tire

By positioning the RFID tag between the second pad and rim strip rubber with protective rubber sheets, the tire design addresses interference from the ply, improving layout accuracy and durability while maintaining communication performance.

JP7599903B2Active Publication Date: 2024-12-16TOYO TIRE CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2020179382
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-10-27
Publication Date
2024-12-16
Estimated Expiration
2040-10-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing tire designs with embedded electronic components, such as RFID tags, are susceptible to interference and deformation due to the proximity of these components to the ply, leading to reduced layout accuracy and potential damage.

Method used

The tire design incorporates a pair of annular bead cores with a carcass ply extending between them, featuring a first and second pad on either side of the ply folded end, with the RFID tag positioned between the second pad and the rim strip rubber, surrounded by protective rubber sheets, ensuring minimal interference from the ply and improved positioning.

Benefits of technology

This configuration enhances the layout accuracy and durability of the RFID tag by minimizing stress and deformation, maintaining communication performance and preventing damage during tire deformation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a tire that can improve layout accuracy by arranging electronic components so that they are not easily affected by a ply.SOLUTION: A tire 1 includes: a pair of beads 11 having a bead core 21 and a bead filler 22 extending radially outward from the bead core 21; and a carcass ply 23 extending from the bead core 21 of one bead 11 to the bead core 21 of the other bead 11 and folded around the respective bead core 21. Moreover, the tire includes: a first pad 35 positioned outside a folded end 25A of the folded carcass ply in a width direction of the tire; a second pad 36 positioned outside the first pad 35 in the tire width direction; and a rim strip rubber 32 disposed on at least a portion of the outer side of the second pad 36 in the width direction of the tire. An RFID tag 40 as an electronic component is provided between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire having an embedded electronic component. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, tires with electronic components such as RFID embedded in a rubber structure are known. Such tires can perform manufacturing management, usage history management, and the like of the tire by communicating between an RFID tag embedded in the tire and a reader as an external device. For example, Patent Document 1 shows a tire in which an electronic component as an RFID tag is disposed at the boundary surface between a reinforcing filler that covers from the outside the folded end of the ply surrounding the bead filler and a rubber part (wear part) that covers from the outside the reinforcing filler. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6276859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the reinforcing filler is disposed as a single layer member between the electronic component and the ply, so that the electronic component is easily affected by the ply.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a tire in which the layout accuracy can be improved by arranging electronic components so as to be less affected by the plies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A tire of the present invention includes a pair of beads each having a pair of annular bead cores spaced apart in the tire width direction and a bead filler extending radially outward of the bead cores, and a carcass ply extending from the bead core of one bead to the bead core of the other bead and folded back around each of the bead cores, further including a first pad arranged on the tire width outer side of the folded back end of the carcass ply, a second pad arranged on the tire width outer side of the first pad, and a rim strip rubber arranged on at least a portion of the tire width outer side of the second pad, and an electronic component is provided between the second pad and the rim strip rubber. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a tire can be provided in which electronic components are arranged so as to be less affected by the plies, thereby enabling improvement in layout accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a half cross section in the tire width direction of a tire according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a tire according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an RFID tag protected by a protective member, which is provided in a tire according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cross section bb of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cross section cc of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the in-plane distribution of strain energy when a load is applied to a tire having a structure similar to that of the tire of one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a tire according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a half cross section in the tire width direction of a tire 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a radially inner portion of the tire 1 in Fig. 1. Generally, the basic structure of a tire is symmetrical in cross section in the tire width direction, so here, a cross section of the right half is shown. In the figure, the symbol S1 indicates the tire equatorial plane. The tire equatorial plane S1 is a plane that is perpendicular to the tire rotation axis and is located at the center in the tire width direction.

[0010] Here, the tire width direction is a direction parallel to the tire rotation axis, and corresponds to the left-right direction on the paper surface in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, this direction is illustrated as tire width direction X. The inner side in the tire width direction is the direction approaching the tire equatorial plane S1, which is the left side on the paper in Fig. 1. The outer side in the tire width direction is the direction away from the tire equatorial plane S1, which is the right side on the paper in Fig. 1. The tire radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the tire rotation axis, and is the up-down direction on the paper surface in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, this direction is illustrated as tire radial direction Y. The outer side in the tire radial direction is the direction away from the tire rotation axis, and is the upper side on the paper in Fig. 1. The inner side in the tire radial direction is the direction approaching the tire rotation axis, and is the lower side on the paper in Fig. 1. The same applies to Figures 2 and 5.

[0011] The tire 1 is, for example, a tire for trucks or buses, and has a pair of beads 11 provided on both sides in the tire width direction, a tread 12 that forms a contact surface with the road surface, and a pair of sidewalls 13 extending between the pair of beads 11 and the tread 12.

[0012] The bead 11 includes an annular bead core 21 formed by winding a rubber-coated metal bead wire multiple times, and a tapered bead filler 22 extending outward in the tire radial direction from the bead core 21. The bead core 21 is a member that serves to fix the tire 1 filled with air to the rim of a wheel (not shown). The bead filler 22 is a member that is provided to increase the rigidity of the peripheral portion of the bead 11 and ensure high maneuverability and stability.

[0013] A carcass ply 23 constituting a ply that forms the framework of the tire is embedded inside the tire 1. The carcass ply 23 extends from one bead core 21 to the other bead core 21. That is, the carcass ply 23 is embedded in the tire 1 in a manner that passes between a pair of bead cores 21, a pair of sidewalls 13, and the tread 12.

[0014] 1, the carcass ply 23 includes a ply body 24 extending from one bead core 21 to the other bead core 21 and extending between the tread 12 and the bead 11, and a ply turn-up portion 25 turned up around the bead core 21. Here, a turn-up end 25A of the ply turn-up portion 25 is located radially inward of an outer end 22A of the bead filler 22 in the tire radial direction.

[0015] The carcass ply 23 is made of a plurality of ply cords extending in the tire width direction. The plurality of ply cords are arranged in the tire circumferential direction. The ply cords are made of metal steel cords or insulating organic fiber cords such as polyester or polyamide cords, and are covered with rubber.

[0016] In the tread 12, multiple layers of steel belts 26 are provided on the tire radially outer side of the carcass ply 23. The steel belts 26 are composed of multiple steel cords covered with rubber. By providing the steel belts 26, the rigidity of the tire is ensured and the contact state between the tread 12 and the road surface is improved. In this embodiment, four layers of steel belts 26 are provided, but the number of stacked steel belts 26 is not limited to this.

[0017] A tread rubber 28 is provided on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the steel belt 26. A tread pattern 28A is provided on the outer surface of the tread rubber 28. The outer surface of the tread rubber 28 becomes the contact surface that comes into contact with the road surface.

[0018] A shoulder pad 38 is provided in a region between the carcass ply 23 and the steel belt 26 and tread rubber 28 near the outer side in the tire width direction of the tread 12. The shoulder pad 38 extends to the outer region in the tire radial direction of the sidewall 13, and a part of it forms an interface with a sidewall rubber 30 described below. That is, a part of the shoulder pad 38 is present on the inner side in the tire width direction of the sidewall rubber 30 in the outer region in the tire radial direction of the sidewall 13.

[0019] The shoulder pad 38 is made of a rubber member having cushioning properties, and exhibits a cushioning function between the carcass ply 23 and the steel belt 26. In addition, since the shoulder pad 38 is made of rubber having low heat generation properties, by extending it to the sidewall 13, heat generation can be effectively suppressed.

[0020] An inner liner 29 serving as a rubber layer constituting the inner wall surface of the tire 1 is provided on the tire cavity side of the carcass ply 23 in the beads 11, sidewalls 13, and tread 12. The inner liner 29 is made of air-permeable resistant rubber and prevents air in the tire cavity from leaking to the outside.

[0021] In the sidewall 13, a sidewall rubber 30 that constitutes the outer wall surface of the tire 1 is provided on the outer side of the carcass ply 23 in the tire width direction. The sidewall rubber 30 is the part that bends the most when the tire 1 performs a cushioning function, and typically a flexible rubber having fatigue resistance is used for the sidewall rubber 30.

[0022] A steel chafer 31 is provided as a reinforcing ply on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the carcass ply 23 provided around the bead core 21 of the bead 11 so as to cover at least a part of the carcass ply 23.

[0023] The steel chafer 31 also extends outside the ply turn-up portion 25 of the carcass ply 23 in the tire width direction. An end 31A on the outside of the tire width direction of the steel chafer 31 is located inside in the tire radial direction of the turn-up end 25A of the carcass ply 23. An end 29A on the inside of the tire radial direction of the inner liner 29 is bent so as to cover a corner portion on the inside of the tire width direction of the steel chafer 31. The steel chafer 31 is a metal reinforcing layer made of metal steel cords and is covered with rubber.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, a rim strip rubber 32 is provided on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the steel chafer 31. The rim strip rubber 32 covers an end portion 29A on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the inner liner 29. The rim strip rubber 32 is disposed along the outer surface of the tire and is connected to the sidewall rubber 30. The rim strip rubber 32 and the sidewall rubber 30 are rubber members that form the outer surface of the tire.

[0025] A first pad 35 is provided on the tire radial outer side of the end 31A of the steel chafer 31 and on the tire width direction outer side of the turned-up portion 25 of the carcass ply 23 and the bead filler 22. The first pad 35 is provided at least on the tire width direction outer side of the turned-up end 25A of the carcass ply 23. The tire radial outer side of the first pad 35 is formed to taper toward the tire radial outer side.

[0026] Further, the second pad 36 is provided so as to cover the outer side of the first pad 35 in the tire width direction. More specifically, the second pad 36 is provided so as to cover the outer side of a part of the steel chafer 31, the first pad 35, and a part of the bead filler 22 in the tire width direction. The outer side of the second pad 36 in the tire radial direction is formed so as to taper toward the outer side in the tire radial direction. The inner side of the second pad 36 in the tire radial direction is formed so as to taper toward the inner side in the tire radial direction. The position of the outer end 36A in the tire radial direction of the second pad 36 is located on the outer side in the tire radial direction than the position of the outer end 35A in the tire radial direction of the first pad 35.

[0027] A sidewall rubber 30 is arranged on the outer side in the tire width direction of the tire radial outer region of the second pad 36, and a rim strip rubber 32 is arranged on the outer side in the tire width direction of the tire radial inner region of the second pad 36. In other words, the sidewall rubber 30 covers a part of the rim strip rubber 32 on the outer side in the tire width direction and a part of the second pad 36 on the outer side in the tire width direction.

[0028] The first pad 35 and the second pad 36 constitute a pad member 34 , and the pad member 34 is made of rubber having a modulus equal to or higher than that of the bead filler 22 . More specifically, the second pad 36 is made of rubber having a modulus equal to or higher than that of the bead filler 22, and the first pad 35 is made of rubber having a modulus even higher than that of the second pad 36. The first pad 35 and the second pad 36 have the function of mitigating sudden distortion caused by localized changes in rigidity at the turned-up end 25A of the carcass ply 23 and the end 31A of the steel chafer 31.

[0029] A rubber sheet 37 serving as a reinforcing rubber sheet is disposed between the bead filler 22 and the pad member 34 near the turned-up end 25A of the carcass ply 23. The rubber sheet 37 is disposed so as to cover the turned-up end 25A of the carcass ply 23 from the inner side in the tire width direction. The rubber sheet 37 is made of rubber having a higher modulus than the bead filler 22. More preferably, the rubber sheet 37 is made of rubber having a modulus approximately equal to that of the first pad .

[0030] Generally, stress is likely to concentrate at the folded end 25A of the carcass ply 23. However, by providing the rubber sheet 37 as the reinforcing rubber sheet described above, it becomes possible to effectively suppress the concentration of stress. 2, it is preferable to adopt a mode in which the rubber sheet 37 is disposed so as to cover the folded end 25A of the carcass ply 23 from the inner side in the tire width direction, but a configuration in which the folded end 25A of the carcass ply 23 is covered from the outer side in the tire width direction may be adopted. Even in this case, it is possible to reduce the concentration of stress.

[0031] Here, the relationship between the rim strip rubber 32 and the surrounding members will be explained again. The rim strip rubber 32 is disposed at least on the tire width direction outer side of the ply turn-up portion 25 of the carcass ply 23 that is turned up around the bead core 21. In this embodiment, the rim strip rubber 32 covers a part of the tire width direction outer side of the pad member 34 that is disposed on the tire width direction outer side of the turn-up portion 25 of the carcass ply 23. The rim strip rubber 32 also covers the tire radial direction inner end 29A of the inner liner 29 that covers the tire width direction inner corner portion of the steel chafer 31. The sidewall rubber 30 covers a part of the tire width direction outer side of the rim strip rubber 32 and a part of the tire width direction outer side of the pad member 34. By providing such a pad member 34, it is possible to effectively suppress the concentration of stress around the joint between the rim strip rubber 32 and the sidewall rubber 30.

[0032] Regarding the modulus of each rubber element, it is preferable that the sidewall rubber 30 has a modulus that is 0.4 to 0.7 times that of the second pad 36, based on the modulus of the second pad 36. It is also preferable that the first pad 35 has a modulus that is 1.0 to 1.2 times that of the second pad 36. It is also preferable that the rim strip rubber 32 has a modulus that is 0.8 to 1.2 times that of the second pad 36, based on the modulus of the second pad 36. By using such a modulus, it is possible to maintain a balance between the flexibility of the tire and the rigidity in the vicinity of the bead 11. The modulus refers to the 100% elongation modulus (M100) measured in an atmosphere of 23° C. in accordance with “3.7 Stress at a given elongation, S” of JIS K6251:2010.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, an RFID tag 40 serving as an electronic component is embedded in the tire 1 of this embodiment.

[0034] Fig. 3A shows an example of an RFID tag 40 according to this embodiment. The RFID tag 40 is covered by a protective member 43. In Fig. 3A, the RFID tag 40 is covered and hidden by a covering rubber sheet 431 constituting the protective member 43. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in Fig. 3A, and Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line cc in Fig. 3A. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, the RFID tag 40 is covered by covering rubber sheets 431 and 432 constituting the protective member 43.

[0035] The RFID tag 40 is a passive transponder equipped with an RFID chip 41 and multiple antennas 42 for communicating with an external device. The RFID tag 40 performs wireless communication with a reader (not shown) as an external device. Identification information such as a serial number and a part number is stored in a memory unit in the RFID chip 41.

[0036] As the antenna 42, various antennas such as a coil spring antenna, a plate antenna, and a rod antenna can be used. Alternatively, the antenna may be an antenna formed by printing a predetermined pattern on a flexible substrate. In consideration of communication capability and flexibility, the antenna 42 is most preferably a coil spring antenna. The antenna 42 is set to an optimal antenna length according to the frequency band to be used, etc.

[0037] The protective member 43 is composed of two covering rubber sheets 431 and 432 that sandwich the RFID tag 40 to protect it.

[0038] 3A to 3C, an RFID tag 40 according to this embodiment has a structure in which two thin pin-shaped antennas 42 are arranged to extend generally concentrically on both sides of an RFID chip 41. Therefore, the RFID tag 40 has a long longitudinal direction that is long in the extension direction of the two antennas 42. The protective member 43 has a thin band-like shape that generally follows the shape of the RFID tag 40.

[0039] 1 and 2, the RFID tag 40 is embedded between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32. In this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is embedded between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 in the vicinity of the tire radial direction outer end 32A of the rim strip rubber 32 and at a position covered by the tire radial direction inner end 30B of the sidewall rubber 30.

[0040] The RFID tag 40 is preferably embedded between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 so that its longitudinal direction is tangent to the circumferential direction of the tire 1, i.e., perpendicular to the paper in the cross-sectional views of Figures 1 and 2. By embedding it in this manner, even when the tire 1 is mounted on a vehicle wheel and a load is applied to the tire 1, causing it to deform, the RFID tag 40 is less likely to be subjected to stress due to the load.

[0041] The rubber used for the protective member 43 that covers the RFID tag 40 has a modulus at least equal to or lower than that of the second pad 36. For example, it is preferable to use a rubber having a modulus that is 0.7 to 1.1 times the modulus of the second pad 36 as the reference for the rubber used for the protective member 43.

[0042] By being covered with the covering rubber sheets (431, 432) constituting the protective member 43 in this manner, the RFID tag 40 is less likely to be directly subjected to the stress generated when the tire 1 is deformed, and therefore deformation or damage is suppressed, thereby maintaining communication performance.

[0043] Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the results of a simulation of the in-plane distribution of strain energy when a tire having a rubber structure similar to that of the tire 1 according to this embodiment is mounted on a rim and a 100% load is applied. In Fig. 4, the same components as those in the tire 1 according to this embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0044] 4, the bead filler 22 is composed of a first bead filler 221 covering the outer periphery of the bead core 21 and a second bead filler 222 disposed on the tire radial direction outer side of the first bead filler 221. The second bead filler 222 is composed of a rubber having a higher modulus than the inner liner 29 and the sidewall rubber 30. The first bead filler 221 is composed of a rubber having an even higher modulus than the second bead filler 222.

[0045] In Fig. 4, the regions are divided into five areas according to the magnitude of the strain energy. Here, the region with the highest strain energy is level 5, the region with high strain energy is level 4, the region with slightly lower strain energy is level 3, the region with a further decrease in strain energy is level 2, and the region with the lowest strain energy is level 1. In Fig. 4, the regions are divided by thick dotted lines.

[0046] At the boundary surface between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32, the outer side in the tire radial direction is generally a level 1 area, which has little strain energy and is a preferable area for arranging the RFID tag 40. For example, a simulation has shown that the shear strain value is reduced by about 15% compared to when the RFID tag is embedded in the level 3 area of ​​the tire shown in FIG. 4. Since the RFID tag 40 is embedded in a position where strain is unlikely to concentrate, the durability of the RFID tag 40 is improved. Furthermore, since the level 1 area is on the outer side in the tire width direction and close to the sidewall 13, sufficient communication performance is exhibited.

[0047] Here, the RFID tag 40 is attached before the vulcanization process in the tire manufacturing process. In this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is attached to a portion of the second pad 36 or the rim strip rubber 32 before vulcanization, which corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 2. At this time, since the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 are in a state of raw rubber before vulcanization, the RFID tag 40 may be attached to the second pad 36 or the rim strip rubber 32 by utilizing its adhesiveness. Alternatively, when the adhesiveness is low, the RFID tag 40 may be attached using an adhesive or the like. After the RFID tag 40 is attached, the RFID tag 40 is sandwiched between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32. Then, the RFID tag 40 is attached to the bead core 21 and the bead filler 22 at the radially inner end of the tire through a molding process called turn-up, in which each component including at least the first pad 35, the second pad 36, the rim strip rubber 32, and the sidewall rubber 30 is folded back, and the raw tire is assembled through a vulcanization process to manufacture the tire 1.

[0048] In the tire 1 according to the present embodiment, the first pad 35 and the second pad 36 are arranged as two-layer rubber members between the RFID tag 40 and the ply turn-up portion 25 of the carcass ply 23. For this reason, even if the first pad 35 is deformed by the ply turn-up portion 25 in the above-mentioned turn-up process, the stress due to the deformation is buffered by the second pad 36 and is not easily transmitted to the RFID tag 40. As a result, the RFID tag 40 is not easily moved and is held in the set position, resulting in improved layout accuracy of the RFID tag 40. In addition, by holding the position of the RFID tag 40 in this way, a gap is not easily generated between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32, or the generated gap is small. For this reason, the shape of the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 is prevented from being deformed by rubber flowing into the gap during vulcanization.

[0049] As described above, the manufacturing method of the tire 1 according to this embodiment includes the steps of sandwiching the RFID tag 40 between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32, and folding back the RFID tag 40 and each of the components including at least the first pad 35, the second pad 36, the rim strip rubber 32, and the sidewall rubber 30 so as to surround the bead core 21 and the bead filler 22. This allows the RFID tag 40 to be positioned so as to be less affected by the carcass ply 23.

[0050] In this embodiment, the position of the tire radial direction outer end 36A of the second pad 36 is located radially outward of the position of the tire radial direction outer end 35A of the first pad 35. As a result, the first pad 35 is pressed down by the second pad 36 during the above-mentioned molding process of the tire 1, and deformation is suppressed, and as a result, the RFID tag 40 becomes more difficult to move, and the layout accuracy can be improved more effectively.

[0051] In this embodiment, the sidewall rubber 30 covers a part of the rim strip rubber 32 on the outer side in the tire width direction and a part of the second pad 36 on the outer side in the tire width direction. As a result, the boundary between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 is covered by the sidewall rubber 30, so the position of the RFID tag 40 embedded in the boundary surface between the rim strip rubber 32 and the second pad 36 is firmly maintained.

[0052] The RFID tag 40 according to this embodiment is preferably disposed in a predetermined area on the boundary surface between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 as described below.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the distance D between the RFID tag 40 and the folded end 25A of the ply folded portion 25 of the carcass ply 23 is set to 5 mm or more. That is, the RFID tag 40 is disposed at a position 5 mm or more away from the folded end 25A. For example, the distance D is specifically set to about 15 mm. As a result, the RFID tag 40 is less affected by the carcass ply 23 during the above-mentioned tire 1 molding process, so that the layout accuracy can be improved more effectively. In addition, when the carcass ply 23 is made of metal, communication performance may be reduced when the RFID tag 40 approaches the carcass ply 23, but communication performance is maintained by ensuring the distance D to be 5 mm or more. Note that the distance D is ensured to be 5 mm or more in the molded tire 1. Therefore, in the stage before molding, the position of the RFID tag 40 is adjusted so that the distance D after molding is ensured to be 5 mm or more.

[0054] 2, the RFID tag 40 is placed in a region from the tire radially outer end 32A of the rim strip rubber 32 to 20 mm inward in the tire radial direction. This allows the RFID tag 40 to be embedded in a position where distortion is less likely to concentrate, improving durability. As a specific example, the RFID tag 40 is placed about 10 mm inward in the tire radial direction from the tire radially outer end 32A of the rim strip rubber 32. 2, the RFID tag 40 may be entirely located in a region extending from the tire radially outer end 32A of the rim strip rubber 32 to 20 mm inward in the tire radial direction, or at least a portion of the tag may be located in that region. In addition, when the RFID tag 40 is covered by the covering rubber sheets 431, 432 constituting the protective member 43 as in this embodiment, the covering rubber sheets 431, 432 may be entirely located in a region extending from the tire radially outer end 32A of the rim strip rubber 32 to 20 mm inward in the tire radial direction.

[0055] The tire 1 according to the present embodiment described above provides the following advantages.

[0056] (1) The tire 1 according to this embodiment includes a pair of beads 11 each having a pair of annular bead cores 21 spaced apart in the tire width direction and a bead filler 22 extending radially outward from the bead cores 21, and a carcass ply 23 extending from the bead core 21 of one bead 11 to the bead core 21 of the other bead 11 and folded back around each bead core 21. The tire 1 further includes a first pad 35 arranged on the tire width direction outer side of the folded back end 25A of the folded back carcass ply 23, a second pad 36 arranged on the tire width direction outer side of the first pad 35, and a rim strip rubber 32 arranged on at least a portion of the tire width direction outer side of the second pad 36, and an RFID tag 40 is provided as an electronic component between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32.

[0057] This allows the RFID tag 40 to be positioned so as to be less affected by the carcass ply 23, improving the layout accuracy of the RFID tag 40. Also, since the RFID tag 40 is embedded in a position where distortion is less likely to concentrate, it is possible to improve the durability of the RFID tag 40. Also, since the RFID tag 40 is embedded in a position on the outer side in the tire width direction and close to the sidewall 13, the RFID tag 40 exhibits sufficient communication performance.

[0058] (2) In the tire 1 according to this embodiment, the position of the outer end 36A in the tire radial direction of the second pad 36 is located outer than the position of the outer end 35A in the tire radial direction of the first pad 35.

[0059] As a result, during the tire 1 molding process, the first pad 35 is pressed down by the second pad 36, suppressing deformation, and as a result, the RFID tag 40 becomes less likely to move, making it possible to more effectively improve layout accuracy.

[0060] (3) In the tire 1 according to the present embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is disposed at a position 5 mm or more away from the turned-up end 25A of the carcass ply 23.

[0061] This makes it possible to more effectively improve the layout accuracy since the RFID tag 40 is less affected by the carcass ply 23 during the molding process of the tire 1. Also, even if the carcass ply 23 is made of metal, the communication performance of the RFID tag 40 can be maintained.

[0062] (4) In the tire 1 according to this embodiment, at least a portion of the RFID tag 40 is disposed in a region from the outer end 32A of the rim strip rubber 32 in the tire radial direction to 20 mm inward in the tire radial direction.

[0063] This allows the RFID tag 40 to be embedded in a position where distortion is less likely to concentrate, thereby improving durability.

[0064] (5) The tire 1 according to this embodiment includes a sidewall rubber 30, which is located on the tire width direction outer side of a portion of the rim strip rubber 32 on the tire width direction outer side and at least a portion of the second pad 36.

[0065] As a result, the boundary between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 is covered by the sidewall rubber 30, so that the position of the RFID tag 40 embedded in the boundary between the rim strip rubber 32 and the second pad 36 can be firmly maintained.

[0066] (6) In the tire 1 according to this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is covered with the covering rubber sheets 431 and 432 that constitute the protective member 43.

[0067] As a result, the RFID tag 40 is less likely to be directly subjected to stress that occurs when the tire 1 deforms, and therefore deformation or damage is suppressed, making it possible to maintain communication performance.

[0068] (7) In the tire 1 according to the present embodiment, the rim strip rubber 32 preferably has a modulus that is 0.8 to 1.2 times that of the second pad 36, with the modulus of the second pad 36 being taken as the standard.

[0069] This makes it possible to maintain a balance between the flexibility of the tire and the rigidity in the vicinity of the bead 11 .

[0070] (8) In the tire 1 according to this embodiment, the covering rubber sheets 431, 432 that cover the RFID tag 40 are preferably made of rubber having a modulus that is 0.7 to 1.1 times that of the second pad 36, with the modulus of the second pad 36 being taken as the standard.

[0071] As a result, the RFID tag 40 is less likely to be directly subjected to stress that occurs when the tire 1 deforms, and therefore deformation or damage is suppressed, thereby maintaining communication performance.

[0072] (9) In the tire 1 according to this embodiment, the steel chafer 31 is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the carcass ply 23, and the rim strip rubber 32 is provided on the inner side of the steel chafer 31 in the tire radial direction.

[0073] As a result, the carcass ply 23 is reinforced by the steel chafer 31 , and the steel chafer 31 is protected by the rim strip rubber 32 .

[0074] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of those components will be omitted. Only the differences from the above embodiment will be described.

[0075] 5, an RFID tag 40 is disposed closer to the inner side in the tire radial direction than the above-mentioned embodiment. The RFID tag 40 is disposed in the tire radial direction at a position roughly the same as the radially inner end 30B of the sidewall rubber 30, and slightly more inward in the tire radial direction than the folded end 25A of the ply folded-up portion 25 of the carcass ply 23. Other than this, the RFID tag 40 has the same configuration as the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0076] In this embodiment as well, since the RFID tag 40 is provided between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32, the above effect (1) is similarly achieved. In addition, the above effects (2), (5), and (6) are also achieved.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and even if modifications and improvements are made within the scope of the present invention, they will still be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0078] For example, in the above embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is covered by the covering rubber sheets 431, 432 that constitute the protective member 43, but it may also be embedded directly between the second pad 36 and the rim strip rubber 32 without being covered by the covering rubber sheets 431, 432.

[0079] In the embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is embedded in the tire as the electronic component, but the electronic component according to the present invention embedded in the tire is not limited to the RFID tag. For example, the electronic component may be various electronic components such as a sensor that performs wireless communication, a piezoelectric element, or a strain sensor. The tire of the present invention can be used as various tires for passenger cars, light trucks, trucks, buses, etc., and is particularly suitable as a tire for trucks, buses, etc.

[0080] (1) A tire (e.g., tire 1) of the present invention is a tire including a pair of beads (e.g., bead 11) each having a pair of annular bead cores (e.g., bead core 21) spaced apart in the tire width direction and a bead filler (e.g., bead filler 22) extending outward in the tire radial direction of the bead cores, and a carcass ply (e.g., carcass ply 23) extending from the bead core of one bead to the bead core of the other bead and folded back around each of the bead cores, The tire further comprises a first pad (e.g., first pad 35) arranged on the tire widthwise outer side of the folded end (e.g., folded end 25A) of the turned-up carcass ply, a second pad (e.g., second pad 36) arranged on the tire widthwise outer side of the first pad, and a rim strip rubber (e.g., rim strip rubber 32) arranged on at least a portion of the tire widthwise outer side of the second pad, and an electronic component (e.g., RFID tag 40) is provided between the second pad and the rim strip rubber.

[0081] (2) In the tire of (1), the position of the tire radial outer end of the second pad (e.g., tire radial outer end 36A) is located radially outward of the tire radial outer end of the first pad (e.g., tire radial outer end 35A).

[0082] (3) In the tire according to (1) or (2), the electronic component is disposed at a position 5 mm or more away from the turned-up end of the carcass ply (for example, turned-up end 25A).

[0083] (4) In any of the tires (1) to (3), at least a portion of the electronic component is disposed in an area extending from the tire radial outer end of the rim strip rubber (e.g., tire radial outer end 32A) to 20 mm radially inward in the tire direction.

[0084] (5) The tire according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a sidewall rubber (e.g., sidewall rubber 30), the sidewall rubber being positioned on the outer side in the tire width direction of the rim strip rubber and at least a portion of the second pad.

[0085] (6) In the tire of any one of (1) to (5), the electronic parts are covered with a covering rubber sheet (for example, covering rubber sheets 431 and 432).

[0086] (7) In the tire of any one of (1) to (6), the rim strip rubber has a modulus that is 0.8 to 1.2 times that of the second pad, based on the modulus of the second pad.

[0087] (8) In the tire of (6), the covering rubber sheet has a modulus that is 0.7 to 1.1 times that of the second pad, based on the modulus of the second pad.

[0088] (9) In the tire according to any one of (1) to (8), a steel chafer (e.g., steel chafer 31) is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the carcass ply, and the rim strip rubber is provided on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the steel chafer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Tire 11 Bead 13 Sidewall 21 Bead core 22 Bead filler 23 Carcass ply 25A Carcass ply turn-up end 30 Sidewall rubber 31 Steel Chaher 32 Rim strip rubber 35 First Pad 35A: First pad outer end in tire radial direction 36 Second Pad 36A Tire radial outer end of second pad 40 Electronic Components (RFID Tags) 46 Rubber 431, 432 Covered rubber sheet

Claims

1. A pair of beads each having a pair of annular bead cores spaced apart in a tire width direction and a bead filler extending outward in a tire radial direction of the bead cores; a carcass ply extending from one of the bead cores to the other of the bead cores and folded back around each of the bead cores; A first pad arranged on an outer side in the tire width direction of the turned-up end of the carcass ply; A second pad disposed on an outer side of the first pad in a tire width direction; A rim strip rubber is disposed on at least a portion of the outer side of the second pad in the tire width direction, An electronic component is provided between the second pad and the rim strip rubber, The tire, wherein the electronic component is disposed at a position 5 mm or more away from the folded-up end of the carcass ply.

2. A pair of beads each having a pair of annular bead cores spaced apart in a tire width direction and a bead filler extending radially outward from the bead cores; a carcass ply extending from one of the bead cores to the other of the bead cores and folded back around each of the bead cores; A first pad arranged on an outer side in the tire width direction of the turned-up end of the carcass ply; A second pad disposed on an outer side of the first pad in a tire width direction; A rim strip rubber is disposed on at least a portion of the outer side of the second pad in the tire width direction, An electronic component is provided between the second pad and the rim strip rubber, At least a portion of the electronic component is arranged from an outer end of the rim strip rubber in the tire radial direction to a position 20 mm inward in the tire radial direction.

3. A pair of beads each having a pair of annular bead cores spaced apart in a tire width direction and a bead filler extending radially outward from the bead cores; a carcass ply extending from one of the bead cores to the other of the bead cores and folded back around each of the bead cores; A first pad arranged on an outer side in the tire width direction of the turned-up end of the carcass ply; A second pad disposed on an outer side of the first pad in a tire width direction; A rim strip rubber is disposed on at least a portion of the outer side of the second pad in the tire width direction, An electronic component is provided between the second pad and the rim strip rubber, The tire, wherein the rim strip rubber has a modulus that is 0.8 to 1.2 times that of the second pad, based on the modulus of the second pad.

4. A pair of beads each having a pair of annular bead cores spaced apart in a tire width direction and a bead filler extending radially outward from the bead cores; a carcass ply extending from one of the bead cores to the other of the bead cores and folded back around each of the bead cores; A first pad arranged on an outer side in the tire width direction of the turned-up end of the carcass ply; A second pad disposed on an outer side of the first pad in a tire width direction; A rim strip rubber is disposed on at least a portion of the outer side of the second pad in the tire width direction, An electronic component is provided between the second pad and the rim strip rubber, The electronic component is covered with a covering rubber sheet, The tire, wherein the covering rubber sheet has a modulus that is 0.7 to 1.1 times that of the second pad, based on the modulus of the second pad.

5. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a position of an outer end in the tire radial direction of the second pad is located radially outward of a position of an outer end in the tire radial direction of the first pad.

6. Further equipped with sidewall rubber, The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sidewall rubber is located on the outer side in the tire width direction of at least a portion of the rim strip rubber and the second pad.

7. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a steel chafer is provided so as to cover at least a portion of the carcass ply, and the rim strip rubber is provided on the tire radially inner side of the steel chafer.

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