Tire

Abstract

The tire according to the present application has a protruding portion protruding from a tire outer peripheral surface of a tire side portion toward an outer side in a tire width direction, and a communication device embedded in the protruding portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to tires. Background Technology

[0002] Structures for embedding communication devices, such as RF tags, in tires are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tire in which an RF tag is placed between the rim strip rubber and the sidewall rubber.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-179827 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] Further improvements are still needed to enhance the usefulness of communication devices installed in tires, such as improving their durability or communication capabilities.

[0008] Therefore, it would be helpful to provide tires equipped with communication devices that improve their usability.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The tire according to this disclosure includes: a protrusion that protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the outer circumferential surface of the tire sidewall; and a communication device embedded in the protrusion.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] Therefore, tires equipped with communication devices that improve usability can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0013] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a tire in the tire width direction according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0014] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a tire in the tire width direction according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0015] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a tire in the tire width direction according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates embodiments of the tire according to this disclosure. Commonly used components and parts in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals. The drawings are schematic, and the scale of dimensions may differ from actual dimensions. In this specification, "tire width direction" refers to the direction parallel to the tire's axis of rotation, "tire radial direction" refers to the direction orthogonal to the tire's axis of rotation, and "tire circumferential direction" refers to the direction in which the tire rotates about its axis of rotation.

[0017] In this specification, "inner radial side of the tire" refers to the side of the tire radially closest to the tire's axis of rotation, while "outer radial side of the tire" refers to the side of the tire radially furthest from the tire's axis of rotation. Furthermore, "inner radial side of the tire" refers to the side of the tire in the width direction closest to the tire's equatorial plane CL, while "outer radial side of the tire" refers to the side of the tire in the width direction furthest from the tire's equatorial plane CL.

[0018] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the positional relationships of various tire components are measured under reference conditions. "Reference conditions" refers to a state where the tire is attached to the wheel's applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and placed under no load. The two ends of the contact patch in contact with the road surface in the tire's width direction under this state—attached to the wheel's applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and placed under a specified load—are referred to as the contact patch ends E. In the following description, it is assumed that the tire has an air-filled cavity and is mounted on a vehicle (such as a passenger car). However, the tire's cavity may be filled with fluid other than air, and the tire may be mounted on vehicles other than passenger cars.

[0019] In this specification, "applicable rim" refers to a standard rim of applicable size that is recorded or will be recorded in the future in an industry standard valid in the region where the tire is manufactured and used (e.g., "measuring rim" in the ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technology Organization) Standards Manual and "design rim" in the TRA (Tire and Rim Association) Yearbook). Such industry standards include, for example, the JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association) Yearbook, the ETRTO Standards Manual of Europe, or the TRA Yearbook of the United States. In cases where a size is not recorded in the aforementioned industry standards, "applicable rim" refers to a rim with a width corresponding to the tire's bead width. "Applicable rim" includes not only current sizes but also sizes that may be included in the aforementioned industry standards in the future. An example of "sizes to be recorded in the future" could be a size recorded as "FUTUREDEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of the ETRTO Standards Manual.

[0020] In this specification, "specified internal pressure" refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a single wheel for the applicable size and ply rating specified in industry standards such as the JATMA Yearbook. For sizes not specified in the aforementioned industry standards, "specified internal pressure" refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle with the tire. In this specification, "specified load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a single wheel for the applicable size and ply rating specified in the aforementioned industry standards. For sizes not specified in the aforementioned industry standards, "specified load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle with the tire.

[0021] (First Implementation)

[0022] The following will refer to Figure 1 A tire 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tire 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the tire width direction. Figure 1 The tire 1 is shown in a reference state with the tire 1 attached to the wheel as an applicable rim R, filled with a specified internal pressure and placed under no load.

[0024] Tire 1 includes a pair of bead portions 2, a pair of sidewall portions 3, and a tread portion 4. Each sidewall portion 3 extends between the tread portion 4 and the corresponding bead portion 2. For example, the sidewall portion 3 may be the portion between the radially outer end of the bead core 5 and the contact patch end E. Preferably, the sidewall portion 3 may be the portion between the radially outer end of the bead filler 8 and the contact patch end E. The sidewall portion 3 of tire 1 has a protrusion 3A that projects outward from the outer circumference of the tire in the tire width direction. A communication device 11 is embedded in the protrusion 3A, which will be described in detail later. The protrusion 3A has an annular shape extending circumferentially on the outer circumferential surface of the tire.

[0025] The dimensions of the protrusion 3A can be set to any size, for example, according to the size or intended use of the tire 1 or the communication device 11. For example, the length of the imaginary line L connecting the inner radial end and the outer radial end of the tire of the protrusion 3A can be from 10 mm to 60 mm. Therefore, sufficient space is ensured in the protrusion 3A for embedding the communication device 11, and the protrusion 3A is less noticeable and unlikely to damage the appearance of the tire 1. More preferably, the length of the imaginary line L can be from 15 mm to 45 mm. The maximum length of the protrusion 3A in the protrusion direction can be, for example, from 15 mm to 40 mm. Therefore, sufficient space is ensured in the protrusion 3A for embedding the communication device 11, and the protrusion 3A is less noticeable and unlikely to damage the appearance of the tire 1. More preferably, the maximum length can be from 15 mm to 35 mm. In this specification, the "protrusion direction" of the protrusion 3A refers to the direction relative to the tire 1. Figure 1 The imaginary line L connecting the inner radial end and the outer radial end of the protrusion 3A in the cross-sectional view of the tire width direction, shown by the dashed line, is perpendicular to the direction. In this specification, the inner side of the protrusion 3A in the tire width direction in the protrusion direction is referred to as the "inner side of the protrusion direction", and the outer side of the protrusion 3A in the tire width direction in the protrusion direction is referred to as the "outer side of the protrusion direction".

[0026] In the cross-sectional view along the tire width, the width of the protrusion 3A decreases towards the outer side of its protrusion direction. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 3A in the tire width direction is approximately triangular. However, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 3A in the tire width direction is not limited to a triangle, and can be trapezoidal, have a rounded end, etc. In this way, the amount of rubber material used to form the protrusion 3A can be reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the tire 1 and the production cost.

[0027] Although this embodiment describes the tire 1 as symmetrical with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL, the tire 1 may be asymmetrical with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL. For example, only one of the pair of sidewall portions 3 may have a protrusion 3A.

[0028] The tire 1 includes a pair of bead cores 5 positioned in the bead portion 2, a carcass 6 consisting of one or more ply layers extending circumferentially between the pair of bead cores 5, and a belt 7 consisting of one or more belt layers positioned radially outward of the crown region of the carcass 6.

[0029] Each bead core 5 is composed of an annular cable bead extending circumferentially along the tire. The cross-sectional shape of the bead core 5 in a plane orthogonal to its extending direction (the cross-sectional shape along the tire width direction) is circular or approximately circular. However, the cross-sectional shape of the bead core 5 in the tire width direction can be any shape, such as quadrilateral or hexagonal. For example, the cable bead is formed by coating high-carbon steel wire with rubber. A bead filler 8 made of rubber material or the like is disposed on the radially outer side of the bead core 5. Alternatively, the bead filler 8 in the tire 1 can be omitted.

[0030] The tire carcass 6 is composed of one or more ply layers (one ply layer in this embodiment) extending annularly between a pair of bead cores 5. For example, the ply layer is formed by organic fiber cords coated with rubber, such as nylon cords. The ends of the tire carcass 6 are locked by the bead cores 5. Specifically, the tire carcass 6 includes a carcass body portion 6A positioned between the bead cores 5 and a carcass fold-back portion 6B folded back from the inside to the outside in the tire width direction around the respective bead cores 5. The carcass fold-back portion 6B terminates near the position of the maximum tire width W in the reference state. Here, "position of the maximum tire width W" is the position where the tire 1 has the longest width length in the tire width direction section. However, the carcass fold-back portion 6B can have any length. The tire carcass 6 can have a structure in which the carcass fold-back portion 6B folds back from the outside to the inside in the tire width direction around the bead core 5 or a structure in which the carcass fold-back portion 6B is wound around the bead core 5, or it may not include the carcass fold-back portion 6B.

[0031] The belt 7 is positioned radially outward of the tire crown region of the tire carcass 6. The belt 7 is composed of one or more belt layers (two belt layers in this embodiment) stacked radially in the tire equatorial plane CL. The belt 7 is arranged to cover the tire carcass 6 radially outward in the tread portion 4. In the illustrated example, the belt 7 extends outward in the tire width direction from the tire equatorial plane CL. Alternatively, the belt 7 may extend inward in the tire width direction from the ground contact end E.

[0032] Tire 1 also includes rubber bead wraps 9. Each rubber bead wrap 9 is arranged to cover the bead core 5 and the tire carcass 6 from the radially inner side and the outer side in the tire width direction. The rubber bead wrap 9 terminates at a position between the radially outer end of the bead filler 8 and the radially outer end of the tire carcass fold-back portion 6B. However, the rubber bead wrap 9 can have any length.

[0033] The sidewall rubber 10 is positioned radially outward of the rubber bead wrapping 9, covering the tire body 6 in the tire width direction. In this embodiment, the radially inner end of the sidewall rubber 10 is positioned between the tire body 6 and the rubber bead wrapping 9 in the tire width direction. Alternatively, the radially inner end of the sidewall rubber 10 may be positioned radially outward of the rubber bead wrapping 9, or positioned radially outward of the rubber bead wrapping 9 in the tire width direction.

[0034] The rubber bead wrapping 9 can be made of a rubber material with higher strength than the sidewall rubber 10. For example, the rubber bead wrapping 9 can be made of a rubber material with a higher carbon content than the sidewall rubber 10.

[0035] The tire 1 is equipped with a communication device 11.

[0036] Communication device 11 performs wireless communication. For example, communication device 11 is a radio frequency (RF) tag. RF tags are also known as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Communication device 11 includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip with a controller and memory, and one or more antennas connected to the IC chip. The IC chip can store any information about tire 1, such as tire identification information and manufacturing date. For example, communication device 11 may have an overall elongated shape with two antennas extending in opposite directions from the IC chip in a straight, wavy, or spiral shape. However, each antenna can have any shape and can be positioned within the IC chip.

[0037] The IC chip can be operated by an induced electromotive force generated by electromagnetic waves received by one or more antennas. That is, the communication device 11 can be a passive type of communication device. Alternatively, the communication device 11 may also include a battery and be able to generate electromagnetic waves using its own power for communication. That is, the communication device 11 can be an active type of communication device.

[0038] The communication device 11 is embedded in the protrusion 3A. Since the protrusion 3A protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the tire in the tire width direction, it is unlikely to bear the load and deform when a load is applied to the tire 1. Containing the communication device 11 in such a protrusion 3A makes the communication device 11 more resistant to failure. Furthermore, since the communication device 11 is embedded in the protrusion 3A, when the communication device 11 communicates with electronic devices located on the outer side of the tire 1 in the tire width direction, other parts of the tire 1 are unlikely to interfere with the communication of the communication device 11. This improves the usefulness of the communication device 11 embedded in the tire 1. The communication device 11 can be embedded in the protrusion 3A such that the length direction of the communication device 11 is approximately parallel to the circumferential direction of the tire 1.

[0039] The protrusion 3A includes at least a portion of the rubber bead wrap 9 and at least a portion of the sidewall rubber 10. The communication device 11 is embedded at the boundary between at least a portion of the rubber bead wrap 9 and at least a portion of the sidewall rubber 10. Therefore, during tire manufacturing, the communication device 11 can be stably installed in the tire 1, thereby improving the productivity of the tire 1. More specifically, in the protrusion 3A, the rubber bead wrap 9 contacts the communication device 11 from at least one of the radially inner side and the tire width direction inner side, and the sidewall rubber 10 contacts the communication device 11 from at least one of the radially outer side and the tire width direction outer side. Therefore, the durability of the communication device 11 embedded in the tire 1 is improved because the communication device 11 is supported by the rubber bead wrap 9, which has a higher strength than the sidewall rubber 10, and the communication capability of the communication device 11 embedded in the tire 1 is improved because the communication device 11 is covered by the sidewall rubber 10, which has a higher conductivity than the rubber bead wrap 9.

[0040] In the baseline state, the protrusion 3A is located radially inside the tire at the position of the tire's maximum width W. Therefore, the protrusion 3A is less likely to collide with obstacles such as curbs or pebbles. Consequently, the probability of the communication device 11 embedded in the protrusion 3A malfunctioning can be reduced.

[0041] In its base state, the protrusion 3A extends to the outer end of the tire width direction of the rim R, which serves as the applicable rim. Therefore, for example, during the transport of tire 1, the protrusion 3A prevents the rim R on which tire 1 is mounted from contacting a rim on which another tire is mounted. The protrusion 3A also prevents the rim R from impacting obstacles such as curbs or pebbles. Thus, the protrusion 3A functions as a rim protector to prevent damage to the rim R.

[0042] (Second Implementation)

[0043] The following will refer to Figure 2 A tire 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tire 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the tire width direction. Figure 2 The diagram shows a tire 1 attached to a wheel as an applicable rim R, filled with a specified internal pressure, and placed in a reference state without load.

[0044] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the protrusion 3A provided in the sidewall portion 3 is made of a different rubber material than the other portions of the sidewall portion 3 adjacent to the protrusion 3A. The second embodiment will be described below focusing on its differences from the first embodiment. Parts having the same structure as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

[0045] Similar to the first embodiment, the sidewall portion 3 of the tire 1 has a protrusion 3A that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the tire in the tire width direction. The communication device 11 is embedded in the protrusion 3A.

[0046] The protrusion 3A is made of a different rubber material than the other portions of the sidewall portion 3 adjacent to the protrusion 3A. Therefore, the rubber material forming the protrusion 3A can be selected according to the intended use of the tire 1 and the communication device 11. In this embodiment, the protrusion 3A is made of a different rubber material than the rubber bead wrapping 9 extending from the bead portion 2 to the sidewall portion 3 and the sidewall rubber 10 that mainly forms the sidewall portion 3.

[0047] For example, the protrusion 3A can be made of a rubber material with high strength due to its higher carbon content than other parts, to reinforce the protrusion 3A against contact with obstacles, cutting, etc. Therefore, the durability of the communication device 11 embedded in the tire 1 can be improved. This is useful when the tire 1 is mounted on a vehicle designed to travel on rough roads. Alternatively, the protrusion 3A can be made of a rubber material with high conductivity due to its lower carbon content than other parts. Therefore, the communication performance of the communication device 11 embedded in the tire 1 can be improved.

[0048] In the protrusion 3A, the communication device 11 is embedded at the interface with the rubber material forming the other parts. Therefore, during the manufacture of the tire 1, the communication device 11 can be stably installed in the tire 1, thereby improving the productivity of the tire 1.

[0049] (Third Implementation)

[0050] The following will refer to Figure 3 A tire 1 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tire 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along the tire width direction. Figure 3 The diagram shows a tire 1 attached to a wheel as an applicable rim R, filled with a specified internal pressure, and placed in a reference state without load.

[0051] The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the protrusion 3A is located radially outward of the tire at the position of the maximum tire width W in the sidewall portion 3. The third embodiment will be described below focusing on its differences from the first and second embodiments. Parts having the same structure as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

[0052] Similar to the first and second embodiments, the sidewall portion 3 of the tire 1 has a protrusion 3A that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the tire in the tire width direction. The communication device 11 is embedded in the protrusion 3A.

[0053] The protrusion 3A can be made of the same rubber material as the other portions of the sidewall portion 3 adjacent to the protrusion 3A. For example, the protrusion 3A can be made of the same rubber material as the sidewall rubber 10 that mainly forms the sidewall portion 3. Alternatively, the protrusion 3A can be made of a different rubber material than the other portions of the sidewall portion 3 adjacent to the protrusion 3A, as in the second embodiment. For example, the protrusion 3A can be made of a different rubber material than the sidewall rubber 10 that mainly forms the sidewall portion 3.

[0054] In the baseline state, the protrusion 3A is located radially outward of the tire at the position of the tire's maximum width W. Therefore, when the communication device 11 communicates with electronic devices located radially outward of the tire 1 (e.g., on the road surface), other parts of the tire 1 are unlikely to interfere with the communication of the communication device 11. This improves the usefulness of the communication device 11 disposed in the tire 1.

[0055] As described above, the tire 1 according to each embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a protrusion 3A that protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the outer circumferential surface of the sidewall portion 3; and a communication device 11 embedded in the protrusion 3A. With this structure, since the communication device 11 is embedded in the protrusion 3A, which is unlikely to deform when a load is applied to the tire 1, the communication device 11 is more resistant to failure. Furthermore, since the communication device 11 is disposed in the protrusion 3A, when the communication device 11 communicates with electronic devices located outside the tire 1, other parts of the tire 1 are unlikely to interfere with the communication of the communication device 11. This improves the usefulness of the communication device 11 disposed in the tire 1.

[0056] In the tire 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, preferably, the protrusion 3A includes at least a portion of the rubber bead wrapping 9 and at least a portion of the sidewall rubber 10, and the communication device 11 is embedded at the boundary between at least a portion of the rubber bead wrapping 9 and at least a portion of the sidewall rubber 10. With such a structure, the communication device 11 can be stably installed in the tire 1 during manufacturing, thereby improving the productivity of the tire 1.

[0057] In the tire 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, preferably, the protrusion 3A is made of a rubber material different from any other portion of the sidewall portion 3 adjacent to the protrusion 3A. With this structure, the rubber material forming the protrusion 3A can be selected according to the intended use of the tire 1 and the communication device 11. This further improves the usefulness of the communication device 11 disposed in the tire 1.

[0058] In each embodiment of the tire 1 according to this disclosure, preferably, in a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction, the width of the protrusion 3A decreases towards the outer side in the protrusion direction of the protrusion 3A. Using such a structure, the amount of rubber material used to form the protrusion 3A can be reduced, thereby reducing the weight and production cost of the tire 1.

[0059] In the tire 1 of each of the first and second embodiments according to this disclosure, preferably, when the tire 1 is attached to the rim R, which is the applicable rim, filled to a predetermined internal pressure, and placed in a reference state without load, the protrusion 3A is located radially inside the tire at the position of the tire's maximum width W. With such a structure, the protrusion 3A is less likely to collide with obstacles such as curbs or pebbles. Therefore, the probability of the communication device 11 malfunctioning can be reduced.

[0060] In the tire 1 of each of the first and second embodiments according to this disclosure, preferably, when the tire 1 is attached to the rim R, which serves as the applicable rim, filled with a predetermined internal pressure, and placed in a reference state without load, the protrusion 3A protrudes to a position outside the tire width direction at the outer end of the applicable rim in the tire width direction. With such a structure, the protrusion 3A can act as a rim protector to prevent damage to the rim R.

[0061] In the tire 1 according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, preferably, when the tire 1 is attached to a rim R serving as an applicable rim, filled to a predetermined internal pressure, and placed in a reference state without load, the protrusion 3A is located on the radially outer side of the tire at the position of the tire's maximum width W. With such a structure, when the communication device 11 communicates with an electronic device located on the radially outer side of the tire 1 (e.g., on the road surface), other parts of the tire 1 are unlikely to interfere with the communication of the communication device 11. This further improves the usefulness of the communication device 11 disposed in the tire 1.

[0062] Although the technology of this disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations based on this disclosure. Therefore, these modifications and variations are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the structures, functions, etc., included in the various embodiments can be reconfigured in a logically consistent manner. The structures, functions, etc., included in the various embodiments can be used in combination with other embodiments, and multiple structures, functions, etc., can be combined into one structure, function, etc., one structure, function, etc., can be divided into multiple structures, functions, etc., or a portion of a structure, function, etc., can be omitted.

[0063] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0064] 1 tire

[0065] 2nd tire bead section

[0066] 3rd tire side

[0067] 3A protrusion

[0068] 4th pregnancy face

[0069] 5-Tire Bead

[0070] 6 fetuses

[0071] 6A. Body of the fetus

[0072] 6B Tire body reversal section

[0073] 7 belts

[0074] 8 tire bead filling

[0075] 9. Rubber bead wrapping

[0076] 10 Sidewall Rubber

[0077] 11Communication devices

[0078] R rims

[0079] CL tire equatorial surface

[0080] W tire maximum width

[0081] E grounding terminal

[0082] L Imaginary Line

Claims

1. A tire, comprising: A protrusion that protrudes outward in the direction of tire width from the outer circumferential surface of the tire sidewall. and The communication device is embedded in the protrusion. The protrusion includes at least a portion of the rubber bead wrapping and at least a portion of the sidewall rubber. The communication device is embedded at the boundary between at least a portion of the rubber bead wrapping and at least a portion of the sidewall rubber, and The inner radial end of the sidewall rubber is positioned along the tire width direction on the inside of the rubber bead wrapping.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion is made of a different rubber material than the other parts of the sidewall adjacent to the protrusion.

3. The tire according to claim 1, wherein, In a cross-sectional view along the width of the tire, the width of the protrusion decreases as it moves outward in the direction of protrusion.

4. The tire according to claim 2, wherein, In a cross-sectional view along the width of the tire, the width of the protrusion decreases as it moves outward in the direction of protrusion.

5. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When the tire is attached to a suitable rim, inflated to the specified internal pressure, and placed in a reference state without load, the protrusion is located radially inside the tire at the position of maximum tire width.

6. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, When the tire is attached to a suitable rim, filled to a specified internal pressure, and placed in a no-load reference state, the protrusion extends to the outer end of the tire width direction of the suitable rim at a position outside the tire width direction.

7. The tire according to claim 5, wherein, When the tire is attached to a suitable rim, filled to a specified internal pressure, and placed in a no-load reference state, the protrusion extends to the outer end of the tire width direction of the suitable rim at a position outside the tire width direction.

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