Ｂ、５６Ａ、５６Ｂ、
５５Ａ、５５Ｂプレート
５６Ａ、５６Ｂレジスタ
５７Ａ、５７Ｂ位置決め部材
５８Ａ、５８Ｂノッチ
Ｃ2A、Ｃ2B Ｃ20A 、Ｃ20B 金型中心軸線
Ｄ₂ 、Ｄ₂₀ ２個の金型の中心軸線間距離
Ｌ₂ 、Ｌ₂₀ ２個の金型の中心軸線を結ぶ直線
Ｌ基準線
Ｓ調整ストローク
Ｐ基点
Ｄ中心軸線Ｃ2Bと基準線Ｌとの間の距離[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mold exchanging apparatus and a mold exchanging method, and in particular, transferring a mold for vulcanization molding of a pneumatic tire to a vulcanizer or taking out a used mold from a vulcanizer. The present invention relates to a mold exchanging apparatus for transferring a used mold and a mold exchanging method for a vulcanizer using the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the vulcanization molding process close to the final stage of production of pneumatic tires (hereinafter referred to as tires), it is necessary to cope with frequent size switching or type switching that is generalized in the former molding process. In almost all cases, it is necessary to replace the old mold for tire vulcanization molding that has been attached to the vulcanizer with a new mold in accordance with the switching of the molding size or the molding type.
[0003]
Tire vulcanization molds are quite heavy, so this type of mold can be attached to the vulcanizer and the used old mold attached to the vulcanizer can be used next time. Even if it is replaced with a new mold, handling and work are not easy. This is true even when the mold is a split mold, but it is more serious in the case of a split mold having a more complicated structure than the combined mold. This is because the split mold includes a tread portion forming mold element divided into a large number in the circumferential direction and segments that are connected to each element and move each element in and out in the radial direction.
[0004]
That is, a forklift is generally used for conveying the old and new molds, and a hoist and a crane are generally used for taking out the old mold from the vulcanizer and loading the new mold into the vulcanizer. However, these operations involve many problems such as requiring manpower and a lot of time, reducing the vulcanization productivity, and being forced to carry out the operation in a high temperature for a long time.
[0005]
Therefore, with the aim of automation and labor saving in heavy metal mold exchange, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-229643 (Part 1) relates to an upper and lower mold exchange apparatus for molding machines such as a plurality of low-pressure casting machines. A child carriage is mounted on a parent carriage that can run along the guide means in front of the machine, and a child carriage on which upper and lower molds are mounted is connected to the parent carriage so as to be rotatable, and a connected member fixed to the molding machine. An exchange device that travels on a connecting body with a member and transfers to a base of a molding machine is disclosed.
[0006]
Further, regarding an upper and lower mold exchanging cart in a tire vulcanizer, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-315938 (No. 2) describes a cart that can run along a number of vulcanizers, and a vulcanization provided on the cart. It comprises a slide cart that can slide toward the machine and a swivel on the slide cart. The swivel has a mounting part for two sets of mold assemblies, and the slide cart equipped with the mold is a swivel. A mold exchanging carriage that reciprocally slides on a connecting rail between the upper rail and a rail in the vulcanizer is disclosed.
[0007]
Also, a mold exchanging apparatus for returning a used mold taken out from a vulcanizer to a mold place and loading a next use mold selected from the mold place into a vulcanizer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-6345. In the publication (No. 3), a pair of upper and lower mold mounting tables, lifting means for the pair of mounting tables, and a lifter as a means for moving the mounting tables closer to and away from the vulcanizer, the mounting table by the lifter Disclosed is a mold exchanging device for moving a mold to an exchange position.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
First, the upper and lower mold exchanging apparatus disclosed in the above publication No. 1 is unsuitable for low productivity in the case of tire production that requires a large number of mold exchanging at a time. Furthermore, it is possible to position the respective traveling surfaces on the main body of the trolley and the connecting member and the connected member, and the plurality or the plurality of traveling surfaces of a plurality of or many molding machines on the same horizontal plane. In practice, it is impossible. Unevenly, the traveling surfaces of the three parties are uneven, which hinders the transfer of the heavy metal upper and lower molds onto the smooth base and the transfer to the child carriage. In addition, the positioning of the mold on the base is insufficient, which is a problem particularly in the case of transferring the mold for tire vulcanization molding in which precise positioning is the final decisive factor of high quality.
[0009]
Next, the upper and lower mold exchanging cart disclosed in the publication No. 2 is more suitable for tire production than the exchanging apparatus proposed by the publication No. 1 in that it has a mounting portion for two sets of mold assemblies. However, in order to replace the mold, a turning operation of the mounting portion of the mold assembly is required, so that improvement is required in that the replacement efficiency is low. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a rail for reciprocating sliding movement of the slide carriage in the vulcanizer, and there is a difficulty in that a large modification of the vulcanizer is required. Further, the positioning means is the positioning of the slide carriage with respect to the vulcanizer, and is not necessarily the positioning of the mold with respect to the vulcanizer.
[0010]
Finally, the mold exchanging device disclosed by the publication No. 3 can be used as it is without the need to modify the vulcanizer as compared with the former two, and the smoothness It is an excellent mold exchanging device in that it can be easily exchanged. However, it is not possible to transfer two next-use molds to the vulcanizer at the same time, and to remove two used molds from the vulcanizer at the same time, leaving room for improvement in these respects. . Further, regarding the accurate positioning of the mold itself, improvement is required because the positioning of the mold exchanging device with respect to the vulcanizer is stopped. Further, it is desirable to improve the configuration of the apparatus, which is complicated and therefore expensive.
[0011]
The actual state of the vulcanizer in the tire production factory is as follows.
That is, as one of the actual situations, it is necessary to exchange a large number of dies at the same time in general, at least for mass-produced tires, at the time of size switching or type switching performed at a relatively high frequency on a daily basis.
[0012]
For vulcanization molding of relatively small size typified by passenger car tires, twin type vulcanizers with two molds attached to one vulcanizer are generally used to improve productivity. This type of vulcanizer uses the same size and type of mold in one unit. In this case, it is common to attach or exchange two molds as a pair at the same time.
[0013]
For vulcanization molding of truck and bus tires as a representative of relatively large sizes, a single type vulcanizer in which one mold is attached to one vulcanizer is used. However, as long as it is a mass-produced tire, the same mold is used next to a large number of side-by-side vulcanizers. Therefore, as with twin-type vulcanizers, two or more molds can be attached or replaced at the same time. It is normal.
[0014]
Actually, as for the twin type vulcanizer, the distance between the two adjacent molds is uniform in a certain number of vulcanizer groups, but is uneven when viewed through all vulcanizers. It is common. Similarly, the intervals between the molds in two adjacent single type vulcanizers are also generally uneven. As the third reality, the height of the mold support surface of the lower part of the vulcanizer from the floor is not uniform.
[0015]
Looking at the actual conditions 1 to 3 above, the mold change apparatus proposed by the publications 1 to 3 generally performs the mold change efficiently in accordance with the actual conditions of both the tire production and the vulcanizer. It has many improvements above. These functions requiring improvement are even more serious when the mold is a split mold. This is because the split mold has a complicated structure composed of two types of molds, that is, a mold body directly related to vulcanization shaping of a tire and a container that wraps the mold body.
[0016]
Therefore, the invention described in claims 1 to 13 of the present invention can be immediately applied to any vulcanizer in accordance with the actual conditions of both the tire production and the vulcanizer. A highly efficient and highly accurate mold changer that can be quickly transferred to the vulcanizer under accurate positioning and can smoothly and quickly remove two molds from the vulcanizer. The purpose is to provide.
[0017]
Moreover, the invention described in claims 14 to 20 of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient mold exchanging method of two molds by using the mold exchanging apparatus of the invention described in claims 1 to 13. The second purpose.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
First, in order to achieve one of the above objects, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is a transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer and taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer. A mold exchanging device comprising a stage for supporting the transfer means and a positioning means for the vulcanizer, wherein the mold exchanging apparatus is directed to the vulcanizer on the same stage. Side by side A mold exchanging apparatus comprising a pair of transfer means opposed to each other and an interval adjusting mechanism for adjusting an interval between the transfer means.
[0019]
With regard to the opposing arrangement of the pair of transfer means according to the first aspect of the invention, in practice, two dies are placed in front as in the second aspect of the invention. Side by side Under the alignment of the mold exchanging device with respect to the vulcanizer to be mounted side by side, the facing direction of the pair of transfer means shall be along the two mold mounting directions of the vulcanizer. Therefore, preferably, the support bases of the pair of transfer means are carts guided along a direction parallel to the mold arrangement direction in the vulcanizer.
[0020]
With respect to the inventions described in claims 1 and 2, in the invention described in claim 3, the interval adjusting mechanism has moving means for reciprocating at least one transfer means in the opposing direction.
[0021]
In the invention described in claim 3, in fact, as in the invention described in claim 4, the moving means of the distance adjusting mechanism includes a guide means for guiding the movement of one transfer means, and a guide member Drive means for moving one transfer means according to the guide.
[0022]
In the invention described in claim 4, in fact, as in the invention described in claim 5, the driving means of the moving means includes a ball screw in which a nut is fixed to the transfer means, and a motor for driving the male screw. Have
[0023]
Also, Claim 5 As described in the invention described in claim 6, the interval adjusting mechanism includes two mold attachment interval data of the vulcanizer, one mold center axis position, and an alignment means. A control device is provided for controlling the rotation direction and the number of rotations of the motor based on the distance data with respect to the reference position.
[0024]
In order to cope with unevenness in the height of the mold support surface between the vulcanizers from the floor, as in the invention described in claim 7, the pair of transfer means has a transfer height of the mold to be mounted. And a height adjusting means for adjusting.
[0025]
In the seventh aspect of the invention, in fact, as in the case of the eighth aspect of the invention, the height adjusting means includes two motors that are fixed on a table and two pairs of raising and lowering operations that are driven by the motors. A top corner jack and a frame connected to the upper end of the raising / lowering part of the jack are provided, and a moving means of the interval adjusting mechanism is arranged on the frame.
[0026]
Further, as in the invention described in claim 9, the frame of the height adjusting means has a sliding member that is slidably engaged with a guide member extending vertically from the four corners of the base, and the sliding member is Connect to the upper end of the jack lift.
[0027]
Moreover, in order to realize smooth mold transfer, as one of them, as in the invention described in claim 10, each transfer means is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the facing direction. Fixed position A first conveyor, and a second conveyor that can reciprocate between a position on the frame of the first conveyor and the inside of the vulcanizer.
[0028]
Secondly, as in the invention described in claim 11, each transfer means has a mold mounting plate that can be reciprocated on the first conveyor and the second conveyor.
[0029]
The positioning of the mold in the mold arrangement direction is sufficient by the positioning means and the interval adjusting mechanism described above, and the remaining positioning is performed by each transfer means as in the invention described in claim 12. There is a mold positioning means for positioning the transfer mold in the depth direction of the sulfur machine.
[0030]
The invention described in claim 12 is actually a notch of the mold mounting plate that fits with the positioning member provided on the back side of the vulcanizer, as in the invention described in claim 13. And a mold centering register provided on the plate.
[0031]
Next, in order to achieve the second object, the invention described in claim 14 of the present invention uses the mold exchanging apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 13 on the transfer means. When the two molds to be placed are transferred into the predetermined vulcanizer, the distance adjusting mechanism is operated in advance, and the distance between the pair of transfer means is set to the interval between the two mold attachments of the predetermined vulcanizer. To match the two molds simultaneous The mold changing method is characterized in that it is transferred to a vulcanizer.
[0032]
Further, in order to achieve the second purpose, the invention described in claim 15 uses two molds in the predetermined vulcanizer using the mold exchanging apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 13. Before removing the mold, the interval adjusting mechanism is activated in advance, and the two intervals between the pair of transfer means are adjusted to the two mold mounting intervals of the predetermined vulcanizer, and then the two in the predetermined vulcanizer. Mold simultaneous A mold exchanging method characterized in that the mold is transferred onto a transfer means.
[0033]
Here, the mold replacement is not limited to the work of taking out the mold loaded in the vulcanizer and loading (transferring) the next mold to be used in the vulcanizer. It shall include the work of loading (transferring) the mold. This is because the exchange operation starts from mold loading (transfer). Further, the term “transfer” includes two kinds of work contents in which a mold is transferred from the mold changer into the vulcanizer and a mold in the vulcanizer is taken out on the mold changer.
[0034]
Regarding the inventions described in claims 14 and 15, as in the invention described in claim 16, two adjacent mold mounting interval data of a predetermined vulcanizer are input to the control device in advance.
While facing the mold changer to the specified vulcanizer,
A signal corresponding to the input data from the specified vulcanizer is output from the control device,
In response to this output signal, the interval adjusting mechanism adjusts the interval between the pair of transfer means to match the interval between the two molds of the predetermined vulcanizer.
[0035]
Regarding the inventions described in claims 14 to 16, as in the invention described in claim 17, the mutual interval adjustment of the pair of transfer means moves one transfer means and stops the other transfer means. Carry out .
[0036]
As for the inventions described in claims 14 to 17, as in the invention described in claim 18, the mutual distance between the pair of transfer means is between the center axes of the two molds centered on each transfer means. The distance between the two molds attached to the vulcanizer is the same, and the distance between the two central axes is made equal.
[0037]
Regarding the invention described in claims 14 to 18, as in the invention described in claim 19, In addition, the height of the first stage that allows the transfer means to move on the lower part of the vulcanizer under a predetermined clearance and the height of the second stage that makes contact with the lower part of the vulcanizer. Adjust with .
[0038]
Regarding the invention described in claim 19, as in the invention described in claim 20, the lower portion passable height data and the mold mounting height data of the predetermined vulcanizer are input to the control device in advance, In accordance with the mutual adjustment of the transfer means, a signal corresponding to the height data of the predetermined vulcanizer is output from the control device, and this output signal is Receive and adjust the transfer means in the above two steps .
[0039]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a lower part of a vulcanizer and a mold exchanging device by a diagram,
FIG. 2 is a front view of an essential part of the mold exchanging apparatus along the line II-II shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a drive system and a lifting system of the mold exchanging device,
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main part of the mold changer and the lower part of the vulcanizer,
FIG. 5 is a plan view of an essential part of a mold exchanging device and a lower part of a vulcanizer different from the vulcanizer shown in FIG.
[0040]
In FIG. 1, each of the mold transfer target vulcanizers 1 in which a plurality or a plurality of groups are installed and fixed side by side is a twin mold type in which two molds 2A and 2B are mounted side by side in a single unit. This is a tire vulcanization molding apparatus. However, although not shown, the mold 2A, 2B transfer target vulcanizer 1 can be a single type of two side-by-side tire vulcanization molding apparatus. The molds 2A and 2B can be either two split molds or split molds. In the case of split mold, the lower part 1u of the vulcanizer 1 includes lower holders 3A and 3B (only the outer periphery is shown) for receiving the molds 2A and 2B.
[0041]
1 and 2, the mold exchanging device 10 includes a traveling drive unit 11 and four traveling wheels 12. With these, the mold exchanging device 10 is guided by a trajectory provided on the floor FL with arrows at both ends. Self-propelled in the X direction. The mold exchanging apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 uses the mutual positioning means 13 with the vulcanizer 1 to transfer the molds 2A and 2B (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the predetermined vulcanizer 1 Shows the state stopped at the front.
[0042]
The transfer here refers to transferring the molds 2A and 2B on the mold changer 10 into the vulcanizer 1 and transferring the molds 2A and 2B in the vulcanizer 1 to the mold changer. 10 means to transfer (take out) on 10 and so on. In addition, since the pedestal (reference numeral 21) shown in FIG.
[0043]
The mold exchanging apparatus 10 includes a pair of transfer means 20A and 20B and a single carriage 21 that supports both of them. In the state of the mold exchanging apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the pair of transfer means 20 A and 20 B are arranged side by side facing the vulcanizer 1. This facing arrangement is a straight line L connecting the central axes C2A and C2B of the molds 2A and 2B in the vulcanizer 1. ₂ And a straight line L connecting the center axes C20A and C20B of the molds 2A and 2B centered on the transfer means 20A and 20B. ₂₀ Refers to an arrangement in which and are parallel to each other. The molds 2A and 2B placement surfaces of the transfer means 20A and 20B are in the same plane.
[0044]
In addition, the mold exchanging device 10 includes a straight line L between the transfer means 20A and the transfer means 20B. ₂₀ There is an interval adjustment mechanism (details will be described later) for adjusting the mutual interval along. By operating this distance adjusting mechanism, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one transfer means 20A is moved between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line. ₂₀ It can be moved in the direction. On the other hand, the other transfer means 20B is a straight line L ₂₀ Keep the position fixed in the direction. In addition, an interval adjusting mechanism can be provided for both the transfer means 20A and 20B. Hereinafter, an example of fixing the transfer means 20B will be mainly described.
[0045]
Here, between the multiple vulcanizers 1, the arrangement interval between the two molds 2A and 2B, that is, the distance D between the central axes C2A and C2B. ₂ Is not constant and generally has a difference. Therefore, the adjustment stroke S of the interval adjusting mechanism is set to a value that matches at least the arrangement interval difference between the two molds 2A, 2B of the multiple vulcanizers 1 that are replaced by one mold exchanging device 10. Thereby, the distance D between the central axes C20A and C20B of the molds 2A and 2B on the pair of transfer means 20A and 20B. ₂₀ Is always the distance D between the central axes C2A and C2B of the two molds 2A and 2B of the opposite vulcanizer 1 ₂ Can be equal.
[0046]
The mutual alignment means 13 is provided on the basis of the other mold of the vulcanizer 1, for example, the mold 2B, and treats one mold 2A as the interval variation target mold. Under such handling, one transfer means 20A is provided with an interval adjusting mechanism, and the other transfer means 20B is connected to a straight line L. ₂₀ The mold exchanging device 10 can be configured to fix the position in the direction.
[0047]
As a result, the distance D ₂ For all of the many vulcanizers 1 with variously different dies, the mold exchanging device 10 reciprocates the transfer means 20A and 20B into and out of the vulcanizer 1, thereby exchanging two molds. Can be accurately performed at a time. However, the reciprocating direction of the transfer means 20A, 20B is a straight line L ₂₀ The direction is orthogonal to
[0048]
FIG. 3 shows a lower part of the transfer means 20A, 20B indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the interval adjusting mechanism moves one transfer means 20 A to a straight line L ₂₀ Moving means 24 that reciprocates in parallel with the control unit 25 and a control device 25 for the moving means 24. The moving unit 24 includes a guide unit 26 that guides the reciprocating movement of the transfer unit 20 A, and a drive unit 27 that moves the transfer unit 20 A along the guide of the guide unit 26.
[0049]
The guide means 26 is a straight line L ₂₀ On both sides of the straight line L ₂₀ Two sliding guide mechanisms or rolling guide mechanisms that perform linear motion parallel to the head are suitable. These guide mechanisms are straight L ₂₀ Two guide rails 28 extending in parallel with each other, and a pair of block-like members 29 that are in sliding engagement or rolling engagement with each rail 28. The upper end of each member 29 is fixed to the bottom of the transfer means 20A. As each block-like member 29 in the pair of rolling guide mechanisms, for example, an LM guide 29, for example, manufactured by THK Corporation is suitable. In any case, the guide means 26 may be of any type as long as smooth and highly accurate linear motion is possible.
[0050]
The drive means 27 includes a motor 30, a ball screw 31, a timing belt 32 that transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 30 to the male screw 31 s of the ball screw 31, and a rotary encoder 33 at the end of the ball screw 31. . The nut 31n of the ball screw 31 is fixed to the transfer means 20A. The control device 25 inputs the output signal of the encoder 33 and controls the rotation speed of the motor 30. By these, the drive means 27 ensures the movement of the highly accurate transfer means 20A.
[0051]
In advance, specific information of a large number of vulcanizers 1 is input and stored in the control device 25 for each model number. The unique information is the distance D between the central axes C2A and C2B of the two molds 2A and 2B. ₂ , The reference position of the alignment means 13 and the distance D ₂ And the height from the floor FL of the molds 2A and 2B in the vulcanizer 1.
[0052]
Now, the transfer means 20A and 20B are positioned on the frame 36 connected to the upper ends of the lift parts of the two pairs of jacks 35 fixed to the four corners of the carriage 21. One transfer means 20 A is attached to the frame 36 through guide means 26 and drive means 27 attached on the bottom plate of the frame 36. In practice, these means 26 and 27 are attached via two pairs of block-like members 29 and nuts 31n. The other transfer means 20B is directly attached to the frame 36. In FIG. 3, the transfer means 20A, 20B and the frame 36 are indicated by a two-dot chain line for convenience of explanation.
[0053]
The pair of transfer means 20A, 20B has height adjusting means for adjusting the bottom surface height of the molds 2A, 2B placed thereon, for example, the bottom surface height from the floor FL. The height adjusting means is one motor 37 that operates under the control of the control device 25 and two pairs of jacks 35 that move up and down by the rotational drive of the motor 37. The motor 37 is fixed on the carriage 21. The motor 37 transmits rotational power to each jack 35 through one gear box 38 and a pair of gear boxes 38-1, a pair of opposed drive shafts 39, and two pairs of opposed drive shafts 39-1. To do.
[0054]
The frame 36 includes a sliding member 41 slidably engaged with a guide member 40 extending vertically upward from each of the four corners of the carriage 21, and the lower surface of the sliding member 41 is connected to the upper end of the lifting portion of the jack 35. To do. As a result, the pair of transfer means 20A and 20B can smoothly move up and down in the direction of the vertical arrow Z (see FIG. 2).
[0055]
4 and 5 show the state when the molds 2A and 2B are transferred to the lower portion 1u of the vulcanizer 1, and the molds 2A and 2B from the vulcanizer 1 onto the transfer means 20A and 20B. It shows the state just before taking out. In each figure, illustration of the molds 2A and 2B is omitted.
[0056]
The transfer means 20A and 20B respectively have a pair of first conveyors 51A and 51B and a pair of second conveyors 52A and 52B in the upper parts of the main body bodies 50A and 50B (see FIGS. 1 to 3). Each figure shows an example in which the second conveyors 52A and 52B are positioned inside the pair of first conveyors 51A and 51B, but the reverse is also possible. Moreover, only one conveyor may be located inside.
[0057]
The first conveyors 51A and 51B are straight lines L ₂₀ The position is fixed in the Y direction (indicated by double-ended arrows) orthogonal to On the other hand, the second conveyors 52A and 52B are reciprocally movable in the double-ended arrow Y direction. That is, the second conveyors 52A, 52B are located between the juxtaposed position (not shown) with the first conveyors 51A, 51B and the upper position (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the lower part 1u of the vulcanizer 1. Has a reciprocating configuration that moves forward and backward. This reciprocation is performed by driving motors 53A and 53B.
[0058]
The transfer means 20A and 20B have plates 55A and 55B (indicated by two-dot chain lines) that can be reciprocated on the first conveyors 51A and 51B and the second conveyors 52A and 52B, respectively. The plates 55A and 55B are reciprocally movable so as to move forward and backward between the position where the first conveyors 51A and 51B and the second conveyors 52A and 52B are juxtaposed and the second conveyors 52A and 52B at the advanced position. It has a configuration. This reciprocation is performed by driving motors 56A and 56B.
[0059]
The molds 2A and 2B are centered on the plates 55A and 55B. The plates 55A and 55B are provided with resistors 56A and 56B that fit into the inner peripheral surfaces of the molds 2A and 2B, respectively, and perform mutual alignment. The central axes of the registers 56A and 56B are made to coincide with the central axes C20A and C20B of the transfer means 20A and 20B. The registers 56A and 56B are one of the mold positioning means for the proper positions of the molds 2A and 2B in the vulcanizer 1.
[0060]
Other mold positioning means are the notches 58A and 58B of the plates 55A and 55B that fit with the positioning members 57A and 57B provided in the lower portion 1u of the vulcanizer 1. The notches 58A and 58B are provided on the side edges of the vulcanizer 1 of the plates 55A and 55B. In order to obtain an accurate positioning operation, the positioning members 57A and 57B and the notches 58A and 58B are preferably directed to a pair.
[0061]
As mentioned above,
(1) Two molds 2A, 2B mutual distance D ₂ Irregularity,
(2) The difference in the height of the mold 2A, 2B installation surface of the lower part 1u of the vulcanizer 1,
(3) Difference in height between the lower holders 3A and 3B,
In accordance with the actual situation of tire production in the arrangement line of a large number of vulcanizers 1 having
The mold exchanging device 10 can exchange the two molds 2A and 2B at the same time with high precision positioning within an extremely short time. Further, by using the first conveyors 51A and 51B and the second conveyors 52A and 52B, the molds 2A and 2B can smoothly move between the mold exchanging apparatus 10 and the lower part 1u of the vulcanizer 1. Can do. These effects are particularly prominent when the molds 2A and 2B are split molds.
[0062]
Hereinafter, a method for exchanging the molds 2A and 2B using the mold exchanging apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.
By the positioning means 13, the moving mold exchanging device 10 is aligned with the transfer target vulcanizer 1 of the molds 2A and 2B, and both are appropriately faced. At this time, the mounting interval data of the adjacent molds 2A and 2B of the transfer target vulcanizer 1 is input to the control device 25 in advance before facing each other. At the same time, the height of the vulcanizer 1 that can pass through the lower portion 1u from the floor FL, here the height through which the lower holders 3A and 3B can pass, and the mounting height data of the molds 2A and 2B from the floor FL The mold bottom height data) is also input to the control device 25.
[0063]
Next, the moving means 24 of the distance adjusting mechanism is operated to adjust the mutual distance between the pair of transfer means 20A and 20B to the mounting distance between the molds 2A and 2B of the vulcanizer 1. This operation is automatically performed based on the output signal from the control device 25 while the appropriate meeting between the two is completed. The mounting interval is the distance D between the central axes C2A and C2B of the molds 2A and 2B on the vulcanizer 1 side. ₂ And the distance D between the central axes C20A and C20B of the transfer means 20A and 20B. ₂₀ And At the time of this interval adjustment, the distance D with reference to the base point P of the alignment means 13 ₂₀ The distance D ₂ To match.
[0064]
This will be described in detail. First, in the plan view, the straight line L passes through the base point P. ₂ A straight line orthogonal to the reference line L is used as a reference line L, and a distance D from the central axis C2B of the mold 2B to the reference line L is made common to all the vulcanizers 1 that the predetermined mold exchanging apparatus 10 is responsible for. In other words, the distance D from the central axis C20B of the transfer means 20B to the reference line L is fixed.
[0065]
Next, the maximum distance D ₂ The vulcanizer 1 in which ½ of the distance D is the distance D is the reference vulcanizer 1, and the position of the center axis C20A corresponding to the center axis C2A of the mold 2A of the reference vulcanizer 1 is transferred to the transfer means 20A. This is the starting point of the interval adjustment for the means 20B. The transfer means 20A at the starting point position is shown by a solid line in FIG.
[0066]
Next, the minimum distance D ₂ For the vulcanizer 1 having the ₂ It is moved to the end point position corresponding to the distance difference d (mm) between (mm) and the distance D (mm). That is, the interval adjustment is based on the one-moving method of the transfer means 20A. The distance difference d (mm) is defined as an adjustment stroke S (mm) of the interval adjustment mechanism. The adjustment stroke S is preferably the minimum stroke, and the actual adjustment stroke S is preferably a position where the start point position exceeds the distance D, and the end point position is a position where the distance difference exceeds the distance d.
[0067]
The example shown in FIG. 4 shows the mold exchanging device 10 aligned with the reference vulcanizer 1, and the example shown in FIG. 5 operates the interval adjusting mechanism to move to a position corresponding to the distance difference d (mm). The mold exchanging apparatus 10 to which the mounting means 20A is moved is shown. In one embodiment shown in FIG. ₂ = 1900 mm, D = 950 mm, and in one embodiment shown in FIG. ₂ = 1670 mm, D = 950 mm, d = 230 mm.
[0068]
When the value of the distance difference d is remarkably large, it is preferable that the transfer means 20B is provided with an interval adjusting mechanism similar to that of the transfer means 20A. At that time, the distance difference d is changed to the distance d. ₁ And distance d ₂ And move both of the transfer means 20A and 20B to adjust the distance between them.
[0069]
Distance D described above ₂ And distance D ₂₀ 1 and FIG. 4 plays a major role in forming the base point P. In this respect, the alignment means 13 according to the present invention is different from known means for simply aligning the mold changer 10 with the vulcanizer 1.
[0070]
When the conveyors 52A, 52B of the transfer means 20A, 20B are positioned at an inappropriate height with respect to the lower holders 3A, 3B of the lower part 1u of the vulcanizer 1, along with the operation of the moving means 24 of the interval adjusting mechanism, The height adjusting means is operated. Here, the inappropriate height is a case where the conveyors 52A and 52B have excessive or insufficient heights relative to the lower holders 3A and 3B. In short, the conveyors 52A and 52B are for stopping at a height that allows the lower holders 3A and 3B to pass through.
[0071]
The operation of the height adjusting means is also automatically performed based on the output signal from the control device 25 while the proper meeting between the vulcanizer 1 and the mold exchanging device 10 is completed. If the heights of the molds 2A and 2B are the same before and after the mold replacement, the height adjusting means is not operated. When height adjustment is required, the height adjusting means is operated to set the height so that the conveyors 52A and 52B can pass through the lower holders 3A and 3B. Then, in the second stage, the conveyors 52A and 52B are moved. It is lowered and brought into contact with the lower holders 3A and 3B. The height adjustment of each of the first stage and the second stage is also performed automatically.
[0072]
Next, the motors 56A and 56B are operated to move the plates 55A and 55B forward toward the vulcanizer 1, and the movement of the plates 55A and 55B is stopped when the notches 58A and 58B come into contact with the positioning members 57A and 57B. Let 4 and 5 show the plates 55A and 55B (indicated by a two-dot chain line) in which the forward movement is stopped. The process so far is common to the transfer of the molds 2A and 2B to the vulcanizer 1 and the removal of the molds 2A and 2B from the vulcanizer 1. Each will be described below.
[0073]
In transferring the molds 2A and 2B to the vulcanizer 1, the plates 55A and 55B on which these molds are placed are moved forward and positioned in the vulcanizer 1. The molds 2A and 2B positioned on the plates 55A and 55B are sufficiently supported via the lower part 1u of the vulcanizer 1, here the lower holders 3A and 3B and the conveyors 52A and 52B.
[0074]
The molds 2A and 2B in this state are once lifted upward by a lifting device (not shown) at the upper part of the vulcanizer 1, for example, a split mold container. Of course, the lifting device is centered on the molds 2A and 2B. In this state, the conveyors 52A and 52B slightly raised are moved back together with the plates 55A and 55B onto the transfer means 20A and 20B. Thereafter, the lifting device is lowered and the molds 2A and 2B are placed on the lower holders 3A and 3B of the vulcanizer 1.
[0075]
When the molds 2A and 2B are taken out from the vulcanizer 1, the conveyors 52A and 52B are moved forward in the state where these molds are lifted upward by the same lifting device as described above at the upper part of the vulcanizer 1. It abuts on the holders 3A and 3B. Next, or simultaneously, the plates 55A and 55B are moved forward to the positioning position, the molds 2A and 2B are lowered onto the plates 55A and 55B, and are separated from the lifting device. Next, after the plates 55A and 55B on which the molds 2A and 2B are placed are moved backward on the transfer means 20A and 20B, the conveyors 52A and 52B are moved backward.
[0076]
The mold 2A, 2B transfer method to the vulcanizer 1 and the method of taking out the molds 2A, 2B from the vulcanizer 1 are performed by replacing the used dies 2A, 2B with the next dies 2A, 2B. When you apply. At that time, two mold exchanging apparatuses 10 are arranged in series. This mold 2A, 2B transfer method is also applied when the molds 2A, 2B are further transferred to and installed on the vulcanizer 1 in a non-operating state. Moreover, by inputting the information of the vulcanizer 1 to the control device 25, the mold replacement can be executed fully automatically or semi-automatically.
[0077]
By using the mold changer 10 and applying the method described above, two vulcanizers 1 with high efficiency and high accuracy can be obtained regardless of differences in specifications and installation of the vulcanizer 1. The molds 2A and 2B can be exchanged.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, the transfer operation of two molds can be carried out at a high efficiency and with high accuracy for various vulcanizer groups having different specifications. Can provide a mold changer that can
According to the invention described in claims 14 to 20 of the present invention, it is practically advantageous to use the mold exchanging apparatus of the invention described in claims 1 to 13 with two molds for the vulcanizer group. It is possible to provide a highly efficient mold exchanging method capable of accurately transferring molds at a time and taking out two molds from the vulcanizer group at a time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a mold exchanging apparatus and a lower part of a vulcanizer according to the present invention with diagrams.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an essential part of the mold exchanging apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a drive system and a lifting system of the mold exchanging apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of main parts of a mold exchanging apparatus and a lower part of a vulcanizer according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the main part of the mold exchanging apparatus of the present invention and another lower part of the vulcanizer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Vulcanizer
1u Lower part of vulcanizer
2A, 2B Mold
3A, 3B Lower holder
10 Mold changer
11 Traveling drive
12 Traveling wheels
13 Positioning means
20A, 20B Transfer means
21 dolly
24 Moving means
25 Control device
26 Guide means
27 Driving means
28 Guide rail
29 Block-shaped member
30, 37 Motor
31 Ball screw
31s male thread
31n nut
32 Timing belt
33 Rotary encoder
35 Jack
36 frames
38, 38-1 Gearbox
39, 39-1 Drive shaft
40 Guide members
41 Sliding member
50A, 50B body
51A, 51B First conveyor
52A, 52B Second conveyor
53A, 53B, 56A, 56B,
55A, 55B plate
56A, 56B registers
57A, 57B Positioning member
58A, 58B Notch
C2A, C2B C20A, C20B Mold center axis
D ₂ , D ₂₀ Distance between central axes of two molds
L ₂ , L ₂₀ A straight line connecting the central axes of two molds
L Reference line
S Adjustment stroke
P Base point
D Distance between center axis C2B and reference line L

Claims

A mold provided with a transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer and taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer, a stand for supporting the transfer means, and a positioning means for the vulcanizer. In the mold exchanging apparatus, the mold exchanging apparatus includes a pair of transfer means arranged in a lateral direction facing the vulcanizer on the same table, and an interval adjusting mechanism for adjusting the mutual distance between the transfer means. A mold exchanging device characterized by comprising:

Under the alignment of the mold exchanging device with respect to the vulcanizer that is mounted side by side in the horizontal direction toward the front, the opposing direction of the pair of transfer means is the two directions of the vulcanizer. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mold exchanging apparatus is along the mold mounting direction.

3. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval adjusting mechanism includes a moving unit that reciprocates at least one transfer unit in a facing direction.

4. The mold according to claim 3 , wherein the moving means of the interval adjusting mechanism includes guide means for guiding the movement of one transfer means and drive means for moving one transfer means in accordance with the guide of the guide member. Exchange equipment.

5. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the driving means of the moving means includes a ball screw having a nut fixed to the transferring means and a motor for driving the male screw.

The interval adjustment mechanism is based on the two mold mounting interval data of the vulcanizer and the distance data between one mold center axis position and the reference position of the alignment means, and the rotation direction and rotation of the motor. The mold exchanging device according to claim 5 , further comprising a control device for controlling the number.

A pair of transfer means is a mold change device given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-6 which have height adjustment means which adjusts the transfer height of the metallic mold to mount.

The height adjusting means includes a motor fixed on the table, two pairs of table upper corner jacks that move up and down by driving the motor, and a frame that is connected to the upper end of the jack. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a moving means of the interval adjusting mechanism is arranged on the frame.

Frame height adjusting means includes a sliding member for sliding engagement with the guide member extending perpendicularly from the four corners of the platform, sliding member to claim 7 or 8 connected to the jack lifting the top end The described mold changer.

Each transfer means includes a first fixed position against the direction orthogonal to the opposing direction of the conveyor and, said first conveyor and the frame on the juxtaposed position and a vulcanizer in the between the second freely reciprocate in The mold exchanging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a conveyor.

11. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein each transfer means includes a mold mounting plate that is reciprocally mounted on the first conveyor and the second conveyor.

12. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each transfer means includes a mold positioning means for positioning the transfer mold in the vulcanizer depth direction.

Gold of claim 12 the mold positioning means consisting of a notch in the mold mounting plate which mate with the positioning member provided in the vulcanizer far side, the mold heart out register provided in the plate Mold changer.

When the two molds placed on the transfer means are transferred into the predetermined vulcanizer using the mold exchanging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, an interval adjustment is performed in advance. actuating the mechanism, on the combined mutual spacing of the pair of transfer means to the mold mounting distance between the two locations a predetermined vulcanizer, characterized in that transferring the same time pressing the vulcanizer two molds Die replacement method.

When taking out two molds in a predetermined vulcanizer using the mold exchanging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a distance adjusting mechanism is operated in advance, and a pair of transfer means the mutual spacing in terms of matching the mold mounting distance between the two points of a given vulcanizer, mold, characterized in that the transfer on the same time transfer means two molds in a predetermined vulcanizer method of exchange.

Two adjacent mold mounting interval data of a predetermined vulcanizer are input to the control device in advance, and a signal corresponding to the input data from the predetermined vulcanizer while the mold changer faces the predetermined vulcanizer. In response to the output signal, the interval adjusting mechanism adjusts the interval between the pair of transfer means to match the interval between the two molds of the predetermined vulcanizer. The described mold change method.

Spacing adjustment of the pair of transfer means moves the one of the transfer means, the mold changing method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 performed by stopping the other transfer means.

The distance between the pair of transfer means is the distance between the center axes of the two molds centered on each transfer means, and the two mold attachment intervals of the predetermined vulcanizer are attached to the vulcanizer. The mold exchanging method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein a distance between two mold center axes is set to be equal to each other.

In accordance with the operation of the interval adjusting mechanism , the transfer means is moved to the lower part of the vulcanizer under the predetermined clearance, and the second stage is brought into contact with the lower part of the vulcanizer. The mold exchanging method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the mold exchanging is adjusted between the heights of the steps .

Preliminary vulcanizer height data and die mounting height data are input to the control device in advance, and the predetermined vulcanizer height data is adjusted to the mutual adjustment of the pair of transfer means. 20. The mold exchanging method according to claim 19, wherein a matching signal is output from the control device , and the transfer means is adjusted in the two steps in response to the output signal.