Tire having tread wear monitoring function

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread portion comprising one or more tread blocks and a tread strip with embedded electromagnetic identification tags. Further, the tire includes a tag reader disposed at the inner surface of the tire, the tag reader adapted to wirelessly read the tag. In a second aspect, a tire includes an NFC tag embedded in a tread portion of the tire, and an NFC tag reader radially below the tread portion, the NFC tag reader adapted to wirelessly read the NFC tag. In a third aspect, a tire tread wear monitoring system includes an electromagnetic identification tag in one of tread blocks and ribs of a tire, where a tag antenna and a tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel, and the two antennas are at a distance from each other of at most 2 cm in a direction perpendicular to a radial direction of the tire.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tire including a tread portion comprising an electromagnetic identification tag, such as an NFC tag, and an electromagnetic identification tag reader. Furthermore, this invention relates to a tire tread wear monitoring system comprising a tire with an electromagnetic identification tag and an electromagnetic identification tag reader. Background Technology

[0002] Over the past few years, various systems have been proposed for monitoring tire tread wear, particularly during tire use. However, in many cases, such systems are expensive and / or have considerable weight and size, making it difficult to incorporate them into tires. Despite recent advancements in the field of tire tread wear monitoring, there is still room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a tire comprising a circumferential tread portion including one or more tread blocks and tread strips. Furthermore, the tire includes an electromagnetic identification tag embedded in one of the tread blocks and tread strips, and an inner surface radially below the tread portion. Additionally, the tire includes an electromagnetic identification tag reader disposed on the inner surface and adapted to wirelessly read the electromagnetic identification tag.

[0004] In a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a tire comprising a circumferential tread portion, an NFC tag embedded in the circumferential tread portion, and an NFC tag reader radially disposed below the tread portion and adapted to wirelessly read the NFC tag.

[0005] In a third aspect of the invention, the present invention relates to a tire tread wear monitoring system comprising a tire, the tire including i) a tread portion comprising one or more tread blocks and tread strips; and ii) an inner surface at least partially surrounding the tire cavity. Furthermore, the tread wear monitoring system includes: an electromagnetic identification tag including an electromagnetic identification tag antenna and embedded in one of the tread blocks and tread strips; and an electromagnetic identification tag reader extending into the tire cavity and including an electromagnetic identification tag reader antenna. Still according to the third aspect, the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel, and the distance between the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire is at most 2 cm.

[0006] This invention also provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] 1. A tire comprising:

[0008] The circumferential tread portion includes one or more tread blocks and tread strips;

[0009] An electromagnetic identification tag is embedded in one of the tread pattern blocks and the tread pattern strips;

[0010] On the inner surface radially below the tread portion; and

[0011] An electromagnetic identification tag reader disposed on the inner surface and adapted to wirelessly read the electromagnetic identification tag.

[0012] 2. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein the tag includes a tag antenna and the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, and wherein the tag reader is attached to the inner surface such that the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

[0013] 3. The tire according to technical solution 2, wherein the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are arranged radially above and below each other, thereby overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

[0014] 4. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein the electromagnetic identification tag is an NFC tag.

[0015] 5. The tire according to technical solution 4, wherein the electromagnetic identification tag is one or more of a passive NFC tag and a tag with a communication frequency in the range of 11MHz to 15MHz.

[0016] 6. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the tire is a pneumatic tire including an inner liner, the inner liner including an inner surface that at least partially surrounds the tire cavity, and wherein the electromagnetic identification tag reader is attached to the inner liner and extends into the tire cavity.

[0017] 7. The tire according to technical solution 6, wherein:

[0018] The tag reader is attached to the tire's inner liner radially below the tread and axially between two axially opposite circumferential shoulder portions of the tread, wherein

[0019] The tag includes a tag antenna, and the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, wherein

[0020] The tag reader is attached to the inner surface such that the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel to each other, and wherein...

[0021] The tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are arranged radially above and below each other, and overlap each other in the axial and circumferential directions.

[0022] 8. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein the equatorial plane of the tire extends through one or more of i) an electromagnetic identification tag reader and ii) an electromagnetic identification tag.

[0023] 9. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein the tread portion includes at least one tread groove, the tread groove includes a bottom and includes a tread wear indicator, the tread wear indicator i) extending radially outward from the bottom of the tread groove, and ii) including a radially outermost tread wear indicator surface at a radial height h, and wherein the label is positioned at a radial height ranging from h-1mm to h+2mm.

[0024] 10. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the tread portion comprises one or more elastomer compositions, and the label is completely surrounded by the one or more elastomer compositions.

[0025] 11. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein the label includes one or more of the following:

[0026] Radial thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm;

[0027] Axial extensions ranging from 3mm to 50mm;

[0028] Circumferential extension in the range of 3mm to 50mm;

[0029] Its radial thickness is in the range of 0.01 to 0.5, and its aspect ratio of the circumferential extension; and

[0030] A flat shape that extends substantially perpendicular to the radial direction.

[0031] 12. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the tire includes a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit information from the tag reader.

[0032] 13. The tire according to claim 6, wherein the pneumatic tire further includes a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly including at least a tire pressure sensor and a transmitter, wherein the sensor assembly is adapted to wirelessly transmit information from the tag reader via the transmitter.

[0033] 14. The tire according to claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly further comprises one or more of the following: a sensor assembly housing that at least partially surrounds the tire pressure sensor and the tag reader; one or more additional sensors; a power supply; a processing unit; a data storage device; a wireless signal receiver; a memory; a transceiver; and a transducer.

[0034] 15. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein two or more electromagnetic identification tags are embedded in the one or more tread blocks and tread strips at different radial heights, thereby being successively sacrificed as the one or more tread blocks and tread strips wear.

[0035] 16. The tire according to technical solution 1, wherein the tire includes three or more electromagnetic identification tags embedded in the tread portion, wherein a first tag of the tags is disposed in a first shoulder portion of the tread portion, a second tag of the tags is disposed in a second shoulder portion of the tread portion axially opposite to the first shoulder portion, and a third tag of the tags is axially disposed between the first shoulder portion and the second shoulder portion.

[0036] 17. A tire comprising:

[0037] Circumferential tread portion;

[0038] An NFC tag embedded in the circumferential tread portion; and

[0039] An NFC tag reader is radially positioned below the tread portion and is adapted to wirelessly read the NFC tag.

[0040] 18. The tire according to claim 17, wherein the tire is a pneumatic tire, and wherein the tire further comprises:

[0041] An inner liner that at least partially surrounds the tire cavity; and

[0042] A sensor assembly is attached radially below the NFC tag to the inner liner, wherein the sensor assembly includes a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter, and the NFC tag reader, and wherein the sensor assembly is adapted to wirelessly transmit information from the tire pressure sensor and from the tag reader via the transmitter.

[0043] 19. A tire tread wear monitoring system, comprising:

[0044] The tire includes i) a tread portion comprising one or more tread blocks and tread stripes, and ii) an inner surface that at least partially surrounds the tire cavity;

[0045] An electromagnetic identification tag, comprising an electromagnetic identification tag antenna, and embedded in one of the tread blocks and tread strips;

[0046] An electromagnetic identification tag reader extends into the tire cavity and includes an electromagnetic identification tag reader antenna.

[0047] The tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel to each other, and

[0048] The distance between the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna in the direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire is at most 2 cm.

[0049] 20. The tire tread wear monitoring system according to technical solution 19, wherein the electromagnetic identification tag is an NFC tag, and the radial distance between the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna is at most 10 cm. Attached Figure Description

[0050] The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inflatable tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tire includes an NFC tag and a corresponding tag reader, the tag reader being radially disposed below the tread and extending into the tire cavity.

[0052] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inflatable tire according to another embodiment of the present invention, the tire including an NFC tag and a tag reader, the tag reader being attached to the inner surface of the tire radially below the tread via a container carrying the tag reader and sensor assembly;

[0053] Figure 3 It is a tag reader (such as Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the tag reader already shown in the embodiments;

[0054] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tire according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a tag reader is disposed in a sensor assembly housing, which is attached to the inner surface of the tire radially below the tread via a container and extends into the tire cavity.

[0055] Figure 5 It includes the sensor assembly and / or sensor assembly housing (such as according to...) of the tag reader. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the sensor assembly;

[0056] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tire according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the tread portion includes a plurality of labels along the axial direction of the tire and a corresponding label reader radially disposed below each label;

[0057] Figure 7This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tire according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein a plurality of sacrificial tags are stacked radially above and below each other along the axial center portion of the tread portion, and wherein a tag reader is attached to the radially inner surface of the tire facing the tire cavity; and

[0058] Figure 8 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring tire tread wear using an NFC tag and an NFC tag reader according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0059] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a tire comprising a circumferential tread portion including one or more tread blocks and tread strips (such as circumferential tread strips). Furthermore, the tire includes an electromagnetic identification tag embedded in one of the tread blocks and tread strips, and an inner (or radially inward) surface radially below the tread portion. Additionally, the tire includes an electromagnetic identification tag reader disposed on the inner surface and adapted to wirelessly read the electromagnetic identification tag.

[0060] Because the electromagnetic identification tag is positioned in one of the tread blocks or tread strips of the tread portion (e.g., radially positioned between the bottom of adjacent tread grooves and the outermost radial surface of the tread portion), the tag is sacrificed when tread wear reaches the radial height at which it embeds into one of the tread blocks or tread strips. Once this sacrificed tag is damaged or lost, the tag reader can no longer read the tag, indicating the tread wear condition corresponding to the tag's original radial position or radial embedment height. Furthermore, a tag reader positioned on and preferably attached to the inner surface of the tire allows for reliable and / or efficient tag reading. In contrast, remote tag reading over longer distances and through potential signal-blocking obstacles, such as from a central vehicle communication system, is not necessary. Additionally, the attachment of the tag reader to the tire provides a fixed relative positioning of the tag and the tag reader.

[0061] In one embodiment, the tag includes a tag antenna, and the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, wherein the tag reader is optionally attached to an inner surface such that the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel. The substantially parallel orientation should include an angle deviating from the parallel orientation by at most 10°, optionally at most 5°. Such an orientation provides improved signal transmission between the tag and the tag reader.

[0062] In another embodiment, the tag antenna and / or tag reader antenna is, for example, a coil antenna extending in a plane, or in other words, a planar coil antenna. Optionally, the coil antenna is disposed on a flat and / or flexible sheet, such as printed on the sheet. This design is particularly advantageous for achieving improved transmission and is compact and cost-effective.

[0063] In another embodiment, the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are arranged radially above and below each other, preferably overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction and / or in the axial and circumferential directions of the tire. Such an arrangement further improves signal transmission and / or allows for the use of smaller antennas or lower signal transmission energy. The reliability of signal transmission can be further improved.

[0064] In another embodiment, the distance between the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna is at most 20 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, and is measured in the radial direction perpendicular to the tire. In other words, lateral distance or displacement is preferably limited accordingly. This distance is measured between the two closest points of the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna, or the shortest distance between the two antennas in the radial direction perpendicular to the tire. If the two antennas overlap (e.g., partially or completely overlap) in the radial direction perpendicular to the tire, this distance can be considered zero.

[0065] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic identification tag is an NFC (Near Field Communication) identification tag, or in other words, an NFC tag. The terms NFC tag and NFC identification tag are used interchangeably herein. Typically, the communication frequency of an NFC tag is approximately 13.56 MHz. Optionally, the NFC identification tag is an electromagnetic identification tag with a communication frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz.

[0066] In another embodiment, the radial distance between the tag and the tag reader is less than 10 cm, preferably less than 9 cm, more preferably less than 5 cm, or even more preferably less than 4 cm, or most preferably less than 3 cm. Typically, such a small distance cannot be achieved using an external tag reader permanently mounted to the vehicle well and / or vehicle chassis, such as one used to monitor tire tread wear when the tire is mounted to the vehicle and / or during driving. Potential monitoring during driving is generally not feasible using a portable tag reader. Furthermore, reading a tag embedded in the tread portion using a portable reader would require identifying the tag's location. Additionally, tags on parked vehicles may face the road surface, thus hindering tag reading using a portable tag reader.

[0067] In another embodiment, the tag is one or more of a passive NFC tag and a tag with a communication frequency in the range of 11 MHz to 15 MHz, preferably in the range of 13 MHz to 14 MHz, or about 13.56 MHz. NFC tags, especially passive NFC tags, can have a very small size, especially a thinness, and / or be cost-effective, and are easy to integrate into the tire tread, such as between two radially adjacent circumferential tread layers (e.g., tread crown layers).

[0068] In another embodiment, the NFC tag is an active tag. NFC tags (including NFC passive tags and NFC active tags) are commercially available.

[0069] In another embodiment, the tire is one of a pneumatic tire and a non-pneumatic tire, and / or the tread portion preferably comprises one or more elastomeric compositions, such as rubber compositions.

[0070] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic identification tag is a radio frequency identification tag, such as one with a communication frequency in the range of 1 kHz to 300 GHz, for example preferably from 100 kHz to 10 GHz.

[0071] In another embodiment, the tire is a pneumatic tire (e.g., a radial pneumatic tire, and / or a pneumatic bus tire or pneumatic truck tire) comprising an inner liner including an inner surface that at least partially surrounds the tire cavity, and wherein an electromagnetic identification tag reader is optionally attached to the inner liner and extends into the tire cavity. For example, the tag reader may be attached to the inner surface after the tire has been vulcanized. In another option, the tire may be a sulfur-vulcanized tire. Providing the tag reader at the inner surface of the tire also helps ensure proper relative positioning of the tag and the tag reader. For example, if the tag reader is fixed to the rim on which the tire is mounted, the relative positioning of the tag located in the tread portion of the tire and the tag reader mounted to the rim may be more difficult.

[0072] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic identification tag reader is attached to the radially inner surface of the liner layer, radially below the tread and / or axially between two axially opposite shoulder portions of the tread. Alternatively, the tag includes a tag antenna, and the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, wherein the tag reader is optionally attached to the inner surface such that the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel. Alternatively, the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are arranged radially vertically relative to each other to overlap in both the axial and circumferential directions.

[0073] In another embodiment, the equatorial plane of the tire extends through one or more of i) the electromagnetic identification tag reader and ii) the electromagnetic identification tag. Therefore, the tag reader and / or tag are relatively centered relative to the axial direction of the tire, which helps to provide a well-balanced tire and, on the other hand, helps to detect tread wear in the axially central portion of the tire, where one or more physical tread wear indicators are typically also provided and / or required.

[0074] In another embodiment, the tread portion includes tread grooves (e.g., separating tread blocks or tread strips), and the tag reader is radially embedded at a certain radial height above the bottom of adjacent tread grooves (such as adjacent circumferential tread grooves, and / or tread grooves including physical tread wear indicators extending radially outward from the bottom of the tread grooves).

[0075] In another embodiment, at least one tread groove of the tread portion includes a (physical) tread wear indicator (typically composed of one or more elastomeric compositions, specifically a rubber composition), which i) extends radially outward from the (radially innermost) bottom of the tread groove, and / or ii) includes a radially outermost tread wear indicator surface at a radial height h. Preferably, the label is positioned at a radial height ranging from h-1 mm to h+2 mm, preferably h to h+2 mm, or h to h+1 mm. The radial height h is measured along a radial direction or equivalent direction from the axis of rotation of the tire to the radially outward direction. Therefore, the label is damaged or lost before the tread portion (or particularly, the corresponding tread block or tread strip) reaches the bottom of the groove, so that the tread portion is generally still in a state of normal driving on the road.

[0076] In another embodiment, the tread portion comprises one or more elastomeric compositions, and the label is completely surrounded by one or more elastomeric compositions. Completely surrounding the label with one or more elastomeric compositions helps protect the label from environmental influences such as corrosion from water and salt, or mechanical damage such as from stones, which could impair the label's normal function.

[0077] In another embodiment, the tag is arranged in the form of a thin plate extending substantially perpendicular to the radial direction. This arrangement helps to achieve more pronounced sacrificial wear or damage to the tag. Arranging the tag in the form of a thin plate does not require that the plate include a smooth surface. For example, the tag and / or the thin plate may carry an antenna (such as a coil antenna or planar coil antenna) and / or one or more electronic components, such as one or more chips, including, for example, one or more of a transponder chip, a memory chip, and a radio chip, extending parallel to the thin plate.

[0078] In another embodiment, the label includes one or more of the following: a radial thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm (preferably 0.05 mm to 1 mm); an axial extension in the range of 3 mm to 50 mm (preferably 3 mm to 30 mm); a circumferential extension in the range of 3 mm to 50 mm (preferably 3 mm to 30 mm); an aspect ratio of its radial thickness to that of its circumferential extension in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 (preferably 0.01 to 0.25); and, for example, a flat shape, a planar shape, and a sheet shape extending substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire.

[0079] In another embodiment, the tire includes a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit information from the tag reader to a remote receiver (such as included in a sensor assembly of the tire, and / or included in the tag reader). The transceiver may also be considered a transmitter, or may include a transmitter within the same component.

[0080] In another embodiment, the pneumatic tire includes a sensor assembly comprising one or more sensors (at least a tire (inflation) pressure sensor) and a transmitter, wherein the sensor assembly is adapted to wirelessly transmit one or more of tire pressure information from the pressure sensor and information from a tag reader via its transmitter. For example, the tag reader and the tire sensor assembly may include and / or share a single transmitter. Optionally, the sensor assembly includes a tag reader. Such an arrangement allows the tag reader to use one or more components of the sensor assembly. Optionally, the sensor assembly is also adapted to transmit information from additional sensors within the sensor assembly.

[0081] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a housing that at least partially surrounds the tire pressure sensor (and optionally one or more other sensors) and the tag reader. Thus, the tag reader and the tire pressure sensor can share a single housing, thereby simplifying, for example, attachment to the tire. For instance, the housing can be attached to the radially inner surface of the liner by one or more of the following methods: adhesive, adhesive tape, vulcanization, co-vulcanization, mechanical interlocking (such as via hook and loop connections), and other suitable attachment techniques.

[0082] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a housing, and a tag reader is disposed within the housing.

[0083] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a housing, wherein the tag reader is disposed adjacent to the housing and / or the sensor assembly, preferably radially disposed above the sensor assembly and / or the housing.

[0084] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly, and optionally its housing, further includes one or more of the following: one or more additional sensors (e.g., one or more accelerometers, temperature sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors), a power source (e.g., a battery), a processing unit, a data storage device, a wireless signal receiver, an additional transmitter, a transceiver, a memory, and a transducer. In one option, the sensor assembly includes a tag reader. In another option, the tag reader uses one or more of the sensor assembly's power source, processing unit, data storage device, and memory. In other words, the sensor assembly shares one or more of the power source, processing unit, data storage device, and memory with the tag reader. The tag reader itself may optionally not have one or more of the power source, processing unit, and data storage device. In other words, the tag reader may be powered by the sensor assembly's power source. The tag reader may be controlled by the sensor assembly's processing unit, and / or information from the tag reader may be processed by the sensor assembly's processing unit. The tag reader may store the received information in the sensor assembly's data storage device and / or memory. Alternatively, the information read by the tag reader may optionally be processed by the processing unit of the sensor assembly to obtain processed tag reader information. Alternatively, the sensor assembly may be adapted to wirelessly transmit the information read by the tag reader (optionally including processed tag reader information) to a remote receiver via its transmitter.

[0085] In another embodiment, the tag reader is configured to send a tag read request to a tag and receive a response from the tag. For example, the tag may include a transponder.

[0086] In another embodiment, the tag reader and / or sensor components are configured to wirelessly transmit information indicating that the tag has not responded (e.g., after the tag reader sends a tag read request to the tag) to a receiver (such as a remote receiver) via a transmitter if the tag does not respond to the tag read request.

[0087] In another embodiment, the remote receiver includes one or more of a data cloud, a mobile device (such as a laptop, cellular phone, or tablet), a computer, a vehicle communication system, a driver, and a fleet manager. Optionally, information transmitted from the tag reader and / or transmitter of the sensor components can be transmitted via radio frequency transmission. It can be implemented using one or more of the following technologies: WAN, Wifi, GSM, and others.

[0088] In another embodiment, the tread portion includes one or more tread blocks and tread strips, wherein a label is disposed within one of these tread blocks and / or tread strips.

[0089] In another embodiment, two or more electromagnetic identification tags are embedded in one or more tread blocks and tread strips, preferably at different radial heights (e.g., radially embedded above and below each other), so that they are (sequentially) sacrificed as the one or more tread blocks and tread strips wear down. This arrangement helps provide information about the radial wear condition of the tread, and / or the tread blocks and / or tread strips, especially considering that two or more tags are already embedded at a known radial height. If the tag reader no longer receives communication from one of the tags (especially from the outermost radial tag), this indicates that the tread wear has reached the radial height at which the corresponding tag is embedded.

[0090] In another embodiment, three or more electromagnetic identification tags are embedded in the tread portion, wherein a first tag is disposed in a first circumferential shoulder portion (tread block or tread strip) of the tread portion, a second tag is disposed in a second circumferential shoulder portion (tread block or tread strip) of the tread portion axially opposite the first shoulder portion, and a third tag is axially disposed between these shoulder portions (in the tread block or tread strip). This arrangement helps monitor the uniformity of tread wear transverse to the equatorial plane of the tire.

[0091] In another embodiment, the tag may be referred to as a sacrificial electromagnetic identification tag and / or an electromagnetic identification tag that is damaged or lost when the tire tread wears down, and / or wears down sacrificially when one of the tread blocks and tread strips wears down (such as due to driving on the road).

[0092] In another embodiment, the tag reader is configured to periodically read tags at intervals between 10 minutes and 10 days. Specifically, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to continuously read tags at very short intervals.

[0093] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic identification tag and / or tag reader includes a radio chip and a (e.g., flexible) thin plate carrying the radio chip and antenna.

[0094] In another embodiment, the tag reader and / or sensor assembly is configured to estimate tread wear, for example, by using a processing unit of the tag reader and / or sensor assembly, based on information received by the tag reader (such as based on the tag not responding after a tag read request is sent). Optionally, information indicating the estimated tread wear is transmitted via a transmitter of the tag reader and / or sensor assembly.

[0095] In another embodiment, the tire includes a sensor system comprising one or more of the following: a sensor assembly; a container holding one or more of the sensor assembly and a tag reader; and a tag reader.

[0096] In another embodiment, the container is made of a polymer composition, preferably an elastomer composition, or even more preferably a rubber composition. The container may include a preferably flat base portion that can be attached to the tire's inner liner, such as by one or more of the following methods: adhesive, adhesive tape, co-vulcanization, vulcanization (e.g., sulfur vulcanization), and hook-and-loop fasteners. The container preferably includes a sensor assembly and / or tag reader retaining portion. This retaining portion preferably includes one or more hollow shapes (such as a hollow substantially truncated conical shape or a substantially hollow cylindrical shape) to form a hollow space for receiving one or more of the sensor assembly and tag reader. Optionally, the tag reader and / or sensor assembly is resiliently and / or removably retained in the retaining portion of the container. This allows the tag reader and / or sensor assembly to be removed in the event of tire damage or wear. Therefore, the sensor assembly and / or tag reader can be reused in another tire and / or can be recycled. The container may include an opening (for inserting the sensor assembly and / or tag reader into the hollow space), such as facing the tire cavity in a radially inward direction. Optionally, the tag reader is part of the sensor assembly, for example, disposed within the housing of the sensor assembly. In another option, the tag reader is radially positioned above the sensor assembly, optionally disposed within the sensor assembly housing. In yet another option, the tag reader is disposed in a retaining portion of the container at a radially outward position, for example, radially positioned above the sensor assembly housing. Such radial arrangement facilitates reliable signal transmission between the tag and the tag reader without potential interference from the sensor assembly.

[0097] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly housing is formed of one or more polymer compositions, such as one or more thermoplastic polymer compositions. While metal is also possible, it is generally less preferred, for example, because it may impair signal transmission.

[0098] In another embodiment, the tread portion (e.g., particularly the tread blocks or strips in which the label is embedded) has no electrical components radially above and / or radially below the label. Alternatively, the tread portion (e.g., the tread blocks or strips in which the label is embedded) does not include any electronic or electrical components (other than the label), such as sensors, antennas, capacitors, or chips.

[0099] According to the second aspect, the tire includes a circumferential tread portion (preferably including one or more tread blocks and tread strips), an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag embedded in the circumferential tread portion (preferably in the tread blocks or tread strips of the tread portion), and an NFC tag reader radially disposed below the tread portion and adapted to wirelessly read the at least one NFC tag.

[0100] NFC tags themselves are commercially available at a relatively low cost. Furthermore, the NFC tag reader, positioned radially below the tread portion, provides a defined and reliable relative arrangement of the tag and reader within the rotatable tire. When the NFC tag in the tread portion wears down, the tag reader can no longer read the tag, indicating that the tread wear has progressed down to the radial embedment position of the NFC tag.

[0101] In one embodiment, the tire is a pneumatic tire, which also includes a sensor assembly attached radially below the NFC tag to the inner liner of the tire, wherein the sensor assembly includes a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter, and an NFC tag reader, wherein the sensor assembly is preferably adapted to wirelessly transmit information from the tag reader to a remote receiver, such as a remote receiver.

[0102] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a sensor assembly housing that includes a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter, and an NFC tag reader.

[0103] It should be emphasized that one or more embodiments and / or features of the first aspect may also be embodiments and / or features of the second aspect. For the sake of brevity, those embodiments and / or features are not repeated verbatim here.

[0104] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a tire tread wear monitoring system comprising: a tire (or alternatively, for a tire) including a tread portion comprising one or more tread blocks and tread strips; and an electromagnetic identification tag including a tag antenna and embedded in one of the tread blocks and tread strips. Furthermore, the tire includes: an inner surface (such as formed by an inner liner of the tire) at least partially surrounding the tire cavity; and an electromagnetic identification tag reader extending into the tire cavity (e.g., attached to and / or extending from one of the inner surface, rim, and valve stem), wherein the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, and wherein the tag reader antenna and the tag antenna are oriented substantially parallel to each other and / or the (lateral) distance between them is at most 2 cm (preferably at most 1 cm), the distance being measured in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire.

[0105] As mentioned above, the parallel orientation should essentially include an angle offset of up to 10°, optionally up to 5°. Such an orientation provides improved signal transmission between the tag and the tag reader.

[0106] In one embodiment, one, or preferably both, of the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna is a coil antenna, preferably a planar coil antenna. In such an embodiment, the two planes of the coil antenna are substantially parallel to each other.

[0107] In another embodiment, the tag antenna extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire. If the tag antenna is a planar coil antenna, then the antenna (or its antenna plane) preferably also extends substantially perpendicular to the radial direction.

[0108] In another embodiment, the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire and / or in one or both of the axial and circumferential directions of the tire.

[0109] In another embodiment, the radial distance between the tag reader antenna and the tag antenna is at most 10 cm, preferably at most 9 cm, more preferably at most 6 cm, or even more preferably at most 4 cm. Specifically, a distance of at most 2 cm between them in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction, or even partial or complete overlap of the tag antenna and tag reader antenna in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction, still allows the radial distance between the tag reader antenna and the tag antenna to be maintained. Typically, this radial distance is greater than 1 cm, for example, because the tag reader and its tag reader antenna are radially positioned below the belt portion of the tire and / or within the tire cavity.

[0110] In another embodiment, the electromagnetic identification tag is an NFC identification tag, and / or is adapted to communicate at the frequencies already mentioned above. Preferably, the electromagnetic identification tag reader is an NFC identification tag reader, and / or is adapted to communicate at the aforementioned frequencies.

[0111] In another embodiment, the tire tread wear monitoring system (and / or tire) includes a sensor assembly comprising at least one sensor (such as one or more sensors mentioned above) and a sensor assembly housing, wherein the sensor assembly includes a tag reader optionally at least partially disposed within the sensor assembly housing. The sensor assembly preferably includes a tire pressure sensor.

[0112] In another embodiment, the sensor assembly further includes one or more of a power source (such as a battery), a processing unit, and a transmitter (such as one for wirelessly transmitting tag and / or sensor information to, for example, a remote receiver), wherein the sensor assembly and / or tag reader are optionally adapted such that the tag reader (and optionally, at least one sensor) performs one or more of the following: being powered by a power source, adapted to be controlled by the processing unit, and adapted to transmit tag reader information (and optionally, sensor information) via the transmitter. The tag reader information and / or sensor information may include processed information such as that processed by the processing unit.

[0113] In another embodiment, the tag reader and / or a sensor assembly including the tag reader is mounted to one or more of the rim on which the tire is mounted and the valve stem extending into the tire cavity. In some cases, this mounting location of the tag reader facilitates the mounting of the tire to the rim and / or allows for the detection of tire replacements on the rim, which can aid in areas such as tire management and logistics within a fleet. In particular, the tag reader can detect that a first identification tag has been replaced by a second identification tag, thereby optionally concluding that the first identification tag was not damaged or lost, but rather replaced by another tag, for example, embedded in another tire. Optionally, the rim and / or valve stem are included in the tire tread wear monitoring system.

[0114] Other optional features and / or embodiments are those optional features and / or embodiments already mentioned above with respect to the first and second aspects.

[0115] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a tire comprising a tread portion, an electromagnetic identification tag disposed in the tread portion (such as one or more tread blocks and tread strips of the tread portion), a sensor assembly comprising a sensor assembly housing including one or more sensors (such as a tire pressure sensor), and an electromagnetic identification tag reader.

[0116] Therefore, the tag reader is included or integrated into the sensor housing of the sensor assembly. Other optional features and / or embodiments are those already mentioned above with respect to the first to third aspects.

[0117] In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring tread wear of a tire (such as a tire according to one or more of the foregoing aspects and optionally one or more of their embodiments), or a method such as using a previously mentioned tread wear monitoring system or one or more embodiments thereof, wherein the method comprises one or more of the following steps:

[0118] A tire, preferably a pneumatic tire, is provided, comprising a circumferential tread portion having an embedded electromagnetic identification tag, preferably an NFC tag, wherein the tag is radially embedded above a tread wear indicator, the tread wear indicator being disposed in the tread grooves and / or in one of the tread blocks and tread strips of the tread portion;

[0119] A sensor system is provided, comprising: i) a sensor assembly including one or more sensors selected from: a tire pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, a strain sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor (preferably, at least a pressure sensor); and ii) a tag reader (preferably an NFC tag reader) that extends at least partially into the tire cavity;

[0120] Tire sensor information is obtained using one or more sensors, and tag information is obtained using a tag reader;

[0121] Tire sensor information and / or tag information are preferably wirelessly transmitted to a remote receiver via a transmitter of the sensor assembly, wherein the information is optionally processed by a processing unit of the sensor assembly.

[0122] Information such as alarms and / or indications that a tag is not present and / or has not been responded to (e.g., if the tag reader does not receive a response from the tag after sending a tag read request) is wirelessly transmitted to a remote receiver.

[0123] Therefore, this method provides an efficient and / or cost-effective way to monitor tire tread wear.

[0124] Figure 1A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a pneumatic tire 1000 is shown in a plane perpendicular to the equatorial plane EP of the tire 1000, wherein the tire 1000 includes a circumferential tread portion 10, a pair of axially opposed circumferential bead portions 40, and a pair of circumferential sidewalls 50 extending laterally on each side of the tire between a respective axially outer portion of the tread portion 10 and a respective bead portion 40. The tread portion 10 includes two axially outer and / or opposed circumferential shoulder portions 14, and a plurality of circumferential tread grooves 15 disposed between circumferentially extending tread strips 12, 13 (or, for example, rows of tread blocks). In this non-limiting embodiment, the tread portion 10 includes two axially outer or outermost shoulder tread strips 14 and three central portion tread strips 12, the central portion tread strips 12 extending in the circumferential direction c in the central portion of the tread portion 10 axially disposed between the two circumferential shoulder portions 14. At least one of the tread grooves 15 includes a tread wear indicator 11 that extends radially outward from the bottom of the respective tread groove 15 to a height h (such as from the axis of rotation of the tire, which is not explicitly shown herein, or from the radially innermost bottom of the groove 15).

[0125] For better understanding, the circumferential direction c, radial direction r, and axial direction a, as well as the tire's equatorial plane EP, are indicated in several figures throughout this document, where appropriate. The axial direction a is parallel to the tire's axis of rotation, the circumferential direction c is parallel to the tire's circumference, and the radial direction r is perpendicular to both the axial direction a and the circumferential direction c. It is important to emphasize that each of these directions can have different orientations, so reference to one of these directions is not necessarily limited to a specific orientation unless otherwise stated herein.

[0126] according to Figure 1 In one embodiment, the tread portion 10 further includes an NFC identification tag 20, which is fully embedded in the rubber composition of the central tread strip 12 of the tread portion 10. Furthermore, the tire 1000 includes a tag reader 30, particularly an NFC identification tag reader, radially positioned below the NFC tag 20. The tag reader 30 is attached to the radially inner surface of the tire 1000, particularly the radially inner surface of the inner liner 70 of the tire 1000, thus facing the tire cavity of the tire 1000. As shown, preferably, the (virtual) equatorial plane EP of the tire 1000 traverses both the tag 20 and the tag reader 30. Furthermore, the tag reader 30 and the tag 20 preferably extend substantially parallel to each other and are arranged radially vertically relative to each other, which helps to significantly improve wireless communication between the tag 20 and the tag reader 30. Specifically, the tag antenna of the tag 20 and the tag reader antenna of the tag reader 30 (…) Figure 1(Not explicitly shown) Preferably arranged in parallel, thereby supporting good signal transmission between the tag 20 and the tag reader 30, although wireless communication and / or signal transmission are performed through the rubber material present between the tag 20 and the tag reader 30 and the belt portion 60 of the tire 1000, which extends circumferentially between the tread portion 10 and the inner liner 70. Typically, the belt portion 60 comprises multiple belt layers, which include metal cords such as steel cords. The inventors have found that signal transmission through this belt portion 60 remains good even when using the electromagnetic identification tag 20 in the tread portion 10 and the tag reader 30 radially below the inner liner 70. In particular, the use of NFC identification tags has proven particularly desirable because those NFC identification tags are very cost-effective and their communication signals (typically around 13.56 MHz) propagate very well through the steel cord-reinforced belt portion 60.

[0127] Still referencing Figure 1 The NFC identification tag 20 is positioned at a radial height h corresponding to the outermost radial edge of the tread wear indicator 11. Therefore, based on this tag 20 fully embedded in the tread portion 10 and the associated tag reader 30, the tire 1000 can detect when tread wear has nearly reached the radial height h of the tread wear indicator 11. For passenger vehicles, this physical tread wear indicator typically extends approximately 1.6 mm radially outward from the bottom of the tread groove. Specifically, tread wear or abrasion of the tread portion 10 will sooner or later damage or loss of the tag 20, rendering the tag reader 30 unable to detect and / or read the tag 20. In one embodiment, the NFC identification tag 20 is considered the most cost-effective passive tag. Typically, the tag reader 30 will periodically send read and / or response requests to the tag 20, which will respond to the request, such as by one or more of the following methods (e.g., using a transponder included in the tag): indicating its presence and sending identification information (such as including a unique tag identifier). This tag information may also include other information, such as information about the tag installation location, tire type, tire size, maximum tire load, etc. Optionally, although the tag reader 30 sends a request to the tag 20, if the tag 20 does not respond, the tag reader 30 will send information such as an alarm to the (remote) receiver.

[0128] Figure 3The diagram illustrates a schematic, non-limiting embodiment of components of a tag reader 30. The tag reader 30 includes a transceiver 35 (TC) adapted to send information to and / or receive information from a tag. Typically, the transceiver 35 includes an antenna, such as a planar loop antenna, for example, a printed planar loop antenna, which preferably extends substantially in a plane perpendicular to the equatorial plane of the tire, or in other words, parallel to the circumferential and axial directions and / or perpendicular to the radial direction when mounted in the tire cavity. Furthermore, the tag reader 30 typically includes a microcontroller 32 (MCU) or processor unit, and a data storage device 33 (STOR), for example, for storing and / or including identification information about the tag and / or the tire on which the tag is mounted. In an alternative embodiment, the memory or storage device may be integrated into the microcontroller. Additionally, the tag reader 30 includes a battery 31 (BAT) as a power source for the components of the tag reader 30. Alternatively, or additionally, the tag reader may include an energy harvesting device as a power source for powering the components of the tag reader 30. Furthermore, the tag reader 30 includes a transmitter 34(TM) for transmitting information to a remote receiver, such as a communication system of a mobile device or vehicle. Specifically, the transmitter 34 may be adapted to wirelessly transmit information received from the tag, such as information stored on the tag. Additionally, the tag reader 30 is adapted to notify the remote receiver via its transmitter 34 when the tag does not respond or no longer responds (or can no longer be read), thereby providing information indicating the tread wear condition. Although the tag reader 30 is shown as having a transceiver 35 and a transmitter 34, it is also possible that the tag reader 30 includes only a transmitter and a receiver or transceiver. However, preferably, the wireless communication between the tag and the tag reader 30 is electromagnetic communication in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 15 MHz, particularly about 13.56 MHz. Preferably, the communication frequency of the transmitter (for transmitting information to the remote receiver) is in the (radio) frequency range of 400 MHz to 500 MHz, for example, about 433 MHz; or in the (radio) frequency range of 1 GHz to 10 GHz, for example, about 2.4 GHz, for example via... Another option is a frequency range between 800MHz and 1000MHz, such as via Sigfox. TM Transmission. Such different frequency ranges may result in the preferred use of two transmitting and / or receiving devices in the tag reader 30.

[0129] Figure 2 Another partial schematic cross-sectional view of tire 1001 is disclosed, which is similar to Figure 1 The tires are 1000, and Figure 2The tire 1001 includes a sensor system 100, which includes a sensor assembly 110, a tag reader 130, and a container 140 attached to the inner liner 70 of the tire 1001 radially below the tag 20. For better understanding, where appropriate, Figure 2 Use and Figure 1 The same reference numerals are used in the figures. Thus, tire 1001 includes a pair of bead portions 40, a pair of sidewalls 50, a tread portion 10, a belt portion 60, an inner liner 70 facing and / or at least partially surrounding the tire cavity, a tread shoulder portion 14, tread grooves 15, a tread wear indicator 11 (including the radial outermost surface at height h), tread strips 12, 13 (including tread shoulder strips 13 and tread center portion strips 12), and an electromagnetic identification tag 20 (in this embodiment, it is an NFC identification tag).

[0130] The sensor system 100 intersects the equatorial plane EP, which helps provide good balance for the tire 1001. The tag reader 130 may be geometrically and / or technically identical to or similar to the tag reader 30 of the previously mentioned embodiments. Figure 2In this embodiment, the tag reader 130 is attached to the inner liner 70 via a container 140. For example, the container 140 may comprise a polymer composition, such as an elastomer composition, particularly a rubber composition. The container 140 may be attached to the tire by one or more of the following methods: adhesive, co-vulcanization, or vulcanization. Preferably, the sensor container 140 is attached to the tire 1001 after the tire has been vulcanized, or in other words, after vulcanization. The sensor container 140 includes a flat base portion that contacts the inner liner 70 and a holding portion that receives and retains the tag reader 130 and the sensor assembly 110. For example, the tag reader 130 and / or the sensor assembly 110 are resiliently held in the holding portion of the sensor container 140, and / or held by one or more of the following methods: press-fit, friction, mechanical interlock, and adhesive. In this embodiment, the tag reader 130 is radially positioned above the sensor assembly 110, thus being closer to the tag 20 radially than the sensor assembly 110. Sensor assembly 110 includes a sensor assembly housing comprising at least one sensor (preferably a tire pressure sensor) and optionally one or more additional sensors selected from one or more of the following: at least one acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, and an acoustic sensor. Furthermore, sensor assembly 110 includes a battery, a processor, a data storage device, a wireless signal receiver, an additional transmitter, a transceiver, a memory, and a transducer. Sensor assembly 110 is preferably adapted to transmit information to a remote receiver (not explicitly shown), including information obtained by one or more sensors of sensor assembly 110 (such as tire pressure information). In one option, only one of tag reader 130 and sensor assembly 110 includes a transceiver and / or transmitter for transmitting information to a remote receiver, including tire sensor or sensor assembly information and tag reader or tag information. In this embodiment, both tag reader 130 and sensor assembly 110 are radially positioned below tag 20, which facilitates tag reading and weight distribution of tire 1001. In addition, the tag reader 130 can be easily mounted to the tire 1001 via a common container 140 together with the sensor assembly 110 and / or the housing of the sensor assembly 110 (e.g., including a tire pressure sensor).

[0131] Figure 4 Another schematic partial cross-sectional view of tire 1002 is shown, which is similar to Figure 2 The embodiments already shown are substantially different in that, according to Figure 4 The tire 1002 includes a sensor system 100', which includes a container 140' that resiliently holds a sensor assembly 110'. The sensor assembly 110' includes an (integrated) tag reader 130' within its housing. The remaining reference numerals correspond to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The reference numerals already used in the drawings. It is still preferable that at least one antenna of the integrated tag reader 130' is disposed in the sensor assembly 110', or in other words, in the radially outer portion of the sensor assembly housing, thereby enabling particularly reliable communication between the tag 20 and the tag reader 130'. Optionally, the sensor assembly 110' may include one or more printed circuit boards that include components of one or more sensors and / or the tag reader 130'. Figure 4 In one embodiment, the tag reader 130' can be easily attached to the radially inner surface of the tire 1002 via the sensor assembly container 140'. Optionally, the sensor assembly 110' or the sensor assembly housing is resiliently held in the container 140' and can be removed from the container 140', for example, in the event of wear or damage to the tire 1002, such as for use in another tire. As in the previous embodiments, communication between the tag 20 and the tag reader 130' is based on NF communication, which has proven to be a very reliable and cost-effective type of communication, despite the partially electromagnetically shielded strap portion 60.

[0132] Figure 5 Showing such as Figure 4 A more detailed schematic diagram of the sensor assembly 110' present in the embodiment is shown below. Specifically, the housing of the sensor assembly 110' includes a power supply in the form of a battery 111' (BAT), a processing unit 112' (CPU), a data storage device 113' (STOR), a transmitter 115' (TM), a tag reader 130' including a transceiver 135' (TC), a pressure sensor 116' (PS), a temperature sensor 117' (TS), and a multi-axis accelerometer 118' (AccS). In particular, the housing of the sensor assembly 110' also includes the tag reader 130'. Figure 2 In contrast to the tag reader 130 shown, the sensor assembly 110' shares multiple electrical / electronic components with the tag reader 130'. Specifically, the tag reader 130' is powered by a shared battery 111' and can be controlled by a processing unit 112' of the sensor assembly 110'. The processing unit 112' is also configured to process data received by the tag reader 130' via a transceiver 135'. For communication with a remote receiver, the sensor assembly 110' includes a transmitter 115', in other words, it shares a transmitter 115' with the tag reader 130', which does not have its own transmitter to send information / data to the remote receiver. Therefore, in practice, a relatively large battery, a relatively fast processing unit, and a relatively large transmitter can be used in the sensor assembly compared to a typical tag reader power supply, transmitter, and / or processing unit.

[0133] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the invention is shown as a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a pneumatic tire 1003, which also includes a pair of bead portions 40, a pair of sidewalls 50, and a tread portion 10'. The tread portion 10' includes a circumferential shoulder portion 14', a circumferential shoulder tread stripe 13', a circumferential tread groove 15', a circumferential center tread stripe 12', and a tread wear indicator 11'. Furthermore, the tire 1003 includes an inner liner 70 that at least partially surrounds the tire cavity, wherein a belt portion 60 is radially arranged between the inner liner 70 and the tread portion 10' in the crown region of the tire 1003. In this embodiment, the tire 1003 includes a plurality of electromagnetic identification tags in the form of NFC identification tags 20', 21', and 22', and a plurality of electromagnetic identification tag readers 30', 31', and 32' associated with the respective tags 20', 21', and 22'. Specifically, each tag 20', 21', 22' includes a corresponding tag reader 30', 31', 32', which is attached to the inner liner 70 of the tire 1003 below the tag 20', 21', 22'. As shown, the tag readers 31', 32' only partially overlap with the corresponding radially outer tags 21', 22' in the axial direction. However, preferably, the antennas in each of the tags 21', 22' and the corresponding tag readers 31', 32' extend substantially parallel to each other. Optionally, each tag reader 30', 31', 32' can be like... Figure 3 As shown in label 30, it includes electrical and / or electronic components.

[0134] Multiple NFC identification tags distributed axially, in this case three, help detect uneven tire tread wear. Specifically, if tire 1003 wears faster at one of the two shoulder sections 14' or tread strips 13', this can be detected by the earlier damage or loss of the corresponding tag 21' or 22', while the central tag 20' may still be communicating with and / or responding to its tag reader 30'. The construction and / or function of individual tags 20', 21', 22' and their associated tag readers 30', 31', 33' can be, for example, as described above regarding... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As stated above.

[0135] Optionally, one or more of the tag readers 30', 31', 32' are removably attached to the tire 1003, such as by adhesive tape and / or hook and loop connection, so that when the tire 1003 is worn / damaged, the tag readers 30', 31', 32' can be reused in another tire or easily recycled.

[0136] Figure 7A schematic partial cross-sectional view shows another embodiment of tire 1004, wherein tire 1004 also includes a pair of bead portions 40, a pair of sidewalls 50, a belt portion 60, an inner liner 70, and a tread portion 10". The tread portion 10" includes two shoulder portions 14", shoulder tread strips 13", a center tread strip 12", and tread grooves 15'. A tag reader 30" (which may be, for example, connected to...) Figure 3 The tag reader (same or similar to the tag reader already shown) is arranged on the radially inner / radial inner surface of tire 1004, radially below the tread portion 10”, on the inner liner 70, and facing the tire cavity. In this embodiment, a plurality of NFC tags 21”, 22”, 23” are arranged radially above and below each other and radially spaced apart from each other. These tags 21”, 22”, 23” are completely embedded in the rubber composition material of the tread portion 10”. For example, one or more of the tags 21”, 22”, 23” may be located on two radially adjacent tread crown layers of the tread portion 10”. Figure 7 (Not explicitly illustrated in the figure). This non-limiting arrangement allows for easy installation of tags 21”, 22”, 23” during tire construction. The tag reader 30” is radially positioned below all tags 21”, 22”, 23”, which enables good signal transmission. Typically, each tag 21”, 22”, 23” includes a different identifier, or in other words, a unique identifier, and all tags can operate at the same (NFC) transmission frequency. If one of the tags is lost or damaged (typically, the outermost radial tag first), the tag reader 30” may notice that tag 23” no longer responds to the tag reader 30” and / or transmits information to it, thereby indicating the corresponding radial tread wear of the tread portion 10”. Then, optionally, as in other embodiments, the tag reader 30” can send information and / or alarms to a remote receiver indicating the current tread wear state and / or changes in tread wear state.

[0137] Figure 8A flowchart schematically illustrates preferred method steps according to an embodiment of the present invention, particularly a method for monitoring tire tread wear. In a first step 1, the method includes providing a tire comprising a tread portion having an embedded NFC identification tag. In a further second step 2, the method includes providing a tire sensor system comprising one or more sensors (such as a tire pressure sensor) and an NFC identification tag reader in the tire cavity (e.g., on the inner surface of the tire's inner liner, such as radially below the tread). Thus, the NFC tag can be reliably read by the NFC tag reader. In a third step 3, the method includes obtaining tire sensor information by means of one or more sensors and tag information by means of the tag reader. In a fourth step 4, the method includes wirelessly transmitting the tire sensor information and optionally the tag information to a (remote) receiver. While it may be desirable to submit at least one time tag identification information to the receiver, this is not mandatory. In particular, it is not necessary to transmit the tag information to a remote receiver for monitoring tread wear and / or tire sensor information (such as tire pressure). In another step (i.e., step 5), the method includes checking for the presence of a response from the tag. If a response or transmission is received from the tag after the tag reader issues a tag read request, step 4 of the method can be performed again. If no response or transmission is received from the tag, then according to step 6, the method involves wirelessly transmitting an alarm (or notification) based on the tag's lack of response, which indicates the tread wear condition (i.e., the current tread wear condition of the tread portion of the tire).

[0138] It should be emphasized that multiple embodiments of one aspect and / or its features can be combined with each other. Furthermore, embodiments and / or features of one aspect can be embodiments and / or features of another aspect of the invention. Such combinations are not repeated herein for the sake of brevity.

[0139] Variations of the invention are possible based on the description provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that changes can be made to the specific embodiments described, and such changes will fall within the full contemplated scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Claims

1. A tire comprising: The circumferential tread portion includes one or more tread blocks and tread strips; An electromagnetic identification tag is embedded in one of the tread pattern blocks and the tread pattern strips; On the inner surface radially below the tread portion; as well as An electromagnetic identification tag reader disposed on the inner surface and adapted to wirelessly read the electromagnetic identification tag.

2. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tag includes a tag antenna, and the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, and wherein the tag reader is attached to the inner surface such that the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

3. The tire of claim 2, wherein the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are arranged radially above and below each other, thereby overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

4. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic identification tag is an NFC tag.

5. The tire according to claim 4, wherein the electromagnetic identification tag is one or more of a passive NFC tag and a tag with a communication frequency in the range of 11MHz to 15MHz.

6. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tire is a pneumatic tire including an inner liner, the inner liner including an inner surface that at least partially surrounds the tire cavity, and wherein the electromagnetic identification tag reader is attached to the inner liner and extends into the tire cavity.

7. The tire according to claim 6, wherein: The tag reader is attached to the tire's inner liner radially below the tread and axially between two axially opposite circumferential shoulder portions of the tread, wherein The tag includes a tag antenna, and the tag reader includes a tag reader antenna, wherein The tag reader is attached to the inner surface such that the tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are oriented substantially parallel to each other, and wherein... The tag antenna and the tag reader antenna are arranged radially above and below each other, and overlap each other in the axial and circumferential directions.

8. The tire of claim 1, wherein the equatorial plane of the tire extends through one or more of i) an electromagnetic identification tag reader and ii) an electromagnetic identification tag.

9. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tread portion includes at least one tread groove, the tread groove including a bottom and including a tread wear indicator, the tread wear indicator i) extending radially outward from the bottom of the tread groove, and ii) including a radially outermost tread wear indicator surface at a radial height h, and wherein the label is positioned at a radial height ranging from h-1 mm to h+2 mm.

10. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tread portion comprises one or more elastomeric compositions, and the label is completely surrounded by the one or more elastomeric compositions.

Images