JP5270241B2 - Center mechanism of tire vulcanizer and mold operation method of tire vulcanizer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a central mechanism for a tire vulcanizer, simple in structure and excelling in mold replacing work efficiency and maintainability even for a large-sized tire, and a mold operating method for the tire vulcanizer. <P>SOLUTION: The central mechanism 6 includes a split mold cylinder 21 mounted to a base 19 of the tire vulcanizer 100 to lift a lower mold 3; an abutting member 20 mounted to the split mold cylinder 21 so that its upper end abuts on the lower mold 3 from below the lower mold 3 to be axially separable; and a lower ring cylinder 26 mounted to the base 19 to lift a lower bead ring 5. The lower mold 3 is lifted by the split mold cylinder 21 through the abutting member 20, and the lower mold 3 is lowered by the lower ring cylinder 26 through the lower bead ring 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer in which tires are stored horizontally, and a mold operation method of the tire vulcanizer. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer suitable for vulcanization molding of a large tire, and a mold operating method of the tire vulcanizer.

  In the tire, the members constituting the tire are assembled by the molding machine to form a donut shape called a green tire. The green tire is vulcanized and molded by a tire vulcanizer to become a nearly complete tire. In this vulcanization molding process, a tread pattern is attached to the outer surface of the tire by a mold. As a mold of the tire vulcanizer, there are, for example, a two-part mold that is divided into two parts up and down, and a split mold that has a side face (tread part) divided in the circumferential direction. In recent years, the usage rate of this split mold has increased from the viewpoint of tire quality. Various types of tire vulcanizers having split molds have been proposed and used since the invention of radial tires.

  For example, a tire vulcanizer including a split mold described in Patent Document 1 includes a mold having an upper mold portion 21, a lower mold portion 22, and a tread-molding fan-shaped mold portion 23 (split mold). I have. The fan-shaped part 23 for tread molding is fixed to eight blocks 55 having the same outer circumference in a shape divided into eight in the circumferential direction. The back surfaces of the eight blocks 55 are inclined outward and downward at an inclination angle of about 15 °. The block 55 is slidably guided to the inner surface of the ring 50 fixed to the support plate 32 via a T-shaped guide 54 and attached to the ring 50. The support plate 32 is disposed above the upper mold part 21. That is, the tread-molding fan-shaped portion 23 and the block 55 are supported by being suspended from above by the support plate 32. Here, the fan-shaped portion 23 and the block 55 for tread molding are heavy objects, and there is a problem that a large driving device and a guide having large rigidity are required to support and move these heavy objects from above. . The problem is great in a tire vulcanizer for a large tire that requires a large mold.

  On the other hand, the large tire vulcanizing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a mold having an upper mold 2 and a lower mold 3 and a plurality of tread segments 4 (split molds) that form a tread surface. . The tread segment 4 is fixed to the inner surface of the sector 103. The back surface of the sector 103 is opposite to the block 55 of Patent Document 1 and is inclined outward in the upward direction. The sector 103 is guided by a jacket 104 attached to the lifting / lowering means 105 and disposed on the lower platen 102. A lower mold 3 is disposed on the lower platen 102 inside. That is, the tread segment 4 and the sector 103 are disposed on the lower platen 102 on the lower mold 3 side.

  The present applicant has proposed a tire vulcanizer described in Patent Document 3. The tire vulcanizer described in Patent Document 3 includes an upper mold 7 and a lower mold 8, and a plurality of divided molds 6 (split molds) arranged in the circumferential direction in the mold container 4. A mold is provided. The divided mold 6 is arranged on the lower plate 12 which is the lower mold 8, similarly to the tread segment 4 and the sector 103 of the large tire vulcanizing apparatus described in Patent Document 2.

  Here, the plurality of split molds 6 are opened and closed in the radial direction by raising and lowering the lower mold 8 and the lower plate 12 through the cylindrical split mold operating shaft 11 by the operating cylinder 52. The split mold operating shaft 11 is detachably fixed to the lower mold 8 via a lower plate 12 and a clamp ring 13. Specifically, the clamp ring 13 is fixed to the upper end of the split mold operating shaft 11 with bolts 14, and has a plurality of clamp portions 15 on the outer periphery, and the clamp portions 15 are formed as notches in the lower plate 12. 16, the lower mold 8 is rotated by an angle θ by the rotation cylinder 21, whereby the clamp portion 15 is clamped between the lower mold 8 and the lower plate 12. Is fixed to the split mold operating shaft 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2 of Patent Document 3). Since the lower mold 8 is rotated by the rotating cylinder 21 to fix the lower mold 8 to the split mold operating shaft 11, the lower mold 8 fixing work in the center of the vulcanizer having poor workability is avoided. Is able to.

Japanese Patent Publication No.42-6661 JP 2002-172624 A Japanese Patent No. 2768761

However, when the mold is exchanged in the tire vulcanizer described in Patent Document 3, as described above, the rotating cylinder 21 that engages and disengages the connecting portion between the split mold operating shaft 11 and the lower mold 8 is provided. Necessary and the mechanism for engaging and disengaging it is also complicated. Further, in reality, it can be applied only to truck and bus tire molds that do not hinder the rotation of the lower mold 8, and for example, a large-sized tire for vulcanizing and molding large tires such as construction vehicle tires. Application to the mold was difficult.
On the other hand, the lower mold 8 such as the split mold operating shaft 11 is moved up and down, and the lower mold 8 (lower mold) is simply connected with a bolt. A vulcanizer has also been used in the past. However, in such a vulcanizer, the lower mold 8 must be fixed at the center of the vulcanizer, which has poor workability. Inferior. In a tire vulcanizer for a large tire using a split mold, the weight of the mold is large, and improvement of mold replacement workability and maintenance management is particularly important.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tire vulcanizer that has a simple structure and is excellent in mold replacement workability and maintenance management even for large tires. It is to provide a center mechanism and a mold operating method of the tire vulcanizer.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  A center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is a tire vulcanizer including an upper mold and a lower mold, and a side mold that is engaged with outer peripheral portions of the upper mold and the lower mold and divided in a circumferential direction. Concerning the central mechanism. And the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer which concerns on this invention has the following some features, in order to achieve the said objective. That is, the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer of the present invention includes the following features alone or in combination as appropriate.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is that it is attached to the base of the tire vulcanizer and the lower mold is raised so that the side mold is radially outward. A split mold cylinder that is moved to the bottom and a contact member that is attached to the split mold cylinder and that has an upper end abutted against the lower mold from below the lower mold so as to be contactable and separable in the axial direction. A lower bead ring disposed on the upper surface of the lower mold, and a lower ring cylinder attached to the base for raising and lowering the lower bead ring, and the split mold cylinder through the contact member The lower mold is raised, and the lower mold is lowered by the lower ring cylinder via the lower bead ring. Is that formed by.

  According to this configuration, the lower mold is raised by the split mold cylinder when it is raised, and lowered by the lower ring cylinder when it is lowered. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect the split mold cylinder (or the abutting member) and the lower mold with an attaching / detaching means such as a bolt. Therefore, the central mechanism of the vulcanizer should have a structure in which the contact member comes into contact with the lower mold from below the lower mold, that is, a simple structure in which the contact member comes in and out only in the axial direction. In addition, mold replacement workability and maintenance management can be improved.

  The second feature of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is that a cylindrical cylinder support that connects the lower bead ring and the lower ring cylinder, and a cylindrical guide attached to the base. The abutting member is formed in a cylindrical shape, is inserted concentrically with respect to the cylindrical guide and is externally inserted with respect to the cylinder support.

  According to this configuration, since the raising / lowering operation of the abutting member by the split mold cylinder is guided by the cylindrical guide and the cylinder support, the abutting member can be smoothly raised / lowered, which means mold replacement workability. It also leads to improvement of maintainability.

  Further, a third feature of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is that the contact member is formed in a cylindrical shape and provided with an annular protrusion on the outer periphery, and the inner side of the split mold cylinder is provided. The piston which reciprocates is comprised and the said cylinder for split molds is an annular cylinder formed over the perimeter of the said contact member.

  According to this configuration, for example, as compared with driving the contact member with a plurality of cylinders, it is possible to prevent the lifting operation of the unstable contact member due to variation in cylinder operation.

  A fourth feature of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is that a cylindrical cylinder support that connects the lower bead ring and the lower ring cylinder, and a clamp ring that sandwiches the bladder upper end. A center post attached to the upper end, an upper ring cylinder attached to the lower end of the center post, and a hub to which the lower end of the bladder is attached, and the hub is provided on the upper end of the cylinder support, The piston rod of the lower ring cylinder and the upper ring cylinder are attached to the same support member.

  According to this configuration, the mounting of the bladder to the green tire and the withdrawal of the bladder from the vulcanized tire can be performed on the tire vulcanizer, and the vulcanization operation can be automated.

  Further, a mold operating method for a tire vulcanizer according to the present invention includes an upper mold and a lower mold, and a side mold that is engaged with the outer peripheral portions of the upper mold and the lower mold and divided in the circumferential direction. The present invention relates to a mold operating method of a sulfur machine. And the mold operation method of the tire vulcanizer which concerns on this invention has the following some features, in order to achieve the said objective. That is, the mold operating method of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention includes the following features alone or in combination as appropriate.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the mold operating method of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is that the mold is raised by raising the lower mold by a split mold cylinder attached to the base of the tire vulcanizer. And a mold lowering step of lowering the lower mold through a lower bead ring disposed on the upper surface of the lower mold by a lower ring cylinder attached to the base.

  According to this configuration, the lower mold is raised by the split mold cylinder when it is raised, and lowered by the lower ring cylinder when it is lowered. For this reason, it is not necessary to connect the split mold cylinder and the lower mold by attaching / detaching means such as bolts. As a result, the central mechanism of the vulcanizer can have a simple structure, and the mold replacement workability and maintenance management can be improved.

  A second feature of the method of operating a mold of a tire vulcanizer according to the present invention is that the mold raising step is attached to the split mold cylinder and is below the lower mold so as to be able to contact and separate in the axial direction. The lower mold is raised through a contact member whose upper end is in contact with the lower mold.

  According to this configuration, the central mechanism of the vulcanizer has a structure in which the contact member contacts the lower mold from below the lower mold, that is, a simple structure in which the contact member contacts and separates only in the axial direction. It can be.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the tire vulcanizer is a machine that vulcanizes and molds an unvulcanized tire called a green tire accommodated in a mold by heating from inside and outside the mold, and usually has an elasticity called a bladder. A stretchable rubber bag made of (for example, butyl rubber) is attached to the center thereof. In addition, as a heating and pressurizing medium for vulcanizing and molding a green tire, there are steam, high-temperature gas (as a kind of gas, inert gas such as nitrogen gas, air), and the like.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an elevational sectional view of a mold fully closed state showing a first embodiment of a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer according to the present invention. 2-4 is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the center mechanism 6 of the tire vulcanizer 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

(Configuration of tire vulcanizer)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the tire vulcanizer 100 includes a mold 51 in which a tire T is accommodated horizontally, a mold container 52 disposed outside the mold 51, a mold 51 and a bladder B in a vertical direction. And a central mechanism 6 that moves up and down.

(Configuration around the mold)
The mold 51 is engaged with the upper mold 1 arranged on the upper side of the horizontally placed tire T, the lower mold 3 arranged on the lower side, and the outer peripheral portions of the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 3, and is divided in the circumferential direction. The side mold 2 is provided. An upper bead ring 4 for forming a bead portion of the tire T and a lower portion are formed on the center side of the tire vulcanizer 100 and inside the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 3 (side where the tire T is accommodated). Each bead ring 5 is disposed. The upper bead ring 4 has an annular shape and is attached to the upper mold 1 with bolts (not shown). The lower bead ring 5 has an annular shape and is attached to a lower lower clamp ring 12 that sandwiches the bladder B. The lower bead ring 5 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower mold 3 and can be contacted and separated in the vertical direction with respect to the lower mold 3.

  The upper mold 1 is attached to the upper platen 14. When the vulcanizer is opened and closed, the upper platen 14, the upper mold 1 and the upper bead ring 4 are integrally opened and closed.

  Next, the mold container 52 includes a slide block 15 that fixes the side mold 2 and a container ring 16 that is provided outside the slide block 15. The slide block 15 is an aggregate of a plurality of blocks divided in the circumferential direction, and the number of divisions is the same as that of the side mold 2 described above. The side mold 2 is usually divided into 8 to 10 parts. Further, the back surface of the slide block 15 which is the surface opposite to the mounting surface of the side mold 2 is inclined outwardly upward. The inclination angle of the back surface is usually about 15 ° to 20 °. The container ring 16 is a hollow cylindrical member having the same inclination angle as the back surface of the slide block 15 on the inner surface thereof. The guide (guide) for the operation of the slide block 15 and the slide block 15 by the internal pressure of the tire T are provided. The movement to the outside is restricted.

  A T-shaped groove is provided on the back surface of the slide block 15, and a T-shaped member 17 fixed to the inner surface (inclined surface) of the container ring 16 is inserted in the groove. When the slide block 15 and the container ring 16 move relative to each other, the T-shaped member 17 restricts the movement of the slide block 15 in the circumferential direction. The container ring 16 is fixed on the lower platen 18 with respect to the lower platen 18. The lower platen 18 is fixed on the base 19 of the tire vulcanizer 100 via a heat insulating material 22. The lower mold 3 is placed on the lower platen 18 so as to be able to contact and separate in the vertical direction.

(Configuration of central mechanism)
The mold 51 is in contact with the cylindrical contact member 20 from below at the center thereof. The contact member 20 is raised upward in the vertical direction by a split mold cylinder 21 (see FIGS. 2 to 5) attached to the base 19. The contact member 20 includes a cylindrical contact member main body 20a, a cylindrical guide member 20c provided on the inner side of the contact member main body 20a, and an annular shape provided on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the contact member main body 20a. And a bowl-shaped member 20b. Two split mold cylinders 21 are attached to the lower end of the contact member 20. Further, the upper end portion of the contact member 20 is fitted to a step portion formed at the center of the lower surface of the lower mold 3. Further, the upper surface of the bowl-shaped member 20b is in contact with the lower surface of the lower mold 3 so as to be able to contact and separate in the axial direction. That is, the contact member 20 and the lower mold 3 are not fixed to each other in the axial direction, and their movements are restricted in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. Here, the flange-shaped member 20b can be eliminated, and the upper surface of the contact member main body 20a and the lower surface of the lower mold 3 can be brought into contact with each other.

  Further, the outer peripheral surface of the contact member 20 is guided by a cylindrical guide 23 attached to the base 19. That is, the contact member 20 is inserted concentrically with the cylindrical guide 23. Moreover, the upper end outer diameter of the cylindrical guide 23 and the inner diameter of the lower platen 18 are equal, and the upper end portion of the cylindrical guide 23 and the lower platen 18 are fitted to each other.

  Further, as described above, the lower bead ring 5 is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate in the vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the lower mold 3, and is fixed to the hub 13 by the lock device 24 together with the lower lower clamp ring 12. . The upper end portion of the cylindrical cylinder support 25 is fixed to the lower end portion of the hub 13. Further, the outer periphery of the cylinder support 25 is guided (guided) by a guide member 20 c of the contact member 20, and the contact member 20 is extrapolated concentrically with respect to the cylinder support 25. Further, the lower end of the cylinder support 25 is fixed to a bracket 27 as a support member, and the piston rods 26 b of the two lower ring cylinders 26 attached to the base 19 are connected to the bracket 27. That is, the cylinder support 25 is a member that connects the lower bead ring 5 and the lower ring cylinder 26 via the lower lower clamp ring 12, the hub 13, and the bracket 27. The lower bead ring 5 It is moved up and down by the ring cylinder 26.

  An upper ring cylinder 28 is attached to the central portion of the bracket 27, and its piston rod is connected to the center post 10 via a coupling 29. A piston rod 26 b and an upper ring cylinder 28 of the lower ring cylinder 26 are attached to the bracket 27. A rod seal 30 is provided on the inner upper portion of the hub 13 to guide the center post 10 and seal a high-temperature and high-pressure heating / pressurizing medium supplied into the tire T. Further, at the lower end of the hub 13, there are a supply pipe 31 for supplying the heating and pressing medium into the tire T accommodated in the mold 51, and a discharge pipe 32 for discharging the supplied heating and pressing medium. It is attached to extend. A head 33 for ejecting the heated and pressurized medium from the supply pipe 31 into the tire T is attached to the top of the hub 13.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the two split mold cylinders 21 and the two lower ring cylinders 26 are both arranged at symmetrical positions around the center post 10. Further, the split mold cylinder 21 and the lower ring cylinder 26 are disposed 90 ° apart from each other with the center post 10 as the center.

  Next, the bladder B is sandwiched from above and below by upper clamp rings 7 and 8 made of two members whose upper ends are fixed to each other with bolts. The upper upper clamp ring 7 fits inside the upper bead ring 4 so that it can be inserted and removed, and the upper lower clamp ring 8 is fixed to the upper end of the center post 10 with a metal fitting 9. Further, the lower end portion of the bladder B is sandwiched from above and below by lower clamp rings 11 and 12 made of two members fixed to each other with bolts similarly to the upper end portion thereof. The lower bead ring 5 is attached to the outer side of the lower lower clamp ring 12, and the inner side of the lower lower clamp ring 12 is detachably fixed to the hub 13.

(Operation of tire vulcanizer)
Next, the vulcanization operation of the central mechanism 6 of the tire vulcanizer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a state when the upper bead ring 4 and the green tire GT are in contact with the green tire GT on the tire vulcanizer 100 before the vulcanization is started and the tire vulcanizer 100 is being closed. FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the upper mold 1 is further lowered, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the side mold 2 is subsequently closed and is vulcanized, and FIG. 4 is for taking out the tire T after vulcanization. The side mold 2 is opened and the tire T is lifted from the lower mold 3. Thus, the flow of operation of the tire vulcanizer 100 is in the order of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 1, and FIG.

  First, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The green tire GT is carried into the tire vulcanizer 100 by a conveying device (not shown), and the bladder B is inserted inside the green tire GT. In this state, the lower bead ring 5, the lower clamp rings 11 and 12, and the lower mold 3 are raised. From this state, the tire vulcanizer 100 starts the mold closing operation (the upper platen 14 is lowered), and the upper bead ring 4 and the green tire GT come into contact with each other. This state is shown in FIG.

  The lower mold 3 is lifted by the split mold cylinder 21 via the contact member 20, and the lower mold 3 is lifted away from the lower platen 18. Further, as the lower mold 3 rises, the slide block 15 and the side mold 2 positioned on the lower mold 3 rise and are guided by the T-shaped member 17 along the inclined surface inside the container ring 16 to have a diameter. It is moving outward in the direction. By this operation, the side mold 2 is opened so as not to contact the green tire GT. The lower bead ring 5 is in contact with the upper surface of the lower mold 3 and rises together with the lower mold 3. Here, the piston rod 26 b of the lower ring cylinder 26 is connected to the lower bead ring 5 via a cylinder support 25 and the like, while the lower ring cylinder 26 is attached to the base 19. Therefore, in the mold raising process in which the lower mold 3 is raised by the split mold cylinder 21, the lower ring cylinder 26 is set in a free state or the fluid (for example, oil) in the cylinder is relieved at a low pressure. It will be.

  Further, in order to attach the bladder B to the green tire GT, the center post 10 is adjusted in its vertical position by the upper ring cylinder 28 to the position shown in FIG. Then, a low-pressure pressurized medium (such as steam or nitrogen gas) is supplied from the supply pipe 31 into the bladder B, and shaping is performed.

  Next, the upper platen 14 is further lowered from the state shown in FIG. As the upper platen 14 descends, the lower surface of the upper mold 1 comes into contact with the upper surface of the slide block 15 as shown in FIG. During the mold closing operation, the center post 10 is lowered by the upper mold 1 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. At this time, since the piston rod 28b of the upper ring cylinder 28 is contracted, for example, a relief valve is provided on the piping line on the ascending side (the side on which the piston rod 28b is elevated) connected to the upper ring cylinder 28. When the lower surface of the upper mold 1 and the upper surface of the slide block 15 come into contact with each other, the bead portion on the upper bead ring side of the green tire GT is pushed down from the position shown in FIG. 2, and the green tire GT is a normal tire. The shape is close to.

  Next, the upper platen 14 is further lowered from the state shown in FIG. 3 to obtain the state shown in FIG. At this time, since the piston rod 21b of the split mold cylinder 21 and the piston rod 26b of the lower ring cylinder 26 are contracted, for example, on the piping line on the ascending side (the side on which the piston rod 21b is lifted) connected to the split mold cylinder 21. A relief valve is provided, and the valve for controlling the driving of the lower ring cylinder 26 is switched to the lower side. At this time, it is desirable to keep the lowering fluid pressure (for example, hydraulic pressure) low.

  Here, since both the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 3 are in contact with the slide block 15, the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 3 are lowered while maintaining the space between the upper and lower sides in the state of FIG. 3. Further, the slide block 15 and the side mold 2 are lowered, and are guided by the T-shaped member 17 along the inclined surface on the inner side of the container ring 16 to move inward in the radial direction, and are in the state shown in FIG. In this state, the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 3 are fixed so as to resist the vertical separating force caused by the tire internal pressure. The fixing may be appropriately selected, for example, a method in which the upper and lower molds 1 and 3 are engaged with the slide block 15 or a method in which a downward pressure is applied to the upper mold 1. Further, if the side mold 2 is manufactured with high accuracy, it is possible to prevent the rubber from protruding from the side mold 2 by generating a contact force on the circumferential contact surfaces of the plurality of side molds 2.

  When the mold 51 is fully closed and a force for tightening the upper and lower platens (a force against the vertical separating force of the upper and lower molds 1 and 3 due to the tire internal pressure) is generated, the inside of the green tire GT is hot via the bladder B. It is heated with the heating and pressurizing medium. This heating and pressurizing medium is supplied from the supply pipe 31. A head 33 is provided at the upper end of the hub 13 for ejecting the heated and pressurized medium. The heated and pressurized medium is discharged from the discharge pipe 32 to the outside of the vulcanizer after vulcanization is completed. In order to heat the tire more efficiently, temperature-controlled steam or the like is supplied to the upper and lower platens 14 and 18 and the hollow portion of the container ring 16 and heated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the vulcanization is completed, the heating and pressurizing medium held in the tire T is discharged from the discharge pipe 32, and it is confirmed that the pressure in the tire T has disappeared. The platen 14 is raised, and the upper mold 1 is moved together with the upper bead ring 4 to a position where there is no hindrance for taking out the vulcanized tire. For example, it may be moved upward or may be retreated to the side of the vulcanizer. Further, instead of retracting the upper mold 1 to the side, the base on which the lower mold 3 is placed may be slid to the side to be retracted. In this state, the lower mold 3 is raised by the split mold cylinder 21 via the contact member 20. As a result, as described above, the side mold 2 moves upward and is guided by the T-shaped member 17 along the inclined surface on the inner side of the container ring 16 to move radially outward. Then, the side mold 2 and the vulcanized tire T are separated from each other.

  Further, from this state, the lower bead ring 5 and the tire T are raised by the lower ring cylinder 26 through the cylinder support 25 to separate the lower mold 3 and the tire T from each other. Further, from this state, the upper clamp rings 7 and 8 are raised by the upper ring cylinder 28 through the center post 10 to extend the bladder B upward, the bladder B is pulled out from the tire T, and only the tire T is vulcanized. A series of vulcanization operations are completed.

(Mold replacement work and vulcanizer maintenance management)
When the mold 51 is replaced in order to vulcanize different types and shapes of tires with the tire vulcanizer 100, the mold 51 (upper and lower molds 1, 3 and side mold 2) and the mold container 52 (slide block 15 and container ring). 16) The mold is exchanged together with the assembly (referred to as “mold assembly”). The upper and lower molds 1 and 3 and the side mold 2 are assembled by using a separately prepared apparatus outside the vulcanizer. The mold container 52 can be shared by tires having the same tire size and tire dimensions, but the mold 51 requires a different mold for each tread pattern (type of tire).

  Here, in the central mechanism 6 of the present embodiment, as described above, the abutting member 20 formed in a cylindrical shape has an upper end contacting the lower mold 3 only in the axial direction from below the lower mold 3. It arrange | positions so that it can isolate | separate. That is, the abutting member 20 and the lower mold 3 are not connected by an attaching / detaching means such as a bolt. Therefore, when the mold 51 assembled outside the tire vulcanizer 100 is incorporated into the tire vulcanizer 100, it is not necessary to connect the lower mold 3 in the center of the vulcanizer having poor workability, that is, replacement of the mold. Excellent workability. In addition, the contact member 20 in the central mechanism 6 of the present embodiment is a structure that is fitted to the lower mold 3 so as to be able to contact and separate in the axial direction. The structure described in Patent Document 3 ( Alternatively, the structure is extremely simple compared to a mechanism using a rotating cylinder.

  In addition, the assembly of the bladder B, the upper and lower clamp rings 7, 8, 11, 12 and the lower bead ring 5 (referred to as “Bladder assembly”) removed during the mold replacement operation into the tire vulcanizer 100 is as follows. This is performed after the mold assembly is attached to the tire vulcanizer 100. The bladder assembly is placed on the hub 13 with a crane or the like, the hub 13 and the lower lower clamp ring 12 are fixed by a lock device 24, and the center post 10 is raised by the upper ring cylinder 28 and the bracket 9 is moved upward. The lower clamp ring 8 is fixed to the center post 10.

  Further, by raising and lowering the center post 10 by the upper ring cylinder 28, the bladder B is mounted in the green tire GT and taken out from the vulcanized tire. That is, the mounting of the bladder B to the green tire GT and the removal of the bladder B from the vulcanized tire can be performed on the tire vulcanizer 100. In general, the bladder B can be used only several hundred times until the rubber deteriorates, but the replacement of the bladder B can be performed on the tire vulcanizer 100.

  Further, when the tire vulcanizer 100 is stopped or when the mold 51 is inspected and cleaned, the lower mold 3 is usually lowered. This is for workability and danger avoidance. Although it is possible to lower the lower mold 3 by its own weight, the lower mold 3 may stop during the lowering due to packing resistance or the like, and the certainty of operation is lacking. However, in the central mechanism 6 of this embodiment, the lower mold 3 is lowered through the lower bead ring 5 by the lower ring cylinder 26 attached to the base 19 without connecting the lower mold 3 and the contact member 20. (Mold lowering step).

  As described above, according to the present invention, the lower mold 3 is raised by the split mold cylinder 21 when it is raised, and lowered by the lower ring cylinder 26 when it is lowered. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect the split mold cylinder 21 (or the contact member 20) and the lower mold 3 by means of attaching / detaching means such as bolts. As a result, the central mechanism of the vulcanizer can have a simple structure, and the mold replacement workability and maintenance management can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the abutting member 20 formed in a cylindrical shape is inserted concentrically with respect to the cylindrical guide 23 attached to the base 19 and is externally concentrically with respect to the cylindrical cylinder support 25. Since it is inserted, the raising / lowering operation of the contact member 20 by the split mold cylinder 21 is guided by the cylindrical guide 23 and the cylinder support 25, and as a result, the contact member 20 can be smoothly moved up and down, This leads to improved mold replacement workability and maintenance management.

  Further, since both the split mold cylinder 21 and the lower ring cylinder 26 are attached to the base 19 of the tire vulcanizer 100, the disassembling work of the central mechanism 6 is facilitated.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is an elevational cross-sectional view in the mold fully closed state showing a second embodiment of the central mechanism of the tire vulcanizer according to the present invention. In addition, in description of this embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structural member similar to the structural member of the tire vulcanizer 100 of 1st Embodiment shown in FIGS.

(Configuration of central mechanism)
The difference between the tire vulcanizer 101 of the second embodiment and the tire vulcanizer 100 of the first embodiment is that the center mechanism 6 of the first embodiment has two split mold cylinders as shown in FIG. 21 is used as a means for raising the lower mold 3, but in the central mechanism 61 of this embodiment, a cylinder for raising the lower mold 3 corresponding to the split mold cylinder 21 of the first embodiment is in contact. That is, the annular cylinder 38 is formed over the entire circumference of the member (in this embodiment, the piston 35 corresponds to the contact member).

  As shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical cylinder tube 34 is fitted inside the lower platen 18 on the base 19. The cylinder tube 34 is attached (fixed) to the base 19. A cylindrical piston 35 is provided inside the cylinder tube 34. The piston 35 is obtained by deforming the contact member 20 of the first embodiment, and specifically, an annular protrusion 35b is provided on the outer periphery thereof.

  An annular lid member 36 is screwed to the lower end portion of the cylinder tube 34, and an annular stopper member 37 is fixed to the upper end portion thereof. Further, seals are provided on the inner side of the lid member 36 and on the outer side of the protrusion 35b of the piston 35, respectively. A pressure medium supply port A is provided on the lower surface of the lid member 36. The cylinder tube 34 and the outer surface of the piston 35 form an annular cylinder 38 that hermetically accommodates fluid (for example, oil).

(Operation of central mechanism)
When fluid (oil) is supplied from the pressure medium supply port A provided on the lower surface of the lid member 36, the cylinder tube 34 is fixed to the base 19, so that the piston 35 rises inside the cylinder tube 34. As the piston 35 rises, the lower mold 3 in contact with the upper end of the piston 35 rises. The upper limit at which the lower mold 3 rises is regulated by the stopper member 37, and the lower limit is regulated by the lid member 36.

  The method of lowering the lower mold 3 is the same as in the first embodiment, and the lower mold 3 is lowered by the lower ring cylinder 26 via the lower bead ring 5. At this time, for example, a relief valve is provided on a piping line on the side connected to the pressure medium supply port A of the annular cylinder 38 so that the piston 35 contacting the lower mold 3 is lowered together with the lower mold 3.

  According to the present embodiment, as compared with the central mechanism 6 of the first embodiment in which the abutting member 20 is driven by two cylinders 21, the unstable abutting member (piston 35) caused by the variation in cylinder operation. Elevating operation can be prevented. That is, smooth movement of the contact member (piston 35) can be expected.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational sectional view in a mold fully closed state showing a first embodiment of a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer according to the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is an elevational sectional view of a mold fully closed state showing a second embodiment of a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Upper mold 2: Side mold 3: Lower mold 4: Upper bead ring 5: Lower bead ring 6, 61: Central mechanism 19: Base 20: Contact member 21: Split mold cylinder 26: Lower ring cylinder 100, 101: Tire vulcanizer T: Tire GT: Green tire

Claims (6)

A center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer comprising an upper mold and a lower mold, and a side mold that is engaged with the outer peripheral portions of the upper mold and the lower mold and divided in the circumferential direction,
A split mold cylinder attached to a base of the tire vulcanizer and moving the side mold radially outward by raising the lower mold;
An abutting member attached to the split mold cylinder and having an upper end abutted against the lower mold from below the lower mold so as to be contactable and separable in the axial direction;
A lower bead ring disposed on the upper surface of the lower mold;
A lower ring cylinder attached to the base for raising and lowering the lower bead ring;
The lower mold is raised by the split mold cylinder via the contact member, and the lower mold is lowered by the lower ring cylinder via the lower bead ring, Central mechanism of tire vulcanizer. A cylindrical cylinder support connecting the lower bead ring and the lower ring cylinder;
A cylindrical guide attached to the base,
2. The contact member according to claim 1, wherein the abutting member is formed in a cylindrical shape, is concentrically inserted with respect to the cylindrical guide and is externally concentrically inserted with respect to the cylinder support. Central mechanism of tire vulcanizer. The abutting member is formed in a cylindrical shape and provided with an annular protrusion on the outer periphery, and constitutes a piston that reciprocates inside the split mold cylinder,
The center mechanism of the tire vulcanizer according to claim 1, wherein the split mold cylinder is an annular cylinder formed over the entire circumference of the contact member. A cylindrical cylinder support connecting the lower bead ring and the lower ring cylinder;
A center post to which a clamp ring holding the upper end of the bladder is attached to the upper end;
An upper ring cylinder attached to the lower end of the center post;
A hub to which the lower end of the bladder is attached,
The hub is provided at an upper end portion of the cylinder support, and the piston rod of the lower ring cylinder and the upper ring cylinder are attached to the same support member. The center mechanism of the described tire vulcanizer. A mold operation method of a tire vulcanizer comprising an upper mold and a lower mold, and a side mold that is engaged with the outer peripheral portions of the upper mold and the lower mold and divided in the circumferential direction,
A mold raising step of raising the lower mold by a split mold cylinder attached to a base of the tire vulcanizer;
A mold lowering step of lowering the lower mold through a lower bead ring disposed on the upper surface of the lower mold by a lower ring cylinder attached to the base;
A mold operating method for a tire vulcanizer, comprising:   The mold raising step is attached to the split mold cylinder, and through an abutting member whose upper end abuts against the lower mold from below the lower mold so as to be able to contact and separate in the axial direction. The method for operating a mold of a tire vulcanizer according to claim 5, wherein the mold is a step of raising the lower mold.

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