tire

Abstract

To provide a tire allowing a communication distance to be extended.SOLUTION: A tire 1 comprises an emblem part 20 and a communication device 10 that are provided on a tier outer surface 1ds of a tire side part 1d. The emblem part includes one or more emblems 21. Each of the emblems forms a character, a symbol, or a pattern, and is formed in a protruded shape. At least a part of the communication device is embedded inside at least one emblem.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are tires in which a communication device (such as an RF tag) is disposed between an inner liner and a carcass (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-148953 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional tires, there is room for improvement in terms of communication distance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire that enables a longer communication distance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tire of the present invention is A marking portion provided on an outer surface of the tire in a tire side portion; A communication device; A tire comprising: The insignia portion has one or more insignias, Each of the marks is a letter, symbol, or graphic symbol, and is configured in a convex shape; At least a portion of the communication device is embedded within at least one of the indicia. According to the tire of the present invention, it is possible to increase the communication distance.

[0007] In the tire of the present invention, It is preferable that the mark in which the communication device is embedded has a protruding height of 0.4 mm or more. This allows for even longer communication devices.

[0008] In the tire of the present invention, The communications device may be embedded entirely within any one of the emblems.

[0009] In the tire of the present invention, It is preferable that the mark in which the communication device is embedded has a length L1 of 40 mm or more when measured along the longitudinal direction of the communication device at the center of the short side of the communication device. This makes it easier to place the communication device in the recess in the tire molding die for forming the mark when manufacturing the tire.

[0010] In the tire of the present invention, It is preferable that the mark in which the communication device is embedded has a length L2 of 10 mm or more when measured along the short side of the communication device at the center of the long side of the communication device. This makes it easier to place the communication device in the recess in the tire molding die for forming the mark when manufacturing the tire.

[0011] In the tire of the present invention, The communication device preferably comprises an RF tag. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a tire can be provided that enables a longer communication distance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a portion of a tire side portion of a tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a tire widthwise cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire in FIG. 2, taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a communication device that may be used in a tire according to any embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the communication device of FIG. 4 in an exploded state. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a part of a tire side portion of a tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. [Figure 7] 7 is a tire widthwise cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire in FIG. 6, taken along line BB in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire of FIG. 6 taken along line CC of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction showing a part of a tire according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any kind of pneumatic tire, for example, pneumatic tires for passenger cars, pneumatic tires for trucks and buses, etc.

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a tire according to the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for common members and parts in each drawing. In some drawings, the tire width direction is indicated by the reference numeral "TW", the tire radial direction is indicated by the reference numeral "RD", and the tire circumferential direction is indicated by the reference numeral "CD". In this specification, the side closer to the tire cavity is referred to as the "inner side of the tire", and the side farther from the tire cavity is referred to as the "outer side of the tire".

[0016] 1 to 3 are drawings for explaining a tire 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a part of a 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 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 3 is a tire width direction cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire of FIG. 2 (specifically, a part on one side of the tire equatorial plane CL) as a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 are drawings for explaining a tire 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a part of a 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 tire width direction cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire of FIG. 6 (specifically, a part on one side of the tire equatorial plane CL) as a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the tire of FIG. 6 as a cross section taken along line CC in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a tire 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction showing a part of a tire according to a third embodiment of the present invention (specifically, a part on one side of the tire equatorial plane CL). The tire 1 in each of the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses. The tire 1 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars. For convenience of explanation, these embodiments will be described below together. It should be noted that the tire 1 according to any embodiment of the present invention may be configured as any type of tire.

[0017] The tire 1 includes a tire main body 1M and a communication device 10. The tire main body 1M corresponds to the portion of the tire 1 other than the communication device 10.

[0018] Unless otherwise specified below, the positional relationship and dimensions of each element are measured in a standard state in which the tire 1 is mounted on an applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and unloaded. In addition, when the tire 1 is mounted on an applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and under a maximum load, the width in the tire width direction of the contact surface that comes into contact with the road surface is referred to as the tire contact width, and the ends of the contact surface in the tire width direction are referred to as the contact ends.

[0019] In this specification, the term "applicable rim" refers to the standard rim (Measuring Rim in the ETRTO Standards Manual, Design Rim in the TRA Year Book) for the applicable size, which is an industrial standard valid in the region where the pneumatic tire is produced and used, and is described or will be described in the future in the JATMA Year Book of the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA), the Standards Manual of the European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) in Europe, and the Year Book of the Tire and Rim Association, Inc. (TRA) in the United States. In the case of a size not described in these industrial standards, it refers to a rim with a width corresponding to the bead width of the pneumatic tire. In addition to the current sizes, the "applicable rim" also includes sizes that will be described in the aforementioned industrial standards in the future. An example of a "size that will be described in the future" may be a size described as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of the ETRTO.

[0020] In this specification, "prescribed 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 the aforementioned industrial standards such as the JATMA YEAR BOOK, and in the case of a size not described in the aforementioned industrial standards, refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted. In addition, in this specification, "maximum load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of the tire in the applicable size described in the aforementioned industrial standards, or in the case of a size not described in the aforementioned industrial standards, refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0021] First, the tire body 1M will be described. As shown in Figures 3, 7, 9, etc., in each embodiment described in this specification, a tire body 1M includes a tread portion 1a, a pair of sidewall portions 1b extending radially inward from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction, and a pair of bead portions 1c provided at the ends of the sidewall portions 1b on the inner side in the tire radial direction. The tread portion 1a is a portion of the tire body 1M in the tire width direction between a pair of ground contact ends. The bead portions 1c are configured to contact the rim on the inner side in the tire radial direction and the outer side in the tire width direction when the tire 1 is mounted on a rim. The tire body 1M has a pair of tire side portions 1d extending radially inward from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction. The tire side portion 1d is composed of a sidewall portion 1b and a bead portion 1c. In this specification, the surface of the tire side portion 1d on the outer side of the tire is referred to as the "tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d." The tire body 1M also 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.

[0022] Each bead core 4a is embedded in the corresponding bead portion 1c. The bead core 4a includes a plurality of bead wires covered with rubber. The bead wires are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel). The bead wires may be made of, for example, monofilament or stranded wire. The bead wires may be made of organic fiber or carbon fiber.

[0023] Each bead filler 4b is 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. Bead fillers are sometimes called "stiffeners." As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 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 configured of a plurality of (two in each of the examples of Fig. 3 and Fig. 7) 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 (stacked) along the tire radial direction, for example.

[0024] The carcass 5 is disposed between the 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 more carcass cords and a coating rubber that covers the carcass cords. The carcass cords may be formed of a monofilament or a twisted wire. The carcass cord may be made of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc., or may be made of metal (e.g., steel). When the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, the carcass cord is preferably made of metal (e.g., steel). When the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars, the carcass cord is preferably made of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc. The carcass ply 5a includes a ply body portion 5M located between a pair of bead cores 4a. The carcass ply 5a may further include ply turn-up portions 5T that are turned up around the bead cores 4a from the inner side in the tire width direction to the outer side in the tire width direction from both ends of the ply body portion 5M. However, the carcass ply 5a does not necessarily have to include the ply turn-up portions 5T. The carcass 5 is preferably of a radial structure, but may also be of a bias structure.

[0025] The belt 6 is disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction with respect to the crown portion of the carcass 5. The belt 6 includes one or more belt layers 6a. Each belt layer 6a includes one or more belt cords and a coating rubber that covers the belt cords. The belt cords can be formed of a monofilament or a twisted wire. The belt cords may be made of a metal (e.g., steel) or an organic fiber such as polyester, nylon, rayon, or aramid.

[0026] The tread rubber 7 is located in the tread portion 1a on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the belt 6. The tread rubber 7 constitutes a tread surface which is the outer surface in the tire radial direction of the tread portion 1a. A tread pattern is formed on the tread surface.

[0027] The side rubber 8 is located in the sidewall portion 1b on the outer side in the tire width direction of the carcass 5. The side rubber 8 constitutes the outer surface of the sidewall portion 1b in the tire width direction. The side rubber 8 is formed integrally with the tread rubber 7.

[0028] The inner liner 9 is disposed on the tire inner side of the carcass 5, and may be laminated on the tire inner side of the carcass 5, for example. The inner liner 9 is made of, for example, a butyl-based rubber having low air permeability. Butyl-based rubber includes, for example, butyl rubber and its derivative, halogenated butyl rubber. The inner liner 9 is not limited to a butyl-based rubber, and may be made of other rubber compositions, resins, or elastomers.

[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 tire body 1M may include a reinforcing member 3 around the bead core 4a. The reinforcing member 3 may be disposed on the opposite side of the carcass 5 from the bead core 4a, as in the examples of Figs. 3 and 7. The reinforcing member 3 includes one or more reinforcing plies 3a (three in the examples of Figs. 3 and 7). Each reinforcing ply 3a includes a reinforcing cord. The reinforcing cord may be made of a metal (e.g., steel) or an organic fiber made of polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, or the like.

[0030] In each embodiment described in this specification, the tire main body 1M has one or more marking portions 20 provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The marking portion 20 is formed by the side rubber 8. As shown in Figs. 1 to 2 and 6, the marking portion 20 has one or more marks 21. Each marking 21 is a character, a symbol, or a figure. The figure is a concept including a barcode and a pattern. In each example of Figs. 1 to 2 and 6, the marking portion 20 has four marks 21 each forming the letters "T", "I", "R", and "E". The marking portion 20 may represent, for example, a company name, a product name, a logo, a tire size, or the like. Each marking 21 is configured in a convex shape. Specifically, each marking 21 protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the base surface 2ab on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The base surface 2ab corresponds to the background surface of the mark portion 20, and specifically refers to the portion around each mark 21 on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d, as shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 9. The base surface 2ab may be a smooth surface without irregularities, or may be an uneven surface having finer irregularities than the marks 21. In each of the examples in Figs. 1 to 2 and 6, the mark portion 20 has a plurality of marks 21, and these multiple marks 21 are arranged along the tire circumferential direction. However, the multiple marks 21 constituting the mark portion 20 may be arranged along any direction.

[0031] Next, the communication device 10 will be described. The communication device 10 may have any configuration as long as it is capable of wireless communication with a predetermined external device (for example, a reader or a reader / writer) outside the tire 1, and the configuration of the communication device 10 is not particularly limited. The communication device 10 preferably includes 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. 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, or the like, instead of or in addition to the RF tag.

[0032] 4 and 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.

[0033] The IC chip 10c is operated by, for example, a dielectric electromotive force generated by radio waves received by the antenna unit 10b. The IC chip 10c has, for example, a control unit and a storage unit. The storage unit may store any information. For example, the storage unit may store identification information of the tire 1. The identification information of the tire 1 is unique identification information of the tire 1 that can identify each tire, such as the manufacturer, manufacturing plant, and manufacturing date of the tire 1. The storage unit may also store tire history information such as the tire's mileage, the number of sudden braking events, the number of sudden starts, and the number of sharp turns. For example, sensors that detect the tire's internal temperature, tire internal pressure, tire acceleration, and the like may be provided in the tire cavity, and the storage unit may store detection information detected by these sensors. In this case, the RF tag 10e can acquire the detection information of the sensor by wirelessly communicating with the sensor through the antenna unit 10b. The control unit is configured to be able to read information from the storage unit.

[0034] The antenna unit 10b has a pair of antennas 10b1 and 10b2. The pair of antennas 10b1 and 10b2 are respectively connected to ends of the IC chip 10c that are located on the opposite sides to each other. The antenna unit 10b is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the predetermined external device outside the tire 1. In the example of Figs. 4 and 5, the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 extend linearly, but the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 may extend in any shape, such as a corrugated shape.

[0035] The covering portion 10f covers the entire RF tag 10e and is made of, for example, rubber or resin. In this example, the covering portion 10f has a pair of sheet-like covering members 10f1 and 10f2. The pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are stacked on top of each other with the RF tag 10e sandwiched between them. It is preferable that the pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are fixed to each other by adhesion or the like. However, the covering portion 10f may be composed of a single member. In this example, the covering portion 10f has a rectangular shape in a plan view, but the covering portion 10f may have any shape in a plan view. The communication device 10 does not necessarily have to have the covering portion 10f, that is, it may be composed of only the RF tag 10e.

[0036] The communication device 10 thus configured is configured to be able to receive information transmitted from the specified external device via radio waves or a magnetic field, 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 radio waves) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), and the memory unit and control unit of the IC chip 10c perform a specified operation. For example, the control unit reads out information in the memory unit, and returns (transmits) the information via radio waves or a magnetic field from the antenna unit 10b to the specified external device. The specified external device receives the radio waves or magnetic field from the communication device 10. The specified external device can obtain the information stored in the memory unit of the IC chip 10c of the communication device 10 by extracting the received information.

[0037] However, the communication device 10 may have any configuration different from this example.

[0038] The communication device 10 may have a longitudinal direction LD, a transverse direction SD, and a thickness direction TD. The longitudinal direction LD, the transverse direction SD, and the thickness direction TD are perpendicular to each other. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, when the communication device 10 has an 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 of the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 of the antenna unit 10b is corrugated, the extending direction of the antenna unit 10b refers to the extending direction of the amplitude center line of the corrugation formed by each of the antennas 10b1 and 10b2. In the communication device 10, the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 refers to the thickness direction of the covering 10f when the communication device 10 has the covering 10f, and refers to the thickness direction of the IC chip 10c when the communication device 10 does not have the covering 10f.

[0039] The length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 20 mm or more, or 50 mm or more, and the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 100 mm or less, or 70 mm or less. The length of the RF tag 10e in the short side direction SD is preferably, for example, 10 mm or less, or 8 mm or less. The length of the RF tag 10e in the thickness direction TD is preferably, for example, 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is preferably, for example, 30 mm or more, or 60 mm or more. Also, the length of the longitudinal direction LD of the RF tag 10e is preferably, for example, 110 mm or less, or 80 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the short side direction SD is preferably, for example, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the thickness direction TD is preferably, for example, 6 mm or less, or 3 mm or less. The thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f is preferably, for example, 0.5 mm or more, and the thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f is preferably, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0040] In each embodiment described in this specification, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9, the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire main body 1M. The communication device 10 is embedded in a portion of the tire side portion 1d of the tire main body 1M that is outer than the carcass 5 in the tire width direction. At least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside at least one mark 21 (21a). The communication device 10 is oriented so that the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 is substantially along the protruding height direction of the mark 21a (Figs. 3 and 7).

[0041] When manufacturing the tire 1, the raw tire constituting the tire main body 1M and the communication device 10 are housed inside a tire molding die and vulcanized.

[0042] Here, the effects of each embodiment described in this specification will be described. First, as described above, in each embodiment described in this specification, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9, at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside at least one mark 21 of the marking portion 20 provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d, that is, the communication device 10 is disposed in the tire side portion 1d. Here, generally, metal weakens radio waves between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined external device (e.g., a reader or a reader / writer), and may reduce the communication between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined external device, and may ultimately shorten the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined external device. On the other hand, in the tire main body 1M, metal (e.g., steel) may be used for the carcass 5, belt 6, bead core 4a, reinforcing member 3, etc. In addition, generally, the tire side portion 1d tends to have a smaller amount of metal than the tread portion 1a. Therefore, by placing the communication device 10 in the tire side portion 1d, communication performance can be improved compared to the case where the communication device 10 is placed in the tread portion 1a, and it is possible to increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned specified external device. As described above, in each embodiment described in this specification, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6 to 9, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside at least one mark 21. According to such a configuration, the distance between the communication device 10 and metal that may be used inside the tire main body 1M can be increased, and thus communication performance can be improved, and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned specified external device can be increased, as compared to a case in which the entire communication device 10 is embedded in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is closer to the tire inner side than the mark portion 20 (and thus closer to the tire inner side than the base surface 2ab). In addition, since at least a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside at least one mark 21, the mark portion 20, which is easily visible from the outside, has a display function for indicating the position of the communication device 10, making it easier to grasp the position of the communication device 10. Therefore, an operator who is going to read the communication device 10 using the predetermined external device (e.g., a reader or a reader / writer) can read the communication device 10 simply by holding the predetermined external device near the mark portion 20, making the reading operation smooth. In addition, since the mark portion 20 has a display function for indicating the position of the communication device 10, there is also an advantage that it is not necessary to separately process a mark indicating the position of the communication device 10 on the tire side portion 1d. In addition, during the manufacture of tire 1, each mark 21 of the marking portion 20 has relatively little rubber flow, so even if at least a portion of communication device 10 is embedded inside at least one mark 21, the communication device 10 is not easily burdened and a decrease in durability of communication device 10 can be suppressed.

[0043] In each embodiment described in this specification, among the marks 21 constituting the marking section 20, the mark 21a(21) in which the communication device 10 is embedded preferably has a protruding height of 0.4 mm or more, more preferably 1.5 mm or more. This allows the communication device to be made even longer. In each embodiment described in this specification, among the marks 21 constituting the mark portion 20, the mark 21a (21) in which the communication device 10 is embedded may have a protruding height of, for example, 3.0 mm or less. In measuring the protruding height of the mark 21a, the height of the mark 21a from an imaginary plane (shown by a dotted line in Figures 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab into the mark 21a is measured along a perpendicular line to the imaginary plane.

[0044] In each embodiment described in this specification, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and 9, the entire communication device 10 may be embedded inside any one of the marks 21 (21a) among the marks 21 constituting the marking portion 20. In this case, the communication device 10 can be positioned further outside the tire, so that the communication distance can be further increased.

[0045] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside one of the marks 21 (21a) as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and 9, the mark 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded has a length L1 (Figure 2) measured along the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 at the center of the lateral direction SD of the communication device 10, preferably 40 mm or more, more preferably 70 mm or more. This makes it easier to arrange the communication device 10 in a recess in a tire molding die for forming the mark 21a during tire manufacturing. In addition, the design freedom of the orientation (direction) and shape of the communication device 10 can be improved. The mark 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded may have a length L1 (FIG. 2) of, for example, 120 mm or less when measured at the center in the short-side direction SD of the communication device 10 along the long-side direction LD of the communication device 10. The 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 into the mark 21a. When the mark 21a has a plurality of parts spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 at the center of the lateral direction SD of the communication device 10, the length L1 indicates the length of only the part where the communication device 10 is embedded among the plurality of parts.

[0046] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside one of the marks 21 (21a) as in each example of Figures 1 to 3 and 9, the mark 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded has a length L2 (Figure 2) measured along the short side direction SD of the communication device 10 at the center of the long side direction LD of the communication device 10, preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 14 mm or more. This makes it easier to arrange the communication device 10 in a recess in a tire molding die for forming the mark 21a during tire manufacturing. In addition, the design freedom of the orientation (direction) and shape of the communication device 10 can be improved. The mark 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded may have a length L2 (FIG. 2) of, for example, 20 mm or less when measured along the short side direction SD of the communication device 10 at the center in the long side direction LD of the communication device 10. The length L2 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 into the mark 21a. When the mark 21a has a plurality of parts spaced apart from each other along the short-side direction SD of the communication device 10 at the center of the long-side direction LD of the communication device 10, the length L2 indicates the length of only the part where the communication device 10 is embedded among the plurality of parts.

[0047] In each embodiment described in this specification, as in the example of Figs. 6 to 8, only a part of the communication device 10 may be embedded inside at least one of the marks 21 (21a) among the marks 21 constituting the mark section 20. In this case, other parts of the communication device 10 are located on the inner side of the tire than the at least one mark 21 (21a). For example, as in the example 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 may be located inside the mark 21a, and the antenna part 10b of the RF tag 10e may be located on the inner side of the tire than the mark 21a. Note that, in the example of Figs. 6 to 8, only a part of the communication device 10 is embedded inside any one of the marks 21 (21a) among the marks 21 constituting the mark section 20.

[0048] In each embodiment described in this specification, the orientation (direction) of the communication device 10 is arbitrary, but from the viewpoint of durability of the communication device 10, it is preferable that the communication device 10 is oriented so that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is approximately along the tire circumferential direction, as in the examples of Figures 6 to 8. However, the communication device 10 may be oriented so that the transverse direction LD of the communication device 10 is approximately along the tire circumferential direction, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3.

[0049] In each embodiment described in this specification, it is preferable that the communication device 10 is disposed in the sidewall portion 1b as in each embodiment of FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9. In general, the sidewall portion 1b tends to have a smaller amount of metal than the bead portion 1c. Therefore, by disposing the communication device 10 in the sidewall portion 1b, it is possible to improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned specified external device, compared to the case where the communication device 10 is disposed in the bead portion 1c.

[0050] 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, 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 located radially outward of the tire radial outer end of the bead core 4a. This can improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned specified external device.

[0051] 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, 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 located in the tire radial direction outside of the tire radial direction outer end 5e of the ply folded-up portion 5T of the carcass 5. This can improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined external device, and can also arrange the communication device 10 in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is relatively less distorted when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and therefore the tire 1. Here, "the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5" refers to the tire radial outer end of the ply turn-up portion 5T of each carcass ply 5a of the carcass 5 that is located outermost in the tire radial direction.

[0052] 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, 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 located radially outward of the tire radial outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3. This can improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned specified external device, and also allows the communication device 10 to be disposed in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is relatively less distorted when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and therefore the tire 1. Here, "the tire radially outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3" refers to the tire radially outer end that is located outermost in the tire radial direction among the tire radially outer ends of each reinforcing ply 3a of the reinforcing member 3.

[0053] 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, 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 located in the tire radial direction inside the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b. This can improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined external device, and can also arrange the communication device 10 in a part of the tire main body 1M that is relatively less distorted when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and therefore the tire 1. The distance in the tire radial direction between the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 and the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b is preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

[0054] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figures 1 to 3, 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially inward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, but the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b or further outward in the tire radial direction.

[0055] 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, 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 is located radially inward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, but the tire radial outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b or further outward in the tire radial direction.

[0056] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figures 1 to 3, 6 to 8), the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and 6 to 8, or may be located at the same radial position as the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, or may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M. Here, the "maximum tire width position of the tire main body 1M" refers to the tire radial direction position where the dimension of the tire main body 1M in the tire width direction is maximum.

[0057] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figures 1 to 3, 6 to 8), the tire radially outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and 6 to 8, or may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, or may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M.

[0058] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars (FIG. 9), the tire radial outer end 10u of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is preferably located radially outward of the tire radial outer end of the bead core 4a, and more preferably located radially outward of the tire radial center of the bead filler 4b, for example, is preferably located radially outward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b.

[0059] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars (FIG. 9), and when the communication device 10 is disposed in the sidewall portion 1b as described above, it is preferable that the tire radial outer end 10u of the communication device 10 is located radially inward of the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply folded-up portion 5T of the carcass 5, as in the example of FIG. 9. This can improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned predetermined external device, and can also arrange the communication device 10 in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is relatively less distorted when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and therefore the tire 1. The distance in the tire radial direction between the tire radial outer end 10u of the communication device 10 and the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turned-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is preferably 3 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

[0060] 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 tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially outward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, as in the example of FIG. 9. However, the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire radial outer end of the bead filler 4b, or further inward in the tire radial direction.

[0061] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars (FIG. 9), the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, or may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M. Here, the "tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M" refers to the tire radial position where the dimension of the tire main body 1M in the tire width direction is maximum. [Industrial Applicability]

[0062] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any kind of pneumatic tire, for example, pneumatic tires for passenger cars, pneumatic tires for trucks and buses, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1: Tires 1M: tire body, 1a: tread portion, 1b: sidewall portion, 1c: bead portion, 1d: tire side portion, 1ds: tire outer surface of tire side portion, 2ab: base surface, 3: reinforcing member; 3a: reinforcing ply; 3u: tire radial direction outer end of reinforcing member; 4a: bead core; 4b: bead filler; 4b1, 4b2: bead filler portion; 4bu: outer end of bead filler in tire radial direction; 5: carcass, 5a: carcass ply, 5M: ply body, 5T: ply turn-up portion, 5e: tire radial direction outer end of the ply turn-up portion of the carcass, 6: belt, 6a: belt layer, 7: Tread rubber, 8: Side rubber, 9: Inner liner, 10: communication device, 10e: RF tag, 10b: antenna section; 10b1, 10b2: antenna; 10f: covering portion; 10f1, 10f2: covering member; 10c: IC chip, 10u: outer end of communication device in the tire radial direction; 10m: radial center of communication device, 20: Mark section, 21, 21a: 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: Shortitudinal direction of the communication device, TD: Thickness direction of the communication device

Claims

1. A marking portion provided on an outer surface of the tire in a tire side portion; A communication device; A tire comprising: The insignia portion has one or more insignias, Each of the marks is a letter, symbol, or graphic symbol, and is configured in a convex shape; the communication device is entirely embedded within any one of the marks; Each of the marks protrudes outward in the tire width direction from a base surface, which is a portion of the tire outer surface of the tire side portion surrounding each of the marks, The entire communication device protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the base surface, The communication device includes an RF tag and a covering portion that covers the entire RF tag, A tire, wherein the covering portion is formed from rubber (excluding rubber having substantially the same composition as a side rubber of a sidewall portion of the tire) or resin.

2. The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the mark having the communication device embedded therein has a protruding height of 0.4 mm or more.

3. 3. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the mark having the communication device embedded therein has a length L1 of 40 mm or more when measured along a longitudinal direction of the communication device at a center in a lateral direction of the communication device.

4. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mark in which the communication device is embedded has a length L2 of 10 mm or more when measured along a short side direction of the communication device at a center in a longitudinal direction of the communication device.

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