WO2020262044A1

WO2020262044A1 - Tire testing machine, and method for conveying tire in tire testing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2020262044A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/023225
Authority: WO
Inventors: 亮太森; 顕史吉川
Original assignee: 株式会社神戸製鋼所
Priority date: 2019-06-28
Filing date: 2020-06-12
Publication date: 2020-12-30
Also published as: JP2021006800A; TW202102829A

Abstract

The present invention conveys, to a tire testing position and with good precision, a plurality of types of tires having various outer diameters and shapes. A tire testing machine (100) comprises a conveyance mechanism (1), a first tire detection unit (60), a second tire detection unit (63), and a control unit (80). The first tire detection unit (60) and the second tire detection unit (63) detect a leading end part or a rear end part of a specific outer circumferential edge (VC), which is an outer circumferential edge of a tire (T) formed by virtually cutting the tire (T) by a virtual cross-section arranged at a position of a predetermined height (H) from a conveyance surface (1H). The control unit (80) calculates an outer diameter dimension (VD) of the specific outer circumferential edge (VC) of the tire (T), and calculates, on the basis of the outer diameter dimension (VD), a movement distance (X) from a standby position (SP) to a tire test position (TP).

Description

Tire transport method in tire tester and tire tester

The present invention relates to a tire testing machine and a tire transport method in a tire testing machine.

Conventionally, a tire testing machine that measures tire uniformity and the like is known. The tire testing machine has a spindle shaft that is arranged at the tire test position and rotatably supports the tire around a rotation center axis that extends in the vertical direction, and a rotation center axis that is parallel to the rotation center axis of the spindle shaft. It also has a rotating drum that can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tire and a load cell that can measure the load applied to the rotating drum. When the rotating drum is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tire mounted on the spindle shaft and the tire rotates around the spindle shaft, the load cell measures the load fluctuation data corresponding to the rotation of the tire. Tire uniformity is evaluated based on the measured load variation data. The inner diameter of a tire evaluated by such a tire testing machine may differ depending on the type of tire. Therefore, when the tire is mounted on the spindle shaft, an upper rim and a lower rim corresponding to the tire size are mounted on both side surfaces of the tire, and the spindle shaft rotatably supports the tire via these rims. ..

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of shortening the feed distance of a tire with respect to a tire test position according to the outer diameter of the tire and shortening the feed time. Specifically, the tire testing machine has a belt conveyor that conveys the tire in a posture in which its rotation center axis extends in the vertical direction, and a pair of front and rear photoelectric sensors that detect the outer peripheral surface of the tire on the tire transport path. When the front end and the rear end of the tire are detected by the pair of photoelectric sensors, the outer diameter of the tire is calculated from the time difference and the transport speed of the tire. After that, when the lubricant is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the tire between the pair of photoelectric sensors, the tip portion of the tire is detected again by the photoelectric sensor on the downstream side, and the tire is temporarily stopped at a predetermined standby position. After that, the transport distance from the standby position to the tire test position is calculated according to the calculated outer diameter of the tire, and the tire is delivered to the tire test position by transporting the tire by the distance. At this time, ideally, the center axis of the tire and the center of the spindle axis are aligned, and the upper rim and the lower rim corresponding to the tire size can be mounted on both side surfaces of the tire from above and below.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-220319

With the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is not always possible to accurately calculate the outer diameter and the transport distance of a plurality of types of tires having various shapes, and a displacement occurs when the tire is brought into the tire test position. There was a problem of doing. Specifically, in the above technique, although the position of the pair of photoelectric sensors in the transport direction is specified, the position in the vertical direction is not specified. Therefore, if the pair of photoelectric sensors are arranged at a height different from the maximum outer diameter portion of the tire conveyed by the belt conveyor, the pair of photoelectric sensors will be placed in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface of the tire. Each portion different from the maximum outer diameter portion is detected. As a result, when a tire having an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface such as a tire for a motorbike is transported, or when a tire having a tread (groove) formed on the outer peripheral surface is transported, the tire The testing machine erroneously detects the outer diameter of the transported tire as a value smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the tire. In this case, since the transport distance from the standby position to the tire test position is calculated based on the small outer diameter, the central axis of the transported tire does not reach the rotation central axis of the spindle shaft, and the rim is attached to the tire. There was a problem that it could not be installed accurately and that a part of the tire was damaged by the rim.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tire tester and a tire transport method in a tire tester capable of accurately carrying a plurality of types of tires having various shapes into a tire test position.

Provided by the present invention is a tire testing machine, which includes a spindle shaft, a transport mechanism, a first tire detection unit, a tire dimension calculation unit, a second tire detection unit, and a stop. It includes a control unit, a movement distance calculation unit, and a transport control unit. The spindle shaft is capable of rotating the tire around a reference rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction via a rim mounted on the tire at a tire test position where the tire is placed to perform a predetermined test on the tire. Support. The transport mechanism has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and can transport the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. is there. The first tire detection unit detects the tire transported by the transport mechanism. The first tire detection unit is a virtual cutting surface in which the tire mounted on the transport surface is arranged at a predetermined height from the transport surface and is parallel to the transport surface. It is detected that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire formed by being cut, in the transport direction of the tire have reached a predetermined detection position for dimensional calculation. The tire dimension calculation unit has a time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge have reached the dimension calculation detection position, and the transport mechanism of the tire. The outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is calculated based on the transport speed. The second tire detection unit is arranged on the downstream side of the first tire detection unit in the transport direction, and the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire transported by the transport mechanism is at a predetermined stop detection position. Detect that it has arrived. In the stop control unit, when the second tire detection unit detects that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached the stop detection position, the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is moved. The transport mechanism is controlled so as to temporarily stop at a predetermined standby position on the transport path. The moving distance calculation unit moves the tire from the standby position to the tire based on the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. The moving distance of the tire for moving to the test position is calculated. The transport control unit controls the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.

Further, what is provided by the present invention is a tire testing machine, which includes a spindle shaft, a transport mechanism, a first tire detection unit, a tire dimension calculation unit, and a second tire detection unit. , A stop control unit, a movement distance calculation unit, and a transfer control unit are provided. The spindle shaft is capable of rotating the tire around a reference rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction via a rim mounted on the tire at a tire test position where the tire is placed to perform a predetermined test on the tire. Support. The transport mechanism has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and can transport the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. is there. The first tire detection unit is arranged at a position at a predetermined height with respect to the transport surface, and the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire in the transport direction of the tire have reached a predetermined detection position for dimension calculation. Are detected respectively. The tire dimensional calculation unit has a time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire have reached the dimensional calculation detection position, and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism. Based on the above, the outer diameter dimension of the tire is calculated. The second tire detection unit is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first tire detection unit at the same height as the first tire detection unit with respect to the transport surface, and is transported by the transport mechanism. It is detected that the tip end portion of the tire has reached a predetermined stop detection position. The stop control unit detects that the tip of the tire has reached the stop detection position, and the tip of the tire reaches a predetermined position on the transport path. The transport mechanism is controlled so as to pause at the standby position. The moving distance calculation unit moves the tire from the standby position to the tire based on the stop control unit, the outer diameter dimension calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit, and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. The moving distance of the tire for moving to the tire test position is calculated. The transport control unit controls the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.

Further provided by the present invention is a tire transport of a tire testing machine that transports the tire to a tire test position where the tire is arranged in order to perform the test in a tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire. The method. The tire transport method has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and transports the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. It is a first tire detection unit that prepares a possible transport mechanism and detects the tire transported by the transport mechanism, and the first tire detection unit is a tire mounted on the transport surface. The transport direction of the tire on the specific outer peripheral edge, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire, which is formed by virtually cutting by a virtual cutting surface parallel to the transport surface and arranged at a position at a predetermined height from the transport surface. A first tire detection unit that detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire have reached a predetermined dimensional calculation detection position is arranged on the transfer path, and the tire conveyed by the transfer mechanism The second tire detection unit that detects that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached a predetermined stop detection position is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first tire detection unit, and the specific outer peripheral edge Based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism, the tire As the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge is calculated and the second tire detecting unit detects that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached the stop detection position, the tire Controlling the transport mechanism so that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge temporarily stops at a predetermined standby position on the transport path, and the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit. And, based on the distance from the standby position to the tire test position, the movement distance of the tire for moving the tire from the standby position to the tire test position is calculated, and the movement distance calculation unit. It includes controlling the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by.

Further provided by the present invention is a tire transport of a tire testing machine that transports the tire to a tire test position where the tire is arranged in order to perform the test in a tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire. The method. The tire transport method has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and transports the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. First tire detection capable of preparing a possible transport mechanism and detecting that the front end and the rear end of the tire transported by the transport mechanism have reached a predetermined detection position for dimensional calculation, respectively. It is possible to arrange the portion at a predetermined height position with respect to the transport surface and to detect that the tip portion of the tire transported by the transport mechanism has reached a predetermined stop detection position. The second tire detection unit is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the tire from the first tire detection unit at the same height as the first tire detection unit with respect to the transport surface, and the tire. The outside of the tire is based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transport speed of the tire by the transport mechanism. With the calculation of the diameter dimension and the detection by the second tire detection unit that the tip of the tire has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the tire is on the transport path. The transport mechanism is controlled so as to temporarily stop at a predetermined standby position, and the moving distance of the tire from the standby position to the tire test position is calculated according to the calculated outer diameter dimension. Based on the calculated movement distance and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position, the transport mechanism is controlled so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position. And to be prepared.

It is a top view of the tire testing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the control part of the tire tester which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the process until the tire is carried into the tire test position in the tire test machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the process until the tire is carried into the tire test position in the tire test machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the process until the tire is carried into the tire test position in the tire test machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the process until the tire is carried into the tire test position in the tire test machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the process until the tire is carried into the tire test position in the tire test machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the tire testing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the tire testing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the tire testing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the tire testing machine which concerns on the modification embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of another tire testing machine compared with the tire testing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of another tire testing machine compared with the tire testing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the tire testing machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The tire testing machine 100 performs a predetermined test on the tire T (FIG. 3).

The tire testing machine 100 includes a spindle shaft 31, a pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1, a pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2, a pair of left and right roller portions 3, a pair of left and right supply conveyors 5, and a first sensor. A tire measurement sensor 60 (first tire detection unit) including 61 and a second sensor 62, a stop sensor 63 (second tire detection unit), a lubricator 7 (lubricating mechanism), and a pair of left and right pressing units. 9 and. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the tire testing machine 100 includes a housing 50 and a sensor support portion 51 that supports three pairs of left and right sensors (first sensor 61, second sensor 62, and stop sensor 63). ,have.

The spindle shaft 31 is arranged at the tire test position TP where the tire T is arranged to perform a predetermined test on the tire T, and is provided via a pair of rims (not shown) mounted on both side surfaces of the tire T. The tire T is rotatably supported around the reference rotation center axis L extending in the vertical direction. The tire testing machine 100 further includes a rotating drum (not shown) that is rotatably supported around the rotation center axis parallel to the reference rotation center axis L of the spindle shaft 31 and can be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tire T. It has a load cell (not shown) capable of measuring the load applied to the rotating drum. When the rotating drum is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tire T mounted on the spindle shaft 31 at the tire test position TP and the tire T rotates around the spindle shaft 31, the load cell collects load fluctuation data corresponding to the rotation of the tire T. measure. As a result, the uniformity of the tire is evaluated based on the measured load fluctuation data.

In FIG. 1, the transport direction of the tire T is indicated by the arrow DS. When viewed from the direction of the arrow DS, the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 and the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2 function as the transport mechanism of the present invention. The first belt conveyor 1 and the second belt conveyor 2 each have a flat transport surface 1H (see FIG. 8) on which the tire T is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire T extends in the vertical direction. It is possible to transport the tire T to the tire test position TP along a predetermined transport path. The pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 extend along the front-rear direction and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Similarly, the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2 extend along the front-rear direction and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction on the front side of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1, that is, on the downstream side in the transport direction of the tire T. Will be placed. As shown in FIG. 1, the downstream end of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 and the upstream end of the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2 partially overlap. Further, in the present embodiment, the distance between the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2 is set wider than the distance between the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1. Further, the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 and the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2 are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to a center line extending in the front-rear direction through the reference rotation center axis L. Further, the tire test position TP described above is arranged at a substantially central portion of the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2.

The pair of left and right supply conveyors 5 are arranged on the upstream side of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1, and the tires T are carried into the upstream end of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1.

The pair of left and right roller portions 3 are arranged outside the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 in the width direction (left and right direction). Each roller portion 3 has a plurality of mounting rollers 3A that are arranged and rotatable adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. These mounting rollers 3A form a mounting surface on which the tire T in the collapsed state is rotatably mounted in a horizontal plane. The roller portions 3 may be provided inside the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1, or may be provided both inside and outside the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1.

The pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 are raised and lowered by cylinders (not shown), and when the tire T is conveyed, the conveying surface 1H rises above the mounting surface of the roller portion 3, and the tire T is raised as described later. When rotating, the transport surface 1H descends below the mounting surface of the roller portion 3. In another embodiment, the vertical positions of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 may be fixed, and the roller portion 3 may be raised and lowered. As shown in FIG. 8, each first belt conveyor 1 has a belt 1A, a driving roller 1B, and a driven roller 1C. The belt 1A is rotatably supported by the driving roller 1B and the driven roller 1C. The drive roller 1B is connected to a motor (not shown), and receives a rotational driving force from the motor to rotate the belt 1A. The driven roller 1C supports the belt 1A on the side opposite to the driving roller 1B, and rotates in a driven manner of the belt 1A. The upper surface of the belt 1A constitutes the transport surface 1H.

The tire measurement sensor 60 detects the tire T conveyed by the first belt conveyor 1. Specifically, in the tire measurement sensor 60, the tire T mounted on the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1 is arranged at a position at a predetermined height H from the transport surface 1H, and is virtually cut parallel to the transport surface 1H. The front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC (see FIG. 8), which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire T formed by being virtually cut by the surface G, in the transport direction of the tire T are detected. In the present embodiment, the virtual cut surface G is a horizontal plane.

As described above, the tire measurement sensor 60 has a first sensor 61 and a second sensor 62. The first sensor 61 detects the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T. Further, the second sensor 62 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first sensor 61, and detects the tip end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T. The first sensor 61 is composed of a photoelectric sensor, and emits detection light (see the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1, the same applies to subsequent sensors) in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) and horizontal with the transport direction of the tire T. It has a light emitting unit 61A and a first light receiving unit 61B that receives the detected light. Similarly, the second sensor 62 includes a second light emitting unit 62A which is composed of a photoelectric sensor and emits detection light in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) and horizontal with the transport direction of the tire T, and receives the detection light. It has a second light receiving unit 62B. The positions of the detection lights of the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62 correspond to the detection positions for dimensional calculation of the present invention, respectively.

The stop sensor 63 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the tire T from the second sensor 62 of the tire measurement sensor 60, and is a specific outer peripheral edge of the tire T transported by the first belt conveyor 1 and the second belt conveyor 2. Detects the tip of the VC. The stop sensor 63 includes a third light emitting unit 63A that comprises a photoelectric sensor and emits detection light in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) and horizontal with the transport direction of the tire T, and a third light receiving unit that receives the detected light. It has a part 63B and. The position of the detection light of the stop sensor 63 corresponds to the stop detection position of the present invention.

The lubricator 7 is arranged between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62, between the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1. The lubricator 7 can be raised and lowered by an air cylinder (not shown). The lubricator 7 abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the tire T so as to position the tire T between the brush 7A that applies a lubricant to the bead portion (not shown) on the inner peripheral surface of the tire T and the pressing unit 9. It has a pair of positioning rollers 7B to be formed.

Further, the pair of left and right pressing units 9 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 (roller portions 3). The pair of left and right pressing units 9 have a pressing roller 9A that presses the outer peripheral surface of the tire T toward the center, and a supporting portion 9B that swingably supports the pressing roller 9A. The supporting portion 9B is a pressing roller. While holding the 9A, it can swing on a horizontal plane with the base end portion of the support portion 9B on the opposite side of the pressing roller 9A as a fulcrum.

As shown in FIG. 9, the housing 50 supports the first belt conveyor 1, the second belt conveyor 2, the roller portion 3, the lubricator 7, and the like. Further, the three pairs of left and right sensor support portions 51 are arranged so as to extend upward from the left and right end portions of the housing 50, and the first light emitting unit 61A, the first light receiving unit 61B, and the second light emitting unit 62A, respectively. It supports the second light receiving unit 62B, the third light emitting unit 63A, and the third light receiving unit 63B. In FIG. 9, the sensor support portion 51 that supports the first light emitting portion 61A and the first light receiving portion 61B is shown, but behind the sensor support portion 51 (on the back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface). The other sensor support units 51 support the second light emitting unit 62A, the second light receiving unit 62B, the third light emitting unit 63A, and the third light receiving unit 63B, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control unit 80 of the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The tire testing machine 100 further includes a control unit 80. The control unit 80 comprehensively controls each mechanism of the tire testing machine 100. The control unit 80 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM for storing control programs (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU, and the like, and is composed of a first belt conveyor 1 , The operation of the second belt conveyor 2, the supply conveyor 5, the lubricator 7, the pressing unit 9, and the like is controlled. Further, in addition to each of these members, the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 described above are electrically connected to the control unit 80.

The control unit 80 executes a control program stored in the ROM by the CPU to execute a drive control unit 801 (stop control unit, transfer control unit) and a tire transfer calculation unit 802 (tire dimension calculation unit, movement distance calculation). A unit) and a storage unit 803 are provided.

The drive control unit 801 inputs a command signal for driving to each drive system of the first belt conveyor 1, the second belt conveyor 2, the supply conveyor 5, the lubricator 7, and the pressing unit 9. Further, in the drive control unit 801, the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T is the tip of the drive control unit 801 as the stop sensor 63 detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T in the transport process of the tire T. The first belt conveyor 1 and the second belt conveyor 2 are controlled so as to temporarily stop at a predetermined standby position SP (FIG. 6) on the transport path. Further, the drive control unit 801 first moves the tire T from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP (FIG. 1) according to the later movement distance X calculated by the tire transfer calculation unit 802. It controls the belt conveyor 1 and the second belt conveyor 2.

The tire transfer calculation unit 802 calculates various parameters for carrying the tire T to the tire test position TP. In particular, in the tire transport calculation unit 802, the time difference between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62 of the tire measurement sensor 60 for detecting the rear end and the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T and the first sensor 61, respectively. The outer diameter dimension VD (FIG. 8) of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T is calculated based on the transport speed of the tire T between the second sensor 62 and the second sensor 62. Further, the tire transfer calculation unit 802 is based on the outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC calculated by the tire transfer calculation unit 802 and the distance from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP. The moving distance X of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T for moving the tire T from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP is calculated.

The storage unit 803 stores various threshold values, constants, mathematical formulas, etc. referred to by the drive control unit 801 and the tire transfer calculation unit 802.

The procedure in which the control unit 80 sends the tire T to the tire test position TP will be described below. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are plan views showing a process until the tire T is carried into the tire test position TP in the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view of the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the virtual specific outer peripheral edge VC drawn above the tire T (MC tire T1) is a plan view. 9 and 10 are rear views of the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, the MC tire T1 is mounted as the tire T on the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1, and in FIG. 10, the PC tire T2 is mounted as the tire T. The MC tire T1 is a tire for Motor Cycle, and the PC tire T2 is a tire for Passenger Car. The outer peripheral surface of the MC tire T1 has a substantially arc shape (curved shape). On the other hand, the PC tire T2 has a shape whose outer peripheral surface is substantially flat. Grooves (treads, irregularities) (not shown) are often formed relatively deeply on the outer peripheral surface of the PC tire T2.

When the drive control unit 801 of the control unit 80 controls the pair of left and right supply conveyors 5 and the tires T are carried into the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1, the tires T are conveyed by the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1. While doing so, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear end portion of the tire T is detected by the first sensor 61. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, since the first sensor 61 is arranged at a position above the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1 by a height H, the first sensor 61 is the outer circumference of the tire T. Of the surfaces, the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC is detected. The detection is detected by a state change from a state in which the detection light emitted by the first light emitting unit 61A is blocked by the tire T to a state in which the light is started to be received by the first light receiving unit 61B.

The tire T is conveyed by a pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 at a relatively low constant transfer speed V along the transfer direction, and as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the tire T is detected by the second sensor 62. Will be done. As shown in FIG. 8, since the second sensor 62 is arranged at a position above the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1 by a height H, the second sensor 62 is an outer peripheral surface of the tire T. Of these, the tip of the specific outer peripheral VC is detected. The detection is detected by a state change from a state in which the detection light emitted by the second light emitting unit 62A is received by the second light receiving unit 62B to a state in which the tire T has begun to block the detection light.

When the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC is detected by the second sensor 62, the drive control unit 801 of the control unit 80 controls the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1, and the transportation of the tire T is temporarily stopped. Here, the moving distance ΔL from when the first sensor 61 detects the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T until the tire T temporarily stops is the rear end of the specific outer peripheral edge VC by the first sensor 61. Calculated by the following formula 1 from the time T1 when the unit is detected, the time T2 when the second sensor 62 detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC, and the transport speed V of the tire T by the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1. To. The distance L1 corresponds to the distance between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62.
ΔL = (T2-T1) × V ・・・ (Equation 1)

Therefore, the outer diameter dimension VD (FIG. 8) of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T is calculated by the following equation 2 using the moving distance ΔL calculated by the equation 1.
VD = L1-ΔL ・・・ (Equation 2)

The moving distance ΔL is calculated from, for example, the relationship between the number of pulses of the encoder attached to the motor connected to the drive roller 1B of the first belt conveyor 1 and the belt moving distance of the belt 1A per pulse. It is also possible to ask for it. Specifically, the pulse between the first sensor 61 detecting the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T and the second sensor 62 detecting the tip end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T. The movement distance ΔL may be obtained by counting the number and multiplying the counted number of pulses by the movement distance per pulse.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drive control unit 801 of the control unit 80 controls the lubricator 7 and the pair of left and right pressing units 9 with the tire T stopped between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62. That is, an air cylinder (not shown) connected to the lubricator 7 is operated, and the lubricator 7 rises between the pair of left and right roller portions 3 so as to project upward from the roller portions 3. Then, when the drive control unit 801 lowers the transport surface 1H of the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 from the roller unit 3 by the air cylinder, the tire T is mounted on the plurality of mounting rollers 3A of the roller unit 3. Cylinder. Further, when the drive control unit 801 horizontally rotates the pair of left and right pressing units 9 with the base end portion of the supporting portion 9B as a fulcrum, the tire T is generated by the pair of left and right pressing rollers 9A and the pair of left and right positioning rollers 7B. It is pinched (Fig. 5). At this time, the center position of the tire T is positioned on a straight line extending in the front-rear direction through the reference rotation center axis L. In this state, when the pressing roller 9A of one pressing unit 9 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), the tire T on the roller portion 3 rotates in a horizontal plane, and the brush 7A of the lubricant 7 is inside the tire T. Apply lubricant to the peripheral surface.

After that, the pair of left and right pressing units 9 and the lubricator 7 are separated from the tire T, and the lubricator 7 moves below the roller portion 3. After that, the drive control unit 801 of the control unit 80 raises the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1 from the roller unit 3 by the air cylinder, and places the tire T again on the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1. .. Then, the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 convey the tire T to the downstream side in the conveying direction again. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 6, the stop sensor 63 detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T. As shown in FIG. 8, since the stop sensor 63 is arranged at a position above the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1 by a height H, the stop sensor 63 is included in the outer peripheral surface of the tire T. , Detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral VC. The detection is detected by a state change from a state in which the detection light emitted by the third light emitting unit 63A is received by the third light receiving unit 63B to a state in which the tire T has begun to block the detection light.

When the stop sensor 63 detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T, the drive control unit 801 of the control unit 80 controls the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 to move the tire T to the standby position SP in FIG. Pause with. Therefore, the tip portion of the tire T previously positioned in the left-right direction (width direction) by the pair of left-right pressing units 9 is arranged at the standby position SP regardless of the outer diameter dimension of the tire T.

Finally, the drive control unit 801 of the control unit 80 controls the pair of left and right first belt conveyors 1 and the pair of left and right second belt conveyors 2 to move the tire T from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP. As a result, the rotation center of the tire T coincides with the reference rotation center axis L of the spindle shaft 31, and a rim (not shown) is fitted into the tire T, so that the spindle shaft 31 rotatably supports the tire T. it can.

Here, the tire T (specific outer peripheral edge VC) when the tire T is moved from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP where the rotation center of the tire T and the reference rotation center axis L of the spindle shaft 31 coincide with each other. The moving distance X (FIG. 7) is the distance L2 in the transport direction from the predetermined stop sensor 63 to the reference rotation center axis L of the spindle shaft 31, in other words, the reference rotation center of the spindle shaft 31 from the standby position SP. It is calculated by the following formula 3 from the distance L2 in the transport direction to the shaft L and the outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T obtained by the formula 2.
X = L2 + VD / 2 ... (Equation 3)

As is clear from Equation 3, in the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the moving distance X of the tire T from the standby position SP to the reference rotation center axis L of the spindle shaft 31 of the tire test position TP is the tire T. It changes according to the outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC, and the smaller the outer diameter dimension VD, the shorter the moving distance X can be. Therefore, the moving time of the tire T can be shortened as much as possible according to the tire diameter. Therefore, the cycle time of the tire test can be shortened, and the efficiency of the tire test can be improved.

12 and 13 are side views of another tire testing machine compared with the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 12, the MC tire T1 is mounted on the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1, and in FIG. 13, the PC tire T2 is mounted on the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1. There is. The other tire testing machine is different from the tire testing machine 100 according to the present embodiment in that the heights of the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 with respect to the transport surface 1H are different from each other. Specifically, the first sensor 61 is arranged at a position of height H1 from the transport surface 1H, the second sensor 62 is arranged at a position of height H2 from the transport surface 1H, and the stop sensor 63 is arranged at a height H2 from the transport surface 1H. It is arranged at the position of H3 (H2 <H1 <H3).

In such another tire testing machine, the first sensor 61 detects the rear end portion of the tire T, the second sensor 62 and the stop sensor 63 detect the tip end portion of the tire T, and then as described above. Assuming control of carrying the tire T into the tire test position TP, the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 detect outer peripheral edges having different outer diameter dimensions from each other. As a result, an error occurs in the calculation of the outer diameter dimension of the tire T and the calculation of the moving distance X. Specifically, assuming that the first sensor 61 detects a portion (maximum outer diameter portion) corresponding to the maximum outer diameter of the tire T in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second sensor 62 and the stop sensor 63 are A portion whose outer diameter is smaller than the maximum outer diameter is detected. In this case, the second sensor 62 detects the outer peripheral portion of the tire T at a timing later than the maximum outer diameter portion detected by the first sensor 61. As a result, the calculation result of the maximum outer diameter dimension of the tire T based on the

formulas

1 and 2 becomes smaller than the maximum outer diameter portion (in this case, the outer diameter of the specific outer peripheral VC of the formulas 1 and 2). Dimension VD is replaced by the maximum outer diameter dimension). If the moving distance X is calculated based on the equation 3 while including the error, the moving distance X becomes smaller than the original moving distance according to the outer diameter dimension of the tire T. As a result, there arises a problem that the rotation center of the tire T and the reference rotation center axis L do not match, and the rims cannot be mounted on the upper and lower side surfaces of the tire T.

In particular, such a problem occurs remarkably in the MC tire T1 which is curved so that the outer diameter changes significantly along the vertical direction (direction of the rotation center of the tire T) in FIG. Further, also in the PC tire T2 shown in FIG. 13, when a plurality of grooves (treads) are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the first sensor 61 covers the mountain portion of the tread (the outer surface of the PC tire T2). On the other hand, the second sensor 62 or the stop sensor 63 may detect the valley portion of the tread of the first sensor 61, and the same problem as described above occurs.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 can detect the front end portion or the rear end portion of the same specific outer peripheral edge VC. As possible, each sensor support portion 51 supports the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 so that the height H with respect to the transport surface 1H is the same as each other. ing. Therefore, it is suppressed that an error occurs in the calculation of the outer diameter dimension and the moving distance of the tire T due to the relative position variation between the sensors, and the tire T is accurately set to the reference rotation center axis L of the tire test position TP. Can be placed well.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the tire measurement sensor 60 indicates that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T (T1, T2) have reached the predetermined dimension calculation detection positions, respectively. Detect. Here, in the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T, the tire T placed on the transport surface 1H is arranged at a position at a predetermined height H from the transport surface 1H, and the virtual cut surface G parallel to the transport surface 1H (FIG. 8). ) Is the outer peripheral edge of the tire T formed by being virtually cut. Then, the tire transport calculation unit 802 detects the time difference between the tire measurement sensor 60 that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC have reached the dimension calculation detection position, and the tire T by the transport mechanism. The outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T is calculated based on the transport speed. Further, the stop sensor 63 detects that the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T has reached a predetermined stop detection position, and the drive control unit 801 uses the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC for stopping. As the stop sensor 63 detects that the detection position has been reached, the first belt conveyor 1 is controlled so that the tip end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T temporarily stops at a predetermined standby position SP. .. Further, the tire transfer calculation unit 802 sets the tire T based on the outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC calculated by the tire transfer calculation unit 802 and the distance from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP. The movement distance X of the tire T for moving from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP is calculated. Then, the drive control unit 801 performs the first belt conveyor 1 and the second belt so that the tire T moves from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP according to the movement distance X calculated by the tire transfer calculation unit 802. Control the conveyor 2. In this way, the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 detect the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T on the transport surface 1H, and the tire transport calculation unit 802 sets the tire T based on the specific outer peripheral edge VC. The outer diameter dimension VD and the moving distance X of the tire T to be carried into the tire test position TP can be calculated, respectively. Therefore, the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 are included in the calculated outer diameter dimension and moving distance of the tire T as compared with the case where the outer peripheral surfaces of the tire T detect different portions. The error can be reduced, and a plurality of types of tires T having various shapes can be accurately carried into the tire test position TP. Further, since the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 do not necessarily have to detect the maximum outer diameter portion of the tire T to be transported, the degree of freedom in arranging each sensor (detection unit) is increased and the tire T is transported. The need to adjust the position of each sensor according to the tire T is reduced. Further, since the moving distance X in which the tire T is conveyed from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP is determined with reference to the tip end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T, the moving distance X is the rotation center axis of the tire T. The moving distance of the tire T from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP can be set according to the size of the tire T, as compared with the case where the determination is made based on. As a result, the moving distance of the entire plurality of types of tires can be shortened as compared with the case where a uniform moving distance is set regardless of the size of the tire T. The tire measurement sensor 60 (first sensor 61, second sensor 62) and the stop sensor 63 according to the present embodiment are above the center position in the width direction of the tire T mounted on the transport surface 1H. Alternatively, it may be placed below.

In other words, in the present embodiment, since the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 are arranged at the same height H with respect to the transfer surface 1H, the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 are conveyed. A portion of the tire T on the surface 1H at the same height can be detected. Therefore, the tire transport calculation unit 802 calculates the outer diameter dimension and the moving distance of the tire T for carrying the tire T to the tire test position TP based on the portion arranged at the same height of the tire T. be able to. Therefore, as compared with the case where the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 detect portions of the outer peripheral surface of the tire T having different heights, the calculated outer diameter dimension and movement of the tire T are calculated. The error included in the distance can be reduced, and a plurality of types of tires T having various shapes can be accurately carried into the tire test position TP. Further, since the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 do not necessarily have to detect the maximum outer diameter portion of the tire T to be transported, the degree of freedom in arranging each sensor (detection unit) is increased and the tire T is transported. The need to adjust the position of each sensor according to the tire T is reduced. Further, since the moving distance at which the tire T is conveyed from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP is determined with reference to the tip end portion of the tire T, the moving distance is determined with reference to the rotation center axis of the tire T. The moving distance of the tire T from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP can be set according to the size of the tire T. As a result, the moving distance in the entire plurality of types of tires T can be shortened as compared with the case where a uniform moving distance is set regardless of the size of the tire T.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the position of the tire can be detected by the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62 of the tire measurement sensor 60, the space between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62. It is possible to temporarily stop the tire T and to perform a predetermined process on the tire T in the space. For example, the tire measurement sensor 60 does not include the second sensor 62, the first sensor 61 is arranged near the upstream end of the first belt conveyor 1, and the tip of the tire T is the supply conveyor 5. It is assumed that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge is also detected immediately after being placed on the first belt conveyor 1. In this case, since the tire T is not stably mounted on the first belt conveyor 1, the tire T and the first belt conveyor 1 or the supply conveyor 5 are connected to the supply conveyor 5 to the first belt conveyor 1. It is relatively easy for slippage to occur between the two, and the detection of the tip may include some errors. Therefore, as described above, when the first sensor 61 is arranged at the upstream end of the first belt conveyor 1, the tire measurement sensor 60 detects the rear end of the specific outer peripheral edge. It is desirable to include the sensor 61 and the second sensor 62 that detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 are photoelectric sensors, the tire T is detected accurately in a short time without each sensor coming into contact with the tire T. be able to.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lubricant 7 can apply a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the tire T between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62, and the spindle shaft 31 is set at the tire test position TP. The tire T can be rotated stably. Further, in the present embodiment, between the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62, the lubricator 7 can apply a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the tire T, so that the rim can be smoothly applied to the tire T. It can be installed.

The tire transport method in the tire testing machine 100 according to the present invention is a tire that transports the tire to a tire test position where the tire is arranged in order to perform the test in the tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire. This is a tire transfer method for the testing machine.

The tire transport method is
It has a transport surface 1H on which the tire T is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire T extends in the vertical direction, and can transport the tire T to the tire test position TP along a predetermined transport path. Preparation of various transport mechanisms (first belt conveyor 1, second belt conveyor 2)
A tire measurement sensor 60 that detects the tire T transported by the transport mechanism. In the tire measurement sensor 60, the tire T mounted on the transport surface 1H is predetermined from the transport surface 1H. In the transport direction of the tire T, the specific outer peripheral edge VC, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire T and is formed by being virtually cut by a virtual cutting surface G arranged at a height position and parallel to the transport surface 1H. A tire measurement sensor 60 for detecting that the front end portion and the rear end portion have reached a predetermined dimensional calculation detection position is arranged on the transport path.
The stop sensor 63 for detecting that the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T transported by the transport mechanism has reached a predetermined stop detection position is more in the transport direction than the tire measurement sensor 60. To place it on the downstream side and
Based on the time difference that the tire measurement sensor 60 detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC have reached the dimension calculation detection position, and the transport speed of the tire T by the transport mechanism. Then, the outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T is calculated.
As the stop sensor 63 detects that the tip of the specific outer peripheral VC has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the specific outer peripheral VC of the tire T has the transport path. Controlling the transport mechanism so as to temporarily stop at the predetermined standby position SP above,
Based on the outer diameter dimension VD of the specific outer peripheral edge VC calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP, the tire T is moved from the standby position SP to the tire. The movement distance X of the tire T for moving to the test position TP is calculated, and
Controlling the transport mechanism so that the tire T moves from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP according to the movement distance X calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.
To be equipped.

In the above method, as the tire measurement sensor 60,
A first sensor 61 that detects the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T, and
A second sensor 62, which is arranged downstream of the first sensor 61 in the transport direction and detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T,
It is desirable to be further prepared to prepare.

Further, the tire transport method in the tire testing machine 100 according to the present invention is as follows.
This is a tire transport method for a tire testing machine, in which the tire T is transported to a tire test position TP where the tire T is arranged in order to perform the test in the tire testing machine 100 that performs a predetermined test on the tire T.

The tire transport method is
It has a transport surface 1H on which the tire T is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire T extends in the vertical direction, and can transport the tire T to the tire test position TP along a predetermined transport path. Preparation of various transport mechanisms (first belt conveyor 1, second belt conveyor 2)
A tire measurement sensor 60 capable of detecting that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire T conveyed by the transfer mechanism have reached a predetermined dimensional calculation detection position is provided on the transfer surface 1H. Placing it at a predetermined height and
The stop sensor 63 capable of detecting that the tip end portion of the tire T conveyed by the transfer mechanism has reached a predetermined stop detection position is conveyed by the tire T rather than the tire measurement sensor 60. It is arranged at the same height as the tire measurement sensor 60 with respect to the transport surface 1H on the downstream side in the direction.
The tire T is based on a time difference in which the tire measurement sensor 60 detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire T have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transport speed of the tire T by the transport mechanism. Calculating the outer diameter of the tire T and
As the stop sensor 63 detects that the tip of the tire T has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the tire T temporarily reaches a predetermined standby position SP on the transport path. Controlling the transport mechanism so that it stops,
To calculate the moving distance of the tire T from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP based on the calculated outer diameter dimension and the distance from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP. When,
Controlling the transport mechanism so that the tire T moves from the standby position SP to the tire test position TP according to the calculated movement distance.
To be equipped.

In the above method, as the tire measurement sensor 60,
A first sensor 61 that detects the rear end portion of the tire T, and
A second sensor 62, which is arranged downstream of the first sensor 61 in the transport direction and detects the tip of the tire T,
To prepare and
The first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 of the tire measurement sensor 60 are arranged at the same height as the transport surface 1H.
It is desirable to further prepare.

Further, in the above method, as the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 of the tire measurement sensor 60, the detection light intersects the transport direction and faces a horizontal direction, respectively. It is further desirable to prepare a device having a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives the detected light.

Although the tire tester 100 and the tire transport method in the tire tester according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these modes, and the following modified embodiments are possible. Is.

(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 are non-contact photoelectric sensors using a laser as a light source has been described, but each sensor is another non-contact type. It can also be a sensor or a contact type sensor. Further, each of the above sensors may be a photoelectric sensor such as visible light, infrared ray, or fiber. Further, each sensor may be composed of an image sensor, the edge of the tire T may be detected by the image sensor, and pixels of the same height included in the detected edge of each sensor may be compared. Further, instead of the first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62, the tire measurement sensor 60 may be composed of one sensor. In this case, the outer diameter of the specific outer peripheral edge VC is determined by the time difference between the time when the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge VC reaches the detection light of the sensor and the time when the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge VC passes through the detection light. The dimension VD is calculated.

(2) Further, in the above embodiment, the transport mechanism for feeding the tire T to the tire test position TP has been described in the embodiment of the first belt conveyor 1 and the second belt conveyor 2, but the transport mechanism is 1 It can be one continuous belt conveyor, or it can be a conveyor other than the belt conveyor.

(3) Further, in the above embodiment, the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62 (first tire detection unit), and the stop sensor 63 (second tire detection unit) are placed on the transport surface 1H of the first belt conveyor 1. On the other hand, a movement mechanism capable of relative movement in the vertical direction may be further provided. As an example, the plurality of sensor support portions 51 of FIGS. 9 and 10 may be composed of cylinders that can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction. In this case, the plurality of cylinders expand and contract so that the relative heights of the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 with respect to the transport surface 1H are equal to each other, based on the specific outer peripheral edge VC of the tire T. The above-mentioned control becomes possible. Alternatively, although not shown, when the first sensor 61, the second sensor 62, and the stop sensor 63 are supported by independent sensor support portions, the independent sensor support portions are synchronized by a link mechanism or the like. It may be configured so that it can be expanded and contracted in conjunction with the vertical direction. According to such a configuration, the tire measurement sensor 60 and the stop sensor 63 can be moved relative to the transport surface 1H in the vertical direction according to the size of the tire T, so that the outer diameter dimension of the tire T and the outer diameter dimension of the tire T and The movement distance can be calculated with high accuracy.

(4) Further, FIG. 11 is a rear view of the tire testing machine 100A according to the modified embodiment of the present invention. In this modified embodiment, each sensor support portion 51 has a first sensor 61 (first light emitting unit 61A, first light receiving unit 61B), and further, a second sensor 62 (second sensor 62) (not shown) in the depth direction toward the drawing. A plurality of light emitting units 62A, second light receiving unit 62B) and a stop sensor 63 (third light emitting unit 63A, third light receiving unit 63B) are arranged along the vertical direction. In this case, the sensors located at the same height as each other are selected as specific sensors for controlling the position of the tire T according to the size (particularly the tire width) of the tire T to which the control unit 80 is conveyed. It is possible to control the tire T based on the specific outer peripheral edge VC as in the embodiment.

(5) Further, in the above embodiment, the virtual cut surface G has been described in the form of a horizontal plane, but when the transport surface of each belt conveyor is arranged with a gentle inclination, the virtual cut surface G is Any surface parallel to the transport surface may be used.

(6) Further, in the above embodiment, a belt conveyor is shown as a transport mechanism. However, the transport mechanism of the present invention is not limited to the belt conveyor, and may be another conveyor such as a crescent conveyor, a slat conveyor, a top chain conveyor, a drive roller conveyor, or the like. When the transport mechanism is a belt conveyor or the like configured on an endless track, the flat upper surface of the conveyor constitutes the transport surface. Further, when the transfer mechanism is a drive roller conveyor or the like composed of trajectories composed of a plurality of parallel cylindrical surfaces, a virtual plane including a portion of the plurality of cylindrical surfaces that can come into contact with the tire T constitutes the transfer surface.

Provided by the present invention is a tire testing machine, which includes a spindle shaft, a transport mechanism, a first tire detection unit, a tire dimension calculation unit, a second tire detection unit, and a stop. It includes a control unit, a movement distance calculation unit, and a transport control unit. The spindle shaft is capable of rotating the tire around a reference rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction via a rim mounted on the tire at a tire test position where the tire is placed to perform a predetermined test on the tire. Support. The transport mechanism has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and can transport the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. is there. The first tire detection unit detects the tire transported by the transport mechanism. The first tire detection unit is formed by arranging the tire mounted on the transport surface at a position at a predetermined height from the transport surface and virtually cutting the tire by a virtual cut surface parallel to the transport surface. It is detected that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire, in the transport direction of the tire have reached a predetermined detection position for dimension calculation. The tire dimension calculation unit has a time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge have reached the dimension calculation detection position, and the transport mechanism of the tire. The outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is calculated based on the transport speed. The second tire detection unit is arranged on the downstream side of the first tire detection unit in the transport direction, and the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire transported by the transport mechanism is at a predetermined stop detection position. Detect that it has arrived. In the stop control unit, when the second tire detection unit detects that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached the stop detection position, the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is moved. The transport mechanism is controlled so as to temporarily stop at a predetermined standby position on the transport path. The moving distance calculation unit moves the tire from the standby position to the tire based on the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. The moving distance of the tire for moving to the test position is calculated. The transport control unit controls the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.

According to this configuration, the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit detect the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire on the transport surface, and the tire dimension calculation unit and the moving distance calculation unit are based on the specific outer peripheral edge. It is possible to calculate the outer diameter dimension and the moving distance of the tire for bringing the tire to the tire test position. Therefore, an error included in the calculated outer diameter dimension and moving distance of the tire as compared with the case where the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit detect different parts of the outer peripheral surface of the tire. It is possible to reduce the size of the tire and to carry a plurality of types of tires having various shapes into the tire test position with high accuracy. Further, since the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit do not necessarily have to detect the maximum outer diameter portion of the tire to be transported, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of each detection unit is increased, and the tire to be transported The need to adjust the position of each detection unit accordingly is reduced. Therefore, a tire testing machine capable of accurately carrying a plurality of types of tires having various outer diameters and shapes to a tire testing position is provided.

In the above configuration, the first tire detection unit is arranged with a first sensor that detects the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire and a downstream side of the first sensor in the transport direction, and the tire. It is desirable to have a second sensor that detects the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire.

According to this configuration, since the position of the tire can be detected by the first sensor and the second sensor, the tire can be temporarily stopped in the space between the first sensor and the second sensor, or in the space. It is possible to apply a predetermined treatment to the tire.

Further, what is provided by the present invention is a tire testing machine, which includes a spindle shaft, a transport mechanism, a first tire detection unit, a tire dimension calculation unit, and a second tire detection unit. , A stop control unit, a movement distance calculation unit, and a transfer control unit are provided. The spindle shaft is capable of rotating the tire around a reference rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction via a rim mounted on the tire at a tire test position where the tire is placed to perform a predetermined test on the tire. Support. The transport mechanism has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and can transport the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. is there. The first tire detection unit is arranged at a position at a predetermined height with respect to the transport surface, and the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire in the transport direction of the tire have reached a predetermined detection position for dimension calculation. Are detected respectively. The tire dimension calculation unit has a time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire have reached the dimension calculation detection position, and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism. Based on the above, the outer diameter dimension of the tire is calculated. The second tire detection unit is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first tire detection unit at the same height as the first tire detection unit with respect to the transport surface, and is transported by the transport mechanism. It is detected that the tip end portion of the tire has reached a predetermined stop detection position. The stop control unit detects that the tip of the tire has reached the stop detection position, and the tip of the tire reaches a predetermined position on the transport path. The transport mechanism is controlled so as to pause at the standby position. The moving distance calculation unit moves the tire from the standby position to the tire test position based on the outer diameter dimension calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. The moving distance of the tire for causing the tire is calculated. The transport control unit controls the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.

According to this configuration, since the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit are arranged at the same height with respect to the transport surface, the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit are tires on the transport surface. It is possible to detect parts of the same height. Therefore, the tire dimension calculation unit and the movement distance calculation unit calculate the outer diameter dimension and the movement distance of the tire for bringing the tire to the tire test position based on the portion arranged at the same height of the tire. be able to. Therefore, as compared with the case where the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit detect portions of the outer peripheral surface of the tire having different heights, the calculated outer diameter dimension and moving distance of the tire are calculated. It is possible to reduce the error included in the tire, and it is possible to accurately carry a plurality of types of tires having various shapes to the tire test position. Further, since the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit do not necessarily have to detect the maximum outer diameter portion of the tire to be transported, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of each detection unit is increased, and the tire to be transported has a degree of freedom. The need to adjust the position of each detection unit accordingly is reduced. Therefore, a tire testing machine capable of accurately carrying a plurality of types of tires having various outer diameters and shapes to a tire testing position is provided.

In the above configuration, the first tire detection unit is arranged on the downstream side of the first sensor in the transport direction with the first sensor that detects the rear end portion of the tire, and the tip portion of the tire. It is desirable to have a second sensor for detecting.

In the above configuration, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit of the first tire detection unit emit detection light in a direction intersecting with the transport direction and in a horizontal direction. It is desirable to have a light receiving portion that receives the detected light and a light receiving portion that receives the detected light.

According to this configuration, since the first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit are composed of photoelectric sensors, tires can be detected accurately in a short time.

In the above configuration, it is desirable to further include a lubricant application mechanism that is arranged between the first sensor and the second sensor in the transport direction and applies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the tire.

According to this configuration, it is possible to apply a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the tire between the first sensor and the second sensor, so that the rim can be smoothly attached to the tire. Become.

In the above configuration, it is desirable to further include a moving mechanism capable of moving the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit relative to the transport surface in the vertical direction.

According to this configuration, the first tire detection unit and the second tire detection unit can be moved relative to the transport surface in the vertical direction according to the size of the tire, so that the outer diameter dimensions of the tires having various widths can be determined. And the calculation of the movement distance can be performed with high accuracy.

Further provided by the present invention is a tire transport of a tire testing machine that transports the tire to a tire test position where the tire is arranged in order to perform the test in a tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire. The method. The tire transport method has a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and transports the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. It is a first tire detection unit that prepares a possible transport mechanism and detects the tire transported by the transport mechanism, and the tire mounted on the transport surface has a predetermined height from the transport surface. The tip and rear ends of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire and is formed by being virtually cut by a virtual cutting surface parallel to the transport surface, are arranged at the position of A first tire detection unit that detects that a predetermined dimensional calculation detection position has been reached is arranged on the transport path, and the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire transported by the transport mechanism The second tire detection unit that detects that the predetermined stop detection position has been reached is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first tire detection unit, and the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge are arranged. The outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the unit has reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transport speed of the tire by the transport mechanism. Is calculated, and the second tire detection unit detects that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached the stop detection position, so that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is detected. Controls the transport mechanism so that the tire temporarily stops at a predetermined standby position on the transport path, the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit, and the tire from the standby position. Based on the distance to the test position, the movement distance of the tire for moving the tire from the standby position to the tire test position is calculated, and the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit is used. Correspondingly, the transport mechanism is controlled so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position.

According to this method, a tire transport method in a tire testing machine capable of accurately carrying a plurality of types of tires having various outer diameters and shapes to a tire test position is provided.

In the above method, as the first tire detection unit, a first sensor that detects the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire and a tire that is arranged downstream of the first sensor in the transport direction. It is further desirable to prepare a second sensor for detecting the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire.

In the above method, as the first tire detection unit, a first sensor that detects the rear end portion of the tire and the tip portion of the tire that is arranged downstream of the first sensor in the transport direction are used. The second sensor to be detected is prepared, and the first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit of the first tire detection unit are located at the same height as each other with respect to the transport surface. It is desirable to further prepare for the arrangement.

In the above method, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit of the first tire detection unit emit detection light in a direction intersecting and horizontal with the transport direction, respectively. It is further desirable to prepare a device having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives the detected light.

Claims

A spindle that rotatably supports the tire around a reference rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction via a rim mounted on the tire at a tire test position where the tire is placed to perform a predetermined test on the tire. Axis and
A transport mechanism having a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction and capable of transporting the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path.
A first tire detection unit that detects the tires transported by the transport mechanism, and the first tire detection unit is a position where the tire mounted on the transport surface is at a predetermined height from the transport surface. The front end portion and the rear end portion in the transport direction of the tire of the specific outer peripheral edge, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire formed by being virtually cut by a virtual cutting surface parallel to the transport surface, are predetermined. The first tire detection unit that detects that the detection position for dimensional calculation has been reached, and
Based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism. , A tire dimension calculation unit that calculates the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire,
A second tire, which is arranged downstream of the first tire detection unit in the transport direction and detects that the tip portion of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire transported by the transport mechanism has reached a predetermined stop detection position. 2 Tire detector and
As the second tire detecting unit detects that the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is on the transport path. A stop control unit that controls the transport mechanism so as to temporarily stop at a predetermined standby position,
To move the tire from the standby position to the tire test position based on the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. A movement distance calculation unit that calculates the movement distance of the tire,
A transfer control unit that controls the transfer mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.
A tire testing machine equipped with.
The first tire detection unit is
A first sensor that detects the rear end of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire, and
A second sensor, which is arranged downstream of the first sensor in the transport direction and detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire,
The tire testing machine according to claim 1.
A spindle that rotatably supports the tire around a reference rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction via a rim mounted on the tire at a tire test position where the tire is placed to perform a predetermined test on the tire. Axis and
A transport mechanism having a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction and capable of transporting the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path.
A first tire that is arranged at a predetermined height with respect to the transport surface and detects that the front end and the rear end of the tire in the transport direction of the tire have reached a predetermined dimensional calculation detection position, respectively. With the detector
Based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism, the said. A tire size calculation unit that calculates the outer diameter of a tire,
The tip of the tire, which is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the first tire detection unit at the same height as the first tire detection unit with respect to the transport surface and is transported by the transport mechanism, is A second tire detection unit that detects that a predetermined stop detection position has been reached, and
As the second tire detection unit detects that the tip of the tire has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the tire temporarily stops at a predetermined standby position on the transport path. A stop control unit that controls the transport mechanism so as to
The tire for moving the tire from the standby position to the tire test position based on the outer diameter dimension calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. A moving distance calculation unit that calculates the moving distance,
A transfer control unit that controls the transfer mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.
A tire testing machine equipped with.
The first tire detection unit is
A first sensor that detects the rear end of the tire,
A second sensor, which is arranged downstream of the first sensor in the transport direction and detects the tip of the tire,
The tire testing machine according to claim 3.
The first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit of the first tire detection unit emit a light emitting unit that emits detection light in a direction intersecting and horizontal with the transport direction, and the detection light. The tire testing machine according to claim 2 or 4, further comprising a light receiving portion that receives light.
The tire test according to claim 2 or 4, further comprising a lubricant application mechanism that is arranged between the first sensor and the second sensor in the transport direction and applies a lubricant to the inner peripheral surface of the tire. Machine.
The tire testing machine according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a moving mechanism capable of moving the first tire detecting unit and the second tire detecting unit relative to the transport surface in the vertical direction.
A tire transport method for a tire testing machine, which transports the tire to a tire test position where the tire is arranged in order to perform the test in a tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire.
Prepare a transport mechanism having a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and capable of transporting the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. To do and
A first tire detection unit that detects the tires transported by the transport mechanism, wherein the tires mounted on the transport surface are arranged at a position at a predetermined height from the transport surface and parallel to the transport surface. The front end portion and the rear end portion in the transport direction of the tire of the specific outer peripheral edge, which is the outer peripheral edge of the tire formed by being virtually cut by the virtual cutting surface, have reached a predetermined detection position for dimensional calculation. By arranging the first tire detection unit that detects each of them on the transport path,
A second tire detection unit that detects that the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire transported by the transfer mechanism has reached a predetermined stop detection position is downstream of the first tire detection unit in the transport direction. To place it on the side and
Based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the specific outer peripheral edge have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism. , Calculating the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire,
As the second tire detecting unit detects that the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire is on the transport path. To control the transport mechanism so as to pause at a predetermined standby position,
To move the tire from the standby position to the tire test position based on the outer diameter dimension of the specific outer peripheral edge calculated by the tire dimension calculation unit and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position. To calculate the moving distance of the tire
Controlling the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit.
A tire transport method in a tire testing machine.
As the first tire detection unit
A first sensor that detects the rear end of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire, and
A second sensor, which is arranged downstream of the first sensor in the transport direction and detects the tip of the specific outer peripheral edge of the tire,
The tire transporting method in the tire testing machine according to claim 8, further comprising preparing the tire.
A tire transport method for a tire testing machine, which transports the tire to a tire test position where the tire is arranged in order to perform the test in a tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire.
Prepare a transport mechanism having a transport surface on which the tire is placed in a posture in which the rotation axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction, and capable of transporting the tire to the tire test position along a predetermined transport path. To do and
A first tire detection unit capable of detecting that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire conveyed by the transfer mechanism have reached a predetermined dimensional calculation detection position is designated with respect to the transfer surface. Placing it at a height position and
The second tire detection unit capable of detecting that the tip portion of the tire conveyed by the transfer mechanism has reached a predetermined stop detection position is more in the transport direction of the tire than the first tire detection unit. On the downstream side, the tires should be arranged at the same height as the first tire detection unit with respect to the transport surface.
Based on the time difference in which the first tire detection unit detects that the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tire have reached the detection position for dimension calculation and the transfer speed of the tire by the transfer mechanism. Calculating the outer diameter of the tire and
As the second tire detection unit detects that the tip of the tire has reached the stop detection position, the tip of the tire temporarily stops at a predetermined standby position on the transport path. To control the transport mechanism so as to
Based on the calculated outer diameter dimension and the distance from the standby position to the tire test position, the movement distance of the tire from the standby position to the tire test position is calculated.
Controlling the transport mechanism so that the tire moves from the standby position to the tire test position according to the calculated movement distance.
A tire transport method in a tire testing machine.
As the first tire detection unit
A first sensor that detects the rear end of the tire,
A second sensor, which is arranged downstream of the first sensor in the transport direction and detects the tip of the tire,
To prepare and
By arranging the first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit of the first tire detection unit at the same height as each other with respect to the transport surface.
The tire transport method in the tire testing machine according to claim 10, further comprising.
As the first sensor, the second sensor, and the second tire detection unit of the first tire detection unit, a light emitting unit that emits detection light in a direction intersecting and horizontal to the transport direction and the detection unit, respectively. The tire transport method in a tire testing machine according to claim 9 or 11, further comprising preparing a tire having a light receiving unit that receives light.