Tire

Abstract

To provide a tire with which the position where a communication device is embedded is easily ascertained and in which the durability of the communication device is improved.SOLUTION: A tire 1 comprises: at least one mark 21 provided on a tire outer surface 1ds of a tire side part 1d; and a communication device 10 embedded inside the tire side part 1d. At least one mark 21 of the at least one mark 21 is a recessed mark 21 (21a) provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side part 1d. At least part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side part 1d positioned directly below the recessed mark 21 (21a).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire.

Background Art

[0002] In some conventional tires, a badge provided on the outer surface of the tire side portion is configured to be convex so as to facilitate grasping of a communication device embedded in the tire, and the communication device is embedded inside the badge (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional tire, since the embedding position of the communication device is a position protruding from the outer surface of the tire side portion, it is conceivable that the communication device may be damaged by flying stones or the like hitting the tire side portion. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of the durability of the communication device in the above conventional tire.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire in which the position where the communication device is embedded is easily grasped and the durability of the communication device is improved.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The tire according to the present invention is a tire comprising at least one emblem provided on the outer surface of the tire side portion and a communication device embedded inside the tire side portion, wherein at least one of the at least one emblem is a concave emblem provided on the outer surface of the tire side portion, and at least a part of the communication device is embedded inside the tire side portion directly below the concave emblem. According to the tire of the present invention, it is easy to grasp the position where the communication device is embedded, and the durability of the communication device is improved.

[0007] (2) In the tire of (1) above, the entire communication device can be embedded inside the tire side portion directly below the concave emblem. In this case, the durability of the communication device is further improved.

[0008] (3) In the tire of (1) above, the communication device has at least one antenna, and at least one of the at least one antenna is preferably embedded inside the tire side portion directly below the concave emblem. In this case, the communication performance of the communication device is improved.

[0009] (4) In any one of the tires of (1) to (3) above, the concave surface forming the concave emblem has a pattern area on at least a part of the concave surface, and the pattern area can be provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding with a protrusion height smaller than the depth dimension of the concave surface from at least a part of the concave surface. In this case, the visibility of the concave emblem where the communication device is arranged is improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire in which it is easy to grasp the position where the communication device is embedded and the durability of the communication device is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] 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 pneumatic tires for passenger cars, pneumatic tires for trucks and buses, etc.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the tire according to the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The same reference numerals are given to the members and parts common in 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, the side closer to the tire inner cavity is referred to as "the tire inner side", and the side farther from the tire inner cavity is referred to as "the tire outer side".

[0015] Figures 1 to 3 are drawings for explaining the tire 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a part of the tire side portion of the tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction showing a part of the tire in FIG. 2 (specifically, a part on one side with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL) by a cross-section along line A-A in FIG. 2. Figures 6 to 8 are drawings for explaining the tire 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a part of the tire side portion of the tire according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction showing a part of the tire in FIG. 6 (specifically, a part on one side with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL) by a cross-section along line B-B in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire in FIG. 6 by a cross-section along line C-C in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining the tire 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction showing a part of the tire according to the third embodiment of the present invention (specifically, a part on one side with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL).

[0016] The tires 1 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 to 8 are configured as pneumatic tires for trucks and buses. The tire 1 in the embodiment of FIG. 9 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these embodiments will be described together.

[0017] Note that the tire 1 in any embodiment of the present invention may be configured as any type of tire.

[0018] 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.

[0019] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship, dimensions, etc. of each element shall be measured in a reference state where the tire 1 is mounted on the applicable rim, filled with the specified internal pressure, and unloaded. Also, when the tire 1 is mounted on the applicable rim, filled with the specified internal pressure of the tire 1, and loaded with the maximum load, the width in the tire width direction of the contact surface in contact with the road surface is referred to as the contact width of the tire, and the end in the tire width direction of the contact surface is referred to as the contact end.

[0020] In this specification, the "applicable rim" refers to the standard rim (Measuring Rim in the ETRTO's STANDARDS MANUAL, Design Rim in the TRA's YEAR BOOK) in the applicable size described in or to be described in the industrial standards effective in the region where pneumatic tires are produced and used, such as the JATMA YEAR BOOK of JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Association) in Japan, the STANDARDS MANUAL of ETRTO (The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) in Europe, and the YEAR BOOK of TRA (The Tire and Rim Association, Inc.) in the United States. 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 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 ETRTO 2013 edition.

[0021] As used herein, 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 JATMA YEAR BOOK mentioned above. In the case of a size not described in the above-mentioned 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. Further, as used herein, the "maximum load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a tire of the applicable size described in the above-mentioned industrial standards, or, in the case of a size not described in the above-mentioned industrial standards, the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0022] First, the tire body 1M will be described.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, 9, etc., in each embodiment described in this specification, 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 end portions in the tire width direction of the tread portion 1a, and a pair of bead portions 1c provided at the radially inner end portions of each sidewall portion 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.

[0024] The tire body 1M has a pair of tire side portions 1d extending radially inward in the tire diameter direction from both end portions in the tire width direction of the tread portion 1a. The tire side portion 1d is composed of the sidewall portion 1b and the bead portion 1c. In this specification, the outer surface of the tire side portion 1d is referred to as the "outer tire surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d".

[0025] 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, and an inner liner 9.

[0026] Each bead core 4a is respectively embedded in the corresponding bead portion 1c. The bead core 4a includes a plurality of bead wires covered with rubber around it. 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.

[0027] Each bead filler 4b is respectively located on the outer side in the tire radial direction with respect to the corresponding bead core 4a. The bead filler 4b extends in a tapered shape toward the outer side in the tire radial direction. The bead filler 4b is made of, for example, rubber.

[0028] The bead filler is sometimes called a "stiffener".

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, when the tire body 1M (and thus the tire 1) is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, the bead filler 4b may be composed of a plurality (two in each example of FIGS. 3 and 7) of bead filler portions 4b1, 4b2. These plurality of bead filler portions 4b1, 4b2 may have different hardnesses, for example. These plurality of bead filler portions 4b1, 4b2 are arranged (laminated) along the tire radial direction, for example.

[0030] The carcass 5 straddles between a pair of bead cores 4a and extends in a toroidal shape. The carcass 5 is composed of one or more carcass plies 5a. Each carcass ply 5a includes one or a plurality of carcass cords and a covering rubber covering the carcass cords. The carcass cord can be formed of a monofilament or a stranded wire.

[0031] The carcass cord may be composed of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc., or may be composed of metal (e.g., steel). When the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, it is preferable that the carcass cord is composed of metal (e.g., steel). When the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars, it is preferable that the carcass cord is composed of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc.

[0032] 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 folded-back portion 5T that is folded 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 folded-back portion 5T. The carcass 5 is preferably of a radial structure, but may also be of a bias structure.

[0033] 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 a plurality of belt cords and a covering rubber that covers the belt cords. The belt cord can be formed of a monofilament or a stranded wire. The belt cord may be composed of metal (e.g., steel) or may be composed of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The side rubber 8 is located on the outer side in the tire width direction of the carcass 5 in the sidewall portion 1b. The side rubber 8 constitutes the outer surface in the tire width direction of the sidewall portion 1b. The side rubber 8 is integrally formed with the tread rubber 7.

[0036] 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 with low air permeability. The butyl rubber includes, for example, butyl rubber and its derivative, halogenated butyl rubber. The inner liner 9 is not limited to butyl rubber and can be composed of other rubber compositions, resins, or elastomers.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, when the tire body 1M (and thus the tire 1) is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, the tire body 1M may be provided with a reinforcing member 3 around the bead core 4a. The reinforcing member 3 may be disposed on the side opposite to the bead core 4a with respect to the carcass 5 as in each example of FIGS. 3 and 7. The reinforcing member 3 includes one or more (three in each example of FIGS. 3 and 7) reinforcing plies 3a. Each reinforcing ply 3a includes a reinforcing cord. The reinforcing cord may be composed of metal (e.g., steel) or may be composed of organic fibers made of polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc.

[0038] In each embodiment described in this specification, the tire body 1M includes one or more emblem portions 20 provided on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The emblem portion 20 is formed of the side rubber 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIG. 6, the emblem portion 20 has at least one emblem 21, that is, one or more emblems 21. The emblem 21 is formed of characters, symbols, or figures. The figures include concepts such as barcodes and patterns. In each example of FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIG. 6, the emblem portion 20 has a plurality of emblems 21. In the present embodiment, the emblem portion 20 has four emblems 21 each forming the characters "T", "I", "R", and "E". The emblem portion 20 can represent, for example, a company name, a product name, a logo, a tire size, etc. At least one emblem 21 of the emblem portion 20 can be a concave emblem provided on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. In the present embodiment, each emblem 21 is a concave emblem provided on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. Specifically, each emblem 21 is formed by a concave portion provided on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. That is, each emblem 21 is recessed inward in the tire width direction from the base surface 2ab on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The base surface 2ab corresponds to the background surface in the emblem portion 20, and specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9, it refers to the portion around each emblem 21 on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The base surface 2ab may be a smooth surface without unevenness, or may be an uneven surface having finer unevenness than the emblem 21. In each example of FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIG. 6, the emblem portion 20 has a plurality of emblems 21, and these plurality of emblems 21 are arranged along the tire circumferential direction. However, the plurality of emblems 21 constituting the emblem portion 20 may be arranged along any direction.

[0039] Next, the communication device 10 will be described.

[0040] The communication device 10 may have a configuration 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.

[0041] 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 be configured as an active type.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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, manufacturing factory, and manufacturing date of the tire 1. Further, the storage unit may store tire history information such as the running distance of the tire, the number of emergency brakings, the number of emergency accelerations, and the number of sharp turns. Further, for example, sensors for detecting the internal temperature of the tire, the internal pressure of the tire, the tire acceleration, 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.

[0046] The control unit is configured to be able to read the information from the storage unit.

[0047] In an embodiment, specifically, the antenna portion 10b of the RF tag 10e has at least one antenna (10b1, 10b2). In the present embodiment, the antenna portion 10b has a pair of antennas 10b1, 10b2. The pair of antennas 10b1, 10b2 are respectively connected to the ends located on opposite sides of each other in the IC chip 10c. The antenna portion 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, 10b2 extends linearly, but each of the antennas 10b1, 10b2 may extend in an arbitrary shape such as a waveform or the like.

[0048] The covering portion 10f covers the entire RF tag 10e. The covering portion 10f is formed of, for example, rubber or resin.

[0049] In this example, the covering portion 10f has a pair of sheet-like covering members 10f1, 10f2. The pair of covering members 10f1, 10f2 are overlapped with each other with the RF tag 10e sandwiched therebetween. It is preferable that the pair of covering members 10f1, 10f2 are fixed to each other by adhesion or the like.

[0050] However, the covering portion 10f may be composed of one member.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The communication device 10 configured as described above is configured to be able to receive information transmitted on a radio wave or a magnetic field from the above-described predetermined external device by the antenna unit 10b. Electric power is generated in the antenna unit 10b of the communication device 10 by rectification (in the case of a radio wave) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), and the storage unit and the control unit of the IC chip 10c perform predetermined operations. For example, the control unit reads out information in the storage unit and replies (transmits) from the antenna unit 10b on a radio wave or a magnetic field to the above-described predetermined external device. The above-described predetermined external device receives a radio wave or a magnetic field from the communication device 10. The above-described 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.

[0054] However, the communication device 10 may have an arbitrary configuration different from this example.

[0055] The communication device 10 may have a longitudinal direction LD, a short-side direction SD, and a thickness direction TD. The longitudinal direction LD, the short-side direction SD, and the thickness direction TD are perpendicular to each other.

[0056] 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 unit 10b. When each antenna 10b1, 10b2 of the antenna unit 10b has a waveform, the extending direction of the antenna unit 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, the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 refers to the thickness direction of the covering portion 10f when the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, and refers to the thickness direction of the IC chip 10c when the communication device 10 does not have the covering portion 10f.

[0057] The length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e can be, for example, 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is, for example, 50 mm or more and 70 mm or less. As a specific example, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the IC chip 10c is about 2 to 5 mm. Further, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the antenna 10b1 (10b2) is about 20 to 35 mm.

[0058] The length of the short side SD of the RF tag 10e can be, for example, 10 mm or less, or 8 mm or less.

[0059] The length of the thickness direction TD of the RF tag 10e can be, for example, 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less.

[0060] When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 can be, for example, 30 mm or more, or 60 mm or more. Further, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e can be, for example, 110 mm or less, or 80 mm or less.

[0061] When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the short side SD of the communication device 10 can be, for example, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less.

[0062] When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 can be, for example, 6 mm or less, or 3 mm or less.

[0063] The thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f can be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less. Further, the thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f can be, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0064] In each embodiment described in this specification, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 to 9, the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire body 1M. The communication device 10 is embedded in a portion of the tire side portion 1d of the tire body 1M that is outside the carcass 5 in the tire width direction. In addition, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21a (21). In the present embodiment, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one concave emblem 21 (21a). Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, in a side view, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d in the region where the concave emblem 21a (21) is disposed. The communication device 10 is oriented such that the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 substantially follows the depth direction of the recess of the emblem 21a (FIGS. 3 and 7).

[0065] During the manufacture of the tire 1, the green tire constituting the tire body 1M and the communication device 10 are housed inside a tire molding die and vulcanized and molded.

[0066] Here, the effects of each embodiment described in this specification will be described.

[0067] First, as described above, in each of the embodiments described in this specification, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 to 9, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one concave emblem 21 (21a) of the emblem portion 20 provided on the outer surface 1ds of the tire of the tire side portion 1d. That is, the communication device 10 is disposed in the tire side portion 1d. Here, generally, metal may weaken the radio wave between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device (for example, a reader or a reader / writer), and may reduce the communication performance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device. As a result, the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device may be shortened. On the other hand, in the tire body 1M, metal (for example, steel) can be used for the carcass 5, the belt 6, the bead core 4a, the reinforcing member 3, and the like. And generally, the tire side portion 1d tends to have less amount of metal compared to the tread portion 1a. Therefore, by disposing 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 as compared with the case where the communication device 10 is disposed in the tread portion 1a.

[0068] Also, as described above, in each of the embodiments described in this specification, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 to 9, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21 (21a). That is, in the present embodiment, it is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one emblem 21. According to such a configuration, since the emblem portion 20 that is easily visible from the outside has a display function representing the position of the communication device 10, it becomes easy to grasp the position of the communication device 10. Therefore, an operator who attempts to read the communication device 10 by the predetermined external device (for example, a reader or a reader / writer) can read the communication device 10 simply by holding the predetermined external device near the emblem portion 20, and the reading operation becomes smooth. Further, since the emblem portion 20 has a display function representing the position of the communication device 10, there is also an advantage that it is not necessary to separately process a display indicating the position of the communication device 10 on the tire side portion 1d.

[0069] Further, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21 (21a). That is, in the present embodiment, by being embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one emblem 21 (21a), the embedding position of the communication device is located further inward in the tire width direction than the concave emblem 21a (21) formed on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. Thus, even when a foreign object such as a flying stone flies toward the tire side portion 1d, the possibility of damaging the communication device 10 embedded at a position further inward in the tire width direction than the concave emblem 21a (21) by the foreign object is reduced. Therefore, by embedding at least a part of the communication device 10 inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21 (21a), the durability of the communication device 10 is improved.

[0070] Therefore, according to the tire 1, it is easy to grasp the position where the communication device 10 is embedded, and the durability of the communication device 10 is improved.

[0071] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, among the emblems 21 constituting the emblem portion 20, in the emblem 21a (21) in which the communication device 10 is embedded inward in the tire width direction, the depth dimension of the concave surface f21 forming the concave emblem 21 can be 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. When measuring the depth dimension of the emblem 21a, the dimension from the base surface 21ab (bottom surface 21ab) of the emblem 21a to a virtual surface (indicated by a dotted line in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab so as to cover the emblem 21a is measured along a perpendicular line (normal line) to the virtual surface.

[0072] The entire communication device 10 can be embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21 (21a). In each of the embodiments described in this specification, as in each example of FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 9, the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below any one of the emblems 21 that constitute the emblem portion 20. In this case, since the entire communication device 10 is inside the tire side portion 1d rather than on the outer tire surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d, the outer tire surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d that forms the concave emblem 21 (21a) serves as a barrier against foreign objects such as flying stones. As a result, the possibility of damaging the communication device 10 is further reduced. Therefore, in this case, the durability of the communication device 10 is further improved. In particular, in this case, the antenna portion 10b of the communication device 10 is also located closer to the base surface 21ab of the concave emblem 21a (21), thereby improving the communication performance of the communication device 10.

[0073] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, as in each example of FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 9, when the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below any one of the concave emblems 21 (21a), it is preferable that the length L1 (FIG. 2) measured along the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 at the center of the short-side direction SD of the communication device 10 of the embedded emblem 21a is 80 mm or less and 30 mm or more.

[0074] Note that the above length L1 is measured along a virtual surface (indicated by a dotted line in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab so as to cover the emblem 21a. Also, when the emblem 21a has a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 at the center of the short-side direction SD of the communication device 10, the above length L1 refers to the length of only the portion where the communication device 10 is embedded among the plurality of portions.

[0075] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, as in each example of FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 9, when the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below any one of the emblems 21 (21a), the emblem 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded preferably has a length L2 (FIG. 2) measured along the short side direction SD of the communication device 10 at the center of the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 of 30 mm or less and 10 mm or more. When the length L2 is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less, the communication device 10 can be embedded inside the tire side portion 1d with the communication device 10 housed inside the emblem without deforming the shape of the emblem (particularly, an alphabetic emblem 21 as in this embodiment).

[0076] Note that the above length L2 is measured along a virtual plane (indicated by a dotted line in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab so as to cover the emblem 21a. Further, when the emblem 21a has a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other along the short side direction SD of the communication device 10 at the center of the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10, the length L2 refers to the length of only the portion in which the communication device 10 is embedded among the plurality of portions.

[0077] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, as in the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, only a part of the communication device 10 may be embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one of the emblems 21 (21a) constituting the emblem portion 20. In this case, the other part of the communication device 10 will be located outside the tire relative to the at least one emblem 21 (21a).

[0078] The communication device 10 has at least one antenna (10b1, 10b2), and at least one of the at least one antenna (10b1, 10b2) is embedded in both the inside of the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21(21a) and the tire side portion 1d where the concave emblem 21 is not provided. For example, as in the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, when the communication device 10 has an RF tag 10e, at least a part of the IC chip 10c of the RF tag 10e is located inside the tire side portion 1d provided with the emblem 21a, whereby, among the RF tag 10e, the antenna portion 10b may be located inside the tire relative to the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21). In the present embodiment, the communication device 10 has two antennas 10b1, 10b2, and each of the two antennas 10b1, 10b2 is embedded in the inside of the tire side portion 1d located directly below the concave emblem 21a(21). In this case, since the antennas 10b1, 10b2 of the communication device 10 are at positions closer to the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21), the communication performance of the communication device 10 is improved. In the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, only a part of the communication device 10 is embedded in the inside of the tire side portion 1d located directly below the two concave emblems 21a(21).

[0079] In each embodiment described in this specification, the pointing direction (orientation) of the communication device 10 is arbitrary. However, from the viewpoint of the durability of the communication device 10 and the like, it is preferable that the communication device 10 is pointed so that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 substantially follows the tire circumferential direction, as in the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8. However, the communication device 10 may be pointed so that the short-side direction LD of the communication device 10 substantially follows the tire circumferential direction, as in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0080] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, it is preferable that the communication device 10 is disposed on the sidewall portion 1b as in the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 7, and 9. Generally, the sidewall portion 1b tends to have less metal than the bead portion 1c. Therefore, by disposing the communication device 10 on 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 disposed on the bead portion 1c.

[0081] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (FIGS. 1 to 3, FIGS. 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the whole of the communication device 10) is located radially outside the radially outer end of the bead core 4a. Thereby, the communication performance can be improved and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be increased.

[0082] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (FIGS. 1 to 3, FIGS. 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the whole of the communication device 10) is located radially outside the radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5. Thereby, the communication performance can be improved and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be increased. In addition, since the communication device 10 can be disposed at a portion of the tire body 1M where distortion is relatively small during rolling of the tire 1 and the like, the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved.

[0083] Here, the "radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5" refers to the radially outer end that is the most radially outer among the radially outer ends of the ply turn-up portions 5T of the respective carcass plies 5a of the carcass 5.

[0084] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is radially outside the tire of the outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 in the tire radial direction. Thereby, the communication performance can be improved, the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be lengthened, 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 or the like. Therefore, the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved.

[0085] Here, the "outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 in the tire radial direction" refers to the outer end in the tire radial direction that is the most radially outside among the outer ends in the tire radial direction of each reinforcing ply 3a of the reinforcing member 3.

[0086] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is radially inside the tire of the outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b in the tire radial direction. Thereby, the communication performance can be improved, the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device can be lengthened, 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 or the like. Therefore, the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved.

[0087] The tire radial distance between the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 and the outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b in the tire radial direction is preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

[0088] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8), it is preferable that the radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially inward of 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 4bu of the bead filler 4b, or may be located radially outward thereof.

[0089] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8), it is preferable that the radially outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 is located radially inward of the radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b. However, the radially outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 may be located at the same radial position as the radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, or may be located radially outward thereof.

[0090] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8), the radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially inward of the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, may be located at the same radial position as the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, or may be located radially outward of the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, as in each example of Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8.

[0091] Here, the "maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M" is the radial position at which the dimension in the tire width direction of the tire body 1M is maximum.

[0092] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8), the radially outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 may be located radially inward of the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, may be located at the same radial position as the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, or may be located radially outward of the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, as in each example of Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 6 to 8.

[0093] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars (Fig. 9), it is preferable that the radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the whole of the communication device 10) is radially outward of the radially outer end of the bead core 4a, and it is more preferable that it is radially outward of the radial center of the bead filler 4b. For example, it is preferable that it is radially outward of the radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b.

[0094] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars (Fig. 9) and the communication device 10 is arranged in the sidewall portion 1b as described above, as in the example of Fig. 9, it is preferable that the radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 is located radially inward of the radially outer end 5e 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 lengthened, and the communication device 10 can be arranged in a portion of the tire body 1M where distortion is relatively small during rolling of the tire 1 or the like, so that the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved.

[0095] The radial distance between the radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 and the radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is preferably 3 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

[0096] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger car (FIG. 9), as in the example of FIG. 9, it is preferable that the outer end 5e in the tire radial direction of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located on the outer side in the tire radial direction than the outer end 4bu in the tire radial direction of the bead filler 4b. However, the outer end 5e in the tire radial direction of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same tire radial position as the outer end in the tire radial direction of the bead filler 4b, or may be located on the inner side in the tire radial direction thereof.

[0097] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger car (FIG. 9), the outer end 5e in the tire radial direction of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located on the outer side in the tire radial direction than the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, may be located at the same tire radial position as the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M, or may be located on the inner side in the tire radial direction than the maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M. Here, the "maximum tire width position of the tire body 1M" is the tire radial position at which the dimension in the tire width direction of the tire body 1M is the maximum.

[0098] In each of the embodiments described in this specification, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the concave surface f21 forming the concave-shaped emblem 21 can be configured to include a pattern region K in at least a part of the concave surface f21. The pattern region K can be configured such that a plurality of protrusions Q protrude with a protrusion height smaller than the depth dimension of the concave surface f21, that is, the depth dimension from the bottom surface (base surface 21ab) of the concave surface f21, from at least a part of the concave surface f21.

[0099] When a plurality of protrusions Q are provided on the concave surface f21 that forms the concave-shaped emblem 21, the visibility of the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21) on which the communication device 10 is disposed is improved by the pattern region K decorated with the plurality of protrusions Q. Also, in this case, a turbulent flow is generated inside the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21). This turbulent flow can cool the inside of the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21), that is, the concave surface f21 of the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21). Therefore, in this case, the durability of the communication device 10 against heat is also improved by the air-cooling effect caused by the turbulent flow generated inside the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21). Further, in this case, even when a foreign object such as a pebble jumps into the inside of the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21) and collides with the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21), the impact that can be caused by the collision of the foreign object can be absorbed by the plurality of protrusions Q. Therefore, in this case, the durability of the communication device 10 is further improved.

[0100] In particular, the plurality of protrusions Q protrude from at least a part of the concave surface f21 with a protrusion height of 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less from the concave surface f21 and are provided at intervals of 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. In this example, specifically, these plurality of protrusions Q protrude from the base surface 21ab of the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21) with a protrusion height of, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. The interval between these plurality of protrusions Q is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. The base surface 21ab constitutes the bottom surface of the concave-shaped emblem 21a (21). The tire body 1M may be provided with only one pattern region K on the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a (21), or may be provided with a plurality of pattern regions K having different intervals between the plurality of protrusions Q.

[0101] As described above, since the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21) has fine irregularities formed by these plurality of protrusions Q, light is easily absorbed. Therefore, the amount of light reflected outward on the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21) is less than the amount of light reflected outward in the portion other than the pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21) of the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. Thus, the brightness of the pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21) becomes lower than the brightness of the portion other than the pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the emblem 21a(21) of the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the entire communication device 10 is positioned inside the tire side portion 1d located in the pattern region K disposed on the base surface 21ab of the concave emblem 21a(21). The fine irregularities formed by the plurality of protrusions Q make it difficult for strain to concentrate in the vicinity of the pattern region K when the tire 1 rolls or the like. For this reason, the load applied to the communication device 10 can be reduced, and the durability of the communication device 10 and thus the tire 1 can be improved.

[0103] Also, in the present embodiment, since the entire communication device 10 is positioned inside the tire side portion 1d located in the pattern region K, the fine irregularities formed in the pattern region K make the contour of the communication device 10 (particularly, for example, the contour of the RF tag 10e when the communication device 10 has the RF tag 10e) less conspicuous, which is located inside the tire width direction with respect to the pattern region K. Thereby, the appearance of the tire 1 can be improved. However, if the irregularities formed in the pattern region K are not so fine (specifically, when the protruding height of the protrusion Q exceeds 1.0 mm and / or the interval between the protrusions Q exceeds 3.0 mm), the contour of the communication device 10 can be made more conspicuous.

[0104] Among the plurality of emblems 21 of the emblem section 20, when a pattern area K is provided on the base surface 21ab of the concave emblem 21a (21) where the communication device 10 is disposed, a plurality of protrusions Q are caused to protrude from at least a part of the concave surface forming the concave emblem 21a (21) with a protrusion height of 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less and with an interval of 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less (pitch (distance) between the centers of adjacent protrusions Q), then, among the plurality of emblems 21 of the emblem section 20, the concave emblem 21a (21) where the communication device 10 is disposed can be made inconspicuous. As a result, the visibility of the concave emblem 21a (21) where the communication device 10 is disposed is further improved in relation to the difference in color tone from other emblems around the emblem 21a (21). Also, when the unevenness formed in the pattern area K is not so fine (specifically, when the protrusion height of the protrusion Q exceeds 1.0 mm and / or when the interval between the protrusions Q exceeds 3.0 mm), by making the contour of the RF tag 10e conspicuous, the visibility of the concave emblem 21a (21) where the communication device 10 is disposed is further improved in relation to the difference in color tone from other emblems around the emblem 21a (21).

[0105] The pattern area K may have, as the protrusion Q, for example, a plurality of asterisk-shaped protrusions (hereinafter referred to as "asterisk protrusions Q") protruding from the base surface 21ab of the concave emblem 21a (21). The asterisk protrusion Q may be composed of six extending portions extending in different directions radially from the center of the asterisk protrusion Q when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the base surface 21ab (for example, the rotation axis direction of the tire 1). And the plurality of asterisk protrusions Q may be linearly connected to each other so as to form a plurality of rows as a whole of the asterisk protrusion Q. Examples of such a pattern area K include the pattern area K described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-006895. In this case, the pattern area K can be adjusted to a pattern area with different brightness levels between a pattern area that appears as a gray color with high brightness and a pattern area that appears as a dull black color with low brightness by adjusting the arrangement, interval, etc. of the asterisk protrusions Q.

[0106] However, in the pattern region K, the dimensions of the protrusions Q, such as the protrusion height of the protrusions Q and the intervals between the protrusions Q as described above, can be set as appropriate. Further, the protrusions Q are not limited to asterisk-shaped protrusions. The protrusions Q can adopt various shapes of protrusions, such as columnar protrusions and polygonal columnar protrusions. That is, in the present embodiment, the protrusions Q can be a plurality of micro protrusions, such as those obtained by surface roughness treatment. That is, the dimensions, shapes, and intervals of the protrusions Q can be set as appropriate so that a pattern region K with a desired color tone can be obtained.

[0107] [Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Led by the United Nations] Towards the realization of a sustainable society, the SDGs have been proposed. Each embodiment of the present invention can be a technology that contributes to, for example, "No. 9 - Build the foundation of industry and technological innovation" and "No. 12 - Take responsibility for what you produce". [Industrial Applicability]

[0108] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, and can be suitably used for, for example, pneumatic tires for passenger cars, pneumatic tires for trucks and buses, etc. [Explanation of Signs]

[0109] 1: Tire 1M: Tire body, 1a: Tread portion, 1b: Sidewall portion, 1c: Bead portion, 1d: Tire side portion, 1ds: Outer surface of the tire side portion of the tire side portion, 2ab: Base surface, 3: Reinforcing member, 3a: Reinforcing ply, 3u: Outer end of the reinforcing member in the tire radial direction, 4a: Bead core, 4b: Bead filler, 4b1, 4b2: Bead filler portions, 4bu: Outer end of the bead filler in the tire radial direction, 5: Carcass, 5a: Carcass ply, 5M: Ply main body portion, 5T: Ply turned-back portion, 5e: Outer end of the ply turned-back portion of the carcass in the tire radial direction, 6: Belt, 6a: Belt layer, 7: Tread rubber, 8: Side rubber, 9: Inner liner, 10: Communication device, 10e: RF tag, 10b: Antenna part, 10b1, 10b2: Antenna, 10f: Coating part, 10f1, 10f2: Coating member, 10c: IC chip, 10u: Outer end in the tire radial direction of the communication device, 10m: Center in the tire radial direction of the communication device, 20: Marking part, 21, 21a: Mark, 21ab: Base surface (bottom surface) of the mark, CL: Tire equatorial plane, WD: Tire width direction, RD: Tire radial direction, CD: Tire circumferential direction, LD: Longitudinal direction of the communication device, SD: Short transverse direction of the communication device, TD: Thickness direction of the communication device f21: Concave surface of the mark K: Pattern area Q: Protrusion (asterisk protrusion)

Claims

1. A tire comprising at least one emblem provided on the outer surface of the tire side portion and a communication device embedded inside the tire side portion, wherein at least one of the at least one emblem is a concave emblem provided on the outer surface of the tire side portion, and at least a part of the communication device is embedded inside the tire side portion located directly below the concave emblem.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the entire communication device is embedded inside the tire side portion located directly below the concave emblem.

3. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the communication device has at least one antenna, and at least one of the at least one antenna is embedded inside the tire side portion located directly below the concave emblem.

4. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the concave surface forming the concave emblem has a pattern area on at least a part of the concave surface, and the pattern area is provided with a plurality of protrusions having a dimension smaller than the depth dimension of the concave surface from at least a part of the concave surface.

Images