Non-pneumatic tire

Abstract

To provide a non-pneumatic tire which can suppress deterioration of uniformity by providing a communication device.SOLUTION: A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel member 2, a ring member 3 attached to the wheel member, a spiral reinforcing layer 4 formed by winding an element wire body spirally on an outer circumferential surface of the ring member, the element wire body having one cord or a plurality of parallely arranged cords buried in a coated boy, a tread member 5 and a communication device 6 retained by the ring member. The spiral reinforcing layer contains such an overlap region X1 that one end part and the other end part of the element wire body overlap in a tire circumferential direction and, when the region in the tire circumferential direction is divided into first, second, third and fourth quadrants Y1 to Y4, and it is defined that a center position cp in the tire circumferential direction of the overlap region corresponds to a center position in the tire circumferential direction of the first quadrant, the communication device is retained by the ring member so as to be contained in the third quadrant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-pneumatic tire.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a mounting body attached to an axle, an outer cylinder surrounding the mounting body from the outside in the tire radial direction, a tread portion surrounding the outer cylinder from the outside in the tire radial direction, and a connecting member that displaceably connects the mounting body and the outer cylinder. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder of the non-pneumatic tire described in Patent Document 1, a spiral reinforcing layer formed by spirally winding a single cord or a plurality of parallel cords embedded in a covering body is adhered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventor of the present invention newly conceived of providing a communication device (for example, an RF tag, etc.) in a non-pneumatic tire as described in Patent Document 1, and newly found a configuration capable of suppressing a decrease in the uniformity of the non-pneumatic tire due to the provision of the communication device, thereby arriving at the present invention.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a non-pneumatic tire capable of suppressing a decrease in uniformity due to the provision of a communication device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The non-pneumatic tire according to the first aspect of the present invention is (1) a wheel member attachable to an axle, a ring member attached to the wheel member, a spiral reinforcing layer formed by spirally winding a single wire or a plurality of parallel wires embedded in a covering on the outer peripheral surface of the ring member, a tread member surrounding the outside of the spiral reinforcing layer in the tire radial direction, and a communication device held by the ring member, and the spiral reinforcing layer includes an overlap region where one end and the other end of the wire overlap in the tire circumferential direction, when the tire circumferential region is divided into a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant each having a central angle of 90 degrees with respect to the tire central axis, and the central position in the tire circumferential direction of the overlap region coincides with the central position in the tire circumferential direction of the first quadrant, the communication device is held by the ring member so as to be included in the third quadrant not adjacent to the first quadrant in the tire circumferential direction, the non-pneumatic tire.

[0007] The non-pneumatic tire according to one embodiment of the present invention is (2) the communication device is held by the ring member so as to be entirely included in the third quadrant, the non-pneumatic tire according to (1) above.

[0008] The non-pneumatic tire according to one embodiment of the present invention is (3) when the region in the tire circumferential direction facing the overlap region in the tire radial direction is defined as an overlap facing region, the communication device is held by the ring member so as to be included in the overlap facing region, the non-pneumatic tire according to (1) or (2) above.

[0009] The non-pneumatic tire according to one embodiment of the present invention is (4) The communication device is the non-pneumatic tire according to (3) above, which is held by the ring member so that the whole is included in the overlapping facing area.

[0010] A non-pneumatic tire as one embodiment of the present invention is (5) The communication device has an elongated shape, The communication device is the non-pneumatic tire according to any one of (1) to (4) above, which is held by the ring member so that the longitudinal direction is along the tire width direction.

[0011] A non-pneumatic tire as one embodiment of the present invention is (6) The ring member is an inner cylinder body attached to the wheel member, an outer cylinder body surrounding the outside of the inner cylinder body in the tire radial direction, and a connecting member that connects the inner cylinder body and the outer cylinder body and is elastically deformable between the inner cylinder body and the outer cylinder body. The communication device is the non-pneumatic tire according to any one of (1) to (5) above, which is held by the outer cylinder body.

[0012] A non-pneumatic tire as one embodiment of the present invention is (7) The communication device is the non-pneumatic tire according to any one of (1) to (6) above, which is an RF tag.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a non-pneumatic tire capable of suppressing a decrease in uniformity due to providing a communication device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the non-pneumatic tire according to the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the drawings. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each figure. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the tire central axis O of the non-pneumatic tire is described as the "tire width direction A". Hereinafter, the direction around the tire central axis O of the non-pneumatic tire is described as the "tire circumferential direction B". Hereinafter, in a cross-section orthogonal to the tire central axis O of the non-pneumatic tire, the radial direction of the virtual circle centered on the tire central axis O is described as the "tire diameter direction C".

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a non-pneumatic tire 1 as an embodiment of the non-pneumatic tire according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an enlarged part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view at the position of line I-I in FIG. 2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the non-pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment includes a wheel member 2, a ring member 3, a spiral reinforcing layer 4, a tread member 5, and a communication device 6. The non-pneumatic tire 1 is used by being mounted on the axles of various vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, and automobiles.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel member 2 is formed in a disc shape. Each of the ring member 3, the spiral reinforcing layer 4, and the tread member 5 is formed in an annular shape. The central axis of the wheel member 2, the central axis of the ring member 3, the central axis line of the spiral reinforcing layer 4, and the central axis line of the tread member 5 are located on a common axis. In the present embodiment, this common axis is the tire central axis O.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the central positions in the tire width direction A of the wheel member 2, the ring member 3, the spiral reinforcing layer 4, and the tread member 5 respectively are substantially coincident. The wheel member 2, the ring member 3, the spiral reinforcing layer 4, and the tread member 5 of the present embodiment as a whole have a structure symmetric with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL (see FIG. 3) passing through the central position in the tire width direction A, but the structure is not limited to this.

[0020] The wheel member 2 is configured to be attachable to the axle. Specifically, the wheel member 2 of the present embodiment includes a cylindrical boss 2a that extends in the tire width direction A and into which the axle is fitted, a mounting cylinder portion 2b fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the boss 2a, a support cylinder portion 2c that surrounds the outside of the mounting cylinder portion 2b in the tire radial direction C and supports the ring member 3 on the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of spokes 2d that connect the mounting cylinder portion 2b and the support cylinder portion 2c.

[0021] Each of the boss 2a, the mounting cylinder portion 2b, and the support cylinder portion 2c is arranged such that the central axis is located on the tire central axis O. The plurality of spokes 2d are arranged at equal intervals, for example, in the tire circumferential direction B. Each of the plurality of spokes 2d extends radially in the tire radial direction C with the boss 2a as the center.

[0022] The boss 2a, the mounting cylinder part 2b, the support cylinder part 2c, and the plurality of spokes 2d may be made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy, for example. Further, the boss 2a, the mounting cylinder part 2b, the support cylinder part 2c, and the plurality of spokes 2d may be made of a resin such as a thermoplastic resin, for example. Furthermore, some of the elements of the boss 2a, the mounting cylinder part 2b, the support cylinder part 2c, and the plurality of spokes 2d may be made of metal and the other elements may be made of resin. Thus, the material of the components of the wheel member 2 is not particularly limited.

[0023] The ring member 3 is attached to the wheel member 2. More specifically, the ring member 3 of the present embodiment is externally fitted to the support cylinder part 2c of the wheel member 2 and is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the support cylinder part 2c.

[0024] The ring member 3 includes an inner cylinder body 11, an outer cylinder body 12, and a connecting member 13.

[0025] The inner cylinder body 11 is fixed to the wheel member 2. Specifically, the inner cylinder body 11 of the present embodiment is externally fitted to the support cylinder part 2c of the wheel member 2 and is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the support cylinder part 2c over the entire region in the tire circumferential direction B. The inner cylinder body 11 of the present embodiment is fixed to the support cylinder part 2c by being joined to the support cylinder part 2c with a fastening member such as a bolt in this state. The inner cylinder body 11 is attached to the axle via the wheel member 2.

[0026] The outer cylinder body 12 surrounds the outside of the inner cylinder body 11 in the tire radial direction C. The central axis of the inner cylinder body 11 and the central axis of the outer cylinder body 12 are located on the tire central axis O. The inner cylinder body 11 and the outer cylinder body 12 of the present embodiment are arranged in a state where the central portions in their respective tire width directions A coincide with each other.

[0027] The connecting member 13 connects the inner cylinder body 11 and the outer cylinder body 12. The connecting member 13 is configured to be elastically deformable between the inner cylinder body 11 and the outer cylinder body 12. More specifically, the connecting member 13 is configured to be elastically deformable in the tire radial direction C between the inner cylinder body 11 and the outer cylinder body 12.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of connecting members 13 of the present embodiment are arranged in the tire circumferential direction B. More specifically, the connecting members 13 of the present embodiment are arranged in plurality in the tire circumferential direction B at a position between the inner cylindrical body 11 and the outer cylindrical body 12 in the tire radial direction C. These plurality of connecting members 13 are arranged at intervals in the tire circumferential direction B. That is, two adjacent connecting members 13 in the tire circumferential direction B are non-contact with each other and are arranged at intervals in the tire circumferential direction B. Further, the plurality of connecting members 13 of the present embodiment are arranged to be point-symmetrical to each other with respect to the tire central axis O.

[0029] Further, the connecting member 13 of the present embodiment is a plate-like portion arranged such that its thickness direction is the in-plane direction of a plane orthogonal to the tire central axis O. Further, in the connecting member 13 of the present embodiment, an outer end portion 13a on the outer side in the tire radial direction C connected to the outer cylindrical body 12 and an inner end portion 13b on the inner side in the tire radial direction C connected to the inner cylindrical body 11 are arranged at different positions in the tire circumferential direction B. By doing so, the plate-like portion as the connecting member 13 can be used as a leaf spring that is easily elastically deformed in the tire radial direction C. However, the configuration of the connecting member 13 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment.

[0030] The constituent materials of the inner cylinder 11, the outer cylinder 12, and the connecting member 13 are not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 11, the outer cylinder 12, and the connecting member 13 are made of resin. From the viewpoint of weight reduction, it is preferable that the inner cylinder 11, the outer cylinder 12, and the connecting member 13 be made of resin. As the resin material for the inner cylinder 11, the outer cylinder 12, and the connecting member 13, for example, thermoplastic resins such as polyester and nylon, thermosetting resins such as vinyl ester resin and unsaturated polyester resin, and other synthetic resins can be used. The resin material may further contain fibers such as glass, carbon, graphite, aramid, polyethylene, and ceramic as reinforcing fibers. As will be described later, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is embedded in the outer cylinder 12. In such a case, the inner cylinder 11 and the connecting member 13 in which the communication device 6 is not embedded may be made of metal, but as described above, from the viewpoint of weight reduction, it is also preferable that the inner cylinder 11 and the connecting member 13 be made of resin.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 11, the outer cylinder 12, and the connecting member 13 are integrally formed of a resin material by injection molding. As the injection molding, a method of integrally molding the entire inner cylinder 11, outer cylinder 12, and connecting member 13 at the same time may be used. Further, as the resin material, for example, only one type of resin material, a mixture containing two or more types of resin materials, or a mixture containing one or more types of resin materials and one or more types of elastomers may be used. Furthermore, additives such as an antioxidant, a plasticizer, a filler, or a pigment may be included. The resin material is preferably a thermoplastic resin. Note that the inner cylinder 11, the outer cylinder 12, and the connecting member 13 may be formed separately and assembled to each other.

[0032] Note that the wheel member 2 has a function of connecting the axle and the ring member 3, and the ring member 3 has a function of absorbing vibrations transmitted from the ground to the axle. Thus, since the wheel member 2 and the ring member 3 have different functions, they may be formed of different materials. For example, the ring member 3 may be formed of a material having a relatively small elastic modulus in order to ensure vibration absorption performance, and the wheel member 2 may be formed of a material having an elastic modulus larger than that of the ring member 3 in order to ensure robustness.

[0033] The ring member 3 of the present embodiment is constituted by the inner cylindrical body 11, the outer cylindrical body 12, and the connecting member 13 described above, but is not limited to this configuration. The ring member 3 may further include other parts in addition to the inner cylindrical body 11, the outer cylindrical body 12, and the connecting member 13.

[0034] The spiral reinforcing layer 4 is formed by spirally winding a wire body 20 in which one cord 21 or a plurality of parallel cords 21 are embedded in a covering body 22 on the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 3. In FIG. 3, as an example, a wire body 20 in which only one cord 21 is embedded in the covering body 22 is shown.

[0035] By spirally winding the wire body 20 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 12 as the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 3, the wire body 20 is adjacent in the tire width direction A on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 12. By integrally fixing the covering bodies 22 of the portions adjacent in the tire width direction A in the wire body 20 in the tire width direction A, the spiral reinforcing layer 4 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 12. The two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 shows the boundary between the covering bodies 22 before the covering bodies 22 are fixed for the sake of convenience of explanation. In other words, the spiral reinforcing layer 4 includes a base layer 4a formed by fixing the covering bodies 22 adjacent to each other in the tire width direction A, and one or more cords 21 spirally extending in the base layer 4a. The constituent material of the covering body 22 may be, for example, a resin material. Further, the covering body 22 may be formed of, for example, a rubber composition. Examples of the cord 21 include a steel cord.

[0036] The spiral reinforcing layer 4 may be adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12 of the ring member 3 over the entire region in the tire circumferential direction B. The adhesion between the spiral reinforcing layer 4 and the outer cylinder 12 may be carried out, for example, by welding the wire body 20 forming the spiral reinforcing layer 4 to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12. When the covering 22 is formed of a rubber composition, the adhesion between the spiral reinforcing layer 4 and the outer cylinder 12 may also be carried out by vulcanization adhesion.

[0037] In the non-pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment, since the spiral reinforcing layer 4 is provided, the rigidity of the outer cylinder 12 of the ring member 3 can be increased. Thereby, for example, even when the non-pneumatic tire 1 is used in an environment where the non-pneumatic tire 1 receives a large input from the road surface or the protrusions on the road surface pierce the tread member 5 of the non-pneumatic tire 1, the durability of the non-pneumatic tire 1 can be improved.

[0038] The tread member 5 surrounds the outside of the spiral reinforcing layer 4 in the tire radial direction C. More specifically, the tread member 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape and covers the entire outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 12 of the ring member 3 in the tire radial direction C from the outside of the spiral reinforcing layer 4 in the tire radial direction C. The elastic modulus of the constituent material of the tread member 5 is smaller than the elastic modulus of the constituent material of the ring member 3. The outer peripheral surface on the outside of the tread member 5 in the tire radial direction C is the tread surface 5a of the non-pneumatic tire 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the tread surface 5a of the tread member 5 may be a curved surface that is convex toward the outside in the tire radial direction C on the center side in the tire width direction A rather than the both end sides.

[0039] The tread member 5 is formed of, for example, vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition containing natural rubber or the like, or a thermoplastic material. Examples of the thermoplastic material include thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic resins. Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include amide-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPA), ester-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPC), olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPO), styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPS), urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), crosslinked thermoplastic rubbers (TPV), and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPZ) defined in JIS K 6418. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include urethane resins, olefin resins, vinyl chloride resins, and polyamide resins. From the viewpoint of wear resistance, it is preferable to form the tread member 5 of vulcanized rubber.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is held by the ring member 3. Specifically, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is held by the outer cylindrical body 12 of the ring member 3. More specifically, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12 of the ring member 3. The communication device 6 may be held by the outer cylindrical body 12, for example, by being fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 12. However, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the communication device 6 is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12 of the ring member 3. By embedding the communication device 6 in the outer cylindrical body 12, the periphery of the communication device 6 is protected by the outer cylindrical body 12, and damage to the communication device 6 during vehicle travel can be suppressed.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment and a reader / writer 60 capable of wireless communication with this RF tag. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment may be a passive RF tag including a storage unit 6a that stores information regarding the non-pneumatic tire 1, an antenna unit 6b capable of transmitting and receiving information with a reader / writer 60 located outside the non-pneumatic tire 1, and a control unit 6c capable of writing information to the storage unit 6a and reading information from the storage unit 6a. Specifically, the RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment can receive information transmitted on a radio wave or a magnetic field from the antenna unit 60a of the reader / writer 60 by the antenna unit 6b. Power is generated in the antenna unit 6b by rectification (in the case of a radio wave) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), and the storage unit 6a and the control unit 6c perform predetermined operations. For example, the control unit 6c reads the information in the storage unit 6a and returns (transmits) it from the antenna unit 6b to the reader / writer 60 on a radio wave or a magnetic field. The antenna unit 60a of the reader / writer 60 receives a radio wave or a magnetic field from the RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment. The control unit 60b of the reader / writer 60 can acquire the information stored in the storage unit 6a by extracting the received information. Note that the above-described storage unit 6a and control unit 6c can be configured by, for example, an integrated circuit (IC chip) including a non-volatile memory.

[0042] The information stored in the storage unit 6a of the RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited. The storage unit 6a may be, for example, unique identification information of the non-pneumatic tire 1 that can identify each non-pneumatic tire, such as the manufacturer, manufacturing factory, and manufacturing date of the non-pneumatic tire 1. Further, tire history information such as the running distance, number of emergency brakings, number of sudden accelerations, and number of sharp turns of the non-pneumatic tire 1 may be stored in the storage unit 6a as information rewritable by the reader / writer 60. Furthermore, for example, a sensor for detecting a tire acceleration or the like is attached to the non-pneumatic tire 1, and the storage unit 6a may store the detection information detected by the sensor. The RF tag as the communication device 6 can acquire the detection information of the sensor by wirelessly communicating with the sensor through the antenna unit 6b.

[0043] Note that the communication device 6 only needs to be configured to be capable of wireless communication with a predetermined device outside the non-pneumatic tire 1, and is not limited to the RF tag of the present embodiment.

[0044] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment includes a first antenna 31 and a second antenna 32 that constitute an antenna unit 6b, and an IC chip 33 that constitutes a control unit 6c and a storage unit 6a and operates by the dielectric electromotive force generated by the radio waves received by the first antenna 31 and the second antenna 32, a plate-shaped support member 34 to which the IC chip 33 is attached, and a conductive conduction member 35 that electrically connects the IC chip 33 to the first antenna 31 and the second antenna 32, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the RF tag as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment includes long first antenna 31 and second antenna 32 that protrude from the IC chip 33 in opposite directions with the IC chip 33 interposed therebetween. Thus, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment has an elongated shape in which the longitudinal direction D of the first antenna 31 and the second antenna 32 is the longitudinal direction of the entire communication device 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the RF tag as the communication device 6 shown in FIG. 5 is covered with a covering member 36. The covering member 36 is formed of resin. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the RF tag as the communication device 6 in a state where the periphery is covered with the covering member 36 is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12.

[0045] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the position in the tire circumferential direction B where the communication device 6 is held by the ring member 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a view showing the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4. FIG. 7 shows a view of the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4 as seen from the outside in the tire radial direction C. FIG. 8 is a view showing the positional relationship in the tire circumferential direction B between the communication device 6 and the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4.

[0046] First, the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, the spiral reinforcing layer 4 is formed by spirally winding the wire body 20 around the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 3 (the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 12 in the present embodiment) (see FIG. 3). At this time, the wire body 20 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 3 such that one end portion 20a and the other end portion 20b thereof overlap in the tire circumferential direction B. The overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4 is a region where one end portion 20a and the other end portion 20b of the wire body 20 overlap in the tire circumferential direction B. The number of wire bodies 20 arranged in parallel in the tire width direction A is larger in the overlap region X1 than in the region other than the overlap region X1 in the tire circumferential direction B.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the region in the tire circumferential direction B is divided into a first quadrant Y1, a second quadrant Y2, a third quadrant Y3, and a fourth quadrant Y4 each having a central angle of 90 degrees with respect to the tire central axis O, and it is defined that the central position CP in the tire circumferential direction B of the overlap region X1 coincides with the central position in the tire circumferential direction B of the first quadrant Y1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 6 is held by the ring member 3 so as to be included in the third quadrant Y3 that is not adjacent to the first quadrant Y1 in the tire circumferential direction B. That is, the communication device 6 is held by the ring member 3 so that at least a part thereof is included in the third quadrant Y3. By doing so, the communication device 6 is arranged in the third quadrant Y3 that is radially opposed to the first quadrant Y1 where the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4 is located in the tire radial direction C. By doing so, even if the communication device 6 is arranged only in a part of the tire circumferential direction C, since the balance can be achieved in relation to the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4, a decrease in the uniformity of the non-pneumatic tire 1 can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is held by the ring member 3 so as to be entirely included in the third quadrant Y3. More specifically, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12 so as to be entirely included in the third quadrant Y3. By doing so, a decrease in the uniformity of the non-pneumatic tire 1 can be further suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the region in the tire circumferential direction C facing the overlap region X1 in the tire radial direction C is defined as the overlap facing region X2, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is held by the ring member 3 so as to be included in the overlap facing region X2. More specifically, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12 so as to be included in the overlap facing region X2. By doing so, it is possible to further suppress the decrease in the uniformity of the non-pneumatic tire 1.

[0050] Note that, from the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in uniformity, as shown in FIG. 9, it is particularly preferable that the communication device 6 is held by the ring member 3 so that the whole is included in the overlap facing region X2. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the whole of the communication device 6 is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12 so as to be included in the overlap facing region X2.

[0051] As described above, in the non-pneumatic tire 1, from the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in uniformity, the arrangement position of the communication device 6 in the tire circumferential direction B is defined by the relationship with the position in the tire circumferential direction B of the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4.

[0052] Also, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is held by the outer cylindrical body 12 by being embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12, but is not limited to this configuration. The communication device 6 may be held by the inner cylindrical body 11 or the connecting member 13. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the decrease in uniformity in relation to the overlap region X1 of the spiral reinforcing layer 4, it is preferable that the communication device 6 is held by the outer cylindrical body 12 as in the present embodiment.

[0053] Furthermore, as described above, the RF tag serving as the communication device 6 of the present embodiment has an elongated shape. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is held by the ring member 3 such that its longitudinal direction (which is the same direction as the longitudinal direction D of the first antenna 31 and the second antenna 32 in the present embodiment and will be hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction D) is along the tire width direction A. The ring member 3 receives a force from the road surface during vehicle travel and deforms in the tire radial direction C. At this time, the variation in the amount of deformation in the tire radial direction C depending on the position in the tire circumferential direction B is larger than the variation in the amount of deformation in the tire radial direction C depending on the position in the tire width direction A. Therefore, by arranging the communication device 6 in the ring member 3 with the longitudinal direction D of the elongated communication device 6 along the tire width direction A, stress concentration on a part of the longitudinal direction D of the communication device 6 can be suppressed, and local deformation, damage, breakage, etc. can be prevented. That is, the durability of the communication device 6 can be enhanced as compared with the arrangement where the longitudinal direction D of the communication device 6 is along the tire circumferential direction B.

[0054] Note that the phrase "along the tire width direction A" as used herein does not mean limited to being parallel to the tire width direction A, but also includes the case of being inclined at an angle less than 45 degrees with respect to the tire width direction A. However, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the communication device 6 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction D is parallel to the tire width direction A or inclined at an angle of 5 degrees or less with respect to the tire width direction A and substantially parallel.

[0055] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the communication device 6 of the present embodiment is embedded in the outer cylindrical body 12 such that at least a part thereof is included in the connection region X3 of the outer cylindrical body 12 of the ring member 3 to which the connection member 13 is connected. Here, the "connection region X3" means the region of the outer cylindrical body 12 that is covered in the tire radial direction C by the virtual end face 13a1 of the outer end portion 13a of the connection member 13 when the connected outer cylindrical body 12 and the connection member 13 are separated into two with the virtual inner peripheral surface 12a of the outer cylindrical body 12 as the boundary.

[0056] In the outer cylinder 12, the connection region X3 has a greater rigidity in the tire diameter direction C compared to the regions other than the connection region X3, and can suppress deformation in the tire diameter direction C. Therefore, by arranging at least a part of the communication device 6 in the connection region X3 of the outer cylinder 12, compared with the configuration in which the entire communication device is arranged in a region other than the connection region X3 of the outer cylinder 12, deformation and damage of the communication device 6 due to deformation of the outer cylinder 12 in the tire diameter direction C can be suppressed.

[0057] Further, in the case where the non-pneumatic tire 1 has a configuration (so-called "Bottom Load" configuration) in which the connecting member 13 is compressed and deformed in the tire diameter direction C at a position between the wheel member 2 and the road surface to support the vehicle load, the regions other than the connection region X3 of the outer cylinder 12 are more likely to undergo buckling deformation under the force from the road surface compared to the connection region X3 of the outer cylinder 12. Therefore, when the non-pneumatic tire 1 has a so-called "Bottom Load" configuration, it is particularly preferable that at least a part of the communication device 6 is arranged in the connection region X3 of the outer cylinder 12. By doing so, deformation and damage of the communication device 6 due to buckling deformation of the outer cylinder 12 can be suppressed.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, from the viewpoint of suppressing deformation and damage of the communication device 6, it is preferable that the communication device 6 is embedded in the outer cylinder 12 such that at least the central position M1 in the tire circumferential direction B is included in the connection region X3. Further, from the viewpoint of suppressing deformation and damage of the communication device 6, as shown in FIG. 10, it is more preferable that the communication device 6 is embedded in the outer cylinder 12 such that its entirety is included in the connection region X3. Such an arrangement, as shown in FIG. 10, is realized easily by arranging the longitudinal direction D of the communication device 6 along the tire width direction A when the connecting member 13 is a plate-like portion used as a leaf spring and the communication device 6 has an elongated shape having a longitudinal direction D.

[0059] The non-pneumatic tire according to the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various deformations, changes, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0060] [Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] The SDGs have been proposed towards the realization of a sustainable society. One embodiment of the present invention is considered to be a technology that can contribute to "[[No.12_Responsibility to Produce, Responsibility to Use]]" and "[[No.13_Specific Measures against Climate Change]]".

Industrial Applicability

[0061] The present invention relates to a non-pneumatic tire.

Explanation of Signs

[0062] 1: Non-pneumatic tire 2: Wheel member 2a: Boss 2b: Mounting cylinder part 2c: Support cylinder part 2d: Spoke 3: Ring member 4: Spiral reinforcing layer 4a: Base layer 5: Tread member 5a: Tread surface 6: Communication device 6a: Memory part 6b: Antenna part 6c: Control part 11: Inner cylinder 12: Outer cylinder 12a: Virtual inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 13: Connecting member 13a: Outer end part of the connecting member 13a1: Virtual end surface of the outer end part of the connecting member 13b: Inner end part of the connecting member 20: Strand body 20a: One end part of the strand body 20b: The other end part of the strand body 21: Cord 22: Coating 31: First antenna 32: Second antenna 33: IC chip 34: Support member 35: Conductive member 36: Coating member 60: Reader / writer 60a: Antenna section 60b: Control section A: Tire width direction B: Tire circumferential direction C: Tire radial direction D: Longitudinal direction of the communication device CL: Tire equatorial plane M1: Central position of the communication device in the tire circumferential direction O: Tire central axis X1: Overlap region of the spiral reinforcing layer X2: Overlap opposing region X3: Connection region Y1~Y4: First to fourth quadrants CP: Central position of the overlap region in the tire circumferential direction

Claims

1. a wheel member attachable to an axle; a ring member attached to the wheel member; a spiral reinforcing layer formed by spirally winding a single wire or a plurality of parallel wires embedded in a covering on an outer peripheral surface of the ring member; a tread member surrounding an outer side of the spiral reinforcing layer in a tire diameter direction; a communication device held by the ring member, comprising: the spiral reinforcing layer includes an overlap region where one end portion and the other end portion of the wire overlap in a tire circumferential direction; when the tire circumferential region is divided into a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant each having a central angle of 90 degrees with respect to a tire central axis, and when it is defined that a central position of the overlap region in the tire circumferential direction coincides with a central position of the first quadrant in the tire circumferential direction, the communication device is held by the ring member so as to be included in the third quadrant not adjacent to the first quadrant in the tire circumferential direction, a non-pneumatic tire.

2. The communication device is held by the ring member so as to be entirely included in the third quadrant, the non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1.

3. When an overlap opposing region is a region in the tire circumferential direction that opposes the overlap region in the tire diameter direction, the communication device is held by the ring member so as to be included in the overlap opposing region, the non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The communication device is held by the ring member so as to be entirely included in the overlap opposing region, the non-pneumatic tire according to claim 3.

5. The communication device has an elongated shape; The communication device is held by the ring member such that a longitudinal direction thereof is along a tire width direction, the non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The ring member includes: an inner cylinder attached to the wheel member; an outer cylinder surrounding an outer side of the inner cylinder in the tire diameter direction; a connecting member that connects the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and is elastically deformable between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder; and The communication device is held by the outer cylinder, the non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The communication device is an RF tag, the non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1 or 2.

Images