JP4932127B2 - Method and apparatus for manufacturing pneumatic tires - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for supplying a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material used to make a rubber product.

  More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for supplying a semi-finished product to the surface of an assembly drum used to produce a rubber product.

  More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for supplying a semi-finished product used in the process of manufacturing a tire.

  Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for supplying said semi-finished product.

  In the present description and claims, the expression “semi-finished product” has a major dimension (length) relative to the elongated element, ie the other two dimensions (width and thickness); Means an element that is manufactured from an elastomeric material and has a constant thickness or varies in thickness along the transverse direction for the same semi-finished product and is used as a component of a rubber product together with other elements To do.

  Such semi-finished products may be tapes, i.e. elements consisting only of an elastomeric material, or ribbons, i.e. elements comprising threads, cords, fibers or other reinforcing elements at least partially embedded in the tape of said elastomeric material. .

  As used herein, the expression “elastomer material” generally refers to a rubber mixture, ie, a mixture formed by at least one polymer base suitably mixed with reinforcing fillers and / or various processing additives. Note that.

  In general, a tire includes an annularly shaped carcass including at least one carcass ply having ends associated with a pair of bead wires that form reinforcement of a portion of the tire that is coupled to a bead or wheel rim, and an elastomer. It is known as a belt structure, which is made of a material and is known as a belt structure, a pair of side walls which are superimposed on the carcass ply at a position facing at least laterally, a tread arranged like a crown around the carcass, And a reinforcing structure disposed between the ply and the tread.

  Thus, in the tire manufacturing process known in the prior art, the elastomeric material is called, for example, sidewalls, treads, and technically liners, inside the carcass of tubeless tires, ie tires that do not require the use of air tubes. Used in the manufacture of the hermetic layer to be coated. In addition, the liner is generally bonded to an additional layer that also has a limited thickness of elastomeric material that serves to promote adhesion between the liner itself and the carcass ply.

  An additional element that is manufactured entirely from an elastomeric material and is used primarily in the manufacture of giant tires, i.e. tires used in heavy vehicles etc., is a so-called underbelt filler, from an elastomeric tape having a considerable thickness. After being assembled, it is placed between the carcass ply and both ends of the belt structure.

  On the other hand, in the case of giant type tires, the bead reinforcement edge, carcass ply and belt structure include a reinforcement structure embedded in the elastomeric material, which structure is arranged according to an appropriate angle with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire. And a plurality of fabrics or metal threads or cords.

  All these semi-finished products are generally manufactured as a continuous strip and used after being stored on a spool.

  In the tire manufacturing process, the semi-finished product is supplied to an assembly machine generally including at least one assembly drum according to a specific sequence of steps, the semi-finished product being disposed on the assembly drum, They are assembled together to form a finished tire.

  The assembly machine functions by a plurality of auxiliary devices (feeders) configured to supply all different types of semi-finished products required for the assembly process to the assembly drum.

  In general, the semi-finished product is unwound by individual storage and supply spools and conveyed onto the drum, such as for side walls and underbelt filling, on the drum, the first end of the semi-finished product is Or, if multiple strips of material are unrolled simultaneously, the multiple first ends are placed manually or automatically.

  When the first end is disposed on the surface of the assembly drum, the drum rotates and the semi-finished product is partially wound around the substantially cylindrical surface of the assembly drum.

  The rotation is not complete and the semi-finished product is cut to the appropriate size and the second end obtained by the cutting operation is joined to the first end previously wound on the drum surface Connected manually or automatically. Such connections at the first and second ends are of the butt connection type or include partial overlap at both ends along a limited length of part.

  In general, when manufacturing a giant tire, the process includes sequentially placing the sidewall, liner, edge, carcass ply and underbelt filler on a first drum, a so-called “first stage” drum (a pair of drums). The bead wire is also arranged), the belt structure and the tread are fed and lowered onto the carcass after the carcass is shaped in an annular shape on a second drum, the so-called “second stage” drum, Downstream of this, an untreated tire has already been completed and ready for the vulcanization process, and when the vulcanization process is complete, a finished tire is obtained.

  Regardless of whether the semi-finished product is manufactured solely from an elastomeric material or includes a reinforcement, the manufacturing process of the semi-finished product includes the step of bonding such semi-finished product to at least one protective sheet. The protective sheet maintains the surface of the semi-finished product as little as possible from dust and other impurities that may come into contact during conventional storage and / or transport processes, and is important for subsequent cross-assembly Maintain the tackiness of the semi-finished product.

  In the prior art process, the protective sheet, generally defined as “release fabric”, is mainly composed of a textile material such as, for example, Meraclon®, and generally downstream of the manufacturing process, for example, Combined into a semi-finished product that is continuously produced by extrusion, calendering or molding.

  Thus, the semi-finished product coupled to the release cloth is wound in a concentric winding around a cylindrical surface, such as a core of the storage spool, for example, and each said storage spool loaded with a specific semi-finished product is These semi-finished products are then mounted on an assembly machine specially arranged in an apparatus for feeding the assembly drum.

  In the tire assembly process, each semi-finished product is unwound from an individual storage spool, the semi-finished product is separated from the previously bonded release cloth, and only the semi-finished product continues to the assembly drum. Proceeding through the finished product path, the release fabric is recovered and reused.

  This document describes a method for supplying a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material and an apparatus for performing such operations provided during the tire assembly process. More particularly, this specification relates to a process of separating a release fabric from a semi-finished product to which the release fabric is bonded. The operation techniques of the drum and generally the entire assembly machine are known in the prior art and are not described below because they are not relevant for the purposes of the present invention.

  As far as the applicant of the present application is aware, the prior art suggests a process for separating a release fabric from a semi-finished product of elastomeric material, for example using a separating device such as an idle roll. More particularly, the semi-finished product coupled to the release fabric is unwound from the corresponding storage spool and sent over the surface of the separation element, where it facilitates the separation of the release fabric from the semi-finished product. In order to do this, a sudden change in the direction of the release cloth relative to the direction of conveyance of the semi-finished product is determined. Thus, the release fabric is conveyed toward the collecting device, generally toward a rotating beam by an electric motor.

  In these prior art processes, the above-mentioned electric beam acts to pull the release cloth directly, pull out the semi-finished product from the storage spool, separate the semi-finished product from the release cloth, and place the semi-finished product in the assembly drum direction. Press to.

  In order to adjust the feeding process, the storage spool described above is interconnected to the braking device, so that the amount of semifinished product wound around and around the spool, and thus the weight of this semifinished product, varies. As a result, the spool does not change significantly in rotation speed, and in particular, does not increase in speed, so that semifinished products accumulate upstream of the idle roll and at least partially counteract the tensioning action applied by the collecting beam. , Making the above separation process more difficult.

  In addition, the collection beam of the release cloth is appropriately controlled by a control device or clutch, so that as the mass of the release cloth wound around the beam surface increases, the speed of the collection beam changes without delay, The tensioning action on the semi-finished product is extremely constant, and the semi-finished product can be drawn out as uniformly as possible.

  In other words, the supply of the semi-finished product to the assembly drum is controlled by a tensile action applied on the release cloth by the electric collection beam.

  In order to preserve the dimensions and structural properties of the semi-finished product that is in the plastic state and thus easily deformable, the applicant of the present application unwinds the spool from an individual storage spool. To avoid stretching the semi-finished product itself in the process, separating the release fabric, and transporting the semi-finished product to an assembly drum or another assembly and / or processing device of the semi-finished product Recognized that it should be done.

  Applicants of the present application have provided uncontrollable stretching to a semi-finished product due to the type of feeding performed by the above procedure of the prior art, and the semi-finished product made from untreated elastomeric material is still plastic and permanent. It was noted that this is particularly undesirable in that it causes undue deformation.

  In other words, the above stretching causes such stresses in the semi-finished product, which changes the size and functional characteristics of the semi-finished product, adversely affects the result, or in any case, particularly using automated equipment Make the assembly process more difficult.

  Applicants have in fact found that release fabrics used in the prior art, such as Meraclon®, have significant extensibility, and these fabrics bind some of the tensile action applied by the beam onto the release fabric. Recognized to communicate to the semi-finished product. The separating operation of the release cloth and the conveying operation with respect to the drum also cause the semifinished product to stretch and deform.

The applicant of the present application preferably uses a cloth guiding and separating device comprising a plurality of rolls, wherein at least one roll is electrically driven instead of a prior art idle roll, preferably a semi-finished product. Inextensible release fabric
It has been found that stretching and deformation on the semi-finished product can be substantially eliminated by being bonded to the release fabric.

  Such fabric guiding and separating devices are also defined below as tension capstans and apply tension to the fabric at the same location where the separation of the fabric from the semi-finished product occurs.

  The traction force generated by the control beam and the capstan is totally absorbed by the non-extensible release cloth and is not partially transmitted to the semi-finished product in the unwinding process from the storage spool.

The applicant of the present application provides a plurality of such rolls and electrifies at least one of the rolls so that the semi-finished product is released from the release fabric by the at least one roll before the assembly drum. The transport speed (translation) applied to the same semi-finished product by a transport means arranged upstream of the semi-finished product and configured to transport the semi-finished product toward the drum.
It has been found that a conveying speed substantially equal to speed) can be applied to the semi-finished product.

  In particular, the applicant of the present application has a tensile speed at a rotational speed equal to the rotational speed of a plurality of auxiliary rolls belonging to the above conveying means, referred to in the prior art as “roll and stand table”, arranged downstream of the device. It has been found that by moving at least one roll of capstan, the transport speed of the semi-finished product exiting the supply spool is equal to the transport speed of the semi-finished product at the stand. In other words, the cloth guiding and separating device according to the present invention allows the semi-finished product to be transported at a certain predetermined speed, and the semi-finished product is not pushed or pulled. These facts can prevent stretching from occurring in the semifinished product itself.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, a semi-finished product made of an elastomer material supported on a release cloth and stored concentrically on a spool is used for assembling a rubber product such as a tire. It relates to a method for assembling a finished product and / or supplying it to a processing station.

The method is:
a) unwinding the semi-finished product in a braked state from the storage spool;
b) separating the release fabric from the semi-finished product by imparting different advance directions to the release fabric and the semi-finished product;
c) transporting the release cloth in the direction of the collecting beam, wherein the beam is rotated around the axis of the beam by motor means;
d) transporting the semi-finished product towards the assembly and / or processing station of the semi-finished product,
e) prior to the step of storing the semi-finished product on the spool, bonding a pull-non-stretchable release fabric to the semi-finished product;
f) applying to the release fabric a traction force adapted to unwind in the braking state, wherein the force is applied at an intermediate point in the path of the fabric between the spool and the beam And a process.

  Preferably, the method includes applying the traction force at the same position that provides the different forward directions.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a semi-finished product of elastomer material supported on a release fabric and stored in a concentrically wound spool in the direction of assembly and / or processing station of the semi-finished product. The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling rubber products such as tires. The device is:
a) a braking device for adjusting the speed at which the winding is unwound from the storage spool;
b) a separation device for separating the release fabric from the semi-finished product;
c) a collection beam for collecting the release fabric;
d) first motor means for rotating the collection beam about its axis;
The apparatus further comprises second electric motor means for rotating the separation device.

  In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least three fabric guide devices arranged at intermediate positions along the fabric path between the spool and the beam, one of the guide devices comprising: It is also a separation device for separating the fabric from the semi-finished product.

Preferably, such guiding devices are arranged as follows with respect to the unwinding direction of the fabric:
The first guiding device, which also constitutes the separating device, is arranged downstream of the storage spool;
The third guiding device is located upstream of the cloth collecting beam and away from the semi-finished product assembly and / or processing station, for example the transport path of the semi-finished product in the direction of the assembly drum;
The second guiding device is located at an intermediate position between the first and third guiding devices, further away from the transport path of the semi-finished product with respect to the positions of the first and third guiding devices;

  Other features and advantages will be more readily apparent from the following description of several preferred embodiments of the invention.

  The following description refers to the accompanying drawings by way of example and not limitation.

  The following description relates to a method and apparatus for supplying a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material and used in the process of assembling a tire, such as the giant tire 100 shown in FIG. However, the method and apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the process of assembling a tire, but to any type of process that requires the provision of a semi-finished product made from a plastically deformable material, such as an elastomeric material. Can be applied.

  The tire 100 preferably includes a carcass shaped like an annulus with at least one carcass ply 101 in which a metal reinforcement cord is present in a radial plane, i.e. a plane containing the axis of rotation of the tire. Both ends 101a of the carcass ply are folded back axially from the inside to the outside around two metal annular cores 102, which are generally known as bead cores, which are the beads, i.e. radially inward of the tire. Form end reinforcement. As described above, this bead allows the tire to be reliably assembled on the corresponding mounting rim C. In FIG. 1, the tire 100 is supported on a so-called “channeled” rim, and the support base of the tire bead extends conically outward at an angle w corresponding to about 15 °.

  The tread 103 made of an elastomer material is formed with a undulation pattern for reliably bringing the tire 100 into contact with the ground, and is arranged in a crown around the carcass. The tread 103 has a predetermined thickness and is delimited between an outer surface intended to contact the ground and an inner surface coated with a thin sheet 103 'made of an elastomeric material. And the sheet 103 ′ is specifically configured to promote the necessary adhesion between the tread 103 and the underlying belt structure 104.

  The belt structure is an annular reinforcing structure that is hardly stretchable in the circumferential direction and is disposed between the carcass 101 and the tread 103. Usually, the belt structure includes at least two layers 104a, 104b, which are superimposed in the radial direction, and these layers are manufactured from a cloth coated with rubber and provided with a metal reinforcing cord inside. Such cords are arranged parallel to each other in each layer 104a, 104b and are inclined with respect to the cords of adjacent layers. Preferably, such cords are arranged symmetrically with respect to the equator plane of the tire. Preferably, the belt structure described above includes a supplementary third layer 104c of highly extensible metal cord, which is circumferentially wound around the entire width of the underlying belt layer, or It is wound only on the axially outer position of the lower belt layer and surrounds only both ends of the lower belt layer. These auxiliary layers, in combination with the underlying layers, withstand the stresses that the belt exerts on the tires during operation and are related to inflation pressures and centrifugal forces, especially when driving on curves. Increase your ability to maintain.

  FIG. 2 shows a device 10 according to the invention configured to supply a semi-finished product 2 made of an elastomeric material and stored in a storage spool 6, for example for a tread or a side wall, After being pulled out from the storage spool 6 and separated from the release cloth 5 collected by the collecting device 20, it is conveyed by the electric motor 4 in the direction of the assembly drum 3.

  As described above, the semi-finished product 2 is bonded to a protective sheet or release cloth 5, which according to the present invention is manufactured from a substantially non-stretchable material, and the semi-finished product 2 has an adhesive property. The semi-finished product is maintained so as not to change, and the semi-finished product is attached very weakly so that the separation process from the semi-finished product is not difficult.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the applicant of the present application has found it advantageous to use a sheet of material known commercially under the name Mylar®.

The semi-finished product 2 is manufactured in a special plant, for example, an extruder, and immediately bonded to the release cloth 5, wound around the storage spool 6 in a concentric winding shape, and then used. When using the semi-finished product 2, the spool 6 is mounted on an assembly plant, in particular a semi-finished product feeder, and the free end of the release fabric is sent to the collecting device 20. The apparatus rotates to unwind the winding from the spool 6 and collect the fabric. The rotation of the spool is adjusted by the braking device 7, which, as described above, immediately after the start of unwinding, because the semi-finished product is fully loaded into the spool, so that the spool retains its maximum diameter, and At any moment during the unwinding process, the peripheral tangential speed (peripheral) of the storage spool, both when the unwinding is almost complete and the spool is almost empty, both when the spool retains the smallest diameter.
tangential speed) can be kept constant.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 is adapted to provide the beam with a spool 6, a braking device 7 for the spool, a beam 20 for collecting the release fabric 5, and an appropriate rotational speed. Comprises a configured motor 21 and three fabric guide devices, preferably three rolls 17, 18, 19 between the spool 6 and the beam 20 and around which the release fabric 5 is wound. . The rolls 17, 18, 19 preferably have the same diameter and guide the release fabric 5 along a waved path. Wavy paths are described later in this specification.

  The expressions “storage spool” and “collection beam” have no restrictive purpose, each indicating a device of any type that stores a semi-finished product and collects a release fabric, for ease of explanation. use. Instead of the spool and beam, alternatives such as a storage beam and a cloth collection spool can be used.

Further, FIG. 2 shows a roll table 22 and a stand 8, which is provided with a series of rolls for transporting the semi-finished product 2 onto the cylindrical surface of the drum 3. FIG. 2 shows a partial schematic view of the supply device according to the invention, so that the actual distance existing between the spool 6 and the assembly drum 3 is not taken into account and a plurality of other ones not included in the scope of the invention. Known elements are not shown. For example, FIG. 2 does not show one or more conveyor belt systems that typically exist to support the semi-finished product in the semi-finished product path from the fabric separation device to the roll table. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a festoon system which is arranged between the supply spool 6 and the roll table 22 and is required to separate the semifinished product supply area from the semifinished product processing area.
system) is not shown. Such a system makes it possible, for example, to change the spool without interrupting the production cycle, i.e. continuously feeding the assembly drum 3.

  The axes of the spool 6, beam 20 and rolls 17, 18, 19 and the roll 22 of the table and stand 8 are parallel to each other, as represented by the plane of FIG. It is perpendicular to the common support frame.

  According to the present invention, the rolls 17, 18 and 19 are arranged to guide the release fabric 5 along a wavy path configured to facilitate feeding the semi-finished product without stretching. At least one of the rolls constitutes a separation device between the semi-finished product 2 and the release fabric 5 and provides different advance directions for the fabric and the semi-finished product. In particular, at the output from the roll, the advancing direction of the semi-finished product and the fabric is preferably configured to spread with respect to each other at an angle of 60 ° or more, more preferably about 90 °.

  In addition, at least one of the rolls may have a traction force in addition to or instead of the force applied by the beam so as to unwind the semifinished product winding from the storage spool as described above. Is applied to the release cloth. Thereby, as described above, the semi-finished product 2 is conveyed from the spool 6 to the assembly drum 3 at a constant speed in a state where the semi-finished product does not expand. Preferably, the first roll 17 is actuated by an electric motor 23 as shown in the embodiment of FIG.

  The one or more motorized rolls rotate at a constant speed having a value that is a function of the same roll diameter, and this diameter is preferably comprised between 40 mm and 80 mm. Further, the outer surface of the roll is preferably coated with a high hardness (eg, 60 ° -70 ° Shore A hardness) elastomeric material to increase the friction between the roll and the release fabric, thereby increasing the tension on the release fabric. Promotes action.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there are three guiding devices, each axis having an inverted triangular shape with sides facing the semi-finished product 2 moving in the direction of the assembly drum after the release cloth 5 is separated. Arrange them so that they substantially coincide with the vertices.

  More specifically, the side forms a small angle with respect to the conveying direction A of the semi-finished product 2 so that only the separation device (roll 17) contacts the release cloth.

  The spatial configuration of the rolls 17, 18, 19 is defined by two sides where the release cloth 5 does not face the semi-finished product, that is, two sides represented by a line connecting the axes of the rolls 17-18 and 18-19. Configure to follow a wavy path.

  More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the roll 19 is spaced from the semi-finished product 2 so as not to interfere with the travel of the semi-finished product.

  With respect to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the method for feeding the semi-finished product 2 in the direction of the assembly drum 3 comprises unwinding the semi-finished product coupled to a release cloth from a storage spool 6. The semi-finished product 2 and the release cloth 5 bonded to the semi-finished product 2 are moved in the direction of the first roll 17 by the tension applied to the cloth by the collecting beam 20 and / or the roll 17 (arrow B in FIG. 2). . The release fabric is separated from the semi-finished product 2 at the first roll 17, and is collected on the beam 20 following the wavy path (arrows C, E, F) around the subsequent rolls 18, 19. On the other hand, the semi-finished product 2 moves forward in the direction of the assembly drum 3 after the semi-finished product 2 is separated from the release cloth 5 (arrow A).

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the release cloth 5 has a first surface of the release cloth 5 in contact with the curved portions of the rolls 17 and 19 and an opposite surface in contact with the curved portion of the roll 18 along the path.

  Preferably, such a curved portion corresponds to the surface arc of the roll constituting 90 ° to 180 °, more preferably 135 ° or more.

  With a sudden change in direction applied to the release fabric 5, such a configuration of triangles with corresponding wavy paths deforms the roll assembly in the tension capstan that can exert a constant high value of tension on the fabric. The roll assemblies in these tensile capstans can be used in combination with or in place of the tensile action exerted by the beam 20.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the semi-finished product 2 is bonded to a release fabric 5 made of a non-stretchable material, so that it can withstand and stretch the tensile action applied by the capstan or the beam. There is nothing. Preferably, the release fabric 5 is manufactured from Mylar® and has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the device 10 according to the present invention, which is particularly applied when a pair of release cloths are respectively arranged on both sides of the semi-finished product 2 (arrow B). Specifically, the semi-finished product 2 (for example, a metal cloth tape in the case of a process for manufacturing a side wall or a giant tire) includes a first release cloth 5 disposed on one surface shown in FIG. Generally, unlike the cloth 5, a second release cloth 5 ′ composed of a polyethylene film is provided. The second release cloth 5 ′ and the first release cloth 5 perform the above-described protective function on both opposing surfaces of the semi-finished product 2.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3, the first release fabric 5 is separated by the device 10 according to the invention and sent to a collection beam (not shown) (arrow C). On the other hand, the second release cloth 5 ′ is separated by a so-called knife-type separation device 9 fixed to the support frame and conveyed to another collection beam 11 (arrow D).

  In this alternative embodiment (FIG. 3), the roll 19 is placed at the same level as the roll 17 with respect to the surface of the semifinished product, so that the roll 19 also contacts the semifinished product 2.

  Said embodiment is particularly advantageous when the roll 19 is also of the motorized type and facilitates transporting the semi-finished product 2 (arrow A) in the direction of the assembly drum 3 at a predetermined constant speed.

  In FIG. 3, the device 10 according to the invention further comprises a support element 12 (for example a roll table or conveyor belt), which is inserted between the rolls 17 and 19 and has an assembly drum (not shown). ) In the direction of the semifinished product 2 (arrow A). Such a support element 12 serves to support the semi-finished product 2, in particular when the semi-finished product 2 is manufactured only from an elastomeric material and does not have a reinforcing structure.

  The element 12 thus prevents the material from stretching and / or deforming in the space formed between the rolls 17 and 19 as a result of the semi-finished product 2 being wavy or bent.

  FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the supply apparatus 10 according to the present invention, and the path taken by the release cloth 5 is different from the path shown in FIG. In fact, in the other embodiments, the release cloth 5 is not separated from the semifinished product 2 by the first roll 17 but by the second roll 18. Therefore, this means that the semi-finished product that is still bonded to the release cloth 5 runs along both surface portions of the rolls 17 and 18, and the separation from the release cloth 5 is performed as described above. It is performed in the second roll 18 instead of 17.

  Furthermore, other differences between the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are the same as the fact that all the rolls 17, 18 and 19 are motorized and the motor 13 is common as shown in FIG. This is the fact that both the plurality of rolls and the collection beam 20 are driven by the path of the chain 14.

  In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the supply spool 6 is also driven together with the rolls 17, 18, 19 and the beam 20.

  In addition, FIG. 4 partially shows a festoon formed by a semi-finished product 2 (for example, a belt strip) and disposed downstream of the supply device 10. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows a festone with a maximum width of 2 feet and a minimum width of 2 inches, the length of which is controlled by a pair of photocells 50 that read the height of the bend formed by the festone. . With these readings, the above photocells are fed to maintain the required amount of semi-finished product upstream of the assembly drum in order to continue the manufacturing process when the supply spool is replaced or a line malfunctions. Activate and deactivate the device to adjust the length of the festoon.

  In another embodiment (FIG. 5), each device of the supply device according to the invention is removably connected to an assembly plant, in particular to a frame of the device supplying each specific semifinished product to the assembly drum. Can be arranged in a casing 24.

  The casing 24 may change in size and / or shape of the semi-finished product 2 sent to the assembly drum 3, for example, whenever maintenance work is required, or an assembly machine to which such an apparatus 10 is coupled changes the product. This makes it possible to quickly replace the entire supply device 10 whenever it has to meet these requirements.

  Prior art feeders required that a storage spool loaded with semi-finished products be mounted on the plant before starting production in order to meet different manufacturing requirements. Assume that there is a storage spool on the plant that is still partially loaded with the semi-finished product used in the previous production. In this case, it is necessary to unwind the release cloth from the collecting beam and wind this release cloth onto a storage spool, i.e. onto a semi-finished product that is coupled to the release cloth and is still stored on the storage spool. .

  Thereafter, the storage spool must be removed and replaced with a storage spool loaded with a semi-finished product corresponding to a new production before starting a new operating cycle.

  Assume that a semi-finished product of the type already used in the previous cycle and already started and wound on the spool removed from the plant at the end of the previous cycle needs to be supplied to the assembly drum. . In this case, the storage spool is loaded on the supply device, the release cloth already separated from the previous semi-finished product used before is unwound from the storage spool, and the release cloth is combined on the storage spool. This release fabric must be wound onto the collection beam until the assembly formed by the article is usable again. At this point, a new production can be started.

  The device according to the invention eliminates the technical time required to carry out some of the above-mentioned work and consequently the replacement of the semi-finished product. In fact, to immediately transition from one operating cycle to another succeeding cycle, it is simply a matter of whether the original casing has completed the spool 6 or whether a new spool 6 is placed in the new casing. It is necessary to remove 24 and replace it with a new casing 24 containing the new type of desired semi-finished product.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the casing 24 includes a frame 25 on which the shaft of the spool together with the storage spool 6, the shaft of the beam together with the collecting beam 20, and the rolls 17, 18, 19 together with the shaft thereof. A roll shaft and a plurality of idle roll shafts are attached to maintain the semi-finished product from the casing to the outlet.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least the shafts of spool 6, beam 20 and roll 17 rotate integrally with individual actuating pins mounted on a feeder frame (not shown) upstream of the assembly drum. In addition to the electric motor for driving the pin, the supply device further includes a braking device 7 of the spool 6 and a computerized system (not shown) for synchronously controlling the device. .

The casing 24 is mounted on the frame by coupling the plurality of shafts to corresponding pins that project vertically from the frame , so that the semi-finished product supply process is substantially the same as previously described. In a state that is not different from each other. When the spool 6 is emptied, the casing is replaced with another casing provided with a new storage spool.

  Remove the casing without unwinding the release cloth on the spool 6 if the supply of the semi-finished product has to be interrupted when the spool is partially loaded, for example due to product changes or for other reasons . The same casing can then be used again on the same or another assembly plant to resume without delay from the state in which the casing was previously removed from the feeder.

  Table 1 below shows the main operating parameters of the device 10 according to the invention used to supply tire sidewalls and liners individually.

  According to the present invention, the computerized system controls the operation of the apparatus 10 according to a predetermined manufacturing method.

  First, the system adjusts the rotational speed of the storage spool 6 as a function of the amount of unfinished product to be unwound by means of the braking device 7.

  In fact, the computerized system acts on the braking device 7 and keeps the release fabric permanently tensioned, but at the same time, when the amount of semi-finished product supplied changes, a certain pre- The rotational speed of the spool 6 is preferably changed according to a predetermined rule so as to ensure a predetermined flow of the semi-finished product.

  In fact, one purpose of the supply device 10 is that the semifinished product 2 on the assembly drum is semi-finished at a constant speed equal to the speed given to the semifinished product by the motorized roll 22 in the last part of the path. It is to be able to supply the finished product 2.

  Adjustment of the rotational speed of the spool 6 is achieved, for example, by providing a braking device 7 comprising a plurality of photocells arranged in front of one side of the spool and a light source arranged in front of the other side of the spool. can get. When unwinding the semi-finished product, when the spool 6 is empty, the photocell is gradually illuminated by the light source and sends a current diameter measurement of the spool that is still loaded with the semi-finished product to the computerized system. . Thus, the computerized system corrects the rotational speed of the spool based on the reached emptying level.

  Similarly, the computerized system controls a motor 21 that controls the speed of the collection beam 20 by means of a clutch device, so that the tensile action applied to the release fabric 5 is constant in time and collected. Increasing the amount of release fabric is unaffected by variations in the mass that the beam 20 bears. The adjustment of the rotational speed of the beam 20 performed when the release cloth is wound, that is, the reduction of the rotation speed enables the semi-finished product 2 to be conveyed at a constant predetermined speed, and the release cloth does not stretch according to the present invention. As a result, the material is not undesirably stretched.

  As mentioned above, a constant transport speed of the semi-finished product can also be obtained by motorization of at least one roll of the device 10 according to the invention. In fact, such electrification can supplement the tension applied by the beam 20 to the release cloth 5 to which the semi-finished product 2 is joined, so that the semi-finished product 2 can be assembled in an assembled drum without undesired stretching. 3 is easily transported.

At each step of the assembly process, the computerized system receives the actual data of the relevant parameters (velocity, position and tension mentioned above) and saves them in the presence of tolerances from a predetermined threshold. Comparing the actual data with the actual data makes corrections necessary to restore the operation of the device to the programmed state.

  With the method and apparatus according to the present invention, a semi-finished product is produced in a state in which the semi-finished product is not stretched along the path formed between the storage spool 6 and the assembly drum 3 and the dimensional variation thereof is not caused. Can be supplied.

  These results are particularly desirable in providing the assembly drum with a semi-finished product that is free of dimensional and structural variations that can adversely affect the quality of the finished product.

  For example, if the semi-finished product is a carcass ply, it will not stretch in the longitudinal direction, so the metal cord that forms the ply is calculated in the carcass construction process so that a predetermined resistance of the carcass at tire operating conditions is obtained. It can also be arranged with a predetermined density.

  Furthermore, it is noted that the high tension of the release fabric 5 that is made possible using a substantially non-stretchable fabric significantly helps unwind the semi-finished product 2 from the storage spool 6 in a uniform and unstretched state. Must.

  The present invention is not strictly limited to the above and is not described, but also includes all alternative solutions and means that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art based on this specification.

  For example, the apparatus 10 is configured such that at least one roll is motorized, and the entire roll is configured to apply tension to the release cloth so that the semi-finished product 2 can be conveyed in the direction of the assembly drum 3 without being stretched. Provided that a different number of rolls, only two rolls, or more than three rolls can be provided with respect to the illustrated roll.

1 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a medium / heavy vehicle tire manufactured by the method and apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a partial side view of a device according to the invention configured to supply a semi-finished product in the direction of an assembly drum of a tire of the type shown in FIG. Fig. 2 shows a rough partial side view of details relating to a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. FIG. 6 shows a rough partial side view of details relating to a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention, including a semi-finished product supply device mounted in a separate container that can be removably coupled to a plant for assembling a tire.

Claims (28)

A method of feeding a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material supported on a release fabric and stored in a concentric winding storage spool in the direction of the assembly and / or processing station of the semi-finished product. ,
a) unwinding the winding from the storage spool in a braking state;
b) separating the release fabric from the semi-finished product by providing different advance directions to the fabric and the semi-finished product;
c) transporting the release cloth in the direction of the collecting beam, wherein the beam is rotated around the axis of the beam by motor means;
d) transporting the semi-finished product towards the assembly and / or processing station of the semi-finished product;
e) joining the release fabric to the semi-finished product prior to storing the semi-finished product on the storage spool;
f) applying to the release fabric a traction force adapted to unwind the braked state so that the semi-finished product moves from the storage spool to the assembly and / or processing station at a constant speed. The force is applied at an intermediate point in the path of the release fabric between the storage spool and the beam;
Including
The release fabric is traction-nonstretchable and the conveying step d) is performed upstream of the assembly and / or processing station without pushing and pulling the semi-finished product. Feature method.   The method of claim 1 including applying the traction force at the same position that provides the different forward directions.   The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of guide devices are provided, and the release cloth is wound around an arc portion of the plurality of guide devices.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein three consecutive guiding devices are provided and at least two of the guiding devices are motorized.   The method of claim 1, wherein the release cloth is separated from the semi-finished product in the first guide device.   2. The method of claim 1, wherein during the unwinding step, the storage spool is braked as a function of the diameter of the spool loaded with the semi-finished product. An apparatus for feeding a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material supported on a release fabric and stored in a concentric winding storage spool to an assembly and / or processing station of said semi-finished product. ,
a) a braking device for adjusting the speed at which the winding is unwound from the storage spool;
b) a separation device for separating the release fabric from the semi-finished product;
c) a collection beam for collecting the release fabric;
d) first motor means for rotating the collection beam about its axis of rotation;
e) second electric motor means for rotating the separation device so that the semi-finished product moves at a constant speed from the storage spool to the assembly and / or processing station;
And further comprising transport means disposed upstream of the assembly and / or processing station and configured to transport toward the assembly and / or processing station without pushing and pulling the semi-finished product. A device characterized by.   8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a plurality of guide devices are provided for guiding the cloth, and at least one of the guide devices is motorized.   The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the separation device is a roll.   The semi-finished product outlet comprising at least one first guiding device and a second guiding device continuous with the first guiding device, the first guiding device being motorized and exiting the storage spool The second guiding device is disposed at a position offset from the first guiding device and is included between the first guiding device and the collection beam. Item 9. The apparatus according to Item 8.   The axes of the first and second guiding devices are parallel to the axis of the collecting beam, and the release fabric is wound around its arcuate portion of the first guiding device, the first surface 11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that a surface facing the surface is wound around an arc surface of the second guiding device.   Comprising at least three guiding devices, wherein a first guiding device is arranged downstream of the storage spool, a third guiding device is upstream of the collecting beam and the semi-finished product is directed to the assembly and / or processing station The second guiding device is disposed between the first and third guiding devices and at a lower position with respect to both the devices, and the guiding device 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the axes are parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the collection beam.   A casing removable from the assembly and / or processing station for rubber products, the casing being provided with a frame, the storage spool shaft, the collecting beam shaft, and the plurality of guiding devices; 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein a shaft is attached.   The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the release fabric is non-stretchable.   The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the release fabric is manufactured from Mylar®.   The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transport unit includes a roll table and a stand provided with a series of rolls.   The transport means comprises a support element inserted between the first guide device disposed downstream of the storage spool and the third guide device disposed upstream of the collection beam. The apparatus according to claim 12. A method of feeding a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material supported on a release fabric and stored in a concentric winding storage spool in the direction of the assembly and / or processing station of the semi-finished product. ,
a) unwinding the winding from the storage spool in a braking state;
b) separating the release fabric from the semi-finished product by providing different advance directions to the fabric and the semi-finished product;
c) transporting the release cloth in the direction of the collecting beam, wherein the beam is rotated around the axis of the beam by motor means;
d) transporting the semi-finished product towards the assembly and / or processing station of the semi-finished product;
e) joining the release fabric to the semi-finished product prior to storing the semi-finished product on the storage spool;
f) applying to the release fabric a traction force adapted to unwind the braked state so that the semi-finished product moves from the storage spool to the assembly and / or processing station at a constant speed. The force is applied at an intermediate point in the path of the release fabric between the storage spool and the beam;
Including
The release fabric is tow-non-stretchable so that the separating step b) and the transporting step c) provide a plurality of guide devices to facilitate feeding the semi-finished product without stretching. to guide the release fabric along a wavy path adapted for being executed by winding said release fabric around arc portions of said plurality of guide devices,
The method wherein the traction force is applied at the same position that provides the different forward directions .   19. The method of claim 18, wherein three consecutive guidance devices are provided and at least two of the guidance devices are motorized.   19. The method of claim 18, wherein the release fabric is separated from the semi-finished product at the first guide device.   19. The method of claim 18, wherein during the unwinding step, the storage spool is braked as a function of the diameter of the spool loaded with the semi-finished product. An apparatus for feeding a semi-finished product made from an elastomeric material supported on a release fabric and stored in a concentric winding storage spool to an assembly and / or processing station of said semi-finished product. ,
a) a braking device for adjusting the speed at which the winding is unwound from the storage spool;
b) a separation device for separating the release fabric from the semi-finished product;
c) a collection beam for collecting the release fabric;
d) first motor means for rotating the collection beam about its axis of rotation;
e) second electric motor means for rotating the separation device so that the semi-finished product moves at a constant speed from the storage spool to the assembly and / or processing station;
And further comprising a plurality of guiding devices arranged to guide the release fabric along a wavy path adapted to facilitate delivery of the semi-finished product without stretching ,
The plurality of guide devices include at least one first guide device and a second guide device continuous to the first guide device, and the first guide device is motorized to exit the storage spool. Disposed downstream of the exit of the semi-finished product to go, wherein the second guiding device is disposed at a position offset with respect to the first guiding device, and is included between the first guiding device and the collecting beam A device characterized by that. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the separation device is a roll. The axes of the first and second guiding devices are parallel to the axis of the collecting beam, and the release fabric is wound around its arcuate portion of the first guiding device, the first surface 23. The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein a surface opposite the surface is wound around an arc surface of the second guiding device. Comprising at least three guiding devices, wherein a first guiding device is arranged downstream of the storage spool, a third guiding device is upstream of the collecting beam and the semi-finished product is directed to the assembly and / or processing station The second guiding device is disposed between the first and third guiding devices and at a lower position with respect to both the devices, and the guiding device 23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the axes of the two are parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the collection beam. A casing removable from the assembly and / or processing station for rubber products, the casing being provided with a frame, the storage spool shaft, the collecting beam shaft, and the plurality of guiding devices; 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein a shaft of the same is attached. 23. The device of claim 22 , wherein the release fabric is non-stretchable. 28. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the release fabric is made from Mylar (R).

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