Method of adhering device to tire

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of adhering a device to a tire, the method comprising: applying an adhesive to a surface of the device, where applying the adhesive comprises: applying an inner portion (14) of the adhesive to the surface of the device (20); and applying an outer wire (16) of adhesive to the surface of the device, wherein the outer wire of adhesive at least partially surrounds the inner portion of adhesive; the method further includes applying the device to the tire, where applying the device (20) to the tire includes applying pressure to the device to spread the inner portion (14) and the outer thread (16) of adhesive on the device to create a uniform film of adhesive between the device and the tire. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tire comprising the method of adhering a device to a tire.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of adhering a device, such as a radio frequency identification patch, to a tire. Background Art

[0002] Being able to attach a device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) patch to the inside of a tire has many advantages. Such a device can allow intelligent monitoring and communication with the tire, which can provide many benefits. For example, tire supply logistics can be improved by tracking the transportation of tires and managing inventory levels. The device can also facilitate improved vehicle monitoring, such as monitoring of the location or mileage of the tire, which in turn can feed into predictive maintenance of the tire.

[0003] If the device becomes separated from the tire, it may not be able to provide the monitoring and communication functions, or the device may be lost altogether. In this case, it is no longer possible to benefit from the functionality of the device. It is therefore important that the device is firmly and securely adhered to the tire to ensure that the device remains adhered to the tire throughout the life of the tire.

[0004] In order to firmly adhere the device to the tire, a uniform layer of adhesive is advantageous, which covers substantially all or most of the device. It is also desirable to control the amount of adhesive depending on the type of device and glue. Devices with uneven, excessive or too little adhesive will generally result in unreliable attachment to the tire. Similarly, devices with wrinkles or creases therein after being applied to the tire will also have unreliable attachment.

[0005] Applying the device to each tire can be a time consuming and therefore expensive process, especially when the device is applied to a large number of tires. Therefore, it is also desirable to provide a method that can reliably provide a secure attachment without requiring a lot of time or expensive equipment. Summary of the invention

[0006] It has been found that by adhering the device to a cured tire using the method described herein, a secure attachment is formed in a time efficient manner. The present disclosure ensures that the correct amount of adhesive is present, thereby achieving a reliable attachment without wasting glue and while maintaining the integrity of the device adhered to the tire. Importantly, the method described herein overcomes many of the drawbacks of prior methods, which are caused by lack of adhesion, use and release of excess glue during attachment, or by wrinkling or damage of the device when the device is applied to the tire.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is a method of adhering a device to a tire. The method includes applying an adhesive to a surface of the device and applying the device to the tire. Applying the adhesive may include applying an inner portion of the adhesive to the surface of the device. Applying the adhesive may further include applying an outer line of adhesive to the surface of the device. The outer line of adhesive may at least partially surround the inner portion of the adhesive. Applying the device to the tire may include applying pressure to the device. This may spread the inner portion and the outer line of adhesive over the device to create a uniform film of adhesive between the device and the tire.

[0008] The device may be a patch.

[0009] The device may be configured to connect to or support a secondary component, such as a sensor or a communication component. The device may be used to monitor a property of the tire, such as temperature or internal pressure. The device may include a sensor, or may be configured to connect to or support a sensor. The device may be a support.

[0010] The device may be configured to store identification information for the tire.The device may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the scanner.

[0011] The device may be a device for monitoring a characteristic of a tire. The device may be a device for monitoring a characteristic of a tire environment. Example characteristics may include temperature, pressure, or other physical or chemical characteristics of the tire. The device may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) patch. The device may provide a range of tracking, identification, or monitoring functions for the tire, significantly improving the performance or logistics management of the tire.

[0012] The device may be a holder-type device, for example for holding a sensor.

[0013] The device may include an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface may be a surface of the device to which the adhesive is applied and which is fixed directly to the tire.

[0014] The device may be adhered to the tire using a chemical adhesive such as glue. The adhesive may include or be a cyanoacrylate. The adhesive may be Cyberbond 2240(TM) or Sigel 3M(TM). The adhesive may be applied to the surface of the device, for example as a liquid or gel, before the device is applied to the tire. The adhesive may be cured or partially cured before the device is applied to the tire. Partially curing the adhesive may improve the adhesion of the device to the tire.

[0015] The inner portion of adhesive and the outer line of adhesive may be the same adhesive. Using the same adhesive may simplify the process of applying the device to the tire.

[0016] The method can use only a single type of adhesive, alternatively, the inner portion and outer portion of the adhesive can be different adhesives. Different types of adhesives can have different properties, such as curing time. Using different types of adhesives can allow the user to benefit from the advantages of each type of adhesive.

[0017] The total amount of adhesive applied to form the combined inner portion and outer line of adhesive, in grams per surface area, may be 0.3 g / dm 2 and 0.6 g / dm 2 This amount of adhesive can provide optimal adhesion strength while avoiding excess glue which may result in waste and reduction in adhesion strength.

[0018] When the adhesive is Cyberbond 2240(TM), the total amount of adhesive applied per unit area of ​​the adhesive surface of the device may be 0.3 g / dm 2 and 0.5g / dm 2 When the adhesive is Sigel 3M (TM), the total amount of adhesive applied per unit area of ​​the adhesive surface of the device may be between 0.4 g / dm 2 and 0.6 g / dm 2 between.

[0019] The inner portion of the adhesive may be an inner line of adhesive.

[0020] The inner portion of the adhesive may be applied on or along the centerline of the device. The centerline of the device may include a center point or a circle (e.g., in the case of a device with a circular profile). The centerline of the device may be a longitudinal centerline.

[0021] The outer line of adhesive may be separate from the inner portion of the adhesive.The outer line of adhesive may be different from the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0022] The inner and outer lines may not connect or intersect. They may be applied in separate steps or movements. The inner lines of adhesive and the outer lines of adhesive may define a gap between each other.

[0023] The outer lines of adhesive may define a shape corresponding to the outer contour of the device.

[0024] Having a shape corresponding to the outer contour of the device can allow the outer line of adhesive to define a substantially constant distance between the outer line of adhesive and the outer edge of the device (e.g., the adhesion surface of the device). This can allow the outer line of adhesive to be evenly spread over the area between the outer line of adhesive and the outer edge of the device when the device is applied to a tire.

[0025] The device may be oblong, circular, oval, polygonal or rectangular. Thus, the outer line of adhesive may be oblong, circular, oval, polygonal or rectangular.

[0026] The outer line of adhesive may be an uninterrupted line.

[0027] The outer line of adhesive may completely surround the inner portion of adhesive.

[0028] The line of adhesive (inner or outer) can be a solid line, an uninterrupted line, or an interrupted line or a dashed line. An uninterrupted line of adhesive can promote a more uniform spreading of the adhesive when the device is applied to the tire. An interrupted line of adhesive can allow control of the amount of adhesive applied, for example by controlling the number and spacing of the line segments.

[0029] The outer line of adhesive may define a closed loop surrounding an inner portion of the adhesive. This may facilitate uniform application of the adhesive over the adhesion surface after the device is adhered to the tire.

[0030] The outer line of adhesive can be configured to spread over the outer portion of the device. The outer line of adhesive can be configured to be spaced apart from the outer edge of the device. During application of the device to the tire, the outer line of adhesive can spread over the area between the outer line of adhesive and the outer edge of the device to form a film. The size of the area between the outer line of adhesive and the outer edge of the device may affect the ability of the adhesive to form a uniform film. If the outer line of adhesive is too close to the center of the device, it may not spread far enough to form a film over the entire adhesion surface. If the outer line of adhesive is too close to the edge of the device, the adhesive may squeeze out from between the device and the tire when pressure is applied to the device.

[0031] The distance between the outer edge of the device and the outer line of the adhesive may be greater than one eighth of the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner portion of the adhesive and less than three quarters of the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0032] The distance between the outer edge of the device and the outer line of the adhesive may be greater than one quarter and less than half the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0033] The outer line of adhesive may be positioned in a band surrounding an inner portion of the adhesive.The band may extend circumferentially around the device or its adhered surface.

[0034] The band may extend between one eighth and three quarters of the distance from the outer edge of the device to the inner portion of the adhesive, measured from the outer edge. The band may extend between one quarter and one half of the distance between the outer edge and the inner portion of the adhesive, measured from the outer edge. The outer line of adhesive may surround the inner portion of the adhesive and be offset from the outer edge of the device by between one quarter and one half of the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0035] The distance between the outer edge of the device and the outer line of the adhesive may be approximately equal to 3 / 8 (three eighths) the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0036] The amount of adhesive applied to form the inner portion of adhesive may be between 80% and 120% of the amount of adhesive applied to form the outer line of adhesive.

[0037] Substantially equal amounts of adhesive may be applied as the inner portion and outer line of adhesive. The inner portion and outer line of adhesive may be configured to spread to cover approximately the same surface area of ​​the device when adhered to the tire. This provides a reliable method for achieving a substantially uniform layer of adhesive.

[0038] In order to achieve that substantially equal amounts of glue are applied for forming the inner and outer lines, the ratio of the amount of glue applied for each line is inversely proportional to the length of the line in grams per millimeter.

[0039] Applying the device to the tire may include applying the device to the inside of the tire. The device may be applied to the inside surface of the wall of the tire.

[0040] Applying the device to the tire may include initially applying pressure to the center of the device and moving the pressure outward toward the outer edges of the device.

[0041] Initially applying pressure to a central region of the device may include applying pressure to an area corresponding to an area of ​​the inner portion of the adhesive. This may cause the inner portion of the adhesive to spread over an inner region (eg, half) of the device or its adhesive surface.

[0042] Then moving the pressure outward can cause the pressure to move toward the area corresponding to the outer line of adhesive, and ultimately move to the area corresponding to the outer line of adhesive. This can cause the outer line of adhesive to spread generally outward toward the outer edge of the device. This can cause the outer line of adhesive to spread over the outer area (e.g., half) of the device.

[0043] Applying pressure in this manner in combination with applying adhesive in this manner allows for a level of reliability in obtaining a uniform adhesive film that was previously unattainable.

[0044] Applying the device to the tire may include applying a pressure between 80 kPa and 120 kPa.

[0045] The pressure may be between 50 kPa and 150 kPa, between 80 kPa and 120 kPa, or between 90 kPa and 110 kPa. The pressure may be 100 kPa. The selected pressure level achieves a secure attachment of the device to the tire.

[0046] Applying the device to the tire may include applying pressure for between 1 second and 180 seconds.

[0047] The pressure may be applied for a duration between 1 second and 300 seconds, or between 1 second and 180 seconds, or between 3 seconds and 90 seconds. The duration of applied pressure is selected to provide a secure adhesion.

[0048] There is also a method for manufacturing a tyre according to the present disclosure, comprising a method for adhering a device to a tyre as described anywhere herein.

[0049] Also in accordance with the present disclosure is a tire manufactured in the manner described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method of adhering a device to a tire;

[0051] Figure 2 is a plan view of an RFID patch for adhering to a tire;

[0052] Figure 3A is a plan view of a device for adhering to a tire; and

[0053] Figure 3B It is adhered to the tire Figure 3A Side view of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method of adhering a device to a tire as disclosed herein. Figure 1 A specific order of steps is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 1 , however, it should be understood that in other examples according to the present disclosure, the order of certain steps may be different from FIG. Figure 1 The order shown in .

[0055] In a first step 110, a first portion of adhesive is applied to the surface of the device to be adhered to the tire. This surface will typically be the generally flat underside of the device, such as an RFID patch (e.g. Figure 2 ) or the underside of a "holder" type device (such as shown in FIG. 3 ).

[0056] The adhesive is a liquid or gel adhesive that is applied to the device, for example, by a glue gun. The adhesive is applied to the device shortly before the device is applied to the tire. Applying the adhesive in this way is fast and reliable.

[0057] The first portion of adhesive is the inner portion of the adhesive and is applied toward the center of the surface. The first portion of adhesive can be a line of adhesive or a single dot of adhesive. The first portion of adhesive can be applied on the centerline of the device or along part or all of the centerline of the device.

[0058] In this example, the first portion of the adhesive is configured to cover a central portion of the area to be adhered during use. The first portion of the adhesive is configured to spread over the central area of ​​the device (e.g., patch) after the device is applied to the tire to form a thin film of adhesive, thereby adhering that portion of the surface to the tire. The first portion of the adhesive is configured (e.g., positioned and dispensed) to cover substantially half of the surface area to be adhered, such as half of the surface of the patch.

[0059] In some examples, the adhesive is Cyberbond 2240(TM) or Sigel 3M(TM).

[0060] In a second step 120, a second portion of adhesive is applied to the surface. The second portion is an outer line of adhesive. The outer line of adhesive is applied to at least partially surround the inner portion of adhesive.

[0061] In this example, the outer line of adhesive is configured to cover the outer portion of the area to be adhered to the tire during use. The outer line of adhesive is configured to spread over the outer area of ​​the device (e.g., patch) after the device is applied to the tire to form a thin film of adhesive to adhere that portion of the surface to the tire. The outer line of adhesive is configured (e.g., positioned and dispensed) to cover substantially half of the surface area to be adhered, such as half of the surface of the patch. The outer line of adhesive includes substantially the same amount of adhesive as the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0062] In this example, 0.3 g / dm 2 and 0.6 g / dm 2 An adhesive is applied to the device.

[0063] Applying the adhesive in two distinct portions, an inner portion and an outer line, allows the adhesive to be quickly applied to the device and provides a configuration where the adhesive is reliably spread over the adhered surface.

[0064] The outer line of adhesive is the same adhesive as the inner portion of the adhesive.

[0065] In some examples, and depending on the particular adhesive used, the device and adhesive may be left for a period of time to allow the glue to cure.

[0066] Once the adhesive has been applied to the device, and optionally allowed to cure, the method proceeds to step 130 where the device is applied to the tire. The device may be applied by hand or by machine.

[0067] Applying the device to the tire 130 includes positioning the device at the desired location and applying pressure to the device to secure it to the tire. Pressure is applied to spread the inner portion and outer line of adhesive across the adhesion surface. The adhesive is spread to create an adhesive film of uniform thickness between the device and the tire. An adhesive film of uniform thickness provides a more reliable and stronger bond.

[0068] In order to produce a uniform thickness of adhesive film, in this example, pressure is first applied to the central portion of the adhesive surface of the device and then moved outward toward the outside of the device. This achieves the spreading of the inner portion of the adhesive from the center of the adhesive surface outward toward the outer line of the adhesive. The inner portion of the adhesive provides a uniform film of adhesive on approximately 50% of the adhesive surface. The outer line of the adhesive then spreads outward toward the outer contour of the device. The outer line of the adhesive forms a uniform film of adhesive on the remaining 50% of the adhesive surface.

[0069] The pressure was applied to the device for between 1 second and 180 seconds. In this specific example, the pressure was applied for between 3 seconds and 90 seconds. The pressure applied to the device was between 80 kPa and 120 kPa. Applying the pressure for the correct amount of time and with the correct amount of force is important to achieve a secure bond between the device and the tire.

[0070] Figure 2 An example of an apparatus for use with the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 Adhesive is shown applied to the underside 12 of the device 10 for application to a tire according to the methods described herein.

[0071] Figure 2 The device 10 is an RFID patch 10. The patch is planar and oblong in shape. Figure 2 Shown is the underside 12 of the patch 10. The underside 12 is the adhesive surface of the patch, ie the adhesive surface to be fixed to the tyre. Figure 2 The patch 10 is shown before being applied to a tire.

[0072] An inner portion 14 of adhesive has been applied to the patch 10. In this example, the inner portion 14 of adhesive is a line of adhesive along the centerline of the RFID patch 10. The centerline extends longitudinally along the middle of the patch 10. The amount of adhesive applied as the inner portion 14 is selected to cover substantially half of the underside 12 of the RFID patch 10 once the patch is applied to the tire, the inner portion of the adhesion surface of the RFID patch 10.

[0073] An outer line 16 of adhesive has been applied to the underside 12 of the RFID patch 10. The outer line 16 of adhesive is an uninterrupted line of adhesive. The outer line 16 of adhesive completely surrounds the inner portion 14 of adhesive. The amount of adhesive applied as the outer portion 16 is selected to cover substantially half of the underside of the RFID patch 10 once the patch is applied to the tire, the outer circumferential portion of the RFID patch 10.

[0074] In this example, the adhesive is Cyberbond 2240 (TM) and the total amount of adhesive (ie including both the inner portion and the outer line) is applied so as to be 0.3 g / dm for the patch as a whole. 2 Up to 0.5g / dm 2 . Substantially half of the adhesive forms the inner portion and half forms the outer portion. Since the inner portion and the outer line of adhesive have substantially the same amount of adhesive, the ratio of the cross-section (i.e., width multiplied by the thickness of the line) of the inner portion of adhesive and the outer line of adhesive is inversely proportional to the length of the two lines. In other words, the amount of glue applied per millimeter of line is inversely proportional to the length of the line.

[0075] The outer line 16 of adhesive has a contour (ie a shape) corresponding to the outer contour of the patch 10. In the present example, the shape of the outer line 16 is an oblong.

[0076] The outer line 16 of adhesive is applied within the band 18 of the underside 12 of the patch 10. The band 18 represents the following area of ​​the adhesive surface: in this area, the outer line 16 can be applied, and once the device is applied to the tire, the area still obtains a substantially uniform film thickness. The band 18 is a circumferential band positioned between the center and the outer edge of the patch. The band 18 extends from a first distance a from the outer edge of the patch 10 to a second distance c from the outer edge of the patch 10. In this example, in the case of a total width of 2W of the patch, the band 18 extends from 0.25W to 0.5W from the outer edge of the patch, that is, the band 18 extends from one eighth of the total width of the patch from the outer edge to one quarter of the total width of the patch from the outer edge.

[0077] In order to Figure 2The patch 10 is applied to the tire, the lower side 12 is positioned against the tire, and pressure is applied to spread the inner line 14 and the outer line 16 of adhesive into a uniform film of adhesive between the patch 10 and the tire. First, pressure is applied toward the center of the patch 10, that is, the position corresponding to the inner part 14 of the adhesive, so that the inner part of the adhesive is spread. Then the pressure is moved outward toward the outer line 16 of the adhesive so that the outer line 16 of the adhesive is spread toward the outer edge of the patch 10. A pressure of about 100 kPa is applied for about 60 seconds. Then the patch 10 is adhered to the tire.

[0078] Figure 3A is a bottom view of a second device 20 for adhering to a tire. Figure 3B is a side view of the same device 20 adhered to a tire 30 .

[0079] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The device 20 is a holder type device that is configured to support a secondary device or component. The device 20 is circular. The device 20 is substantially flat and has a recess 28 that is configured to receive and retain a second device, such as a sensor (not shown), for example a TMS (Tire Mounted Sensor). The recess includes a cavity 24 located within the body of the device 20 and a hole 25 defined by a flange 26 of the device. The cavity is configured to receive a portion of the secondary component, and the hole 25 and flange 26 are configured to prevent the secondary component from accidentally separating from the device 20 during use.

[0080] like Figure 3A As shown, the adhesive is applied to the adhesion surface of the device (ie, the surface to be adhered to the tire 30). In this case, the adhesion surface is the flat underside of the device 20.

[0081] Inner portion 34 has been applied as a central block or circular mass of adhesive. Substantially half of the total adhesive applied to device 20 is applied as this central mass of adhesive. In other examples, inner portion 34 of adhesive may be applied as a circular line of adhesive.

[0082] exist Figure 3A In , the outer line 32 of adhesive has been applied as a circular outline corresponding to the outer outline of the device 20. The outer line 32 of adhesive is a broken or dashed line. In other examples, the outer line 32 can be a solid line of adhesive. Figure 3A In the example of , the outer line 32 of adhesive is positioned approximately one-third of the way from the outer contour to the center of the device 20. That is, the outer line of adhesive is spaced approximately r / 3 from the outer edge of the patch, where r is the radius of the device 20.

[0083] The device 20 is applied to the surface of the tire 30 by applying pressure to the device to spread the inner portion and outer line of adhesive in a substantially uniform film over substantially the entire adhesion surface. Figure 3B Device 20 is shown adhered to tire 30. A thin film of adhesive 22 can be seen between device 20 and tire 30. The substantially uniform film of adhesive 22 securely secures the device to tire 30.

[0084] The invention has been described above purely by way of example. The invention may be modified in detail within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, features from one example may be combined with alternative examples, unless such a combination is explicitly excluded.

Claims

1. A method of adhering a device to a tire, the method comprising: applying an adhesive to a surface of the device, wherein applying the adhesive comprises: applying an inner portion of an adhesive to the surface of the device; and applying an outer line of adhesive to the surface of the device, wherein the outer line of adhesive at least partially surrounds the inner portion of adhesive; The method further comprises: applying the device to the tire, wherein applying the device to the tire comprises: Pressure is applied to the device to spread the inner portion and the outer line of adhesive over the device to create a uniform film of adhesive between the device and the tire.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of adhesive and the outer line of adhesive are the same adhesive.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device is a radio frequency identification (RFID) patch or a holder type device for holding a sensor.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner portion of adhesive is an inner line of adhesive.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer line of adhesive is separate and distinct from the inner portion of adhesive.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner portion of adhesive is applied on or along a centre line of the device.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer line of adhesive defines a shape corresponding to an outer contour of the device.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer line of adhesive is an uninterrupted line completely surrounding the inner portion of adhesive.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the outer edge of the device and the outer line of the adhesive is greater than one-eighth of the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner part of the adhesive and less than three-quarters of the distance between the outer edge of the device and the inner part of the adhesive.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of adhesive applied to form the inner portion of adhesive is between 80% and 120% of the amount of adhesive applied to form the outer line of adhesive.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total amount of adhesive applied to form the inner portion and the outer line of the combination of adhesives, in grams per surface area, is between 0.3 g / dm 2 and 0.6 g / dm 2 between.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein applying the device to the tire comprises first applying pressure to the center of the device and moving the pressure outwardly toward the exterior of the device.

13. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein applying the device to the tire comprises applying a pressure of between 80 kPa and 120 kPa.

14. The method of any preceding claim, wherein applying the device to the tire comprises applying the pressure for between 1 second and 180 seconds.

15. A method for manufacturing a tyre comprising the method according to claims 1 to 14.

Images