Tire

Abstract

To provide a tire, which is configured so that a communication device can be suppressed from being damaged due to deformation of the tire during rolling.SOLUTION: The tire comprises a side reinforcement rubber 2 with a crescent-shaped cross section, arranged in a side wall part 1b of the tire, and a communication device 10 buried inside the tire. The side reinforcement rubber has a side reinforcement rubber joined part 2j having end parts in a tire circumferential direction of the side reinforcement rubber joined to each other. In a projection plane on which the tire is projected in the tire width direction, at least a portion of the communication device is overlapping with the side reinforcement rubber joined part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a tire provided with side reinforcing rubber in a sidewall portion (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventor of the present invention newly found a configuration capable of suppressing damage to a communication device (for example, an RF tag, etc.) due to deformation of a tire during rolling when the communication device is embedded inside the tire, and thus arrived at the present invention.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire capable of suppressing damage to a communication device due to deformation of the tire during rolling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] 〔1〕A tire, a side reinforcing rubber having a crescent - shaped cross - section disposed in a sidewall portion of the tire, and a communication device embedded inside the tire, comprising: the side reinforcing rubber has a side reinforcing rubber joint portion where the tire - circumferential ends of the side reinforcing rubber are joined, and at least a part of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion on a projection plane when the tire is projected in the tire width direction. This can suppress damage to the communication device due to deformation of the tire during rolling.

[0007] 〔2〕The communication device is directed such that the longitudinal direction of the communication device substantially follows the tire circumferential direction. The communication device has an IC chip. In the projection plane, at least the IC chip of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion, the tire according to 〔1〕. This can further improve the durability of the IC chip in particular among the communication devices against deformation of the tire during rolling.

[0008] 〔3〕The communication device is directed such that the longitudinal direction of the communication device substantially follows the tire radial direction, the tire according to 〔1〕. This can further improve the durability of most or all of the communication device against deformation of the tire during rolling.

[0009] 〔4〕In the projection plane, the entire communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion, the tire according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔3〕. This can further improve the durability of the entire communication device against deformation of the tire during rolling.

[0010] 〔5〕The communication device has an RF tag, the tire according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔4〕.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire that can suppress damage to the communication device due to deformation of the tire during rolling.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, for example, can be suitably used for a pneumatic tire for a passenger car.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the tire according to the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the members and parts common to each figure. In some drawings, the tire width direction is indicated by the symbol "WD", the tire radial direction is indicated by the symbol "RD", and the tire circumferential direction is indicated by the symbol "CD". In this specification, one side in the tire circumferential direction (CD) is referred to as "the first side in the tire circumferential direction (CD1)" (FIGS. 1 and 3), and the other side in the tire circumferential direction (CD) is referred to as "the second side in the tire circumferential direction (CD2)" (FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0015] Figures 1 to 3 are drawings for explaining a tire 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a side view schematically showing the tire 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from one side in the tire width direction, and is also a projection view schematically showing the state when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction. Figure 2 is an A-A cross-sectional view showing a tire half portion (a portion on either one side with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL) of the tire 1 in Figure 1 by a cross-section along the line A-A in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a B-B cross-sectional view showing a part of the side reinforcing rubber 2 in Figure 1 by a cross-section along the line B-B in Figure 1. The line B-B in Figure 1 extends along the tire circumferential direction. The tire 1 of the embodiment in Figure 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger car. However, the tire 1 of any embodiment of the present invention may be configured as any type of tire.

[0016] The tire 1 includes a tire body 1M and a communication device 10. The tire body 1M corresponds to the portion of the tire 1 other than the communication device 10.

[0017] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship, dimensions, etc. of each element are measured in a reference state where the tire 1 is mounted on an application rim, filled with a specified internal pressure, and unloaded. Also, in a state where the tire 1 is mounted on an application rim, filled with a specified internal pressure, and loaded with a maximum load, the width in the tire width direction of the ground contact surface in contact with the road surface is referred to as the ground contact width of the tire, and the end portion in the tire width direction of the ground contact surface is referred to as the ground contact end.

[0018] In this specification, the "applicable rim" refers to an industrial standard effective in the region where pneumatic tires are produced and used. In Japan, it is the JATMA YEAR BOOK of JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association); in Europe, it is the STANDARDS MANUAL of ETRTO (The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation); in the United States, it is the YEAR BOOK of TRA (The Tire and Rim Association, Inc.), etc. It refers to the standard rim (Measuring Rim in the STANDARDS MANUAL of ETRTO and Design Rim in the YEAR BOOK of TRA) in the applicable size described therein or to be described in the future. In the case of sizes not described in these industrial standards, it refers to a rim with a width corresponding to the bead width of the pneumatic tire. The "applicable rim" includes sizes to be described in the aforementioned industrial standards in the future in addition to the current sizes. Examples of "sizes to be described in the future" may include sizes described as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of ETRTO.

[0019] In this specification, the "specified internal pressure" refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a single wheel in the applicable size and ply rating described in industrial standards such as the aforementioned JATMA YEAR BOOK. In the case of sizes not described in the aforementioned industrial standards, it refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted. Also, in this specification, the "maximum load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a tire in the applicable size described in the aforementioned industrial standards, or, in the case of sizes not described in the aforementioned industrial standards, the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0020] First, the tire body 1M will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the tire body 1M includes a tread portion 1a, a pair of sidewall portions 1b extending radially inward in the tire diameter direction from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction, and a pair of bead portions 1c provided at the radially inner ends of the respective sidewall portions 1b. The tread portion 1a is the portion in the tire width direction between the pair of grounding ends of the tire body 1M. The bead portion 1c is configured to contact the rim on the radially inner side and the outer side in the tire width direction when the tire 1 is mounted on the rim. The tire body 1M has a pair of tire side portions 1d extending radially inward in the tire diameter direction from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction. The tire side portion 1d is composed of the sidewall portion 1b and the bead portion 1c. Further, the tire body 1M includes a pair of bead cores 4a, a pair of bead fillers 4b, a carcass 5, a belt 6, a tread rubber 7, a side rubber 8, an inner liner 9, and a pair of side reinforcing rubbers 2.

[0021] Each bead core 4a is embedded in the corresponding bead portion 1c. The bead core 4a includes a plurality of bead wires whose peripheries are covered with rubber. The bead wire is preferably made of metal (for example, steel). The bead wire can be made of, for example, a monofilament or a stranded wire. Note that the bead wire may be made of organic fiber or carbon fiber.

[0022] Each bead filler 4b is located radially outside the corresponding bead core 4a. The bead filler 4b extends in a tapered shape toward the radially outer side of the tire. The bead filler 4b is made of rubber, for example.

[0023] The carcass 5 spans between a pair of bead cores 4a and extends in a toroidal shape. The carcass 5 is composed of one or more (two in the embodiment of FIG. 2) carcass plies 5a. Each carcass ply 5a includes one or more carcass cords 5c and a covering rubber 5r that covers the carcass cords 5c (FIG. 2). The carcass cords 5c can be formed of a monofilament or a stranded wire. The carcass cords 5c are preferably composed of organic fibers made of polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, or the like. The carcass ply 5a includes a ply main body portion 5M located between a pair of bead cores 4a. The carcass ply 5a may further include a ply turned-back portion 5T that is turned back from both ends of the ply main body portion 5M around the bead core 4a from the inner side in the tire width direction to the outer side in the tire width direction. However, the carcass ply 5a may not include the ply turned-back portion 5T. The ply main body portion 5M is located on the inner side in the tire width direction than the bead filler 4b and the bead core 4a. The ply turned-back portion 5T is located on the outer side in the tire width direction than the bead filler 4b and the bead core 4a. The carcass 5 is preferably of a radial structure, but may also be of a bias structure.

[0024] The belt 6 is disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction with respect to the crown portion of the carcass 5. The belt 6 includes one or more belt layers 6a. Each belt layer 6a includes one or more belt cords and a covering rubber that covers the belt cords. The belt cords can be formed of a monofilament or a stranded wire. The belt cords may be composed of a metal (e.g., steel) or may be composed of organic fibers made of polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, or the like.

[0025] The tread rubber 7 is located on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the belt 6 in the tread portion 1a. The tread rubber 7 constitutes a tread surface that is the outer surface in the tire radial direction of the tread portion 1a. A tread pattern is formed on the tread surface.

[0026] The side rubber 8 is located in the sidewall portion 1b. The side rubber 8 constitutes the outer surface on the outer side in the tire width direction of the sidewall portion 1b. The side rubber 8 is located on the outer side in the tire width direction than the carcass 5. The side rubber 8 is located on the outer side in the tire width direction than the bead filler 4b. The side rubber 8 is integrally formed with the tread rubber 7.

[0027] The inner liner 9 is disposed inside the tire of the carcass 5 and may be laminated, for example, on the inner side of the tire of the carcass 5. The inner liner 9 is composed of, for example, a butyl rubber having low air permeability. The butyl rubber includes, for example, butyl rubber and halogenated butyl rubber which is a derivative thereof. The inner liner 9 is not limited to the butyl rubber and can be composed of other rubber compositions, resins, or elastomers.

[0028] Side reinforcing rubbers 2 are disposed in the sidewall portion 1b. Each side reinforcing rubber 2 is embedded in the corresponding sidewall portion 1b, respectively. Each side reinforcing rubber 2 is disposed on the inner side in the tire width direction of the carcass 5. Further, each side reinforcing rubber 2 is disposed on the outer side in the tire width direction of the inner liner 9. The side reinforcing rubber 2 has a crescent cross section in which the thickness gradually decreases toward the inner and outer sides in the tire radial direction in the cross section in the tire width direction and is convexly curved toward the outer side in the tire width direction. In this way, the tire 1 is configured as a run-flat tire. The side reinforcing rubber 2 reinforces the tire side portion 1d and contributes to supporting the vehicle body weight and suppressing the longitudinal deflection of the tire 1 in a state where the internal pressure of the tire 1 is low due to a puncture or the like, thereby enabling running over a certain distance.

[0029] Next, the communication device 10 will be described. The communication device 10 only needs to be configured to be capable of wireless communication with a predetermined external device (for example, a reader or a reader / writer) outside the tire 1, and the configuration of the communication device 10 is not particularly limited. The communication device 10 preferably has an RF tag. The RF tag is also called an "RFID tag". The RF tag is preferably configured as a passive type, but may also be configured as an active type. Instead of or in addition to the RF tag, the communication device 10 may have an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the tire 1, an internal pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of the tire 1, and the like.

[0030] FIGS. 4 to 5 show an example of the communication device 10. In this example, the communication device 10 has an RF tag. In this example, the communication device 10 includes an RF tag 10e and a covering portion 10f. The RF tag 10e includes an IC chip 10c and an antenna portion 10b. The RF tag 10e is configured as a passive type.

[0031] The IC chip 10c operates, for example, by the dielectric electromotive force generated by the radio wave received by the antenna portion 10b. The IC chip 10c has, for example, a control unit and a storage unit. The storage unit may store any information. For example, the storage unit may store the identification information of the tire 1. The identification information of the tire 1 is, for example, the unique identification information of the tire 1 that can identify each tire, such as the manufacturer of the tire 1, the manufacturing factory, and the manufacturing date. In addition, the storage unit may store tire history information such as the running distance of the tire, the number of hard braking times, the number of rapid transmission times, and the number of sharp turning times. Further, for example, sensors for detecting the internal temperature of the tire, the internal pressure of the tire, the acceleration of the tire, etc. are provided in the tire cavity, and the storage unit may store the detection information detected by these sensors. In this case, the RF tag 10e can acquire the detection information of the sensors by wirelessly communicating with the sensors through the antenna portion 10b. The control unit is configured to be able to read information from the storage unit.

[0032] The antenna unit 10b has a pair of antennas 10b1 and 10b2. The pair of antennas 10b1 and 10b2 are respectively connected to the ends of the IC chip 10c that are located on opposite sides of each other. The antenna unit 10b is configured to be able to transmit and receive with the predetermined external device outside the tire 1. In the examples of FIGS. 4 to 5, each of the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 extends linearly, but each of the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 may extend in an arbitrary shape such as a waveform or the like.

[0033] The covering portion 10f covers the entire RF tag 10e. The covering portion 10f is formed of, for example, rubber or resin. In this example, the covering portion 10f has a pair of sheet-like covering members 10f1 and 10f2. The pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are overlapped with each other with the RF tag 10e sandwiched therebetween. It is preferable that the pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are fixed to each other by adhesion or the like. However, the covering portion 10f may be composed of one member. In this example, the covering portion 10f has a rectangular shape in plan view, but the covering portion 10f may have an arbitrary shape in plan view. Note that the communication device 10 may not have the covering portion 10f, that is, it may be composed of only the RF tag 10e.

[0034] The communication device 10 configured as described above is configured to be able to receive, by the antenna unit 10b, information transmitted on an electric wave or a magnetic field from the predetermined external device. By rectification (in the case of an electric wave) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), electric power is generated in the antenna unit 10b of the communication device 10, and the storage unit and the control unit of the IC chip 10c perform predetermined operations. For example, the control unit reads out the information in the storage unit and returns (transmits) it from the antenna unit 10b on an electric wave or a magnetic field to the predetermined external device. The predetermined external device receives the electric wave or the magnetic field from the communication device 10. The predetermined external device can acquire the information stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 10c of the communication device 10 by extracting the received information.

[0035] However, the communication device 10 may have any configuration different from this example.

[0036] The communication device 10 may have a longitudinal direction LD, a lateral direction SD, and a thickness direction TD. The longitudinal direction LD, the lateral direction SD, and the thickness direction TD are perpendicular to each other. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, when the communication device 10 has the RF tag 10e, the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is parallel to the extending direction of the antenna portion 10b. When each antenna 10b1, 10b2 of the antenna portion 10b is in a waveform, the extending direction of the antenna portion 10b refers to the extending direction of the amplitude center line of the waveform formed by each antenna 10b1, 10b2. In the communication device 10, when the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 refers to the thickness direction of the covering portion 10f, and when the communication device 10 does not have the covering portion 10f, the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 refers to the thickness direction of the IC chip 10c.

[0037] The length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 20 mm or more, or 50 mm or more. Also, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 100 mm or less, or 70 mm or less. The length of the lateral direction SD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 10 mm or less, or 8 mm or less. The length of the thickness direction TD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is preferably, for example, 30 mm or more, or 60 mm or more. Also, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 110 mm or less, or 80 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the lateral direction SD of the communication device 10 is preferably, for example, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 is preferably, for example, 6 mm or less, or 3 mm or less. The thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f is preferably, for example, 0.5 mm or more. Further, the thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f is preferably, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0038] The communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire 1 (tire body 1M).

[0039] During the manufacture of the tire 1, the green tire constituting the tire body 1M and the communication device 10 are accommodated inside a tire molding die and vulcanization molded.

[0040] Hereinafter, the preferred configurations of various tire constituent members (such as the side reinforcing rubber 2 etc.) constituting the tire body 1M, and the preferred positional relationships etc. between the various tire constituent members constituting the tire body 1M and the communication device 10 will be described. Note that the communication device 10 may be provided only on one of the pair of tire half portions on both sides of the tire equatorial plane CL in the tire 1. In that case, for the configurations and positions etc. described below, it is preferable that they are satisfied in at least the tire half portion on the side where the communication device 10 is provided among the pair of tire half portions of the tire 1, but they may also be satisfied in each of the pair of tire half portions of the tire 1. Further, the communication device 10 may be provided on each of the pair of tire half portions of the tire 1. In that case, for the configurations and positions etc. described below, it is preferable that they are satisfied in each of the respective tire half portions, but they may also be satisfied only in one of the pair of tire half portions of the tire 1.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the side reinforcing rubber 2 has a side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j where a pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 are joined. As schematically shown in FIG. 3, one of a pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 is a first tire circumferential direction end portion 2p1 which is an end portion on the first tire circumferential direction side CD1 of the side reinforcing rubber 2. The first tire circumferential direction end portion 2p1 includes a first tire circumferential direction edge 2e1 which is a tire circumferential direction edge that is located on the first tire circumferential direction side CD1 most among the first tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and faces the first tire circumferential direction side CD1. The other of the pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 is a second tire circumferential direction end portion 2p2 which is an end portion on the second tire circumferential direction side CD2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2. The second tire circumferential direction end portion 2p2 includes a second tire circumferential direction edge 2e2 which is a tire circumferential direction edge that is located on the second tire circumferential direction side CD2 most among the second tire circumferential direction end portions 2p2 and faces the second tire circumferential direction side CD2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j, a pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 may overlap in the tire width direction. In this case, the joint strength between the pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 can be improved, and thus, the formation of a gap between the tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 can be effectively suppressed. In this case, the first tire circumferential direction end portion 2p1 may be located outside the tire width direction with respect to the second tire circumferential direction end portion 2p2, or the first tire circumferential direction end portion 2p1 may be located inside the tire width direction with respect to the second tire circumferential direction end portion 2p2. Alternatively, although not shown, in the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j, a pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 may have their respective tire circumferential direction edges 2e1 and 2e2 butted (and thus, in contact) with each other. In this case, as in the example of FIG. 3, when viewing a cross section (FIG. 3) along the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction, the pair of tire circumferential direction edges 2e1 and 2e2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may be substantially parallel to the tire width direction, or may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the tire width direction. In each of the above examples, in the side reinforcing rubber 2, the pair of tire circumferential direction end portions 2p1 and 2p2 may each have substantially uniform (constant) thickness in the tire width direction along the tire circumferential direction as in the example of FIG. 3, or may have non-uniform thickness in the tire width direction along the tire circumferential direction. For example, the thickness in the tire width direction may gradually decrease as it approaches the respective tire circumferential direction edges 2e1 and 2e2 along the tire circumferential direction. In each of the above examples, the pair of tire circumferential direction edges 2e1 and 2e2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 may form a three-dimensional planar shape as in the example of FIG. 3, and thus may form a linear shape when viewed in a cross section (FIG. 3) along the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction. Alternatively, the pair of tire circumferential direction edges 2e1 and 2e2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 may form a three-dimensional linear shape, and thus may form a dot shape when viewed in a cross section (FIG. 3) along the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction. In each of the above examples, in the projection plane (FIG. 1) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction, the pair of tire circumferential direction edges 2e1 and 2e2 in the side reinforcing rubber 2 may each extend in a direction inclined with respect to the tire radial direction as in the example of FIG. 1, or may extend parallel to the tire radial direction. In each of the above examples, the side reinforcing rubber 2 may have a greater thickness in the tire width direction at the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j than the thickness in the tire width direction at portions other than the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j, as in the example of FIG. 3.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the tire 1, at least a part (only a part in the example of FIG. 1) of the communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j in the projection plane (FIG. 1) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction.

[0043] As described above, in the present embodiment, at least a part (only a part in the example of FIG. 1) of the communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j in the projection plane (FIG. 1) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction. The rubber that constitutes the side reinforcing rubber 2 is generally relatively hard and relatively thick among all tire constituent members (particularly tire constituent members made of rubber) that constitute the tire body 1M. And the side reinforcing rubber 2 tends to be even thicker particularly at the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j. According to the present embodiment, on the above projection plane, at least a part of the communication device 10 is arranged so as to overlap with the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j which is a particularly hard and thick part (and thus a particularly difficult-to-deform part) in the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M). Thereby, during rolling, the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j suppresses its own deformation while being located in the vicinity of the communication device 10, and thus supports the communication device 10 so as to suppress the deformation in the vicinity of the communication device 10. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress damage to the communication device 10 due to the deformation of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M) during rolling. Thereby, the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved. For example, when the communication device 10 has the IC chip 10c and the antenna portion 10b as described above (FIGS. 4 to 5), generally, when the tire 1 is deformed, the antenna portion 10b is displaced and / or deformed with respect to the IC chip 10c, so that the connection portion between the IC chip 10c and the antenna portion 10b and the vicinity thereof tend to be particularly easily damaged. Also, as described above, the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j is originally a particularly hard and thick part in the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M). In the present embodiment, the influence on the uniformity of the tire 1 due to adding the communication device 10 in the vicinity thereof is small. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the communication device 10 due to the deformation of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M) during rolling with little impairment of uniformity, and improve the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication device 10 may be oriented such that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 substantially follows the tire circumferential direction. In this case, the followability of the tire to the deformation during tire rolling can be improved, and thus the durability of the communication device 10 can be improved. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferable that at least the IC chip 10c of the communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j in the projection plane (FIG. 1) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction. Thereby, the durability of the IC chip 10c in particular among the communication devices 10 can be further improved with respect to the deformation of the tire 1 during rolling. From the same viewpoint, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is preferable that at least the connection portion between the IC chip 10c and the antenna portion 10b of the communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j in the projection plane (FIG. 1) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction.

[0045] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the communication device 10 may be oriented such that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 substantially follows the tire radial direction. In this case, in the projection plane (FIG. 6) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction, most or all of the communication device 10 can overlap the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j. Thereby, the durability of most or all of the communication device 10 can be further improved with respect to the deformation of the tire 1 during rolling.

[0046] In each example described in this specification, it is preferable that the entire communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j in the projection plane (FIGS. 1 and 6) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction, as in the example of FIG. 6. Thereby, the durability of the entire communication device 10 can be further improved with respect to the deformation of the tire 1 during rolling.

[0047] The communication device 10 is preferably arranged outside the side reinforcing rubber 2 in the tire width direction, as in the example of FIG. 2. The communication device 10 is preferably arranged outside the tire width direction with respect to the carcass 5 as in the example of FIG. 2. The communication device 10 is preferably located between the side rubber 8 and the carcass 5 as in the example of FIG. 2. Since the side rubber 8 is located on the outermost side of the tire, it has high heat dissipation performance. Therefore, when the communication device 10 is located between the side rubber 8 and the carcass 5, the amount of heat applied to the communication device 10 can be further reduced by the heat dissipation function of the side rubber 8, and thus damage to the communication device 10 due to heat can be further suppressed. In this case, the communication device 10 is preferably in contact with the side rubber 8 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 10 is preferably embedded inside the tire side portion 1d of the tire 1. Generally, metal may weaken the radio waves between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device (for example, a reader or a reader / writer), reducing the communication performance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device, and thus possibly shortening the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device. On the other hand, in the tire body 1M, metal (for example, steel) can be used for the belt 6, bead core 4a, etc. And generally, the tire side portion 1d tends to have less metal content compared to the tread portion 1a. Therefore, by arranging the communication device 10 in the tire side portion 1d, the communication performance can be improved and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be lengthened compared to the case where the communication device 10 is arranged in the tread portion 1a. The communication device 10 is preferably embedded in a portion of the tire side portion 1d of the tire body 1M that is outside the tire width direction with respect to the carcass 5. Also, it is preferable that the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 is directed substantially along the tire width direction (FIG. 2).

[0049] The communication device 10 is preferably arranged in the sidewall portion 1b as in the example of FIG. 2. Generally, the sidewall portion 1b tends to have less metal content than the bead portion 1c. Therefore, by arranging the communication device 10 in the sidewall portion 1b, the communication performance can be improved and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be increased as compared with the case where the communication device 10 is arranged in the bead portion 1c.

[0050] The communication device 10 is preferably located in the vicinity of the maximum tire width position of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M) in the tire radial direction.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer end 10u in the tire radial direction of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the whole of the communication device 10) is preferably located outside the outer end in the tire radial direction of the bead core 4a, and more preferably located outside the center in the tire radial direction of the bead filler 4b. For example, it is preferably located outside the outer end 4bu in the tire radial direction of the bead filler 4b. This configuration is particularly suitable when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic passenger car tire.

[0052] When the communication device 10 is arranged in the sidewall portion 1b as described above, as in the example of FIG. 2, the outer end 10u in the tire radial direction of the communication device 10 is preferably located inside the outer end 5e in the tire radial direction of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5. Thereby, the communication performance can be improved, the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be increased, and the communication device 10 can be arranged in a portion of the tire body 1M where the distortion is relatively small during rolling of the tire 1, etc., so that the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved. The tire radial distance between the outer end 10u in the tire radial direction of the communication device 10 and the outer end 5e in the tire radial direction of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is preferably 3 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm. This configuration is particularly suitable when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger car.

[0053] As in the example of FIG. 2, it is preferable that the radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially outside the radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b. However, the radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same radial position as the radially outer end of the bead filler 4b, or may be located radially inside thereof.

[0054] The radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially outside the tire maximum width position of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M), may be located at the same radial position as the tire maximum width position, or may be located radially inside the tire maximum width position. Here, the "tire maximum width position" is the radial position where the dimension in the tire width direction of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire body 1M) is maximum.

[0055] As in the example of FIG. 2, it is preferable that the communication device 10 is in contact with the surface on the outer side in the tire width direction of the carcass 5, and more preferably, is in contact with the surface on the outer side in the tire width direction of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5. This configuration is particularly suitable when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger car.

[0056] [Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Led by the United Nations] The SDGs have been proposed towards the realization of a sustainable society. One embodiment of the present invention can be a technology that contributes to "[No. 12_Responsibility to Produce, Responsibility to Use]" and "[No. 13_Specific Measures against Climate Change]".

Industrial Applicability

[0057] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, for example, it can be suitably used for a pneumatic tire for a passenger car.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] 1: Tire 1M: Tire body, 1a: Tread portion, 1b: Sidewall portion, 1c: Bead portion, 1d: Tire side portion, 2: Side reinforcing rubber, 2p1: First tire circumferential end (tire circumferential end), 2p2: Second tire circumferential end (tire circumferential end), 2e1: First tire circumferential edge (tire circumferential edge), 2e2: Second tire circumferential edge (tire circumferential edge), 2j: Side reinforcing rubber joint portion, 4a: Bead core 4b: Bead filler, 4bu: Tire radial outer end of bead filler 5: Carcass, 5a: Carcass ply, 5c: Carcass cord (cord), 5r: Covering rubber, 5M: Ply main body portion, 5T: Ply turning-back portion, 5e: Tire radial outer end of ply turning-back portion of carcass 6: Belt, 6a: Belt layer 7: Tread rubber 8: Side rubber 9: Inner liner 10: Communication device 10e: RF tag 10b: Antenna portion, 10b1, 10b2: Antenna 10f: Covering portion, 10f1, 10f2: Covering member 10c: IC chip 10u: Tire radial outer end of communication device CL: Tire equatorial plane WD: Tire width direction, RD: Tire radial direction, CD: Tire circumferential direction, CD1: First side in tire circumferential direction, CD2: Second side in tire circumferential direction LD: Longitudinal direction of communication device, SD: Short hand direction of communication device, TD: Thickness direction of communication device O: Central axis (rotation axis) of tire

Claims

1. A tire, Side reinforcing rubber having a crescent cross-section disposed in a sidewall portion of the tire, and A communication device embedded inside the tire, comprising, The side reinforcing rubber has a side reinforcing rubber joint portion where the tire circumferential direction ends of the side reinforcing rubber are joined, A tire in which at least a part of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion on a projection plane when the tire is projected in the tire width direction.

2. The communication device is directed such that the longitudinal direction of the communication device substantially follows the tire circumferential direction, The communication device has an IC chip, The tire according to claim 1, wherein at least the IC chip of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion on the projection plane.

3. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is directed such that the longitudinal direction of the communication device substantially follows the tire radial direction.

4. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the entire communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion on the projection plane.

5. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication device has an RF tag.

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