WO2021192913A1

WO2021192913A1 - Tire testing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2021192913A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/008613
Authority: WO
Inventors: 敬志住谷
Original assignee: 株式会社神戸製鋼所
Priority date: 2020-03-25
Filing date: 2021-03-05
Publication date: 2021-09-30
Also published as: TW202138779A; TWI792224B; JP7379242B2; JP2021156604A; CN115298528A

Abstract

Provided is a tire testing machine which can change the distance between an upper rim and a lower rim in accordance with the width of the tire with a simple configuration. A lower spindle (21) has a lower holding part (210A) which holds a lower rim (61), and a lock piece (250). An upper spindle (22) has an upper holding part (221) which holds an upper rim (62), and an insertion part (222). The insertion amount of the insertion part (222) into an internal space (S) is adjusted, and a plurality of lock engaging parts (250A) of the lock part (250) engage with a plurality of insertion engaging parts (224A) of the insertion part (222) to thereby adjust the distance between the lower rim (61) and the upper rim (62) in accordance with the width of a tire (T).

Description

Tire testing machine

The present invention relates to a tire testing machine for performing a predetermined test on a tire.

Conventionally, a tire testing machine that measures tire uniformity and the like is known. The tire testing machine has a spindle that rotatably supports the tire around the rotation center axis extending in the vertical direction, and is rotatably supported around the rotation center axis parallel to the rotation center axis of the spindle and hits the outer peripheral surface of the tire. It has a rotating drum that can be contacted and a load cell that can measure the load applied to the rotating drum. On the other hand, there is also a tire testing machine having a load cell on the spindle side.

When the tire mounted on the spindle is filled with air and the rotating drum is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the tire, the tire is rotated by the spindle and the load cell measures the load fluctuation data of the tire. Tire uniformity is evaluated based on the measured load variation data. The spindle has an upper spindle and a lower spindle. When the tire is mounted on the spindle, an upper rim and a lower rim corresponding to the tire size are mounted on both side surfaces of the tire, and the spindle rotatably supports the tire through these rims.

Since some tires evaluated by a tire testing machine have a width of various dimensions, it is necessary to set a relative distance between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of each tire. Patent Document 1 discloses a tire testing machine capable of adjusting the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim. Specifically, the tire testing machine has a cylindrical spindle (corresponding to the lower spindle) that supports the lower rim, a cylindrical lock shaft (corresponding to the upper spindle) that supports the upper rim, and a drive mechanism. Have. A lock shaft is inserted into the spindle of the spindle. On the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the lock shaft, 15 upper and lower lock grooves are arranged. On the other hand, the spindle has four lock members arranged so as to face the lock groove at intervals in the circumferential direction and each capable of reciprocating along the radial direction, and each lock member is provided in the lock groove. It has 6 upper and lower lock claws that can be engaged with each other. When the approach amount (lowering amount) of the lock shaft to the spindle is adjusted and the drive mechanism moves the four lock members inward in the radial direction, the six-stage lock claws are engaged with the predetermined lock grooves, respectively, and the lock shaft is moved. Positioned vertically with respect to the spindle. As a result, the relative positions of the upper rim and the lower rim are fixed.

Japanese Patent No. 3904318

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the drive mechanism for reciprocating the four lock members in the radial direction is arranged so as to penetrate the cylindrical spindle along the radial direction, the structure of the drive mechanism is formed. It was complicated. Further, in such a configuration, the mechanism becomes large and easily breaks down, and maintenance is troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tire testing machine capable of changing the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of the tire with a simple configuration.

Provided by the present invention is to rotate the tire in a horizontal posture in which the rotation center axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction at a predetermined tire test position around the rotation center axis, and perform a predetermined test on the tire. It is a tire testing machine that performs. The tire testing machine includes a lower spindle and an upper spindle. The lower spindle has a lower holding portion capable of holding a lower rim mounted on a lower bead portion which is a bead portion located on the lower side of the tire in a horizontal posture, and the tire has a lower holding portion. The tire is supported via the lower rim so that it can rotate around the rotation center axis. The upper spindle has an upper holding portion capable of holding an upper rim mounted on an upper bead portion which is a bead portion located on the upper side of the tire in a horizontal posture, and the tire is said to have the upper holding portion. The tire is supported via the upper rim so that it can rotate about the center axis of rotation. One of the lower spindle and the upper spindle has an insertion portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the lower spindle and the upper spindle, which is different from the one spindle. The insertion portion includes an insertion outer peripheral surface constituting the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, and has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation center axis. The insertion portion has a plurality of insertion engagement portions and a plurality of insertion recesses. The plurality of insertion engaging portions extend in the axial direction of the rotation center axis and are arranged at intervals in the rotation direction of the tire to form a part of the insertion outer peripheral surface. The plurality of insertion engaging portions include a plurality of engaging projections that extend along the rotation direction and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The plurality of insertion recesses are arranged so as to extend in the axial direction between the insertion engagement portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction among the plurality of insertion engagement portions, and a part of the insertion outer peripheral surface thereof is provided. Constitute. The plurality of insertion recesses each have a shape that is recessed inward in the radial direction with respect to the plurality of insertion engagement portions when viewed from the axial direction. Further, the other spindle has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the spindle and a lock portion. The inner peripheral surface of the spindle defines an opening facing the insertion portion of the one spindle in the axial direction and an internal space that can accept the insertion portion through the opening. The lock portion constitutes at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the spindle, and can lock the insertion portion inserted into the internal space so as to restrain the one spindle in the axial direction. .. The lock portion has a plurality of lock engaging portions and a plurality of lock recesses. The plurality of lock engaging portions extend in the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle and are arranged at intervals from each other in the rotational direction. The plurality of lock engaging portions each include a plurality of locking protrusions that extend along the rotation direction and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The plurality of lock recesses are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle so as to extend in the axial direction between the lock engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotational direction among the plurality of lock engaging portions. Each of the plurality of lock recesses has a shape of being recessed radially outward with respect to the plurality of lock engaging portions when viewed from the axial direction. The dimensions of the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses in the radial and circumferential directions about the rotation center axis with respect to the plurality of insertion engaging portions and the plurality of insertion recesses have the following aspects. Each is set to meet. That is, when viewed from the axial direction, the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the one spindle match the plurality of lock recesses of the other spindle, and the plurality of insertion recesses of the one spindle are the other. The other spindle to a position where the plurality of insertion engaging portions face each of the plurality of lock engaging portions in the rotation direction in an insertable state in which the spindle is in a state of matching the plurality of lock engaging portions. Is capable of accepting the insertion portion of the one spindle into the internal space along the axial direction, and further, the plurality of locking projections of the plurality of lock engaging portions of the other spindle are in the axial direction. In the space between the locking protrusions adjacent to each other, the plurality of engaging protrusions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the one spindle are each received along the rotation direction. By engaging with each of the engaging protrusions, the plurality of insertions can be made so that the upper holding portion of the upper spindle and the lower holding portion of the lower spindle can be relatively positioned in the axial direction. The dimensions of the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses in the radial direction and the circumferential direction about the rotation center axis are set for the engaging portion and the plurality of insertion recesses, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower rim and the upper rim are supported by the lower spindle and the upper spindle of the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 5 is a side view of a state in which the upper rim is supported by the upper spindle of the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the guide piece of the upper spindle of the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a lock piece of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a lock piece of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lock piece of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an upper spindle, an upper rim, and a lock piece of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the lower rim and the upper rim are supported by the lower spindle and the upper spindle, respectively. FIG. 12 is an upward perspective view of an elevating unit of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the elevating unit of FIG. FIG. 14 is a downward perspective view of an elevating unit of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the elevating unit of FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view of an elevating unit of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the elevating unit of FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a side view showing a process in which a tire is rotatably supported in a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 19 showing a process in which a tire is rotatably supported in a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which a tire is rotatably supported in a tire testing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which a tire is rotatably supported in the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which a tire is rotatably supported in the tire testing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a side view of a state in which the upper rim is supported by the upper spindle of the tire testing machine according to the first modification embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a plan view of the lock piece of the tire testing machine according to the first modification embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a side sectional view of a lock piece of the tire testing machine according to the first modification embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a side sectional view of the tire testing machine according to the second modification of the present invention in a state where the lower rim and the upper rim are supported by the lower spindle and the upper spindle, respectively. FIG. 28 is a side sectional view of the tire testing machine according to the second modification of the present invention in a state where the lower rim and the upper rim are supported by the lower spindle and the upper spindle, respectively.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the tire testing machine 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a plan view, a rear view, and a side view of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following drawings, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions are shown with reference to the tire T conveyed by the tire testing machine 1, and the directions are the usage modes of the tire testing machine according to the present invention. Does not limit.

The tire testing machine 1 includes a main body frame 1S, a spindle 2, a tire transport mechanism 3, a rotating drum 4, an elevating unit 50, a marking unit 60, a drum moving mechanism (not shown), and a load cell 4L. The tire testing machine 1 uses the tire T in a horizontal posture in which the tire rotation center axis CL (rotation center axis) of the tire T (see FIG. 19) extends in the vertical direction at a predetermined tire test position P. A predetermined test is performed on the tire T by rotating it around the rotation center axis CL.

The main body frame 1S is arranged substantially in the center of the tire testing machine 1, and the tire test position P is formed inside the main body frame 1S. Further, the main body frame 1S rotatably supports the spindle 2. The main body frame 1S includes a lower frame 100 (FIG. 3), a base frame 101 (FIG. 2), and an upper frame 102 (FIG. 2).

The spindle 2 rotatably supports the tire T around the reference rotation center axis 2S extending in the vertical direction at the tire test position P. The spindle 2 has a lower spindle 21 (the other spindle, the second spindle) and an upper spindle 22 (one spindle, the first spindle) (FIGS. 2 and 3).

The tire transport mechanism 3 is arranged along the horizontal transport direction D1 so as to pass through the tire test position P in a plan view, and the tire T in the horizontal posture can be carried into the tire test position P. On the other hand, it is possible to carry out the tire T from the tire test position P along the transport direction D1.

The rotating drum 4 is rotatably supported by the base frame 101 of the main body frame 1S. The rotating drum 4 is arranged to face the tire test position P (spindle 2) at a predetermined interval in a direction (left-right direction) substantially orthogonal to the transport direction D1 of the tire T transported by the tire transport mechanism 3. ing. The rotating drum 4 is a cylindrical member that is rotatable around a rotation center axis extending in a direction parallel to the reference rotation center axis 2S of the spindle 2 (vertical direction), and a tire T runs on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A simulated road surface 4A (outer peripheral surface) is formed. When the simulated road surface 4A comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tire T, the rotating drum 4 is driven by the tire T to rotate. A drum moving mechanism (not shown) that pushes the rotating drum 4 in the horizontal direction is provided on the side of the rotating drum 4, and the drum moving mechanism can move the rotating drum 4 closer to and from the tire T. can.

The load cell 4L (load measuring device) is arranged on the vertical extension line of the rotation center axis of the rotating drum 4 (only the upper side is shown in FIG. 1), and measures the load received by the rotating drum 4 from the tire T. The load cell 4L is used to support the rotating drum 4 on the main body frame 1S, and is provided one by one at the upper part and the lower part of the rotating drum 4 to measure the load acting on the rotating drum 4 in the vertical direction. .. That is, in the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the rotating drum 4 is brought close to the spindle 2 by using a combination of a ball screw and a motor (not shown), and the tire T is brought into contact with the simulated road surface 4A of the rotating drum 4. It is configured as a tire uniformity machine that evaluates the uniformity of the tire T by measuring the load fluctuation during tire rotation with the road cell 4L.

The tire transport mechanism 3 has a belt conveyor type structure. The tire transport mechanism 3 includes a carry-in conveyor 7, a transport conveyor 8, a carry-out conveyor 9, a carry-in frame 7S, and a carry-out frame 9S. In FIG. 1, the tire T is conveyed from the rear side (upstream side) to the front side (downstream side).

The carry-in conveyor 7 conveys the tire T toward the tire test position P. The tire T conveyed by the carry-in conveyor 7 is delivered to the upstream portion of the transfer conveyor 8. The transport conveyor 8 receives the tire T from the carry-in conveyor 7 and carries the tire T to the tire test position P. The conveyor 8 is controlled by the control unit 90 described later to suspend the tire T at the tire test position P. After that, when the tire T is subjected to a predetermined test, the transport conveyor 8 transports the tire T further downstream. The tire T conveyed by the transfer conveyor 8 is delivered to the carry-out conveyor 9. The unloading conveyor 9 receives the tire T from the transport conveyor 8 and transports the tire T further downstream.

The carry-in conveyor 7, the transfer conveyor 8, and the carry-out conveyor 9 are orbitably driven by a drive unit (not shown) included in the tire transfer mechanism 3. Further, the conveyor 8 can be raised and lowered by an air cylinder (not shown) included in the drive unit. The tire T carried into the tire test position P is delivered to the lower spindle 21 by the lowering of the conveyor 8. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the conveyor 8 has moved to the lowermost lower position. When the transfer conveyor 8 is moved to the uppermost upper position, the transfer conveyor 8 is arranged at the same height as the carry-in conveyor 7 and the carry-out conveyor 9, and the tire T can be conveyed.

The carry-in frame 7S supports the carry-in conveyor 7 so as to be able to orbit, and the carry-out frame 9S supports the carry-out conveyor 9 so as to be orbitable. Further, the carry-out frame 9S supports a marking unit 60 (FIG. 3) that gives a predetermined marking to the tire T according to the test result at the tire test position P.

The elevating unit 50 supports the upper spindle 22 so as to be able to elevate and rotate. The elevating unit 50 can move up and down along the pair of guide frames 102A of the upper frame 102 of FIG. The detailed structure of the elevating unit 50 will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 are supported by the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 5 is a side view of a state in which the upper rim 62 is supported by the upper spindle 22 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the guide piece 223 of the upper spindle 22 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. 7, 8 and 9 are a plan view, a side sectional view and a perspective view of the lock piece 250 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper spindle 22, the upper rim 62, and the lock piece 250 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment in a state where the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 are supported by the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22, respectively.

The lower spindle 21 is a lower holding flange 210A (lower holding portion) capable of holding a lower rim 61 mounted on a lower bead portion which is a bead portion located on the lower side of the tire T in the horizontal posture. Supports the tire T so that the tire T can rotate around the reference rotation center axis 2S via the lower rim 61.

The upper spindle 22 has an upper holding flange 221 (upper holding portion) capable of holding the upper rim 62 mounted on the upper bead portion which is a bead portion located on the upper side of the tire T in the horizontal posture. The tire T is supported so that the tire T can rotate around the reference rotation center axis 2S via the upper rim 62.

When the tire T is arranged at the tire test position P, the tire rotation center axis CL of the tire T matches the reference rotation center axis 2S of the spindle 2. The tire testing machine 1 has a plurality of types of lower rim 61 and upper rim 62 according to the size (outer diameter, inner diameter, width), shape, etc. of the tire T to be tested at the tire test position P. Appropriate lower rims 61 and upper rims 62 are arranged at the tire test position P depending on the tire T.

The upper spindle 22 includes an upper spindle base end 220 (FIG. 5), an upper holding flange 221, an insertion portion 222 inserted into the lower spindle 21, a guide piece 223 (FIG. 5), and an upper spindle engaging portion 224. (Fig. 5) and.

The upper spindle base end 220 (FIG. 5) has a cylindrical shape that constitutes the base end (upper end) of the upper spindle 22. As shown in FIG. 12, the upper spindle base end 220 is connected to the elevating unit 50 described later.

The upper holding flange 221 is connected to the lower end of the upper spindle base end portion 220 and has a function of holding the ring-shaped upper rim 62.

The insertion portion 222 is connected to the upper holding flange 221 from below. The insertion portion 222 includes the insertion outer peripheral surface 222S (FIG. 5) and has a cylindrical shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S (tire rotation center axis CL). As shown in FIG. 11, the insertion portion 222 is inserted into the ring-shaped upper rim 62, so that the upper rim 62 reaches and is held by the upper holding flange 221.

The guide piece 223 is fixed to the lower end of the insertion portion 222 by a plurality of bolts V (FIG. 11), and is inserted together with the insertion portion 222 into the internal space S described later of the lower spindle 21.

The upper spindle engaging portion 224 (FIG. 5) is arranged at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the insertion outer peripheral surface 222S of the insertion portion 222. The upper spindle engaging portion 224 has a plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A and a plurality of insertion recesses 224B.

The plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A extend in the axial direction of the reference rotation center axis 2S and are arranged at intervals in the rotation direction of the tire T, respectively, and form a part of the insertion outer peripheral surface 222S. Each of the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224A includes a plurality of engagement projections 224AS that extend along the rotation direction and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS are arranged so as to extend in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the axial direction.

On the other hand, the plurality of insertion recesses 224B are arranged so as to extend in the axial direction between the insertion engagement portions 224A adjacent to each other in the rotation direction among the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224A, and the insertion outer peripheral surface 222S. Make up a part. The plurality of insertion recesses 224B each have a shape recessed inward in the radial direction with respect to the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224A when viewed from the axial direction. Both ends of the space (groove) formed between the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS communicate with each other in the space (dent) defined by the adjacent insertion recess 224B.

The guide piece 223 also has a plurality of guide piece convex portions 223A and a plurality of guide piece concave portions 223B so as to correspond to the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B. FIG. 6). That is, the insertion portion 222 and the guide piece 223 are formed with a plurality of convex portions continuous in the axial direction from the insertion engaging portion 224A to the guide piece convex portion 223A, while the insertion recess 224B to the guide piece concave portion 223B. , A plurality of concave portions continuous in the axial direction are formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the insertion section 222 has an air introduction section 225A and a plurality of air supply sections 225B. The air introduction unit 225A communicates with the air supply mechanism 55 described later, and receives the air supplied from the air supply mechanism 55 into the tire T (the tire internal space). The plurality of air supply units 225B communicate with the air introduction unit 225A and extend radially from the air introduction unit 225A. Each air supply unit 225B communicates with the tire internal space to supply air. The air introduction section 225A and the plurality of air supply sections 225B also function as discharge sections for discharging excess air in order to prevent the tire T from bursting when the tire internal space is sufficiently filled with air. A control valve (not shown) for controlling the discharge of the air is arranged around these.

The lower spindle 21 has a cylindrical spindle main body 210 and a ring-shaped lock piece 250 (lock portion) fixed to the spindle main body 210. The spindle main body 210 has a cylindrical main body inner peripheral surface 210S (FIG. 11). Further, the lock piece 250 has a cylindrical piece inner peripheral surface 250S (FIG. 7). The inner peripheral surface 210S of the main body and the inner peripheral surface 250S of the piece constitute a cylindrical spindle inner peripheral surface 21S. The inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle defines an opening X (FIG. 11) facing the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 in the axial direction and an internal space S capable of accepting the insertion portion 222 through the opening X, respectively. The inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 222.

In the present embodiment, the spindle main body 210 includes a cylindrical lower holding flange 210A and a cylindrical lower spindle main body 210B, and has an upper and lower two-divided structure. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower holding flange 210A and the lower spindle main body 210B are connected to each other by a plurality of bolts V. The lower holding flange 210A functions as a lower holding portion for holding the lower rim 61 from below. The upper portion of the lower holding flange 210A has an outer diameter smaller than that of the lower portion of the lower holding flange 210A. By inserting the upper portion of the cylindrical lower holding flange 210A into the center of the ring-shaped lower rim 61, the lower portion (flange portion) of the lower holding flange 210A holds the lower rim 61.

The lock piece 250 is arranged so as to be interposed between the lower holding flange 210A and the lower spindle main body 210B, and the inner peripheral surface 250S of the piece constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle as described above. .. The lock piece 250 is capable of locking the upper spindle 22 inserted into the internal space S so as to restrain the upper spindle 22 in the axial direction. The lock piece 250 is integrated with the spindle body 210 and rotates around the reference rotation center axis 2S.

The lock piece 250 has a plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and a plurality of lock recesses 250B (FIGS. 7 to 9).

The plurality of lock engaging portions 250A extend in the axial direction and are arranged at intervals in the rotational direction on the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle. Each of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A includes a plurality of locking projections 250AS (FIG. 8) extending along the rotation direction and arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction.

The plurality of lock recesses 250B are respectively arranged on the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle so as to extend in the axial direction between the lock engaging portions 250A adjacent to each other in the rotational direction among the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A. Each of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A has a shape recessed outward in the radial direction when viewed from the axial direction (FIG. 7).

The inner diameter of the lock recess 250A is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion recess 224B and smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion engagement 224A, and the inner diameter of the lock recess 250B is the inner diameter of the insertion recess 224A. It is set larger than the outer diameter. The interrelationship of these magnitudes is set so that the air supplied to the tire internal space by the air supply mechanism 55 can withstand a large axial force generated on the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21.

FIG. 12 is an upward perspective view of the elevating unit 50 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the elevating unit 50 of FIG. FIG. 14 is a downward perspective view of the elevating unit 50 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the elevating unit 50 of FIG. Further, FIG. 16 is a plan view of the elevating unit 50 of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the elevating unit 50 of FIG.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the elevating unit 50 includes an elevating bracket 510, a guided frame 511, a pair of front and rear diagonal frames 512, a base plate 515, a pair of rotation phase sensors 516, and four front, rear, left and right. It has an offset adjusting screw 517 and an air supply mechanism 55. Further, the above-mentioned upper spindle 22 further has an upper spindle flange 227 (FIG. 13) connected to the upper spindle base end portion 220 (FIGS. 5 and 12).

The elevating bracket 510, the guided frame 511, and the pair of front and rear diagonal frames 512 constitute a frame for elevating and lowering the upper spindle 22. The elevating bracket 510 has a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear and left-right directions. A plate-shaped bracket central portion 510A is arranged at the central portion of the elevating bracket 510 in the front-rear direction. The guided frame 511 is erected upward from the right side edge of the elevating bracket 510, and has a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. The guided frame 511 is supported so as to be movable (up and down) up and down by a pair of guide frames 102A of the upper frame 102. The pair of front and rear diagonal frames 512 connect the elevating bracket 510 and the guided frame 511 to each other to maintain the rigidity of the elevating unit 50.

The base plate 515 is a member mounted on the bracket central portion 510A of the elevating bracket 510, and has a disk-shaped portion and a cylindrical portion (base plate boss portion 515S). The center of the base plate 515 coincides with the reference rotation center axis 2S. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a circular opening having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the base plate 515 is formed in the bracket central portion 510A, and the central portion (base plate) of the base plate 515 is formed through the opening. The boss portion 515S) is exposed so as to extend downward.

The upper spindle flange 227 is a member that can rotate around the reference rotation center axis 2S integrally with the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22. As shown in FIG. 13, the upper spindle flange 227 is mounted on the base plate 515, and the center of the upper spindle flange 227 coincides with the reference rotation center axis 2S. The upper spindle flange 227 is opened with four holes 227A at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The hole 227A is formed so as to penetrate the upper spindle flange 227 in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the base plate 515 is provided with four base plate pins 515R (FIG. 17) that can be inserted into the holes 227A so as to project upward.

When the four base plate pins 515R are inserted into the four holes 227A, the elevating bracket 510 prevents the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 from rotating around the reference rotation center axis 2S. On the other hand, when the upper spindle flange 227 of the upper spindle 22 moves upward relative to the base plate 515 and the four base plate pins 515R are separated from the four holes 227A, respectively, the upper spindle including the upper spindle flange 227 22 is free to rotate around the reference rotation center axis 2S.

The four offset adjusting screws 517 are arranged in the central portion 510A of the bracket so as to urge the outer peripheral surface of the base plate 515 inward in the radial direction. By adjusting the tightening amount of each offset adjusting screw 517, it is possible to adjust the offset amount of the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227.

The pair of rotational phase sensors 516 are arranged at intervals along the rotational direction of the upper spindle 22 (tire T) and are supported by a bracket 516S fixed on the base plate 515. On the other hand, the above-mentioned upper spindle flange 227 has a detected portion 229 arranged on the outer peripheral portion thereof. The detected portion 229 is an L-shaped sheet metal member, and has a portion extending upward in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the upper spindle flange 227. When the upper spindle flange 227 rotates around the reference rotation center axis 2S together with the upper spindle 22, the pair of rotation phase sensors 516 detect the detected portion 229, so that the rotation and phase of the upper spindle flange 227 can be detected. ..

The air supply mechanism 55 extends from a compressor (not shown) and supplies air to the above-mentioned air introduction portion 225A through the inside of the cylinder of the upper spindle flange 227 and the upper spindle base end portion 220. That is, the air supply mechanism 55 is in a space defined by the upper rim 62, the tire T, and the lower rim 61 in a state where the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 support the tire T via the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61. It is possible to fill a certain tire internal space with air.

With reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the elevating unit 50 further includes an elevating detection sensor 518 and a sensor bracket 518A. Further, at a position of the base plate 515 adjacent to the pair of rotational phase sensors 516, a base plate notch portion 515A having a shape in which the base plate 515 is partially cut out is formed. The elevation detection sensor 518 is supported by the sensor bracket 518A so as to be arranged in the base plate notch 515A. The sensor bracket 518A supports the elevating detection sensor 518 at its tip, and its base end is fixed to the lower surface of the bracket central portion 510A. The elevating detection sensor 518 is a sensor capable of detecting the lower surface portion of the upper spindle flange 227, and detects the relative elevating and lowering of the upper spindle flange 227 with respect to the base plate 515. In another embodiment, the base end portion of the sensor bracket 518A may be fixed to the base plate 515. In this case, even if the offset position of the base plate 515 is finely adjusted by the four offset adjusting screws 517, the elevating detection sensor 518 can stably detect the lower surface portion of the upper spindle flange 227.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The tire testing machine 1 includes a control unit 90, a plurality of tire detection sensors 91, an input unit 92, a lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 (rotation drive unit), an upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 (insertion drive unit), and the like. Further prepare.

The plurality of tire detection sensors 91 are respectively arranged in the transport path of the tire T transported by the tire transport mechanism 3, and detect the transport position of the tire T. When each tire detection sensor 91 detects the tire T, a predetermined detection signal is input to the control unit 90.

The input unit 92 inputs various command information to the control unit 90 when a predetermined test is performed on the tire T, and includes an operation unit and a display operated by an operator. As an example, the operator can input the tire width information which is the information regarding the width of the tire T from the input unit 92. When the tire testing machine 1 has a width detection sensor (not shown) that detects the width of the tire T, the detection result of the width detection sensor may be input to the control unit 90 as the tire width information.

The lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 inputs a rotation drive force to the lower spindle 21, and uses the lower spindle 21 as a reference rotation center axis when the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are locked engaged and when the tire T is tested. It is a drive unit that rotates around 2S. The lower spindle rotary drive unit 93 includes a motor or gear (not shown) that is driven by hydraulic power or electric power.

The upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 is a drive unit that elevates and elevates the upper spindle 22 relative to the lower spindle 21 through the elevating unit 50. The upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 includes a motor or gear (not shown) that is driven by hydraulic power or electric power. On the upper side of FIG. 12, bearings 513 constituting the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 are shown. A lead screw is pivotally supported on the bearing 513 and connected to an electric motor, a speed reducer, an encoder, or the like (not shown). In the present embodiment, a ball screw is used as the feed screw, but other types of screws such as a trapezoidal screw may be used. Further, mechanical element parts such as couplings may be used as appropriate. Further, instead of the electric motor, a hydraulic driving force such as a hydraulic motor or a hydraulic cylinder may be used in combination with a measuring device such as an encoder or a linear sensor.

The control unit 90 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a control program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU, and the like. Further, the control unit 90 includes the above-mentioned tire detection sensor 91, rotation phase sensor 516, elevating detection sensor 518, input unit 92, tire transport mechanism 3, lower spindle rotation drive unit 93, upper spindle elevating drive unit 94, and air supply. The mechanism 55 and the like are electrically connected. The control unit 90 executes the control program stored in the ROM by the CPU to execute the tire transfer control unit 901, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902, the upper spindle elevating control unit 903, the air supply control unit 904, and the storage unit 905. To function respectively.

The tire transfer control unit 901 conveys the tire T by the carry-in conveyor 7, the transfer conveyor 8, and the carry-out conveyor 9 by controlling the above-mentioned drive unit provided in the tire transfer mechanism 3. Further, the tire transport control unit 901 raises and lowers the conveyor 8 between the above-mentioned upper position and the lower position by controlling the ascending / descending operation of the conveyor 8.

The lower spindle rotation control unit 902 controls the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 to rotate the lower spindle 21 around the reference rotation center axis 2S. When locking the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked. On the other hand, when performing a predetermined test on the tire T, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 integrally while the upper spindle 22 is allowed to rotate.

The upper spindle elevating control unit 903 controls the elevating operation of the elevating unit 50 (upper spindle 22) by controlling the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94.

The air supply control unit 904 controls the air supply mechanism 55 to execute the work of filling the internal space of the tire T with air.

The storage unit 905 stores various control parameters referred to by the tire transport control unit 901, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902, the upper spindle elevating control unit 903, and the air supply control unit 904.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing a process in which the tire T is rotatably supported in the tire testing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 21st, 22nd, and 23rd are cross-sectional views showing a process in which the tire T is rotatably supported in the tire testing machine 1 as in FIG. 20.

When the test on the tire T is executed, as shown in FIG. 19, the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 are held by the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22, respectively, and the upper spindle 22 is moved upward with respect to the lower spindle 21. It is considered to have been moved. At this time, in the upper spindle flange 227 of the upper spindle 22, the detected portion 229 is in a state of being detected by the pair of rotational phase sensors 516, and the four base plate pins 515R of the base plate 515 are inserted into the four hole portions 227A, respectively. As a result, the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is prevented from rotating at a specific rotation position around the reference rotation center axis 2S.

On the other hand, in the lower spindle rotation control unit 902, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are lowered when viewed from the axial direction, corresponding to the case where the upper spindle 22 is arranged at the specific rotation position. In advance, the insertable state is such that the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are matched with the plurality of lock recesses 250B of the spindle 21 and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are matched with the plurality of lock engagement portions 250A of the lower spindle 21. The rotation position of the lower spindle 21 is adjusted.

Next, when the tire T is placed on the upstream end of the carry-in conveyor 7, the tire transfer control unit 901 controls the rotation of the carry-in conveyor 7 and the transfer conveyor 8 so that the tire T is carried into the tire test position P. Will be done. At this time, the rotation of the conveyor 8 is stopped so that the tire rotation center axis CL of the tire T matches the reference rotation center axis 2S of the spindle 2. After that, when the tire transfer control unit 901 lowers the transfer conveyor 8, the tire T is delivered from the transfer conveyor 8 to the lower spindle 21. The tire T is placed on the lower rim 61 held by the lower spindle 21 (FIGS. 19 and 20).

Next, the upper spindle elevating control unit 903 lowers the elevating unit 50 so that the distance between the upper rim 62 held by the upper holding flange 221 and the lower rim 61 held by the lower holding flange 210A is the distance between the tire T. The insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 is inserted to a specific position in the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 so as to have a predetermined interval set according to the width (FIG. 21).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the engaging projection 224AS of the insertion engaging portion 224A of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 is the locking projection 250AS of the lock engaging portion 250A of the lock piece 250. It has more stages than the above, and is said to be able to handle a maximum of 16 stages of tire T width. In FIG. 21, the position of the upper spindle 22 is set so that the distance between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 is the largest among the above 16 steps.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 21, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A face each of the plurality of lock recesses 250B in the radial direction centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S.

Next, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4, so that the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224A engage with a plurality of locks in the radial direction centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S. It faces (fits) the portion 250A and locks the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 (spindle lock). Specifically, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the upper spindle 22 by 30 degrees around the reference rotation center axis 2S. As a result, the plurality of locking protrusions 250AS of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 are placed in the space between the locking protrusions 250AS adjacent to each other in the axial direction. Each of the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS is received along the rotation direction, and each of the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS is engaged with the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS. By this engagement, the upper holding flange 221 of the upper spindle 22 and the lower holding flange 210A of the lower spindle 21 can be relatively positioned in the axial direction, and the distance between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 is fixed. Will be done.

In the state where the distance between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 is set according to the width of the tire T to be tested, as shown in FIG. 21, the upper surface portion of the tire T and the upper rim 62 A slight gap K is formed between the upper rim flange 62F (see FIG. 4) and the upper rim flange 62F (see FIG. 4) formed on the outer peripheral portion of the tire.

Next, the air supply control unit 904 controls the air supply mechanism 55 and performs the air filling work (tire inflation). Specifically, the air supply control unit 904 is defined by the upper rim 62, the tire T, and the lower rim 61 in a state where the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 support the tire T via the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61. Air is filled in the tire internal space, which is a space, through the air supply mechanism 55. As a result, as shown in FIG. 22, the tire T swells and the above-mentioned gap K (FIG. 21) is filled. At this time, the upper bead portion and the lower bead portion of the tire T are brought into close contact with the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 by the air. The pressure in the tire internal space is detected by a pressure gauge (not shown), and the filling operation is performed up to a predetermined set air pressure.

Next, the upper spindle elevating control unit 903 controls the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 to lower the elevating unit 50 by the lowering amount H (25 mm as an example) in FIG. Since the vertical position of the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is blocked by the engagement between the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250, when the elevating unit 50 is lowered as described above, FIG. 13 In, the upper spindle flange 227 rises (floats) relative to the base plate 515. At this time, the lower surface portion of the upper spindle flange 227 is separated upward from the elevating detection sensor 518, and the output signal of the elevating detection sensor 518 changes, so that it is detected that the elevating unit 50 is lowered by the amount of descent H. As a result, the four holes 227A of the upper spindle flange 227 are separated from the four base plate pins 515R of the base plate 515, and the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 can freely rotate around the reference rotation center axis 2S.

When the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 in the state shown in FIG. 23, the tire T sandwiched between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 is integrated with the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 and is the reference rotation center. Rotate around the shaft 2S. Then, as described above, the rotating drum 4 is pressed against the tire T, so that the test of the tire T can be executed. At this time, a large axial force is applied to the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 via the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 by the air filled in the tire internal space. As a result, the relative rotation of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 around the reference rotation center axis 2S is suppressed by the contact surface pressure applied between the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS and the plurality of locking protrusions 250AS. Then, the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 can rotate integrally. During the test execution of the tire T, the detection signals of the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 are ignored.

After the test on the tire T is completed, the tire T is placed on the conveyor 8 again in the reverse procedure of the above. Then, the marking unit 60 imparts a predetermined marking to the tire T carried out by the transport conveyor 8 and the carry-out conveyor 9. As a result, the test for the tire T is completed.

As described above, the tip of the detected portion 229 has a shape extending in the vertical direction (FIG. 13). Therefore, even when the upper spindle flange 227 is lifted with respect to the base plate 515, the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 can detect the detected portion 229. With this configuration, after the test on the tire T is completed as described above, when the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is arranged again at a specific rotation position, the pair of rotation phase sensors 516 causes the detected portion 229 to be detected. Can be detected. Therefore, when the upper spindle elevating control unit 903 controls the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 while the pair of rotational phase sensors 516 detect the detected unit 229, the elevating unit 50 is raised by the lowering amount H. The four base plate pins 515R of the base plate 515 are fitted into the four holes 227A of the upper spindle flange 227, and the rotation of the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 around the reference rotation center axis 2S is prevented again. In this state, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 controls the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 to rotate the lower spindle 21 by 30 degrees, and then raises the upper spindle 22 with respect to the lower spindle 21 to inside the upper spindle 22. It becomes possible to extract from the space S.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are aligned with the plurality of lock recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21, respectively, and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are aligned with each other when viewed from the axial direction. Is in a state of matching the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 (insertable state), and is lowered to a position where the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A face each of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A in the rotation direction. The spindle 21 can accept the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 into the internal space S along the axial direction, and the plurality of locking projections 250AS of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 are adjacent to each other. By accepting the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS of the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 along the rotation direction in the space between the locking protrusions 250AS and engaging with the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS, respectively. With respect to the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B so that the upper holding flange 221 of the upper spindle 22 and the lower holding flange 210A of the lower spindle 21 can be relatively positioned in the axial direction. The dimensions of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and the plurality of lock recesses 250B in the radial direction and the circumferential direction centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S are set, respectively.

According to such a configuration, a plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction on the insertion engaging portion 224A of the inserting portion 222, while a plurality of engaging projections 224AS are arranged on the lock engaging portion 250A of the lock piece 250. Since the locking protrusions 250AS are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction, the distance between the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 is increased according to the width of the tire T by making the engaging positions of the protrusions different in the axial direction. Can be easily changed. Further, after inserting the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21, the lower spindle 21 is rotated relative to the upper spindle 22, so that the upper holding flange 221 and the lower spindle 21 of the upper spindle 22 are rotated. Since the distance from the lower holding flange 210A can be easily fixed, both spindles can be locked by the relative movement of the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 in the axial and rotational directions, and the spindles can be locked for the locking. It is not necessary to provide a drive mechanism that penetrates 2 along the radial direction and communicates with the internal space S, and the number of sealing members arranged to prevent air leakage is smaller than that in the case of providing the drive mechanism. can do.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of lock engaging portions are provided in a part of the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle from the opening X seen in the axial direction to the bottom surface of the internal space S in the axial direction. The embodiment in which 250A is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, a plurality of lock engaging portions 250A may be provided over the entire region from the opening X as seen in the axial direction to the bottom surface of the internal space S. In this case, the axial length of the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A provided on the upper spindle 22 may be shorter than that of the present embodiment. The present invention also includes an embodiment in which a plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS having a smaller number of steps than the present embodiment, such as 6 steps, are provided along the axial direction.

Further, an embodiment in which two or more insertion engaging portions 224A having a plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS having a relatively small number of stages are arranged at intervals in the axial direction on the upper spindle 22, in other words, upper The spindle 22 may be provided with an insertion engaging portion, a cylindrical portion, and an insertion engaging portion in this order from the bottom. In the case of such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21P and the second support portion in which the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle 21 of the lower spindle 21 and the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 are precisely fitted to each other. Since there is no support portion like the 21Q, the surface pressure received from the upper spindle 22 to the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle tends to increase during the test of the tire T. Therefore, in order to reduce such surface pressure, an embodiment like this embodiment is desirable.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 are aligned with the plurality of lock recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21 when viewed from the axial direction, and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 are formed. The distance between the upper rim 62 held by the upper holding flange 221 and the lower rim 61 held by the lower holding flange 210A is the width of the tire T in a state where each of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A of the lower spindle 21 is matched. The upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 can relatively insert the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 to a specific position in the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 so as to have a predetermined interval set accordingly. .. Further, the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 has a plurality of engagement protrusions 224AS of the plurality of upper spindle engagement portions 224 and a plurality of lock engagement portions 250A in a state where the insertion portion 222 is arranged at the specific position. It is possible to rotate the lower spindle 21 relative to the upper spindle 22 around the reference rotation center axis 2S so that the locking projections 250AS engage with each other.

According to such a configuration, the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 are sequentially moved in the axial direction and the rotational direction by the driving force of the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 and the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 without requiring the force of an operator. Both spindles can be locked by relative movement, and the distance between the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 can be appropriately set according to the width of the tire T.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rotation phase sensor 516 (rotation detection) capable of detecting that the specific portion (detected portion 229) of the upper spindle 22 has reached a specific rotation position set in advance around the reference rotation center axis 2S. When the rotation phase sensor 516 detects that the specific portion has reached the specific rotation position, the hole portion 227A and the base plate pin 515R (rotation prevention portion) capable of blocking the rotation of the upper spindle 22. And, are provided in the tire testing machine 1. Then, the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94 relatively inserts the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 to a specific position in the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked by the rotation blocking portion. It is possible to do. Further, a plurality of lower spindle rotation drive units 93 are provided in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked by the rotation blocking unit and the insertion unit 222 of the upper spindle 22 is inserted to a specific position in the internal space S of the lower spindle 21. Rotate the lower spindle 21 around the reference rotation center axis 2S so that the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS of the insertion engaging portion 224A and the plurality of locking protrusions 250AS of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A engage with each other. It is possible.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to lock both spindles by moving the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 in order in the axial direction and the rotation direction in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked. It is possible to prevent the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 from rotating with each other when locked.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 has a plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS and a plurality of locking protrusions 250AS via the upper rim 62 and the lower rim 61 by the air filled in the tire internal space. The lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are integrally rotated in a state where the relative rotation of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 around the reference rotation center axis 2S is suppressed by the contact surface pressure applied between them.

According to such a configuration, the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 are integrally rotated by utilizing the driving force of the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93 that can lock the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21. It is possible to perform a predetermined test on the tire T.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and the plurality of lock recesses 250B are each formed on the inner peripheral surface 250S of the piece.

According to such a configuration, since a plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and a plurality of lock recesses 250B are formed in the lock piece 250, it is necessary to provide a locking protrusion 250AS on the inner peripheral surface 210S of the main body of the spindle main body 210. Therefore, the processing cost of the spindle body 210 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, a single lock piece 250 having a ring shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S is provided, and the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and the plurality of lock recesses 250B are the single lock pieces 250B. It is formed on the inner peripheral surface 250S of the lock piece 250 of the above.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the plurality of locking protrusions 250AS as compared with the case where the lock piece 250 is composed of a plurality of members.

Further, in the present embodiment, the engaging protrusion 224AS formed on the insertion engaging portion 224A of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking protrusion 250AS formed on the lock engaging portion 250A of the lock piece 250 both rotate as a reference. It extends in a direction orthogonal to the central axis 2S. Therefore, when the tire internal space is filled with air, the axial force applied to the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 can be stably received by the locking protrusion 250AS and the engaging protrusion 224AS.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are locked and the lock is locked by rotating the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 relative to the lock piece 250 provided on the lower spindle 21. Can be released. At this time, since the lock piece 250 is arranged between the lower holding flange 210A and the lower spindle main body 210B which are separable from each other, the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the lock piece 250 have ring-shaped sealing members, respectively. J (FIG. 11) is arranged, but compared with other techniques (for example, Patent Document 1) in which the drive mechanism for driving the lock piece 250 is arranged so as to penetrate the spindle body 210 of the lower spindle 21 in the radial direction. As a result, the number and structure of the sealing members J can be simplified. When the lower holding flange 210A and the lower spindle main body 210B are completely joined after the lock piece 250 is attached, the above-mentioned sealing member J can be omitted. Further, since the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are locked and the lock is released by the relative rotation of the lock piece 250 and the insertion portion 222, the tire test is performed in comparison with other techniques as described above. It is possible to reduce the number of parts of the machine 1 and reduce the failure of the tire testing machine 1.

Although the tire testing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the following modified embodiments are possible.

(1) In the above embodiment, the engaging projection 224AS formed on the insertion engaging portion 224A of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the locking projection 250AS formed on the lock engaging portion 250A of the lock piece 250 are both provided. Although the description has been made in a mode extending in a direction orthogonal to the reference rotation center axis 2S (usually saw teeth), the present invention is not limited thereto. FIG. 24 is a side view of a state in which the upper rim 62 is supported by the upper spindle 22 of the tire testing machine according to the first modification embodiment of the present invention. 25 and 26 are a plan view and a side sectional view of the lock piece 250M of the tire testing machine according to the present deformation embodiment.

In this modified embodiment, the plurality of insertion protrusions of the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224MA of the upper spindle engagement portion 224M have one direction (upper) in the axial direction as they proceed in the rotation direction (direction of the arrow in FIG. 24). It has a spiral shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S so as to incline in the direction). On the other hand, the plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250MA of the lower spindle 21 have a spiral shape centered on the reference rotation center axis 2S so as to incline in the one direction as the lower spindle 21 advances. It has a spiral shape that can be engaged with the plurality of engaging protrusions along the rotation direction. In other words, the plurality of engaging protrusions and the plurality of locking protrusions are formed of a part of a screw (screw saw tooth) formed by a predetermined lead about the reference rotation center axis 2S.

As an example, when the lead has a half pitch and a plurality of insertion recesses 224MB and a plurality of lock recesses 250MB are arranged at six locations in the circumferential direction, a plurality of insertion engagement portions 224MA and a plurality of lock recesses 224MB are arranged. When the lower spindle 21 is rotated 180 degrees while the lock engaging portion 250MA is engaged, the distance (rim width) between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 can be changed by a quarter pitch. can. On the other hand, when the leads have one pitch and a plurality of insertion recesses 224MB and a plurality of lock recesses 250MB are arranged at eight locations in the circumferential direction, the plurality of insertion engagement portions 224MA and the plurality of lock engagement portions 250MA are arranged. By rotating the lower spindle 21 by 90 degrees while the lower rim 21 is engaged, the distance (rim width) between the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 can be changed by a quarter pitch.

As described above, in the present modification embodiment, not only the relative positions of the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250 in the axial direction but also the relative positions (rotational positions) in the circumferential direction of the upper rim 61 and the lower rim 61. Since the distance from the upper rim 62 can be adjusted, a fine rim width can be set. In the screw structure described above, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224MA and the plurality of lock engaging portions 250MA may be arranged along one continuous virtual spiral shape, or may be spaced apart from each other along the axial direction. It may be arranged along a plurality of virtual spiral shapes arranged in place.

(2) Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle of the lower spindle 21 and the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 are precisely fitted to each other above and below the lock piece 250. A matching first support portion 21P and a second support portion 21Q are arranged. According to such a configuration, since the distance between the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q in the axial direction is large, the reference rotation center axis of the upper spindle 22 when a lateral load is applied to the upper spindle 22. The inclination (fall) with respect to 2S can be reduced. The present invention is not limited to this. 27 and 28 are side sectional views of the tire testing machine according to the second modification of the present invention in a state where the lower rim 61 and the upper rim 62 are supported by the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22, respectively. FIG. 27 corresponds to the maximum rim width and FIG. 28 corresponds to the minimum rim width.

In this modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the lock piece 250 is fixed to the upper end of the lower spindle 21 by a plurality of bolts V. The first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q are arranged at positions below the lock piece 250, respectively. According to such a configuration, the distance between the lock piece 250 and the first support portion 21P and the distance between the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q can be freely set. Further, unlike the previous embodiment, the lower spindle 21 does not need to be separated into the lower holding flange 210A and the lower spindle main body 210B in order to mount the lock piece 250, so that the lower spindle 21 has a simple structure. In addition to being able to reduce the number of parts of the lower spindle 21, the sealing member J (FIG. 11) as in the previous embodiment becomes unnecessary. In this modified embodiment, when the height dimension of the spindle 2 is the same, the distance between the first support portion 21P and the second support portion 21Q is smaller than that in the previous embodiment, so that the tire T is used. The surface pressure received from the upper spindle 22 to the inner peripheral surface 21S of the spindle tends to increase during the test. Therefore, in order to reduce the surface pressure while suppressing the height dimension of the spindle 2, the embodiment of the above embodiment (FIG. 11) is desirable.

(3) The pair of rotational phase sensors 516 shown in the above embodiment may be arranged at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. For example, as a tire test, a case where marking is applied to the hardest phase of the tread portion of the tire T will be described. The marking unit 60 in the present embodiment gives a predetermined marking to the tire T mounted on the unloading conveyor 9 according to the test result at the tire test position P. By the way, the phase in which the tire T is marked is limited to one phase (phase fixed). Therefore, when the tire T is placed on the carry-out conveyor 9, it is necessary that the tire T is phase-aligned to the one phase in advance. When a pair of rotational phase sensors 516 are arranged at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction in this way, the upper spindle flange 227 is the current upper spindle flange 227 among the positions where the plurality of pairs of rotational phase sensors 516 are arranged. Since the rotation can be stopped at the phase closest to the above, the rotation amount of the lower spindle 21 is suppressed when the engagement between the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250 is released, and the cycle time in the rotation of the spindle 2 is shortened. can do.

(4) In the above embodiment, the lower spindle rotation control unit 902 rotates the lower spindle 21 in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked, so that the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250 are engaged. And described in the embodiment of disengaging the engagement, by rotating the upper spindle 22 in a state where the rotation of the lower spindle 21 is blocked, the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250 are engaged and engaged. The engagement may be disengaged. Further, the relative insertion operation between the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 for inserting the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 is not limited to the raising and lowering of the upper spindle 22. Instead, the lower spindle 21 may move up and down with respect to the upper spindle 22.

(5) Further, in the above embodiment, the upper spindle 22 has the insertion portion 222 and the lower spindle 21 has the cylindrical internal space S. That is, the upper spindle 22 may have a cylindrical internal space S, and the lower spindle 21 may have an insertion portion 222. When a cylindrical internal space S is formed in the lower spindle 21 and a cylindrical insertion portion 222 is formed in the upper spindle 22 as in the above embodiment, the length of the lower spindle 21 in the vertical direction is formed. Becomes shorter. Therefore, the height of the conveyor 8 that transfers the lower rim 61 to and from the lower spindle 21 can be lowered, and the height of the transport path of the tire transport mechanism 3 can be set to be similarly low. It becomes.

(6) Further, in the above embodiment, the lower spindle 21 has a lock piece 250 mounted on the spindle body 210, and the lock piece 250 is formed with a plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and a plurality of lock recesses 250B. However, the lower spindle 21 does not have the lock piece 250, and a plurality of lock engaging portions 250A and a plurality of lock recesses 250B are formed directly on the inner peripheral surface 210S of the spindle body 210. But it may be.

(7) Further, in the above embodiment, the lower spindle is in a state where the upper spindle 22 including the upper spindle flange 227 is blocked from rotating at a specific rotation position detected by the pair of rotation phase sensors 516. Although the embodiment has been described in which the 21 and the upper spindle 22 are engaged with each other, the present invention is not limited thereto. In a state where the upper spindle 22 is arranged at an arbitrary rotation position around the reference rotation center axis 2S, the rotation may be blocked and the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 may be engaged with each other. That is, instead of the pair of rotation phase sensors 516 described above, an encoder (not shown) arranged on the rotation axis of the upper spindle 22 as the rotation detection unit of the present invention is around the reference rotation center axis 2S of the specific portion of the upper spindle 22. Detects the rotation position of. Further, when the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is stopped, a brake mechanism or the like that mechanically contacts the upper spindle 22 prevents the rotation of the upper spindle 22 as a rotation blocking portion of the present invention. Then, in the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93, in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked by the rotation blocking unit, the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A of the upper spindle 22 when viewed from the axial direction are a plurality of the lower spindle 21. The lower spindle 21 is referred to according to the detection result of the encoder so that the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 match the lock recesses 250B of the lower spindle 21 and the plurality of insertion recesses 224B of the upper spindle 22 respectively match the lock engagement portions 250A of the lower spindle 21. Rotate around the rotation center axis 2S.

According to such a configuration, the lock piece 250 of the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle engaging portion 224 of the upper spindle 22 rotate in order to adjust the rim width without stopping the upper spindle 22 at a specific rotation position. Alignment in the direction can be easily performed.

Further, in the present modification embodiment, in the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94, the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked by the rotation blocking portion, and the plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A match the plurality of lock recesses 250B, respectively. With the plurality of insertion recesses 224B matching the plurality of lock engagement portions 250A, the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 can be relatively inserted to a specific position in the internal space S of the lower spindle 21. .. Further, in the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93, in a state where the rotation of the upper spindle 22 is blocked by the rotation blocking unit and the insertion unit 222 is inserted to the specific position in the internal space S, the lower spindle rotation driving unit 93 has a plurality of insertion engaging portions 224A. The lower spindle 21 can be rotated around the reference rotation center axis 2S so that the plurality of engaging protrusions 224AS and the plurality of locking protrusions 250AS of the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A engage with each other.

According to such a configuration, the insertion portion 222 of the upper spindle 22 can be easily inserted into the internal space S of the lower spindle 21 without stopping the upper spindle 22 at a specific rotation position, and the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the insertion portion 222 can be easily inserted. The lock pieces 250 can be engaged with each other. Therefore, the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction and the rotational direction in order to lock both spindles, so that the upper spindle 22 and the lower spindle 21 can be rotated with each other at the time of locking. Can be prevented. Also in this modified embodiment, the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250 are engaged with each other by the rotation of the upper spindle 22 in a state where the rotation of the lower spindle 21 is blocked by the same structure as described above. But it may be. Further, since the insertion portion 222 is inserted into the internal space S, the lower spindle 21 may be moved up and down with respect to the upper spindle 22. That is, in the present invention, "one spindle" and "the other spindle" may be selectively set from the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22, and similarly, the "first spindle" and the "second spindle" are used. It may be set selectively, that is, contrary to the above embodiment.

(8) Further, in the above embodiment, the elevating unit 50 rotatably supports the upper spindle 22 even when the test is executed on the tire T, but the present invention is not limited thereto. .. After the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are engaged (locked), the elevating unit 50 is separated from the upper spindle 22, and the lower spindle 21 and the upper spindle 22 are supported by the lower spindle 21. A mode in which the 22 and the 22 are integrally rotated may be used. In this case, it is desirable that the air supply mechanism 55 or the like provided in the elevating unit 50 is arranged so as to communicate with the inside of the tire T through the periphery or the inside of the lower spindle 21.

(9) Further, in the above embodiment, the lock piece 250 has been described in a mode in which the lock piece 250 is composed of a single member, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lock piece 250 may be separated into two or more members, or may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction around the reference rotation center axis 2S. In particular, a plurality of members corresponding to the plurality of lock engaging portions 250A of the lock piece 250 are mounted on the spindle body 210 at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the space between the plurality of members is a lock recess. It may function as 250B.

(10) Further, in the above embodiment, in the upper spindle engaging portion 224 and the lock piece 250, the insertion engaging portion 224A and the lock engaging portion 250A are arranged six by six. The number is not limited to six, and may include a number of insertion engaging portions 224A and lock engaging portions 250A that can be engaged with each other.

(11) Further, in the above embodiment, the insertion portion 222 is inserted into the internal space S by the driving force of the upper spindle elevating drive unit 94, and the insertion portion 222 and the upper spindle engaging portion 224 are formed by the driving force of the lower spindle rotation drive unit 93. Although described in the manner in which engagement with the lock piece 250 is realized, the present invention is not limited thereto. After the tire T is carried into the tire test position P, the insertion portion 222 is inserted into the internal space S by the operator, and the upper spindle 22 is rotated 30 degrees around the reference rotation center axis 2S, so that the upper spindle is engaged. Engagement between the joint portion 224 and the lock piece 250 may be realized.

According to this configuration, a plurality of engaging protrusions are arranged axially adjacent to each other in the insertion engaging portion of the insertion portion, while a plurality of locking protrusions are arranged axially in the lock engaging portion of the lock portion. Since they are arranged adjacent to each other, the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim can be easily changed according to the width of the tire by making the engaging positions of the protrusions different in the axial direction. Further, after inserting the insertion part of one spindle into the internal space of the other spindle, the upper holding part of the upper spindle and the lower holding part of the lower spindle are rotated by rotating one spindle relative to the other spindle. Since the distance between the spindles can be fixed, both spindles can be locked by the relative movement of the upper spindle and the lower spindle in the axial and rotational directions, and the internal space penetrates the spindle along the radial direction for the lock. It is not necessary to provide a drive mechanism that communicates with the above, and the number of sealing members arranged to prevent air leakage can be reduced.

In the above configuration, the tire testing machine further includes an insertion drive unit, a rotation drive unit, and an air supply mechanism, and the insert drive unit is held by the upper holding unit in the insertable state. The insertion portion of the one spindle is inserted into the other spindle so that the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim held by the lower holding portion is a predetermined distance set according to the width of the tire. The rotation drive unit can be relatively inserted to a specific position in the internal space, and the rotation drive unit has the plurality of engagements of the plurality of insertion engagement portions in a state where the insertion portion is arranged at the specific position. It is possible to rotate one of the spindles relative to the other spindle about the central axis of rotation so that the combined projection and the plurality of locking projections of the plurality of lock engaging portions engage with each other. The air supply mechanism is a space defined by the upper rim, the tire, and the lower rim in a state where the upper spindle and the lower spindle support the tire via the upper rim and the lower rim. It is desirable that the tire internal space can be filled with air.

According to this configuration, both spindles are locked by moving the upper spindle and the lower spindle in order in the axial direction and the rotational direction by the driving force of the insertion drive unit and the rotational drive unit without the need for the force of an operator. This makes it possible to appropriately set the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of the tire.

In the above configuration, the tire testing machine further includes a rotation detecting unit and a rotation blocking unit, and the rotation detecting unit is a first spindle which is one of the one spindle and the other spindle. It is possible to detect that a specific portion of the above has reached a specific rotation position set in advance around the center axis of rotation, and the rotation blocking unit indicates that the specific portion has reached the specific rotation position. When the detection unit detects it, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the first spindle, and the insertion drive unit of the one spindle in a state where the rotation prevention unit prevents the rotation of the first spindle. The insertion portion can be relatively inserted to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle, and the rotation driving portion is prevented from rotating by the rotation blocking portion and the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking portion. With the insertion portion of the spindle inserted to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle, the plurality of engagement protrusions of the plurality of insertion engagement portions and the plurality of lock engagement portions of the plurality of lock engagement portions. It is possible to rotate the second spindle, which is a different spindle from the first spindle of the one spindle and the other spindle, around the rotation center axis so that the locking projections of the two spindles engage with each other. Is desirable.

According to this configuration, it is possible to lock both spindles by moving the upper spindle and the lower spindle in order in the axial direction and the rotation direction while the rotation of the first spindle is blocked, so that the upper spindle at the time of locking can be locked. It is possible to prevent the spindle and the lower spindle from rotating with each other.

In the above configuration, the tire testing machine further includes a rotation detecting unit and a rotation blocking unit, and the rotation detecting unit is a first spindle which is one of the one spindle and the other spindle. It is possible to detect the rotation position of the specific portion around the rotation center axis, the rotation blocking unit can block the rotation of the first spindle, and the rotation driving unit is driven by the rotation blocking unit. In a state where the rotation of the first spindle is blocked, the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the one spindle are aligned with the plurality of lock recesses of the other spindle when viewed from the axial direction, and the one of the first spindles is prevented from rotating. The one of the one spindle and the other spindle according to the detection result of the rotation detection unit so that the plurality of insertion recesses of the spindle match the plurality of lock engaging portions of the other spindle. The second spindle, which is a different spindle from the first spindle, may be capable of rotating around the rotation center axis.

According to this configuration, the rotation drive unit is in the rotation direction of the plurality of insertion engagement portions of one spindle and the plurality of lock engagement portions of the other spindle without stopping the first spindle at a specific rotation position. The alignment can be easily performed according to the detection result of the rotation detection unit.

In the above configuration, in the insertion drive unit, the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking portion, the plurality of insertion engaging portions are matched with the plurality of lock recesses, and the plurality of insertion recesses are the said. The insertion portion of the one spindle can be relatively inserted to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle in a state of matching each of the plurality of lock engagement portions, and the rotation drive portion can be inserted. In a state where the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking portion and the insertion portion is inserted to a specific position in the internal space, the plurality of engaging protrusions and the plurality of engaging protrusions of the plurality of insertion engaging portions. It is desirable that the second spindle can be rotated around the rotation center axis so that the plurality of locking protrusions of the lock engaging portion of the above are engaged with each other.

In the above configuration, the rotational drive unit is provided between the plurality of engaging protrusions and the plurality of locking protrusions via the upper rim and the lower rim by the air filled in the tire internal space. It is further possible to rotate the one spindle and the other spindle integrally while the relative rotation of the one spindle and the other spindle around the rotation center axis is suppressed by the contact surface pressure. Is desirable.

According to this configuration, the upper spindle and the lower spindle are integrally rotated by utilizing the driving force of the rotary drive unit capable of locking the upper spindle and the lower spindle with each other, and a predetermined test is performed on the tire. It becomes possible to do.

In the above configuration, the other spindle comprises a spindle main body having a cylindrical main body inner peripheral surface forming a part of the spindle inner peripheral surface, and the spindle main body forming a part of the spindle inner peripheral surface. The plurality of lock engaging portions of the lock portion and the plurality of lock engaging portions of the lock portion, including the inner peripheral surface of the piece that defines the internal space together with the inner peripheral surface of the main body, and at least one lock piece fixed to the spindle main body. It is desirable that the plurality of lock recesses are formed on the inner peripheral surface of at least one of the pieces.

According to this configuration, since a plurality of lock engaging portions and a plurality of lock recesses are formed in the lock piece, it is not necessary to provide a locking protrusion on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle body, and the processing cost of the spindle body is reduced. Can be reduced.

In the above configuration, the at least one lock piece is composed of a single lock piece having a ring shape centered on the rotation center axis, and the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses of the lock portion. Is preferably formed on the inner peripheral surface of the single lock piece.

According to this configuration, since the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses are each formed in a single ring-shaped lock piece, as compared with the case where the lock piece is composed of a plurality of members. Therefore, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the plurality of locking protrusions.

In the above configuration, the plurality of engaging protrusions of the plurality of insertion engaging portions have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis so as to incline in one direction in the axial direction as the rotation direction progresses. The plurality of locking projections of the plurality of lock engaging portions have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis so as to incline in the one direction as the rotation direction progresses. It is desirable to have a spiral shape that can engage with the plurality of engaging protrusions along the rotation direction.

According to this configuration, not only the relative positions of the insertion engaging portion and the lock engaging portion in the axial direction, but also the lower holding portion and the upper holding portion depending on the relative positions (rotational positions) in the circumferential direction of each other. Since the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim can be adjusted, the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim can be set more finely.

According to the present invention, there is provided a tire testing machine capable of changing the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim according to the width of the tire with a simple configuration.

Claims

A tire testing machine that performs a predetermined test on the tire by rotating the tire in a horizontal posture in which the rotation center axis of the tire extends in the vertical direction at a predetermined tire test position around the rotation center axis.
The tire has a lower holding portion capable of holding a lower rim mounted on a lower bead portion which is a bead portion located on the lower side of the tire in a horizontal posture, and the tire is around the rotation center axis. With a lower spindle that supports the tire via the lower rim so that it can rotate
It has an upper holding portion capable of holding an upper rim mounted on an upper bead portion which is a bead portion located on the upper side of the tire in a horizontal posture, and the tire is around the rotation center axis. An upper spindle that supports the tire via the upper rim so that it can rotate,
With
One of the lower spindle and the upper spindle is an insertion portion inserted into the other spindle different from the lower spindle and the upper spindle, and the outer circumference of the insertion portion. It has a columnar insertion portion centered on the rotation center axis including the insertion outer peripheral surface constituting the surface.
The insertion part is
A plurality of insertion engaging portions extending in the axial direction of the rotation center axis and arranged at intervals in the rotation direction of the tire to form a part of the insertion outer peripheral surface, respectively, along the rotation direction. A plurality of insertion engaging portions including a plurality of engaging protrusions which are respectively extended and arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction.
Among the plurality of insertion engaging portions, a plurality of insertion recesses arranged so as to extend in the axial direction between the insertion engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction and each forming a part of the insertion outer peripheral surface. There are a plurality of insertion recesses each having a shape recessed inward in the radial direction with respect to the plurality of insertion engagement portions when viewed from the axial direction.
Have,
The other spindle
A cylindrical spindle inner peripheral surface that defines an opening facing the insertion portion of the one spindle in the axial direction and an internal space that can accept the insertion portion through the opening.
It has a lock portion that constitutes at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the spindle and can lock the insertion portion inserted into the internal space so as to constrain the one spindle in the axial direction. death,
The lock part is
A plurality of lock engaging portions extending in the axial direction and arranged at intervals in the rotational direction on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle, extending along the rotational direction and adjacent to each other in the axial direction. A plurality of lock engaging portions including a plurality of locking protrusions arranged in the manner of
Among the plurality of lock engaging portions, the plurality of lock engaging portions are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the spindle so as to extend in the axial direction between the lock engaging portions adjacent to each other in the rotational direction. A plurality of lock recesses each having a shape recessed outward in the radial direction with respect to the lock engaging portion,
Have,
When viewed from the axial direction, the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the one spindle match the plurality of lock recesses of the other spindle, and the plurality of insertion recesses of the one spindle are of the other spindle. In an insertable state in which each of the plurality of lock engaging portions is matched, the other spindle is moved to a position where the plurality of insert engaged portions face each of the plurality of lock engaged portions in the rotational direction. The insertion portion of one spindle can be received into the internal space along the axial direction, and the plurality of locking projections of the plurality of lock engaging portions of the other spindle can be received from each other in the axial direction. In the space between the adjacent locking protrusions, the plurality of engaging protrusions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the one spindle are each received along the rotational direction, and the plurality of engaging portions are respectively received. By engaging with each of the protrusions, the plurality of insertion engagements can be made so that the upper holding portion of the upper spindle and the lower holding portion of the lower spindle can be relatively positioned in the axial direction. A tire testing machine in which the dimensions of the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses in the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the plurality of lock recesses are set with respect to the portion and the plurality of insertion recesses, respectively.
The tire testing machine according to claim 1.
In the insertable state, the distance between the upper rim held by the upper holding portion and the lower rim held by the lower holding portion is set to a predetermined distance set according to the width of the tire. An insertion drive unit capable of relatively inserting the insertion portion of the one spindle to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle.
With the insertion portion arranged at the specific position, the plurality of engaging protrusions of the plurality of insertion engaging portions and the plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of lock engaging portions are engaged with each other. In addition, a rotation drive unit capable of rotating the one spindle relative to the other spindle around the rotation center axis,
With the upper spindle and the lower spindle supporting the tire via the upper rim and the lower rim, the tire internal space, which is a space defined by the upper rim, the tire and the lower rim, is filled with air. With an air supply mechanism that can be
A tire testing machine equipped with.
The tire testing machine according to claim 2.
A rotation detection unit capable of detecting that a specific portion of the first spindle, which is one of the one spindle and the other spindle, has reached a specific rotation position set in advance around the rotation center axis. ,
When the rotation detection unit detects that the specific portion has reached the specific rotation position, the rotation blocking unit capable of blocking the rotation of the first spindle and the rotation blocking unit.
Further prepare
The insertion drive unit relatively inserts the insertion portion of the one spindle to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle in a state where the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking portion. Is possible,
A plurality of the rotation driving units are provided in a state in which the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking unit and the insertion portion of the one spindle is inserted to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle. The first of the one spindle and the other spindle so that the plurality of engaging protrusions of the insertion engaging portion and the plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of lock engaging portions engage with each other. A tire testing machine capable of rotating a second spindle, which is a spindle different from the first spindle, around the rotation center axis.
The tire testing machine according to claim 2.
A rotation detection unit capable of detecting the rotation position of a specific portion of the first spindle, which is one of the one spindle and the other spindle, around the rotation center axis.
A rotation blocking unit capable of blocking the rotation of the first spindle,
Further prepare
In the rotation driving unit, in a state where the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking unit, the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the one spindle when viewed from the axial direction are the plurality of the plurality of insertion engaging portions of the other spindle. One of the above, depending on the detection result of the rotation detection unit, so that the plurality of insertion recesses of the one spindle match each of the lock recesses of the other spindle and the plurality of lock engagement portions of the other spindle. A tire testing machine capable of rotating a second spindle, which is a spindle different from the first spindle among the spindle and the other spindle, around the rotation center axis.
The tire testing machine according to claim 4.
In the insertion drive unit, the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking portion, the plurality of insertion engaging portions are matched with the plurality of lock recesses, and the plurality of insertion recesses are locked with the plurality of lock recesses. It is possible to relatively insert the insertion portion of the one spindle to a specific position in the internal space of the other spindle in a state of matching each portion.
In the rotation driving unit, the rotation of the first spindle is blocked by the rotation blocking portion, and the insertion portion is inserted to a specific position in the internal space, and the plurality of insertion engaging portions are engaged with each other. A tire testing machine capable of rotating the second spindle around the rotation center axis so that the combined protrusion and the plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of lock engaging portions engage with each other.
The tire testing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The rotary drive unit is subjected to contact surface pressure applied between the plurality of engaging protrusions and the plurality of locking protrusions via the upper rim and the lower rim by the air filled in the tire internal space. A tire test in which the one spindle and the other spindle can be integrally rotated while the relative rotation of the one spindle and the other spindle around the rotation center axis is suppressed. Machine.
The tire testing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The other spindle
A spindle body having a cylindrical body inner peripheral surface that forms a part of the spindle inner peripheral surface, and a spindle body.
At least one lock piece fixed to the spindle body, including a piece inner peripheral surface that forms a part of the spindle inner peripheral surface and defines the internal space together with the main body inner peripheral surface of the spindle body.
Have,
A tire testing machine in which the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses of the lock portion are each formed on the inner peripheral surface of the piece of the at least one lock piece.
The tire testing machine according to claim 7.
The at least one lock piece comprises a single lock piece having a ring shape centered on the rotation center axis.
A tire testing machine in which the plurality of lock engaging portions and the plurality of lock recesses of the lock portion are each formed on the inner peripheral surface of the piece of the single lock piece.
The tire testing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The plurality of engaging protrusions of the plurality of insertion engaging portions have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis so as to incline in one direction in the axial direction as the rotation direction progresses.
The plurality of locking protrusions of the plurality of lock engaging portions have a spiral shape centered on the rotation center axis so as to incline in the one direction as the rotation direction progresses, and are along the rotation direction. A tire testing machine having a spiral shape capable of engaging with the plurality of engaging protrusions.