Method for restoring monitoring function in tire and associated tire

Abstract

The present application relates to a method for restoring a monitoring function in a tyre (99) and a tyre (99) adapted for such a method for restoring, the method comprising: producing a vulcanized tyre (99) comprising at least a first cleaning portion (A1) and a second cleaning portion (A2) of an inner surface (1) of the tyre (99); fixing a first monitoring means (3) to the first cleaning part (A1) and leaving the second cleaning part (A2) free of monitoring means; and fixing a second monitoring device (4) to the second cleaning part (A2) after the monitoring function of the first monitoring device (3) fixed to the first cleaning part (A1) is lost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for restoring a monitoring function in a tire and to a tire suitable for implementing this method. Background Art

[0002] Typically, a tire has a substantially toroidal structure about its axis of rotation during operation and has an equatorial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, which is typically a plane of (substantially) geometric symmetry (e.g. ignoring any small asymmetries such as the tread design and / or text on the sidewalls and / or internal structure).

[0003] By "crown portion" is meant the portion of the tire situated at the tread band.

[0004] The terms "radial" and "axial" are used to refer to the direction perpendicular to and parallel to the tire's axis of rotation, respectively.

[0005] The term "tangential" is used to refer to a direction generally facing the direction of rolling of the tire, which is perpendicular to both the radial and axial directions.

[0006] There are known tires that include a monitoring device fixed to the inner surface of the tire at the crown portion to implement a monitoring function of one or more physical quantities related to the tire, such as, for example, temperature, pressure, acceleration of the inner surface, deformation of the inner surface, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In the context of the manufacture of tires that include a monitoring device, the manufacturing process typically includes, in sequence, building a green tire, curing the tire, and securing the monitoring device to the inner surface of the cured tire.

[0008] Before the monitoring device is fixed, the portion of the inner surface at the point where the monitoring device must be fixed is usually treated or protected so that it is substantially free of contaminants remaining from vulcanization (such as silicone mold release agents used in the vulcanization chamber and / or on the green tire). These contaminants can actually affect the stable and lasting adhesion of the monitoring device to the inner surface of the tire.

[0009] After the monitoring device has been fixed, for example after the tire has been placed on the market, circumstances may arise which may prevent the correct functioning of the monitoring device. For example, the monitoring device may be physically damaged, for example due to mechanical impact during the mounting of the tire on the rim; or, during use of the tire, the monitoring device may malfunction, fail and / or become detached, for example due to the high accelerations to which it is subjected during use; or the monitoring device may cease to function due to exhaustion of its respective power supply.

[0010] In these cases, in order to restore the monitoring function, the monitoring device that no longer functions must be replaced by removing the monitoring device itself and the means for fixing the monitoring device (protective shell made of rubber or other materials, glue, etc.), and strictly cleaning the inner surface of the tire for fixing the new monitoring device.

[0011] Furthermore, since these events that render the monitoring device ineffective may occur after the tire has already been placed on the market, restoring the monitoring function is consequently largely entrusted to external operators who are not always adequately equipped or trained to perform such removal, rigorous cleaning, and replacement operations. In particular, poorly performed removal and / or cleaning operations may result in unstable fixing of the new monitoring device or even damage to the tire's inner surface (e.g., the inner liner, which may compromise the desired airtightness of the tire itself). In particularly severe cases, the entire tire may even need to be replaced.

[0012] The Applicant was therefore faced with the problem of restoring the monitoring function in a tire by a reliable and at the same time simple, rapid and economical procedure that did not necessarily require the use of specialized personnel or special equipment, nor the replacement of the entire tire.

[0013] The Applicant has discovered that this problem can be solved by providing the tire with at least two cleaning sections downstream of vulcanization, one of which serves to secure a first monitoring device and the other, if necessary, to secure only a further monitoring device different from the first. In fact, the Applicant has surprisingly discovered that the additional cleaning section implemented on a new tire lends itself (possibly even after only a simple cleaning) to securing a corresponding monitoring device long after the tire has been produced (e.g., even months later, for example, after the tire has been placed on the market and / or stored and / or used).

[0014] Thus, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for restoring a monitoring function in a tire. The method comprises:

[0015] - producing a vulcanized tire comprising (at least) a first clean portion and a second clean portion of the inner surface of the tire;

[0016] - fixing a first monitoring device to the first cleaning section and leaving the second cleaning section free of a monitoring device; and

[0017] - after the first monitoring device fixed to the first cleaning portion loses its monitoring function, a second monitoring device is fixed to the second cleaning portion.

[0018] By "clean portion" is defined a portion of the inner surface of a vulcanized tire that is substantially free of contaminating agents (eg, silicone release agents) remaining from the vulcanization of the tire.

[0019] As mentioned above, the applicant has surprisingly discovered that, contrary to expectations, the additional clean portion produced inside a new tire (i.e., the aforementioned second clean portion, distinct from the first clean portion) also lends itself to being used for securing the corresponding monitoring device at a time after the tire has been produced (e.g., even months later, for example, after the tire has been placed on the market and / or stored and / or used). In fact, the applicant has verified that, during this period and / or these events, the second clean portion generally becomes dirty, but to a less severe degree (for the purpose of effective cleaning for securing the new monitoring device) than the rest of the tire's inner surface, on which residues of the contaminating agent used during vulcanization remain.

[0020] The applicant has also verified that new, functional monitoring devices can be applied to additional cleaning sections even after the tire has been used and / or stored for months, without the need for specialized personnel, hard-to-find cleaning materials and / or special machines (e.g. laser cleaning systems, etc.).

[0021] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a vulcanized tire comprising (at least) a first cleaning portion and a second cleaning portion of the inner surface of the tire, wherein the tire comprises a first monitoring device fixed to the first cleaning portion and the second cleaning portion is free of monitoring devices.

[0022] The present invention, in one or more of its aspects, may exhibit one or more of the following preferred features.

[0023] Preferably, the first cleaning section is spatially separated from the second cleaning section.

[0024] Preferably, the first cleaning portion and / or the second cleaning portion are made at the crown portion of the tire, so as to facilitate the fixing of the corresponding monitoring device.

[0025] Preferably, the tire comprises a plurality of cleaning portions including the first cleaning portion and the second cleaning portion (e.g., the tire comprises a third cleaning portion without a monitoring device), wherein the plurality of cleaning portions are more preferably (substantially) evenly distributed at an angle along the inner surface of the tire (relative to the rotation axis of the tire). In this way, when all cleaning portions are simultaneously occupied by corresponding monitoring devices, the mass arrangement of these monitoring devices is balanced relative to the rotation of the tire.

[0026] Preferably, the method includes maintaining the first monitoring device fixed to the first cleaning portion after the second monitoring device is fixed. In other words, the first monitoring device may not even be removed. This may save time and / or effort required on the tire's inner surface, and also reduce the risk of damaging the tire.

[0027] In one embodiment, the method comprises producing the first clean portion and / or the second clean portion by laser abrasion of the inner surface performed downstream of the vulcanization of the tire (before the first monitoring device is fixed). The Applicant has observed that the laser effectively removes the residues of the release agent.

[0028] Preferably, the method comprises marking a (graphic) symbol on the inner surface, more preferably at the first clean portion and / or the second clean portion, the (graphic) symbol representing the intersection of the inner surface and the equatorial plane of the tire, the marking being more preferably performed by laser writing, and even more preferably performed concomitantly (e.g. simultaneously or immediately after) the creation of the first clean portion and / or the second clean portion by laser abrasion. In this way, a reference is also advantageously provided for fixing a monitoring device that needs to be fixed to the inner surface in a given spatial relationship relative to the equatorial plane of the tire.

[0029] In one embodiment, in order to make the first cleaning part and / or the second cleaning part, the method comprises the following steps:

[0030] -Manufacturing of green tires;

[0031] - applying a first protective sheet and / or a second protective sheet (e.g. a film made of nylon and / or polyester and / or poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, e.g. multilayer, rubber, Teflon, Mylar) at the respective first and / or second portions of the respective inner surface precursors of the first cleaning portion and / or the second cleaning portion TM Polyesters, polyurethanes, polyolefins such as polyethylene and / or polypropylene, etc.);

[0032] - vulcanizing the green tire; and

[0033] - Removing the first protection sheet and / or the second protection sheet from the vulcanized tire.

[0034] In this way, the first cleaning section and / or the second cleaning section are simple and / or cheap to manufacture.

[0035] Preferably, the fixing of the second monitoring device is performed after the commercialization of the tire, more preferably after the use of the tire in a vehicle wheel and / or after a certain period of storage of the tire (for example greater than three months / six months). In fact, the second cleaning part can be used at any time after the tire production.

[0036] Preferably, the method comprises, before attaching the second monitoring device, cleaning the second cleaning portion with a detergent, more preferably only manually. In this way, restoration is particularly simple, fast, and inexpensive. The Applicant has verified that a simple cleaning of the second cleaning portion with a detergent (or even manually) is sufficient to restore it to a clean state suitable for attaching the monitoring device (i.e., as if it had just been made on a new tire).

[0037] Preferably, cleaning with the detergent is performed using a solvent, such as a hydrocarbon-based solvent (e.g. a solvent for contaminants and / or release agents, such as silicone release agents, and / or a solvent containing or based on limonene). For example, the hydrocarbon-based solvent may be Liquid Buffer produced by Rema Tip Top AG. TM Tire solvent or Rub-O-Matic Tire Solvent manufactured by Tech Tire Repair Supplies & Equipment. Applicants have found that this type of solvent is beneficial for cleaning the second cleaning portion.

[0038] In one embodiment, cleaning with the detergent is performed using a ketone solvent, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), or the like.

[0039] In one embodiment, cleaning with said detergent is performed by using an alcohol-based solvent, more preferably denatured alcohol.

[0040] In one embodiment, cleaning with the detergent is performed by using one or more of the above-mentioned solvents.

[0041] For example, the solvent may be in liquid form or in aerosol form.

[0042] Preferably, the first monitoring device and / or the second monitoring device comprises an electronic unit.

[0043] Preferably, the electronic unit comprises: at least one sensor; a processing unit; and a transceiver, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect at least one of the following physical quantities: temperature, pressure, acceleration, and deformation.

[0044] Preferably, the at least one sensor is adapted to detect at least two of the following physical quantities: temperature, pressure, acceleration, deformation, for example, temperature and pressure. Even more preferably, the at least one sensor is adapted to detect at least three of the aforementioned physical quantities, or even all four of the aforementioned physical quantities. Preferably, the at least one sensor is adapted to detect acceleration, more preferably at least one component of the acceleration (axial, radial, and / or tangential). In this way, the monitoring device provides particularly useful data for determining the state and / or function of the tire and / or the behavior of the vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0045] Preferably, the first monitoring device and / or the second monitoring device comprises a power supply electrically connected to the electronic unit.

[0046] By “power supply” is meant a component configured to supply electrical power, whether the supplied power is previously accumulated (as in an accumulator, such as a battery or capacitor) or the supplied power is generated and / or received on-site in real time (such as in an energy recovery device or “energy harvester” in combination with or without an energy accumulator).

[0047] Typically, the power supply is an electrical power accumulator, more preferably comprising a battery, such as a button cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 schematically shows a cross section of a tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 schematically shows a cross section of a tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The corresponding perspective views schematically show details of a tire according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not by way of limitation of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of restoring monitoring functionality in a tire 99 .

[0053] The method comprises producing a cured tire 99 comprising at least a first clean portion A1 and a second clean portion A2 of the inner surface 1 of the tire 99 .

[0054] For example, in Figure 1In the embodiment of the present invention, the tire 99 only includes the two cleaning parts A1 and A2. Figure 2 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the tire 99 illustratively further includes a third cleaning portion A3.

[0055] In particular, the present invention may provide any number (greater than or equal to two) of clean portions of the inner surface 1 of the tire 99 .

[0056] Illustratively, each of the cleaning portions A1 , A2 and A3 is made at the crown portion 2 of the tire 99 , wherein the cleaning portions are spatially separated from each other.

[0057] In an embodiment not shown, the first cleaning section and the second cleaning section (and possibly also the third cleaning section) may be distinct from each other and spatially adjacent, provided that sufficient space is provided to secure two different monitoring devices.

[0058] Illustratively, the cleaning portions A1, A2, and A3 are arranged along the inner surface 1 of the tire 99 relative to the rotation axis 100 of the tire 99 (at Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, the + symbol is used to represent the distribution of the angular distribution. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the first cleaning part A1 and the second cleaning part A2 are illustratively arranged completely opposite to each other, and Figure 2 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the three cleaning sections A1 , A2 and A3 are arranged at an angle of (approximately) 120° to each other.

[0059] In one embodiment, the method comprises producing one or more (advantageously all) of the cleaned portions A1, A2 and A3 (according to this embodiment) by laser ablation performed downstream of the vulcanization of the tire 99. Exemplarily, for performing the cleaning by laser ablation, known laser cleaning systems can be used, such as those sold by the company 4JET Technologies GmbH and / or the company SLCR Lasertechnik GmbH.

[0060] In one embodiment, the method may further comprise: marking a graphic symbol (not shown) on the inner surface 1 at one or more of the clean portions, the graphic symbol representing the intersection of the inner surface 1 and the equatorial plane (not shown) of the tire, the marking being performed, for example, by laser writing and advantageously accompanied by (for example, simultaneously or immediately after) the creation of the clean portion by the above-mentioned laser abrasion.

[0061] In another embodiment, in order to make one or more (advantageously all) of the cleaning portions A1, A2 and A3 (according to this embodiment), the method may exemplarily include: applying a protective sheet (e.g. a film made of nylon and / or polyester and / or poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, e.g. a multilayer, rubber, Teflon, Mylar) on the green tire (precursor of the vulcanized tire 99) at the corresponding portion of the inner surface 1. TM Polyester, polyurethane, polyolefin, such as polyethylene and / or polypropylene, etc.), the corresponding portion of the inner surface 1 is a precursor of the corresponding clean portion (that is, a protective film is applied to each clean portion to be produced, and the surface extension of the protective film substantially corresponds to the surface extension of the corresponding clean portion downstream of vulcanization). Therefore, it is exemplarily provided that the green tire is vulcanized with the protective sheet applied to the inner surface, and then each protective sheet is removed from the vulcanized tire.

[0062] After the cleaning parts have been made (independent of the manufacturing method used), the method thus comprises: fixing the first monitoring device 3 to the first cleaning part A1 (for example by gluing) and fixing the second cleaning part A2 (and any other cleaning parts that may be present, such as Figure 2 The clean part A3) of the tire has no monitoring device.

[0063] Exemplarily, the first monitoring device 3 includes an electronic unit (not shown), which in turn includes at least one sensor (not shown), a processing unit (not shown) and a transceiver (not shown), wherein the at least one sensor is used to detect at least one (preferably all) of the following physical quantities: temperature, pressure, acceleration, deformation. Exemplarily, the first monitoring device also includes a power supply (not shown, for example, a button battery) electrically connected to the electronic unit. Exemplarily, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first monitoring device 3 may comprise an enlarged surface portion suitable for being durably fixed to the inner surface 1 of the tire 99. Exemplarily, this surface may be made using a sheet of elastomeric material (optionally reinforced with textile or metal cords), as described, for example, in patent application WO 2018 / 065846 belonging to the same applicant, or by an enlarged base portion of encapsulating material for protecting the electronic unit and / or the power supply, as described, for example, in patent application WO 2019 / 123118 belonging to the same applicant.

[0064] By way of example, the tire 99 is thus equipped with the monitoring function realized by the first monitoring device 3. The tire 99 thus obtained is shown by way of example in Figure 1-4 For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that Figure 3 and Figure 4 can equivalently refer to Figure 1Examples and Figure 2 Embodiment 99 of both tires.

[0065] The method for restoring further comprises: after the first monitoring device 3 fixed on the first cleaning part A1 loses its monitoring function, (for example, by gluing) the second monitoring device 4 (on the Figure 4 The second cleaning portion A2 is shown with a dotted line in FIG.

[0066] exist Figure 2 In an embodiment, the third cleaning section A3 can be used alternatively as the second cleaning section A2 (i.e., the second cleaning section A2 is used to apply the second monitoring device 4 after the first monitoring device 3 loses its monitoring function), or subsequently in addition to the second cleaning section A2, i.e., the third cleaning section is used, for example, to apply the third monitoring device (not shown) after the second monitoring device (also) loses its monitoring function.

[0067] For example, the second monitoring device 4 (and possibly also the third monitoring device) is similar to the first monitoring device 3 briefly described above, eg with regard to the monitoring function and / or structure.

[0068] The loss of the aforementioned monitoring functions of the first monitoring device 3 may result from one or more of the following events involving the first monitoring device 3: damage, detachment (detachment from the inner surface 1), electrical / electronic failure, exhaustion of the corresponding power supply. In other words, the method for recovery provides for the application of the second monitoring device when the first monitoring device 3 is no longer able to perform one or more of its monitoring functions.

[0069] Typically, the above-mentioned events that can lead to the loss of the monitoring function also occur long after the sale of the tire 99 equipped with the first monitoring device 3 (for example even after several months). In fact, for example, the application of the second monitoring device 4 can be carried out after the sale of the tire 99, the subsequent use of the tire 99 in vehicle wheels and / or the storage of the tire for a period of time (for example more than three months / six months). In fact, the second cleaning portion A2 (or equivalently Figure 2 The third cleaning portion A3) in the embodiment of the present invention can be used at any time after the tire 99 is produced.

[0070] Incidentally, the Applicant has realized that the method for restoration according to the invention can also be advantageously used at the production stage of a vulcanized tire 99 comprising a first monitoring device 3. In fact, after having been physically fixed to the tire, the first monitoring device 3 can also be associated with the tire at IT level (for example software), in a coupling operation (also called "pairing"), the serial identification number of the first monitoring device 3 being uniquely associated with the serial identification number of the tire, so that each tire corresponds to one and only one corresponding monitoring device (for the purpose of subsequent use on the vehicle).

[0071] The Applicant has discovered that during the pairing operation described above, errors can sometimes occur, for example at the software level, preventing a positive outcome of the operation. In such cases, it is impossible to repeat the pairing operation with the same monitoring device, which must therefore be replaced. In particularly severe cases, both the monitoring device and the corresponding tire may have to be discarded.

[0072] In the above case, i.e. in case the pairing operation of the first monitoring device 3 fails, the second cleaning portion A2 (or equivalently Figure 2 The third cleaning portion A3) in the embodiment of FIG. 4 can be used immediately for applying the second monitoring device 4, thus allowing the production of tires equipped with the monitoring device to be completed.

[0073] Exemplarily, the method includes keeping the first monitoring device 3 fixed on the first cleaning portion A1 after fixing the second monitoring device 4. In other words, the first monitoring device 3 may not even be removed from the inner surface 1 of the tire 99.

[0074] Exemplarily, the method comprises cleaning the second cleaning portion A2 (or equivalently the third cleaning portion A3 ) with detergent, for example even only manually (eg using a cloth and / or paper), before fixing the second monitoring device 4 .

[0075] In one embodiment, the detergent used is advantageously a solvent, such as a hydrocarbon-based solvent (e.g., a solvent for contaminants and / or release agents, such as silicone release agents, and / or a solvent containing or based on limonene). For example, the hydrocarbon-based solvent may be Liquid Buffer produced by Rema Tip Top AG. TM Tire solvent or Rub-O-Matic tire solvent manufactured by TechTire Repair Supplies & Equipment.

[0076] Another type of useful solvent may include ketone solvents, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and the like.

[0077] In one embodiment, the detergent may be an alcohol-based solvent, preferably denatured alcohol.

[0078] For example, the solvent may be in liquid form or in aerosol form.

[0079] Alternatively, several simple cleaning phases with detergents can also be provided, optionally also combined with cleaning with one or more of the above-mentioned solvents.

[0080] Possibly, in the case where the third cleaning portion A3 is present and the second monitoring device 4 has also lost its monitoring function (even long after the loss of function of the first monitoring device 3, for example after further use and / or storage of the tire 99), the method for recovery may exemplarily comprise repeating the above-described stages involving the second monitoring device 4 and / or the second cleaning portion A2 (or the third cleaning portion A3 if used as a substitute for the second cleaning portion A2), and also involving the third monitoring device and / or the third cleaning portion A3 (or for the second cleaning portion A2, in the case where the third cleaning portion A3 has already been used in its place).

[0081] What has just been described in the case of three cleaning portions also applies to further cleaning portions of the inner surface 1 besides the third cleaning portion, each cleaning portion being intended to adapt a respective monitoring device in the event of a loss of functionality of a monitoring device previously fixed to the inner surface.

Claims

1. A method for restoring a monitoring function in a tire (99), the method comprising: - producing a vulcanized tire (99) comprising at least a first clean portion (A1) and a second clean portion (A2) of the inner surface (1) of the tire (99); - fixing a first monitoring device (3) to the first cleaning section (A1) and leaving the second cleaning section (A2) free of monitoring devices; as well as - After the monitoring function of the first monitoring device (3) fixed to the first cleaning part (A1) is lost, the second monitoring device (4) is fixed to the second cleaning part (A2).

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: After the second monitoring device (4) is fixed, the first monitoring device (3) is kept fixed on the first cleaning portion (A1).

3. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising: The first clean portion (A1) and / or the second clean portion (A2) are produced by laser abrasion of the inner surface (1) performed downstream of the vulcanization of the tire (99).

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: In order to produce the first clean part (A1) and / or the second clean part (A2), the following steps are performed: - Production of green tires; - applying a first protection sheet and / or a second protection sheet at the respective first portion and / or second portion of the respective inner surface (1) precursor of the first cleaning portion (A1) and / or the second cleaning portion (A2); - vulcanizing the green tire; as well as - Removing the first and / or second protection sheet from the vulcanized tire (99).

5. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising: A symbol indicating an intersection point between the inner surface (1) of the tire (99) and the equatorial plane is marked on the inner surface (1) at the first clean portion (A1) and / or the second clean portion (A2).

6. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising: Before fixing the second monitoring device (4), the second cleaning portion (A2) is cleaned with a detergent.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Cleaning with detergents is performed using one or more of the following: hydrocarbon-based solvents, ketone solvents, alcohol-based solvents.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first cleaning portion (A1) is spatially separated from the second cleaning portion (A2), and the first cleaning portion (A1) and / or the second cleaning portion (A2) are made at the crown portion (2) of the tire (99).

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The tire (99) comprises a plurality of cleaning portions including the first cleaning portion (A1) and the second cleaning portion (A2), and the plurality of cleaning portions are substantially evenly distributed at an angle along the inner surface (1) of the tire (99).

10. A vulcanized tire (99), comprising at least a first clean portion (A1) and a second clean portion (A2) of an inner surface (1) of the tire (99), wherein: The tire (99) comprises a first monitoring device (3) fixed to the first cleaning portion (A1), and the second cleaning portion (A2) has no monitoring device.

Images