Tire vulcanizer and tire vulcanizing system

A tire vulcanizer and tire vulcanizing system improving production efficiency by shortening time for loading and unloading of tires are provided. They include: a lower mold supporting part; an upper mold supporting part; a moving device moving the upper mold supporting part horizontally; an elevator device moving the upper mold vertically; a lift device pushing up a vulcanized tire held in the lower mold; and a tire supporting part supported by the upper mold supporting part. The tire supporting part moves between a supporting position and a retreated position. The bottom side of the vulcanized tire is supported by the tire supporting part at a peripheral side closer to the outside than a pushed-up position in the supporting position. The retreated position is positioned at a peripheral side closer to the outside than the vulcanized tire.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase of International Application Number PCT/JP2012/078736, filed Nov. 6, 2012, and claims priority from Japanese Application Number 2012-022367, filed Feb. 3, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tire vulcanizer and a tire vulcanizing system.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-022367, filed Feb. 3, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

In the tire vulcanizing system vulcanizing large tires used for construction machines or the like, conventionally, un-vulcanized raw tire is loaded in a lower mold free of an upper mold above using a loading device. Then, the upper and lower molds are closed by moving the upper or lower mold. Then, vulcanizing process is performed in a high-heat and high-pressure condition. Vulcanized tires after the vulcanizing process are unloaded after opening the upper and lower molds. Then, the above-described sequence of processes is repeated.

Patent Literature 1 (PTL 1) discloses a tire vulcanizing system. The tire vulcanizing system is provided with a tire vulcanizer in which the vulcanized tire is left in the lower mold after the vulcanizing process. In the tire vulcanizing system, the vulcanized tire is unloaded from the tire vulcanizer by using a loading device.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Literature

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

When loading and unloading of the vulcanized tires are performed by using the above-mentioned loading device, however, it takes a long period of time for the loading and unloading, reducing productivity.

More specifically, the loading device moves the chucking device gripping the tire from the loading position above the lower mold to the exporting position after retraction of the upper mold above the lower mold. Then, the loading device is moved from the importing position to the loading position. Therefore, it is a required for the loading device to make reciprocating movements twice.

The present invention is made under circumstance described above. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tire vulcanizer and a tire vulcanizing system capable of shortening the period of time for loading and unloading of tires to improve production efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

The first aspect of the present invention is a tire vulcanizer that vulcanizes a tire loaded inside with a lower mold and an upper mold provided to an upper part of the lower mold, the tire vulcanizer including: a lower mold supporting part configured to support the lower mold; an upper mold supporting part configured to support the upper mold; a moving device that is configured to move the upper mold supporting part in a horizontal direction; an elevator device that is configured to move the upper mold supporting part in a vertical direction; a lift device that is configured to push up a vulcanized tire held in the lower mold in a condition where the upper mold supporting part is elevated with the elevator device in such a way that the upper mold is retreated above the lower mold; and a tire supporting part that is supported by the upper mold supporting part and configured to be movable between a supporting position and a retreated position, a bottom side of the vulcanized tire being supported at a peripheral side closer to the outside than a pushed-up position pushed upward by the lift device in the supporting position, and the retreated position being positioned at a peripheral side closer to the outside than the vulcanized tire.

In the tire vulcanizer of the first aspect of the present invention, the tire supporting part may include: an shaft section supported rotatably by the upper mold supporting part; an arm section extended from the shaft section; and a support section protruding from the arm section and configured to support the bottom side of the vulcanized tire.

Other aspect of the present invention is a tire vulcanizing system including: the tire vulcanizer according to the first aspect of the present invention; a loading device that is provided next to the tire vulcanizer and configured to place an un-vulcanized tire on the lower mold supported by the lower mold supporting part of the tire vulcanizer; and a receiving device that is provided next to the tire vulcanizer and configured to accept the vulcanized tire moved in a rear direction by the moving device of the tire vulcanizer.

Effects of the Invention

According to the tire vulcanizer related to the above-described aspect of the present invention, the period of time for loading and unloading tires can be shortened, and production efficiency can be improved.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The tire vulcanizer3and the tire vulcanizing system1related to an embodiment of the present invention are explained below.

FIG. 1shows the tire vulcanizing system1of the present embodiment. The tire vulcanizing system1of the present embodiment is a tire vulcanizing system for vulcanizing large tires for construction machines or the like. In the explanation of the present embodiment below, the left side of the drawing, in which the un-vulcanized raw tire T1(hereinafter, referred as the raw tire T1) is imported, is referred to as the “front side”, except for cases specifically stating otherwise. Also, the right side of the drawing, in which the vulcanized tire T2is exported, is referred to as the “rear side.”

In the tire vulcanizing system1, the loading device2, the tire vulcanizer3, and the receiving device4are aligned in the order from the front side, in which the raw tire T1(seeFIG. 2) is imported, to the rear side, in which the vulcanized tire T2(seeFIG. 2) is exported.

The tire vulcanizer3includes the lower mold6and the upper mold7that is provided above the lower mold6. The raw tire T1is vulcanized after loaded in the mold5. The mold5is formed by assembling the lower mold6and the upper mold7. The raw tire T1is held in the mold5in such a way that the axis line of the tire is directed in the vertical direction.

The upper mold7is supported by the upper mold supporting part9. The upper mold supporting part9is supported by the elevator device11. The lower mold6is supported by the lower mold supporting part8. The lower mold supporting part8is fixed on a predetermined floor position.

The elevator device11includes the cylinder12which is capable of extending and contracting in the vertical direction. The upper mold supporting part9is fixed to the cylinder12. The lower end12aof the cylinder12is supported by the moving device13. By the moving part13, the elevator device11and the upper mold supporting part9are capable of moving in the horizontal direction, more specifically, in the front side and back side direction. The moving device13includes the rail13aextending in the front side and rear side direction, and an actuator not illustrated in the drawing. The elevator device11is capable of shifting positions in the front-rear horizontal direction along the rail13aby driving the actuator. The upper mold supporting part9is capable of moving horizontally between the position vertically above the lower mold supporting part8and the position vertically above the receiving device4by the moving device13.

The elevator device11can move the upper mold supporting part9vertically when the upper mold supporting part9is located vertically above the lower mold supporting part8(seeFIGS. 2 and 3), and when the upper mold supporting part9is relatively displaced to the rear side horizontally from the location vertically above the lower mold supporting part8(seeFIGS. 6 and 7).

The lower mold6includes the segmental molds15that are formed separately in circumferential direction as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The tread part of the raw tire T1is formed mainly by these segmental molds15. The segmental molds15are capable of shifting their positions between the opened-position, in which the neighboring segments are separated each other (seeFIG. 4), and the closed-position, in which they are contacted tightly (seeFIG. 3). The segmental molds15shift their position to the opened-position when they are slid upward by a driving mechanism not shown. The segmental mold15shifts their position to the closed-position when they are slid downward by the driving mechanism.

The lower mold supporting part8includes the lift device16that pushes up the vulcanized tire T2held in the lower mold6and separates the vulcanized tire T2from the lower mold6. The lift device16pushes the vulcanized tire T2to separate it from the lower mold6when the upper mold supporting part9is elevated by the elevator device11to retreat the upper mold7above the lower mold6and when the segmental molds15are in the opened-position.

The lift device16is capable of moving upward and downward by a cylinder not shown in the drawing and pushing up the vulcanized tire T2upward by pressing the bead part, which is the inner circumferential edge of the vulcanized tire T2, from the lower side. Then, the lift device16holds the vulcanized tire T2at a predetermined pushed-up position after pushing up the vulcanized tire T2held in the lower mold6to separate it from the lower mold6(seeFIG. 4).

The upper mold supporting part9includes the circular dome part19and the bolster plate (not shown in the drawings) provided inside of the dome part19. Steam for vulcanization is supplied in the dome part19.

Furthermore, the upper mold supporting part9includes the tire supporting device20provided to the circular dome part20. The tire supporting device20is capable of supporting the vulcanized tire T2, which is held in the pushed-up position, from the lower side of the vulcanized tire T2. The vulcanized tire T2can be exported by elevating the upper mold supporting part9by the elevator device11and moving it to the rear side horizontally by the moving device13in the state where the vulcanized tire T2is held by the tire supporting device20.

The loading device2, which is provided to the front side and next to the tire vulcanizer3, loads the raw tire T1supplied from the outside of the tire vulcanizing system to the lower mold6. The loading device2is capable of moving between the importing position, in which the un-vulcanized tire is received (seeFIG. 2), and the loading position, in which the raw tire T1is held in the lower mold supporting part8(seeFIG. 6), along the rail13aextended in the front side rear side horizontal direction.

The loading device2includes the chucking device23that is capable of shifting positions upward and downward along the pair of guides22. The chucking device23includes hooks (not shown) hooking the internal circumference entirely by being inserted in the bead part18of the raw tire T1and opened outward (not shown). The chucking device23can grip the raw tire T1, which is provided from outside of the tire vulcanizing system1, from the inner circumference side of the raw tire T1and lift it by using the hooks.

The receiving device4is provided next to the tire vulcanizer3. It is provided in the opposite side to the loading device2in the front side rear side direction. The receiving part4includes receiving table or the like, on which the vulcanized tire T2can be placed, by supporting the bead part from the lower side, for example. The vulcanized tire T2placed on the receiving table is exported to the outside of the tire vulcanizing system1by an exporting device not shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 10 and 11show the tire supporting device20in the present embodiment. This tire supporting device20includes a pair of tire supporting parts25, which are capable of supporting the vulcanized tire T2from its lower side. The tire supporting part20includes the rotating shaft26, which is provided rotatably on the outer circumference of the dome part19, the swing arm section27, which is formed by using a wide flange beam for example, and the support arm section28. The rotation axes26of each tire supporting part25are positioned in such a way that space between them are longer than the inner diameter of the vulcanized tire T2and shorter than the outer diameter of the vulcanized tire T2. The swing arm section27is supported to the rotation shaft26at one end and being capable of swinging. The support arm section28is fixed between the other ends of the different swing arm sections27.

An extending and contracting device29made of a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder, or the like, is engaged with the swing arm section27. The end part of the inner rod30of the extending and contracting device29can change its angle relative to the swing arm section27. Also, the central part in the longitudinal direction of the outer case31of the extending and contracting device29is supported by the dome part19and capable of changing its angle relative to the dome part19.

The tire supporting part25is capable of swinging the swing arm section27by extension and contraction of the extending and contracting device29. The tire supporting part25is capable of shifting positions between the supporting position (shown by solid lines inFIG. 10), in which the bottom side of the vulcanized tire is supported at a peripheral side closer to the outside than the bead part18pushed by the lift device16, and the retreated position (shown by two-dot chain lines inFIG. 10), which is positioned at the outside of the outer peripheral side of the vulcanized tire T2.FIG. 11indicates the situation where the tire supporting part25is in the retreated position.

When the tire supporting part25is in the supporting position, the swing arm section27extends to the lower side in the axis direction of the dome part19. Because of this, the supporting arm section28extends to traverse just below the dome part19. Contrary to that, when the tire supporting part25is in the retreated position, the swing arm section27extends to the outside of the dome part19in the radial direction of the dome part19. Thus, the supporting arm section28is extended at the outer side than the outer peripheral side of the dome part19in the radial direction.

Next, the action picking up the vulcanized tire T2by the tire supporting part20is explained in reference toFIG. 4.

First, the vulcanized tire T2is pushed up by the lift device16to the holding position when the tire supporting part25is kept at the retreated position (shown in two-dot chain lines inFIG. 4). In the holding position, the lower end P1of the sidewall part and shoulder part of the vulcanized tire T2locates slightly above the upper end surface P2of the supporting arm section28in the supporting position.

Next, the position of tire supporting part25is shifted from the retreated position to the supporting position (shown in solid lines inFIG. 4). Because of this, the supporting arm section28extends under the vulcanized tire T2and at the outside of the bead part18in the radial direction. When the lift device16is lowered in this situation, the supporting arm section28is abutted to the sidewall part or the shoulder part of the vulcanized tire T2in the outside of the bead part. When the lift device16is further lowered from the abutting state, the vulcanized tire T2is released from the lift device16to be picked up. When the vulcanized tire T2is dropped off from the tire supporting part25contrary to the picking up motion described above, the position of the tire supporting part25is shifted from the supporting position to the retreated position after placing the bead part18of the vulcanized tire on the above-described receiving table (not shown in the drawings) of the receiving device4. By operating the tire supporting part25as described above, the vulcanized tire T2can be dropped off from the tire supporting part25.

Next, the sequence of processes related to the tire vulcanizing in the above-described tire vulcanizing system1is explained in reference to the drawings. In this explanation, the vulcanizing process by the vulcanizer is defined as the starting point.

First, the imported raw tire T1is chucked by the loading device2in a state where the axis line of the raw tire T1is aligned in the vertical direction and kept in the elevated position as shown inFIG. 2. In this process, the vulcanizing process, in which the raw tire T1held in the closed mold5is vulcanized in the high-heat, high-pressure condition, is performed in the tire vulcanizer3.

After finishing the vulcanizing process, next, the upper mold supporting part9is moved up by the elevator device11as shown inFIG. 3. Here, the vulcanized tire T2is separated from the upper mold7, leaving the vulcanized tire T2held in the lower mold6. The numerical reference “33” indicates the bladder pressing the inner surface of the tire during the vulcanizing process.

Next, the segmental molds15are slid to the opened-position, and further the vulcanized tire T2is pushed up by the lift device16of the lower mold supporting part8as shown inFIG. 4.

Because of the action described above, the vulcanized tire T2is separated from the lower mold6. Then, the vulcanized tire T2separated from the lower mold6is pushed up by the lift device16to the predetermined pushed-up position and held in the position. Then, the extending and contracting part29of the tire supporting device20shifts its position to the extended side, and the position of the tire supporting part25is shifted from the retreated position to the supporting position. Then, the lift device16is lowered in this state. Because of the actions described above, the vulcanized tire T2is placed in the state where it can be exported by the tire supporting device20as shown inFIG. 5.

Then, the upper mold supporting part9and the loading device are moved to the rear side by the moving device13as shown inFIG. 6. Because of the actions described above, both of the raw tire T1, which is supported by the loading device2, and the vulcanized tire T2, which is supported by the tire supporting device20, are moved to the rear side horizontally substantially at the same time. The loading device2is stopped at the loading position above the lower mold supporting part8, and the upper mold supporting part9is stopped at the position vertically above the receiving device4. Then, the upper mold supporting device9is lowered by the elevator device11, the vulcanized tire T2is supported from its lower side by the receiving device4to be placed on the receiving device4.

Next, the tire supporting part25of the tire supporting device20shifts its position to the retreated position, and the lift device16is elevated to the position where it is abutted to the bead part on the lower side of the raw tire T1as shown inFIG. 7.

Then, the chucking device23and the lift device16are lowered at the same time, and the raw tire T1is held inside of the segmental molds15in the opened-position as shown inFIG. 8. Then, the chucking device23releases chucking to the raw tire T1and is elevated.

Then, the loading device2and the upper mold supporting part9are moved to the front side by the moving device13, placing the loading device2and the upper mold supporting part9at the importing position and the position vertically above the lower mold supporting part8, respectively, as shown inFIG. 9. Then, the upper mold supporting part9is lowered to close the mold5as shown inFIG. 2. Then, the vulcanizing process is performed to the raw tire T1held in the mold5.

According to the tire vulcanizer3of the above-described present embodiment, the upper mold supporting part9can be moved horizontally with the moving device13and vertically with the elevator device11. Also, the vulcanized tire T2can be picked up by providing the tire supporting part25, which is capable of supporting the lower side of the vulcanized tire T2, to the upper mold supporting part9. Because of these configurations, according to the tire vulcanizer3of the present embodiment, the vulcanized tire T2can be exported by the movement of the upper mold supporting part9without using the loading device2in the process for exporting the vulcanized tire T2.

Furthermore, when the raw tire T1is loaded with the loading device2, the upper mold supporting part9is retreated from the above part of the lower mold supporting part8to the rear side. By utilizing this movement, the vulcanized tire T2can be picked up to be unloaded. Because of this, there is no need for the loading device2to perform reciprocal movement twice for the loading and unloading. Thus, the period of time needed for loading the raw tire T1and unloading the vulcanized tire T2can be shortened.

Also, the vulcanized tire T2can be separated from the lower mold6by pushing up the vulcanized tire T2held in the lower mold6by the lift device16. Therefore, the configuration of the receiving device4can be simplified relative to the case where the upper mold7stuck with the vulcanized tire T2is exported to the receiving device4and the vulcanized tire T2is separated from the upper mold7with the receiving device4.

Also, the conventional lift device16, which is needed for unloading of the vulcanized tire T2with the loading device2, can be used without a specific modification. Thus, it can be applicable to existing tire vulcanizing systems with ease.

Furthermore, sufficient strength of the tire supporting part25can be obtained without complicating the configuration of the tire supporting part25by forming the tire supporting part25with the rotation shaft26rotatably supported by the upper mold supporting part9, the swing arm section27extending from the rotation shaft26, and the supporting arm section28, which is extended from the swing arm section27and capable of supporting the lower side of the vulcanized tire T2. This effect is particularly advantageous in exporting a large-sized tire.

Also, according to the tire vulcanizing system1of the above-described present embodiment, the process for loading the raw tire T1and the process for unloading the vulcanized tire T2can be performed substantially at the same time, since it is provided with the loading device2, which is placed next to the tire vulcanizer3, and the receiving device4, which is placed next to the tire vulcanizer3and capable of receiving the vulcanized tire T2moved to the rear side with the moving device13of the tire vulcanizer3. Because of this, the period of time needed for the processes for loading and unloading can be shortened, and production efficiency can be improved.

The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment. Thus, the present invention includes the above-described embodiment with additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the specific shapes, configurations, and the like described in the explanation of the present embodiment are only exemplary and can be subjected to modifications.

For example, the tire support part25of so called double-end supported type, in which both ends of the supporting arm section28are supported by the swing arm sections27, is explained as an example. However, the tire supporting part25of the cantilever type, in which only one end of the supporting arm section28is supported by the swing arm section27, may also be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the tire supporting part25that is capable of moving between the retreated position and the supporting position by the swinging motion. However, the tire supporting part25can be configured as in the modified example of the present embodiments shown inFIG. 12. In the modified example, the end parts of the supporting arm section28are supported in such a way that the support section28is capable of sliding horizontally orthogonal to the extension direction of the support section28. Also, the supporting arm section28is configured in such a way that the supporting arm section28is capable of shifting positions between the supported position, in which the lower end of the vulcanized tire T2is supported by the supporting arm section28, and the retreated position, in which the support section28is positioned outer peripheral side of the vulcanized tire T2. In this case, for example, the supporting arm section28may be slid by transmitting the driving force of a motor not shown in the drawing with a driving chain or a ball screw.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the swing arm section27is swung by the extending and contracting device29was explained. However, the swing arm section27can be swung by rotating the rotation shaft26with a motor or the like instead of using the extending and contracting device29.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is broadly applicable to tire vulcanizers and tire vulcanizing system with upper and lower molds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS