Vehicle tires with electromagnetically readable module and process

Abstract

Method for introducing an electromagnetically readable module (14) into a vehicle tire (1), wherein a vehicle tire (1) is provided with a tire flank freed from a sidewall (2) in at least a partial area. The electromagnetically readable module (14) is arranged on the partial area, wherein a renewal material (2**, 3**) is applied at least in the partial area in order to restore the sidewall (2) so that the module is enclosed between the tire sidewall and the renewal material (2**).

Description

The invention relates to a method for inserting an electromagnetically readable module into a vehicle tire, wherein a vehicle tire is provided with a tire flank freed of a sidewall at least in a partial region.Vehicle tires are increasingly equipped with sensors and / or modules for storing information. For example, electromagnetically readable modules are integrated into vehicle tires in order to be able to read out information without contact and in some cases even when passing by. Fitting vehicle tires with electromagnetically readable modules can be useful, in particular in the case of commercially used vehicles, in particular trucks, in order to operate efficient fleet management.It is known in principle to provide vehicle tires with a new tread and in some cases also with a new side wall in a method also referred to as treading. This may be useful in particular in the case of intensively and / or extensively used vehicle tires having a correspondingly high wear rate of the tread and optionally of the side wall, for example in the case of commercially used trucks. By retreading instead of replacing the entire tire, money and resources can be saved.US20180009261A1 describes an electronic communication module which can be integrated into a vehicle tire, which can also be effected in the course of retreading.The object of the invention is to provide a method for inserting an electromagnetically readable module into a vehicle tire which is particularly efficient compared to the prior art, wherein the electromagnetically readable module is arranged in a particularly advantageous position in the vehicle tire.The object set is achieved according to the invention in that the electromagnetically readable module is arranged on the partial region of the tire flank freed of the sidewall, wherein a renewal material is applied at least in the partial region in order to restore the sidewall, so that the module is enclosed between the tire flank and the renewal material.The invention recognizes that an electromagnetically readable module can be brought into a vehicle tire during a retreading. This is particularly efficient because in this way even those vehicle tires which originally were not equipped with an electromagnetically readable module can be upgraded in the course of a retreading which is already pending. In particular, the invention recognizes that an electromagnetically readable module is to be arranged particularly advantageously in the region of a tire flank, namely in particular on a tire flank at least partially freed from a sidewall, and that the module and the tire flank can then be covered by renewal material. This is to be seen in contrast to alternative solutions according to which the electromagnetically readable module would be arranged at another location on the tire and / or according to which the module would not initially be arranged separately on the tire flank but, for example, together with the renewal material, would be brought to the tire flank or the other location on the tire. Overall, the invention thus provides an efficient and simple method by means of which a vehicle tire can be equipped with a stably and functionally arranged electromagnetically readable module.If the directional designations are used axially, in the axial direction, radially, in the radial direction and in the circumferential direction, these refer to the vehicle tire which is mounted on a vehicle as intended and to its rolling movement which is carried out thereon. Herein, the radial direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the vehicle tire and intersecting the rotation axis. Radially inward refers to the orientation facing the rotational axis in the radial direction. Radially outward refers to the orientation that faces away from the axis of rotation in the radial direction. The circumferential direction denotes the direction of a rolling movement about the axis of rotation. A front position on the vehicle tire in the circumferential direction passes earlier during a 180° rotation of the vehicle tire a minimum distance from the underlying surface than a rear position in the circumferential direction when the vehicle is travelling forward. The axial direction refers to a direction parallel to the rotation axis. Pointing axially inward refers to an orientation that faces axially toward a tire equatorial plane or a tire equatorial line. The tire equatorial plane is a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the vehicle tire and passing through the center of the axial width of the vehicle tire, the tire equatorial line passing in the tire equatorial plane and on the surface of the vehicle tire. A transverse direction is a direction which consists of components of the radial direction and / or the axial direction.The electromagnetically readable module can be arranged in a range between 0% and 40%, preferably between 10% and 30%, of a radial height of the tire flank radially above a bead heel of the vehicle tire on the subregion. The bead heel is arranged circumferentially in the region of the tire bead, projects as a rule convexly in a contour of the vehicle tire running in the transverse direction and can be characterized in particular by a kink or by a locally minimum radius of curvature. The tire flank may extend transversely between the bead heel and a radial height disposed between a belt ply and a carcass ply of the vehicle tire. The module can be arranged in particular in a region between 0 mm and 60 mm radially above the bead heel of the vehicle tire on the subregion. Preferably, the module is arranged radially below an axially widest point of the vehicle tire. In the aforementioned regions of radial height, the electromagnetically readable module is less exposed during the subsequent steps of the method compared to an arrangement in other positions on the tire and is thus better protected from damage by mechanical contact: if the module were arranged, for example, at the axially widest point of the vehicle tire or on the tire crown, damage or detachment of the module could more easily occur. Furthermore, in the aforementioned regions of radial height, less deformations take place in comparison with other positions on the tire using the vehicle tire, so that the electromagnetically readable module is exposed to comparatively low mechanical loads. In addition, good electromagnetic communication can be achieved on the tire flank and in particular in the aforementioned regions of radial height, for example with devices that read electromagnetically by the module.The vehicle tyre provided according to the method at the outset can be substantially freed of its tread and its two side walls beyond the partial region at the groove flank, whereupon renewal material can be applied in the region of a tyre crown and the two tyre flanks in order to restore the tread and the two side walls. Substantially released may mean that the tread and sidewalls have been ablated to at least 80% of their original area. In this case, a material layer of a thickness in a range between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, can remain. The partial region of the tire flank can also be considered to be freed from the side wall if a material residue of such a thickness remains. A process in which the sidewalls and tread are renewed is also referred to as bead-to-bead tread.The side wall in the partial region or the tread and the two side walls in the region of the tire crown and of the two tire flanks can be removed in a first method step. In other words, the vehicle tire can be prepared accordingly within the scope of the method according to the invention and then provided for the further method steps. The removal can be carried out in a manner known per se, preferably with the aid of a roughening machine. In the region of the tire flank, the side wall is preferably ablated to a thickness in the range between 0.5 mm to 2 mm, further preferably between 1 mm and 1.5 mm, whereby any markings on the side walls are preferably removed. In the region of the tire crown, much more material can be removed depending on the degree of wear of the tread, but preferably only so much that components arranged radially below the tread, such as a belt bandage, remain undamaged.The resurfacing material may comprise a vulcanized rubber composition which may be fixed in the part region by suitable means. Preferably, the resurfacing material comprises a green rubber composition, wherein after application of the resurfacing material, the vehicle tire is treated to vulcanize the resurfacing material. A retreading process with an initially still green rubber mixture is also referred to as hot retread.The electromagnetically readable module can be arranged in direct contact with the sub-region. According to one embodiment, the electromagnetically readable module is arranged on and preferably in a module carrier and arranged together with the module carrier on the partial region of the tire flank, wherein the module carrier preferably comprises a rubber mixture. The module carrier can completely or partially enclose the module. In one embodiment, the module support comprises two flat rubber layers laminated together so as to sandwich the module therebetween.The module arranged on the partial region of the tire flank can be fixed to the partial region of the tire flank by chemically and / or physically acting means. Alternatively or additionally, the module carrier can be fixed to the partial region of the tire flank by means of chemically and / or physically acting means. For example, a vulcanizable repair-renewal cement can be used for fixing, wherein the cement can be spread, in particular in the subregion, whereupon the module can be pressed against the tire flank in the subregion. A dry time of between 5 minutes and 10 minutes may be provided before the resurfacing material is applied and the cement-fixed modulus is trapped between the tire flank and the resurfacing material.The electromagnetically readable module can have an elongate shape with a small transverse extent compared to a longitudinal extent. In this case, the module can be arranged with its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction of the vehicle tire or tangentially to the circumferential direction of the vehicle tire on the partial region of the tire flank. An elongate shape having a small transverse extent compared to a longitudinal extent can be present below a ratio of 1:5, preferably of 1:10, further preferably of 1:20."Electromagnetically readable" means that information stored on the module can be read out in contactless fashion electromagnetically. Suitable transmitters are, in particular, electromagnetic waves, in particular in the range of radio frequency. For this purpose, the module can comprise a suitable transmitting or receiving unit. The module may comprise a suitable storage unit for the information, which storage unit may function electronically. The module may comprise a microprocessor for data processing. In addition to its electromagnetic readability, the module can also be electromagnetically writable, so that information can not only be called up by the module but can also be stored thereon. The module with parts or the entirety of the aforementioned functions, and optionally with suitable additional functions, can be embodied as an integrated microchip. The electromagnetic module is preferably an RFID module, wherein the acronym stands for the English term "radio-frequency identification". It is generally known to use RFID modules in vehicle tires, with the position in the tire and the method of arrangement being of primary importance in the invention described here.The invention also relates to a vehicle tire having an electromagnetically readable module, wherein the vehicle tire has a renewed side wall at least in a partial region, and wherein the electromagnetically readable module is enclosed in the partial region between a tire flank and the renewed side wall.Vehicle tires designed according to the invention are tires of any design, in particular radial tires, and tires of any type, in particular pneumatic vehicle tires for motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, light trucks or commercial vehicles. The invention is particularly suitable for use on vehicle tires for a rim diameter in the range from 17 inches to 23 inches, in particular from 17.5 inches, 19.5 inches or 22.5 inches.A vehicle tire which has been renewed in a tread method is generally provided with a corresponding marking impressed into the tire, such as the terms "retreaded", "treaded" or "treaded".The electromagnetically readable module is preferably arranged in a range between 0% and 40%, preferably between 10% and 30%, of a radial height of the tire flank radially above a bead heel of the vehicle tire in the subregion.The module preferably has an elongate shape with a small transverse extent compared to a longitudinal extent, wherein the module is arranged with its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction of the vehicle tire or tangentially to the circumferential direction of the vehicle tire. The longitudinal extent of the electromagnetically readable module preferably measures between 20 mm and 70 mm, further preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm. In this area, electromagnetically readable modules with good functionality can be found, which can also be integrated well into a vehicle tire in the manner according to the invention.The electromagnetically readable module enclosed in the vehicle tire according to the invention is preferably an RFID module. Within the scope of the invention, RFID modules which operate as such in suitably known frequency ranges can be used in structures, models and sizes known per se.The vehicle tire according to one of the embodiments described above and / or below may have been renewed in a method described above and / or below. The method can be developed with further features which are described in connection with the vehicle tire according to the invention. The vehicle tire can be developed with further features which are described in connection with the method according to the invention.The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the attached drawings on the basis of advantageous embodiments. The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a schematic and fragmentary cross-section of a vehicle tire in a new or only slightly worn state, FIG. 2 schematically and in sections a cross section of a vehicle tire essentially freed from its tread and its sidewall according to a method step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, FIG. 3 schematically and in sections a cross section of an embodiment of a vehicle tire according to the invention.FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section of a vehicle tire 1 in a new or only slightly worn state. The vehicle tire 1 is depicted only to one side of a tire equator, which limits the drawing to the left. Axially outwards or radially upwards, the tire 1 is closed off by a sidewall 2 or a tread 3, the tire 1 being closed off inwards by an airtight inner layer 4. A carcass ply 5 runs through the entire cross section and is turned up radially at the bottom around a bead core 6. The bead core 6 is surrounded in cushioning and forming fashion by bead rubber parts 7. For contact with a rim, not shown, a rim rubber part 8 is provided. The rim rubber 8 surrounds the bead core 6, the bead rubber 7, the carcass ply 5, and a lower cushion rubber 9 radially below and axially outside. Between a portion of the rim rubber part 8 facing mainly radially downwards and a portion facing mainly axially outwards, the rim rubber part 8 has a convex curvature with a slight bend visible in the cross section shown; the described position on the rim rubber part 8 is also referred to as a bead heel 10, wherein the so-called bead toe 11 is arranged at the point of contact of the rim rubber part 8 with the inner layer 4. In the radially upper region of the vehicle tire 1, a belt structure 12 extends in a manner known per se. An upper cushion rubber part 13 is arranged in the shoulder region of the tire 1.FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a vehicle tire 1 essentially freed from its tread 3 and its sidewall 2 according to a method step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The vehicle tire 1 shown in FIG. 2 may have comprised a tread 3 and a sidewall 2 in a new state; in particular, the vehicle tire 1 shown in FIG. 2 may have substantially resembled the vehicle tire 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the new state. The components 4 to 13 described with reference to FIG. 1 are also installed in the vehicle tire 1 according to FIG. 2 ; however, some of these components are no longer explicitly referenced in FIG. 2 for the sake of better clarity. The vehicle tire 1 can be provided for the method according to the invention in the state shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the tread 3 and the side wall 2 can be ablated to the dimension shown in FIG. 2 within the scope of the method according to the invention. According to FIG. 2, tread remains 3* cover the belt structure 12, so that the latter remains undamaged or has remained intact during the process of removal. Likewise, side wall remains 2* preferably remain, so that the carcass ply 5 is covered and thus protected from damage. According to the invention, an electromagnetically readable module 14 is arranged on the tire flank freed of the side wall 2. In the example according to FIG. 2, an RFID module 14 arranged in a module carrier is arranged on the side wall residue 2* on the tire flank. The module carrier and module 14 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as a coherent unit and are not shown in any more differentiated fashion for the sake of clarity. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the module 14 in the module carrier, wherein a transverse extension of the module 14 and of the module carrier runs in the cross-sectional plane and wherein a longitudinal extension of the module 14 and of the module carrier is oriented perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane. The longitudinal extension is here significantly greater than the transverse extension and can be in the range from 30 mm to 60 mm. Before the RFID module 14 in the module carrier is pressed against the tire flank along the arrow direction according to FIG. 2, a repair-renewal cement can be spread in the target area on the tire flank in order to promote good adhesion of the module 14 or of the module carrier. In the example according to FIG. 2, the module 14 is arranged at a height h M of approximately 28% of a radial height h RF of the tire flank radially above the bead heel 10 of the vehicle tire 1.FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a vehicle tire 1 according to the invention. The vehicle tire 1 can have been produced according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein the method step depicted in FIG. 3 would have to be classified temporally after the method step depicted in FIG. 2. According to FIG. 3, the electromagnetically readable module 14 is arranged at the height h M described with reference to FIG. 2 radially above the bead heel 10 on the tire flank and is enclosed between the sidewall remains 2* on the tire flank and a renewed sidewall 2**. In the region of the tire crown, a renewed tread 3** was applied to the tread residues 3*. The boundary between tread residues 3* or sidewall residues 2* on the one hand and the renewed tread 3** or the renewed sidewall 2** on the other hand is marked in FIG. 3 by a dashed line. The renewed tread 2** and the renewed side wall 2** consist of a renewal material 2**, 3**. In the example described here, the renewal material 2**, 3** can have been initially applied in the form of green rubber mixtures to the tire crown or to the tire flank, wherein the rubber mixtures for the renewed tread 3** and for the renewed sidewall 2** can differ from one another in their composition. Subsequently, the tread 3** and the sidewall 2** which have been renewed may have been provided with a profile or with any sidewall engravings in a tire mold and have been brought into the shape shown in FIG. 3, wherein the green rubber mixtures of the renewal material 2**, 3** would have to be subjected to vulcanization within the scope of this process. The electromagnetically readable module 14 according to FIG. 3 can be an RFID module 14, as described with reference to FIG. 2. Information can be stored on the RFID module 14 which can be read contactless by a suitable reading device; optionally, the module 14 can additionally be written contactless with the aid of a suitable writing device. The information can include, for example, a tire type, a tire serial number, a fleet membership of the tire and / or sensor data from sensors additionally provided in the vehicle tire 1.List of reference characters1 Vehicle tyre 2 Side wall 2* Side wall residue 2** Renewed side wall / renewal material 3 Tread 3* Tread residue 3** Renewed tread / renewal material 4 Inner layer 5 Carcass ply 6 Bead core 7 Bead rubber part 8 Rim rubber part 9 Lower cushion rubber part 10 Bead heel 11 Bead toe 12 Belt dressing 13 Upper cushion rubber part 14 Electromagnetically readable module / RFID module h M Radial level of the module 14 above the bead heel 10 h RF Radial height of the tyre flankReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedUS 20180009261A1

[0004]

Claims

Method for inserting an electromagnetically readable module (14) into a vehicle tyre (1), wherein a vehicle tyre (1) is provided with a tyre flank freed from a side wall (2) at least in a sub-region, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) is arranged on the sub-region, wherein a renewal material (2**, 3**) is applied at least in the sub-region in order to restore the side wall (2), such that the module is enclosed between the tyre flank and the renewal material (2**).Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the module (14) is arranged in a range from 0% to 40%, preferably from 10% to 30%, of a radial height (h RF) of the tyre flank radially above a bead heel (10) of the vehicle tyre (1) on the subregion.Method according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the vehicle tyre (1) provided at the outset is substantially freed from its tread (3) and its two side walls (2), renewal material (2**, 3**) being applied in the region of the tyre crown and the two tyre flanks in order to restore the tread (3) and the two side walls (3).Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side wall (2) or the tread (3) and the two side walls (2) are ablated in the partial region or in the region of the tyre crown and the two tyre flanks in a first method step, and the vehicle tyre (1) prepared in this way is provided for the further method steps.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the renewal material (2**, 3**) comprises a green rubber mixture, the vehicle tyre (1) being treated, after the application of the renewal material (2**, 3**), in such a way that the renewal material (2**, 3**) vulcanises.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) is arranged on and preferably in a module carrier and is arranged with the module carrier on the partial region of the tyre flank, wherein the module carrier preferably comprises a rubber mixture.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the module (14) arranged on the subregion of the tyre flank is fixed to the subregion of the tyre flank by means of chemically and / or physically acting means.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) has an elongate shape with a short transverse extent compared to a longitudinal extent, wherein the module (14) is arranged with its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction of the vehicle tyre (1) or tangentially to the circumferential direction of the vehicle tyre (1) on the partial region of the tyre flank.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) is an RFID module (14).Vehicle tyre (1) having an electromagnetically readable module (14), wherein the vehicle tyre (1) has a renewed side wall (2**) at least in a partial region, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) is enclosed in the partial region between a tyre flank and the renewed side wall (2**).Vehicle tyre (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the module (14) is arranged in a range from 0% to 40%, preferably from 10% to 30%, of a radial height (h RF) of the tyre flank radially above a bead heel (10) of the vehicle tyre (1) in the subregion.Vehicle tyre (1) according to either of Claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) has an elongate shape with a transverse extent which is small in comparison with a longitudinal extent, wherein the module (14) is arranged with its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction of the vehicle tyre (1) or tangentially to the circumferential direction of the vehicle tyre (1), wherein the longitudinal extent of the electromagnetically readable module (14) measures preferably between 20 mm and 70 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm.Vehicle tyre (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the electromagnetically readable module (14) is an RFID module (14).Vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the vehicle tyre (1) has been renewed in a method according to one of Claims 1 to 9.

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