TWI555653B - Tire inspection device and method for detecting tire attitude - Google Patents

Description

Tire inspection device and tire posture detection method

The present invention relates to a tire inspection device and a tire posture detection method.

In the case of manufacturing a rubber tire used in a vehicle or the like, various inspections are performed in a state in which the tire is suspected to be inflated (inflated) by the inspection device in order to ensure the quality. Specifically, by fitting a tire to a member that is modeled as a roller that is called a suspected wheel frame, the inside of the tire is made airtight and the air is filled. The suspected wheel frame is divided into an upper wheel frame and a lower wheel frame. In order to facilitate continuous inspection of the plurality of tires, since the rotation axis of the tire is conveyed in a vertical direction, the upper wheel frame and the lower wheel frame are fitted from both sides in the vertical direction of the tire. That is, the tire is inspected while the side walls on both sides are oriented in the vertical direction.

An example of such a technique is disclosed in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The tire inspection device of Patent Document 1 includes a belt conveyor that conveys a tire, an elevator that lifts and lowers the belt conveyor, an upper main shaft that supports the upper wheel frame, and a lower wheel frame that supports the tire. Lower spindle. First, the belt conveyor belt is lowered by the elevator, and the lower wheel frame is fitted from below the tire. Next, the upper wheel frame is fitted to the tire by lowering the upper main shaft. That is, both the upper main shaft and the lower main shaft are disposed in a state of being coaxial with the axial center position of the tire. After the upper wheel frame and the lower wheel frame are fitted, the tire is filled with air.

[Practical Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-169768

However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the tire is conveyed by the belt conveyor, when the axial center position of the tire and the axis of the lower main shaft (or the upper main shaft) are deviated from each other (the eccentricity is generated), There is a possibility that the wheel frame and the tire cannot be properly fitted. More specifically, when the tire is displaced on the belt conveyor belt by vibration, sliding, or the like during conveyance caused by the belt conveyor belt, the eccentricity as described above easily occurs. When the lower wheel frame and the upper wheel frame are to be fitted to the tire in a state in which the eccentricity is generated, since the tire is crushed from above and below by the wheel frame, there is a possibility that deterioration or damage occurs in the tire.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tire inspection device and a tire posture detection method capable of suppressing an uncomfortable fitting of a tire and a wheel frame by detecting a change in posture of the tire.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a tire inspection device includes: a support portion that supports the tire such that a central axis of the tire is along a vertical direction; and relatively moves the tire and the wheel frame in a vertical direction a front wheel frame is fitted to the lifting portion of the tire; and a position detecting portion for detecting a position of the surface of the tire in a vertical direction by at least three detection points; and detecting the position according to the position detecting portion The position detection information of the measured position information is used to detect the posture information of the tire.

According to the above configuration, when the tire is fitted to the wheel frame, the position detecting portion detects the positional information in the vertical direction in the detection point of the tire surface. The posture detecting unit can detect the posture information of the tire based on the position information described above. Thereby, the operating state of the tire inspecting device can be changed in accordance with the change in the posture of the tire. In particular, in the above configuration, at least three detection point position information in the surface of the tire is detected. Thereby, the inclination of the tire with respect to the support portion can be detected as a change in posture.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tire inspection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the position detecting unit is disposed in a field on one side of the center axis direction of the tire. It is also possible to detect the aforementioned location information in a non-contact state.

According to the above configuration, since the position detecting unit is provided on one side of the center axis direction of the tire, the lifting unit is When the relative movement of the generated tire and the wheel frame is generated, the position information of the tire in the vertical direction can be detected with higher precision. In addition, since the position detecting unit detects the position information in the non-contact state of the detection point of the tire, the position information can be appropriately detected during the relative movement of the tire and the wheel frame.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the tire inspection device of any of the above aspects, the position detecting portion is provided on the inner side of the outer circumference of the tire as seen from the vertical direction, and corresponds to the aforementioned The outer peripheral edge of the wheel frame is located further outward, and the detection point may be located on the side surface of the tire facing the central axis, that is, the side wall.

According to the above configuration, the position detecting unit is provided on the inner side of the outer circumference of the tire and corresponds to a region outside the outer periphery of the wheel frame. Further, based on the position, the position information of the detection point on the sidewall of the tire is detected by the position detecting portion. Thereby, the position detecting portion can detect the change in the position of the tire in the vertical direction with higher accuracy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the tire inspection device of any of the above aspects, the position detecting unit is integrally formed with the support portion, and the posture detecting unit includes: calculating the tire And a difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between the position information of each of the detection points before and after the relative movement of the wheel frame; and compares the difference between the detection points and a predetermined reference value, wherein the difference is greater than the reference When the value is smaller, it is determined that the aforementioned tire is in a normal posture and is generated as a front When the normal value of the posture information is greater than the reference value, the determination unit may determine that the tire is in an abnormal posture and generate an abnormality signal as the posture information.

According to the configuration described above, when the wheel frame is fitted to the tire by the relative movement of the tire on the wheel frame and the support portion, and the posture of the tire changes, the abnormal posture is obtained. The position of the tire in the position detecting portion is displaced (differential). The difference calculation unit calculates the difference between the position information of at least three detection points before and after the relative movement. This difference and the reference value are compared in the discrimination section. When the difference of the positional information in each of the detection points (that is, the surface of the tire) is smaller than the reference value, the determination unit determines that the tire is not tilted, and generates a normal signal as the posture information of the tire.

On the other hand, the difference in position information in at least one of the detection points is larger than the reference value, and when the wheel frame and the tire are fitted, it is determined that the tire is tilted or the like. Thereby, the determination unit determines that the tire is in an abnormal posture, and generates an abnormal signal as the posture information of the tire.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the tire inspection device of any of the above aspects, the position detecting portion is fixed at a position separated from the support portion, and the posture detecting portion is a difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between the position information of each of the detection points before and after the relative movement of the tire and the wheel frame; and compares the difference between the detection points and a predetermined reference value When the difference is smaller than the reference value, it is determined that the tire is in a normal posture and generates a normal signal as the posture information, and the difference is When it is larger than the reference value, it may be determined that the tire is in an abnormal posture and a determination unit that generates an abnormal signal as the posture information may be generated.

According to the configuration described above, when the wheel frame is fitted to the tire by the relative movement of the tire on the wheel frame and the support portion, and the posture of the tire changes, the abnormal posture is obtained. The position of the tire in the position detecting portion is displaced (differential). The difference calculation unit calculates the difference between the position information of at least three detection points before and after the relative movement. This difference and the reference value are compared in the discrimination section. When the difference of the positional information in each of the detection points (that is, the surface of the tire) is smaller than the reference value, the determination unit determines that the tire is not tilted, and generates a normal signal as the posture information of the tire.

On the other hand, the difference in position information in at least one of the detection points is larger than the reference value, and when the wheel frame and the tire are fitted, it is determined that the tire is tilted or the like. Thereby, the determination unit determines that the tire is in an abnormal posture, and generates an abnormal signal as the posture information of the tire.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a tire posture detecting method is a tire in which a center axis is supported in a vertical direction by a support portion, and a wheel frame to be fitted to the tire is vertically opposed The change in the posture of the tire during movement is detected by a position detecting unit integrally provided in the support portion, and the tire posture detecting method includes: the aforementioned tire in the relative movement and the position detection The separation distance of the measuring unit is a step of detecting the plurality of position information by detecting at least three detection points on the tire; and calculating the plurality of position information before and after the relative movement at each of the detection points Differential steps; and When the difference between the detection point and the predetermined reference value is compared, when the difference is smaller than the reference value, it is determined that the tire is in a normal posture, and the difference is larger than the reference value. The step of the aforementioned tire being in an abnormal posture.

According to this method, first, the separation distance between the position detecting portion and the tire which is caused by the relative movement of the tire on the wheel frame and the support portion is detected. Then, after the difference of the position information of each detection point before and after the relative movement is calculated, the difference and the reference value are compared. The difference is smaller than the reference value, and it can be determined that each of the detection points (i.e., the surface of the tire) is located at approximately the same distance for each position detecting portion. Thus, it was determined that no inclination occurred in the tire. That is, it can be determined that the tire is in a normal posture.

On the other hand, the difference in the positional information of each of the detection points is larger than the reference value, and when the wheel frame and the tire are fitted, it is determined that the tire is tilted or the like. Thereby, it can be determined that the tire is in an abnormal posture.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a tire posture detecting method is a tire in which a center axis is supported in a vertical direction by a support portion, and a wheel frame to be fitted to the tire is vertically opposed The change in the posture of the tire during movement is detected by a position detecting portion provided at another position separated from the support portion, and the tire posture detecting method includes: the tire in the relative movement And the separation distance of the position detecting unit, the step of detecting the plurality of position information by detecting at least three detection points on the tire; and the respective detection points Calculating a difference between the complex position information before and after the relative movement; and comparing the difference between the detection points and a predetermined reference value, and determining whether the difference is smaller than the reference value When it is in a normal posture, and the difference is larger than the aforementioned reference value, it is determined that the tire is in an abnormal posture.

According to this method, first, the separation distance between the position detecting portion and the tire which is caused by the relative movement of the tire on the wheel frame and the support portion is detected. Then, after the difference of the position information of each detection point before and after the relative movement is calculated, the difference and the reference value are compared. The difference is smaller than the reference value, and it can be determined that each of the detection points (i.e., the surface of the tire) is located at approximately the same distance for each position detecting portion. Thus, it was determined that no inclination occurred in the tire. That is, it can be determined that the tire is in a normal posture.

On the other hand, the difference in the positional information of each of the detection points is larger than the reference value, and when the wheel frame and the tire are fitted, it is determined that the tire is tilted or the like. Thereby, it can be determined that the tire is in an abnormal posture.

According to the tire inspection device and the tire posture detecting method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the uncomfortable fitting of the tire and the wheel frame by detecting the change in the posture of the tire.

1‧‧‧ moving into the department

2‧‧‧Inspection Department

3‧‧‧ Moving out

10‧‧‧ Tire inspection device

21‧‧‧Support

22‧‧‧Support body

23‧‧‧Belt Department

24‧‧‧Roller

31‧‧‧Upper spindle

32‧‧‧lower spindle

40‧‧‧Location Detection Department

50‧‧‧ Lifting Department

60‧‧‧Position Detection Department

61‧‧‧Differential calculation department

62‧‧‧Discrimination Department

80‧‧ Air Inflator

BR‧‧‧Lower wheel frame

L‧‧‧Location Information

OR‧‧·wheel frame axis

OT‧‧‧ tire axis

P‧‧‧Detection point

R‧‧‧wheel frame

S‧‧‧ mounting surface

T‧‧‧ tires

Tb‧‧‧ bead crimping

UR‧‧‧Upper wheel frame

[Fig. 1] An overall view of a tire inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] A plan view of a tire inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a view showing an example of the operation of the tire inspecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a view showing an example of the operation of the tire inspecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 5] A view showing a state in which an eccentricity is generated in a tire and a wheel frame in the tire inspecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] A view showing a state in which the tire and the wheel frame are fitted in the tire inspecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] A graph showing temporal changes in position information of each detection point in the tire inspecting apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 7B] A graph showing temporal changes in position information of each detection point in the tire inspecting apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 7C] A graph showing temporal changes in position information of each detection point in the tire inspecting apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] A flow chart showing the steps of the tire posture detecting method of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] A view showing a tire inspecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] A tire inspection device showing a second embodiment of the present invention In the middle, a diagram showing a state in which the tire and the wheel frame are eccentric.

[Fig. 11] A view showing a state in which the tire and the wheel frame are fitted in the tire inspecting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 12A] A graph showing a change in position information of each detection point in the tire inspecting apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 12B] A graph showing a change in position information of each detection point in the tire inspecting apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[12] Fig. C is a graph showing a change in position information of each detection point in the tire inspecting apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]

The tire inspection device 10 and the tire posture detection method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This tire inspection device 10 is a device for inspecting the quality and characteristics of a rubber tire T used in a vehicle or the like, and simulating the actual use.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the tire inspection device 10 of the present embodiment includes the loading unit 1 for carrying the tire T to be inspected, and the inspection for the downstream side of the conveyance direction of the loading unit 1 . The portion 2 and the carry-out portion 3 provided on the downstream side of the inspection unit 2.

The loading unit 1 is a belt conveyor that conveys the tire T manufactured by the device (not shown) toward the inspection unit 2 . In the inspection unit 2, the tire T conveyed from the loading unit 1 is attached to the wheel frame R. Then, check In the tire 2 in which the wheel frame R is mounted, air is injected into the air inflator 80, and then the quality and characteristics of the tire T are inspected by various measuring devices or the like (not shown).

Hereinafter, the configuration of the inspection unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection unit 2 includes a support portion 21, an upper main shaft 31, a lower main shaft 32, a position detecting portion 40, a lifting portion 50, and a posture detecting portion 60.

(support portion 21)

The support portion 21 is a belt conveyor belt that supports the tire T conveyed from the above-described loading unit 1 from below. Before and after the inspection, the support portion 21 carries the tire T in a direction (hereinafter, referred to as a conveyance direction) on an approximately horizontal surface. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, the support portion 21 has two belt portions 23 on which the tire T is placed, and two rollers that support the belt portions 23 from both sides in the conveyance direction. The sub-portion 24 and the support portion main body 22 that supports the roller portion 24 and is connected to the elevating portion 50 to be described later.

The two belt portions 23 are bridged between the roller portions 24 provided on both sides in the conveyance direction. The roller portion 24 is a columnar member that extends along a rotation axis that substantially perpendicularly intersects the conveyance direction of the belt portion 23. In detail, the roller portion 24 is rotatably supported by the support portion main body 22 that extends in the conveyance direction. The roller portion 24 is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown). Thereby, the two belt portions 23 are facing each other The direction (handling direction) is rotated.

Further, the two belt portions 23 are arranged in parallel with each other in the conveyance direction. These belt portions 23 are entirely across the conveyance direction and are separated from each other by a certain distance. More specifically, the belt portions 23 are such that the belt portion 23 and the wheel frame R do not interfere with each other, and are located outside the outer diameter of the wheel frame R to be described later.

Among the surfaces on both sides in the vertical direction of the support portion 21, the surface on which the tire T is placed (that is, the upper surface) is the mounting surface S. The mounting surface S is at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the loading unit 1 and the unloading surface in a state where the lifting and lowering of the lifting unit 50, which will be described later, is not performed.

The tire T to be inspected is placed on the placement surface S in a state in which the side walls are oriented in the vertical direction. Here, the side wall is an approximately annular surface extending in a direction crossing the central axis (tire axis OT) of the tire T. In other words, the tire T is supported in a state where its central axis is along the vertical direction.

(upper spindle 31, lower spindle 32)

Further, the wheel frame R held by the upper main shaft 31 and the lower main shaft 32 is fitted to the tire T supported by the above-described support portion 21. Here, the wheel frame R of the present embodiment is divided into the upper wheel frame UR and the lower wheel frame BR from the upper side in the vertical direction toward the lower side. Both the upper wheel frame UR and the lower wheel frame BR are formed by a substantially cylindrical shape that simulates the tire T. In the following description, the center axis of this wheel frame R The line, which is different from the above-described tire axis OT, is called the wheel frame axis OR. These wheel frames R (the upper wheel frame UR and the lower wheel frame BR) are fitted to the bead crimping portion Tb of the tire T from the vertical direction in the wheel frame axis OR (that is, the inner diameter side of the center axis). The edge of the edge).

The upper wheel frame UR configured as described above is held above the support portion 21 by the upper main shaft 31. On the other hand, the lower wheel frame BR is held below the support portion 21 by the lower main shaft 32. More specifically, the upper main shaft 31 and the lower main shaft 32 are disposed on the upper side and the lower side of the support portion 21 on the above-described wheel frame axis OR. As will be described later in detail, the upper main shaft 31 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction. Further, when the wheel frame R is fitted, the upper main shaft 31 and the lower main shaft 32 are driven by an external driving source (not shown) around the wheel frame axis OR in the same rotational direction. Rotate the drive.

Further, the two belt portions 23 of the above-described support portion 21 are not interfered with the wheel frame R, and are set to be sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the wheel frame R. Further, although not shown in detail, the separation distance between the two belt portions 23 can be appropriately changed, so that various tires T and wheel frames R having different sizes can be used. In other words, when the tire T having a relatively large diameter (and the wheel frame R corresponding thereto) is inspected, the direction in which the separation sizes of the belt portions 23 are increased is adjusted. On the other hand, when the tire T of the comparatively small diameter (and the wheel frame R corresponding thereto) is inspected, the direction in which the separation portions of the belt portions 23 are reduced is adjusted.

(lifting unit 50)

In the support portion 21 configured as described above, the elevation portion 50 is provided. The lifting portion 50 is a device for displacing the entire support portion 21 in the vertical direction. A specific example of the lift unit 50 is a hydraulic cylinder or the like that is driven by an external drive source. By the operation of the elevating unit 50, the support portion 21 can be vertically moved up and down in a state in which the upper surface (the mounting surface S) is maintained at a substantially horizontal level.

The support portion 21 is moved downward (dropped), and the tire T on the mounting surface S also moves downward. Here, as described above, the two belt portions 23 of the support portion 21 are separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. Therefore, the lower wheel frame BR held under the support portion 21 is exposed upward from the gap between the two belt portions 23 as the support portion 21 descends. Thereby, the lower wheel frame BR is fitted to the tire T by the upper side of the belt portion 23 (that is, the mounting surface S).

(Position detection unit 40)

In the present embodiment, the position detecting unit 40 is integrally provided on the support portion 21 (the support portion main body 22). The position detecting unit 40 is a device for detecting the position of the tire T when the wheel frame R is fitted in accordance with the operation of the lifting unit 50. The position detecting unit 40 is preferably a device that detects a separation distance or a position of the object in a non-contact state using, for example, a laser range finder or an ultrasonic range finder.

In the present embodiment, four position detecting portions 40 are provided in the support portion main body 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position detecting unit 40 is provided on the lower side than the mounting surface S in the support portion 21, and corresponds to each The area between the belt portions 23 relative to each other. In other words, any of the position detecting units 40 is provided in a field on one side of the tire axis OT direction.

Further, in the case of the tire axis OT direction, the four position detecting portions 40 are provided inside the outline (outer diameter) of the tire T, and correspond to a region outside the outer diameter of the wheel frame R. That is, the laser light and the ultrasonic wave emitted from the position detecting portion 40 are not in contact with the wheel frame R, but are irradiated only on the surface (mainly the side wall) of the tire T. In particular, each of the position detecting portions 40 irradiates the surface of the tire T with laser light and ultrasonic waves from about vertically downward. These points on the surface of the tire T to which the laser light and the ultrasonic wave are irradiated are each referred to as a detection point P. That is, in the present embodiment, four detection points P are set in a manner corresponding to the four position detecting sections 40.

Further, as described above, the separation distance between the pair of belt portions 23 in the support portion 21 can be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the size of the tire T and the wheel frame R. According to this configuration, the tire T of any size can correspond to the position of the position detecting portion 40 for the wheel frame R (i.e., the inner side of the outer diameter of the tire T, which corresponds to the outer side of the outer diameter of the wheel frame R). position).

The position detecting unit 40 configured as described above is a separation in the vertical direction from the position detecting unit 40 itself to the surface of the tire T in the raising and lowering operation of the supporting portion 21 by the above-described lifting unit 50. The distance L (location information L) is detected continuously or intermittently. In other words, in the state in which the tire T is placed on the support portion 21 (on the mounting surface S), the separation distance detected by the position detecting unit 40 is L1 which is an initial value (Fig. 7A, etc.) Reference).

On the other hand, when the displacement of the tire T in the vertical direction is caused by an external force or the like, that is, when the tire T is moved upward from the mounting surface S, the position detecting unit 40 is detected. The separation distance L is gradually increased from the initial value L1 described above. This position information L is input as an electrical signal to the posture detecting unit 60 (described later) at any time.

(Position detection unit 60)

The posture detecting unit 60 detects a change in the posture of the tire T based on a change in the separation distance L of each of the detection points P detected by the position detecting unit 40, and determines a normal and abnormal posture of the posture. More specifically, the posture detecting unit 60 of the present embodiment includes a difference calculating unit 61 and a determining unit 62.

The difference calculation unit 61 calculates a difference (change) between the separation distances L of the respective detection points P before and after the relative movement of the tire T and the wheel frame R which are lowered by the support portion 21 . The determination unit 62 determines the normal/abnormality of the posture of the tire T based on the difference.

The detailed operation of the posture detecting unit 60 and the operation of the tire inspection device 10 will be described. First, the case where the tire T is in a normal posture will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7A.

In the third drawing, the state in which the tire T is carried into the support portion 21 (the mounting surface S) by the loading unit 1 is shown. In this state, the upper main shaft 31 and the lower main shaft 32 are in a state in which the tires T on the support portion 21 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Further, the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR are on the same line with each other.

The first lower wheel frame BR is the tire T that is fitted in the above state. Specifically, first, the entire support portion 21 is lowered by the elevation portion 50. That is, the tire T on the support portion 21 starts relative movement with respect to the lower wheel frame BR. At this time, the position of the tire T (the position of the detection point P) detected by the position detecting unit 40 is a change as shown in FIG. 7 (corresponding to the position detecting step in FIG. 8). ). Moreover, in Fig. 3, only two position detecting sections are shown. Further, the position detecting unit 40 on the left side is referred to as a first position detecting unit 40A, and the position detecting unit 40 on the right side of the drawing is referred to as a second position detecting unit 40B.

In the seventh drawing (Fig. 7A to Fig. 7C), the position of the detection point P in the complex position detecting unit 40 is taken as the vertical axis, and the fitting from the tire T and the wheel frame R is started. The time until completion is taken as a graph of the horizontal axis. The time T1 in the horizontal axis indicates the timing at which the tire T (the support portion 21) and the wheel frame R in the normal posture are in contact with each other. The time T2 is a time point at which the fitting of the tire T and the wheel frame R in the normal posture is completed (that is, the lower limit of the position of the tire T during the raising and lowering of the support portion 21).

The tire T is supported on the support portion 21 in an approximately stationary state from the start of the lowering of the support portion 21 to the time T1. Here, when the plurality of detection points P are arranged on the tire T to be core-shaped with respect to the tire axis OT, the position information L in the detection points P all obtain almost the same value L1 from each other. On the other hand, when it is not arranged to be the same core shape with respect to the tire axis OT, the position information L in the detection points P is the shape (curved shape, etc.) of the side wall of the corresponding tire, and each other is obtained before and after the value L1. A slightly different value. (In the example of Figure 7A, the display The change of the position information L in the state of the former).

Next, when the time T1 is reached, the lower wheel frame BR and the tire T abut. As in the example in Fig. 3, in the case where the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR are all on the same line (i.e., the tire T and the eccentricity of the wheel frame R are not generated, or can be ignored), the detection point The position of P is shifted as shown by the solid line diagram from time T1 to time T2 in Fig. 7A. That is, the position information L in the first position detecting unit 40A and the second position detecting unit 40B are monotonously increased with the same inclination.

In other words, when the eccentricity is not generated between the tire T and the wheel frame R (the lower wheel frame BR), the lower wheel frame BR is smoothly fitted to the bead hem portion Tb after coming into contact with the tire T. The lower wheel frame BR is in contact with the tire T until the fitting is completed, and the tire T is maintained at a level on the support portion 21 (on the mounting surface S). Therefore, the change in the positional information L in each of the detection points P of the tire T is approximately equal to each other.

The difference (change) of the position information L in each of the detection points P is calculated by the above-described difference calculation unit 61 (difference calculation step). More specifically, the difference calculation unit 61 calculates the difference (L2-L1) between the position information L2 of each detection point P at the time T2 and the position information L1 of each detection point P at the time O~T1. That is, when the eccentricity is not generated between the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR, at the time point when the fitting of the wheel frame R and the tire T is completed (time T2), the difference is approximately equal to each other.

The above-described difference calculated by the difference calculation unit 61 is then input to the determination unit 62. In the determination unit 62, it is performed: it is determined in advance The comparison between the reference value and the difference value described above. When the difference amount of the position information L of each of the detection points P is smaller than the reference value, the determination unit 62 determines that the posture of the tire T is normal, and generates a normal signal as the posture information. Based on this normal signal, the operation of the tire inspection device 10 is continued.

As described above, the processes of the tire inspecting device 10 and the tire posture detecting method in the case where the tire T and the wheel frame R are coaxial are completed.

On the other hand, when the tire inspection device 10 is continuously operated for a long period of time, as shown in Fig. 5, the tire T placed on the support portion 21 is assumed to be caused by external factors such as vibration and sliding. The condition of the wheel frame R eccentric. In more detail, the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR are assumed to be not in line with each other. When the lower wheel frame BR and the upper wheel frame UR are fitted to the tire T in a state in which the eccentricity is generated, for example, the bead crimping portion Tb of the tire T straddles the lower wheel frame BR. Thereby, the inclination to the horizontal plane occurs in the tire T. Further, in the case where the upper wheel frame UR is to be fitted, the tire T may be held between the lower wheel frame BR and the upper wheel frame UR, which may affect the tire quality.

In order to avoid the occurrence of the above-described event, in the tire inspection device 10 of the present embodiment, the position detecting unit 40 and the posture detecting unit 60 detect the position in the vertical direction of the tire T (detection point P). And the presence or absence of the tilt according to this (change in posture).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the tire T is inserted into the lower wheel frame BR, the position in the vertical direction of one of the detection points P is located above the other detection point P. (in Figure 6 only There are two detection points P shown, but in fact four detection points P are displaced to different positions from each other).

In the above state, the position of the detection point P detected by the position detecting unit 40 is changed as shown in the solid line diagrams of FIGS. 7B and 7C. Further, in each of the graphs of FIGS. 7B and 7C, the change of the position information L in the first position detecting unit 40A and the second position detecting unit 40B described above is displayed. In other words, in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the tire axis OT is in a state of being deviated toward the first position detecting portion 40A side with respect to the wheel frame axis OR. Hereinafter, changes in the two detection points P corresponding to the two position detecting units will be representatively described.

In the above state, first, the bead bead portion Tb on the first position detecting portion 40A side is in contact with the wheel frame R (lower wheel frame BR). Next, the bead crimping portion Tb is inserted into the lower wheel frame BR as the support portion 21 is lowered.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the position information L detected by the first position detecting portion 40A is increased toward the time before the arrival time T1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7C, the position information L detected by the second position detecting portion 40B is changed toward the transition after the time T1.

Therefore, at the time point when the time T2 is reached, the position information in the detection point P corresponding to the first position detecting unit 40A becomes L3. This value L3 is a value (L3>L2) larger than L2 (refer to FIG. 7A) in the normal state described above. On the other hand, the position information in the detection point P corresponding to the second position detecting unit 40B is L4. This value is L4, It is a value smaller than the value L2 (L4 < L2).

The difference calculation unit 61 calculates the difference based on the above-described respective values (values L1, L3, and L4 as the position information L). More specifically, the difference (L3-L1) of the position information L in the first position detecting unit 40A and the difference (L4-L1) of the position information L in the second position detecting unit 40B are separately calculated.

The above-described difference calculated by the difference calculation unit 61 is then input to the determination unit 62. The determination unit 62 performs comparison of the predetermined reference value and the difference value. When the difference of the position information L of each of the detection points P is smaller than the above-described reference value, the determination unit 62 determines that the posture of the tire T is normal. Specifically, when the values of L3-L1 and L4-L1 described above and the reference values are compared, and any of the values is smaller than the reference value, it is determined that the posture of the tire T is normal.

On the other hand, when at least one of the differences (at least one difference in the case where four position detecting units 40 are provided) is larger than the reference value, the determination unit 62 determines In order to generate a tilt on the tire T, an abnormal signal is generated as the posture information. The abnormality signal is notified to the operator through an interface (not shown), an alarm, or the like, similarly to the above-described normal signal. The operator who has detected the abnormality signal stops the tire inspection device 10 and removes the tire T that has entered an abnormal posture, or resets the posture to a normal posture. Further, when the above-described reference value is determined, even if the difference value exceeds the reference value, it is preferable to select a value that can be stopped at a height at which the fitting of the upper wheel frame UR toward the tire T is not completed.

As described above, the processes of the tire inspection device 10 and the tire posture detecting method in the case where the eccentricity occurs between the tire T and the wheel frame R are completed.

As described above, according to the tire inspection device 10 and the tire posture detecting method of the present embodiment, the position detecting unit 40 is generated by the lifting unit 50 from the field provided on one side of the center axis direction of the tire T. When the tire T and the wheel frame R are relatively moved, the position information L of the tire T in the vertical direction can be detected with high precision. In addition, the position detecting unit 40 can detect the position information L during the relative movement of the tire T and the wheel frame R from the detected position information L in the non-contact state of the detection point P of the tire T. .

Further, according to the above configuration, the position detecting unit 40 is provided inside the outer periphery of the tire T and corresponds to a region outside the outer periphery of the wheel frame R. Further, the position information L of the detection point P on the side wall of the tire T is detected by the position detecting unit 40 based on the position. Thereby, the position detecting portion 40 can detect the change in the position of the tire T in the vertical direction with higher accuracy.

Further, according to the above-described apparatus and method, the wheel frame R is fitted to the tire T by the relative movement of the tire T on the wheel frame R and the support portion 21, in the tire T for the position detecting portion 40. The displacement (differential) in the position will occur. The difference calculation unit 61 calculates the difference of the position information L for each of the at least three detection points P before and after the relative movement. This difference and the reference value are compared in the determination unit 62. The difference of the position information L of each detection point P is smaller than the reference value, and each detection point P can be determined. (that is, the surface of the tire T) is approximately equidistant for each position detecting portion 40. Thereby, the determination unit 62 determines that the normal signal is generated as the posture information of the tire T without causing the inclination in the tire T.

On the other hand, the above-described difference is larger than the reference value, and when the wheel frame R and the tire T are fitted, it is determined that the tire T is tilted or the like. Thereby, the determination unit 62 determines that the tire T is in an abnormal posture, and generates an abnormal signal as the posture information of the tire T.

Therefore, if the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR are deviated on the support portion 21, an abnormal signal is generated by detecting the inclination of the tire T which occurs due to the cause of the deviation. By this abnormal signal, it is possible to promote the operator's coping with the stop of the tire inspection device 10, the reupling of the posture of the tire T, or the removal of the tire T. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the tire T and the wheel frame R are fitted unsuitably.

Hereinabove, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, various changes may be added to the above-described configuration or method without departing from the essence of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the change in the position of the four detection points P in the surface of the tire T is detected by providing the four position detecting sections 40. However, in order to detect the inclination of the tire T to the support portion 21 (the mounting surface S), it is sufficient to detect the position in at least three detection points P. In other words, the position detecting unit 40 may be provided in three configurations.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the tire is detected by focusing on the difference of the position information L of the detection point P of the corresponding position detecting portion 40. The posture of T changes. However, it is also possible to detect the change in the posture of the tire T in accordance with the time change rate of the position information L (that is, the inclination of the straight line in each graph of Fig. 7). In other words, in the difference calculation unit and the difference calculation step described above, the rate of change of the change in the position information L in each of the graphs shown in FIG. 7 is calculated, and in the subsequent determination unit and determination step, this is performed. It is also possible to detect the change in the posture of the tire T by comparing the rate of change with a predetermined reference value. According to this configuration, when it is detected that the rate of change of the position information L in at least one of the detection points P exceeds the reference value, it can be determined that the tire T is in an abnormal posture.

Further, in the above embodiment, the position detecting portion 40 is provided in a part of the support portion 21. However, the aspect of the position detecting unit 40 is not limited thereto, and for example, the position detecting unit 40 may be provided on the upper main shaft 31. In this configuration, the change in the posture of the tire T can be detected based on the separation distance between the tire T and the position detecting portion 40.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the tire inspecting device 10 is a lower wheel frame BR in which the tire T is fitted to the lower main shaft 32 by the support portion 21 being lowered. However, the aspect of the tire inspection device 10 is not limited to this. For example, the support portion 21 is fixedly supported by a certain height, and the tire T and the wheel frame R may be fitted by raising and lowering the lower main shaft 32. In this configuration, similarly to the above, the change in the posture of the tire T can be detected based on the separation distance between the tire T and the position detecting portion 40.

Further, in the above embodiment, the support portion 21 is exemplified by a belt conveyor belt. However, the aspect of the support portion 21 is not limited to the skin. With conveyor belt. For example, the support portion 21 may be applied to a plurality of rollers arranged in the conveyance direction. More specifically, these plural rollers are supported on a horizontal surface that is rotatably supported around the respective rotation axes and intersects with the conveyance direction. In this configuration, the tire T can also be carried on the roller. It is important that any device can be used as the support portion 21 when the tire T can be stably supported while being supported from below.

[Second embodiment]

Next, the tire inspection device 10 and the tire posture detection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 . The same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the tire inspection device 10 of the present embodiment, the position detecting portion 40 is fixed to a position separated from the support portion 21. Specifically, in the example of Fig. 9, the position detecting unit 40 is disposed on the ground level. Further, the position detecting unit is not necessarily disposed on the ground, and is important to be fixed to a position independent of the support portion 21, and includes a base frame (not shown) including the tire inspection device 10, and the like. Location is OK.

In the case of the configuration described above, the distance (position information L) between the position detecting unit 40 and the detection point P of the tire T gradually decreases as the support portion 21 moves up and down. In other words, when the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR are all on the same line, as shown in FIG. 12A, the time T1 until the tire T and the lower wheel frame BR abut, The position information L (separation distance L) of each detection point P is continuously decreased from the initial value L0. After the time T1 has elapsed, since the tire T is held on the lower wheel frame BR, the position information L is a value L1' which is approximately constant.

On the other hand, when the tire axis OT and the wheel frame axis OR are not on the same straight line (when the tire T and the lower wheel frame BR are eccentric), as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the tire T is a cross. Enter the lower wheel frame BR.

At this time, an example of the vertical position of each detection point P changes as shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C. First, the bead bead portion Tb on the first position detecting portion 40A side is in contact with the wheel frame R (lower wheel frame BR). Next, the bead crimping portion Tb is inserted into the lower wheel frame BR as the support portion 21 is lowered. At this time, as shown in Fig. 12B, the position information L detected by the first position detecting unit 40A becomes a constant value L2' before the arrival time T1. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12C, the position information L detected by the second position detecting unit 40B is a constant value L3' after the elapse of time T1.

Therefore, in the time point when the time T2 is reached (the time point when the support portion 21 falls to the lowest limit), the value of the position information L in the detection point P corresponding to the first position detecting portion 40A becomes L2', corresponding to the second The value of the position information L in the detection point P of the position detecting unit 40B is L3'. The value L2' is a value (L2' > L1') which is larger than L1' (refer to Fig. 12A) in the normal state described above. On the other hand, the value L3' is a value smaller than the value L1' (L3' < L1').

The difference calculation unit 61 calculates the difference based on the above-described respective values (values L0, L2', and L3' as the position information L). In more detail, the difference (L2'-L0) of the position information L in the first position detecting unit 40A and the difference (L3'-L0) of the position information L in the second position detecting unit 40B are individually Calculated.

The above-described difference calculated by the difference calculation unit 61 is then input to the determination unit 62. The determination unit 62 performs comparison of the predetermined reference value and the difference value. As described above, when the difference amount of the position information L of each of the detection points P is smaller than the reference value, the determination unit 62 determines that the posture of the tire T is normal. Specifically, when the values of L2'-L0 and L3'-L0 described above and the reference values are compared, and any of the values is smaller than the reference value, it is determined that the posture of the tire T is normal.

On the other hand, when at least one of the differences (at least one difference in the case where four position detecting units 40 are provided) is larger than the reference value, the determination unit 62 determines In order to generate a tilt on the tire T, an abnormal signal is generated as the posture information. The abnormality signal is notified to the operator through an interface (not shown), an alarm, or the like, similarly to the above-described normal signal. The operator who has detected the abnormality signal stops the tire inspection device 10 and removes the tire T that has entered an abnormal posture, or resets the posture to a normal posture.

As described above, the processes of the tire inspection device 10 and the tire posture detecting method in the case where the eccentricity occurs between the tire T and the wheel frame R are completed.

As described above, in the tire inspection device 10 of the present embodiment, since the position detecting portion 40 is fixed at a position separated from the support portion 21, the lifting and lowering of the support portion 21 (that is, when the tire T and the wheel frame R are relatively moved) The position of the detection point P in the surface of the tire T may change at any time. The difference calculation unit 61 calculates a difference (change) of the position information L. In the determination unit 62, the posture of the tire T can be determined based on the difference between the wheel frame R and the tire T before and after the relative movement. Specifically, the difference of the position information L of each of the detection points P is equal to each other, and the determination unit 62 determines that the tire T is in a normal posture and generates a normal signal as posture information.

On the other hand, the difference in the position information L of each of the detection points P is not equal to each other, and when the wheel frame R and the tire T are fitted, it is determined that the tire T is tilted or the like. Thereby, the determination unit 62 determines that the tire T is in an abnormal posture, and generates an abnormal signal as the posture information of the tire T. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the tire T and the wheel frame R are fitted unsuitably.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the position detecting unit 40 is fixed to the ground (the area below the tire T) or an example of a base frame not shown. However, the position of the position detecting unit 40 is not limited to the above, and for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the position detecting unit 40 is fixedly supported in a field above the support portion 21. In this case, each of the detection points P is set on the side wall of the upper side of the tire T. In this configuration, the posture of the tire T can be discriminated based on the difference in the positions of the respective detection points P.

Further, in the above embodiment, one of the examples is An apparatus and method for detecting a change in posture of the tire T in the tire inspection device 10 are clarified. However, it is possible to replace the tire inspection device 10, such as a PCI (post-vulcanization inflator, Post Cure Inflator) of a tire vulcanizer, or the like, or a device having a structure in which the tire T is fitted in the vertical direction from the wheel frame R. Any method of the method can also be applied.

[Industrial availability]

The above-described tire inspection device 10 and tire posture detecting method can be applied to quality inspection in the manufacturing process of the tire T or the like.

P‧‧‧Detection point

S‧‧‧ mounting surface

2‧‧‧Inspection Department

10‧‧‧ Tire inspection device

21‧‧‧Support

23‧‧‧Belt Department

40‧‧‧Location Detection Department

60‧‧‧Position Detection Department

61‧‧‧Differential calculation department

62‧‧‧Discrimination Department

T‧‧‧ tires

R‧‧‧wheel frame

Claims (5)

A tire inspection device including: a support portion that supports the tire from below in a center axis of the tire; and a lifting portion that displaces the support portion in a vertical direction; and a lower wheel frame that is disposed By lowering the support portion by the lifting portion, the tire supported by the support portion is fitted from above, and is integrally provided on the support portion, and the tire faces downward when the support portion is lowered. The position of the vertical direction of the surface, the position detecting portion detected by at least three detecting points; and the posture detecting portion for detecting the posture information of the tire based on the position information detected by the position detecting portion. The tire inspection device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the position detecting unit is in a state of being in contact with the detection point by a field provided on one side of the tire in the central axis direction. The above location information is detected. The tire inspection device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the position detecting portion is provided inside the outer periphery of the tire as seen from a vertical direction, and corresponds to an outer circumference of the lower wheel frame. The outer edge of the edge, the detection point is located in the aforementioned tire toward the central axis The direction of the face is also on the side wall. The tire inspection device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the posture detecting unit includes: calculating a difference between the position information of each of the detection points before and after the relative movement of the tire and the lower wheel frame And a difference calculation unit that compares the difference between the detection points and a predetermined reference value, and when the difference is smaller than the reference value, it is determined that the tire is in a normal posture and generates the posture information. When the difference is greater than the reference value, the normal signal is determined to be that the tire is in an abnormal posture and a determination unit that generates the abnormality signal as the posture information is generated. A tire posture detecting method is a tire posture detecting method of a tire inspection device having a member in which a central portion of a tire is supported in a vertical direction from a support portion of the tire from below; and the support portion is oriented toward a lifting portion that is displaced in the vertical direction; and a lower wheel frame that is disposed such that the tire supported by the supporting portion is fitted from above by lowering the supporting portion by the lifting portion; and is integrally provided In the support portion, when the support portion is lowered, a position of a vertical direction of the downward facing surface of the tire, a position detecting portion detected by at least three detection points; and a detection by the position detecting portion Location information to detect the aforementioned tires The posture detecting unit of the posture information includes: a separation distance between the tire and the position detecting unit in the relative movement, by detecting at least three detection points on the tire a step of detecting a plurality of position information; and calculating, respectively, a difference between the plurality of position information before and after the relative movement at each of the detection points; and determining the difference between the detection points and the predetermined When the difference is smaller than the reference value, the difference is determined as the case where the tire is in a normal posture and the difference is larger than the reference value, and the tire is determined to be in an abnormal posture.