JP4038301B2

JP4038301B2 - Mold changing apparatus, combined body of this apparatus and mold, and mold changing method

Info

Publication number: JP4038301B2
Application number: JP09491699A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 泰三伊藤; 章男大林
Original assignee: Bridgestone Corp
Current assignee: Bridgestone Corp
Priority date: 1999-04-01
Filing date: 1999-04-01
Publication date: 2008-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-01
Also published as: JP2000280253A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、金型交換装置及びこの装置と金型との組合せ体並びに金型交換方法に関し、特に、空気入りタイヤの加硫成型用金型の加硫機に対する交換装置と、この装置を用いた加硫機に対する金型交換方法とに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
空気入りタイヤ（以下タイヤという）生産の最終段階に近い加硫成型工程では、前段の成型工程にて一般化している、頻繁なサイズ切替乃至種類切替に対応しなければならない。これら成型サイズ切替乃至成型種類切替に合わせ、それまで加硫機に取付けていたタイヤ加硫成型用旧金型を新金型と交換する必要が生じるケースが殆ど全てである。
【０００３】
タイヤの加硫成型用金型は相当な重量物であり、よって、この種の金型を加硫機に取付けるにも、また、加硫機に取付けている旧金型を別の新金型に交換するにしても、取扱いや作業は容易ではない。このことは、金型が二つ割り合わせモールドの場合にも当てはまるが、合わせモールドに比し、より一層構造が複雑な割りモールドの場合が深刻である。なぜなら、割りモールドは、円周方向に多数個に分割したトレッド部形成用金型エレメントを有するからである。
【０００４】
すなわち、新旧金型の搬送にはフォークリフトを使用し、加硫機からの旧金型の取出及び加硫機への新金型の装填にはホイストやクレーンを使用するのが一般である。しかし、これらの作業は、人手と多くの時間とを要し、加硫生産性を低下させ、さらに、長時間に及ぶ高温内作業が余儀なくされるなど、多くの問題を含む。
【０００５】
そこで、重量物の金型交換における自動化及び省力化を目指し、特開平５−２２９６４３号公報（その一）では、複数台の低圧鋳造機のごとき成型機に対する上下金型の交換装置に関し、成形機の前をガイド手段に沿って走行可能な親台車に子台車を搭載し、上下金型を載せた子台車が、親台車に回動自在に取付けた連結部材と、成型機に固定した被連結部材との連結体上を走行して、成型機のベース上に乗り移る交換装置を開示している。
【０００６】
また、タイヤ加硫機における上下金型交換台車に関し、特開平６−３１５９３８号公報（その二）は、多数の加硫機に沿い自走可能な台車と、該台車上に設けた、加硫機に向かいスライド可能なスライド台車と、該スライド台車上の旋回台とで構成し、金型を搭載したスライド台車が、旋回台上のレ−ルと加硫機内のレールとの接続レール上を往復スライド移動する金型交換台車を開示している。
【０００７】
また、加硫機から取出した使用済金型を金型置場に戻し、金型置場から選択し取出した次使用金型を加硫機に装填する金型交換装置に関し、特開平１０−６３４５号公報（その三）では、上下一対の金型載置台と、これら一対の載置台の昇降手段と、これら載置台を加硫機に接近離隔させる手段としてのリフタとで構成し、リフタにより載置台を交換位置まで移動させる金型交換装置を開示している。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
まず前記公報その一が開示する上下金型の交換装置は、親台車及び連結部材と被連結部材との連結体上それぞれの走行面と、複数台乃至多数台の成型機の複数乃至多数の走行面とを、相互に同一水平面上に位置させることは実際上、不可能と言える。どうしても３者の走行面に不揃いが生じ、このことは、重量物である上下金型の円滑なベース上への乗り移り及び子台車への乗り移りに支障をきたす。また、ベース上での金型の位置決めが不十分であり、これは、特に精密な位置決めが高品質の最終決め手となるタイヤ加硫成型用金型移載の場合に問題となる。
【０００９】
次に、前記公報その二が開示する上下金型交換台車も、スライド台車を往復スライド移動させるためのレールを加硫機内に設ける必要があり、加硫機の大幅改造を必要とする点に難点を有する。また、位置決め手段は、スライド台車の加硫機に対する位置決めであり、必ずしも金型の加硫機に対する位置決めではなく、正確な心出とは言えず、問題が残る。
【００１０】
最後に、前記公報その三が開示する金型交換装置は、前２者と対比して、加硫機の改造を必要とせず現行の加硫機をそのまま使用することができる点、かつ、円滑な金型交換が可能である点で、優れた金型交換装置である。しかし、金型自体の正確な位置決めに関しては、加硫機に対する金型交換装置の位置決めに止まるため改良を要する。さらに、装置の構成が複雑であり、従って高価になると共に交換動作に時間を要する点も合わせ改善するのが良い。
【００１１】
前記公報その一〜その三を通じて、金型が割りモールドの場合、容易に素早く加硫機から使用済金型を取出し、そして正確さを加えて次使用金型を加硫機に移載する金型交換装置としての機能が不十分である。なぜなら、割りモールドは、タイヤの加硫形付けに直接係わる金型本体と、金型本体を包み込むコンテナとの２種金型から構成しているからである。
【００１２】
金型本体は、タイヤのトレッド部形成を行う多数個の放射方向分割金型エレメントと、上部サイドモールド及び下部サイドモールドとを有する。一方、コンテナは、多数個の金型エレメントを放射方向外側に移動分散させる働きと、多数個の金型エレメントを放射方向内側に移動させて集合体とする働きとをなす。従って、二つ割り合わせモールドに比し、割りモールドはより複雑な構成を有するので、割りモールドの容易かつ正確な移載はより困難となる。
【００１３】
従って、この出願の請求項１〜６に係る発明は、加硫機に対する金型の精密な心出位置決めが可能であり、また、加硫機への金型移載及び加硫機からの金型取出しが円滑簡便であり、かつ移載時間及び取出し時間を最短に短縮して金型交換効率を向上させることが可能な簡単な構成を有する金型交換装置を提供することを目的その一とする。
【００１４】
また、請求項７に係る発明は、割りモールドを金型交換装置と組合せて、割りモールドの装填及び交換、特に金型本体の装填及び交換を、円滑容易に短時間で、かつ正確な位置決めの下で実施可能な割りモールドと金型交換装置との組合せ体を提供することを目的その二とする。
【００１５】
そして、請求項８〜１０に係る発明は、割りモールドと金型交換装置とを用いて、前記目的その一及び目的その二に沿い、金型の加硫機内への装填移載及び金型の加硫機からの取出し移載を確実に達成し得る金型交換方法を提供することを目的その三とする。
【００１６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記目的その一を達成するため、この出願の請求項１および２に係るそれぞれの発明は、
加硫機外の金型を加硫機内に移載し、加硫機内の金型を外部に取出す移載手段と、該移載手段を支持する台とを備える金型交換装置において、
移載手段は、金型の移載高さを調整する高さ調整手段と、金型の加硫機に対する位置決め手段とを有するとともに、移載手段支持台に連結したボディと、該ボディに固着させた第一のコンベヤと、該第一のコンベヤとのボディ上併置位置と加硫機内との間を往復移動自在な第二のコンベヤと、第一のコンベヤと第二のコンベヤとに載る移動可能な金型載置プレートとを有し、前記位置決め手段は、金型載置プレート上面中央の金型位置決め用レジスタと、金型載置プレートの加硫機側端縁の複数箇所のノッチと、該ノッチのそれぞれと嵌まり合う複数個の加硫機奥側位置決め部材とを有することを特徴とする金型交換装置および、
加硫機外の金型を加硫機内に移載し、加硫機内の金型を外部に取出す移載手段と、該移載手段を支持する台とを備える金型交換装置において、
移載手段は、金型の移載高さを調整する高さ調整手段と、金型の加硫機に対する位置決め手段とを有するとともに、移載手段支持台に連結したボディと、該ボディに固着させた第一のコンベヤと、該第一のコンベヤとのボディ上併置位置と加硫機内との間を往復移動自在な第二のコンベヤと、第一のコンベヤと第二のコンベヤとに載る移動可能な金型載置プレートとを有し、前記位置決め手段は、金型載置プレート上面中央の金型位置決め用レジスタと、金型の加硫機側外周面に設けた複数箇所のノッチと、該ノッチのそれぞれと嵌まり合う複数個の加硫機奥側位置決め部材とを有することを特徴とする金型交換装置にある。
【００１７】
なおここで、「加硫機奥側位置決め部材」とは、加硫機の、移載手段の支持台から隔絶させて設けた位置決め部材をいうものとする。
【００１８】
請求項１および２に記載した発明に関し、好適には、請求項３に記載した発明のように、各加硫機奥側位置決め部材を、加硫機の下部ホルダの同一円周上に位置するものとする。
【００１９】
また好ましくは、請求項４に記載した発明のように、移載手段を、金型載置プレートをボディと加硫機内との間で往復移動させる駆動装置を有するものとする。
【００２０】
請求項１〜４に記載した発明に関し、好適には、請求項５に記載した発明のように、高さ調整手段を、駆動モータと、該モータの駆動により昇降動作を行うジャッキとを有し、該ジャッキ上端を移載手段のボディに連結して成るものとする。
【００２１】
請求項５に記載した発明に関し、好適には、請求項６に記載した発明のように、高さ調整手段のジャッキを、第二のコンベヤの往復移動から加硫機との当接に至る高さの差と、複数台の加硫機の金型取付け高さの差との和に見合う昇降ストロークを有するものとする。
【００２２】
前記目的その二を達成するため、この出願の請求項７に係る発明は、加硫機外の金型を加硫機内に移載し、加硫機内の金型を外部に取出す移載手段と、該移載手段を支持する台とを備え、その移載手段が、金型の移載高さを調整する高さ調整手段と、金型の加硫機に対する位置決め手段とを有する金型交換装置と、
タイヤ加硫用金型本体と、該金型本体を稼働状態及び非稼働状態とする加硫機側コンテナとを有する割りモールドとの組合せ体において、
金型本体は、円周方向に分割面をもつ多数個のトレッド部形成用金型エレメントと、上部及び下部それぞれのサイドモールドとを有し、
コンテナは、多数個のセグメントと、各セグメントを放射方向内外に移動させる、昇降自在なコンテナリングと、上部ホルダ及び下部ホルダとを有し、
各金型エレメントは一方のロック用部材を有し、
各セグメントは一方のロック用部材とロック係合する他方のロック用部材を有し、
これらの両ロック用部材を相対移動させる手段を備え、
該手段の適用により、両ロック用部材相互のロック係合及びロック解除を可能とする構成を有することを特徴とする、金型と金型交換装置との組合せ体にある。
【００２３】
前記目的その三を達成する上で、まず、金型交換装置から加硫機へ金型を移載するため、この出願の請求項８に係る発明は、加硫機外の金型を加硫機内に移載し、加硫機内の金型を外部に取出す移載手段と、該移載手段を支持する台とを備え、移載手段が、金型の移載高さを調整する高さ調整手段と、金型の加硫機に対する位置決め手段と、移載手段支持台に連結したボディと、該ボディに固着された第一のコンベヤと、該第一のコンベヤとのボディ上併置位置と加硫機内との間を往復移動自在な第二のコンベヤと、第一のコンベヤと第二のコンベヤとに載る移動可能な金型載置プレートと、金型載置プレートをボディと加硫機内との間で往復移動させる駆動装置とを有する金型交換装置と、
タイヤ加硫用金型本体と、該金型本体を稼働状態及び非稼働状態とする加硫機側コンテナとを有する割りモールドとの組合せであって、
金型本体は、円周方向に分割面をもつ多数個のトレッド部形成用金型エレメントと、上部及び下部それぞれのサイドモールドとを有し、
コンテナは、多数個のセグメントと、各セグメントを放射方向内外に移動させる、昇降自在なコンテナリングと、上部ホルダ及び下部ホルダとを有し、
各金型エレメントは一方のロック用部材を有し、
各セグメントは一方のロック用部材とロック係合する他方のロック用部材を有し、
これらの両ロック用部材を相対移動させる手段を備え、
該手段の適用により、両ロック用部材相互のロック係合及びロック解除を可能とする構成を有する、金型と金型交換装置との組合せ体を用いて、移載手段上の金型を加硫機に移載するに当り、
移載手段の第二のコンベヤを加硫機下方部の上方に前進移動させ、
高さ調整手段の下方駆動により、第二のコンベヤを加硫機下方部に当接させ、
これに続き、金型を載置するプレートを第一のコンベヤから第二のコンベヤへ向け前進移動させ、
位置決め手段により、金型を加硫機に対し位置決めした後、
加硫機上部に連結したコンテナリングと、該コンテナリングの下降完了に伴い、金型の各エレメントと相互にロック係合する各セグメントとを吊り上げ手段に用い、
加硫機の上方に位置する昇降自在なこの吊り上げ手段により、加硫機に対し位置決めした金型を、相互の心合わせの下で上方へ吊り上げ、
この吊り上げ状態下で、高さ調整手段の上方駆動の後、プレートと第二のコンベヤとを支持台に向け後退移動させ、
その後、吊り上げ手段を下降させて金型を加硫機内に載置することを特徴とする加硫機への金型移載方法にある。
【００２４】
前記目的その三を達成する上で、次に、加硫機から金型交換装置へ金型を取出し移載するため、この出願の請求項９に係る発明は、請求項８に記載した金型と金型交換装置との組合せ体を用いて、加硫機内の金型を移載手段上に移載するに当り、
加硫機上部に連結したコンテナリングと、各金型エレメントと相互にロック係合する各セグメントとを吊り上げ手段に用い、
加硫機上方に位置する昇降自在なこの吊り上げ手段により金型を上方へ吊り上げ、
次いで、移載手段の第二のコンベヤとプレートとを加硫機下方部上方に前進移動させ、
高さ調整手段の下方駆動により、第二のコンベヤを加硫機下方部に当接させ、
その後、吊り上げ手段を下降させて金型をプレート上に載置し、
吊り上げ手段の下降完了に伴い、各金型エレメントと各セグメントとのロック係合を解除させる手段を備える金型載置プレートを用いて、金型とセグメントとを切り離し、
引き続き、金型を載置するプレートと第二のコンベヤとを順次加硫機から後退移動させることを特徴とする加硫機からの金型取出し方法にある。
【００２５】
また、前記目的その三に沿い、加硫機に対し金型交換を行うに当り、この出願の請求項１０に係る発明は、請求項８に記載した金型移載方法と、請求項９に記載した金型取出し方法とを交互に用いて、加硫機内の使用済金型を次使用金型に交換することを特徴とする金型交換方法にある。
【００２６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の実施の形態を図１〜図１８に基づき説明する。
まず、金型交換装置につき説明する。
図１は、金型及び金型交換装置と加硫機下方部との要部側面図であり、
図２は、移載装置と加硫機下方部の下部ホルダとの平面図であり、
図３は、図２に示すIII − III線に沿う移載装置の正面図であり、
図４は、第二のコンベヤ前進移動前の移載装置の側面図であり、
図５は、第二のコンベヤ前進移動後の移載装置の側面図であり、
図６は、第二のコンベヤと金型載置プレートとの前進移動後の平面図である。
【００２７】
図１において、金型交換装置１は、移載手段（以下移載装置という）２と、移載装置２を支持する台３とを備える。金型交換装置１は、加硫機４（下方部のみ示す）の前方（作業側）に位置し、好適には、横並びに配置した複数台の加硫機４から所定距離隔てて付設した軌道の案内下で移動可能とする。金型交換装置１は、移載装置２上に載置した金型５を加硫機４内に移載し、かつ、加硫機４内に位置する金型（図示省略）５を外部の移載装置２上に取出し移載する動作を行う。
【００２８】
移載装置２上の金型５は、常時、加硫機４の移載位置近傍高さ、例えば床面Ｆからの高さに位置させる。このことは、横並びに配置した複数台の加硫機４相互間で、加硫機４の下方部高さに差が多少なりとも存在するためにとる合理的手段である。そのため、移載装置２は、金型５の移載高さを僅かな範囲内で調整する高さ調整手段６（詳細後述）を備える。
【００２９】
この高さ調整手段６を備えることで、余分な昇降動作と余分な動作時間とを伴わずに、金型５を加硫機４下方部の上、図示例では下部ホルダ７（断面で示す）の上に効率良く移載することができ、かつ、金型５を加硫機４下方部から移載装置２上に効率良く取出すことができる。
【００３０】
また、移載装置２は、金型５の加硫機４下方部に対する位置決め手段（詳細後述）を備える。金型５は相当の重量物であるから、一旦加硫機内に載置した金型５に更めて心出しを施すのは載置時間の空費と、加硫機の不稼働時間の延長とをもたらすが、これらは、位置決め手段により排除することができる。
【００３１】
以上述べた金型交換装置１によれば、移載装置２上の金型５を加硫機４下方部に移載するに際し、また、金型５を加硫機４下方部から取出し、移載装置２上に移載するに際し、これら移載・取出移載の作業性が向上し、同時に作業時間を大幅に短縮することができる。なお、支持台３は軌道に案内される移動手段付き台車、例えば車輪８付き台車が好ましい。
【００３２】
以下、移載装置２について詳述する。
図２〜図６において、移載装置２は、その支持台３に連結したボディ１０と、ボディ１０に固着させた一対の第一のコンベヤ１１と、第二のコンベヤ１２とを備える。
コンベヤ１２は、一対のコンベヤ１１の内側に位置し、コンベヤ１１とのボディ１０上併置位置と、加硫機４の下部ホルダ７との間を往復移動自在とする。
各コンベヤ１１、１２は互いに平行である。なお、図示例のコンベヤ１２は一対の２個で組をなすが、１個以上で構成することもできる。
【００３３】
各コンベヤ１１、１２は、金型５のような重量物の移動に適合したものであれば形式にこだわる必要はなく、図示例では、最も一般的なローラコンベヤである。各コンベヤ１１、１２のローラ上縁は同一水平面内に存在する。コンベヤ１２は、モータ１４の稼働により両端矢印Ｘ方向に往復移動させる。図２のコンベヤ１２は後退移動完了位置にあることを示し、図５及び図６のコンベヤ１２は前進移動完了位置にあることを示す。
【００３４】
コンベヤ１２の往復移動には、図示するように、各コンベヤ１２毎に、１台のモータ１４の回転軸先端のピニオン１５に噛み合うラック１６と、ラック１６に固着したチェーン１７と、チェーン１７の移動方向を転向する一対のスプロケット１８との組合わせ機構を用いるのも一方法である。その他、アクチュエータ機構などを使用しても良く、往復移動手段に機構のいかんを問わない。
【００３５】
また、移載装置２は、後退完了位置における一対のコンベヤ１２と、一対のコンベヤ１１とに移動自在に載るプレート２０を有する。図２〜図６では、説明の便宜上プレート２０を二点鎖線で示す。図１に示すように、プレート２０は金型５を直接載置し、図２に示すように、プレート２０は、その上面中央に金型５の位置決め用レジスタ２１を備える。レジスタ２１は金型５の最内周面に沿う外周面を有する。
【００３６】
プレート２０は往復移動部材２２に簡単に着脱自在に取付ける。この取付けは、図２および６に示すところから明らかなように、往復移動部材２２の前進方向先端部側に設けた円筒状突起部２３の外周面にレジスタ２１の内周面を嵌め合わせるだけで済む。
プレート２０の下面と往復移動部材２２の上面との間に隙間を設け、これによりプレート２０は自重でコンベヤ１１、１２のローラ上端縁に押圧接触する。必要に応じて、プレート２０を往復移動部材２２にねじ締結しても良い。
【００３７】
先のコンベヤ１２と同様に、往復移動部材２２は、両端矢印Ｘ方向に往復移動させるための駆動装置を有する。この駆動装置は、１台のモータ２４、２個のピニオン２５−１、２５−２、ラック２６、チェーン２７及び一対のスプロケット（図示省略）の組合わせ機構になる。その他、駆動装置にアクチュエータ機構などを適用しても良く、機構のいかんを問わない。レジスタ２１と円筒状突起部２３との嵌め合いにより、プレート２０は、ボディ１０と加硫機４の下部ホルダ７との間で往復移動可能となる（図２及び図６参照）。
【００３８】
移載装置２が備える高さ調整手段６は、図１を参照し、電動モータ３０と、モータ３０の回転軸に連結するロッド３１と、ロッド３１の回転駆動により昇降動作を行うジャッキ３２を有する。ジャッキ３２の上端はボディ１０の下部に連結する。ただし、モータ３０の配置と、重量物の金型５の安定支持とを考慮し、図示のように、少なくとも一対、好ましくは二対のジャッキ３２をボディ１０の両端部に設ける。
【００３９】
図４は、後退移動完了位置にある第二のコンベヤ１２を示し、図５は、前進完了位置にある第二のコンベヤ１２を示す。
図５に示す第二のコンベヤ１２は、二点鎖線で示す位置まで、高さｈ（ｍｍ）だけ下降し、下部ホルダ７の上面にて支持される。従って、ジャッキ３２は、少なくとも、図５に示す高さｈ（ｍｍ）に相当する昇降ストロークｈ（ｍｍ）を有するものとする。高さｈ（ｍｍ）は、第二のコンベヤ１２の加硫機４下部ホルダ７に対する往復移動を許容する高さから、第二のコンベヤ１２が下部ホルダ７上面に当接する位置の高さを差し引いた値である。
【００４０】
加えて、一基の移載装置２が受け持つ複数台の加硫機４の下部ホルダ７の高さ、換言すればは金型５の載置高さは厳密に一定ではない。よって、ジャッキ３２は、上記の昇降ストロークｈ（ｍｍ）に、金型５の載置高さの差α（ｍｍ）に見合う分を足し合わせた（ｈ＋α）ｍｍの昇降ストロークを有するものとする。この昇降ストローク内の昇降動作は、高さ調整の範囲内であり、極めて短時間で済み、作業性が向上する。
【００４１】
移載装置２側と、加硫機４下方部奥側、すなわち、加硫機４の下方部移載装置２の支持台３から隔絶した側との双方に金型５の位置決め手段を備える。図２及び図６において、移載装置２側の位置決め手段は、プレート２０のレジスタ２１と、プレート２０の加硫機４側端縁に設けた複数箇所のノッチ３５、図示例は一対のノッチ３５とで構成する。ノッチ３５は、Ｖ字形状、半円形状など、位置決めに適当な形状を選択する。
【００４２】
加硫機４下方部奥側の位置決め手段は、図２及び図６に示すように、加硫機４下方部の奥位置に立てた複数個の位置決め部材４０である。図示例の位置決め部材４０は、下部ホルダ７に立てた一対のピン４０である。
【００４３】
プレート２０が加硫機４に向かい前進移動するとき、プレート２０の一対のノッチ３５は、それぞれ一対のピン４０に当たり、互いに嵌まり合う。その時点でプレート２０の移動は停止する。一対のピン４０は下部ホルダ７の同じ円周上に位置させる。なお、下部ホルダ７は、その中央部にプレート２０のレジスタ２１と同じ金型５内周面心出用レジスタ４１を備える。
【００４４】
また、代案として、図示を省略したが、プレート２０の一対のノッチ３５の代わりに、金型５の外周面に一対のノッチを設け、これらノッチと嵌まり合う一対のピンを、着脱自在に下部ホルダ７に立て、後述する金型５の吊り上げの後、一対のピンを取外しても良い。このときのプレート２０は、図示の奥行き幅より狭幅とし、プレート２０に金型５を載置したとき、金型５がプレート２０から突出するようにする。更に別の代案としては、往復移動部材２２を移動させる駆動源としてのモータ２４の回転軸にエンコーダとブレーキとを装備し、これによりプレート２０を加硫機４側に位置決めする方法を採用する。
【００４５】
以上述べたように、移載装置２側の位置決め手段と、下部ホルダ７のレジスタ４１を含む加硫機４側の位置決め手段との協同により、加硫機４に対する金型５の位置決めは、精密でしかも簡単に達成することができる。また、金型交換装置１は、構成が簡単であり、それ故に、低コストで済み、短時間動作が可能となり、動作の信頼性も高い。
【００４６】
ここで、金型交換装置１との組合せ体としての金型５は、二つ割り合わせモールドと、割りモールドとの双方を含む。二つ割り合わせモールドの場合は簡単であるから説明を省略し、以下、金型交換装置１との組合せ体として特に適合する割りモールドの一例と、同様に金型交換装置１との組合せ体として、金型本体を稼働状態及び非稼働状態とする加硫機側コンテナの一例とを、図７〜図９に基づき簡単に説明する。なお、割りモールドは、先に述べたように、金型本体とコンテナとを有する。
【００４７】
図７は、プレートと金型本体との左半断面図であり、
図８は、プレート及び金型本体と、金型エレメントと非ロック状態のコンテナとの左半断面図であり、
図９は、プレート及び金型本体と、金型エレメントとロック係合状態のコンテナとの左半断面図であり、
図１０は、ロック解除用ブロックを備えるプレートの左半断面図である。
【００４８】
図７において、金型本体５は、その円周方向に多数個に分割したタイヤトレッド部形成用金型エレメント５１と、上部サイドモールド５２と、下部サイドモールド５３とを有する。なお金型エレメント５１の分割面は放射方向分割面である。
【００４９】
プレート２０上に載置する金型本体５は、下部サイドモールド５３の内周面をレジスタ２１の外周面と嵌め合わせ、プレート２０上で中心軸線Ｚ周りに正確に位置決めする。
【００５０】
各金型エレメント５１は、円周方向両側端部に一方のロック用部材として、放射方向外側に突出する一対のロックピン５４を備える。ロックピン５４は、先端に円錐状頭部５４ａ乃至円錐台状頭部５４ａと、頭部５４ａより細径の胴体部５４ｂとを有す。
【００５１】
図８において、加硫機４上方部に連結固定するコンテナ６０は、金型エレメント５１の分割数と同じ数のセグメント６１と、各セグメント６１を放射方向内外に移動させるコンテナリング６２と、上部ホルダ６３と、下部ホルダ７（図１参照）とを有する。
【００５２】
加硫機４上方部に固定したコンテナリング６２は、各セグメント６１の背面側テーパ部と摺動係合し、加硫機４上方部の昇降に伴い、各セグメント６１を放射方向内外に移動させる。
【００５３】
各セグメント６１は、各金型エレメント５１を連結した状態で、一対のロックピン５４を収容する一対の貫通穴６４を有する。さらに、各セグメント６１は、他方のロック用部材として、セグメント６１の円周方向端面を挟む両側に上下移動自在な一対の懸け止め手段６５を有する。
【００５４】
懸け止め手段６５は、セグメント６１の円周方向端面に沿って上下移動する部材６６（二点鎖線で示す）と、部材６６からセグメント６１の内部空間に延びるロックアーム６７とを有する。ロックアーム６７の下縁は、ロックピン５４の放射方向中心軸線５４_RLの延長線６４_RL上に位置させるのが好ましい。延長線６４_RLは貫通穴６４の中心軸線とする。
【００５５】
図８及び図９において、コンテナリング６２が加硫機４の上方位置から最下方位置まで下降する間に、セグメント６１はプレート２０上の案内プレート７０上面を放射方向内側に向け摺動移動する。そのとき、ロックアーム６７は、ロックピン５４の頭部５４ａの円錐面乃至円錐台側面に沿って上方に移動し、頭部５４ａを越えた位置で胴体部５４ｂに落ち込む。
【００５６】
胴体部５４ｂに落ち込んだロックアーム６７はロックピン５４と自動ロック係合し、これにより、金型エレメント５１とセグメント６１とは合体する。この合体状態を、締結ボルト６８による固定と共に図９に示す。なお、セグメント６１の移動を妨げない位置のプレート２０上に、金型エレメント５１の下面を安定して支持するブロック７１を設けるのが好ましい。
【００５７】
この自動ロック係合を確実にするため、懸け止め手段６５は、上下移動部材６６の上面と当接する圧縮弾性体手段、例えば圧縮コイルばね及び上下移動部材６６の下面に連結する引張弾性体手段、例えば引張コイルばねの少なくともいずれか一方の手段を備えるのが好ましい。
【００５８】
上記のロック係合に際し、懸け止め手段６５を静止するロックピン５４に対し相対移動させる必要があり、この相対移動手段には、セグメント６１を放射方向内側に向け移動させるコンテナリング６２と、放射方向内側に向け正確に摺動案内する案内プレート７０とを充当する。
【００５９】
一方、懸け止め手段６５をロックピン５４からロック解除するには、図１０に示すように、プレート２０上に配置する多数個のロック解除ブロック７２を用いる。プレート２０上にて、ブロック７２は、各懸け止め手段６５の上下移動部材６６のみを上方へ押し上げ、この押し上げ状態を保持する。ブロック７２は、セグメント６１と同数の配置になり、図９に示すセグメント６１の状態で、隣合うセグメント６１相互の円周方向隙間内に位置する。
【００６０】
以上述べたように、割りモールドに自動ロック係合手段と自動ロック解除手段とを設け、かつ、金型本体５のロックピン５４とコンテナ６０の懸け止め手段６５とを相対移動させる手段を用いることで、割りモールドを二つ割り合わせモールドと同様に、簡単かつ精密に移載・取出が可能となる。
【００６１】
次に、金型交換装置１を用いて加硫機４に金型５を移載装填する方法につき、図７〜図１０に示す金型本体５を移載対象金型の代表として、図１１〜図１４に基づき以下説明する。
図１１〜図１４は、加硫機４下方部に新たに金型本体５を移載装填するステップ１〜ステップ８までの説明図であり、いずれも要部のみの側面を一部断面で示す。各図において、煩雑さを避けるため断面の斜線を省略した。
【００６２】
図１１（ａ）に示す最初のステップ１において、全体の図示を省略した金型交換装置１は、加硫機４前方にて、移載装置２のプレート２０上に載置した金型本体５を加硫機４の下部ホルダ７に対し心出位置決めして停止し、その停止位置を保持する。このとき、高さ調整手段６（図１参照）により、第二のコンベヤ１２は、下部ホルダ７との当接位置に対し高さｈ（ｍｍ）だけ高い位置に調整しておく（図５参照）。
【００６３】
図１１（ｂ）に示すステップ２では、駆動手段１４〜１８を作動させ（図３〜図５参照）、移載装置２の第二のコンベヤ１２を、ステップ１の後退位置から加硫機４の下部ホルダ７を横断して跨ぐ前進位置まで移動させる。その後、高さ調整手段６を起動させ、ジャッキ３２（図１参照）の下方駆動によりコンベヤ１２をｈ（ｍｍ）だけ下降させ、下部ホルダ７に当接させ、コンベヤ１２による金型本体５の移動と支持との準備を整える。
【００６４】
引き続き、図１２（ａ）に示すステップ３では、駆動手段２４〜２７を作動させ（図３参照）、金型本体５を載置するプレート２０を前進移動させる。そのとき、プレート２０の一対のノッチ３５を一対のピン４０に係合させ（図６参照）、金型本体５の位置決めを行う。位置決めした金型本体５の中心軸線Ｚは、加硫機４及び加硫機４上方に位置する昇降自在なコンテナ６０それぞれの中心軸線Ｚと一致する。なお、重量物の金型本体５は、加硫機４の下方ホルダ７により支持されるので、移動の過程はもとより、移動完了時も何ら不具合は生じない。
【００６５】
次いで、図１２（ｂ）のステップ４に示すように、コンテナ６０を下降させる。図１２（ｂ）は、セグメント６１がプレート２０上の案内プレート７０（図８、図９参照）上面に接触したときのコンテナ６０の下降途中状態を示す。セグメント６１は、図１１（ａ）に示す状態から図１２（ｂ）に示す状態に至るまで、コンテナリング６２からの懸垂状態にある。さらにコンテナ６０及びコンテナリング６２の下降が進むと、セグメント６１は放射方向内側に摺動移動する。
【００６６】
図１３（ａ）に示すステップ５は、セグメント６１の放射方向内側移動が完了したときの金型本体５とコンテナ６０との合体状態を示す。すなわち、セグメント６１の放射方向内側移動完了時点で、セグメント６１における懸け止め手段６５のアーム６７と金型エレメント５１のピン５４とは相互に自動ロック係合を達成する。
【００６７】
同時に、コンテナ６０の上部ホルダ６３に設けたロック係止体６８により、コンテナ６０のトッププレート６９と上部サイドモールド５２とを、上部ホルダ６３を介して自動ロック係合させる。これら二つのロック係合下で、セグメント６１から各金型エレメント５１に延びる支持爪により、金型本体５とコンテナ６０とは稼働状態で上下方向にも合体する。
【００６８】
図１３（ｂ）に示すステップ６では、吊り上げ手段及び吊り下げ手段としても動作するコンテナ６０により、図１３（ａ）に示す金型本体５とセグメント６１とを、一旦、矢印Ｕ方向に垂直に吊り上げる。その後、図１４（ａ）に示すステップ７で、テーブル２０を移載装置２まで後退させる。
【００６９】
そして、図１４（ｂ）に示すステップ８で、高さ調整手段６を起動させ、ジャッキ３２（図１参照）の僅かな上方駆動によりコンベヤ１２をｈ（ｍｍ）だけ上昇させてから、コンベヤ１２を移載装置２まで後退させる。しかる後、コンテナ６０を矢印Ｄ方向に垂直下降させ、金型本体５とコンテナ６０とを加硫機４の下部ホルダ７に載置し、これで金型本体５の加硫機４下方部への移載動作が終了する。
【００７０】
以上述べたように、円滑かつ容易に、正確な位置決めの下、短時間内で、金型本体５を加硫機４下方部へ移載することができる。
【００７１】
最後に、金型交換装置１を用いて加硫機４から金型５を取出す移載方法につき、図７〜図１０に示す金型本体５を取出し対象金型の代表として、図１５〜図１８に基づき以下説明する。
図１５〜図１８は、加硫機４の下部ホルダ７上に位置する金型本体５を移載装置２上に取出し移載するステップ９〜ステップ１６までの説明図であり、いずれも要部のみの側面を一部断面で示す。各図において、煩雑さを避けるため断面の斜線を省略した。
【００７２】
金型本体５の取出し移載方法と、前述した装填移載方法との基本的な相違点は、プレート２０がロック解除ブロック７２（図１０参照）を備え、これにより金型本体５をコンテナ６０から切り離す点である。よって、以下、説明の重複は避け、基本的相違点についてのみ説明する。
【００７３】
図１５（ａ）に示す最初のステップ９では、高さ調整手段６（図１参照）によりコンベヤ１２の高さを調節し、下部ホルダ７との心合わせの下で加硫機４の直前に移載装置２を位置させる。図１５（ｂ）に示すステップ１０にて、金型本体５とコンテナ６０とを矢印Ｕ方向へ上昇させた後、コンベヤ１２を前進移動させ、高さ調整手段６によりコンベヤ１２を下部ホルダ７に当接させる。
【００７４】
図１６（ａ）に示すステップ１１で、一対のノッチ３５が一対のピン４０と係合し、位置決めするまで、ロック解除ブロック７２を備えるプレート２０を前進移動させる。そこで、図１６（ｂ）のステップ１２に示すように、矢印Ｄ方向に金型本体５とコンテナ６０とを下降させ、プレート２０上に載置する。このとき、ロック解除ブロック７２は、全ての懸け止め手段６５の上下移動部材６６を押し上げ、ロックアーム６７とロックピン５４とのロック係合を解除する。同時に上部ホルダ６３とトッププレート６９とのロック係合も解除する。
【００７５】
ロックアーム６７とロックピン５４とのロック解除を保持した状態で、図１７（ａ）に示すステップ１３で、コンテナ６０をコンテナリング６２と共に矢印Ｕ方向へ上昇させる。この動作により、セグメント６１は、放射方向外側へ向け移動し、金型本体５を自動で切り離す。図１７（ｂ）に示すステップ１４は、下部ホルダ７上に金型本体５を下方に残し、セグメント６１とコンテナリング６２とを上方に位置させるものである。
【００７６】
図１８（ａ）に示すステップ１５にて、ステップ１４の状態下でプレート２０を後退移動させ、金型本体５を移載装置２上に取出す。その後、図１８（ｂ）に示すステップ１６で、高さ調整手段６によりコンベヤ１２を僅か上方へ駆動し、移載装置２上に後退移動させる。これで、金型本体５の取出し移載は完了する。
【００７７】
以上述べたように、従来は取出しが困難な金型本体５を、円滑かつ容易に、短時間内で、加硫機４下方部から移載装置２上へ取出し移載することができる。
【００７８】
以上述べた、金型本体５の移載装填方法は、金型本体５が未装填の加硫機４の稼働開始時に適用するときと、加硫機４上の使用済金型本体５を次に使用する金型本体５に入れ替え交換に適用するときとの両者にわたる。この交換に当り、金型本体５の取出し移載方法と、金型本体５の移載装填方法とを対として交互に適用するものとする。
【００７９】
そのため、２基の移載装置２を対として備える金型交換装置１を適用する。ただし、一方の移載装置２のプレート２０は、金型本体５の安定載置をより確実にするブロック７１を備えるのが好ましく、他方の移載装置２のプレート２０は、ロック解除ブロック７２を備えるものとする。
【００８０】
【発明の効果】
この出願の請求項１〜６に記載した発明によれば、金型の精密な位置決めと、円滑簡便な短時間動作とが可能であり、かつ、高信頼性の金型移載及び金型交換が可能な、簡単な構成を有する金型交換装置を提供することができ、
この出願の請求項７に記載した発明によれば、上記の効果を発揮する割りモールドと金型交換装置との組合せ体を提供することができ、
この出願の請求項８〜１０に記載した発明によれば、上記効果の下で、割りモールドを含む金型の交換が可能な方法を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の金型交換装置及び金型と加硫機下方部との要部側面図である。
【図２】この発明の移載装置と加硫機下方部の下部ホルダとの平面図である。
【図３】図２に示すIII −III 線に沿う移載装置の正面図である。
【図４】この発明の第二のコンベヤ前進移動前の移載装置の側面図である。
【図５】この発明の第二のコンベヤ前進移動後の移載装置の側面図である。
【図６】この発明の第二のコンベヤ及びプレートの前進移動後の平面図である。
【図７】この発明のプレート及び金型本体の左半断面図である。
【図８】この発明のプレート及び金型本体と、非ロック状態のコンテナとの左半断面図である。
【図９】この発明のプレート及び金型本体とロック状態のコンテナとの左半断面図である。
【図１０】この発明のロック解除用ブロックを備えるプレートの左半断面図である。
【図１１】加硫機に金型本体を移載するステップ１、２の説明図である。
【図１２】加硫機に金型本体を移載するステップ３、４の説明図である。
【図１３】加硫機に金型本体を移載するステップ５、６の説明図である。
【図１４】加硫機に金型本体を移載するステップ７、８の説明図である。
【図１５】加硫機の金型本体を取出し移載するステップ９、１０の説明図である。
【図１６】加硫機の金型本体を取出し移載するステップ１１、１２の説明図である。
【図１７】加硫機の金型本体を取出し移載するステップ１３、１４の説明図である。
【図１８】加硫機の金型本体を取出し移載するステップ１５、１６の説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１金型交換装置
２移載装置
３支持台
４加硫機
５金型（金型本体）
６高さ調整手段
７下部ホルダ
８車輪
１０ボディ
１１第一のコンベヤ
１２第二のコンベヤ
１４、２４、３０モータ
１５、２５−１、２５−２ピニオン
１６、２６ラック
１７２７チェーン
１８スプロケット
２０プレート
２１、４１レジスタ
２２往復移動部材
２３円筒状突起部
３１連結ロッド
３２ジャッキ
３５ノッチ
４０位置決め部材
５１金型エレメント
５２上部サイドモールド
５３下部サイドモールド
５４ロックピン
５４ａロックピン頭部
５４ｂロックピン胴体部
６０コンテナ
６１セグメント
６２コンテナリング
６３上部ホルダ
６４貫通穴
６５懸け止め手段
６６上下移動部材
６７ロックアーム
６８締結ボルト
７０案内プレート
７１支持ブロック
７２ロック解除ブロック[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a mold exchanging apparatus, a combination of the apparatus and a mold, and a mold exchanging method, and more particularly, to an exchanging apparatus for a vulcanizer for a mold for vulcanization molding of a pneumatic tire and the apparatus. The present invention relates to a mold changing method for a conventional vulcanizer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  In the vulcanization molding process close to the final stage of pneumatic tire (hereinafter referred to as tire) production, it is generalized in the former molding process.,It must cope with frequent size switching or type switching. In almost all cases, it is necessary to replace the old mold for tire vulcanization molding that has been attached to the vulcanizer with a new mold in accordance with the switching of the molding size or the molding type.
[0003]
  Tire vulcanization molds are quite heavy, so this type of mold can be attached to the vulcanizer, and the old mold attached to the vulcanizer can be replaced with another new mold. Even if it is exchanged, it is not easy to handle and work. This is true even when the mold is a split mold, but it is more serious in the case of a split mold having a more complicated structure than the combined mold. This is because the split mold has a tread portion forming mold element divided into a large number in the circumferential direction.
[0004]
  That is, a forklift is generally used for conveying the old and new molds, and a hoist and a crane are generally used for taking out the old mold from the vulcanizer and loading the new mold into the vulcanizer. However, these operations involve many problems such as requiring manpower and a lot of time, reducing the vulcanization productivity, and being forced to carry out the operation in a high temperature for a long time.
[0005]
  Therefore, with the aim of automation and labor saving in heavy metal mold exchange, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-229643 (Part 1) relates to an upper and lower mold exchange apparatus for molding machines such as a plurality of low-pressure casting machines. A child carriage is mounted on a parent carriage that can run along the guide means in front of the machine, and a child carriage on which upper and lower molds are mounted is connected to the parent carriage so as to be rotatable, and a connected member fixed to the molding machine. An exchange device that travels on a connecting body with a member and transfers to a base of a molding machine is disclosed.
[0006]
  Further, regarding an upper and lower mold exchanging cart in a tire vulcanizer, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-315938 (No. 2) describes a cart that can run along a number of vulcanizers, and a vulcanization provided on the cart. The slide carriage, which is slidable toward the machine, and the swivel on the slide carriage, on which the mold is mounted, moves on the connection rail between the rail on the swivel and the rail in the vulcanizer. A mold exchanging cart that reciprocally slides is disclosed.
[0007]
  Also, a mold exchanging apparatus for returning a used mold taken out from a vulcanizer to a mold place and loading a next use mold selected from the mold place into a vulcanizer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-6345. In the publication (No. 3), a pair of upper and lower mold mounting tables, lifting means for the pair of mounting tables, and a lifter as a means for moving the mounting tables closer to and away from the vulcanizer, the mounting table by the lifter Disclosed is a mold exchanging device for moving a mold to an exchange position.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  First, the upper and lower mold exchanging device disclosed in the publication 1 includes a main carriage, a running surface on a coupling body of a coupling member and a coupled member, and a plurality of or a large number of running machines of a plurality of molding machines. It can be said that it is practically impossible to place the surfaces on the same horizontal plane. Unevenly, the traveling surfaces of the three parties are uneven, which hinders the transfer of the heavy metal upper and lower molds onto the smooth base and the transfer to the child carriage. In addition, the positioning of the mold on the base is insufficient, which is a problem particularly in the case of transferring the mold for tire vulcanization molding in which precise positioning is the final decisive factor of high quality.
[0009]
  Next, the upper and lower mold exchanging cart disclosed in the publication No. 2 also needs to be provided with a rail for reciprocating sliding movement of the slide cart in the vulcanizer, and it is difficult to significantly modify the vulcanizer. Have Further, the positioning means is the positioning of the slide carriage with respect to the vulcanizer, and is not necessarily the positioning of the mold with respect to the vulcanizer.
[0010]
  Finally, the mold exchanging device disclosed by the publication No. 3 can be used as it is without the need to modify the vulcanizer as compared with the former two, and the smoothness It is an excellent mold exchanging device in that it can be easily exchanged. However, regarding the accurate positioning of the mold itself, improvement is required because the positioning of the mold exchanging device with respect to the vulcanizer is stopped. Furthermore, the construction of the device is complex and therefore expensiveInAt the same time, it is better to improve the time required for the replacement operation.
[0011]
  Through the above publications 1 to 3, when the mold is a split mold, the used mold is easily and quickly taken out of the vulcanizer, and the next mold is transferred to the vulcanizer with accuracy. The function as a mold changer is insufficient. This is because the split mold is composed of two types of molds, that is, a mold body that is directly related to vulcanization shaping of a tire and a container that wraps the mold body.
[0012]
  The mold body has a large number of radially divided mold elements for forming a tread portion of a tire, and an upper side mold and a lower side mold. On the other hand, the container functions to move and disperse a large number of mold elements outward in the radial direction and to function as an aggregate by moving a large number of mold elements inward in the radial direction. Accordingly, since the split mold has a more complicated configuration than the two split molds, it is more difficult to transfer the split mold easily and accurately.
[0013]
  So thisapplicationClaims 1 to 16InAffectThe invention enables precise centering positioning of the mold with respect to the vulcanizer,Also,Transfer of mold to vulcanizer and removal of mold from vulcanizer is smooth and simple, and it is possible to shorten the transfer time and takeout time to the shortest and improve the mold exchange efficiency. One object is to provide a mold exchanging apparatus having a configuration.
[0014]
  Claims7InAffectInvention is split moldMold changerA combination of a split mold and a mold exchanging apparatus that can smoothly and easily load and replace the split mold, particularly the mold body, in a short time and under accurate positioning. The purpose is to provide it.
[0015]
  AndClaim8-10InAffectThe invention uses a split mold and a mold changer to perform loading and transfer of the mold into the vulcanizer and removal of the mold from the vulcanizer along the first and second purposes. The third purpose is to provide a mold exchanging method that can be reliably achieved.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the object one, claim 1 of this application.And 2 according to eachThe invention
  In a mold exchanging apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means,
  The transfer means has a height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold and a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer.In addition, a body connected to the transfer means support base, a first conveyor fixed to the body, and a position where the first conveyor is juxtaposed on the body and the inside of the vulcanizer are reciprocally movable. Two movable conveyors, a movable mold mounting plate mounted on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and the positioning means includes a mold positioning register at the center of the upper surface of the mold mounting plate, A plurality of notches on the vulcanizer side edge of the mold mounting plate and a plurality of vulcanizer back side positioning members that fit into the notches are provided.Mold changing apparatus characterized byand,
  In a mold exchanging apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means,
  The transfer means has a height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold and a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer.In addition, a body connected to the transfer means support base, a first conveyor fixed to the body, and a position where the first conveyor is juxtaposed on the body and the inside of the vulcanizer are reciprocally movable. Two movable conveyors, a movable mold mounting plate mounted on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and the positioning means includes a mold positioning register at the center of the upper surface of the mold mounting plate, A plurality of notches provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mold vulcanizer side and a plurality of vulcanizer back side positioning members fitted to the notches respectively.The present invention provides a mold exchanging device.
[0017]
  Here, the “vulcanizer back side positioning member” refers to a positioning member of the vulcanizer that is separated from the support of the transfer means.
[0018]
  Claim 1And 2Preferably, each vulcanizer back side positioning member is located on the same circumference of the lower holder of the vulcanizer as in the invention described in claim 3.
[0019]
  Also preferably,Claim4As in the invention described inTheA drive device for reciprocating the mold mounting plate between the body and the vulcanizerShall.
[0020]
  Claim1-4The invention described in claim 1, preferably, claims5As in the invention described inTheIt has a drive motor and a jack that moves up and down by driving the motor, and the upper end of the jack is connected to the body of the transfer means.Shall.
[0021]
  Claim5The invention described in claim 1, preferably, claims6As described in the invention, the jack of the height adjusting meansTheHas a lifting stroke that matches the sum of the difference in height from the reciprocating movement of the second conveyor to the contact with the vulcanizer and the difference in mold mounting height of multiple vulcanizersShall.
[0022]
  In order to achieve the second purpose, thisapplicationClaims7InAffectThe inventionA transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means, the transfer means comprising: A mold exchanging device having a height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold, and a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer;
In a combination of a mold body for tire vulcanization and a split mold having a vulcanizer-side container that brings the mold body into an operating state and a non-operating state,
The mold body has a large number of tread part forming mold elements having split surfaces in the circumferential direction, and upper and lower side molds,
The container has a large number of segments, a container ring that can be moved up and down to move each segment in and out of the radial direction, and an upper holder and a lower holder,
Each mold element has one locking member,
Each segment has the other locking member in locking engagement with one locking member,
Means for relatively moving these locking members,
The combination of the mold and the mold exchanging device is characterized by having a configuration that enables the locking engagement and unlocking of both locking members by applying the means.
[0023]
  In achieving the third purpose, first, in order to transfer the mold from the mold changer to the vulcanizer,OutRequest for application8InAffectThe inventionA transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means, the transfer means is a mold A height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold, a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer, a body connected to the transfer means support base, a first conveyor fixed to the body, and the second With one conveyor A second conveyor that is reciprocally movable between the juxtaposition position on the body and the inside of the vulcanizer, a movable mold placing plate mounted on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and a mold placing plate. A mold exchanging device having a drive device that reciprocates between the body and the vulcanizer;
  It is a combination of a mold body for tire vulcanization and a split mold having a vulcanizer-side container that brings the mold body into an operating state and a non-operating state,
  The mold body has a large number of tread part forming mold elements having split surfaces in the circumferential direction, and upper and lower side molds,
  The container has a large number of segments, a container ring that can be moved up and down to move each segment in and out of the radial direction, and an upper holder and a lower holder,
  Each mold element has one locking member,
  Each segment has the other locking member in locking engagement with one locking member,
  Means for relatively moving these locking members,
  By applying this means, the mold on the transfer means is added using a combination of a mold and a mold exchanging device, which has a configuration that allows the locking members to be locked and unlocked. Transfer to the sulfur machineHitting
  Move the second conveyor of the transfer means forward above the lower part of the vulcanizer,
  By lower driving of the height adjusting means, the second conveyor is brought into contact with the lower part of the vulcanizer,
  Following this, the plate on which the mold is placed is moved forward from the first conveyor to the second conveyor,
  After positioning the mold with respect to the vulcanizer by positioning means,
  Using the container ring connected to the upper part of the vulcanizer and each segment that locks and engages each element of the mold with the completion of the lowering of the container ring,
With this lifting means that can be raised and lowered located above the vulcanizer, the mold positioned with respect to the vulcanizer is lifted upward under mutual alignment,
Under this lifted state, after driving the height adjustment means upward, the plate and the second conveyor are moved backward toward the support base,
Thereafter, the lifting means is lowered and the mold is placed in the vulcanizer, which is a mold transfer method to the vulcanizer.
[0024]
  In order to achieve the above three purposes, next, in order to take out the mold from the vulcanizer to the mold changer and transfer it,applicationClaims9The inventionIn transferring the mold in the vulcanizer onto the transfer means using the combination of the mold and the mold changer according to claim 8.,
  The container ring connected to the upper part of the vulcanizer and each segment that lock-engages with each mold element are used as lifting means,
The mold is lifted upward by this lifting means that can be raised and lowered located above the vulcanizer,
Next, the second conveyor and the plate of the transfer means are moved forward to the lower part of the vulcanizer,
By lower driving of the height adjusting means, the second conveyor is brought into contact with the lower part of the vulcanizer,
Then, the lifting means is lowered and the mold is placed on the plate,
  With the completion of the lowering of the lifting means, the mold and the segment are separated using a mold placing plate having means for releasing the lock engagement between each mold element and each segment,
Then, it exists in the metal mold taking-out method from a vulcanizer characterized by moving the plate which mounts a metal mold | die, and a 2nd conveyor back in order from a vulcanizer.
[0025]
  In addition, in accordance with the purpose 3 above, when exchanging the mold for the vulcanizer,applicationThe invention according to claim 10 of the8Mold transfer method described in claim and claim9A mold exchanging method characterized by exchanging a used mold in a vulcanizer for a next use mold by alternately using the mold taking out method described in 1.Inis there.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
  First, a mold exchanging device will be described.
  FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a mold and a mold changer and a lower part of a vulcanizer,
  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the transfer device and the lower holder at the lower part of the vulcanizer,
  FIG. 3 is a front view of the transfer device along the line III-III shown in FIG.
  FIG. 4 is a side view of the transfer device before the second conveyor forward movement,
  FIG. 5 is a side view of the transfer device after the second conveyor advances,
  FIG. 6 is a plan view after forward movement of the second conveyor and the mold placing plate.
[0027]
  In FIG. 1, a mold exchanging apparatus 1 includes a transfer means (hereinafter referred to as a transfer apparatus) 2 and a table 3 that supports the transfer apparatus 2. The mold exchanging device 1 is located in front (working side) of the vulcanizer 4 (only the lower part is shown), and is preferably a track attached at a predetermined distance from a plurality of vulcanizers 4 arranged side by side.ofguideUnderIt can be moved. The mold exchanging device 1 transfers the mold 5 placed on the transfer device 2 into the vulcanizer 4 and removes the mold (not shown) 5 located in the vulcanizer 4 from the outside. The operation of taking out and transferring on the transfer device 2 is performed.
[0028]
  The mold 5 on the transfer device 2 is always positioned at a height near the transfer position of the vulcanizer 4, for example, a height from the floor surface F. This is a rational measure taken because there is some difference in the height of the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 between the plurality of vulcanizers 4 arranged side by side. Therefore, the transfer device 2 includes a height adjusting means 6 (details will be described later) for adjusting the transfer height of the mold 5 within a slight range.
[0029]
  By providing this height adjusting means 6, the mold 5 is placed on the lower part of the vulcanizer 4, and in the illustrated example, the lower holder 7 (shown in cross section) without extra lifting operation and extra operation time. The mold 5 can be efficiently taken out onto the transfer device 2 from the lower part of the vulcanizer 4.
[0030]
  In addition, the transfer device 2 includes positioning means (details will be described later) with respect to the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 of the mold 5. Since the mold 5 is quite heavy, it is necessary to center the mold 5 once placed in the vulcanizer, and it is necessary to place the waste of mounting time and extend the vulcanizer's non-operation time. Which can be eliminated by positioning means.
[0031]
  According to the mold exchanging apparatus 1 described above, when the mold 5 on the transfer apparatus 2 is transferred to the lower part of the vulcanizer 4, the mold 5 is taken out from the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 and transferred. When transferring onto the mounting apparatus 2, workability of these transfer / removal / transfer is improved, and at the same time, the work time can be greatly shortened. The support 3 is preferably a cart with moving means guided along a track, for example, a cart with wheels 8.
[0032]
  Hereinafter, the transfer device 2 will be described in detail.
  2 to 6, the transfer device 2 has a support base 3.InLinkingdidBody 10 and fixed to body 10LetA pair of first conveyors 11 and a second conveyor 12 are provided.
  The conveyor 12 is located inside the pair of conveyors 11, and is disposed on the body 10 with the conveyor 11.,The reciprocation between the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4 is enabled.
  Each conveyor 11, 12 is parallel to each other. In addition, although the conveyor 12 of an example of illustration forms a pair with two pairs, it should be comprised by one or more.Alsoit can.
[0033]
    The conveyors 11 and 12 do not need to be particular about the type as long as they are suitable for the movement of heavy objects such as the mold 5, and are the most common roller conveyors in the illustrated example. The roller upper edges of the conveyors 11 and 12 exist in the same horizontal plane. The conveyor 12 is reciprocated in the direction of the double-ended arrow X by the operation of the motor 14. 2 shows that the conveyor 12 is in the backward movement completion position, and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show that the conveyor 12 is in the forward movement completion position.
[0034]
    As shown in the figure, the reciprocating movement of the conveyor 12 includes, for each conveyor 12, a rack 16 that meshes with a pinion 15 at the tip of the rotating shaft of one motor 14, a chain 17 fixed to the rack 16, and a movement of the chain 17. It is also a method to use a combination mechanism with a pair of sprockets 18 that change direction. In addition, an actuator mechanism or the like may be used, regardless of the mechanism of the reciprocating means.
[0035]
    In addition, the transfer device 2 includes a pair of conveyors 12 at the reverse completion position and a plate 20 that is movably mounted on the pair of conveyors 11. 2-6, the plate 20 is shown with a dashed-two dotted line for convenience of explanation. As shown in FIG. 1, the plate 20 directly mounts the mold 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate 20 includes a positioning register 21 for the mold 5 at the center of the upper surface. The register 21 has an outer peripheral surface along the innermost peripheral surface of the mold 5.
[0036]
    The plate 20 is easily attached to the reciprocating member 22 so as to be detachable. This installation isAs is clear from the illustrations in FIGS. 2 and 6,It is only necessary to fit the inner peripheral surface of the register 21 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical projection 23 provided on the forward end side of the reciprocating member 22.
  A gap is provided between the lower surface of the plate 20 and the upper surface of the reciprocating member 22, so that the plate 20 presses and contacts the roller upper end edges of the conveyors 11 and 12 by its own weight. The plate 20 may be screwed to the reciprocating member 22 as necessary.
[0037]
    Similar to the previous conveyor 12, the reciprocating member 22 has a drive device for reciprocating in the double-ended arrow X direction. This drive device is a combination mechanism of one motor 24, two pinions 25-1, 25-2, a rack 26, a chain 27, and a pair of sprockets (not shown). In addition, an actuator mechanism or the like may be applied to the driving device, regardless of the mechanism. By fitting the register 21 and the cylindrical protrusion 23, the plate 20 can reciprocate between the body 10 and the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 6).
[0038]
    The height adjusting means 6 provided in the transfer device 2 has an electric motor 30, a rod 31 connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 30, and a jack 32 that moves up and down by rotating the rod 31 with reference to FIG. 1. . The upper end of the jack 32 is connected to the lower part of the body 10. However, considering the arrangement of the motor 30 and the stable support of the heavy metal mold 5, at least one pair, preferably two pairs of jacks 32 are provided at both ends of the body 10 as illustrated.
[0039]
    FIG. 4 shows the second conveyor 12 in the retreat completion position, and FIG. 5 shows the second conveyor 12 in the advance completion position.
  The second conveyor 12 shown in FIG. 5 is lowered by a height h (mm) to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, and is supported on the upper surface of the lower holder 7.IsThe Accordingly, the jack 32 has at least a lifting stroke h (mm) corresponding to the height h (mm) shown in FIG. The height h (mm) is obtained by subtracting the height at which the second conveyor 12 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lower holder 7 from the height allowing the second conveyor 12 to reciprocate with respect to the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4. Value.
[0040]
    In addition, the height of the lower holders 7 of the plurality of vulcanizers 4 that the single transfer device 2 handles, in other words, the mounting height of the mold 5 is not strictly constant. Therefore, the jack 32 has a lifting stroke of (h + α) mm, which is obtained by adding an amount corresponding to the difference α (mm) in the mounting height of the mold 5 to the lifting stroke h (mm). The raising / lowering operation within the raising / lowering stroke is within the range of height adjustment, and can be performed in an extremely short time, thereby improving workability.
[0041]
    With the transfer device 2 side,Back side of lower part of vulcanizer 4That is, the lower part transfer device 2 of the vulcanizer 4 is supported. Side isolated from the pedestal 3Are provided with positioning means for the mold 5. 2 and 6, the positioning means on the transfer device 2 side includes the register 21 of the plate 20 and a plurality of notches 35 provided on the edge of the vulcanizer 4 side of the plate 20, and the illustrated example is a pair of notches 35. And consist of The notch 35 selects an appropriate shape for positioning, such as a V shape or a semicircular shape.
[0042]
    The positioning means on the back side of the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 is a plurality of positioning members 40 standing at the back position of the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 as shown in FIGS. The positioning member 40 in the illustrated example is a pair of pins 40 standing on the lower holder 7.
[0043]
    When the plate 20 moves forward toward the vulcanizer 4, the pair of notches 35 of the plate 20 hit the pair of pins 40 and fit with each other. At that time, the movement of the plate 20 stops. The pair of pins 40 are positioned on the same circumference of the lower holder 7. The lower holder 7 is provided with a register 5 for centering the inner surface of the mold 5 that is the same as the register 21 of the plate 20 at the center.
[0044]
    As an alternative, although not shown, a pair of notches are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mold 5 in place of the pair of notches 35 of the plate 20, and a pair of pins that fit into these notches are detachably attached to the lower part. The pair of pins may be removed after standing on the holder 7 and lifting the mold 5 described later. The plate 20 at this time is narrower than the illustrated depth, and the mold 5 protrudes from the plate 20 when the mold 5 is placed on the plate 20. As another alternative, an encoder and a brake are provided on a rotating shaft of a motor 24 as a drive source for moving the reciprocating member 22, thereby positioning the plate 20 on the vulcanizer 4 side.
[0045]
    As described above, the positioning of the mold 5 with respect to the vulcanizer 4 is precise by the cooperation of the positioning means on the transfer device 2 side and the positioning means on the vulcanizer 4 side including the register 41 of the lower holder 7. And it can be achieved easily. Further, the mold exchanging apparatus 1 has a simple configuration, and therefore can be manufactured at a low cost, can be operated for a short time, and has high operation reliability.
[0046]
    Here, the mold 5 as a combination with the mold exchanging apparatus 1 includes both a split mold and a split mold. In the case of two split molds, the explanation is omitted because it is simple. Hereinafter, an example of a split mold particularly suitable as a combination with the mold changer 1 and a combination with the mold changer 1 will be described. An example of a vulcanizer-side container that brings the mold body into an operating state and a non-operating state will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. Note that the split mold has a mold body and a container as described above.
[0047]
    FIG. 7 is a left half sectional view of the plate and the mold body,
    FIG. 8 is a left half sectional view of the plate and the mold body, the mold element, and the unlocked container;
    FIG. 9 is a left half sectional view of the plate and the mold body, and the mold element and the container in a locked engagement state.
    FIG. 10 is a left half sectional view of a plate including a lock releasing block.
[0048]
    In FIG. 7, the mold body 5 includes a tire tread portion forming mold element 51 divided into a plurality of pieces in the circumferential direction, an upper side mold 52, and a lower side mold 53. The dividing surface of the mold element 51 is a radial dividing surface.
[0049]
    The mold body 5 placed on the plate 20 is positioned accurately around the central axis Z on the plate 20 by fitting the inner peripheral surface of the lower side mold 53 with the outer peripheral surface of the register 21.
[0050]
    Each mold element 51 includes a pair of lock pins 54 protruding outward in the radial direction as one locking member at both ends in the circumferential direction. The lock pin 54 has a conical head portion 54a to a truncated cone-shaped head portion 54a at the tip and a body portion 54b having a diameter smaller than that of the head portion 54a.
[0051]
    In FIG. 8, the container 60 connected and fixed to the upper part of the vulcanizer 4 includes the same number of segments 61 as the number of divisions of the mold element 51, a container ring 62 for moving each segment 61 in and out of the radial direction, and an upper holder. 63 and a lower holder 7 (see FIG. 1).
[0052]
    The container ring 62 fixed to the upper part of the vulcanizer 4 is slidably engaged with the back side taper part of each segment 61 and moves each segment 61 in and out in the radial direction as the upper part of the vulcanizer 4 moves up and down. .
[0053]
    Each segment 61 has a pair of through holes 64 for accommodating the pair of lock pins 54 in a state where the mold elements 51 are connected. Further, each segment 61 has a pair of suspension means 65 that can move up and down on both sides of the circumferential end surface of the segment 61 as the other locking member.
[0054]
    The suspension means 65 includes a member 66 (indicated by a two-dot chain line) that moves up and down along the circumferential end surface of the segment 61, and a lock arm 67 that extends from the member 66 to the internal space of the segment 61. The lower edge of the lock arm 67 is the radial center axis 54 of the lock pin 54._RLExtension line 64_RLIt is preferable to position it above. Extension line 64_RLIs the central axis of the through hole 64.
[0055]
    8 and 9, while the container ring 62 descends from the upper position to the lowermost position of the vulcanizer 4, the segment 61 slides and moves radially inward on the upper surface of the guide plate 70 on the plate 20. At that time, the lock arm 67 moves upward along the conical surface or the side surface of the truncated cone of the head portion 54a of the lock pin 54, and falls into the body portion 54b at a position beyond the head portion 54a.
[0056]
    The lock arm 67 that has fallen into the body portion 54b is automatically locked and engaged with the lock pin 54, whereby the mold element 51 and the segment 61 are united. This combined state is shown in FIG. A block 71 that stably supports the lower surface of the mold element 51 is preferably provided on the plate 20 at a position that does not hinder the movement of the segment 61.
[0057]
    In order to ensure this automatic locking engagement, the suspension means 65 is a compression elastic means that contacts the upper surface of the vertical movement member 66, for example, a compression coil spring and a tensile elastic body means connected to the lower surface of the vertical movement member 66, For example, it is preferable to provide at least one means of a tension coil spring.
[0058]
    At the time of the locking engagement, it is necessary to move the suspension means 65 relative to the stationary lock pin 54. The relative movement means includes a container ring 62 for moving the segment 61 radially inward, and a radial direction. A guide plate 70 that slides accurately toward the inside is used.
[0059]
    On the other hand, in order to unlock the locking means 65 from the lock pin 54, as shown in FIG. 10, a large number of unlocking blocks 72 arranged on the plate 20 are used. On the plate 20, the block 72 pushes up only the vertically moving member 66 of each suspension means 65 and keeps this pushed-up state. The blocks 72 are arranged in the same number as the segments 61, and are positioned in the circumferential gap between the adjacent segments 61 in the state of the segments 61 shown in FIG.
[0060]
    As described above, the split mold is provided with the automatic lock engagement means and the automatic lock release means, and the means for moving the lock pin 54 of the mold body 5 and the suspension means 65 of the container 60 relative to each other is used. Thus, it is possible to transfer and take out the split mold as easily and precisely as two split molds.
[0061]
    Next, with respect to a method of transferring and loading the mold 5 to the vulcanizer 4 using the mold exchanging apparatus 1, the mold body 5 shown in FIGS. It demonstrates below based on-FIG.
    FIGS. 11 to 14 are explanatory views from step 1 to step 8 in which the mold body 5 is newly loaded and loaded on the lower part of the vulcanizer 4, and all show only a side view of a main part in a partial cross section. . In each figure, the cross-hatched lines are omitted to avoid complications.
[0062]
    In the first step 1 shown in FIG. 11A, the mold exchanging device 1, which is not illustrated as a whole, has a mold body 5 placed on the plate 20 of the transfer device 2 in front of the vulcanizer 4. Is centered with respect to the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4 and stopped, and the stop position is held. At this time, the height adjusting means 6 (see FIG. 1) adjusts the second conveyor 12 to a position higher than the contact position with the lower holder 7 by a height h (mm) (see FIG. 5). ).
[0063]
    In step 2 shown in FIG. 11 (b), the driving means 14 to 18 are operated (see FIGS. 3 to 5), and the second conveyor 12 of the transfer device 2 is moved from the retracted position of step 1 to the vulcanizer 4. The lower holder 7 is moved to an advanced position across the lower holder 7. After that, the height adjusting means 6 is activated, and the conveyor 12 is lowered by h (mm) by the downward drive of the jack 32 (see FIG. 1), is brought into contact with the lower holder 7, and the mold body 5 is moved by the conveyor 12. And get ready with support.
[0064]
    Subsequently, in step 3 shown in FIG. 12A, the driving means 24 to 27 are operated (see FIG. 3), and the plate 20 on which the mold body 5 is placed is moved forward. At that time, the pair of notches 35 of the plate 20 are engaged with the pair of pins 40 (see FIG. 6), and the mold body 5 is positioned. The center axis Z of the positioned mold body 5 coincides with the center axis Z of each of the vulcanizer 4 and the container 60 that can be moved up and down located above the vulcanizer 4. In addition, since the heavy metal mold body 5 is supported by the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4, there is no problem even when the movement is completed as well as the movement process.
[0065]
    Next, as shown in Step 4 of FIG. 12B, the container 60 is lowered. FIG. 12B shows a state in which the container 60 is being lowered when the segment 61 contacts the upper surface of the guide plate 70 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) on the plate 20. The segment 61 is suspended from the container ring 62 from the state shown in FIG. 11A to the state shown in FIG. When the container 60 and the container ring 62 are further lowered, the segment 61 slides radially inward.
[0066]
    Step 5 shown in FIG. 13A shows a combined state of the mold main body 5 and the container 60 when the movement of the segment 61 in the radial direction is completed. That is, when the movement of the segment 61 in the radial direction is completed, the arm 67 of the suspension means 65 and the pin 54 of the mold element 51 in the segment 61 achieve automatic locking engagement with each other.
[0067]
    At the same time, the top plate 69 of the container 60 and the upper side mold 52 are automatically locked and engaged through the upper holder 63 by the lock engaging body 68 provided in the upper holder 63 of the container 60. Under these two lock engagements, the mold main body 5 and the container 60 are combined in the vertical direction in the operating state by the support claws extending from the segment 61 to each mold element 51.
[0068]
    In step 6 shown in FIG. 13 (b), the mold body 5 and the segment 61 shown in FIG. 13 (a) are once brought perpendicular to the direction of the arrow U by the container 60 that also operates as the lifting means and the hanging means. lift. Thereafter, the table 20 is moved backward to the transfer device 2 in step 7 shown in FIG.
[0069]
    Then, in step 8 shown in FIG. 14 (b), the height adjusting means 6 is activated and the conveyor 12 is lifted by h (mm) by a slight upward drive of the jack 32 (see FIG. 1). Is moved backward to the transfer device 2. Thereafter, the container 60 is vertically lowered in the direction of arrow D, and the mold body 5 and the container 60 are placed on the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4, and thereby the mold body 5 is moved to the lower part of the vulcanizer 4. This completes the transfer operation.
[0070]
    As described above, the mold body 5 can be transferred to the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 smoothly and easily within a short time under accurate positioning.
[0071]
    Finally, regarding the transfer method of taking out the mold 5 from the vulcanizer 4 using the mold changing device 1, the mold body 5 shown in FIGS. 18 will be described below.
    FIGS. 15 to 18 are explanatory views from Step 9 to Step 16 in which the mold body 5 located on the lower holder 7 of the vulcanizer 4 is taken out onto the transfer device 2 and transferred. Only the side surface is shown in partial cross section. In each figure, the cross-hatched lines are omitted to avoid complications.
[0072]
    The basic difference between the method of taking out and transferring the mold body 5 and the above-described loading and transferring method is that the plate 20 is provided with an unlocking block 72 (see FIG. 10), whereby the mold body 5 is placed in the container 60. It is a point to detach from. Therefore, the following description will be avoided, and only basic differences will be described.
[0073]
    In the first step 9 shown in FIG. 15 (a), the height of the conveyor 12 is adjusted by the height adjusting means 6 (see FIG. 1), and just before the vulcanizer 4 under the alignment with the lower holder 7. The transfer device 2 is positioned. In step 10 shown in FIG. 15B, after the mold body 5 and the container 60 are raised in the direction of the arrow U, the conveyor 12 is moved forward, and the conveyor 12 is moved to the lower holder 7 by the height adjusting means 6. Make contact.
[0074]
    In step 11 shown in FIG. 16A, the plate 20 including the unlocking block 72 is moved forward until the pair of notches 35 engage with the pair of pins 40 and are positioned. Therefore, as shown in step 12 of FIG. 16B, the mold body 5 and the container 60 are lowered in the direction of arrow D and placed on the plate 20. At this time, the lock release block 72 pushes up the vertical movement members 66 of all the suspension means 65 and releases the lock engagement between the lock arm 67 and the lock pin 54. At the same time, the lock engagement between the upper holder 63 and the top plate 69 is also released.
[0075]
    In a state where the lock release of the lock arm 67 and the lock pin 54 is held, the container 60 is raised together with the container ring 62 in the direction of arrow U in step 13 shown in FIG. By this operation, the segment 61 moves outward in the radial direction and automatically separates the mold body 5. Step 14 shown in FIG. 17B is to leave the mold body 5 on the lower holder 7 and to place the segment 61 and the container ring 62 upward.
[0076]
    In step 15 shown in FIG. 18A, the plate 20 is moved backward in the state of step 14, and the mold body 5 is taken out onto the transfer device 2. Thereafter, in step 16 shown in FIG. 18B, the conveyor 12 is driven slightly upward by the height adjusting means 6 and moved backward on the transfer device 2. This completes the removal and transfer of the mold body 5.
[0077]
      As described above, the mold body 5 that has conventionally been difficult to take out can be taken out and transferred from the lower part of the vulcanizer 4 onto the transfer device 2 smoothly and easily within a short time.
[0078]
    The transfer loading method of the mold main body 5 described above is applied when the mold main body 5 is applied at the start of operation of the unloaded vulcanizer 4 and the used mold main body 5 on the vulcanizer 4 is used next. This applies to both the case where the die body 5 used in the above is replaced and replaced. In this exchange, the method of taking out and transferring the mold body 5 and the method of transferring and loading the mold body 5 are applied alternately as a pair.
[0079]
    For this reason, a mold exchanging apparatus 1 including two transfer apparatuses 2 as a pair is applied. However, it is preferable that the plate 20 of one transfer device 2 is provided with a block 71 that ensures the stable placement of the mold body 5, and the plate 20 of the other transfer device 2 is provided with a lock release block 72. Shall be provided.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
    thisapplicationClaims 1 to 16According to the invention described in the above, a simple configuration that enables precise positioning of the mold, smooth and simple operation in a short time, and enables highly reliable mold transfer and mold replacement is achieved. A mold exchanging device can be provided,
    thisapplicationClaims7According to the invention described in the above, it is possible to provide a combination of a split mold and a mold exchanging device that exhibits the above effects,
    thisapplicationClaims8~10According to the invention described in the above, it is possible to provide a method capable of exchanging the mold including the split mold under the above effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a mold exchanging apparatus and mold according to the present invention and a lower part of a vulcanizer.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the transfer device of the present invention and a lower holder at the lower part of the vulcanizer.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the transfer device along the line III-III shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the transfer device before the second conveyor moves forward according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the transfer device after the second conveyor advances according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the second conveyor and the plate after the forward movement of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a left half sectional view of the plate and mold body of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a left half sectional view of the plate and mold body of the present invention and the container in an unlocked state.
FIG. 9 is a left half sectional view of the plate and mold body of the present invention and a locked container;
FIG. 10 is a left half sectional view of a plate including the unlocking block according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of steps 1 and 2 for transferring a mold body to a vulcanizer.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of steps 3 and 4 for transferring a mold body to a vulcanizer.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of steps 5 and 6 for transferring a mold body to a vulcanizer.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of steps 7 and 8 for transferring a mold body to a vulcanizer.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of steps 9 and 10 for taking out and transferring the mold body of the vulcanizer.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of steps 11 and 12 for taking out and transferring the mold body of the vulcanizer.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of steps 13 and 14 for taking out and transferring the mold body of the vulcanizer.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of steps 15 and 16 for taking out and transferring the mold body of the vulcanizer.
[Explanation of symbols]
    1 Mold changer
    2 Transfer equipment
    3 Support stand
    4 Vulcanizer
    5 Mold (mold body)
    6 Height adjustment means
    7 Lower holder
    8 wheels
    10 body
    11 First conveyor
    12 Second conveyor
    14, 24, 30 Motor
    15, 25-1, 25-2 Pinion
    16, 26 racks
    17 27 Chain
    18 Sprocket
    20 plates
    21 and 41 registers
    22 Reciprocating member
    23 Cylindrical protrusion
    31 Connecting rod
    32 Jack
    35 notches
    40 Positioning member
    51 Mold element
    52 Upper side mold
    53 Lower side mold
    54 Lock pin
    54a Lock pin head
    54b Lock pin body
    60 containers
    61 segments
    62 Container ring
    63 Upper holder
    64 Through hole
    65 Suspension means
    66 Vertical movement member
    67 Lock arm
    68 Fastening bolt
    70 Guide plate
    71 Support block
    72 Unlocking block

Claims

In a mold exchanging apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means,
Transfer means comprises a height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold, as well as organic and positioning means of the mold for vulcanizing machine, and a body coupled to the transfer means support base, the said body Mounted on the fixed first conveyor, the second conveyor that can reciprocate between the position on the body of the first conveyor and the inside of the vulcanizer, and the first conveyor and the second conveyor. A movable mold mounting plate, and the positioning means includes a mold positioning register at the center of the upper surface of the mold mounting plate, and notches at a plurality of positions on the vulcanizer side edge of the mold mounting plate. When, mold changing apparatus characterized by chromatic and a plurality of vulcanizer far side positioning member mate with each of said notches.

In a mold exchanging apparatus comprising a transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means,
The transfer means includes a height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold, a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer, a body connected to the transfer means support base, and an adhering to the body. A first conveyor, a second conveyor that can reciprocate between the position of the first conveyor on the body and the inside of the vulcanizer, and a movement that is placed on the first conveyor and the second conveyor. Mold positioning plate, the positioning means, a mold positioning register in the center of the mold mounting plate upper surface, a plurality of notches provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mold vulcanizer, A mold exchanging apparatus comprising: a plurality of vulcanizer back side positioning members fitted to the notches .

Each vulcanizer far side positioning member, the mold exchange device according to claim 1 or 2, located on the same circumference of the lower holder vulcanizer.

Transfer means, mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 1 having a drive device for reciprocating between the mold mounting plate and the body and vulcanizer.

Height adjusting means includes a drive motor, and a jack for performing the elevating operation by the drive of the motor, in any one of claims 1 to 4 formed by connecting the jack upper end to the body of the transfer means The mold change apparatus as described.

The jack of the height adjustment means matches the sum of the difference in height from the reciprocating movement of the second conveyor to the contact with the vulcanizer and the difference in the mold mounting height of multiple vulcanizers. The mold exchanging apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the mold exchanging apparatus has a lifting stroke.

A transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer and taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means, the transfer means, A mold changer having a height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold, and a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer ;
In a combination of a mold body for tire vulcanization and a split mold having a vulcanizer-side container that brings the mold body into an operating state and a non-operating state,
The mold body has a large number of tread part forming mold elements having split surfaces in the circumferential direction, and upper and lower side molds,
The container has a large number of segments, a container ring that can be moved up and down to move each segment in and out of the radial direction, and an upper holder and a lower holder,
Each mold element has one locking member,
Each segment has the other locking member in locking engagement with one locking member,
Comprising means for relatively moving these two locking members,
A combination of a mold and a mold exchanging apparatus, characterized in that the lock engagement and unlocking of both locking members can be achieved by applying the means.

A transfer means for transferring a mold outside the vulcanizer into the vulcanizer, taking out the mold inside the vulcanizer to the outside, and a table for supporting the transfer means, the transfer means is a mold A height adjusting means for adjusting the transfer height of the mold, a positioning means for the mold vulcanizer, a body connected to the transfer means support base, a first conveyor fixed to the body, and the second A second conveyor capable of reciprocating between a position on the body with the one conveyor and the inside of the vulcanizer, a movable mold placing plate mounted on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, A mold exchanging device having a driving device for reciprocating the mold mounting plate between the body and the vulcanizer;
It is a combination of a mold body for tire vulcanization and a split mold having a vulcanizer-side container that brings the mold body into an operating state and a non-operating state,
The mold body has a large number of tread part forming mold elements having split surfaces in the circumferential direction, and upper and lower side molds,
The container has a large number of segments, a container ring that can be moved up and down to move each segment in and out of the radial direction, and an upper holder and a lower holder,
Each mold element has one locking member,
Each segment has the other locking member in locking engagement with one locking member,
Means for relatively moving these locking members,
By applying the means, the mold on the transfer means can be added using a combination of a mold and a mold exchanging device that has a configuration that allows the locking members to be locked and unlocked. When transferring to the sulfur machine,
Move the second conveyor of the transfer means forward above the lower part of the vulcanizer,
By lower driving of the height adjusting means, the second conveyor is brought into contact with the lower part of the vulcanizer,
Following this, the plate on which the mold is placed is moved forward from the first conveyor to the second conveyor,
After positioning the mold with respect to the vulcanizer by positioning means,
Using the container ring connected to the upper part of the vulcanizer and each segment that locks and engages each element of the mold with the completion of the lowering of the container ring,
With this lifting means that can be raised and lowered located above the vulcanizer, the mold positioned with respect to the vulcanizer is lifted upward under mutual alignment,
Under this lifted state, after driving the height adjustment means upward, the plate and the second conveyor are moved backward toward the support base,
Thereafter, the lifting means is lowered and the mold is placed in the vulcanizer, and the mold is transferred to the vulcanizer.

In transferring the mold in the vulcanizer onto the transfer means using the combination of the mold and the mold changer according to claim 8 ,
The container ring connected to the upper part of the vulcanizer and each segment that lock-engages with each mold element are used as lifting means,
The mold is lifted upward by this lifting means that can be raised and lowered located above the vulcanizer,
Next, the second conveyor and the plate of the transfer means are moved forward to the lower part of the vulcanizer,
By lower driving of the height adjusting means, the second conveyor is brought into contact with the lower part of the vulcanizer,
Then, the lifting means is lowered and the mold is placed on the plate,
With the completion of the lowering of the lifting means, the mold and the segment are separated using a mold placing plate having means for releasing the lock engagement between each mold element and each segment,
Subsequently, a mold removing method from a vulcanizer, wherein a plate on which a mold is placed and a second conveyor are sequentially moved backward from the vulcanizer.

The mold transfer method described in claim 8 and the mold removal method described in claim 9 are alternately used to replace the used mold in the vulcanizer with a next-use mold. How to change the mold.