JPH0732374A - Vulcanization controller and vulcanizing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set at least either one vulcanization degree of a fastest part and a slowest part of a material to be vulcanized to a vulcanization degree of a predetermined range by controlling a post-vulcanization degree of the material to be vulcanized such as a tire to a predetermined vulcanization degree. CONSTITUTION:Vulcanizing conditions of a post-vulcanization are decided in response to those of vulcanization until post-vulcanization is conducted. A vulcanization controller controls a vulcanizing machine based on the vulcanizing conditions of the vulcanization to conduct the vulcanization. A tire 50 vulcanized to a predetermined vulcanization degree by the vulcanization is contained in a box 40 of a vulcanization controller 10b. A temperature controller 64 calculates the post-vulcanization based on the vulcanization degree input from the controller at the time of finishing the vulcanization and a target vulcanization degree, and estimates a temperature of a fastest part. The controller 64 so control a cooler/heater 56 that the vulcanization degree from start to end of the vulcanization of the fastest part becomes the target degree based on the post-vulcanization degree and the estimated temperature of the fastest part. This control is repeated at each predetermined time up to a cycle time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vulcanization control device and a vulcanization method, and more particularly, to a vulcanization product vulcanized to a predetermined vulcanization degree, for example, a rubber tire after-vulcanization. A vulcanization control device that controls the vulcanization degree from the start to the end of vulcanization of the vulcanizate to a vulcanization degree within a predetermined range by controlling the atmospheric temperature during vulcanization, and vulcanization and post-vulcanization The present invention relates to a vulcanization method for controlling the vulcanization degree from the start of vulcanization of a vulcanizate to the end of vulcanization within a predetermined range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, the degree of vulcanization in the vulcanization process has conventionally been 2
Go in stages. The first stage is commonly called vulcanization. In this vulcanization, the raw tire is stored in a vulcanizer, the temperature and pressure are controlled, and heating and pressurization are performed for a predetermined time to perform the slowest vulcanization in the tire. The vulcanization degree is set to a predetermined vulcanization degree.

The second stage is called post-vulcanization. This post-vulcanization is carried out after the tire, which has been completely vulcanized, is taken out of the vulcanizer and before the material to be vulcanized is naturally cooled. In some cases, this is performed by attaching a tire to a post cure inflation device (usually referred to as a PCI device) or the like. The degree of vulcanization from the start of vulcanization to the end of post-vulcanization is set within a predetermined range.

[0004]

By the way, the vulcanizer for vulcanization controls the temperature and pressure so that the vulcanization degree of the tire becomes a predetermined vulcanization degree by various methods. In a PCI device or the like that performs vulcanization, vulcanization is performed by natural cooling. Therefore, in the post-vulcanization that is entrusted to natural cooling, for example, a place where the post-vulcanization is performed, such as a recessed place in the room or a place where the outside air is easily exposed,
I The degree of post-vulcanization, which is the degree of vulcanization from the start of post-vulcanization to the end of post-vulcanization, varies depending on the location where the equipment is installed and the temperature changes due to changes in the season. Will vary.

Therefore, due to such variations in the degree of post-vulcanization, the degree of vulcanization from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization also varies. As a result, tire quality also varies.

Therefore, in view of the above facts, the present invention provides vulcanization from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of either the fastest part or the slowest part of the vulcanizate that has been vulcanized to a predetermined degree of vulcanization. Improves the quality of the vulcanizate by controlling the ambient temperature in the post-vulcanization of the vulcanizate so that the vulcanization degree does not become over-vulcanized or under-vulcanized and falls within a predetermined range. The vulcanization control device capable of performing the vulcanization control, and the vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization are determined according to the vulcanization conditions of the vulcanization, and the fastest part of the vulcanizate is based on the vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization. It is possible to improve the quality of the material to be vulcanized by vulcanizing so that the vulcanization degree from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of either one of the slowest part and the slowest part is within the predetermined range. To provide a simple vulcanization method.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a vulcanization control apparatus according to claim 1 is a box for accommodating an object to be vulcanized that has been vulcanized to a predetermined vulcanization degree, and the box. Estimating the temperature of a plurality of parts inside the vulcanizate housed in the box from the sensor for measuring the ambient temperature in, and the ambient temperature measured by the sensor, based on the temperature of the estimated multiple parts Estimate at least one of the fastest part that is the fastest vulcanization and the slowest part that is the slowest vulcanization, and vulcanize at least one of the fastest part and the slowest part from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization. Temperature control means for controlling the ambient temperature in the box so that the degree of vulcanization is within a predetermined range.

Further, in the vulcanization method according to the second aspect, the vulcanization of the vulcanizate is most preferable in the vulcanization method of vulcanizing the vulcanizate to a predetermined vulcanization degree and then performing post-vulcanization. The vulcanization degree from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of at least one of the fastest part, which is the fastest part, and the slowest part, which is the slowest part, is within the predetermined range. The vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization are determined based on the vulcanization conditions when the vulcanizate is vulcanized to the predetermined degree of vulcanization, and the atmosphere of the post-vulcanization is determined based on the determined vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization. Vulcanize by controlling the temperature or by leaving it to cool.

[0009]

In the vulcanization control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, after the vulcanizate that has been vulcanized to a predetermined degree of vulcanization is stored in the box, the ambient temperature in the box is measured by the sensor. The temperature control means estimates the temperature of a plurality of parts inside the vulcanizate housed in the box from the ambient temperature measured by this sensor,
Estimate the fastest part which is the fastest part and the slowest part which is the slowest part based on the temperature of the estimated multiple parts, and start the vulcanization of either the fastest part or the slowest part (the above Control the atmospheric temperature in the box so that the degree of vulcanization from the start of vulcanization to the completion of vulcanization (at the end of this control) is within the specified range. To do.

As described above, the atmospheric temperature in the box is controlled so that the vulcanization degree from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of at least one of the fastest part and the slowest part is within the predetermined range. Since it is vulcanized, the quality of the material to be vulcanized can be improved.

Further, in the vulcanization method according to claim 2, in the vulcanization method of performing post-vulcanization after performing vulcanization to vulcanize the vulcanizate to a predetermined degree of vulcanization. From the start of vulcanization (when starting vulcanization to vulcanize to the prescribed degree of vulcanization) of at least one of the fastest part that is the fastest vulcanization and the slowest part that is the slowest vulcanization The post-vulcanization is performed based on the vulcanization conditions when the material to be vulcanized is vulcanized to the predetermined vulcanization degree so that the vulcanization degree up to (at the end of post-vulcanization) is within the predetermined range. The vulcanization conditions of vulcanization are determined, and the vulcanization is performed by controlling the ambient temperature of the post-vulcanization based on the determined vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization.

As described above, the vulcanization conditions for post-vulcanization are set so that the vulcanization degree from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of at least one of the fastest part and the slowest part is within the predetermined range. The vulcanizate is determined on the basis of vulcanization conditions when vulcanized to the predetermined degree of vulcanization, and by the vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization, the post-vulcanization is controlled so as to proceed. It is possible to improve the quality of sulfides.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a vulcanizer 10a for performing vulcanization. As shown in FIG. 1, the vulcanizer 10a is
A mold unit 12 including an upper mold 12A and a lower mold 12B, and a deformable bladder 14.
And a bladder unit 14 having A. The periphery of the mold unit 12 is covered with a jacket 16. A passage 18 is provided in the jacket 16, and a heating fluid (for example, steam) flows through a pipe 20. The jacket 16 heats the side of the mold unit 12 corresponding to the tire peripheral surface. Further, in order to heat the tire end surface side of the mold unit 12, an upper platen 22 and a lower platen 24 are arranged on the upper side and the lower side thereof. Passages 22A and 24A are formed in the platens 22 and 24, respectively, and the heating medium is circulated through pipes (not shown). The bladder 14A is attached to upper and lower rings 28 and 30, and the upper ring 28 is fixed to a center post 32. The center post 32 is movably supported by a sleeve 34. Therefore, the bladder 14A can move according to the vertical movement of the center post 32. Pipes 36 and 38 for circulating a heating fluid such as steam, gas and hot water via the bladder 14A are connected to the lower ring 30. Thereby, the bladder 14A is heated.

In the vulcanizer 10a thus constructed, the jacket sensor 2 for detecting the temperature in the pipe 20 is provided.
6a, a platen temperature detection sensor 26b that detects the temperature of the platen 24 (or 22), and a bladder temperature temperature detection sensor 26c that detects the temperature of the inner space of the vulcanizer 10a surrounded by the bladder unit 14. The vulcanization control circuit 66 controls the mold unit 1 based on the temperatures provided by the sensors 26a, 26b, 26c.
The heating fluid and the heating medium are allowed to flow so that the bladder unit 14 and the bladder unit 14 reach a predetermined temperature.

FIG. 2 shows a post-vulcanization control device 10 for performing post-vulcanization.
b is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the post-vulcanization control device 10b has a configuration in which a box 40 is provided in the PCI device. A column 44 is fixed in the box body 40. The tire 50 is fixed by a rim 46 joined to the support column 44 and a rim flange 48 joined to the rim 46. Also, this box 4
0 is provided with an air conditioner 56 that changes the ambient temperature inside the box 40 and an ambient temperature sensor 52 that measures the ambient temperature inside the box 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the center portion 50A, the shoulder portion 50B, and the beat portion 50C of the tire 50 are
Center sensor 58 for measuring each surface temperature
, A shoulder sensor 60, and a beat sensor 62 are attached.

A temperature control circuit 64 is shown in FIG. The temperature control circuit 64 includes a central processing unit (CP
U) 68, read only memory (ROM) 70, random access memory (RAM) 72 and input / output (I /
O) It is composed of a microcomputer having a circuit 74, and each is connected by a bus 76 so that data and commands can be exchanged with each other. In addition, RO
The M70 stores a control routine to be described later, a heat conduction model corresponding to the center portion 50A, the shoulder portion 50B, and the beat portion 50C of the tire 50, and the like.

The input / output circuit 74 includes a center sensor 5
8, shoulder sensor 60, and beat sensor 62
Are connected. The ambient temperature sensor 52 and the air conditioner drive circuit 54 are connected to the input / output circuit 74. A cooling / heating machine 56 is connected to the cooling / heating machine drive circuit 54. Further, the input / output circuit 74 includes
A vulcanization control circuit 66 for controlling a vulcanizer for vulcanization is connected. Further, the input / output circuit 74 includes a keyboard 78.
And an external storage device 80 are connected.

The portion composed of the temperature control circuit 64, the cooling / heating drive circuit 54, and the cooling / heating machine 56 corresponds to the temperature control means of the present invention.

The keyboard 78 is for inputting predetermined data relating to the physical properties of the tire such as the thermal conductivity of rubber and internal heat generation. These data are stored in the keyboard 78
Alternatively, the data may be input from the vulcanization control circuit 66, or may be stored in the ROM 70 as data in advance.

The vulcanization control circuit 66 is for controlling the vulcanizer 10a and is composed of a microcomputer. A part of the vulcanization conditions is input from the vulcanization control circuit 66.

Here, when determining the vulcanization conditions for the post-vulcanization, first, the target vulcanization degree S ₀ is required. The target vulcanization degree is as follows. In the vulcanization performed by heating and pressurizing the tire, the vulcanization degree of each part in the tire is not usually uniform. Therefore, even if the tire is vulcanized by the post-vulcanization, the degree of vulcanization from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of each part in the tire also varies in each part. However, the ideal range of vulcanization degree required for the quality of the tire varies depending on the type of tire, but the vulcanization degree of each part of the tire is preferably within this predetermined range. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the temperature of the box is controlled so that the vulcanization degree of the fastest portion, which is the fastest vulcanization, becomes a vulcanization degree in the vicinity of the upper limit of the above-mentioned predetermined range required for the quality of the tire. . The vulcanization degree near this upper limit value is the target vulcanization degree S _{0 in} this case.
The upper limit of the above-mentioned predetermined range is usually determined so that the fastest part is not overvulcanized and the slowest part is not insufficiently vulcanized.

The data necessary for determining the vulcanization conditions for the post-vulcanization other than the target vulcanization degree S ₀ are the vulcanization degree of the tire 50 at the end of vulcanization input from the vulcanization degree control circuit 66. S _M0 , the temperatures of a plurality of parts inside the center portion 50A of the tire 50, the shoulder portion 50B, and the beat portion 50C and the post-vulcanization degree S _A0 , the ambient temperature of the box 40 at the present time input from the ambient temperature sensor 52, and There is predetermined data input from the keyboard 78.

Next, the procedure for controlling the ambient temperature of the post-vulcanization controller 10b will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

At step 102, the vulcanization degree S _M0 of the tire 50 at the end of vulcanization is input from the vulcanization control circuit 66, and the routine proceeds to step 104, where the vulcanization degree S _M0 is subtracted from the target vulcanization degree S _0. Then, the post-vulcanization degree S _A0 is calculated, and step 106
Proceed to. At step 106, the ambient temperature T _A0 inside the box 40 detected by the ambient temperature sensor 52 of the box 40 is fetched. In step 108, the center sensor 58
And the surface temperature of the tire 50 detected by the shoulder sensor 60 and the beat sensor 62, respectively. In step 110, the temperature of each part in the thickness direction of the heat dissipation (heat conduction) model corresponding to the center part 50A, the shoulder part 50B, and the beat part 50C is estimated based on the surface temperature of the tire 50, and this temperature is used as the basis. Estimate the temperature of the fastest part. Here, the temperatures of the heat radiating process of a plurality of parts in the thickness direction inside these heat radiating models are calculated from the center part sensor 58, the shoulder part sensor 60, and the beat part sensor 62 according to the basic equation for the heat radiating model shown in the following equation (1). The surface temperatures T ₁ , T ₂ and T ₃ of the tire 50 that have been taken in are respectively substituted and estimated by finite element analysis (FEM analysis).

K · ∇ ² T− (ρ · c) · (∂T / ∂t) = 0 (1) In this formula (3), K, ∇, T, ρ, c and t are The thermal conductivity of the tire 50, Laplacian (∂ ²
/ ∂x ² + ∂ ² / ∂y ² + ∂ ² / ∂z ² ), tire 50
Surface temperature [ ⁰ C], density of tire 50 [g / c
m ³ ], the specific heat of the tire 50 [ ⁰ C / cm ³ ], time [s
ec].

In step 112, the arrival time t _{F at} which the vulcanization degree of the fastest part reaches the target vulcanization degree S ₀ is calculated from the estimated temperature and the post-vulcanization degree S _A0 based on the well-known Arrhenius equation. After calculation, the process proceeds to step 114. In step 114, it is determined whether or not this arrival time t _F is longer than the cycle time t _C at which the post-vulcanization ends. Here, the case arrival time t _F is greater than the cycle time t _C, vulcanization degree the target from the vulcanization initiation of the current cycle time is also complete the vulcanization at a temperature t _C in the fastest portion to vulcanization ends This is the case where the vulcanization degree S ₀ is not reached, that is, the vulcanization is insufficient, and in this case, the routine proceeds to step 116. In step 116, the temperature T _{1 at} which the vulcanization degree of the fastest part reaches the target vulcanization degree S ₀ at the cycle time t _C is calculated based on the post-vulcanization degree S _A0 , and the process proceeds to step 118. Calculate the surface temperature T ₂ of the tire 50 based on the temperature T ₁ ,
Go to step 120. In step 120, tire 5
The surface temperature T _A1 of the box body 40 whose 0 surface temperature is T ₂ is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 122. In step 122, the current atmospheric temperature T _A0 is subtracted from the surface temperature T _{A1 of} the box 40 to calculate a temperature ΔT _A1 that raises the atmospheric temperature of the box 40, and the process proceeds to step 124 where the temperature ΔT _A is set. The corresponding signal is output to the cooling / heating drive circuit 54.

On the other hand, at step 114, the arrival time t_FIs
Icle time t_CIf it is not judged to be larger than
Proceeds to step 126 and arrives at time t_FDuring the cycle
Interval t_CIt is judged whether or not it matches, and it is judged that it does not match
If so, proceed to step 128. Where does not match
In some cases, vulcanization proceeds at the current temperature and during cycling.
Interval t_CBefore, the vulcanization degree of the fastest part is the target vulcanization degree S₀To reach
The cycle time t _CThen, the vulcanization degree of the fastest part is the target
Sulfur degree S₀Higher value, that is,
This is the case of overvulcanization. In this case, step 128
In step 136 from step 116 above.
A process similar to the process performed in 124 is performed, and the current box 40
ΔT to lower the ambient temperature of_A2Signal corresponding to
Output to the cooling / heating drive circuit 54.

If it is determined in step 126 that the arrival time t _F matches the cycle time t _C , the process proceeds to step 138. Here, the case where they coincide with each other is a case where the vulcanization degree at the fastest portion reaches the target vulcanization degree S ₀ at the cycle time t _C when vulcanization is continued at the current temperature.

In step 138, since the above processing is performed every predetermined time t ₀ [sec], for example, every 30 [sec], it is determined whether or not the predetermined time t _{0 has} elapsed from the previously controlled time, and the predetermined time t ₀ If t _{0 has} elapsed, step 14
0, read the current time t _R , step 142
And determines whether or not the current time t _R has reached the cycle time t _C , and if it is determined that the current time t _R has not reached the cycle time t _C , the process returns to step 106 and the above processing (from step 106 to 1
40) is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the target vulcanization rate has been reached, the process proceeds to step 144, where the target vulcanization degree S ₀ , the input vulcanization degree S _M0 and the post-vulcanization degree S _{A0 at} this time, and the initial value in the set box 40 are set. The ambient temperature T _A0 and the raised or lowered temperatures ΔT _A and ΔT _B are stored in the external storage device 80 to form a database, and this control is ended.

In the embodiment described above, the vulcanization degree obtained by subtracting the vulcanization degree from the target vulcanization degree is obtained as the post-vulcanization degree, and based on the post-vulcanization degree, the fastest vulcanization portion, which is the fastest vulcanization portion, is calculated. Since the atmosphere temperature inside the box is controlled so that the vulcanization degree reaches the target vulcanization degree, the vulcanization degree of the fastest part can be set to a vulcanization degree near the above-mentioned upper limit, and the vulcanization of the tire The degree can be a vulcanization degree within a predetermined range. For this reason, it is possible to obtain the effect that it is possible to produce tires having a uniform vulcanization degree throughout the year regardless of the temperature.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, since the predetermined coefficient of the member to be vulcanized is inputted and the required ambient temperature of the box is controlled by the FEM analysis, the element change of the tire constituent member occurs. Even in such a case, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to produce a tire having a uniform vulcanization degree by the vulcanizer and the post-vulcanization control device.

In the embodiment described above, an example is described in which the target vulcanization degree is set so that the vulcanization degree of this fastest portion becomes a vulcanization degree in the vicinity of the upper limit value based on the fastest portion. The target vulcanization degree may be set such that the vulcanization degree of the latest portion is close to the lower limit value with reference to the latest portion.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ambient temperature sensor 52 has been described as an example using the one provided in the normal air conditioner 56, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the ambient temperature can be measured. Therefore, the ambient temperature sensor 5
The second mounting position may be mounted, for example, at a position apart from the support column 44 in a space surrounded by the tire 50 by a predetermined distance.

Further, although the post-vulcanization control device 10b has been described as an example in which one tire 40 is stored, the present invention is not limited to this, and the post-vulcanization control devices 10b may be arranged in parallel, or in parallel. After arranging the two vulcanization control devices 10b
You may make it a hierarchy more than a hierarchy.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example of vulcanizing a rubber tire as the vulcanizate has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a vulcanizate of a plastic or the like is vulcanized. Can also be adapted if the case.

[0038]

As described above, in the vulcanization control device according to the first aspect and the vulcanization method according to the second aspect, the vulcanization starts from the vulcanization start of one of the fastest part and the slowest part. Since the atmospheric temperature inside the box is controlled so that the degree of vulcanization reaches the target degree of vulcanization, it has an excellent effect that the quality of the material to be vulcanized can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vulcanizer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a post-vulcanization control device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing attachment positions of a center sensor, a shoulder sensor, and a beat sensor in a partial cross section of a tire.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a temperature control circuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a routine for controlling the ambient temperature in the post-vulcanization control device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10a Vulcanizer 10b Post-vulcanizer control device 40 Box 50 Tire 52 Atmosphere temperature sensor 54 Air conditioner drive circuit 56 Air conditioner 64 Temperature control circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Ebikawa 3-1-1 Ogawahigashi-cho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo Inside the Bridgestone Technology Center

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A box for accommodating a material to be vulcanized that has been vulcanized to a predetermined degree of vulcanization, a sensor for measuring an ambient temperature in the box, and an ambient temperature measured by the sensor for measuring the ambient temperature. Estimate the temperature of multiple parts inside the vulcanizate stored in the box, and based on the estimated temperature of multiple parts, the fastest part that is the fastest and the slowest part that is the slowest cure. At least one of the slowest part is estimated, and the ambient temperature in the box so that the vulcanization degree from the vulcanization start to the vulcanization end of at least one of the fastest part and the slowest part becomes a vulcanization degree within a predetermined range. A vulcanization control device comprising: a temperature control means for controlling the vulcanization. 2. A vulcanization method in which the vulcanizate is vulcanized to a predetermined degree of vulcanization and then post-vulcanized. The vulcanizate from the start of vulcanization to the end of vulcanization of at least one of the slowest part, which is the slowest part, has a vulcanization degree within a predetermined range. Determine the vulcanization conditions for post-vulcanization based on the vulcanization conditions when vulcanized,
A vulcanization method in which the ambient temperature of the post-vulcanization is controlled based on the determined vulcanization conditions of the post-vulcanization, or the vulcanization is performed by cooling while standing.