WO2017105220A1 - Joining apparatus and method for joining tire components - Google Patents

Joining apparatus and method for joining tire components Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017105220A1
WO2017105220A1 PCT/NL2016/050818 NL2016050818W WO2017105220A1 WO 2017105220 A1 WO2017105220 A1 WO 2017105220A1 NL 2016050818 W NL2016050818 W NL 2016050818W WO 2017105220 A1 WO2017105220 A1 WO 2017105220A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rocking
joining
rocking member
plane
joining apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2016/050818
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gerardus Johannes Catharina Van Laar
Gerrit Roy NIJLAND
Original Assignee
Vmi Holland B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vmi Holland B.V. filed Critical Vmi Holland B.V.
Priority to BR112017015221A priority Critical patent/BR112017015221A2/en
Priority to RU2017132455A priority patent/RU2648925C1/en
Priority to JP2017531402A priority patent/JP2018502741A/en
Publication of WO2017105220A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017105220A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/38—Textile inserts, e.g. cord or canvas layers, for tyres; Treatment of inserts prior to building the tyre
    • B29D30/42—Endless textile bands without bead-rings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D3/00—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor
    • B26D3/003—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor specially adapted for cutting rubber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7841—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/116—Single bevelled joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being bevelled in the joint area
    • B29C66/1162—Single bevel to bevel joints, e.g. mitre joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/14—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections the joint having the same thickness as the thickness of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/345—Progressively making the joint, e.g. starting from the middle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/49—Internally supporting the, e.g. tubular, article during joining
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/737—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7375—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined uncured, partially cured or fully cured
    • B29C66/73751—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined uncured, partially cured or fully cured the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being uncured, i.e. non cross-linked, non vulcanized
    • B29C66/73752—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined uncured, partially cured or fully cured the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being uncured, i.e. non cross-linked, non vulcanized the to-be-joined areas of both parts to be joined being uncured
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81415—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81421—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being convex or concave
    • B29C66/81422—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being convex or concave being convex
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
    • B29C66/82263—Follower pin or roller cooperating with a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/836—Moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined, e.g. transversely to the displacement of the parts to be joined, e.g. using a X-Y table
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/56—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits
    • B29C65/62—Stitching
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/721—Fibre-reinforced materials
    • B29C66/7214—Fibre-reinforced materials characterised by the length of the fibres
    • B29C66/72141—Fibres of continuous length

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a joining apparatus for joining tire components.
  • WO 2012/099458 Al discloses a stitcher for connecting strips of rubber material into a substantially continuous strip.
  • the stitcher comprises a stitching head with stitching rollers. The strips are pressed against each other and the stitching rollers are moved over the stitch so that the strips will start to form one unity.
  • a drawback of the known stitcher is that the rubber material of the strip tends to bulge ahead of the rollers which may adversely affect the consistency of the stitching.
  • US 3,933,565 A discloses an alternative apparatus for butt connecting rubberized steel cord plies by pneumatically moving an upper contact beam onto a lower contact beam to simultaneously contact the plies across the entire width of the plies.
  • a drawback of this alternative apparatus is that its upper contact beam may bend between the pneumatic cylinders. Furthermore, the pressure is substantially constant along the contact beams. Finally, unevenness in the plies may cause that some parts of the plies are joined while other parts are not joined or joined to a lesser extent.
  • the invention provides a joining apparatus for joining tire components on a support member, wherein the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components along a joining line, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a first rocking member that is movable in a rocking plane along the joining line to press the tire components together in cooperation with support member, wherein the first rocking member comprises an arcuate pressing body with a convex contact surface that is arranged to face towards the support member, wherein the convex contact surface has a radius that defines a rotation center for the first rocking member, wherein said rotation center is located outside the first rocking member, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to move in a rocking motion in the rocking plane about said rotation center.
  • the rotation center As the rotation center is located outside of the first rocking member, the location of the rotation center is not restricted to the physical extents of the first rocking member. Hence, the rotation center can be a virtual rotation center that can be chosen to be considerably more distant than a physically restricted rotation center. This allows for the radius of the convex contact surface to be increased considerably with respect to prior art stitching rollers. A larger radius can considerably reduce the amount of force that is transmitted by the rocking member along the joining line. In particular, a relatively large radius ensures that the contact force that is directed onto the tire components during the joining can be exerted in a direction normal to or substantially normal to the joining line. As a result, bulging of the material of the tire components ahead of the rocking member in the rocking motion can be reduced or even prevented.
  • the arcuate shape of the arcuate pressing body can prevent bending of the rocking member as a result of the joining.
  • a contact force can be exerted onto the tire components in a local contact point, which allows for accurate control of the contact force that is being applied to the tire components along the joining line.
  • the convex contact surface has a length that is less than two radians with respect to said radius.
  • the length of the convex contact surface is less than one radian with respect to said radius. The small length of the convex contact surface with respect to the overall virtual circumference allows for a compact rocking member with a relatively large radius.
  • the joining apparatus comprises a rocking guide for guiding the rocking motion of the first rocking member with respect to the base.
  • the rocking guide can improve the stability and repeatability of the rocking motion.
  • the rocking guide can further prevent movement of the rocking member in a plane other than the rocking plane.
  • the first rocking member comprises a first coupling element, wherein the rocking guide is provided with a first arcuate guide element for receiving and guiding the first coupling element relative to the base along a first cycloid path followed by the first coupling element during the rocking motion of the first rocking member.
  • the first rocking member comprises a second coupling element, wherein the rocking guide is provided with a second arcuate guide element for receiving and guiding the second coupling element relative to the base along a second cycloid path followed by the second coupling element during the rocking motion of the first rocking member.
  • first coupling element and the second coupling element are mutually spaced apart, preferably at opposite ends of the first rocking member in the direction of the rocking motion.
  • the spacing between the coupling elements can further improve the stability of the rocking motion.
  • the arcuate pressing body is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about the center between the first coupling element and the second coupling element.
  • the rocking member can thus be moved symmetrically in the rocking motion between the coupling elements and their respective arcuate guide elements.
  • the joining apparatus is provided with an actuator for driving the rocking motion of the first rocking member with respect to the base.
  • the rocking motion can thus be actively driven and/or controlled, instead of e.g. a manual actuation.
  • the actuator is coupled to the first rocking member at a distance radially spaced apart from the rotation center of the first rocking member.
  • the actuator can thus be placed in a decentralized position, e.g. at or near the physical boundaries of rocking member, while the rotation center is located virtually outside said physical boundaries.
  • the rocking motion comprises a rotation of the first rocking member in a rotation direction about the rotation center and a translation of the rotation center in a translation direction parallel to the joining line
  • the actuator comprises a carriage that is movable in a driving direction parallel to the joining line, wherein the carriage is arranged for imposing the rocking motion onto the first rocking member.
  • the carriage can be used to both drive the translation of the rocking member and either impose or allow the rotation of the rocking member.
  • the joining apparatus further comprises a linear guide extending parallel to the joining line, wherein the carriage is movable along the linear guide. A linear movement can be easily controlled and/or actuated, e.g. by a linear actuator.
  • the carriage is arranged to drive the first rocking member at a radius of the convex contact surface that is normal to the joining line.
  • the carriage can exert a force onto the rocking member at or parallel to the contact force at the contact point of the rocking member with the tire components. Hence, it can be ensured that at said contact point, the rocking member is securely pressed against the tire components .
  • first rocking member is movable with respect to the carriage in the rotation direction of the first rocking member.
  • the rocking member can thus be rotated while the rotation center translates, to effectuate the rocking motion.
  • the arcuate pressing body is provided with a concave driving surface opposite to the convex contact surface, wherein the carriage is provided with one or more drive wheels that are arranged to contact and/or run over the concave driving surface.
  • the drive wheels can considerably reduce the resistance between the carriage and the rocking member during the rocking motion.
  • the rocking member is provided with an arcuate drive rail that is mounted to the arcuate pressing body and that is mounted to and concentric to the convex contact surface, wherein the carriage is arranged for slidably receiving and/or engaging the arcuate drive rail.
  • the arcuate drive rail can be placed closer to or at the same radial distance from the rotation center as the arcuate pressing body. The resulting joining apparatus can be more compact.
  • the carriage is provided with one or more drive wheels that are arranged to contact and/or run over the arcuate drive rail.
  • the drive wheels can considerably reduce the resistance between the carriage and the arcuate drive rail during the rocking motion.
  • the joining apparatus is further provided with a first clamp and a second clamp on opposite sides of the first rocking member with respect to the joining line for clamping the tire components against the support member.
  • the clamps can prevent shifting of the tire components during the joining operation.
  • the convex contact surface forms a circular arc.
  • the rocking member can be moved in a rolling motion with the points of the circular arc following a cycloid path.
  • the support member comprises a flat or substantially flat support surface for supporting the tire components in a support plane parallel to the joining line, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to be moved in a rocking motion on the opposite side of the support plane with respect to the support member.
  • the flat support surface can be any support surface, as long as the tire components to be joined are supported by said support surface along the joining line.
  • the support surface can for example be formed by a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a table or a head of a pick and place unit.
  • the rocking plane is normal or substantially normal to the support plane.
  • the rocking member can thus be moved in a rocking motion normal to the support plane.
  • the joining plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal.
  • the first rocking member is positioned above the joining plane when the support member is positioned below the joining plane or below the joining plane when the support member is positioned above the joining plane.
  • the joining apparatus can thus be used both in an upright and an up-side-down or reversed orientation. In the up-side-down orientation, the support member and/or the joining apparatus are preferably provided with retaining means for retaining the tire components against the support member.
  • the support member is formed by the circumferential surface of a drum, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to be moved in rocking motion along the joining line in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the drum.
  • the tire components are supported along a linear or substantially linear joining line. Therefore, the tire components can be joined on the circumferential surface of the drum by the first rocking member along said joining line, in the same way as on a flat support surface.
  • the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components in a joining plane normal to or substantially normal to the rocking plane, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a second rocking member that is located at an opposite side of the joining plane with respect to the first rocking member and that is arranged to operate mirror symmetrically to the first rocking member about said joining plane.
  • the tire components can thus be pressed from opposite sides of the joining plane, thereby increasing the quality of the joining.
  • the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components in a joining plane, wherein the first rocking member is movable in a rocking plane that extends under an oblique angle with respect to the joining plane, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a second rocking member that is located at the same side of the joining plane as the first rocking member, yet at the opposite side of a normal plane that extends normal to the joining plane and parallel to the joining line, wherein the second rocking member is arranged to operate mirror symmetrically to the first rocking member about said normal plane.
  • This embodiment can be particularly effective when there is a small gap between the opposing edges of the tire components.
  • the tire components can be pressed from opposite sides of the normal plane, under opposite oblique angles towards the joining line. As a result, the tire components can be forced towards each other from opposite sides of the joining line to close small gaps in between. This again improves the quality of the joining.
  • the convex contact surfaces of the first rocking member and the second rocking member extend parallel or substantially parallel to the joining plane. This can improve the contact of the rocking members with the tire components despite the oblique orientation of said rocking members.
  • the support member is arranged above the rocking member and wherein the tire components are retained to the support member by magnetic attraction or vacuum suction.
  • the joining apparatus can be used up-side-down.
  • the invention provides method for joining tire components with the use of the aforementioned joining apparatus, wherein the method comprises the steps of positioning a trailing end of a first tire component and a leading end of a second tire component on opposite sides of the joining line, moving the first rocking member with the convex contact surface thereof in a rocking motion along the joining line, pressing the trailing end and the leading end against each other with the convex contact surface between the first rocking member and the support member.
  • the method according to the second aspect of the invention has the same advantages as the aforementioned joining apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention and will not be repeated hereafter.
  • figure 1 shows a front view of a joining apparatus for joining tire components according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • figure 2A shows a side view of the joining apparatus according to figure 1 in an initial position prior to a joining operation
  • FIGS 2B and 2C show side views of the joining apparatus according to figure 2A during subsequent steps of the joining operation
  • figure 3 shows a side view of an alternative joining apparatus for joining tire components according to a second embodiment of the invention
  • figure 4 shows a front view of a further alternative joining apparatus for joining tire components according to a third embodiment of the invention
  • figure 5 shows a front view of the joining apparatus according to figures 1 and 2A-2C in use with the circumferential surface of a drum;
  • figure 6 shows a side view of a further alternative joining apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2A show a joining apparatus 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the joining apparatus 1 is used in a joining operation for stitching, splicing and/or joining the trailing end TE of a first strip or a first tire component 91 to a leading end LE of a second strip or a second tire component 92 along a joining line S.
  • the joining apparatus 1 can thus also be referred to as a stitcher or a splicer, although it operates completely different than any known stitchers and splicers.
  • the tire components 91, 92 can be used to form a variety tire components, such as a body ply or a breaker ply, for building a green or unvulcanised tire.
  • the joining apparatus 1 comprises a support member 2 for supporting the tire components 91, 92 along the joining line S.
  • the support member 2 has a flat or a substantially flat support surface 20, like an anvil, for supporting the tire components 91, 92 in a joining plane X.
  • the support surface 20 preferably extends horizontally or substantially horizontally.
  • the first tire component 91 and the second tire component 92 can be placed onto the joining apparatus 1 by a pick and place unit, a conveyor belt or another suitable conveying device (not shown) .
  • the tire components 91, 92 are positioned in a joining position on the support surface 20 with the leading end LE and the trialing end TE extending along and on opposite sides of the joining line S.
  • the joining apparatus 1 is optionally provided with a first clamp 31 for clamping the first tire component 91 against the support member 2 at or near the trailing end TE and a second clamp 32 for clamping the second tire component 92 against the support member 2 at or near the leading end LE .
  • the clamps 31, 32 can prevent shifting of the tire components 91, 92 with respect to the joining position during the joining operation.
  • the joining apparatus 1 comprises a rocker or a rocking member 4, a rocking guide 5 that is arranged to guide the rocking member 4 in a reciprocating rolling or rocking motion M along the joining line S and a rocking drive 6 that is arranged to drive the rocking member 4 in said rocking motion M.
  • the rocking member 4 is provided with an arcuate pressing body 40 with a first end 41, a second end 42 and a convex pressing or contact surface 43 extending between both ends 41, 42.
  • the curvature or arc of the convex contact surface 43 forms or follows a segment of a virtual circle.
  • the convex contact surface 43 has constant radii Rl, R2 between the ends 41, 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40 and a rotation center C at the origin of said radii Rl, R2.
  • the rotation center C is located outside of the rocking member 4 and thus can be considered to be virtual.
  • the radii Rl, R2 are considerably larger, preferably at least a factor of five and most preferably at least a factor of ten, than the radius of a conventional stitching roller.
  • the curvature or arc of convex contact surface 43 can be a segment of an almost circular ellipsoid or a segment of another curvature that closely matches a segment of a circle, in which case the convex contact surface has at least two points with radii Rl, R2 that intersect in a rotation center C.
  • An ellipsoid segment has varying radii along the length of the segment, which can be used to exert a slightly varying contact force F on the tire components 91, 92 when the arcuate pressing body 40 runs along the joining line S.
  • both the arcuate pressing body 40 of the rocking member 4 and the rotation center C extend in a rocking plane W.
  • the rocking plane W extends perpendicular or normal to the joining plane X.
  • the rocking member 4 is arranged to move in the reciprocating rocking motion M in said rocking plane W.
  • the rocking plane W is vertical or substantially vertical.
  • the joining plane X and/or the joining line S extend horizontally or substantially horizontally.
  • the convex contact surface 43 is arranged to contact the tire components 91, 92 at a contact point P that travels along the joining line S when the rocking member 4 is moved in the rocking motion M about the rocking center C.
  • the convex contact surface 43 has a length L between the ends 41, 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40 that is sufficiently long for the contact point P to travel along the entire width of the tire components 91, 92 in a single stroke of the rocking motion M.
  • the length L is preferably less than two radians, and preferably less than one radian with respect to the radii Rl, R2.
  • the convex contact surface 43 of the arcuate pressing body 40 is arranged to exert a contact force F onto the tire components 91, 92 at the contact point P. Because of the very large radii Rl, R2 and the relatively small length L of the arcuate pressing body 40 with respect to said very large radii Rl, R2, the contact force F is directed onto the tire components 91, 92 perpendicular, normal to or substantially normal to the joining plane X, thereby preventing bulging of the material of the tire components 91, 92 as a result of the rocking motion M.
  • the arcuate pressing body 40 of the rocking member 4 does not extend up to or intersect with the rotation center C of the convex contact surface 43.
  • the rotation center C is located outside of the physical boundaries of the rocking member 4.
  • the rocking member 4 is provided with a concave driving surface 44 facing in the opposite direction with respect to the convex contact surface 43.
  • the convex contact surface 43 and the concave driving surface 44 are preferably spaced apart over a constant spacing distance between the first end 41 and the second end 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40.
  • the contour of the rocking member 4 in the side view of figure 2A resembles a segment of an annulus or ring .
  • the rocking member 4 is provided with a first coupling element 45 at the first end 41 of the arcuate pressing body 40 and a second coupling element 46 at the second end 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40 for coupling the rocking member 4 to the rocking guide 5.
  • the first coupling element 45 and the second coupling element 46 are formed by guide rollers that interact with the rocking guide 5 in a manner that will be described in more detail hereafter.
  • the coupling elements 45, 46 limit the range of the reciprocating rocking motion M. It can be observed that the convex contact surface 43 is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about the center between the two coupling elements 45, 46. Hence, between the limits of the coupling elements 45, 46, the rocking motion M is the same or substantially the same in both directions of reciprocation .
  • the rocking guide 5 comprises a base 50 for holding the rocking member 4 at an opposite side of the joining plane X with respect to the support member 2.
  • the rocking guide 5 is provided with a first guide element 51 and a second guide element 52 for guiding the first coupling element 45 and the second coupling element 46, respectively, with respect to said base 50.
  • the first guide element 51 and the second guide element 52 are formed by guide slots that are arranged for receiving, engaging and/or guiding the first coupling element 45 and the second coupling element 46, respectively.
  • the first guide element 51 and the second guide element 52 are slightly arcuate.
  • first guide element 51 and the second guide element 52 extend along a first cycloid path A and a second cycloid path B, respectively.
  • the first cycloid path A matches the trajectory that is travelled by the first coupling element 45 as a result of the rocking motion M of the rocking member 4 about the rotation center C relative to the rocking guide 5.
  • the second cycloid path B matches the trajectory that is travelled by the second coupling element 46 as a result of the rocking motion M of the rocking member 4 about the rotation center C relative to the rocking guide 5.
  • Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show the rocking drive 6 comprising an actuator 60 that is arranged to move or travel linearly in a driving direction D parallel to the joining line S and/or the joining plane X along the concave driving surface 44 of the rocking member 4 to drive the rocking motion M of the rocking member 4.
  • the actuator 60 is coupled to the rocking member 4 at a distance radially spaced apart from the rotation center C of the rocking member 4.
  • the actuator 60 is formed by a carriage 61.
  • the actuator 60 is movable along a linear guide 62, in this example in the form of a timing belt that drives the movement of the actuator 60 in the driving direction D.
  • the linear guide 62 extends parallel to the joining line S and/or the joining plane X.
  • the linear guide 62 is arranged in a fixed position relative to the guide elements 51, 52.
  • the actuator 60 comprises one or more freely rotatable drive wheels 63 that are arranged to contact or abut the concave driving surface 44 and to run over said concave driving surface 44 when the actuator 60 is moved in the driving direction D.
  • Figures 2A and 2C show the rocking member 4 in two extreme or end positions of the rocking motion M.
  • Figure 2B shows the rocking member 4 in a center position between both end positions.
  • the end positions are defined by the freedom of movement of the coupling elements 45, 46 within the boundaries of the guide elements 51, 52.
  • the rocking motion M comprises a combination of a rotation of the rocking member 4 in a rotation direction E about the rotation center C and a translation of the rotation center C in a translation direction T parallel to the joining line S.
  • the rocking member 4 is movable with respect to the rocking drive 6 in the rotation direction E of the rocking member 4.
  • the translation T of the rotation center C is driven by the movement of the rocking drive 6 in the driving direction D. It can be observed that the carriage 61, during the translation T, remains vertically below the rotation center C and continuously presses on the rocking member 4 in a direction that is perpendicular or normal to the cutting line S.
  • rocking drive 6 is arranged to drive the rocking member 4 at a radius of the convex contact surface 43 that is perpendicular or normal to the joining line S.
  • the carriage 61 forces a respective end 41, 42 of the rocking member 4 towards the joining plane X when the rocking drive 6 moves to said respective end 41, 42, thereby imposing the rocking motion M onto the rocking member 4.
  • the circumferential velocity or speed of the rotation E of the rocking member 4 about the rotation center C is substantially equal to speed of the translation T of said rotation center C. This prevents slipping between the rocking member 4 and the tire components 91, 92 and thereby reduces the chances of bulges forming ahead of the rocking member 4.
  • the length L of the convex contact surface 43 is such that the tire components 91, 92 can be fully joined, spliced or stitched across the entire width of the leading end LE and the trailing end TE . Because of the large radii Rl, R2, the joining of the tire components 91, 92 by the rocking member 4 requires only a small angle of rotation E about the rotation center C to affect said rocking motion M. Preferably, the angle of rotation E is less than sixty angular degrees or preferably even less than thirty angular degrees .
  • the convex contact surface 43 of the rocking member 4 exerts a pressing force or contact force F onto the tire components 91, 92 at the contact point P.
  • the angle of this contact force F is normal or substantially normal to the joining plane X. In any event, the angle is considerably closer to a normal orientation than the angle of the contact force between a convention stitching roller and the tire component.
  • the contact force F exerted on the tire components 91, 92 during the joining are thus mainly directed normal to the joining plane X, thereby preventing any substantial forces in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to said joining plane X.
  • the convex contact surface 43 of the rocking member 4 cooperates with the support surface 20 of the support member 2 to press and join the tire components 91, 92 along the joining line S.
  • FIG. 3 shows an alternative joining apparatus 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the alternative joining apparatus 101 is provided with the same rocking member 4, rocking guide 5 and rocking drive 6 as the previously discussed embodiment.
  • the support member 2 of the first embodiment has been replaced by or provided with a further rocking member 104, a further rocking guide 105 and a further rocking drive 106 which function, move and/or operate mirror symmetrically to their respective counterparts about the joining plane X.
  • the further rocking member 104 is made to move simultaneously and/or synchronously with and in a rocking motion M' mirror symmetrical to the rocking motion M of the previously discussed rocking member 4.
  • FIG. 4 shows a further alternative joining apparatus 201 according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the further alternative joining apparatus 201 differs from the previously discussed first embodiment of the invention in that it is provided with a first rocking member 204 and a second rocking member 304 which are positioned on the same side of the joining plane X.
  • the first rocking member 204 and the second rocking member 304 are supported on and guided by a first rocking guide 205 and a second rocking guide 305, respectively.
  • the first rocking member 204 and the second rocking member 304 are arranged to move with respect to their respective rocking guides 205, 305 in synchronized reciprocating rocking motions in a first rocking plane Wl and a second rocking plane W2, respectively, which rocking planes Wl, W2 extend under opposite oblique angles with respect to a normal plane V that extends perpendicular or normal to the joining plane X.
  • each rocking members 204, 304, each rocking guide 205, 305 and each respective rocking drive (not shown) is of the same or substantially the same configuration as the single rocking member 4, the rocking guide 5 and the rocking drive 6, respectively, as shown in figure 2A.
  • the rocking members 204, 304 merely differ from the previously discussed embodiments in that their convex contact surfaces 243, 343 are chamfered or oblique with respect their respective rocking planes Wl, W2 to extend parallel to or match the orientation of the joining plane X upon contact at with the tire components 91, 92 at the contact point P.
  • the clamps 231, 232 in figure 4 are the same or substantially the same as the clamps 31, 32 in figure 1, yet spaced apart to accommodate the two rocking members 204, 304 in-between and movable and/or acting in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the respective rocking plane Wl, W2.
  • the rocking planes Wl, W2 are symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the joining line S.
  • the rocking planes Wl, W2 intersect each other at an intersecting line (not shown) that is parallel to the joining line S.
  • the first rocking member 204 and the second rocking member 304 are placed symmetrically on opposite sides of the joining line S so as to exert a first contact force Fl and a second contact force F2 onto the tire components 91, 92 along the joining line S.
  • the first contact force Fl and the second contact force F2 have a component that is directed in or parallel to the rocking planes Wl, W2 and perpendicular to the joining line S.
  • the tire components 91, 92 are pressed together in a lateral direction Y extending perpendicular to the joining line S and in or parallel to the joining plane X.
  • the oblique orientation of said rocking members 204, 304 causes a pressing of the material of the tire components 91, 92 in the lateral direction Y.
  • the pressing in said lateral direction Y may improve the joining of the tire components 91, 92, in particular when there is a small gap between the leading end LE and the trailing end TE thereof.
  • the rocking members 204, 304 are placed as close as possible to or meet each other on opposite sides of the joining line S to form a continuous or substantially continuous contact surface 243, 343 at or near the contact point P.
  • Figure 5 shows a drum 8 with a circumferential surface 80 for supporting the tire components 91, 92.
  • the drum 8 can form or replace the support member 2 in the first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 shows the rocking member 4 and the rocking guide 5 according to the first embodiment of the invention, in use with said drum 1 for joining the tire components 91, 92 on the circumferential surface 80 of said drum 1.
  • Clamps 331, 332 or other suitable clamping means, such as magnetic elements in the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8, are provided to retain the tire components 91, 92 to the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8.
  • the rocking member 4 is arranged to move in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the drum 8.
  • the joining line S in figures 2A, 2B and 2C extends parallel to the axial direction of the drum 8 and the joining plane X is a virtual plane tangent to the joining line S at or near the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8.
  • This embodiment of the invention demonstrates that the support surface 20 of the support member 2 does not necessarily have to be flat.
  • the rocking member 4 can be used to join the leading end LE and the trailing end TE of a breaker ply on the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8.
  • the rocking member 4 can be moved in a rocking motion M over any support surface, as long as the tire components 91, 92 to be joined are supported by said support surface along the joining line S.
  • Various support surfaces are contemplated, including but not limited to conveyor belts, chain belts, stitching tables, tire building drums, etc.
  • the joining apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention or the further alternative joining apparatus 201 according to the third embodiment of the invention are used up-side-down.
  • the joining apparatuses 1, 201 are mirrored in the joining plane X, such that the support member 2 would be arranged above the rocking member (s) 4, 204, 304.
  • the tire components 91, 92 could be retained to the support member 2 by magnetic attraction or vacuum suction.
  • the support member 2 can form part of a manipulator, e.g.
  • a pick-and-place unit that momentarily moves the tire components 91, 92 into a joining position at the joining line S above the rocking member 4 for joining by said rocking member (s) 4, 204, 304, and subsequently moves the tire components 91, 92 away from the rocking member (s) 4, 204, 304 after the tire components 91, 92 have been joined.
  • Figure 6 shows a further alternative joining apparatus 401 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • the further alternative joining apparatus 401 differs from the previously discussed first embodiment of the invention in that the rocking member 404 is provided with an arcuate drive rail 447 that follows the same arc as and/or is concentric to the convex contact surface 43.
  • the arcuate drive rail 447 is located at and mounted to the rear side of the arcuate pressing body 40 and is therefore only shown in dashed lines in figure 6.
  • the further alternative joining apparatus 401 further differs from the previously discussed first embodiment of the invention in that the rocking drive 6 is replaced by an alternative rocking drive 406 comprising an actuator 460 in the form of a driving shoe or carriage 461.
  • the carriage 461 is provided with drive wheels 463 that enclose and/or engage the arcuate drive rail 447 from opposite sides.
  • the carriage 461 is mounted to a linear guide 462, in particular a timing belt, so as to be driven in the driving direction D along the arcuate drive rail 447.
  • the drive wheels 463 allow the carriage 461 to slide and/or run over the arcuate drive rail 447 in the driving direction D.
  • the carriage 461 is arranged to engage and/or force the respective end 41, 42 of the rocking member 404 towards the joining plane X when the rocking drive 406 moves to said respective end 41, 42, thereby imposing the rocking motion M onto the rocking member 404. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this alternative configuration of the rocking member 404 and the rocking drive 406 can be applied to each of the previously discussed embodiments.
  • first tire component 91 and the second tire component 92 can be provided with a trailing end TE and a leading end LE, respectively, which have a shape that is optimized for joining by the joining apparatus 1.
  • leading end LE and the trailing end TE may be provided with chamfered edges so that they can be placed in overlap at the joining line S.
  • the leading end LE and the trailing end TE can be provided with some excess rubber material along the joining line S to fill any gaps between the leading end LE and the trailing end TE during the joining operation.
  • leading end LE and the trailing end TE as shown are joined in the same joining plane X.
  • one of the tire components 91, 92 can be placed in a slightly overlapping configuration with the other of the tire components 91, 92. This does however not affect the operation of the aforementioned joining apparatuses 1, 101, 201, 401.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Tyre Moulding (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a joining apparatus (1) and a method for joining tire components (91, 92) on a support member (2), wherein the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components along a joining line, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a first rocking member (4) that is movable in a rocking plane along the joining line to press the tire components in cooperation with support member, wherein the first rocking member (4) comprises an arcuate pressing body (40) with a convex contact surface (43) that is arranged to face towards the support member, wherein the convex contact surface (43) has a radius (Rl, R2) that defines a rotation center (C) for the first rocking member (4), wherein said rotation center (C) is located outside the first rocking member (4), wherein the first rocking member (4) is arranged to move in a rocking motion in the rocking plane about said rotation center (C).

Description

Joining apparatus for joining tire components
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a joining apparatus for joining tire components.
WO 2012/099458 Al discloses a stitcher for connecting strips of rubber material into a substantially continuous strip. The stitcher comprises a stitching head with stitching rollers. The strips are pressed against each other and the stitching rollers are moved over the stitch so that the strips will start to form one unity. A drawback of the known stitcher is that the rubber material of the strip tends to bulge ahead of the rollers which may adversely affect the consistency of the stitching.
US 3,933,565 A discloses an alternative apparatus for butt connecting rubberized steel cord plies by pneumatically moving an upper contact beam onto a lower contact beam to simultaneously contact the plies across the entire width of the plies. A drawback of this alternative apparatus is that its upper contact beam may bend between the pneumatic cylinders. Furthermore, the pressure is substantially constant along the contact beams. Finally, unevenness in the plies may cause that some parts of the plies are joined while other parts are not joined or joined to a lesser extent.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a joining apparatus for joining tire components, wherein the quality of the joining of tire components can be improved. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a joining apparatus for joining tire components on a support member, wherein the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components along a joining line, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a first rocking member that is movable in a rocking plane along the joining line to press the tire components together in cooperation with support member, wherein the first rocking member comprises an arcuate pressing body with a convex contact surface that is arranged to face towards the support member, wherein the convex contact surface has a radius that defines a rotation center for the first rocking member, wherein said rotation center is located outside the first rocking member, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to move in a rocking motion in the rocking plane about said rotation center.
As the rotation center is located outside of the first rocking member, the location of the rotation center is not restricted to the physical extents of the first rocking member. Hence, the rotation center can be a virtual rotation center that can be chosen to be considerably more distant than a physically restricted rotation center. This allows for the radius of the convex contact surface to be increased considerably with respect to prior art stitching rollers. A larger radius can considerably reduce the amount of force that is transmitted by the rocking member along the joining line. In particular, a relatively large radius ensures that the contact force that is directed onto the tire components during the joining can be exerted in a direction normal to or substantially normal to the joining line. As a result, bulging of the material of the tire components ahead of the rocking member in the rocking motion can be reduced or even prevented. Furthermore, the arcuate shape of the arcuate pressing body can prevent bending of the rocking member as a result of the joining. Finally, because of the convex contact surface, a contact force can be exerted onto the tire components in a local contact point, which allows for accurate control of the contact force that is being applied to the tire components along the joining line. With the aforementioned advantages, the overall quality of the joining of the tire components can be improved.
In an embodiment the convex contact surface has a length that is less than two radians with respect to said radius. Preferably, the length of the convex contact surface is less than one radian with respect to said radius. The small length of the convex contact surface with respect to the overall virtual circumference allows for a compact rocking member with a relatively large radius.
In an embodiment the joining apparatus comprises a rocking guide for guiding the rocking motion of the first rocking member with respect to the base. The rocking guide can improve the stability and repeatability of the rocking motion. The rocking guide can further prevent movement of the rocking member in a plane other than the rocking plane.
In an embodiment thereof the first rocking member comprises a first coupling element, wherein the rocking guide is provided with a first arcuate guide element for receiving and guiding the first coupling element relative to the base along a first cycloid path followed by the first coupling element during the rocking motion of the first rocking member. In a further embodiment thereof the first rocking member comprises a second coupling element, wherein the rocking guide is provided with a second arcuate guide element for receiving and guiding the second coupling element relative to the base along a second cycloid path followed by the second coupling element during the rocking motion of the first rocking member. The interaction between the coupling elements and their respective arcuate guide elements improves the consistency of the rocking motion along the cycloid paths. Furthermore, the coupling between the coupling elements and the arcuate guide elements prevents that the rocking member shifts in a direction parallel to the joining line.
In a further embodiment thereof the first coupling element and the second coupling element are mutually spaced apart, preferably at opposite ends of the first rocking member in the direction of the rocking motion. The spacing between the coupling elements can further improve the stability of the rocking motion.
Preferably, the arcuate pressing body is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about the center between the first coupling element and the second coupling element. The rocking member can thus be moved symmetrically in the rocking motion between the coupling elements and their respective arcuate guide elements.
In an embodiment the joining apparatus is provided with an actuator for driving the rocking motion of the first rocking member with respect to the base. The rocking motion can thus be actively driven and/or controlled, instead of e.g. a manual actuation.
In an embodiment thereof the actuator is coupled to the first rocking member at a distance radially spaced apart from the rotation center of the first rocking member. The actuator can thus be placed in a decentralized position, e.g. at or near the physical boundaries of rocking member, while the rotation center is located virtually outside said physical boundaries.
In a further embodiment thereof the rocking motion comprises a rotation of the first rocking member in a rotation direction about the rotation center and a translation of the rotation center in a translation direction parallel to the joining line, wherein the actuator comprises a carriage that is movable in a driving direction parallel to the joining line, wherein the carriage is arranged for imposing the rocking motion onto the first rocking member. The carriage can be used to both drive the translation of the rocking member and either impose or allow the rotation of the rocking member. In an embodiment thereof the joining apparatus further comprises a linear guide extending parallel to the joining line, wherein the carriage is movable along the linear guide. A linear movement can be easily controlled and/or actuated, e.g. by a linear actuator.
In a further embodiment thereof the carriage is arranged to drive the first rocking member at a radius of the convex contact surface that is normal to the joining line. Thus, the carriage can exert a force onto the rocking member at or parallel to the contact force at the contact point of the rocking member with the tire components. Hence, it can be ensured that at said contact point, the rocking member is securely pressed against the tire components .
In a further embodiment thereof the first rocking member is movable with respect to the carriage in the rotation direction of the first rocking member. The rocking member can thus be rotated while the rotation center translates, to effectuate the rocking motion.
Preferably, the arcuate pressing body is provided with a concave driving surface opposite to the convex contact surface, wherein the carriage is provided with one or more drive wheels that are arranged to contact and/or run over the concave driving surface. The drive wheels can considerably reduce the resistance between the carriage and the rocking member during the rocking motion.
In an alternative embodiment the rocking member is provided with an arcuate drive rail that is mounted to the arcuate pressing body and that is mounted to and concentric to the convex contact surface, wherein the carriage is arranged for slidably receiving and/or engaging the arcuate drive rail. The arcuate drive rail can be placed closer to or at the same radial distance from the rotation center as the arcuate pressing body. The resulting joining apparatus can be more compact.
In an embodiment thereof the carriage is provided with one or more drive wheels that are arranged to contact and/or run over the arcuate drive rail. The drive wheels can considerably reduce the resistance between the carriage and the arcuate drive rail during the rocking motion.
In an embodiment the joining apparatus is further provided with a first clamp and a second clamp on opposite sides of the first rocking member with respect to the joining line for clamping the tire components against the support member. The clamps can prevent shifting of the tire components during the joining operation.
In an embodiment the convex contact surface forms a circular arc. Hence, the rocking member can be moved in a rolling motion with the points of the circular arc following a cycloid path.
In an exemplary embodiment the support member comprises a flat or substantially flat support surface for supporting the tire components in a support plane parallel to the joining line, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to be moved in a rocking motion on the opposite side of the support plane with respect to the support member. The flat support surface can be any support surface, as long as the tire components to be joined are supported by said support surface along the joining line. The support surface can for example be formed by a belt conveyor, a chain conveyor, a table or a head of a pick and place unit.
In an embodiment thereof the rocking plane is normal or substantially normal to the support plane. The rocking member can thus be moved in a rocking motion normal to the support plane.
In a further embodiment thereof the joining plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal. Preferably, the first rocking member is positioned above the joining plane when the support member is positioned below the joining plane or below the joining plane when the support member is positioned above the joining plane. The joining apparatus can thus be used both in an upright and an up-side-down or reversed orientation. In the up-side-down orientation, the support member and/or the joining apparatus are preferably provided with retaining means for retaining the tire components against the support member.
In an alternative embodiment the support member is formed by the circumferential surface of a drum, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to be moved in rocking motion along the joining line in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the drum. In said axial direction, provided that the diameter of the drum is substantially constant, the tire components are supported along a linear or substantially linear joining line. Therefore, the tire components can be joined on the circumferential surface of the drum by the first rocking member along said joining line, in the same way as on a flat support surface.
In a further alternative embodiment the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components in a joining plane normal to or substantially normal to the rocking plane, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a second rocking member that is located at an opposite side of the joining plane with respect to the first rocking member and that is arranged to operate mirror symmetrically to the first rocking member about said joining plane. The tire components can thus be pressed from opposite sides of the joining plane, thereby increasing the quality of the joining.
In a further alternative embodiment the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components in a joining plane, wherein the first rocking member is movable in a rocking plane that extends under an oblique angle with respect to the joining plane, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a second rocking member that is located at the same side of the joining plane as the first rocking member, yet at the opposite side of a normal plane that extends normal to the joining plane and parallel to the joining line, wherein the second rocking member is arranged to operate mirror symmetrically to the first rocking member about said normal plane. This embodiment can be particularly effective when there is a small gap between the opposing edges of the tire components. The tire components can be pressed from opposite sides of the normal plane, under opposite oblique angles towards the joining line. As a result, the tire components can be forced towards each other from opposite sides of the joining line to close small gaps in between. This again improves the quality of the joining.
In an embodiment thereof the convex contact surfaces of the first rocking member and the second rocking member extend parallel or substantially parallel to the joining plane. This can improve the contact of the rocking members with the tire components despite the oblique orientation of said rocking members.
In a further alternative embodiment the support member is arranged above the rocking member and wherein the tire components are retained to the support member by magnetic attraction or vacuum suction. Hence, the joining apparatus can be used up-side-down.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides method for joining tire components with the use of the aforementioned joining apparatus, wherein the method comprises the steps of positioning a trailing end of a first tire component and a leading end of a second tire component on opposite sides of the joining line, moving the first rocking member with the convex contact surface thereof in a rocking motion along the joining line, pressing the trailing end and the leading end against each other with the convex contact surface between the first rocking member and the support member.
The method according to the second aspect of the invention has the same advantages as the aforementioned joining apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention and will not be repeated hereafter.
The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:
figure 1 shows a front view of a joining apparatus for joining tire components according to a first embodiment of the invention;
figure 2A shows a side view of the joining apparatus according to figure 1 in an initial position prior to a joining operation;
figures 2B and 2C show side views of the joining apparatus according to figure 2A during subsequent steps of the joining operation;
figure 3 shows a side view of an alternative joining apparatus for joining tire components according to a second embodiment of the invention;
figure 4 shows a front view of a further alternative joining apparatus for joining tire components according to a third embodiment of the invention;
figure 5 shows a front view of the joining apparatus according to figures 1 and 2A-2C in use with the circumferential surface of a drum; and
figure 6 shows a side view of a further alternative joining apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 and 2A show a joining apparatus 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The joining apparatus 1 is used in a joining operation for stitching, splicing and/or joining the trailing end TE of a first strip or a first tire component 91 to a leading end LE of a second strip or a second tire component 92 along a joining line S. The joining apparatus 1 can thus also be referred to as a stitcher or a splicer, although it operates completely different than any known stitchers and splicers. The tire components 91, 92 can be used to form a variety tire components, such as a body ply or a breaker ply, for building a green or unvulcanised tire.
As shown in figure 1, the joining apparatus 1 comprises a support member 2 for supporting the tire components 91, 92 along the joining line S. In this exemplary embodiment, the support member 2 has a flat or a substantially flat support surface 20, like an anvil, for supporting the tire components 91, 92 in a joining plane X. The support surface 20 preferably extends horizontally or substantially horizontally. The first tire component 91 and the second tire component 92 can be placed onto the joining apparatus 1 by a pick and place unit, a conveyor belt or another suitable conveying device (not shown) . The tire components 91, 92 are positioned in a joining position on the support surface 20 with the leading end LE and the trialing end TE extending along and on opposite sides of the joining line S.
The joining apparatus 1 is optionally provided with a first clamp 31 for clamping the first tire component 91 against the support member 2 at or near the trailing end TE and a second clamp 32 for clamping the second tire component 92 against the support member 2 at or near the leading end LE . The clamps 31, 32 can prevent shifting of the tire components 91, 92 with respect to the joining position during the joining operation.
As best seen in figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the joining apparatus 1 comprises a rocker or a rocking member 4, a rocking guide 5 that is arranged to guide the rocking member 4 in a reciprocating rolling or rocking motion M along the joining line S and a rocking drive 6 that is arranged to drive the rocking member 4 in said rocking motion M. The rocking member 4 is provided with an arcuate pressing body 40 with a first end 41, a second end 42 and a convex pressing or contact surface 43 extending between both ends 41, 42. In this exemplary embodiment, the curvature or arc of the convex contact surface 43 forms or follows a segment of a virtual circle. The convex contact surface 43 has constant radii Rl, R2 between the ends 41, 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40 and a rotation center C at the origin of said radii Rl, R2. The rotation center C is located outside of the rocking member 4 and thus can be considered to be virtual. The radii Rl, R2 are considerably larger, preferably at least a factor of five and most preferably at least a factor of ten, than the radius of a conventional stitching roller.
Alternatively, the curvature or arc of convex contact surface 43 can be a segment of an almost circular ellipsoid or a segment of another curvature that closely matches a segment of a circle, in which case the convex contact surface has at least two points with radii Rl, R2 that intersect in a rotation center C. An ellipsoid segment has varying radii along the length of the segment, which can be used to exert a slightly varying contact force F on the tire components 91, 92 when the arcuate pressing body 40 runs along the joining line S.
In figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the radii Rl, R2 are schematically shortened by break lines to save space in the drawings and to show the rotation center C within the boundaries of the drawings. The actual rotation center C would be located well outside of the drawings.
As shown in figure 1, both the arcuate pressing body 40 of the rocking member 4 and the rotation center C extend in a rocking plane W. The rocking plane W extends perpendicular or normal to the joining plane X. The rocking member 4 is arranged to move in the reciprocating rocking motion M in said rocking plane W. In this exemplary embodiment, the rocking plane W is vertical or substantially vertical. The joining plane X and/or the joining line S extend horizontally or substantially horizontally.
As shown in figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the convex contact surface 43 is arranged to contact the tire components 91, 92 at a contact point P that travels along the joining line S when the rocking member 4 is moved in the rocking motion M about the rocking center C. The convex contact surface 43 has a length L between the ends 41, 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40 that is sufficiently long for the contact point P to travel along the entire width of the tire components 91, 92 in a single stroke of the rocking motion M. The length L is preferably less than two radians, and preferably less than one radian with respect to the radii Rl, R2. During the joining operation, the convex contact surface 43 of the arcuate pressing body 40 is arranged to exert a contact force F onto the tire components 91, 92 at the contact point P. Because of the very large radii Rl, R2 and the relatively small length L of the arcuate pressing body 40 with respect to said very large radii Rl, R2, the contact force F is directed onto the tire components 91, 92 perpendicular, normal to or substantially normal to the joining plane X, thereby preventing bulging of the material of the tire components 91, 92 as a result of the rocking motion M.
As best seen in figure 2A, the arcuate pressing body 40 of the rocking member 4 does not extend up to or intersect with the rotation center C of the convex contact surface 43. In particular, the rotation center C is located outside of the physical boundaries of the rocking member 4. The rocking member 4 is provided with a concave driving surface 44 facing in the opposite direction with respect to the convex contact surface 43. The convex contact surface 43 and the concave driving surface 44 are preferably spaced apart over a constant spacing distance between the first end 41 and the second end 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40. As a result, the contour of the rocking member 4 in the side view of figure 2A resembles a segment of an annulus or ring .
As further shown in figure 2A, the rocking member 4 is provided with a first coupling element 45 at the first end 41 of the arcuate pressing body 40 and a second coupling element 46 at the second end 42 of the arcuate pressing body 40 for coupling the rocking member 4 to the rocking guide 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the first coupling element 45 and the second coupling element 46 are formed by guide rollers that interact with the rocking guide 5 in a manner that will be described in more detail hereafter. The coupling elements 45, 46 limit the range of the reciprocating rocking motion M. It can be observed that the convex contact surface 43 is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about the center between the two coupling elements 45, 46. Hence, between the limits of the coupling elements 45, 46, the rocking motion M is the same or substantially the same in both directions of reciprocation .
As shown in figure 2A, the rocking guide 5 comprises a base 50 for holding the rocking member 4 at an opposite side of the joining plane X with respect to the support member 2. In the base 50, the rocking guide 5 is provided with a first guide element 51 and a second guide element 52 for guiding the first coupling element 45 and the second coupling element 46, respectively, with respect to said base 50. In this exemplary embodiment, the first guide element 51 and the second guide element 52 are formed by guide slots that are arranged for receiving, engaging and/or guiding the first coupling element 45 and the second coupling element 46, respectively. The first guide element 51 and the second guide element 52 are slightly arcuate. In particular, the first guide element 51 and the second guide element 52 extend along a first cycloid path A and a second cycloid path B, respectively. The first cycloid path A matches the trajectory that is travelled by the first coupling element 45 as a result of the rocking motion M of the rocking member 4 about the rotation center C relative to the rocking guide 5. Similarly, the second cycloid path B matches the trajectory that is travelled by the second coupling element 46 as a result of the rocking motion M of the rocking member 4 about the rotation center C relative to the rocking guide 5.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that alternative coupling elements and guide elements can be used to obtain the same guiding interaction between the rocking guide 5 and the rocking member 4.
Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show the rocking drive 6 comprising an actuator 60 that is arranged to move or travel linearly in a driving direction D parallel to the joining line S and/or the joining plane X along the concave driving surface 44 of the rocking member 4 to drive the rocking motion M of the rocking member 4. The actuator 60 is coupled to the rocking member 4 at a distance radially spaced apart from the rotation center C of the rocking member 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the actuator 60 is formed by a carriage 61. The actuator 60 is movable along a linear guide 62, in this example in the form of a timing belt that drives the movement of the actuator 60 in the driving direction D. The linear guide 62 extends parallel to the joining line S and/or the joining plane X. The linear guide 62 is arranged in a fixed position relative to the guide elements 51, 52. Preferably, the actuator 60 comprises one or more freely rotatable drive wheels 63 that are arranged to contact or abut the concave driving surface 44 and to run over said concave driving surface 44 when the actuator 60 is moved in the driving direction D.
Figures 2A and 2C show the rocking member 4 in two extreme or end positions of the rocking motion M. Figure 2B shows the rocking member 4 in a center position between both end positions. The end positions are defined by the freedom of movement of the coupling elements 45, 46 within the boundaries of the guide elements 51, 52.
The rocking motion M comprises a combination of a rotation of the rocking member 4 in a rotation direction E about the rotation center C and a translation of the rotation center C in a translation direction T parallel to the joining line S. The rocking member 4 is movable with respect to the rocking drive 6 in the rotation direction E of the rocking member 4. The translation T of the rotation center C is driven by the movement of the rocking drive 6 in the driving direction D. It can be observed that the carriage 61, during the translation T, remains vertically below the rotation center C and continuously presses on the rocking member 4 in a direction that is perpendicular or normal to the cutting line S. In other words; rocking drive 6 is arranged to drive the rocking member 4 at a radius of the convex contact surface 43 that is perpendicular or normal to the joining line S. Effectively, the carriage 61 forces a respective end 41, 42 of the rocking member 4 towards the joining plane X when the rocking drive 6 moves to said respective end 41, 42, thereby imposing the rocking motion M onto the rocking member 4. Preferably, the circumferential velocity or speed of the rotation E of the rocking member 4 about the rotation center C is substantially equal to speed of the translation T of said rotation center C. This prevents slipping between the rocking member 4 and the tire components 91, 92 and thereby reduces the chances of bulges forming ahead of the rocking member 4.
The length L of the convex contact surface 43 is such that the tire components 91, 92 can be fully joined, spliced or stitched across the entire width of the leading end LE and the trailing end TE . Because of the large radii Rl, R2, the joining of the tire components 91, 92 by the rocking member 4 requires only a small angle of rotation E about the rotation center C to affect said rocking motion M. Preferably, the angle of rotation E is less than sixty angular degrees or preferably even less than thirty angular degrees .
As schematically shown in figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the convex contact surface 43 of the rocking member 4 exerts a pressing force or contact force F onto the tire components 91, 92 at the contact point P. The angle of this contact force F is normal or substantially normal to the joining plane X. In any event, the angle is considerably closer to a normal orientation than the angle of the contact force between a convention stitching roller and the tire component. The contact force F exerted on the tire components 91, 92 during the joining are thus mainly directed normal to the joining plane X, thereby preventing any substantial forces in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to said joining plane X. Thus, deformation or bulging of the rubber material of the tire components 91, 92 ahead of the contact point P can be prevented. As shown in figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the convex contact surface 43 of the rocking member 4 cooperates with the support surface 20 of the support member 2 to press and join the tire components 91, 92 along the joining line S.
Figure 3 shows an alternative joining apparatus 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The alternative joining apparatus 101 is provided with the same rocking member 4, rocking guide 5 and rocking drive 6 as the previously discussed embodiment. However, the support member 2 of the first embodiment has been replaced by or provided with a further rocking member 104, a further rocking guide 105 and a further rocking drive 106 which function, move and/or operate mirror symmetrically to their respective counterparts about the joining plane X. Essentially, the further rocking member 104 is made to move simultaneously and/or synchronously with and in a rocking motion M' mirror symmetrical to the rocking motion M of the previously discussed rocking member 4. Hence, the tire components 91, 92 are simultaneously contacted by the opposite rocking members 4, 104 in the contact point P. The clamps 31, 32 of the first embodiment of the invention are not applied in this particular embodiment or replaced by other suitable clamping means. Figure 4 shows a further alternative joining apparatus 201 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The further alternative joining apparatus 201 differs from the previously discussed first embodiment of the invention in that it is provided with a first rocking member 204 and a second rocking member 304 which are positioned on the same side of the joining plane X. The first rocking member 204 and the second rocking member 304 are supported on and guided by a first rocking guide 205 and a second rocking guide 305, respectively. The first rocking member 204 and the second rocking member 304 are arranged to move with respect to their respective rocking guides 205, 305 in synchronized reciprocating rocking motions in a first rocking plane Wl and a second rocking plane W2, respectively, which rocking planes Wl, W2 extend under opposite oblique angles with respect to a normal plane V that extends perpendicular or normal to the joining plane X.
Considered in said rocking planes Wl, W2, each rocking members 204, 304, each rocking guide 205, 305 and each respective rocking drive (not shown) is of the same or substantially the same configuration as the single rocking member 4, the rocking guide 5 and the rocking drive 6, respectively, as shown in figure 2A. The rocking members 204, 304 merely differ from the previously discussed embodiments in that their convex contact surfaces 243, 343 are chamfered or oblique with respect their respective rocking planes Wl, W2 to extend parallel to or match the orientation of the joining plane X upon contact at with the tire components 91, 92 at the contact point P. The clamps 231, 232 in figure 4 are the same or substantially the same as the clamps 31, 32 in figure 1, yet spaced apart to accommodate the two rocking members 204, 304 in-between and movable and/or acting in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the respective rocking plane Wl, W2.
The rocking planes Wl, W2 are symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the joining line S. The rocking planes Wl, W2 intersect each other at an intersecting line (not shown) that is parallel to the joining line S. As such, the first rocking member 204 and the second rocking member 304 are placed symmetrically on opposite sides of the joining line S so as to exert a first contact force Fl and a second contact force F2 onto the tire components 91, 92 along the joining line S. In particular, because of the inclined or oblique orientation of the rocking planes Wl, W2, the first contact force Fl and the second contact force F2 have a component that is directed in or parallel to the rocking planes Wl, W2 and perpendicular to the joining line S. Thus, the tire components 91, 92 are pressed together in a lateral direction Y extending perpendicular to the joining line S and in or parallel to the joining plane X.
Thus, while the large radii Rl, R2 prevent bulging of the material of the tire components 91, 92 ahead of the rocking members 204, 304 along or parallel to the joining line S, the oblique orientation of said rocking members 204, 304 causes a pressing of the material of the tire components 91, 92 in the lateral direction Y. The pressing in said lateral direction Y may improve the joining of the tire components 91, 92, in particular when there is a small gap between the leading end LE and the trailing end TE thereof. Preferably, the rocking members 204, 304 are placed as close as possible to or meet each other on opposite sides of the joining line S to form a continuous or substantially continuous contact surface 243, 343 at or near the contact point P.
Figure 5 shows a drum 8 with a circumferential surface 80 for supporting the tire components 91, 92. The drum 8 can form or replace the support member 2 in the first embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows the rocking member 4 and the rocking guide 5 according to the first embodiment of the invention, in use with said drum 1 for joining the tire components 91, 92 on the circumferential surface 80 of said drum 1. Clamps 331, 332 or other suitable clamping means, such as magnetic elements in the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8, are provided to retain the tire components 91, 92 to the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8. The rocking member 4 is arranged to move in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the drum 8. Hence, the joining line S in figures 2A, 2B and 2C extends parallel to the axial direction of the drum 8 and the joining plane X is a virtual plane tangent to the joining line S at or near the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8. This embodiment of the invention demonstrates that the support surface 20 of the support member 2 does not necessarily have to be flat. The rocking member 4 can be used to join the leading end LE and the trailing end TE of a breaker ply on the circumferential surface 80 of the drum 8.
Essentially, the rocking member 4 can be moved in a rocking motion M over any support surface, as long as the tire components 91, 92 to be joined are supported by said support surface along the joining line S. Various support surfaces are contemplated, including but not limited to conveyor belts, chain belts, stitching tables, tire building drums, etc.
Furthermore, it is even conceivable that the joining apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention or the further alternative joining apparatus 201 according to the third embodiment of the invention are used up-side-down. In such an embodiment, the joining apparatuses 1, 201 are mirrored in the joining plane X, such that the support member 2 would be arranged above the rocking member (s) 4, 204, 304. The tire components 91, 92 could be retained to the support member 2 by magnetic attraction or vacuum suction. The support member 2 can form part of a manipulator, e.g. a pick-and-place unit, that momentarily moves the tire components 91, 92 into a joining position at the joining line S above the rocking member 4 for joining by said rocking member (s) 4, 204, 304, and subsequently moves the tire components 91, 92 away from the rocking member (s) 4, 204, 304 after the tire components 91, 92 have been joined.
Figure 6 shows a further alternative joining apparatus 401 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The further alternative joining apparatus 401 differs from the previously discussed first embodiment of the invention in that the rocking member 404 is provided with an arcuate drive rail 447 that follows the same arc as and/or is concentric to the convex contact surface 43. The arcuate drive rail 447 is located at and mounted to the rear side of the arcuate pressing body 40 and is therefore only shown in dashed lines in figure 6.
The further alternative joining apparatus 401 further differs from the previously discussed first embodiment of the invention in that the rocking drive 6 is replaced by an alternative rocking drive 406 comprising an actuator 460 in the form of a driving shoe or carriage 461. The carriage 461 is provided with drive wheels 463 that enclose and/or engage the arcuate drive rail 447 from opposite sides. The carriage 461 is mounted to a linear guide 462, in particular a timing belt, so as to be driven in the driving direction D along the arcuate drive rail 447. The drive wheels 463 allow the carriage 461 to slide and/or run over the arcuate drive rail 447 in the driving direction D. Like the carriage 61 according to the first embodiment of the invention, the carriage 461 is arranged to engage and/or force the respective end 41, 42 of the rocking member 404 towards the joining plane X when the rocking drive 406 moves to said respective end 41, 42, thereby imposing the rocking motion M onto the rocking member 404. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this alternative configuration of the rocking member 404 and the rocking drive 406 can be applied to each of the previously discussed embodiments.
Finally, the first tire component 91 and the second tire component 92 can be provided with a trailing end TE and a leading end LE, respectively, which have a shape that is optimized for joining by the joining apparatus 1. In particular, the leading end LE and the trailing end TE may be provided with chamfered edges so that they can be placed in overlap at the joining line S. Additionally or alternatively, the leading end LE and the trailing end TE can be provided with some excess rubber material along the joining line S to fill any gaps between the leading end LE and the trailing end TE during the joining operation.
The leading end LE and the trailing end TE as shown are joined in the same joining plane X. Alternatively, one of the tire components 91, 92 can be placed in a slightly overlapping configuration with the other of the tire components 91, 92. This does however not affect the operation of the aforementioned joining apparatuses 1, 101, 201, 401.
It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

C L A I M S
1. Joining apparatus for joining tire components on a support member, wherein the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components along a joining line, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a first rocking member that is movable in a rocking plane along the joining line to press the tire components together in cooperation with support member, wherein the first rocking member comprises an arcuate pressing body with a convex contact surface that is arranged to face towards the support member, wherein the convex contact surface has a radius that defines a rotation center for the first rocking member, wherein said rotation center is located outside the first rocking member, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to move in a rocking motion in the rocking plane about said rotation center.
2. Joining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the convex contact surface has a length that is less than two radians with respect to said radius.
3. Joining apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the length of the convex contact surface is less than one radian with respect to said radius.
4. Joining apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a rocking guide for guiding the rocking motion of the first rocking member with respect to the base.
5. Joining apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first rocking member comprises a first coupling element, wherein the rocking guide is provided with a first arcuate guide element for receiving and guiding the first coupling element relative to the base along a first cycloid path followed by the first coupling element during the rocking motion of the first rocking member.
6. Joining apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first rocking member comprises a second coupling element, wherein the rocking guide is provided with a second arcuate guide element for receiving and guiding the second coupling element relative to the base along a second cycloid path followed by the second coupling element during the rocking motion of the first rocking member .
7. Joining apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are mutually spaced apart, preferably at opposite ends of the first rocking member in the direction of the rocking motion.
8. Joining apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the arcuate pressing body is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about the center between the first coupling element and the second coupling element.
9. Joining apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining apparatus is provided with an actuator for driving the rocking motion of the first rocking member with respect to the base.
10. Joining apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the actuator is coupled to the first rocking member at a distance radially spaced apart from the rotation center of the first rocking member.
11. Joining apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the rocking motion comprises a rotation of the first rocking member in a rotation direction about the rotation center and a translation of the rotation center in a translation direction parallel to the joining line, wherein the actuator comprises a carriage that is movable in a driving direction parallel to the joining line, wherein the carriage is arranged for imposing the rocking motion onto the first rocking member.
12. Joining apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the joining apparatus further comprises a linear guide extending parallel to the joining line, wherein the carriage is movable along the linear guide.
13. Joining apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the carriage is arranged to drive the first rocking member at a radius of the convex contact surface that is normal to the joining line.
14. Joining apparatus according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the first rocking member is movable with respect to the carriage in the rotation direction of the first rocking member.
15. Joining apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the arcuate pressing body is provided with a concave driving surface opposite to the convex contact surface, wherein the carriage is provided with one or more drive wheels that are arranged to contact and/or run over the concave driving surface.
16. Joining apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the rocking member is provided with an arcuate drive rail that is mounted to the arcuate pressing body and that is concentric to the convex contact surface, wherein the carriage is arranged for slidably receiving and/or engaging the arcuate drive rail.
17. Joining apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the carriage is provided with one or more drive wheels that are arranged to contact and/or run over the arcuate drive rail.
18. Joining apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joining apparatus is further provided with a first clamp and a second clamp on opposite sides of the first rocking member with respect to the joining line for clamping the tire components against the support member.
19. Joining apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the convex contact surface forms a circular arc.
20. Joining apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member comprises a flat or substantially flat support surface for supporting the tire components in a support plane parallel to the joining line, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to be moved in a rocking motion on the opposite side of the support plane with respect to the support member.
21. Joining apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the rocking plane is normal or substantially normal to the support plane.
22. Joining apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the joining plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal.
23. Joining apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first rocking member is positioned above the joining plane when the support member is positioned below the joining plane or below the joining plane when the support member is positioned above the joining plane.
24. Joining apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the support member is formed by the circumferential surface of a drum, wherein the first rocking member is arranged to be moved in rocking motion along the joining line in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the drum.
25. Joining apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components in a joining plane normal to or substantially normal to the rocking plane, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a second rocking member that is located at an opposite side of the joining plane with respect to the first rocking member and that is arranged to operate mirror symmetrically to the first rocking member about said joining plane.
26. Joining apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the support member is arranged for supporting the tire components in a joining plane, wherein the first rocking member is movable in a rocking plane that extends under an oblique angle with respect to the joining plane, wherein the joining apparatus comprises a second rocking member that is located at the same side of the joining plane as the first rocking member, yet at the opposite side of a normal plane that extends normal to the joining plane and parallel to the joining line, wherein the second rocking member is arranged to operate mirror symmetrically to the first rocking member about said normal plane.
27. Joining apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the convex contact surfaces of the first rocking member and the second rocking member extend parallel or substantially parallel to the joining plane.
28. Joining apparatus according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the support member is arranged above the rocking member and wherein the tire components are retained to the support member by magnetic attraction or vacuum suction.
29. Method for joining tire components with the use of the joining apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps of positioning a trailing end of a first tire component and a leading end of a second tire component on opposite sides of the joining line, moving the first rocking member with the convex contact surface thereof in a rocking motion along the joining line, pressing the trailing end and the leading end against each other with the convex contact surface between the first rocking member and the support member.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
RM/HZ
PCT/NL2016/050818 2015-12-17 2016-11-22 Joining apparatus and method for joining tire components WO2017105220A1 (en)

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BR112017015221A BR112017015221A2 (en) 2015-12-17 2016-11-22 Joining apparatus and method for joining tire components
RU2017132455A RU2648925C1 (en) 2015-12-17 2016-11-22 Connecting device for connection of tyre components
JP2017531402A JP2018502741A (en) 2015-12-17 2016-11-22 Joining device for joining tire parts

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NL2015978A NL2015978B1 (en) 2015-12-17 2015-12-17 Joining apparatus for joining tire components.

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NL2019785B1 (en) * 2017-10-23 2019-04-29 Vmi Holland Bv Tire building apparatus and method for joining or cutting tire components

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TW201726378A (en) 2017-08-01
NL2015978A (en) 2017-06-27

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