JP4623881B2 - Tire vulcanization system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vulcanization system including a tire handling means having a low equipment cost and a short cycle time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When vulcanizing a tire, a vulcanizer 90 as illustrated in a front view in FIG. 5 has been widely used. The vulcanizing molds 92 of the vulcanizer 90 actually move in the same way on the left and right sides of the drawing, but for the sake of simplicity, the left half puts an unvulcanized tire 93 into the vulcanizing mold 92. The right half shows a state in which the vulcanized tire 94 is taken out from the vulcanization mold 92.
[0003]
In this vulcanizer 90, two vulcanizing molds 92 are arranged in a plane with the tire center axis being vertical, and two tires can be vulcanized at one time. The vulcanizer 90 has not only a function of vulcanizing, but also a means 98 for opening and closing the mold 92 by moving the upper platen 97 and the upper mold 92A up and down relative to the lower platen 96, and a tire. A means (not shown) for supplying and taking out is attached, and is configured to cope with various production situations.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case of mass production of tires, a large number of such vulcanizers 90 are conventionally installed. However, the mold opening / closing means 98 having a very short operation time compared to the operation time of the vulcanization mold 92 or Since the number of means for handling the tires is the same as that of the vulcanizer 90, there is a problem that the equipment cost efficiency is poor.
[0005]
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-48026 discloses a vulcanizer in which a plurality of molds are arranged in a posture in which the center axis of a tire is oriented horizontally, and corresponds to four molds. A tire vulcanizing apparatus has been proposed in which a single mold opening / closing device is installed to reduce the installation space and the equipment cost. However, this proposal also moves the mold opening / closing device to a position corresponding to each vulcanizer, and inserts / removes the mold to / from the vulcanizer at each position, and removes the vulcanized tire from the mold. In order to discharge and set the raw tires in the mold, a space for moving the mold opening and closing device itself and a moving device are required, as well as temporary placement of vulcanized and unvulcanized tires at each moving position Installation space and equipment are also required, and the installation cost has not been reduced sufficiently.
[0006]
Moreover, since the time required for the mold opening / closing device to move between the respective vulcanizers varies depending on the vulcanizer, the time required for the mold opening / closing device to move between the vulcanizers that are most separated from each other is used as the basis. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the vulcanization cycle. As a result, the cycle time becomes longer and the throughput per unit time decreases. The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vulcanization system that can sufficiently reduce the installation cost and can effectively shorten the cycle time of vulcanization. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has been made, and the gist configuration and operation thereof will be described below.
[0008]
The tire vulcanization system of the present invention includes a plurality of vulcanization stations arranged on an arc, a mold opening / closing station fixedly arranged at the center of the arc, and a reciprocating displacement from each vulcanization station to the mold opening / closing station. A vulcanizing system comprising a mobile vulcanizing unit and a tire transfer device for taking a tire into and out of a mold opening / closing station. In addition to the vulcanization mold that can be opened and closed in the direction, each vulcanization station has a space for placing the mobile vulcanization unit while vulcanizing the tire, and a heating medium for vulcanizing the tire. A heating medium supply port to be supplied and a vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device for taking in and out the mobile vulcanization unit with respect to the mold opening / closing station are provided. A closed station, those formed by providing a mold closing means for enabling loading and unloading of the tire by opening and closing the vulcanization mold of the mobile vulcanization unit.
[0009]
According to the tire vulcanizing system according to the present invention, a device for taking in and out the vulcanizing mold with respect to the mold opening / closing station is provided in each vulcanizing station. For this reason, it is not necessary to move the mold opening / closing station to a position corresponding to each vulcanization station, and a space and an apparatus for moving the mold opening / closing station are not required, and the installation cost can be reduced.
[0010]
Moreover, since each vulcanization station is arranged on an arc centered on the mold opening / closing station, all vulcanization stations can be manufactured with the same specifications regardless of the installation position. Equipment costs can be reduced.
[0011]
In addition, since each vulcanization station is arranged at an equal distance from the mold opening / closing station and a device for inserting / removing the mold to / from the mold opening / closing station is provided on the vulcanization station side, any vulcanization station is provided. Also for the vulcanization mold, it is possible to move between the vulcanization station and the mold opening / closing station in the same time. Accordingly, if the vulcanization time is the same for any tire vulcanized in any mold, the vulcanization cycle time including taking out and charging can be made constant, and as a result, the cycle time is shortened. Throughput can be improved per unit time.
[0012]
In this tire vulcanization system, the vulcanization station is arranged on an arc. However, in relation to surrounding equipment, the vulcanization station is not necessarily limited to an accurate arc, but from the mold station to each vulcanization station. The distance up to may be in a range sufficient to reduce the vulcanization cycle time.
[0013]
Further, in the tire vulcanizing system of the present invention, the mobile vulcanizing unit is heated not only by the vulcanizing mold but also by a heating medium, contacting the vulcanizing mold and transferring the heat to the vulcanizing mold. A platen unit, a heating medium supply hose for supplying a heating medium from the heating medium supply port to the heating platen unit, and a mold lock means for fastening the vulcanization mold and detachably fixing them to the heating platen unit. In addition, the heat medium supply hose is configured to maintain a connected state with respect to the mobile vulcanization unit located at any position between the vulcanization station and the mold opening / closing station.
[0014]
In this tire vulcanizing system, a heating platen portion that functions as the center of a vulcanizer is moved integrally with a vulcanizing mold. For this reason, it is not necessary to put in and out the vulcanization mold from the heating platen section every time the mold is taken in and out of the mold opening and closing station for opening and closing the mold, and the equipment cost can be reduced.
[0015]
Furthermore, the mobile vulcanization unit can be moved while the heating medium supply hose is connected to the mobile vulcanization unit, regardless of the position between the vulcanization station and the mold opening / closing station. Vulcanization can be continued even during the movement of this, and the cycle time can be shortened accordingly by making maximum use of this movement time as part of the vulcanization time. In addition, it is not necessary to disconnect the heating medium supply hose every time the mobile vulcanization unit is moved to the mold opening / closing station, so the equipment cost can be reduced and the risk of leakage of the heating medium from the connection is reduced. can do.
[0016]
In such a tire vulcanization system, the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device is composed of a vulcanization unit drive part and a vulcanization unit support guide part fixedly provided in the moving section of the mobile vulcanization unit. The unit support guide is provided with a short-axis roller that supports a mobile vulcanization unit that can rotate around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the moving direction of the mobile vulcanization unit. and interposed between the rollers, the guide rails moving on rollers, parallel to the mounting Rukoto the moving direction of the mobile vulcanization unit is preferred.
[0017]
According to this vulcanization system, the vulcanization unit support guide portion of the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device is configured by providing the short shaft roller laid in the moving section of the mobile vulcanization unit. The drive device can be simple and low-cost.
[0018]
Moreover, the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device is reciprocated by moving the guide rail attached to the mobile vulcanization unit over the short roller, so the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive provided at each vulcanization station Even in the mold opening / closing station where the devices cross each other and in the vicinity thereof, the vulcanization unit support guide portions or the vulcanization unit support guide portion and other mobile vulcanization units can be provided without interfering with each other.
[0019]
In this tire vulcanization system, unvulcanized tires are temporarily stored and delivered to the tire transfer device, and unvulcanized tire stands are received from the tire transfer device and temporarily stored. A vulcanized tire pedestal to be provided and a loading and unloading station, a circular plane region centered on the mold opening and closing station is divided into two fan-shaped parts, each vulcanization station is arranged in one fan-shaped part, It is preferable to arrange a tire transfer device and a loading / unloading station on the other fan-shaped portion.
[0020]
According to this, under the action of the loading / unloading station having the unvulcanized tire pedestal and the vulcanized tire pedestal, the tire can be smoothly circulated in the front and rear means inside and outside the vulcanization system.
[0021]
Furthermore, since the tire transfer device and the loading / unloading station are arranged in a sector region different from the sector region where the vulcanization station is arranged, the tire transfer device and the loading / unloading station in the sector region where the vulcanization station is arranged are provided. A space for exchanging the mold can be provided in the area on the opposite side of the arrangement area, and when exchanging the mold, the work of exchanging the mold by approaching the vulcanization station without hindrance is performed. It can be done easily.
[0022]
Furthermore, in any of the tire vulcanization systems described above, a vulcanized tire is received from the tire transfer device, and the tire is held in a certain shape for a certain period of time to perform a post-curing process. Rukoto provided post-vulcanization treatment station are preferred.
[0023]
When the tire uses fiber cords such as nylon that have a high thermal shrinkage rate as carcass ply cords, post-cure inflation (hereinafter referred to as “PCI”) called post-cure inflation is used to stabilize the tire shape. Must be done immediately after vulcanization. According to this vulcanization system, a vulcanized tire taken out from a mold opening / closing station is immediately transferred to a post-curing treatment station (hereinafter referred to as “PCI station”) by a tire transfer device, thereby ensuring reliable. PCI processing can be performed.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a layout view showing an embodiment of a vulcanization system according to the present invention. In this vulcanization system, two mold opening / closing stations 12 are arranged, centered on these mold opening / closing stations 12, and on a semicircumference R on one side of a straight line L connecting the centers of these stations 12 to each other. In addition, four vulcanization stations 11 are arranged 60 degrees apart from each other.
[0025]
The tire vulcanization system is provided with a total of eight mobile vulcanization units 13 that reciprocate between each vulcanization station 11 and a corresponding mold opening / closing station 12. In FIG. 1, of these eight mobile vulcanizing units 13, only the mobile vulcanizing unit corresponding to the right vulcanizing station facing the left mold opening / closing station is displaced toward the mold opening / closing station. Show.
[0026]
A vulcanized tire is taken out from the mold opening / closing station 12 on the opposite side of the area where the vulcanizing station 11 is arranged with respect to the straight line L of each mold opening / closing station 12 or unvulcanized in the mold opening / closing station 12. There is provided a tire transfer device 14 for loading the tires. In the mold opening / closing station 12, the tire is stored in the mold in a posture in which the central axis is vertical, and the tire transfer device 14 keeps the tire in this posture with respect to the mold opening / closing station 12. , Put in and out.
[0027]
Further, a PCI station 15 and a loading / unloading station 18 are provided within the operating range of the tire transfer device 14, and unvulcanized tires are temporarily stored in the loading / unloading station 18, and this is transferred to the tire transfer device 14. An unvulcanized tire pedestal 16 to be delivered to the vehicle and a vulcanized tire pedestal 17 that receives vulcanized tires from the tire transfer device 14 and temporarily stores them are arranged side by side.
[0028]
The PCI station 15 is configured to support each tire at four locations and to support the tire in a posture in which its central axis is horizontal in order to simultaneously perform PCI processing on four tires. . Further, in the unvulcanized tire table 16 and the vulcanized tire table 17, the tire is placed in a posture in which the central axis is vertical.
[0029]
And the tire transfer device 14 needs to put tires in and out at different positions in the respective positions of the mold opening / closing station 12, the PCI station 15, the unvulcanized tire table 16, and the vulcanized tire table 17, In this embodiment, since the tire transfer device 14 is constituted by an articulated robot, these complicated operations can be realized by a simple mechanism.
[0030]
Each station and apparatus constituting this tire vulcanizing system will be described in detail below. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mobile vulcanizing unit 13. The mobile vulcanization unit 13 includes a vulcanization mold 30 that houses the tire 5 and the bladder 6 that specifies the inner shape of the tire 5 in a cavity. Instead of this bladder, a hard core made of a rigid body may be used as the vulcanization core. Further, in the vulcanization system of this embodiment, since the tire is always transferred integrally with the bladder, in the present specification, the tire and the bladder are integrated for easy understanding. Is simply referred to as a tire, and it is not distinguished from the case of only a tire unless necessary.
[0031]
The vulcanization mold 30 includes an upper mold 31 and a lower mold 32, which are combined to form a cavity for housing the tire 5, and are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction to put in and out the tire. be able to. The lower mold 32 is a plurality of segments that are movable in the radial direction, forming a ring shape by combining with the lower side plate corresponding to the side portion of the tire in the circumferential direction and forming the outer surface shape of the tread portion of the tire. Part and more. The upper mold 31 includes an upper side plate that forms a side portion of the tire.
[0032]
Further, the mobile vulcanizing unit 13 is provided with an upper platen 61 and a lower platen 62 which are in contact with both end portions of the vulcanizing mold 30 and constitute a heating platen portion. A medium supply hose 67 is connected, and a heating medium, for example, steam can be supplied to a heating medium jacket provided inside the platens 61 and 62 to heat the platens 61 and 62. This heat is conducted to the abutting vulcanizing mold 30 and the tire can be vulcanized.
[0033]
Further, the mobile vulcanization unit 13 includes an upper end plate 63 and a lower end plate 64 that integrally sandwich the vulcanization mold 30 and the platens 61 and 62 that are in contact with both end faces. A plurality of tie rods 65 that connect the end plates 63, 64 to each other, and a hydraulic jack 69 that is attached to the lower end plate 64, presses the vulcanization mold 30 against the upper end plate 63, and tightens the vulcanization mold 30. The end plates 63 and 64, the tie rod 65, and the hydraulic jack 69 cooperate to constitute a mold locking means for integrally fastening the vulcanizing mold 30 and the upper and lower platens 61 and 62 together. ing.
[0034]
In addition, the lower tip of the tie rod 65 is fixed to the lower end plate 64, and the upper tip of the tie rod 65 is engaged with the upper end plate 63 via the tie plate 66. The tie plate 66 is then vulcanized. The tie plate 66 is configured so that the tie rod 65 and the upper end plate 63 can be engaged with each other and can be released by swinging around the axis of the mold.
[0035]
The upper die 31, the upper platen 61, the upper end plate 63, and the tie plate 66 constitute an elevating unit portion 72 that moves together when the upper end plate 63 is lifted.
[0036]
Next, the vulcanization station and the mold opening / closing station will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view showing one mold opening / closing station 12 and one vulcanizing station 11 provided opposite to the mold opening / closing station 12 in the tire vulcanizing system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an arrow IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 4 illustrates one mold opening / closing station 12 and all four vulcanization stations 11 arranged around the mold opening / closing station 12.
[0037]
Each vulcanization station 11 has a heat medium supply port 35 for supplying a heat medium, and vulcanization for reciprocating the mobile vulcanization unit 13 between the vulcanization station 11 and the mold opening / closing station 12. A unit reciprocating drive device 40 is provided.
[0038]
The vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device 40 includes a vulcanization unit drive unit 51 and a vulcanization unit support guide unit 41, and the vulcanization unit drive unit 51 is spanned between two sprockets 52 and a motor 53. And a drive bar 55 fixed to one link of the link chain 54 driven by. The front end of the drive bar 55 can be detachably connected to the rearmost part of the mobile vulcanization unit 13, that is, the part opposite to the mold opening / closing station 12 by connection means (not shown), and the motor 53 is driven. Then, the mobile vulcanization unit 13 can be reciprocated by reciprocating the link chain 54.
[0039]
The vulcanization unit support guide portion 41 includes a plurality of rollers 42 and a roller mount 43 that supports them. These rollers 42 are disposed between the corresponding vulcanization station 11 and the mold opening / closing station 12. Are arranged in two rows parallel to the straight line connecting the two. On the other hand, two guide rails 71 are attached to the lower surface of the mobile vulcanizing unit 13 in parallel with the traveling direction, and the guide rails 71 are moved along the row of the corresponding rollers 42. Thus, the mobile vulcanization unit 13 can be displaced back and forth with respect to the mold opening / closing station.
[0040]
As described above, by configuring the vulcanization unit support guide portion 51 of the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device 40 with the short-axis roller 42 laid in the moving section of the mobile vulcanization unit 13, as shown in FIG. An extremely simple and low-cost tire vulcanization system can be realized.
[0041]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the vulcanization unit support guide portions 51, or in the vicinity of the mold opening / closing station 12 where the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device 40 provided in each vulcanization station 11 intersects, These can be provided without the vulcanization unit support guide 51 and the other mobile vulcanization unit 13 interfering with each other.
[0042]
Further, when the mobile vulcanizing unit 13 is moved, the heating medium supply hose 67 for supplying the heating medium from the heating medium supply port 35 to the upper and lower platens 61 and 62 of the mobile vulcanizing unit 13 is not separated from these. Therefore, the vulcanization can be continued even while the mobile vulcanization unit 13 is moving, and the cycle time can be shortened by using the travel time as a part of the vulcanization time. In addition, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the risk of leakage of the heat medium from the connection portion can be reduced.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3, the mold opening / closing station 12 includes a mold opening / closing means 21 for moving the lifting / lowering unit portion 72 of the mobile vulcanization unit 13 that has moved in the center. The mold opening / closing means 21 includes a base 22 fixed via a pillar built from the floor surface, and an upper / lower unit 24 guided by a guide 23 attached to the base and moved up and down by a driving device (not shown). . The upper and lower units 24 rotate the tie plate 66 of the mobile vulcanizing unit 13 to connect or disconnect the upper end plate 63 and the tie rod 65, and to grip or grip the upper end plate 63. An elevating unit lock gripping mechanism 25 is provided.
[0044]
Next, a series of operations until the unvulcanized tire 5 is received from the previous process, vulcanized, and the vulcanized tire 5 is discharged to the subsequent process in this tire vulcanizing system will be described. The unvulcanized tire 5 conveyed from the previous process is placed on an unvulcanized tire mounting table 16. On the other hand, the tire transfer device 14 transfers the vulcanized tire 5 at the mold opening / closing station 12 from the vulcanization mold 30 opened up and down to the PCI station 15 and then mounted on the unvulcanized tire mounting table 16. The placed unvulcanized tire 5 is picked up and set in an open vulcanized mold 30 located at the mold opening / closing station 12.
[0045]
After retracting the tire transfer device 14, the mold opening / closing means 21 is displaced to lower the elevating unit 72 of the mobile vulcanizing unit 13, and the elevating unit lock holding mechanism 25 and the hydraulic jack 69 are operated. Thus, the lifting unit 72 is locked to the other part of the mobile vulcanizing unit 13.
[0046]
Thereafter, the mobile vulcanization unit 13 is moved to the vulcanization station 11 by the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device 40, and the unvulcanized tire 5 accommodated therein is vulcanized at the vulcanization station. When the vulcanization is completed, the mobile vulcanization unit 13 is moved to the mold opening / closing station 12 by the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device 40, and then the vulcanization mold 30 by the mold opening / closing means 21 of the mold opening / closing station 12. And the vulcanized tire 5 can be taken out.
[0047]
The vulcanized tire 5 is transferred from the mold opening / closing station to the PCI station 15 by the tire transfer device 14, and after the PCI processing is completed, the vulcanized tire 5 is again transferred by the tire transfer device 14. Then, it is taken out from the PCI station 15 and placed on the vulcanized tire mount 17. Then, this tire 5 is conveyed to the next process.
[0048]
In the tire vulcanizing system of this embodiment, a material such as nylon having a high heat shrinkage rate is used as a cord constituting the tire to be vulcanized, and therefore a PCI station for performing PCI treatment is provided. In the case of a vulcanization system for vulcanizing a tire made of a cord made of a material with a low rate, this PCI station can be omitted.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a plurality of vulcanization stations are arranged on an arc centered on the mold opening / closing station, and reciprocally displaced from each vulcanization station to the mold opening / closing station. Since the vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device that drives the mobile vulcanization unit is installed in each vulcanization station, the equipment and space to move the mold opening / closing station to each vulcanization station are not required, reducing the installation cost In addition, since the time required for moving the mobile vulcanization unit can be made constant, the vulcanization cycle time can be shortened and the productivity can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a layout view showing an embodiment of a tire vulcanizing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a mobile vulcanization unit.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a vulcanization station and a mold opening / closing station.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a vulcanization station and a mold opening / closing station.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a conventional tire vulcanization system.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Tire 6 Bladder 11 Vulcanization station 12 Mold opening / closing station 13 Mobile vulcanization unit 14 Tire transfer device 15 PCI station 16 Unvulcanized tire pedestal 17 Cured tire pedestal 18 Entry / exit station 19 Mold exchange space 21 Mold Opening / closing means 22 Base part 23 Guide 24 Vertical unit 25 Lifting unit part lock gripping mechanism 30 Vulcanization mold 31 Upper mold 32 Lower mold 35 Heat medium supply port 40 Vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device 41 Vulcanization unit support guide part 42 Roller 43 Roller mount 51 Vulcanization unit drive section 52 Sprocket 53 Motor 54 Link chain 55 Drive bar 61 Upper platen 62 Lower platen 63 Upper end plate 64 Lower end plate 65 Tie rod 66 Tie plate 67 Heating medium supply hose 69 Hydraulic pressure Jack 71 Guide rail 72 Lifting unit

Claims (4)

A plurality of vulcanization stations arranged on an arc, a mold opening / closing station fixed to the center of the arc, a mobile vulcanization unit that reciprocates from each vulcanization station to the mold opening / closing station, and a mold A vulcanization system comprising a tire transfer device for taking tires in and out of an opening and closing station,
The mobile vulcanization unit is configured to include a vulcanization mold that gives the tire the outer shape of the product tire and can be opened and closed in the axial direction.
At each vulcanization station, while vulcanizing the tire, a space for placing the mobile vulcanization unit, a heat medium supply port for supplying a heat medium for vulcanizing the tire, and opening and closing the mold of the mobile vulcanization unit A vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device for taking in and out of the station,
The mold closing station, Ri Na provided a mold opening and closing means for enabling loading and unloading of the tire by opening and closing the vulcanization mold of the mobile vulcanization unit,
Furthermore, in addition to the vulcanization mold, the mobile vulcanization unit is heated by a heating medium, a heating platen section that contacts the vulcanization mold and transmits this heat to the vulcanization mold, and the heating medium supply A heating medium supply hose for supplying a heating medium from the mouth to the heating platen part, and a mold lock means for fastening the vulcanization mold and detachably fixing them to the heating platen part,
The heat medium supply hose, tire vulcanizing system ing configured also to maintain the connected state to the mobile vulcanization unit located at any position between the vulcanizing station and the mold opening and closing station. The vulcanization unit reciprocating drive device is composed of a vulcanization unit drive section and a vulcanization unit support guide section fixed to the moving section of the mobile vulcanization unit. A short-axis roller that supports the mobile vulcanization unit, which is rotatable around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the moving direction of the unit, is provided, and the mobile vulcanization unit is interposed between the mobile vulcanization unit and the roller. The vulcanization system according to claim 1 , wherein the guide rail moving above is attached in parallel with the moving direction of the mobile vulcanization unit. Temporarily storing unvulcanized tires and delivering them to a tire transfer device, and a vulcanized tire table for receiving and temporarily storing vulcanized tires from the tire transfer device In addition to providing an entry / exit station,
The circular flat area centered on the mold opening / closing station is divided into two fan-shaped parts, each vulcanizing station is arranged in one fan-shaped part, and the tire transfer device and the loading / unloading station are arranged in the other fan-shaped part. The vulcanization system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the vulcanization system is arranged. The tire of vulcanized receives from the tire transfer device, the time that tire fixed and held to the constant shape, any claim 1-3 comprising a vulcanization station provided after performing post-vulcanization The vulcanization system according to crab.

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