Tire and tire manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a technique concerning a tire enhanced in accuracy in positioning an RFID tag.SOLUTION: A tire 10 comprises: a fabric layer 41 which has a fabric main body 36, formed of a first fiber material 38, which has a mesh in a folded shape extending in a circumferential direction of the tire 10 and in a radial direction of the tire 10 and is endlessly arranged in the circumferential direction, and a reinforcement body 40, formed of a reinforcement fiber material, which is equally knitted in the circumferential direction of the tire 10 of the fabric main body 36 to restrict the fabric main body 36 from elongating in the radial direction of the tire 10; a resin skeleton body 20, formed of thermoplastic resin, in which the fabric layer 41 is integrally arranged from a bead part 12 in which a bead core 18 is buried to a crown part 16; and an RFID tag 70 buried in a position closer to inside in an axial direction of the tire 10 than the fabric layer 41, in the resin skeleton body 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire and a method for manufacturing a tire.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a tire having an annular resin tire skeleton member including a bead portion, a side portion continuous with the radially outer side of the bead portion in the tire diameter direction, and a crown portion continuous with the inner side of the side portion in the tire width direction, and an RFID tag attached to the outer surface of the side portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the RFID tag is attached during the tire manufacturing process, the RFID tag is likely to shift from the desired position.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology related to a tire with improved positioning accuracy of an RFID tag.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tire of the first aspect is formed of a first fiber material, has a folded mesh shape that is continuous in the tire circumferential direction and the tire radial direction, and has an endless knitted body in the circumferential direction, and is formed of a reinforcing fiber material. A reinforcing body that is evenly knitted in the tire circumferential direction of the knitted body and restricts the elongation of the knitted body in the tire radial direction, a knitted layer having the reinforcing body, and a resin skeleton formed of a thermoplastic resin and integrally disposed with the knitted layer from a bead portion in which a bead core is embedded to a crown portion. And an RFID tag embedded inside the resin skeleton in the tire axial direction relative to the knitted layer.

[0007] In this tire, the RFID tag is disposed inside the knitted layer in the tire width direction. By disposing the RFID tag inside the knitted layer in the tire axial direction in the tire according to this aspect, the durability of the RFID tag can be improved as compared with the case where the RFID tag is disposed outside the knitted layer in the tire axial direction.

[0008] The tire of the second aspect is the tire according to the first aspect, wherein the RFID tag is embedded in the resin skeleton in a state of being joined to the knitted layer.

[0009] In this tire, since the RFID tag is embedded in the resin skeleton in a state of being joined to the knitted layer, the knitted layer and the RFID tag are less likely to shift. As a result, the positioning accuracy of the RFID tag is improved in the tire according to this aspect as compared with the case where the RFID tag is embedded in the resin skeleton in a state of not being joined to the knitted layer.

[0010] The tire of the third aspect is the tire according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the RFID tag is embedded in the bead portion of the resin skeleton.

[0011] Since the RFID tag is embedded in the bead portion of the resin skeleton body in this tire, deformation due to the load of the vehicle is less likely to occur even during the use of the tire. Accordingly, according to the tire according to this aspect, the durability of the RFID tag is higher than that in the case where the RFID tag is embedded in a location other than the bead portion.

[0012] The tire manufacturing method of the fourth aspect includes a knitted fabric body formed of a first fiber material and having a folded-back shape mesh continuously formed in the tire circumferential direction and the tire radial direction, having ends on both sides in the tire radial direction and endless in the tire circumferential direction, and a reinforcing body formed of a reinforcing fiber material and regulating the elongation of the knitted fabric body in the tire radial direction while being knitted at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction in the knitted fabric body. A procedure of integrating an annular bead core with an inner end portion in the tire radial direction of the knitted fabric layer to form a primary formed body, a procedure of disposing an RFID tag between the knitted fabric layer and the inner metal mold while holding the bead core of the primary formed body at an inner end portion in the radial direction of the inner metal mold, a procedure of forming a cavity using an outer metal mold facing the wall surface of the inner metal mold with a gap, and a procedure of injecting a resin material from an inner side in the tire axial direction of the inner metal mold rather than the bead core into the cavity and forming a resin skeleton body while pressing the primary formed body against the outer metal mold.

[0013] In this tire manufacturing method, by disposing the RFID tag between the knitted fabric layer and the inner metal mold, when injecting resin into the cavity, the RFID tag is caught by the knitted fabric layer and is less likely to move to an unexpected location. Therefore, according to the tire manufacturing method according to this aspect, in the manufacturing process of a tire having an RFID tag in the resin skeleton body, the positioning accuracy of the RFID tag can be improved.

[0014] The tire manufacturing method of the fifth aspect is the tire manufacturing method according to the fourth aspect, and in the procedure of forming the resin skeleton body, the resin material is injected from an inner end in the tire axial direction of the cavity.

[0015] In this tire manufacturing method, since the resin material is injected from the inner end in the tire axial direction in the cavity, the pressure of the resin material flowing into the adjacent portion of the bead core decreases. Therefore, according to the tire manufacturing method according to this aspect, the positioning accuracy of the RFID tag can be improved as compared with the case where the resin material is injected from a location other than the inner end in the tire axial direction in the cavity.

[0016] The tire manufacturing method of the sixth aspect is the tire manufacturing method described in the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, and in the procedure of arranging the RFID tag, the RFID tag is arranged at an adjacent portion of the bead core in the knitted layer.

[0017] In this tire manufacturing method, since the RFID tag is arranged at an adjacent portion of the bead core in the cavity, the RFID tag is embedded in the bead portion of the resin skeleton body. Here, among the tires having a resin skeleton body, the bead portion is less likely to be deformed during use than other portions. Therefore, according to the tire manufacturing method according to this aspect, the durability of the RFID tag in the tire is higher as compared with the case where the RFID tag is arranged at a location other than the adjacent portion of the bead core.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technology related to a tire with high positioning accuracy of an RFID tag.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0021] Also, the arrow R shown in each figure indicates the radial direction of the tire 10, the arrow W indicates the width direction (axial direction) of the tire 10, and the arrow θ indicates the circumferential direction of the tire 10. "Outside of the tire" in the present disclosure refers to the outside in both the radial direction and the width direction of the tire, and coincides with the direction in which the arrows R and W point in each figure.

[0022] The method for measuring the dimensions of each part is based on the method described in the 2023 edition YEAR BOOK issued by JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association).

[0023] In the present disclosure, a thermoplastic resin (including a thermoplastic elastomer) refers to a polymer compound that softens, flows as the temperature rises, and becomes relatively hard and strong when cooled. In this specification, among these, a polymer compound that softens, flows as the temperature rises, and becomes relatively hard and strong when cooled, and has rubber-like elasticity is defined as a thermoplastic elastomer, and a polymer compound that softens, flows as the temperature rises, and becomes relatively hard and strong when cooled, and does not have rubber-like elasticity is distinguished as a thermoplastic resin that is not an elastomer.

[0024] Examples of the thermoplastic resin (including a thermoplastic elastomer) include polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPO), polystyrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPS), polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPA), polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPC), and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers (TPV), as well as polyolefin-based thermoplastic resins, polystyrene-based thermoplastic resins, polyamide-based thermoplastic resins, and polyester-based thermoplastic resins, etc.

[0025] (Configuration) Figs. 1 and 2 show a tire 10 according to the present disclosure. The tire 10 according to the present disclosure includes a pair of bead portions 12, a side portion 14 extending radially outward of the tire 10 from the bead portion 12, and a crown portion 16 (outer peripheral portion) connecting the radially outer ends of the tire 10 of one side portion 14 and the radially outer ends of the tire 10 of the other side portion 14, and is provided with a tire skeleton member 17. A belt layer 32 formed of a resin cord member 26 is provided on the radially outer side of the tire 10 of the tire skeleton member 17, and a tread layer 30 is provided on the radially outer side of the belt layer 32 of the tire 10, whereby the tire 10 is formed.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the radial direction, width direction, and circumferential direction of the tire half body 17A coincide with the radial direction, width direction, and circumferential direction of the tire 10 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the width direction of the tire 10, showing an example of the configuration of the tire 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the belt layer 32 is formed by winding the resin cord member 26 around the outer periphery of the tire skeletal member 17 in the circumferential direction of the tire 10 and joining it to the tire skeletal member 17. Further, the belt layer 32 is configured by joining portions of the resin cord member 26 that are adjacent to each other in the width direction of the tire 10. The resin cord member 26 is formed by covering a cord member with a coating resin layer.

[0029] On the radially outer peripheral side of the belt layer 32 of the tire 10, a tread layer 30 made of rubber, which is a material having better wear resistance than the resin material constituting the tire skeletal member 17, is disposed.

[0030] The cord member coated with resin in the resin cord member 26 is composed of monofilaments (single wires) such as metal fibers and organic fibers, or multifilaments (twisted wires) obtained by twisting these fibers. Examples of the resin cord member 26 include a monofilament (single wire) composed of a single metal cord, a multifilament (twisted wire) obtained by twisting a plurality of metal cords, and the like.

[0031] In FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the resin cord member 26 (the shape of the cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the resin cord member 26) is substantially rectangular, but the resin cord member 26 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto and can have various shapes such as a substantially parallelogram.

[0032] The tread layer 30 is a portion provided on the circumferential surface 52C, which is the outer peripheral surface of the tire 10, and is formed by winding a member such as rubber around the outside of the belt in the radial direction of the tire 10.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the tire skeleton member 17 includes a pair of tire halves 17A each having a resin skeleton body 20 integrally formed of a thermoplastic resin with a bead portion 12, a side portion 42, and a half-width crown portion 44. As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of tire halves 17A are formed by facing each other and joining at the tire equatorial plane portion.

[0034] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the tire half 17A has a bead portion 12, a knitted layer 41, and a resin skeleton body 20 in which the knitted layer 41 is disposed on the outer side in the radial direction of the tire 10 from the bead core 18 to the crown portion 44 and integrated. Further, the tire 10 according to the present embodiment has an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag 70. The resin skeleton body 20 is formed of a thermoplastic resin. In the resin skeleton body 20 in the present embodiment, the knitted layer 41 and the bead core 18 are integrated as a primary molded body 34 to be described later and then integrated with the resin skeleton body 20.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the ranges of the bead portion 12, the side portion 14, and the crown portion 16 are determined based on the dimensions when the tire 10 is used. More specifically, the bead portion 12 is a range in which the thickness gradually decreases toward the outer side in the radial direction with respect to a range H from the inner end in the radial direction to the outer end in the radial direction excluding the tread layer 30 and the belt layer 32, and is a portion of the range H1. The side portion 14 is a range with substantially equal thickness and is a portion of the range H2 excluding the range H1 with respect to the range H.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, an annular bead core 18 made of a resin-coated steel cord and having a substantially rectangular cross section as an example is embedded in the bead portion 12. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the bead portion 12 has a thick portion 50 thicker than the side portion 14 in which the bead core 18 is embedded, and an inclined portion 48 connecting from the thick portion 50 to the side portion 14.

[0037] The thick portion 50 abuts against a rim flange (not shown) and has a function of preventing the bead portion 12 from coming off the rim flange. The thick portion 50 has a thick portion outer peripheral surface 50E that abuts against the flange portion of the rim flange (not shown) in the width direction, a thick portion bottom surface 50B that contacts the rim flange (not shown) from the radially outer side, and a thick portion inner peripheral surface 50I that is the inner surface on the inner side in the width direction with respect to the thick portion bottom surface 50B. The thick portion bottom surface 50B is along the axis (width direction) of the tire 10 or is inclined so as to approach the central axis of the tire 10 from the heel portion 50H, which is the boundary with the thick portion outer peripheral surface 50E, toward the inner side in the width direction of the tire 10. Further, as an example, the thick portion outer peripheral surface 50E is along the radially outer side from the heel portion 50H or is slightly inclined toward the inner side in the tire width direction. The thick portion inner peripheral surface 50I is along the radially outer side from the toe portion 50T, which is the boundary with the thick portion inner peripheral surface 50I, as an example, or is slightly inclined toward the inner side in the width direction of the tire 10.

[0038] The inclined portion 48 has a function of dispersing the stress of the side portion 14 that deforms due to the load during the use of the tire 10. The outer peripheral surface 48E of the inclined portion 48 connects the thick portion outer peripheral surface 50E of the thick portion 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the side portion 14 while being curved in an arc shape such that the tire width direction is slightly recessed. Further, by connecting the inner peripheral surface 48I of the inclined portion 48 to the thick portion inner peripheral surface 50I of the thick portion 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the side portion 14, the inclined portion 48 gradually decreases in thickness from the thick portion 50 side (radially inner side) toward the side portion 14 side (radially outer side).

[0039] (RFID tag) As shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), the RFID tag 70 includes a main body chip 72 and an antenna 74. The main body chip 72 includes a processor including a CPU or an MPU and a memory capable of storing various information. The antenna 74 extends from the main body chip 72 to one side and the other side.

[0040] The body chip 72 and the antenna 74 are embedded in a resin coating portion 76 formed of a resin material. The resin material forming the resin coating portion 76 is preferably the same type of material as the resin material forming the resin skeleton body 20. The embedding in the resin coating portion 76 may be sandwiched between film-like materials, or the thickness of the body chip 72 may be absorbed by the thick resin coating portion 76. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the RFID tag 70 has flexibility in the thickness direction. Also, the RFID tag 70 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction in which the antenna 74 extends is along the tire circumferential direction.

[0041] Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the RFID tag 70 is embedded inside the tire width direction from the knitting layer 41 in the bead portion 12 of the resin skeleton body 20. More specifically, the RFID tag 70 is embedded in the inclined portion 48 along the knitting layer 41 described later in the bead portion 12 of the resin skeleton body 20.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a rubber layer 24 is formed on the outer side in the width direction of the tire 10 from the bead portion 12 to the crown portion 44 in the tire half body 17A. More specifically, the rubber layer 24 is formed across the outer peripheral surface of the side portion 14 from the crown portion 44, the outer peripheral surface 48E of the inclined portion 48 in the bead portion 12, the outer peripheral surface 50E of the thick portion, the bottom surface 50B of the thick portion, and the inner peripheral surface 50I of the thick portion. This rubber layer 24 protects the tire half body 17A from sunlight and the like and improves the weather resistance when the tire 10 is incorporated into a wheel.

[0043] (Primary molded body 34) FIG. 4 is a view showing a primary molded body 34 included in the tire half body 17A according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the primary molded body 34 includes a knitting layer 41 having a knitting body 36 and a reinforcing body 40, and a bead core 18.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the knitted body 36 is formed of a filamentous first fiber material 38, has a folded mesh shape continuously formed in the circumferential direction of the tire 10 and in the radial direction of the tire 10, and has ends on both sides in the radial direction of the tire 10 and is endless in the circumferential direction of the tire 10. That is, the knitted body 36 is a member formed by knitting annularly with the first fiber material 38, and has elasticity in the radial direction and the circumferential direction (the vertical and horizontal directions in the drawing in FIG. 5).

[0045] Further, as will be described later, the first fiber material 38 is formed of a material having compatibility with the resin skeleton 20 and the resin coating of the bead core 18. Specifically, it is a material such as a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, and a resin of the same type as the resin skeleton 20 is preferably used. In the present disclosure, compatibility refers to the property that materials of different members are easily mixed with each other in a molten state.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the reinforcing body 40 is formed of a reinforcing fiber material, extends in the tire radial direction, and is evenly distributed in the tire circumferential direction by being knitted into the knitted body 36 in the circumferential direction of the tire 10, and is a filamentous member that restricts the extension of the knitted body 36 in the radial direction of the tire 10. Further, as will be described later, the reinforcing fiber material is formed of a material having no compatibility with the resin skeleton 20. Specifically, materials such as aramid fibers and steel cords, which have a higher softening temperature and higher tensile strength than the first fiber material 38, are adopted. Further, the reinforcing fiber material is not limited to a single material, and an artificial resin such as an aramid fiber or a fibrous body coated with a resin of the same system as the first fiber material 38 on a steel cord or the like may be used. The shape and number of the reinforcing bodies 40 are appropriately determined according to the specifications of the tire 10 to be manufactured. Further, the above-mentioned equal distribution means that it is sufficient if a plurality of reinforcing bodies 40 are at approximately equal intervals when viewed macroscopically. The reinforcing bodies 40 are preferably arranged at about 10 to 60 per mm in the tire circumferential direction.

[0047] Incidentally, the knitted fabric body 36 is not limited to any particular knitting method as long as it has elasticity in the radial and circumferential directions of the tire 10 as described above. As an example, it is formed by knitting. In other words, the primary molded body 34 in the present disclosure has a so-called inlay structure in which a reinforcing fiber material is knitted into the knitted fabric body 36.

[0048] Also, the shape of the knitted fabric body 36 is appropriately determined according to the specifications of the tire 10 to be manufactured, and is shaped to be arranged from the bead core 18 to the crown portion 44 in the resin skeleton body 20 (see also FIGS. 6 and 9).

[0049] Note that the resin coating of the bead core 18 and the knitted fabric body 36 are made of mutually compatible materials, and the knitted fabric body 36 and the resin coating of the bead core 18 can be welded together. For this reason, the bead core 18 in the present embodiment is welded to the inner end in the radial direction of the tire 10 in the knitted fabric body 36.

[0050] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the knitted fabric layer 41 is embedded in the resin skeleton body 20 along the outer contour in the axial direction of the resin skeleton body 20. In other words, the knitted fabric layer 41 is disposed so as to be biased toward the outer side in the axial direction of the resin skeleton body 20.

[0051] Subsequently, with appropriate reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, a method for manufacturing a tire half and a method for manufacturing a tire according to the present disclosure will be described. The method for manufacturing a tire half according to the present disclosure includes a primary molding step, a fixing step, a mold clamping step, and an injection step.

[0052] (Primary molding step) In the primary molding step, an annular bead core 18 is integrated with the inner end in the radial direction of the tire 10 in the knitted fabric layer 41 to form a primary formed body.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, an RFID tag 70 is attached to the primary molded body so as to be adjacent to the bead core 18 on the outer side in the radial direction of the bead core 18. The RFID tag 70 may be attached to the primary molded body by any method. As an example, the knitted fabric layer 41 and the resin coating portion 76 are adhered by an adhesive.

[0054] (Fixing process) FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the primary formed body is disposed in the inner mold 52 that expands in the radial direction. In the fixing process, the outer end of the primary formed body in the radial direction of the primary formed body is hung on the outer peripheral surface 52C of the inner mold 52 in the inner mold 52 in the radial direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the primary molded body 34 is formed into a cylindrical shape by arranging a plurality of parts in the circumferential direction. With respect to the inner mold 52, it is covered so as to go from one axial side (the right side of the drawing in FIG. 6, the lower side of the drawing in FIG. 7) to the other axial side (the left side of the drawing in FIG. 6, the upper side of the drawing in FIG. 7). Further, the bead core 18 is located on one axial side of the inner mold 52. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary formed body is not fixed on the other axial side. The primary molded body 34 is covered by the inner mold 52 due to the knitted fabric body 36 contracting in the axial and radial directions of the inner mold 52, and maintains a state along the wall surface (the outer side in the radial direction of the circumferential surface 52C and the side surface 52S) of the inner mold 52.

[0055] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the RFID tag 70 is located on the inner side in the axial direction than the knitted fabric body 36. In other words, the RFID tag 70 is disposed in the adjacent portion 46 of the bead core 18 within the cavity C. The adjacent portion 46 of the bead core 18 corresponds to the location where the inclined portion 48 of the bead portion 12 is formed in the tire 10 manufactured by the tire manufacturing method in the present embodiment.

[0056] Note that on one axial side (inner side) of the inner mold 52, a plurality of slide molds 54 that can move further toward one axial side from the side surface 52S on one axial side of the inner mold 52 are provided with gaps in the tire circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the slide mold 54 is recessed toward one axial side, and the bead core 18 is disposed in the recess of the slide mold 54. Note that as shown in FIG. 8, where there is no slide mold 54 disposed in the tire circumferential direction of the inner mold 52, the bead core 18 is disposed with a gap from the inner mold 52.

[0057] Although not shown in FIG. 6, on one axial side of the inner mold 52, an outer mold 56 that covers the radial direction and one axial side of the inner mold 52 and forms a void is disposed opposite to the inner mold 52.

[0058] (Mold clamping process) Subsequently, in the mold clamping process, the cavity C is formed using the circumferential surface 52C of the inner mold 52 and the outer mold 56 that faces the side surface 52S of the inner mold 52 with a gap. More specifically, from the state shown in FIG. 6, the outer mold 56 that covers the radial direction and one axial side of the inner mold 52 is brought closer from one axial side of the inner mold 52, and a cavity C, which is a void, is formed between the side surface 52S and the circumferential surface 52C of the inner mold 52 and the inner surface 56I of the outer mold 56. Further, in the state where the cavity C is formed, by moving the slide mold 54 toward one axial side, the bead core 18 is pressed against the inner surface 56I of the outer mold 56 as shown in FIG. 7. This cavity C has the same shape as the tire half body 17A according to the present disclosure, and the tire half body 17A is formed by pouring molten thermoplastic resin into the cavity C as described later.

[0059] That is, in the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the radial direction, the width direction, and the circumferential direction of the inner mold 52 coincide with the radial direction, the width direction, and the circumferential direction of the tire 10.

[0060] In the state shown in FIG. 7, on one axial side of the inner mold 52, a gate portion 60 for injecting a thermoplastic resin described later is formed radially inward with respect to the bead core 18.

[0061] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, since the knitted fabric body 36 of the primary molded body 34 extends in the axial and radial directions of the inner mold 52 in a state of being hung on the inner mold 52, a shrinking force acts, and inside the cavity C, it is in contact with the inner mold 52 from the side surface 52S to the circumferential surface 52C.

[0062] (Injection process) Subsequently, from the state shown in FIG. 7, the molten thermoplastic resin is injected into the cavity C through the gate portion 60. By the thermoplastic resin injected from the gate portion 60, the knitted fabric body 36 is pressed against the inner surface 56I of the outer mold 56 in the cavity C as shown in FIG. 9. Then, in a state where the knitted fabric body 36 is pressed against the inner surface 56I of the outer mold 56, the thermoplastic resin cools, and the tire half 17A is formed in the cavity C. Note that when the molten thermoplastic resin is injected from the gate portion 60, the air in the cavity C is discharged from the air vent 58.

[0063] In the tire half 17A in the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 9, it is cooled in a state where the knitted fabric body 36 is pressed against the inner surface 56I of the outer mold 56 in the cavity C. For this reason, the knitted fabric body 36 is integrated in a state of being located on the outer side of the tire of the formed resin skeleton body 20. More specifically, in the side portion 42 of the resin skeleton body 20 (one axial side in the resin skeleton body 20), it is preferably integrated in a state of being located on the one axial side of the position that is 0.5 times the thickness of the side portion 42 of the resin skeleton body 20. Also, in the crown portion 16 of the tire 10 (radially outer side in the resin skeleton body 20), it is preferably integrated in a state of being located on the radially outer side of the position that is 0.5 times the thickness of the crown portion 16 of the resin skeleton body 20.

[0064] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the knitted fabric body 36 is pressed against the inner surface 56I of the outer mold 56 within the cavity C, the knitted fabric body 36 is integrated in a state of expanding radially outward and circumferentially outward of the tire 10. That is, the reinforcing body 40 woven into the knitted fabric body 36 is integrated with the resin skeleton body 20 in a state of expanding in the circumferential direction of the tire 10 of the tire half body 17A. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the RFID tag 70 is embedded inside the knitted fabric layer 41 and adjacent to the bead core 18 in the bead portion 12 of the tire half body 17A.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, the thermoplastic resin injected from the gate portion 60 flows through the radially outer side in the cavity C to the side of the bead core 18. Therefore, in the injection process according to the present embodiment, the thermoplastic resin flows into the vicinity of the bead core 18 in a state where the momentum (flow velocity, pressure, etc.) of the thermoplastic resin is lower than that near the gate portion 60.

[0066] Thereby, in the present embodiment, the RFID tag 70 is embedded inside the knitted fabric layer 41 in the vicinity of the bead core 18 in the tire half body 17A. More specifically, the RFID tag 70 will be embedded in the inclined portion 48 of the knitted fabric layer 41 of the tire half body 17A.

[0067] Through the above steps, the tire half body 17A according to the present disclosure is manufactured.

[0068] Subsequently, a tire manufacturing method will be described. The tire manufacturing method according to the present disclosure includes a rubber layer arranging step, a joining step, a belt layer arranging step, and a tread layer arranging step.

[0069] (Rubber layer arranging step) In the rubber layer arranging step, the rubber layer 24 is arranged on one side in the width direction in the pair of tire half bodies 17A manufactured by the above-described steps.

[0070] (Joining step) In the joining step, in a pair of tire halves 17A in which the rubber layer 24 is disposed by the above-described steps, the ends corresponding to the inner side in the width direction with respect to the tire equatorial plane (the side opposite to the direction in which the side portions 42 are formed) are joined. As an example of the joining method, the other surfaces of the tire halves 17A are welded via a resin material, whereby the tire skeletal member 17 is formed as shown in FIG. 2.

[0071] (Belt layer disposing step) In the belt layer disposing step, an annular belt layer 32 is disposed on the radially outer side of the tire 10 of the tire skeletal member 17 manufactured by the joining step. The belt layer 32 can be formed by winding the resin cord member 26 around the crown portion 44 of the tire skeletal member 17.

[0072] (Tread layer disposing step) In the tread layer disposing step, an annular tread layer is disposed on the radially outer side of the tire skeletal member 17 of the tire 10 manufactured by the belt layer disposing step.

[0073] As an example, the radially outer end of the knitted layer 41 extends to the crown portion 16 of the tire skeletal member 17 and overlaps the belt layer 32. The overlapping amount with the belt layer 32 is preferably 5 mm or more from the end in the width direction of the belt layer 32 toward the center side in the width direction of the tire 10. Further, the knitted layer 41 may extend to the center in the width direction of the tire 10.

[0074] Through the above steps, the tire 10 of the present embodiment is obtained. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the RFID tag 70 in the resin skeleton 20 is embedded in the bead portion 12 of the tire 10.

[0075] Subsequently, the operations and effects of the tire 10 and the tire manufacturing method in the present disclosure will be described.

[0076] (Operations and effects) In the tire 10 according to this embodiment, the RFID tag 70 is disposed inside the tire width direction rather than the knitted layer 41. Here, in the tire 10 having the knitted layer 41, when an impact is applied to the side portion 14 from the outside in the tire axial direction during use, the knitted layer 41 is likely to absorb the impact. Therefore, the tire 10 according to this aspect can improve the durability of the RFID tag 70 as compared with the case where the RFID tag 70 is disposed outside the knitted layer 41 in the tire axial direction.

[0077] Further, in the tire 10 according to this embodiment, since the RFID tag 70 is embedded in the resin skeleton 20 in a state of being joined to the knitted layer 41, the knitted layer 41 and the RFID tag 70 are less likely to shift. Thereby, the tire 10 according to this aspect has higher positioning accuracy of the RFID tag 70 as compared with the case where the RFID tag 70 is embedded in the resin skeleton 20 in a state of not being joined to the knitted layer 41.

[0078] Further, in the tire 10 according to this embodiment, since the RFID tag 70 is embedded in the bead portion 12 of the resin skeleton 20, deformation due to the load of the vehicle is less likely to occur even during use of the tire 10. Thereby, the tire 10 according to this aspect has higher durability of the RFID tag 70 as compared with the case where the RFID tag 70 is embedded in a location other than the bead portion 12.

[0079] Further, in the tire manufacturing method according to this embodiment, by disposing the RFID tag 70 between the knitted layer 41 and the inner mold 52, when resin is injected into the cavity C, the RFID tag 70 is caught by the knitted layer 41 and is less likely to move to an unexpected location. Therefore, according to the tire manufacturing method according to this aspect, in the manufacturing process of the tire 10 having the RFID tag 70 in the resin skeleton 20, the positioning accuracy of the RFID tag 70 can be improved.

[0080] Further, in the tire manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, since the resin material is injected from the inner end in the axial direction of the tire 10 in the cavity C, the pressure of the resin material flowing into the adjacent portion 46 of the bead core 18 decreases. Thus, according to the tire manufacturing method according to this aspect, the positioning accuracy of the RFID tag 70 can be improved as compared with the case where the resin material is injected from a location other than the inner end in the axial direction of the tire 10 in the cavity C.

[0081] Further, in the tire manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, since the RFID tag is disposed at the adjacent portion 46 of the bead core 18 in the cavity C, the RFID tag 70 is embedded in the bead portion 12 of the resin skeleton 20. Here, among the tires having the resin skeleton 20, the portion of the bead portion 12 is less likely to be deformed during use than other portions. Therefore, according to the tire manufacturing method according to this aspect, the durability of the RFID tag 70 in the tire 10 is higher as compared with the case where the RFID tag 70 is disposed at a location other than the adjacent portion 46 of the bead core 18.

[0082] (Modification example) In the above description, the RFID tag 70 is disposed at the inclined portion 48 in the bead portion 12. However, the tire 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the RFID tag 70 may be disposed in the thick portion 50 as long as it is disposed inside the knitting layer 41 in the axial direction. Since the thick portion 50 is less likely to be deformed during use than the inclined portion 48, in this case, the durability of the RFID tag 70 can be further enhanced.

[0083] Further, the RFID tag may be disposed in the side portion 14 as long as it is disposed inside the knitting layer 41 in the axial direction. In this case, since the RFID tag 70 is farther from the outer edge of the rim flange (not shown) than when the RFID tag 70 is disposed in the bead portion 12, it becomes easier to communicate with the RFID tag 70.

[0084] Also, in the above description, the RFID tag 70 was embedded in the resin framework 20 in a state of being welded to the knitted fabric layer 41. However, the tire 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the RFID tag 70 may be adhered to the knitted fabric layer 41 using an adhesive, or may be locked using a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. Even in this case, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described tire 10 can be obtained.

[0085] In addition, in the above description, the RFID tag 70 was embedded in the resin framework 20 in a state of being welded to the knitted fabric layer 41. However, the tire 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in the injection process, the RFID tag 70 may be simply placed without being joined to the knitted fabric layer 41 as long as it does not deviate from the position shown in FIG. 6. Even in this case, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described tire 10 can be obtained.

[0086] Also, in the above description, the RFID tag 70 was disposed in the adjacent portion 46 of the bead core 18 in the cavity C. However, the location where the RFID tag 70 is disposed is not limited to the adjacent portion 46 as long as it is inside the knitted fabric layer 41. Even in this case, by disposing the RFID tag 70 inside the tire 10 in the axial direction of the tire 10 rather than the knitted fabric layer 41 of the bead portion 12, the positioning accuracy of the RFID tag is improved as compared with the case where the RFID tag 70 is embedded in a location other than the bead portion 12. Even in this case, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described tire 10 can be obtained.

[0087] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is obvious that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modification examples or application examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0088] 10 Tire, 12 Bead part, 14 Side part, 16 Crown part, 17 Tire skeleton member, 17A Tire half body, 18 Bead core, 20 Resin skeleton body, 24 Rubber layer, 26 Resin cord member, 30 Tread layer, 32 Belt layer, 34 Primary molded body, 36 Knit body, 38 First fiber material, 40 Reinforcement, 41 Knit layer, 42 Side part, 44 Crown part, 46 Adjacent part, 48 Inclined part, 50 Thick part, 52 Inner mold, 52C Peripheral surface, 52S Side surface, 54 Slide mold, 56 Outer mold, 56I Inner surface, 58 Air vent, 60 Gate part, C Cavity, 70 RFID tag, 72 Body chip, 74 Antenna, 76 Resin coating part

Claims

1. A knitted fabric body formed of a first fiber material, having a folded mesh shape that is continuous in the tire circumferential direction and the tire radial direction, and endless in the circumferential direction, and a reinforcing body formed of a reinforcing fiber material, which is evenly knitted in the tire circumferential direction of the knitted fabric body and restricts the elongation of the knitted fabric body in the tire radial direction, a knitted fabric layer having the same; A resin skeleton body formed of a thermoplastic resin, in which the knitted fabric layer is integrally arranged from a bead portion in which a bead core is embedded to a crown portion; An RFID tag embedded inside the resin skeleton body in the tire axial direction relative to the knitted fabric layer; A tire comprising the above.

2. The RFID tag is embedded in the resin skeleton body in a state of being joined to the knitted fabric layer. The tire according to Claim 1.

3. The RFID tag is embedded in the bead portion of the resin skeleton body. The tire according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. A procedure for forming a primary formed body by integrating an annular bead core with an inner end portion in the tire radial direction of a knitted fabric layer having a knitted fabric body formed of a first fiber material, having a folded mesh shape continuously formed in the tire circumferential direction and the tire radial direction, having ends on both sides in the tire radial direction and endless in the tire circumferential direction, and a reinforcing body formed of a reinforcing fiber material, which restricts the elongation of the knitted fabric body in the tire radial direction while being knitted at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction of the knitted fabric body; A procedure for arranging an RFID tag between the knitted fabric layer and the inner metal mold while holding the bead core of the primary formed body at an inner end portion in the radial direction of the inner metal mold; A procedure for forming a cavity using an outer metal mold facing the wall surface of the inner metal mold with a gap; A procedure for injecting a resin material into the cavity from the inner side in the tire axial direction of the inner metal mold rather than the bead core, and forming a resin skeleton body while pressing the primary formed body against the outer metal mold; A tire manufacturing method comprising the above.

5. In the procedure for forming the resin skeleton body, the resin material is injected from the inner end in the tire axial direction of the cavity. The tire manufacturing method according to Claim 4.

6. In the procedure for arranging the RFID tag, the RFID tag is arranged at an adjacent portion of the bead core in the knitted fabric layer. The tire manufacturing method according to Claim 4 or Claim 5.

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