Tire construction member producing method and device therefor

Abstract

A tire structural member manufacturing method forms a tire structural member from a narrow continuous strip by small, inexpensive equipment capable of being directly combined with a tire structural member forming machine, and a tire structural member manufacturing system carries out the tire structural member manufacturing method. The tire structural member manufacturing methods consists of a small number of steps and can be carried out by an efficient, simple, inexpensive tire structural member manufacturing system. The tire structural member manufacturing method forms a tire structural member by the steps of continuously forming a continuous strip of a width including that of a joint lap, cutting the continuous strip into successive cut strips of a length substantially equal to the section width of a tire, and successively laying and joining a predetermined number of the cut strips. The tire structural member manufacturing method forms a tire structural member also by the steps of continuously feeding a continuous strip to a strip-laying head, laying the continuous strip on a strip support while the strip-laying head is moved over the strip support for a forward stroke, cutting the continuous strip in a cut strip of a predetermined length when the strip-laying head reaches a position near the terminal of its forward stroke, changing the position of the strip-laying head by moving the strip-laying head and the strip support relative to each other, laying the continuous strip on the strip support while the strip-laying head is moved for a backward stroke, and repeating those steps overlap cut strips.

1 . A tire structural member manufacturing method comprising the steps of: 
 continuously forming a continuous strip of a width including that of a joint lap;    cutting the continuous strip into successive cut strips of a length substantially equal to the section width of a tire; and    successively laying and joining a predetermined number of the cut strips to form a tire structural member.    
     
     
         2 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the continuous strip is formed in a width equal to the sum of a width equal to an integral division of the circumference of a 1 in. diameter circle and the width of a joint lap to form an inner liner.  
     
     
         3 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1  forms an inner liner by: 
 a step of forming the continuous strip in a width equal to the sum of a width equal to an integral division of the circumference of a 1 in. diameter circle and the width of a joint lap;  
 a step of feeding a predetermined length of the continuous strip onto a conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor;  
 a step of cutting the continuous strip in a cut strip of a predetermined length substantially equal to the section width of the tire along a line parallel to the conveying direction;  
 a step of advancing the cut strip by operating the conveyor;  
 a step of feeding the continuous strip such that a side edge part thereof overlies a side edge part of the preceding cut strip; and  
 repeating the foregoing steps to join a necessary number of cut strips successively.  
 
     
     
         4 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1  forms an inner liner by: 
 a step of forming the continuous strip in a width equal to the sum of a width equal to an integral division of the circumference of a 1 in. diameter circle and the width of a joint lap;  
 a step of feeding a predetermined length of the continuous strip onto a conveyor in an oblique direction at a small angle to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor;  
 a step of cutting the continuous strip in a cut strip of a predetermined length substantially equal to the section width of the tire along a line parallel to the conveying direction;  
 a step of advancing the cut strip by operating the conveyor;  
 a step of feeding the continuous strip such that a side edge part thereof overlies a side edge part of the preceding cut strip; and  
 repeating the foregoing steps to join a necessary number of cut strips successively.  
 
     
     
         5 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the continuous strip is fed continuously to a strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip onto a strip support as the same is moved transversely for a forward stroke over the strip support;    the continuous strip is cut in a cut strip of a predetermined length when the strip-laying head reaches a position near the terminal of its forward stroke;    the strip-laying head and the strip support are moved relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip onto the strip support so that the continuous strip is joined to the preceding cut strip as the same is moved transversely for a backward stroke over the strip support; and    those steps are repeated to overlap cut strips.    
     
     
         6 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the continuous strip is fed continuously to a strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip onto a strip support as the same is moved transversely for a forward stroke over the strip support;    the continuous strip is cut in a cut strip of a predetermined length when the strip-laying head reaches a position near the terminal of its forward stroke;    the strip-laying head and the strip support are moved relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head is turned through an angle of 180°;    the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip onto the strip support so that the continuous strip is boned to the preceding cut strip as the same is moved transversely for a backward stroke over the strip support; and    those steps are repeated to arrange cut strips on the strip support so that the cut strips overlap each other.    
     
     
         7 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the continuous strip has opposite tapered side edge parts as joint laps.  
     
     
         8 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to any one of  claims 5  to  7 , wherein the continuous strip is reinforced with cords, the cut strips obtained by cutting the continuous strip are arranged successively with the side edge parts of the adjacent cut strips overlapping each other with the one cord in the side edge part of one of the adjacent cut strips and the one cord in the side edge part of the other cut strip lying one on top of the other.  
     
     
         9 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the continuous strip is fed continuously to a strip-laying head;    a strip support is moved in a first direction while the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip onto the strip support as the same is moved for a forward stroke over the strip support in a direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the strip support is moved;    the continuous strip is cut in a cut strip of a predetermined length when the strip-laying head reaches a position near the terminal of its forward stroke;    the strip-laying head and the strip support are moved relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head is turned through an angle of 180°;    the strip support is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip onto the strip support as the same is moved for a backward stroke over the strip support in a direction perpendicular to the second direction in which the strip support is moved; and    those steps are repeated to arrange cut strips on the strip support so that the cut strips overlap each other.    
     
     
         10 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the continuous strip is fed continuously to a pressing means included in a strip-laying head;    a strip support is moved in a first direction while the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip with its first surface facing up on the strip support as the same is moved for a forward stroke over the strip support in a direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the strip support is moved;    the continuous strip is cut in a cut strip of a predetermined length when the strip-laying head reaches a position near the terminal of its forward stroke;    the strip-laying head and the strip support are moved relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head is turned through an angle of 180°:    the strip support is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip with its first surface facing up on the strip support as the same is moved for a backward stroke over the strip support in a direction perpendicular to the second direction in which the strip support is moved;    those steps are repeated to arrange cut strips on the strip support so that the cut strips overlap each other;    the pressing means of the strip-laying head is inverted;    the continuous strip is supplied continuously to the inverted pressing means of the strip-laying head;    the strip support is moved in the first direction while the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip with its second surface facing up on the strip support as the same is moved for a forward stroke in the direction perpendicular to the first direction;    the continuous strip is cut in a cut reversed strip of a predetermined length when the strip-laying head reaches a position near the terminal of its forward stroke;    the strip-laying head and the strip support are moved relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;    the strip-laying head is turned through an angle of 180°;    the strip support is moved in the second direction opposite to the first direction while the strip-laying head lays the continuous strip with its second surface facing up on the strip support as the same is moved for a backward stroke in the direction perpendicular to the second direction; and    those steps are repeated to form a first tire structural member including the cut strips successively arranged with their first surfaces facing up so as to overlap each other, and a second tire structural member including the cut strips successively arranged with their second surfaces facing up so as to overlap each other.    
     
     
         11 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the continuous strip is cut along a line oblique to the length of the continuous strip.  
     
     
         12 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to claim . . . , wherein: 
 the continuous strip is supplied continuously to a predetermined position on a strip-laying means;    the continuous strip is cut in a cut strip of a predetermined length;    the strip-laying means and a strip support are located relative to each other at close positions, respectively;    the cut strip supported on the strip support is pressed against and attached to the strip support; and    those steps are repeated to apply a necessary number of cut strips to the strip support such that the cut strips overlap each other with a side edge part of the succeeding cut strip overlying a side edge part of the preceding cut strip.    
     
     
         13 . The tire structural member manufacturing method according to  claim 12 , wherein the cut strip is pressed against the strip support by an elastic member by a single step to apply the same to the strip support.  
     
     
         14 . A tire structural member manufacturing system, that joins a necessary number of cut strips successively to form a tire structural member, comprising: 
 a strip forming means for continuously forming a continuous strip of a width including the width of a joint lap;    a continuous strip feed means for feeding a predetermined length of the continuous strip onto a conveyor transversely of the conveyor;    a cutting means for cutting the continuous strip fed onto the conveyor in a cut strip of a predetermined length substantially equal to the section width of a tire; and    a joining means for joining a side edge part of the succeeding cut strip fed onto the conveyor to a side edge part of the preceding cut strip previously fed onto and advanced by the conveyor.    
     
     
         15 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 14 , wherein the strip forming means forms the continuous strip in a width equal to the sum of an integral division of the circumference of a 1 in. diameter circle and the width of the joint lap to form an inner liner.  
     
     
         16 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the strip forming means forms a continuous strip having a width of about 98.8 mm.  
     
     
         17 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a continuous strip feed means for feeding the continuous strip;  
 a strip-laying head for laying the continuous strip fed thereto by the continuous strip feed means on a strip support while the same is being moved;  
 a strip-laying head moving means for reciprocating the strip-laying head;  
 a cutting means for cutting the continuous strip delivered by the strip-laying head as the strip-laying head is moved;  
 a position changing means for moving the strip-laying head and the strip support relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head; and  
 a control means for controlling the strip-laying head moving means, the cutting means and the position changing means so that the continuous strip laid by the moving strip-laying head is cut by the cutting means, and the cut strips are arranged successively on the strip support such that the cut strips overlap each other.  
 
     
     
         18 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a continuous strip feed means for feeding the continuous strip;  
 a strip-laying head for laying the continuous strip fed thereto by the continuous strip feed means on a strip support while the same is being moved;  
 a strip-laying head moving means for reciprocating the strip-laying head;  
 a cutting means for cutting the continuous strip delivered as the strip-laying head is moved;  
 a position changing means for moving the strip-laying head and the strip support relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;  
 a strip-laying head turning means for turning the strip-laying head through an angle of 180°; and  
 a control means for controlling the strip-laying head moving means, the cutting means, the position changing means, and the strip-laying head turning means so that the continuous strip laid by the moving strip-laying head is cut by the cutting means and the cut strips are arranged successively on the strip support such that the cut strips overlap each other.  
 
     
     
         19 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 17  or  18 , wherein the strip-laying head includes: 
 the cutting means;  
 a guide means for guiding the continuous strip fed by the continuous strip feed means; and  
 a pressing means for pressing the continuous strip guided by the guide means against the strip support.  
 
     
     
         20 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a continuous strip feed means for feeding the continuous strip;  
 a strip-laying head for laying the continuous strip fed thereto by the continuous strip feed means on a strip support while the same is being moved;  
 a strip support moving means for moving the strip support forward and backward;  
 a strip-laying head moving means for reciprocating the strip-laying head in directions perpendicular to the moving direction of the strip support;  
 a cutting means for cutting the continuous strip delivered as the strip-laying head is moved;  
 a position changing means for moving the strip-laying head and the strip support relative to each other to change the position of the strip-laying head;  
 a strip-laying head turning means for turning the strip-laying head through an angle of 180°; and  
 a control means for controlling the strip-laying head moving means, the strip support moving means, the cutting means, the position changing means, and the strip-laying head turning means so that the continuous strip laid by the moving strip-laying head is cut by the cutting means and the cut strips are arranged successively on the strip support such that the cut strips overlap each other.  
 
     
     
         21 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 20 , wherein the strip-laying head includes: 
 the cutting means;    a guide means for guiding the continuous strip fed by the continuous strip feed means; and    pressing means for pressing the continuous strip guided by the guide means against the strip support.    
     
     
         22 . The tire structural member manufacturing system according to  claim 20;  wherein the strip-laying head includes: 
 the cutting means;  
 a pair of guide means for guiding the continuous strip fed by the continuous strip feed means;  
 a pair of pressing means for pressing the continuous strip guided by the corresponding guide means against the strip support; and  
 a continuous strip feed line shifting means for shifting a continuous strip feed line along which the continuous strip is fed to use either a first set of one of the pair of guide means and one of the pair of pressing means or a second set of the other guide means and the other pressing means selectively for laying the continuous strip on the strip support.