JP7099022B2 - How to inspect how sponge material is attached to tires - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a state in which a sponge material is attached to a tire.

In recent years, tires have been developed in which a strip-shaped sponge material extending in the tire circumferential direction is attached to the tire lumen surface of the tread portion. The following Patent Document 1 proposes a method for attaching a strip-shaped sponge material to a tire lumen surface.

In the method of Patent Document 1 below, after the pasting of the strip-shaped sponge material is completed, an inspection step is performed to confirm that the strip-shaped sponge material satisfies the predetermined sticking conditions. This sticking condition includes the distance between both ends of the strip-shaped sponge material on the inner surface of the tread and the deviation in the tire axial direction at both ends.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-6783

The inspection process is performed visually by an inspector or the like. For this reason, there is a problem that the work of confirming the application conditions of the strip-shaped sponge material becomes complicated and the inspection efficiency is lowered.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of efficiently inspecting a state in which a sponge material is attached to a tire.

The present invention is a method for inspecting the sticking state of the sponge material of a tire in which a strip-shaped sponge material extending in the circumferential direction of the tire is stuck on the tire cavity surface of the tread portion. , The first end and the second end in the tire circumferential direction are provided, and the first end and the second end are arranged with a gap in the tire circumferential direction, and the method is the first. The sponge material is attached using the step of detecting at least a part of the first edge, which is the boundary between the end and the tire cavity surface, and the information about at least a part of the detected first edge. It is characterized by including a step of determining the quality of the state.

In the method according to the present invention, the information is an angle of at least a part of the first edge with respect to the tire axial direction, and the determination step includes a step of comparing the angle with a predetermined threshold value. good.

In the method according to the present invention, the step of detecting at least a part of the second edge, which is the boundary between the second end and the tire lumen surface, is included, and the determination step is the detected second. A step of determining whether the sponge material is attached or not may be included by using the information about at least a part of the edge.

In the method according to the present invention, the information is an angle of at least a part of the second edge with respect to the tire axial direction, and the determination step includes a step of comparing the angle with a predetermined threshold value. good.

The method according to the present invention further includes a step of detecting at least a part of a second edge which is a boundary portion between the second end and the tire cavity surface, and the determination step is the detected step. A step of calculating a gap in the tire circumferential direction between at least a part of the first edge and at least a part of the detected second edge, and a step of comparing the gap with a predetermined threshold value. May include.

In the method according to the present invention, the step of calculating the gap may be to calculate the gap over a certain length range in the tire axial direction.

In the method according to the present invention, the determination step may include a step of comparing the amount of change in the gap in the tire axial direction with a predetermined threshold value.

In the method according to the present invention, the sponge material may have a rectangular shape in a state before being attached to the tire lumen surface.

The present invention is a method for inspecting the sticking state of the sponge material of a tire in which a strip-shaped sponge material extending in the circumferential direction of the tire is stuck on the tire cavity surface of the tread portion. It has a first end and a second end in the tire circumferential direction, a third side edge and a fourth side edge in the tire axial direction, and a gap between the first end and the second end in the tire circumferential direction. The method is a step of detecting at least a part of a third edge which is a boundary portion between the third side edge and the tire cavity surface, and the detected third edge. It is characterized by including a step of determining the quality of the attached state of the sponge material by using information about at least a part of the material.

In the method according to the present invention, the information is the position of at least a part of the third edge in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire, and the determination step compares the position with a predetermined threshold value. It may include a step.

In the method according to the present invention, the information is based on the position of the third edge on the first end side of the tire in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire and the position of the third edge on the second end side of the tire with respect to the tire. It is a position in the tire axial direction, and the step of determining is a step of calculating the distance in the tire axial direction between the position on the first end side and the position on the second end side, and the distance. It may include a step of comparing with a predetermined threshold.

In the method according to the present invention, the step of detecting at least a part of the fourth edge, which is the boundary between the fourth side edge and the tire lumen surface, is included, and the determination step is the detected first step. The step of determining the quality of the attached state of the sponge material may be included by using the information about at least a part of the four edges.

In the method according to the present invention, the information is the position of at least a part of the fourth edge in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire, and the determination step compares the position with a predetermined threshold value. It may include a step.

In the method according to the present invention, the information is based on the position of the fourth edge on the first end side of the tire in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire and the position of the fourth edge on the second end side of the tire with respect to the tire. It is a position in the tire axial direction, and the step of determining is a step of calculating the distance in the tire axial direction between the position on the first end side and the position on the second end side, and the distance. It may include a step of comparing with a predetermined threshold.

In the method according to the present invention, the detection step may include a step of imaging the sponge material and the tire cavity surface, and a step of image processing the captured image data using a computer.

The method for inspecting the state in which the sponge material is attached to the tire according to the first invention includes a step of detecting at least a part of the first edge, which is a boundary between the first end of the sponge material and the tire cavity surface, and detection. It includes a step of determining whether the sponge material is attached or not by using the information about at least a part of the first edge. Thereby, the inspection method of the first invention can inspect the pasted state of the sponge material without requiring the inspector's visual inspection or the like. Therefore, the inspection method of the first invention can efficiently inspect the pasted state of the sponge material.

The method for inspecting the state of attachment of the sponge material to the tire of the second invention detects at least a part of the third edge which is the boundary between the third side edge of the sponge material in the tire axial direction and the tire cavity surface. A step of determining whether or not the sponge material is attached is good or bad by using information about at least a part of the detected third edge. Thereby, the inspection method of the second invention can inspect the pasted state of the sponge material without requiring the inspector's visual inspection or the like. Therefore, the inspection method of the second invention can efficiently inspect the pasted state of the sponge material.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the inspection apparatus used in the inspection method of the state of sticking a sponge material to a tire. It is a partial perspective view of the tire shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the tire at the tire equator. It is a top view which shows an example of a sponge material. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the inspection method of the state of sticking sponge material to a tire. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the 1st detection process. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data of a sponge material and a tire lumen surface. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of a determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the inspection method of another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the 2nd detection process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the inspection method of still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the 3rd detection process. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data of a sponge material and a tire lumen surface. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the inspection method of still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the 4th detection process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of still another Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing procedure of the determination process of still another Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an inspection device used in an inspection method for a state in which a sponge material is attached to a tire. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the tire shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the method for inspecting the state in which the sponge material is attached to the tire 1 of the present embodiment (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “inspection method”) is the tire cavity surface 3 of the tread portion 2. This is a method for inspecting the attached state of the sponge material 5 with respect to the tire 1 to which the strip-shaped sponge material 5 extending in the circumferential direction of the tire is attached.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire 1 at the tire equator C. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the sponge material 5. The sponge material 5 is made of a porous material having a large number of pores (air bubbles) on its surface. The sponge material 5 is formed in the shape of a long strip having a bottom surface 6 fixed to the tire lumen surface 3. The release agent applied at the time of vulcanization is removed from the tire lumen surface 3 to which the sponge material 5 is fixed by buffing. As shown in FIG. 4, in the state before the sponge material 5 is attached to the tire lumen surface 3 (shown in FIG. 2), it is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sponge material 5 extends in the tire circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the sponge material 5 of the present embodiment is arranged so that the center 5f of the sponge material 5 in the width direction and the tire equator C coincide with each other in the tire axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sponge material 5 has a first end 5a and a second end 5b in the tire circumferential direction. The first end 5a and the second end 5b are arranged with a gap 8 in the tire circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the sponge material 5 has a third side edge 5c and a fourth side edge 5d in the tire axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection device 10 of the present embodiment includes a tire supporting means 11, an imaging means 12, and a control means 13.

The tire supporting means 11 is for rotatably supporting the tire 1. The tire supporting means 11 includes a turntable 15 and a driving means 16.

The sidewall portion of the tire 1 is placed on the turntable 15. The turntable 15 is provided with a shaft 17 extending along the tire axial direction.

The drive means 16 is configured as a motor for rotating the shaft 17 of the turntable 15. The drive means 16 can rotate the turntable 15 around the vertical axis (around the center of the tire axis) by rotating the shaft 17. As a result, the tire supporting means 11 can rotate the tire 1 placed on the turntable 15 in the tire circumferential direction.

The image pickup means 12 is for taking an image of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 to acquire image data. As the image pickup means 12, for example, a camera or a video camera capable of capturing a still image or a moving image can be adopted. A camera 18 is adopted as the image pickup means 12 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the tire inner surface 3 and the sponge material 5 are imaged, a light source 19 composed of, for example, a fluorescent lamp or a light bulb is applied to the tire inner surface 3 and the sponge material 5.

The image pickup means 12 of the present embodiment is arranged inside the tire lumen surface 3 and the sponge material 5 of the tread portion 2 in the tire radial direction. The image pickup means 12 is directed to the tire lumen surface 3 and the sponge material 5 of the tread portion 2. By imaging the tire 1 rotating in the tire circumferential direction, the image pickup means 12 can continuously image the tire cavity surface 3 and the sponge material 5 of the tread portion 2 in the tire circumferential direction.

In the present embodiment, the distance between the image pickup means 12 and the sponge material 5 in the radial direction of the tire is kept constant. Therefore, by setting the ratio of one pixel of the sponge material 5 in the image data to the actual length of the sponge material 5 corresponding to the one pixel, the length of the sponge material 5 is calculated from the number of pixels of the sponge material 5. Can be measured. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the distance in the tire radial direction between the image pickup means 12 and the tire lumen surface 3 is kept constant. Therefore, the number of pixels of the tire inner surface 3 is set by setting the ratio of one pixel of the tire inner surface 3 in the image data to the actual length of the tire inner surface 3 corresponding to the one pixel. The length of the tire cavity surface 3 can be measured from. In order to accurately inspect the pasted state of the sponge material, it is desirable that the length corresponding to one pixel is set to 0.2 mm or more.

The control means 13 is for controlling the drive means 16 of the tire support means 11 and the image pickup means 12 to inspect the sticking state of the sponge material 5. The control means 13 of the present embodiment includes an input means 21, an output means 22, and a calculation means 23.

The input means 21 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The output means 22 is composed of, for example, a monitor and / or a printer.

The calculation means 23 includes a calculation unit 23a composed of a CPU (central processing unit), a storage unit 23b in which control procedures and programs are stored in advance, and a work memory 23c for reading control procedures from the storage unit 23b. It is configured as.

The calculation unit 23a is connected to the drive means 16 of the tire support means 11. As a result, the calculation unit 23a can control the rotation (rotational speed and rotation direction) of the turntable 15 by transmitting a signal to the drive means 16. Further, to the calculation unit 23a, position information in the circumferential direction of the tire 1 placed on the turntable 15 and the like are transmitted from the drive means 16.

The calculation unit 23a is connected to the image pickup means 12. As a result, the calculation unit 23a can control the timing of imaging by transmitting a signal to the imaging means 12. Further, the image data captured is transmitted to the calculation unit 23a from the image pickup means 12.

Next, the inspection method of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a method for inspecting a state in which a sponge material is attached to a tire.

In the inspection method of the present embodiment, first, at least a part of the first edge 31 (shown in FIG. 7), which is the boundary between the first end 5a of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3, is detected (the first). 1 Detection step S1). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the first detection step S1.

In the first detection step S1 of the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged by the camera 18 (step S11). In step S11 of the present embodiment, the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged so as to include the first end 5a (shown in FIG. 3) of the sponge material 5.

In step S11, first, the arithmetic unit 23a transmits a signal to the driving means 16 so that the camera 18 faces the first end 5a (shown in FIG. 3) of the sponge material 5, and the sponge material 5 is placed on the turntable 15. The tire 1 is rotated in the tire circumferential direction. Next, in step S11, the calculation unit 23a transmits a signal to the camera 18 to take an image of the sponge material 5 including the first end 5a and the tire lumen surface 3. As a result, in step S11, it is possible to acquire image data in which the sponge material 5 including the first end 5a and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of image data of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3. The image data of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

In step S11, in order to facilitate detection of the first edge 31, a light source is applied to the sponge material 5 so that a shadow of the sponge material 5 (not shown) is formed on the tire lumen surface 3 prior to imaging by the camera 18. It is desirable to irradiate with 19 (shown in FIG. 1). As a result, in the first detection step S1, the lightness and darkness of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 can be emphasized, so that the first edge 31 can be reliably detected in the step S13 described later.

On the surface of the sponge material 5, a plurality of irregularities are formed by a large number of holes (air bubbles) (not shown). Therefore, in step S13 described later, the detection of the first edge 31 may vary. Therefore, in the first detection step S1 of the present embodiment, the step S12 for image processing the captured image data is carried out. The image processing of this embodiment is performed by the calculation unit 23a (computer).

In the present embodiment, image processing is performed to remove holes (air bubbles) in the sponge material 5 in the image data. The image processing procedure can be appropriately adopted. As an example of the image processing procedure, a threshold value set based on the size of the hole portion is used, a hole portion smaller than this threshold value is detected, and the hole portion is deleted (for example, the hole portion is made of the sponge material 5). Repaint with color). As a result, in step S12, image data of the smooth sponge material 5 with the holes removed and the tire lumen surface 3 can be acquired, so that the detection of the first edge 31 varies in step S13 described later. Can be prevented. Regarding the detection of the first edge 31 in the step S13 described later, if the influence of the hole portion is small or if there is no variation, the step S12 can be omitted.

Next, in the first detection step S1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first end 5a and the tire lumen are obtained from the image data of the sponge material 5 including the first end 5a and the tire lumen surface 3. At least a part of the first edge 31 which is the boundary portion with the surface 3 is detected (step S13). In step S13 of the present embodiment, the detection of the first edge 31 is performed by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1).

The method for detecting the first edge 31 can be appropriately adopted. For the detection of the first edge 31, for example, an image recognition algorithm using the feature amounts (color information, gradation change, etc.) of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 is used. Further, the first edge 31 (information on the contour of the first edge 31) of the present embodiment is acquired as a coordinate value based on a predetermined reference (for example, tire equator C or the like) of the tire 1 or as a pixel position. Will be done. The first edge 31 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

In the present embodiment, since the image processing for deleting the holes (air bubbles) in the sponge material 5 is performed in the step S12, it is possible to effectively prevent the detection of the first edge 31 from being uneven. Therefore, in step S13, at least a part of the first edge 31 can be accurately detected.

Next, in the inspection method of the present embodiment, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined (determination step S2). In the determination step S2 of the present embodiment, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined by using the information about at least a part of the detected first edge 31. The information about the first edge 31 of the present embodiment exemplifies the case where the angle θ1 with respect to the tire axial direction of at least a part of the first edge 31 is exemplified. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2.

In the determination step S2 of the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the angle θ1 of the first edge 31 with respect to at least a part of the tire axial direction V1 is calculated (step S21). In step S21, an angle θ1 with respect to at least a part of the tire axial direction V1 of the first edge 31 is acquired based on the detected first edge 31 (information on the contour of the first edge 31). The angle θ1 may be acquired in a part of the first edge 31 or may be acquired in the whole of the first edge 31. The angle θ1 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1) based on the information (coordinate value or pixel position) of the first edge 31. The angle θ1 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of the present embodiment, the angle θ1 of the first edge 31 is compared with a predetermined threshold value (step S22). In step S22, the calculation unit 23a compares the angle θ1 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sponge material 5 is formed in a rectangular shape in a state before being attached to the tire lumen surface 3 (shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the sponge material 5 attached to the tire lumen surface 3, the first edge 31 is parallel to the tire axial direction V1 (that is, the angle θ1 of the first edge 31 is 0 degrees). ) Is desirable. From this point of view, the threshold value of this embodiment is set to, for example, 0 degree to 2 degrees (1 degree in this embodiment).

In step S22, when the angle θ1 of the first edge 31 is less than the threshold value (θ1 <threshold value), the first edge 31 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in step S22, it is determined that the sponge material 5 is in a good state of attachment. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S22, when the angle θ1 of the first edge 31 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (θ1 ≧ threshold value), the first edge 31 is tilted with respect to the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in step S22, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 5) of the inspection method of the present embodiment are performed again. Thereby, the inspection method of the present embodiment is useful for shipping only the tire 1 in which the sponge material 5 is well attached.

As described above, the inspection method of the present embodiment can inspect the pasted state of the sponge material 5 without requiring the inspector's visual inspection or the like. Therefore, the inspection method of the present embodiment can efficiently inspect the pasted state of the sponge material 5.

In the inspection method of the present embodiment, an embodiment in which the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined by using the information about at least a part of the first edge 31 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. .. For example, the sponge material 5 may be used for information on at least a part of the second edge 32, which is a boundary portion between the second end 5b and the tire lumen surface 3, together with information on at least a part of the first edge 31. The quality of the pasted state may be determined. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the inspection method of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the inspection method of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the second edge 32, which is the boundary between the second end 5b of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3, is detected (the first). 2 Detection step S4). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the second detection step S4.

In the second detection step S4 of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged by the camera 18 (step S41). In step S41 of the present embodiment, the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged so as to include the second end 5b (shown in FIG. 3) of the sponge material 5.

The imaging of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 is performed in the same procedure as in step S11 of the first detection step S1 of the previous embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, if the sponge material 5 including the second end 5b is imaged in the image data captured in the first detection step S1, the process of step S41 can be omitted.

Next, in the second detection step S4 of this embodiment, the captured image data is image-processed (step S42). The image processing is performed in the same procedure as the step S12 of the first detection step S1 of the previous embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sponge material 5 including the second end 5b is imaged in the image data captured in the first detection step S1 and the image processing is performed in the step S12. Can omit the process of step S42. Further, regarding the detection of the second edge 32 in the step S43 described later, if the influence of the hole portion (not shown) is small or if there is no variation, the step S42 can be omitted.

Next, in the second detection step S4 of this embodiment, the boundary portion between the second end 5b and the tire lumen surface 3 is obtained from the image data of the sponge material 5 including the second end 5b and the tire lumen surface 3. At least a part of the second edge 32 is detected (step S43). The detection of the second edge 32 is carried out in the same procedure as the step S13 of the first detection step S1 of the previous embodiment. The second edge 32 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2 of another embodiment of the present invention. In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a step of determining whether or not the sponge material 5 is attached is good or bad by using information about at least a part of the detected second edge 32 (described later). Step S25 and step S26) are included. The information about the second edge 32 of the present embodiment exemplifies the case where the angle θ2 with respect to at least a part of the tire axial direction V1 of the second edge 32.

In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, first, in the step S22, when the angle θ1 of the first edge 31 is less than the threshold value (angle θ1 <threshold value), the tire axial direction V1 of at least a part of the second edge 32 is dealt with. The angle θ2 is calculated (step S25).

In step S25, an angle θ2 with respect to at least a part of the tire axial direction V1 of the second edge 32 is acquired based on the detected second edge 32. The angle θ2 may be acquired at a part of the second edge 32 or may be acquired at the entire second edge 32. The angle θ2 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1) based on the information (coordinate value or pixel position) of the second edge 32. The angle θ2 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of the present embodiment, the angle θ2 of the second edge 32 is compared with a predetermined threshold value (step S26). In step S26, the calculation unit 23a compares the angle θ2 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5.

It is desirable that the second edge 32 is parallel to the tire axial direction V1 (that is, the angle θ2 of the second edge 32 is 0 degrees), similarly to the first edge 31. From this point of view, the threshold value of the second edge 32 of the present embodiment is set to be the same as the threshold value of the first edge 31.

In step S26, when the angle θ2 of the second edge 32 is less than the threshold value (θ2 <threshold value), the second edge 32 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the tire axial direction V1. Further, according to the determination result in the step S22, the first edge 31 is also parallel to or substantially parallel to the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, it is determined that the sponge material 5 is in a good state of attachment. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S26, when the angle θ2 of the second edge 32 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (θ2 ≧ threshold value), the second edge 32 is tilted with respect to the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in step S26, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 9) of the inspection method of this embodiment are carried out again.

In the inspection method of this embodiment, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined based on both the information about at least a part of the first edge 31 and the information about at least a part of the second edge 32. Therefore, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be inspected more accurately. Further, since the inspection method of this embodiment does not require visual inspection by an inspector as in the inspection method of the previous embodiment, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be efficiently inspected.

In the embodiments so far, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is good or bad by using the information about at least a part of the first edge 31 or the information about at least a part of the first edge 31 and the second edge 32. Although the embodiment in which is determined is exemplified, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 may be determined based on the gap 8 in the tire circumferential direction between at least a part of the first edge 31 and at least a part of the second edge 32.

The gap 8 of the sponge material 5 having a good sticking state is the length of the tire cavity surface 3 to which the sponge material 5 is stuck in the circumferential direction and the length of the sponge material 5 in the tire circumferential direction (shown in FIG. 4). It is uniquely determined based on the length L1) in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 can be determined based on the size of the gap 8 (the length L2 in the tire circumferential direction V2). FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the tire circumferential direction between at least a part of the detected first edge 31 and at least a part of the detected second edge 32. The gap 8 (the length L2 of the tire circumferential direction V2 of the gap 8) is calculated (step S27). In step S27, the gap 8 is calculated over a range of length in the tire axial direction V1.

The range of the length for which the gap 8 is calculated can be appropriately set. Since the sponge material 5 can be easily deformed, the gap 8 may not be formed uniformly in the tire axial direction. Therefore, the range of the length for which the gap 8 is calculated is preferably 1/3 or more of the width W1 of the tire axial direction V1 of the sponge material 5, and more preferably 1/3 of the width W1 of the sponge material 5. It is 2 or more, and more preferably, it is the entire range of the width W1 of the sponge material 5.

The calculation of the gap 8 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1) based on the information of the first edge 31 (coordinate value or pixel position) and the information of the second edge 32 (coordinate value or pixel position). Will be done. The gap 8 (length L2 in the tire circumferential direction) is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the gap 8 is compared with a predetermined threshold value (step S28). In step S22, the calculation unit 23a compares the gap 8 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5.

The threshold value can be set as appropriate. As the threshold value of this embodiment, an allowable error range (lower limit value and upper limit value) is set with the length L2 of the tire circumferential direction V2 of the gap 8 of the sponge material 5 having a good sticking state as the median value. ing. In this embodiment, if the gap 8 is calculated over a range of length in the tire axial direction V1, the entire range of the calculated gap 8 is compared to the threshold.

In step S28, when the gap 8 is within the threshold value (in the present embodiment, the length L2 of the gap 8 is equal to or more than the lower limit value of the threshold value and less than the upper limit value of the threshold value), the sponge material 5 is in a good state of being attached. Is determined to be. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S28, when the gap 8 is outside the threshold value (that is, the length L2 of the gap 8 is less than the lower limit value of the threshold value or more than the upper limit value of the threshold value), the gap 8 is formed smaller or larger than necessary. Has been done. Therefore, in step S28, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 9) of the inspection method of this embodiment are carried out again. Thereby, the inspection method of the present embodiment is useful for surely shipping only the tire 1 in which the sponge material 5 is well attached. Further, since the inspection method of this embodiment does not require visual inspection by an inspector, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be efficiently inspected.

In this embodiment, the gap 8 is compared to the threshold, but is not limited to such an embodiment. As described above, since the sponge material 5 can be easily deformed, the gap 8 may not be formed uniformly in the tire axial direction V1 (that is, the gap 8 may change). Therefore, in the determination step S2, the amount of change in the gap 8 in the tire axial direction V1 may be compared with a predetermined threshold value.

The amount of change can be calculated as appropriate. The amount of change can be obtained, for example, by the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the gap 8 calculated over a certain length range in the tire axial direction. Further, the threshold value of the amount of change can be appropriately set. As shown in FIG. 4, the sponge material 5 is formed in a rectangular shape in a state before being attached to the tire lumen surface 3 (shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, the smaller the change amount of the gap 8 (shown in FIG. 7) (that is, the closer the change amount (the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the gap 8) is to 0), the better the sticking state of the sponge material 5. Is. Therefore, it is desirable that the threshold value is set based on the tolerance of the amount of change in the gap 8.

As described above, in the determination step S2, the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is efficiently inspected by comparing the amount of change in the gap 8 shown in FIG. 7 in the tire axial direction with a predetermined threshold value. be able to.

In previous embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, information about at least a portion of the first edge 31, information about at least a portion of the first edge 31 and at least a portion of the second edge 32, or An embodiment in which the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined by using the gap 8 of the sponge material 5 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, using the information about at least a part of the first edge 31, the information about at least a part of the second edge 32, and the gap 8 of the sponge material 5, it is determined whether the sponge material 5 is attached or not. You may.

Further, in still another embodiment of the present invention, the sponge material uses at least a part of the information of the third edge 33 which is the boundary between the third side edge 5c of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3. The quality of the pasted state of 5 may be determined. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the inspection method of still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the inspection method of this embodiment, first, at least a part of the third edge 33, which is the boundary between the third side edge 5c of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3, is detected (third detection step S5). .. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the third detection step S5.

In the third detection step S5 of this embodiment, first, the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged by the camera 18 (step S51). In step S51, the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 are imaged so as to include the third side edge 5c (shown in FIG. 2) of the sponge material 5. The imaging of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3 is performed in the same procedure as in step S11 of the first detection step S1 of the previous embodiments. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of image data of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3.

Next, in the third detection step S5 of this embodiment, the captured image data is image-processed (step S52). The image processing is performed in the same procedure as the step S12 of the first detection step S1 of the previous embodiment. Regarding the detection of the third edge 33 in the step S53 described later, if the influence of the hole portion (not shown) is small or if there is no variation, the step S52 can be omitted.

Next, in the third detection step S5 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the third side edge 5c and the tire are obtained from the image data of the sponge material 5 including the third side edge 5c and the tire lumen surface 3. At least a part of the third edge 33, which is the boundary with the lumen surface 3, is detected (step S53). The detection of the third edge 33 is carried out in the same procedure as the step S13 of the first detection step S1 of the previous embodiment. The third edge 33 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined by using the information about at least a part of the detected third edge 33. The information about the third edge 33 of the present embodiment is the position (coordinate value or pixel position) P1 in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire 1 of at least a part of the third edge 33. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 15, the position of at least a part of the third edge 33 in the tire axial direction V1 with respect to the tire 1 is calculated (step S29). In step S29, based on the detected third edge 33 (information on the contour of the third edge 33), the position of at least a part of the third edge 33 in the tire axial direction V1 with respect to the tire 1 (hereinafter, simply "first". It may be referred to as "the position of 3 edges 33".) P1 is acquired. The position P1 of the third edge 33 may be acquired in a part of the third edge 33, or may be acquired in the whole of the third edge 33. The position P1 of the third edge 33 of the present embodiment is exemplified as the position of the tire axial direction V1 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33.

The position P1 of the third edge 33 of the present embodiment is determined as a coordinate value or a pixel position based on a reference (for example, tire equator C or the like) predetermined for the tire 1. The position P1 of the third edge 33 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1). The position P1 of the third edge 33 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the position P1 of the third edge 33 is compared with a predetermined threshold value (step S30). In step S30, the calculation unit 23a compares the position P1 of the third edge 33 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5.

The sponge material 5 is arranged so that the center 5f of the sponge material 5 in the width direction and the tire equator C coincide with each other in the tire axial direction. Therefore, it is desirable that the position P1 of the third edge 33 coincides with the first reference position R1 that separates the length W2 of the sponge material 5 from the tire equator C by half the width in the tire axial direction V1. From this point of view, it is desirable that the threshold value is set to a range of an acceptable error (error in the tire axial direction V1) with the first reference position R1 as the median value.

In step S30, when the position P1 of the third edge 33 is within the threshold range (the position P1 is within the threshold value), the position P1 of the third edge 33 coincides with the first reference position R1 or the first reference position R1. It is located in the vicinity of. Therefore, in step S30, it is determined that the sponge material 5 is in a good state of attachment. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S30, when the position P1 of the third edge 33 is out of the threshold range (position P1 is out of the threshold value), the position P1 of the third edge 33 is inside or outside in the tire axial direction from the first reference position R1. It is greatly deviated to. Therefore, in step S30, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 13) of the inspection method of this embodiment are carried out again. Thereby, the inspection method of this embodiment is useful for surely shipping only the tire 1 in which the sponge material 5 is well attached. Further, since the inspection method of this embodiment does not require visual inspection by an inspector, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be efficiently inspected.

The embodiment in which the position P1 of the third edge 33 of this embodiment is acquired in a part of the third edge 33 is exemplified, but the amount of change in the position P1 is obtained by acquiring the position P1 in the entire third edge 33. Therefore, it is possible to inspect the presence or absence of meandering of the sponge material 5 in the tire circumferential direction.

In this embodiment, the case where the information used for determining the pasted state of the sponge material 5 is the position P1 of at least a part (or the whole) of the third edge 33 with respect to the tire 1 in the tire axial direction is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The information includes, for example, the position in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire 1 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "the position on the first end side of the third edge") P2, and. , The position in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire 1 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "the position on the second end side of the third edge") P3.

FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. In the sponge material 5 having a good sticking state, the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 coincide with each other in the tire axial direction V1. There is. Therefore, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined in the tire axial direction between the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33. It can be determined based on the distance D1. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2 of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 17, the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 is calculated (step S31). The position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 is determined as a coordinate value or a pixel position based on a reference (for example, tire equator C or the like) predetermined for the tire 1. The position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1). The position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 is calculated (step S32). The position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 is determined as a coordinate value or a pixel position based on a reference (for example, tire equator C or the like) predetermined for the tire 1. The position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1). The position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the distance in the tire axial direction V1 between the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33. D1 is calculated (step S33). In step S33, the position (coordinate value or pixel position) P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position (coordinate value or pixel position) P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 are obtained. The distance D1 is calculated using. This distance D1 is calculated by the calculation unit 23a (shown in FIG. 1). The distance D1 is input to the storage unit 23b or the working memory 23c (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the distance D1 is compared with a predetermined threshold value (step S34). In step S34, the calculation unit 23a compares the distance D1 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5.

As described above, in the sponge material 5 having a good sticking state, the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 are in the tire axial direction. They match at V1 (that is, the distance D1 is 0). Therefore, the threshold value of the distance D1 of this embodiment is, for example, the distance D1 (that is, the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33). An acceptable error (error in the tire axial direction V1) of the position deviation amount in the tire axial direction V1) is set.

In step S34, when the distance D1 is less than the threshold value (distance D1 <threshold value), the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 are They match or substantially match in the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in step S34, it is determined that the sponge material 5 is in a good state of attachment. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S34, when the distance D1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (distance D1 ≧ threshold value), the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33. However, the position is largely displaced in the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in step S34, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 13) of the inspection method of this embodiment are carried out again. Thereby, the inspection method of this embodiment is useful for shipping only the tire 1 in which the sponge material 5 is well attached.

In the inspection method of this embodiment, the sponge material 5 is attached based on both the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33. Is judged. Therefore, the inspection method of this embodiment can inspect the pasted state of the sponge material with higher accuracy. Further, since the inspection method of this embodiment does not require visual inspection by an inspector, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be efficiently inspected.

In the embodiments so far, as shown in FIG. 15, at least a part of the information of the third edge 33, which is the boundary between the third side edge 5c of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3, is used. The quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 was determined, but the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. For example, using at least a part of the information of the fourth edge 34, which is the boundary between the fourth side edge 5d of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined. May be good. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the inspection method of still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the inspection method of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 15, at least a part of the fourth edge 34, which is the boundary between the fourth side edge 5d of the sponge material 5 and the tire lumen surface 3, is detected. (4th detection step S6). FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the fourth detection step S6.

In the fourth detection step S6 of the present embodiment, the sponge material 5 and the step S61 for imaging the tire cavity surface 3, the step S62 for image processing the captured image data, and the sponge material 5 including the fourth side edge 5d and The step S63 for detecting at least a part of the fourth edge 34 from the image data of the tire cavity surface 3 is included. These steps S61 to 63 are carried out in the same procedure as the steps S51 to S53 of the third detection step S5. As a result, in the fourth detection step S6, the fourth edge 34 can be detected.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, a step of determining whether or not the sponge material 5 is attached is good or bad (steps S35 and S36 described later) using information about at least a part of the detected fourth edge 34. include. The information about the fourth edge 34 of the present embodiment is the position of at least a part of the fourth edge 34 with respect to the tire axial direction V1 with respect to the tire 1 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "the position of the fourth edge 34"). The case of P4 is exemplified.

In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, first, in the step S30, when the position P1 of the third edge 33 is within the threshold value (the position P1 is within the threshold value), the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 is calculated (step). S35). The calculation of the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 is carried out in the same procedure as the step S29 for calculating the position P1 of the third edge 33.

Next, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 is compared with a predetermined threshold value (step S36). In step S36, the calculation unit 23a compares the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5.

It is desirable that the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 coincides with the second reference position R2 separated from the tire equator C by the length D1 of half the width of the sponge material 5 from the same viewpoint as the position P1 of the third edge 33. .. Therefore, it is desirable that the threshold value is set to be the same as the threshold value of the position P1 of the third edge 33.

In step S36, when the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 is within the threshold range (the position P4 is within the threshold value), the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 coincides with the second reference position R2, or the second reference position R2. It is located in the vicinity of. Further, according to the determination result in the step S30, the position P2 of the third edge 33 also coincides with the first reference position R1 or is arranged in the vicinity of the first reference position R1. Therefore, in step S36, it is determined that the sponge material 5 is in a good state of attachment. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S36, when the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 is out of the threshold range (the position P4 is out of the threshold value), the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 is largely deviated from the second reference position R2. Therefore, in step S36, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 19) of the inspection method of this embodiment are carried out again. Thereby, the inspection method of this embodiment is useful for surely shipping only the tire 1 in which the sponge material 5 is well attached.

In the inspection method of this embodiment, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined based on both the position P3 of the third edge 33 and the position P4 of the fourth edge 34, so that the sponge material 5 is attached. The attached state can be inspected more accurately. Further, since the inspection method of this embodiment does not require visual inspection by an inspector as in the inspection method of the previous embodiment, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be efficiently inspected.

In this embodiment, the position P4 of the fourth edge is detected by the image processing of the image data, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The position P4 of the fourth edge 34 may be specified, for example, as a position separated from the position P3 of the third edge 33 by the width W1 of the sponge material 5 in the tire axial direction.

The embodiment in which the position P4 of the fourth edge 34 of this embodiment is acquired in a part of the fourth edge 34 is exemplified, but by acquiring the position P4 in the entire fourth edge 34, the amount of change in the position P4 is exemplified. Therefore, it is possible to inspect the presence or absence of meandering of the sponge material 5 in the tire circumferential direction.

In this embodiment, the case where the information used for determining the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is the position P4 of at least a part of the fourth edge 34 in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire 1 has been exemplified. The mode is not limited to the above. The information includes, for example, the position in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire 1 on the first end 5a side of the fourth edge 34 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "the position on the first end side of the fourth edge") P5, and. , The position in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire 1 on the second end 5b side of the fourth edge 34 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "the position on the second end side of the fourth edge") P6. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the determination step S2 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same configurations as those in the previous embodiments may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

In the determination step S2 of this embodiment, in the step S34, the distance D1 between the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 is a threshold value. When it is less than (distance D1 <threshold value), steps S37 to S39 are carried out. In step S37, as shown in FIG. 17, the position P5 on the first end 5a side of the fourth edge 34 is calculated. In step S38, the position P6 on the second end 5b side of the fourth edge 34 is calculated. In step S39, the distance D2 in the tire axial direction between the position P5 on the first end 5a side of the fourth edge 34 and the position P6 on the second end 5b side of the fourth edge 34 is calculated. Steps S37 to S39 can be performed based on the same procedure as steps S31 to S33.

Further, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, the step S40 for comparing the distance D2 with a predetermined threshold value is carried out. In step S40, the calculation unit 23a compares the distance D2 with the threshold value to determine the sticking state of the sponge material 5. It is desirable that the threshold value is set in the same range as the threshold value of the distance D1.

In step S40, when the distance D2 is less than the threshold value (distance D2 <threshold value), the position P5 on the first end 5a side of the fourth edge 34 and the position P6 on the second end 5b side of the fourth edge 34 They match or substantially match in the tire axial direction V1. Further, according to the determination result in the step S34, the position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33 and the position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33 match or substantially one in the tire axial direction V1. I am doing it. Therefore, in step S40, it is determined that the sponge material 5 is in a good state of attachment. In this case, the tire 1 is shipped (process S23).

On the other hand, in step S40, when the distance D2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (distance D2 ≧ threshold value), the position P5 on the first end 5a side of the fourth edge 34 and the position P6 on the second end 5b side of the fourth edge 34. However, the position is largely displaced in the tire axial direction V1. Therefore, in the determination step S2 of this embodiment, it is determined that the sticking state of the sponge material 5 is not good. In this case, the sponge material 5 is reattached (step S24). Then, after the sponge material 5 is reattached, a series of processes (shown in FIG. 19) of the inspection method of this embodiment are carried out again. Thereby, the inspection method of this embodiment is useful for surely shipping only the tire 1 in which the sponge material 5 is well attached.

The inspection method of this embodiment includes a position P2 on the first end 5a side of the third edge 33, a position P3 on the second end 5b side of the third edge 33, and a position P5 on the first end 5a side of the fourth edge 34. Further, based on the position P6 on the second end 5b side of the fourth edge 34, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material 5 is determined. Therefore, the inspection method of this embodiment can accurately inspect the pasted state of the sponge material 5. Further, since the inspection method of this embodiment does not require visual inspection by an inspector, the pasted state of the sponge material 5 can be efficiently inspected.

In the embodiments so far, the first edge 31, the second edge 32, the third edge 33, and the fourth edge 34 are detected based on the image data captured by the camera 18, but such an embodiment. Not limited to. For example, the first is based on the measurement result (for example, the coordinate value of the contour of the sponge material 5) obtained by irradiating the sponge material 5 and the tire cavity surface 3 with a non-contact displacement meter (for example, a laser displacement meter). The edge 31, the second edge 32, the third edge 33, and the fourth edge 34 may be detected.

Although the particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and can be modified into various embodiments.

The state of attachment of the sponge material was inspected for 100 tires to which a strip-shaped sponge material extending in the circumferential direction of the tire was attached to the tire lumen surface of the tread portion (Example 1, Example 2 and Comparative Example). ).

In the first embodiment, according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5, the first edge, which is the boundary between the first end of the sponge material in the tire circumferential direction and the tire cavity surface, is detected, and the tire axial direction of the first edge is detected. Based on the angle with respect to, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material was judged.

In the second embodiment, according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 13, the third edge, which is the boundary between the third side edge of the sponge material in the tire axial direction and the tire lumen surface, is detected, and the tire shaft of the third edge is detected. Based on the position in the direction, the quality of the attached state of the sponge material was judged.

In the comparative example, based on the procedure of Patent Document 1, the quality of the sponge material attached was determined by visual inspection by an inspector or the like. The common specifications are as follows.
Tire size: 195 / 65R15
Sponge material:
Ether-based polyurethane sponge (E16 manufactured by Marusuzu Co., Ltd.)
Relative density: 0.016
Width W1: 70mm
Thickness: 8mm
Length in the longitudinal direction L1: 1820 mm

As a result of the test, the inspection methods of Example 1 and Example 2 were able to reduce the inspection time by 80% as compared with the inspection method of the comparative example. Therefore, the inspection methods of Examples 1 and 2 were able to efficiently inspect the state of attachment of the sponge material to the tire as compared with the inspection methods of Comparative Examples. Further, in the inspection methods of Examples 1 and 2, no inspection error occurred as compared with the inspection methods of Comparative Examples. Therefore, the inspection methods of Examples 1 and 2 were able to inspect the state of attachment of the sponge material to the tire more accurately than the inspection methods of Comparative Examples.

S1 Step to detect at least a part of the first edge S2 Step to judge whether the sponge material is attached or not

Claims (13)

It is a method for inspecting the sticking state of the sponge material of a tire in which a strip-shaped sponge material extending in the tire circumferential direction is stuck on the tire lumen surface of the tread portion.
The sponge material has a first end and a second end in the tire circumferential direction, and the first end and the second end are arranged with a gap in the tire circumferential direction.
The method includes a step of detecting at least a part of a first edge which is a boundary portion between the first end and the tire lumen surface.
A step of determining whether or not the sponge material is attached is good or bad by using the detected information about at least a part of the first edge .
The detection step includes a step of imaging the sponge material and the tire cavity surface, and a step of image processing the captured image data using a computer.
The information is an angle of at least a part of the first edge with respect to the tire axial direction.
The determination step includes a step of comparing the angle with a predetermined threshold value.
Method. The method is
Including the step of detecting at least a part of the second edge which is the boundary portion between the second end and the tire lumen surface.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination step includes a step of determining whether the sponge material is in a good or bad state by using information about at least a part of the detected second edge. The information is an angle of at least a part of the second edge with respect to the tire axial direction.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the determination step includes a step of comparing the angle with a predetermined threshold value. The method further comprises
Including the step of detecting at least a part of the second edge which is the boundary portion between the second end and the tire lumen surface.
The determination step includes a step of calculating a gap in the tire circumferential direction between at least a part of the detected first edge and at least a part of the detected second edge.
The method of claim 1, comprising a step of comparing the gap with a predetermined threshold. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of calculating the gap is to calculate the gap over a certain length range in the tire axial direction. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the determination step includes a step of comparing the amount of change in the gap in the tire axial direction with a predetermined threshold value. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sponge material has a rectangular shape before being attached to the tire lumen surface. It is a method for inspecting the sticking state of the sponge material of a tire in which a strip-shaped sponge material extending in the tire circumferential direction is stuck on the tire lumen surface of the tread portion.
The sponge material has a first end and a second end in the tire circumferential direction, a third side edge and a fourth side edge in the tire axial direction, and the first end and the second end are tires. They are arranged with a gap in the circumferential direction,
The method includes a step of detecting at least a part of a third edge which is a boundary portion between the third side edge and the tire lumen surface.
A step of determining whether or not the sponge material is attached is good or bad by using the detected information about at least a part of the third edge.
The detection step includes a step of imaging the sponge material and the tire cavity surface, and a step of image processing the captured image data using a computer.
Method. The information is the position of at least a part of the third edge in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the determination step includes a step of comparing the position with a predetermined threshold value. The information is the position of the third edge on the first end side in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire , and the position on the second end side of the third edge on the tire axial direction with respect to the tire .
The determination step includes a step of calculating the distance in the tire axial direction between the position on the first end side and the position on the second end side.
8. The method of claim 8 , comprising the step of comparing the distance with a predetermined threshold. The method is
Including the step of detecting at least a part of the fourth edge which is the boundary portion between the fourth side edge and the tire lumen surface.
The step according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the determination step includes a step of determining whether the sponge material is in a good or bad state by using information about at least a part of the detected fourth edge. the method of. The information is the position of at least a part of the fourth edge in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the determination step includes a step of comparing the position with a predetermined threshold value. The information is the position of the fourth edge on the first end side in the tire axial direction with respect to the tire , and the position on the second end side of the fourth edge on the tire axial direction with respect to the tire .
The determination step includes a step of calculating the distance in the tire axial direction between the position on the first end side and the position on the second end side.
11. The method of claim 11 , comprising the step of comparing the distance with a predetermined threshold.

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