Tire testing rim

A rim for tire testing includes a rim body that is rotatably provided in a tire testing device so that a tire to be tested can be attached to the rim body, and a filling unit that can fill the tire to be attached to the rim body with a gas at a predetermined pressure. The rim body can be divided into a plurality of members in a direction along a rotational axis of the rim body. Of the rim body divided into the plurality of members, a rim base portion to be contact with a tire bead portion of the tire is integrated with the other divided members than the rim base portion by use of a coupling member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rim for tire testing, the rim being provided in a tire testing device for measuring uniformity etc. of a tire.

BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, a tire test (tire uniformity test) has been performed on a product tire manufactured in a tire manufacturing line. The tire uniformity test measures tire uniformity (evenness) etc. of the tire and determines whether the tire is good or not.

A tire uniformity machine (tire testing device) for performing the tire uniformity test has a configuration in which a predetermined load is applied to a rim-fitted tire to press the tire onto a rotary drum, and a distance between a spindle shaft and a drum shaft is fixed, and then, the tire is rotated so that a force variation generated in the tire can be measured (for example, see Patent Literature 1). The tire uniformity machine measures a load variation (RFV: Radial Force Variation) in a direction in which the load is applied to the tire, a static load deviation (CON: Conicity) in a width direction of the tire, a load variation (LFV: Lateral Force Variation) in the width direction of the tire, etc.

A rim provided in the tire testing device, that is, a rim for tire testing for fixing a tire to be tested has a structure in which the rim can be divided vertically into two, that is, an upper rim and a lower rim, by which the tire can be mounted surely in a short time. For example, when the tire is conveyed into the testing device by a conveyor, of the upper and lower rims which have been held vertically separately from each other, the upper rim moves down from above and the lower rim moves up from below at the same time as the tire is conveyed into the testing device. Then, the upper and lower rims move to put the tire therebetween from above and from below respectively. Thus, the tire can be attached to the rim for tire testing.

The rim for tire testing is made of steel or SUS and designed to be thick. The rim for tire testing has a structure in which the rim for tire testing has rigidity high enough to withstand the internal pressure of the tire. In addition, the rim for tire testing is formed so as to satisfy roundness high enough to reduce deflection during rotation. Thus, the tire uniformity can be measured with high accuracy. Further, when the rim for tire testing is made of steel, plating for preventing rust or abrasion may be performed on a surface of the rim for tire testing.

To the rim for tire testing formed thus, the tire to be tested is fixed in contact with the rim for tire testing at two points, that is, a vertically central portion (a rim base portion in the present invention) of a rim body and an upper end portion (a rim flange portion in the present invention) of the rim body. More specifically, the rim base portion is contact with an inner peripheral surface of a tire bead portion so as to position (center) the horizontal position of the tire at the center of the testing device. In addition, in order to support the radial load of the tire, the rim base portion is attached to the tire in an interference fitting manner with no space between the rim base portion and the tire bead portion. Further, the outer diameter of the rim base portion is designed to be larger than the inner diameter of the tire, so that the tire can be pressed into the rim base portion by use of a load generated in the tire when the tire is filled with compressed air.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problems

When the aforementioned tire to be tested is pressed into the rim base portion, a large frictional force is inevitably generated between the tire bead portion and the rim base. When the frictional force is too large, the tire may be insufficiently fitted to the rim for tire testing, or the tire may be fitted so that the tire cannot be removed from the rim for tire testing after the tire test is finished.

Therefore, in a method used in the background-art tire testing device, the tire bead portion is coated with lubricant such as silicone liquid in advance so as to reduce the frictional force generated between the tire bead portion and the rim for tire testing. However, there is a problem that the coating with the lubricant likely leads to corrosion of the rim for tire testing easily. In recent years, it has been considered as an alternative technique to perform a friction reduction treatment on the surface of the rim base.

In the friction reduction treatment, coating or a concave-convex structure by which the tire can slide on the surface of the rim for tire testing smoothly is formed in the surface of the rim for tire testing, it would be sufficient that the friction reduction treatment is performed on, of the rim for tire testing, only a part which would be contact with the tire to be tested. That is, it would be sufficient that the friction reduction treatment is performed on, of the rim for tire testing, only the rim base portion where the frictional force would increase. However, there is a problem that large-scale work is required for performing the friction reduction treatment. That is, it is necessary to remove the whole of the rim for tire testing from the testing device, and to attach the removed rim for tire testing to a processing machine for performing the friction reduction treatment thereon.

In addition, the surface hardness of a part subjected to the friction reduction treatment is lower than that of a part which has not been subjected to the friction reduction treatment. Thus, the part subjected to the friction reduction treatment may deteriorate easily due to abrasion or the like. As a result, the rim for tire testing subjected to the friction reduction treatment must be frequently replaced or reworked. Thus, there is a problem that workability is not good.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the aforementioned situation. An object of the present invention is to provide a rim for tire testing in which, of the rim for tire testing, only a rim base portion subjected to a friction reduction treatment can be removed easily so that a part subjected to the friction reduction treatment can be repaired or replaced easily and at a low cost.

Solution to Problems

In order to achieve the above object(s), the present invention provides the following technical means.

That is, the rim for tire testing in the present invention is a rim for tire testing, including a rim body that is rotatably provided in a tire testing device so that a tire to be tested can be attached to the rim body, and a filling unit that can fill the tire to be attached to the rim body with a gas at a predetermined pressure, wherein: the rim body can be divided into a plurality of members in a direction along a rotational axis of the rim body; and of the rim body divided into the plurality of members, a rim base portion to be contact with a tire bead portion of the tire is integrated with the other divided members than the rim base portion by use of a coupling member.

It is preferred that: the rim body should be divided into the rim base portion, a rim flange portion that is disposed on one side of the rim base portion and in the direction along the rotational axis, and a body portion that is disposed on the other side of the rim base portion and in the direction along the rotational axis; and the rim base portion, the rim flange portion and the body portion should be integrated by use of the coupling member.

It is preferred that a positioning mechanism that aligns a rotational axis of the rim base portion with rotational axes of the other divided members than the rim base portion should be provided between the rim base portion and the other divided members than the rim base portion.

It is preferred that an outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion has been subjected to a friction reduction treatment for reducing a frictional force to the tire.

It is preferred that the friction reduction treatment should include a concave-convex structure that is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion, and a coating layer with which a surface of the concave-convex structure is coated.

It is preferred that a maximum roughness Ry of the concave-convex structure should be 10 μm or more.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

In a rim for tire testing according to the present invention, only a rim base portion subjected to a friction reduction treatment can be removed easily so that a part subjected to the friction reduction treatment can be repaired or replaced easily and at a low cost.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a tire testing device1according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, the tire testing device1according to the present embodiment has a frame member2, and a spindle shaft3. The spindle shaft3is supported by the frame member2so that a tire T to be tested can be removably attached to the spindle shaft3. In addition, in this tire testing device1, a rotary drum (not shown) is provided beside the spindle shaft3so that a simulation road surface formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum can be pressed onto the tire T attached to the spindle shaft3.

The frame member2has a base portion4and a pair of left and right supports5and5. The base portion4is formed into a substantially rectangular shape in front view, and mounted on a base. The pair of left and right supports5and5are provided erectly on the left end side and the right end side of the base portion4. A beam portion6is provided at the upper ends of the pair of left and right supports5and5so as to extend in a left/right direction. In addition, a spindle mounting portion7for supporting the spindle shaft3is attached to a middle portion of the beam portion6in the left/right direction. The aforementioned spindle shaft3is disposed between the spindle mounting portion7and the base portion4so as to extend vertically.

The spindle shaft3is a rod-shaped member which is vertically long and disposed in a central portion in the left/right direction inside the frame member2. The tire T to be tested is attached to the vertically middle side of the spindle shaft3so that the tire T can be held by the spindle shaft3. In addition, the spindle shaft3is made rotatable around an axis extending vertically, so that the held tire T to be tested can be driven and rotated around the vertically extending axis.

Specifically, the spindle shaft3has a lower spindle shaft3D and an upper spindle shaft3U. The lower spindle shaft3D is made rotatable around the vertically extending axis. The upper spindle shaft3U is disposed above the lower spindle shaft3D so that the upper spindle shaft3U can move vertically relatively to the lower spindle shaft3D. An upper rim8is provided on the lower end side of the upper spindle shaft3U, and a lower rim9is provided on the upper end side of the lower spindle shaft3D. A rim for tire testing10according to the present invention is constituted by the upper rim8and the lower rim9.

The rim for tire testing10is a member which is disposed on the vertically middle side of the spindle shaft3so as to hold the tire T to be tested. The rim for tire testing10has a rim body11and a filling unit12. The rim body11is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the spindle shaft3so that the tire T to be tested can be attached to the rim body11. The filling unit12can fill the tire T to be attached to the rim body11with a gas at a predetermined pressure.

The rim body11includes the upper rim8and the lower rim9, which can be separated from each other. Each of the upper rim8and the lower rim9constituting the rim body11is formed into a substantially disc shape and is made of a metal such as steel or SUS higher in strength than aluminum.

As shown inFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the lower end side of the upper rim8is formed into a tapered cylindrical shape whose diameter is reduced as goes downward, and the upper end side of the upper rim8is formed into a flange shape. The lower side of the tapered part in the upper rim8has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the tire T so that it can be inserted into a tire bead portion B on the central side of the tire from above. In addition, the flange-shaped protruding on the upper end side presses the tire bead portion B from above so that the tire T can be fixed (see the enlarged view ofFIG. 1). The tire bead portion B will be described later.

As shown inFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, the lower rim9has a shape obtained by vertically inverting the aforementioned upper rim8.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 1, a gap13is formed vertically between the upper rim8and the lower rim9so that the tire T can be filled with compressed air or nitrogen (gas) at a predetermined pressure through the gap13. That is, a passage where compressed air or the like can circulate is formed inside the aforementioned spindle shaft3. One end of the passage is connected to a gas supply source of compressed air or the like, such as a compressor or an accumulator, or a pressure adjustment valve which can adjust air pressure from the gas supply source. The other end of the passage is opened to an end portion of the spindle shaft3located on the further radially inner side of the gap13, so that gas such as compressed air can be supplied from the gas supply source into the tire T. That is, the aforementioned gap13constitutes the filling unit12by which the tire T to be attached to the rim body11is filled with a gas such as compressed air at a predetermined pressure.

In the rim for tire testing10according to the present invention, the rim body11can be divided into a plurality of members vertically (in a direction along the rotational axis of the rim body11). Of the rim body11divided into the plurality of members, a rim base portion15to be contact with the tire bead portion B is integrated with the other divided members than the rim base portion15by use of a coupling member20. According to the present embodiment, the rim body11includes the upper rim8and the lower rim9, and each of the upper rim8and the lower rim9can be vertically divided into three members.

More specifically, each of the upper rim8and the lower rim9is divided into a rim base portion15, a rim flange portion14and a body portion16. The rim flange portion14is disposed on one side (one side in a direction along the rotational axis) of the rim base portion15, and the body portion16is disposed on the other side (the other side in the direction along the rotational axis) of the rim base portion15. For example, in the case of the upper rim8, the rim flange portion14is disposed above the rim base portion15, and the body portion16is disposed under the rim base portion15. In the case of the lower rim9, the rim flange portion14is disposed under the rim base portion15, and the body portion16is disposed above the rim base portion15. Further, an outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15is subjected to a friction reduction treatment for reducing frictional force to the tire T.

Next, as to the rim base portion15, the rim flange portion14and the body portion16, which constitute the rim for tire testing10according to the present embodiment, and the friction reduction treatment, the upper rim8will be mainly described.

Of the aforementioned rim body11, the rim base portion15is a part formed at a place which will be contact with the tire bead portion B from its inner peripheral side. More specifically, the upper rim8of the rim body11can be divided into three members, that is, the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16vertically (in the direction along the rotational axis of the rim body11) from the upper end side as described above. Of the members arranged thus vertically, the rim base portion15is a member located vertically in the middle. For example, in the case of the upper rim8, the rim base portion15is disposed in a position adjacent to the lower side of the rim flange portion14and adjacent to the upper side of the body portion16.

In addition, the rim base portion15is a so-called ring-shaped cylindrical member whose vertical length is shorter than its diameter. An outer peripheral surface rising steeply and substantially vertically is formed vertically on the outer peripheral side of the rim base portion15. The outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15has an outer diameter a little lager than the inner diameter of the tire T. The rim base portion15can be inserted (pressed) into the tire bead portion B so that the outer peripheral surface extending vertically can be contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tire bead portion B. Further the rim base portion15is formed into a tapered shape whose diameter is a little smaller on the lower end side than on the upper end side, so that the rim base portion15can be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the tire T easily.

A fastening hole17is formed in the aforementioned rim base portion15so as to penetrate the rim base portion15vertically. The fastening hole17is formed in the same radial position as fastening holes18and19(which will be described in detail later) formed in the rim flange portion14and the body portion16as will be described later. In addition, a female thread portion is formed in the fastening hole17so that a coupling member20such as a bolt can be screwed down thereto.

Further, a friction reduction treatment is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15. Due to the friction reduction treatment, frictional force which is generated between the rim base portion15and the tire bead portion B can be reduced to make it easy to attach and remove the tire T to be tested. The friction reduction treatment will be described in detail later.

In the case of the upper rim8, the rim flange portion14is a disc-shaped member disposed adjacently to the upper side of the aforementioned rim base portion15, and the rim flange portion14has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the rim base portion15. That is, the rim flange portion14has a structure protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15in accordance with the larger outer diameter than the rim base portion15. A lower surface of the radially outward protruding part of the rim flange portion14can be contact with the upper surface of the tire bead portion B in a surface contact manner. Thus, the rim flange portion14can press the tire bead portion B from above so as to fix the tire T.

In addition, in the lower surface of the rim flange portion14, a fastening hole18open on the lower side is formed in a position corresponding to the aforementioned fastening hole17of the rim base portion15. A female thread portion is formed in the fastening hole18so that the coupling member20such as a bolt can be screwed down thereto from below.

The body portion16is a so-called ring-shaped cylindrical member whose vertical length is shorter than its diameter, in the same manner as the aforementioned rim base portion15. The body portion16is disposed adjacently to the lower side of the rim base portion15. The upper end side of the body portion16has an outer diameter substantially as large as the rim base portion15. However, the body portion16is also formed into a tapered shape whose diameter is reduced as goes toward the lower end, in the same manner as the rim base portion15. Thus, the diameter on the lower end side of the body portion16is smaller than the inner diameter of the tire T, so that the body portion16can be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the tire T easily.

That is, the outer diameter on the lower end side of the body portion16is smaller than the inner diameter of the tire T. The body portion16hardly contacts with the tire bead portion B when the tire T is pressed in. Therefore, much friction is not generated between the body portion16and the rim bead portion. Thus, it is not likely that the body portion16may be degraded or injured due to friction. Therefore, the aforementioned friction reduction treatment is not performed on the body portion16.

Further, in the body portion16, a fastening hole19penetrating the body portion16vertically is also formed in a position corresponding to the aforementioned fastening hole17of the rim base portion15and the aforementioned fastening hole18of the rim flange portion14. A female thread portion is formed in the fastening hole19so that the coupling member20such as a bolt can be screwed down thereto from below.

The coupling member20is constituted by a bolt or the like disposed vertically. A male thread portion is formed in the coupling member20. The coupling member20is screwed down to the fastening holes18,17and19of the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16so that the three members can be fastened and integrated with one another.

An O-ring21is provided in the aforementioned part to be contact with the rim base portion15in the bottom surface (lower surface) of the rim flange portion14. The O-ring21prevents leakage of compressed air supplied into the tire T front the space between the rim flange portion14and the rim base portion15so that the air pressure inside the tire T can be kept good even if the rim for tire testing10is divided.

A positioning mechanism is provided in the aforementioned three members, that is, the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16. The positioning mechanism puts the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16on one and the same axis. To say other words, the positioning mechanism aligns the rotational axes of the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16with one and the same straight line extending vertically. In a structure (spigot structure) used as the positioning mechanism according to the present embodiment, the three members, that is, the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16are fitted to one another so that the rotational axes of the three members can be aligned with one another.

More specifically, the spigot structure is a structure in which the rim flange portion14and the body portion16are fitted to the rim base portion15. That is, the bottom surface of the aforementioned rim flange portion14is higher on the central side than on the outer edge side. Thus, the bottom surface of the rim flange portion14protrudes downward on the central side. On the other hand, an opening portion22is formed on the central side of the rim base portion15so as to penetrate the rim base portion15vertically. The inner diameter of the opening portion22is substantially as large as the outer diameter on the central side of the rim base portion15protruding downward. Thus, when the aforementioned central side of the bottom surface of the rim flange portion14is inserted into the opening portion22of the rim base portion15from above, the rim flange portion14can be fitted into the rim base portion15.

On the other hand, the protruding part and the opening portion22are formed in positions where the rotational axis of the rim flange portion14and the rotational axis of the rim base portion15is arranged on a single straight line extending vertically when the central side of the bottom surface of the rim flange portion14is inserted into the opening portion22of the rim base portion15. Therefore, when the aforementioned protruding part on the central side of the bottom surface of the rim flange portion14is fitted into the opening portion22of the rim base portion15, the rotational axis of the rim flange portion14and the rotational axis of the rim base portion15are automatically arranged on a single straight line extending vertically.

Such a fitting structure between the rim flange portion14and the rim base portion15is also provided between the body portion16and the rim base portion15. That is, the upper surface of the body portion16is higher on the central side than on the outer edge side. Thus, the upper surface of the body portion16protrudes upward on the central side. The outer diameter of the part protruding upward is substantially as large as the inner diameter of the opening portion22. Thus, when the aforementioned central side of the upper surface of the body portion16is inserted into the opening portion22of the rim base portion15from below, the body portion16can be fitted into the rim base portion15. Further, the protruding part and the opening portion22are formed in positions where the rotational axis of the body portion16and the rotational axis of the rim base portion15is arranged on a single straight line extending vertically when the central side of the upper surface of the body portion16is inserted into the opening portion22of the rim base portion15. Therefore, when the aforementioned protruding part on the central side of the upper surface of the body portion16is fitted into the opening portion22of the rim base portion15, the rotational axis of the body portion16and the rotational axis of the rim base portion15are automatically arranged on a single straight line extending vertically.

In the present embodiment, a fitting structure (spigot structure used as the positioning mechanism for aligning the rotational axes of the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16. However, another mechanism may be used as the positioning mechanism in the present invention.

For example, as shown inFIG. 4A, a tapered surface23having a vertical thickness reduced as goes radially inward is formed in each of a radial end portion of the upper surface of the rim base portion15and a radial end portion of the lower surface of the rim base portion15. A slope24is formed on each of the inner edge side of the lower surface of the rim flange portion14and the inner edge side of the upper surface of the body portion16. The slope24is inclined to increase its vertical thickness as goes radially inward. The inclination angle of the slope24is made as large as that of the aforementioned tapered surface23. In this manner, when the three members are fastened using the aforementioned coupling member, the tapered surface23and the slope24are contact with each other in a surface contact manner, so that the three members can move automatically along the inclination to align the rotational axes of the three members with one another.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 4B, the three members, that is, the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16may be positioned coaxially by use of a pin25which connects the three members vertically.

That is, a first pin insertion hole26is formed to penetrate the rim flange portion14vertically, a second pin insertion hole27is formed to penetrate the rim base portion15vertically, and a third pin insertion hole28is formed to extend from the upper surface of the body portion16to the vertically middle side thereof. The three insertion holes26,27and28are formed so that the positions of the holes can be aligned with one another when the rotational axes of the three members are aligned with one another. In this manner, when the three members are positioned horizontally to align the hole positions of the three insertion holes26,27and28with one another and the straight-line pin25is then inserted into the three insertion holes26,27and28to connect the three insertion holes, the three members can be positioned coaxially while increasing centering accuracy in the rim flange portion14and body portion16to the rim base portion15.

The positioning mechanisms shown inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bare merely examples of the mechanisms other than the spigot structure. The three members may be positioned coaxially using mechanism(s) other than those shown inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bshow the structure of the lower rim9opposed to the aforementioned upper rim8. The lower rim9has a structure obtained by inverting the upper rim8vertically.

That is, the lower rim9of the rim body11can be divided into three members, that is, the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16vertically (in the direction along the rotational axis of the rim body11) from the lower end side. Of the members arranged thus vertically, the rim base portion15is located in a vertically middle position. That is, the rim base portion15is a member disposed in a position adjacent to the upper side of the rim flange portion14and adjacent to the lower side of the body portion16.

In addition, the rim base portion15of the lower rim9is formed into a tapered shape whose diameter is a little smaller on the upper end side than on the lower end side, so that the rim base portion15can be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the tire T easily. In addition, the rim flange portion14of the lower rim9has a structure protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15. An upper surface of the radially outward protruding part of the rim flange portion14can be contact with the lower surface of the tire bead portion B in a surface contact manner. Thus, the rim flange portion14can press the tire bead portion B from below so as to fix the tire T. Further, the body portion16is a member disposed adjacently to the lower side of the aforementioned rim base portion15. The lower end side of the body portion16has an outer diameter substantially as large as the rim base portion15. However, the body portion16is formed into a tapered shape whose diameter is reduced toward the upper end thereof, in the same manner as the rim base portion15. Thus, the upper end side of the body portion16is smaller than the inner diameter of the tire T, so that the upper end side of the body portion16can be inserted into the inner peripheral side of the tire T easily.

A coupling member20such as a bolt for connecting the fastening holes17,18and19of the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16with one another is also provided in the aforementioned lower rim9. The three members, that is, the rim flange portion14, the rim base portion15and the body portion16are integrated with one another by use of the coupling member20. In addition, O-rings21are provided at two upper and lower places between the rim flange portion14and the rim base portion15contacting with each other in a surface contact manner and between the body portion16and the rim base portion15contacting likewise so as to suppress leakage of the air inside the tire T from the boundaries respectively, in the same manner as the upper rim8. Of the three members, the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15is subjected to a friction reduction treatment in the same manner as in the upper rim8.

The friction reduction treatment is a surface treatment performed on the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15in each of the upper rim8and the lower rim9. The friction reduction treatment has a function of reducing frictional force to the tire T (tire bead portion B). The friction reduction treatment is formed only in the outer peripheral surface of the aforementioned rim base portion15. The friction reduction treatment is not formed in the outer peripheral surface of the body portion16or the lower surface of the rim flange portion14. The friction reduction treatment is performed only on the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15for the following reason.

That is, immediately after the tire T to be tested is attached to a background-art rim for tire testing110(before inflation) as shown on the upper side ofFIG. 5, the tire bead portion B is fitted up to the tapered side (on the opposite side to the part formed into a flange shape). However, when compressed air is sent into the tire T to be tested in order to inflate the tire T, a force is generated in an inner wall surface of the tire T to inflate the tire T. Receiving the force, the tire bead portion B moves in contact with the upper outer peripheral surface of the tapered part. As a result, in the rim for tire testing after the inflation, a large frictional force is applied to a part G shown in grey inFIG. 5, that is, an outer peripheral surface of a part corresponding to the rim base portion15in the present invention.

When the frictional force applied to the outer peripheral surface is large, the tire T to be tested may be insufficiently fitted, or the tire T to be tested may be fitted so that the tire T cannot be removed easily.

Therefore, the friction reduction treatment for reducing the frictional force generated between the rim for tire testing10and the tire T to be tested, that is, for reducing a frictional coefficient of the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15to the tire T to be tested is performed on the rim for tire testing10according to the present invention.

More specifically, the friction reduction treatment includes a concave-convex structure that is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15, and a coating layer with which a surface of the concave-convex structure is coated.

The concave-convex structure is formed by roughing the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15. The concave-convex structure is typically formed by a processing method called “satin treatment”. More specifically, the concave-convex structure is formed, for example, by “sandblasting” for spraying iron, sand, glass, etc, on the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15to rough the surface, or by chemical or electric etching to rough the surface.

In addition, it is preferable that maximum height Ry of the concave-convex structure in accordance with JIS B 0601 (1994) is 10 μm or more. The maximum height Ry is a difference between a highest mountain part and a lowest valley part, in a roughness curve for every reference length. When the concave-convex structure having such a maximum height is formed, that is, when the surface roughness of the outer peripheral surface of the rim base portion15is “roughed” to some extent, the frictional force to a tire (rubber) can be reduced.

The coating layer is a coating layer which is formed so that the surface of the aforementioned concave-convex structure can be covered with the coating layer. A material whose frictional coefficient to the tire bead portion B is smaller than that of the rim base portion15. More specifically, coating using fluororesin or silicone resin, such as Teflon (registered trademark) coating, or coating using diamond-like carbon (DLC) or chromium nitride (Cr—N) is used as the coating layer.

When the aforementioned friction reduction treatment is performed, peeling liquid (for example, peeling liquid containing silicone) for making it easy to attach and remove the tire T can be dispensed with. Thus, the cost required for testing the tire can be suppressed to be low.

In addition, it is sufficient to perform the aforementioned friction reduction treatment on, of the rim for tire testing10, only the rim base portion15where the frictional force becomes large. However, when the friction reduction treatment is performed in the background-art tire testing device1, the whole of the rim for tire testing10must be removed from the testing device. Thus, there is a problem that workability is not good when the friction reduction treatment is performed. On the other hand, in the rim for tire testing10according to the present invention, only the rim base portion15where the frictional force becomes large can be removed from the rim for tire testing10. Thus, an effort spent for masking can be dispensed with when the friction reduction treatment is performed. Therefore, the workability in performing the friction reduction treatment is also largely improved.

Particularly the part subjected to the friction reduction treatment is lower in surface hardness than any other part that is not subjected to the treatment. Thus, the part subjected to the friction reduction treatment may deteriorate easily due to abrasion or the like. As a result, the rim for tire testing10subjected to the friction reduction treatment must be frequently replaced or reworked. Even when such working of replacement or rework is performed, the whole of the rim does not have to be replaced unlike the case of the background-art rim for tire testing10. Thus, the workability in the working of replacement or rework can be largely improved, and the working cost can be also largely reduced. Therefore, in the rim for tire testing10according to the present invention, the part subjected to the friction reduction treatment can be repaired or replaced easily and at a low cost.

It should be noted that the present embodiments disclosed here do not limit the present invention but are merely exemplary at any point. Particularly, not values that may be departed from their normal ranges performed by those in the art but values that can be estimated easily by those normally skilled in the art are used as items that are not disclosed obviously in the present embodiments disclosed here, for example, running conditions or operating conditions, various parameters, dimensions, weights, volumes, etc. of constituents, etc.

The aforementioned embodiments use an example in which the upper rim8and the lower rim9are divided vertically (in the direction along the rotational axis of the rim body11). However, the upper rim8and the lower rim9may be divided radially. That is, only the rim base portion15subjected to the friction reduction treatment may be made removable like a belt so that the part subjected to the friction reduction treatment can be repaired or replaced easily and at a low cost.

The present application is based on a Japanese patent application No. 2015-023278 filed on Feb. 9, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

1Tire testing device

3U Upper spindle shaft

3D Lower spindle shaft

10Rim for tire testing

15Rim base portion

17Fastening hole of rim base portion

18Fastening hole of rim flange portion

19Fastening hole of body portion

25First pin insertion hole

27Second pin insertion hole

28Third pin insertion hole

T Tire to be tested

B Tire bead portion