Tire

Abstract

To provide a tire which can easily confirm, when hollowing out the tire to remove a communication device buried in the tire, whether the entire communication device is included in the hollowed portion or not.SOLUTION: A tire comprises: a tire body 10; and a sheathing communication device 40 at least a part of which is buried in the tire body 10. The sheathing communication device 40 includes: a communication device 41; and a sheathing body 42 which covers the circumference of the communication device 41. The sheathing body 42 includes an identification part 60 which is identified from a position around the sheathing body 42 of the tire body 10 in a cross-section view by a plane passing through the sheathing communication device 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire.

Background Art

[0002] Tires with a communication device embedded therein are known. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of tire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When recycling a tire in which a communication device is embedded, it is preferable to remove and separate the communication device from the tire. When recycling the tire, if the resin used in the communication device is included, for example, the quality of the recycled rubber may deteriorate. Also, when recycling the tire, if various metals used in the communication device are included, for example, it may be troublesome to separate the steel cords of the tire.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire that makes it easy to confirm whether the entire communication device is included in the drilled portion when removing the communication device embedded in the tire by drilling out the tire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a first aspect of the present invention, a tire includes a tire body and a coated communication device at least partially embedded in the tire body. The coated communication device includes a communication device and a coating covering the periphery of the communication device. The coating includes an identification portion that is distinguishable from a portion of the tire body located around the coating in a cross-sectional view in a plane passing through the coated communication device. With this configuration, when removing the communication device embedded in the tire by drilling out the tire, it becomes easier to confirm whether the entire communication device is included in the drilled-out portion.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating includes a coating different-color layer having a hue different from that of a portion of the tire body located around the coating, and the identification portion is the coating different-color layer. With this configuration, the discriminability of the identification portion can be enhanced by making the hues different.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating includes a coating rubber covering the periphery of the communication device and a coating outer surface layer covering the periphery of the coating rubber, and the coating different-color layer is the coating outer surface layer. With this configuration, the degree of freedom in designing the coating can be increased.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating includes a coating rubber covering the periphery of the communication device, and the coating different-color layer is provided on the coating rubber. With this configuration, the discriminability of the identification portion on the inner surface of the drilled hole formed in the tire can be enhanced.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a part of the identification portion of the coating is exposed from the outer surface of the tire body. With this configuration, the identification portion can be also used as a marking area that enables the position of the communication device to be identified from the outside of the tire.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the identification portion of the coating contains a phosphorescent material. With this configuration, the discriminability of the discrimination unit in a dark environment can be enhanced.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire that facilitates confirmation of whether or not the entire communication device embedded in the tire is included in the drilled-out portion when the communication device embedded in the tire is removed by drilling out the tire.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of a tire according to the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to common configurations in each figure. In this specification, the tire width direction refers to a direction parallel to the central axis of the tire. The tire radial direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the tire and in the radial direction centered on the central axis. The tire circumferential direction refers to the direction in which the tire rotates around the central axis.

[0015] In this specification, the "tread outer surface" means the outer peripheral surface extending over the entire circumference of the tire that comes into contact with the road surface when a tire assembled to a rim and filled with a specified internal pressure is rolled under a state of being loaded with the maximum load (hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum load state"). Further, the "tread edge" means the outer edge in the tire width direction of the tread outer surface.

[0016] In this specification, the "rim" refers to the standard rim (Measuring Rim in the ETRTO's STANDARDS MANUAL, Design Rim in the TRA's YEAR BOOK) in the applicable size described in or to be described in the industrial standards effective in the region where the tire is produced and used, such as the JATMA YEAR BOOK of JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Association) in Japan, the STANDARDS MANUAL of ETRTO (The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) in Europe, and the YEAR BOOK of TRA (The Tire and Rim Association, Inc.) in the United States. In the case of a size not described in the above industrial standards, it means a rim having a width corresponding to the bead width of the tire. The "rim" includes sizes that may be included in the above industrial standards in the future in addition to the current sizes. Examples of "sizes to be described in the future" include the sizes described as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of the ETRTO's STANDARDS MANUAL.

[0017] In this specification, the "specified internal pressure" refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a single wheel in the applicable size and ply rating described in industrial standards such as the JATMA YEAR BOOK. In the case of a size not described in the above industrial standards, it refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted. Also, in this specification, the "maximum load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a tire of the applicable size described in the above industrial standards. In the case of a size not described in the above industrial standards, it refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0018] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, as an embodiment of a tire according to the present invention, a pneumatic tire 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tire 1") will be exemplified and described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the tire 1 described below means a tire 1 assembled to a rim, filled with the specified internal pressure, and in a maximum load state. The type of the tire 1 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a tire for trucks and buses or a tire for passenger cars.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the tire 1 in the tire width direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the tire 1 includes a tire body 10 and a coated communication device 40.

[0020] The tire body 10 includes a tread portion 10a, a first side portion 10b1, and a second side portion 10b2. The first side portion 10b1 extends from one end of the tread portion 10a in the tire width direction A toward the inside B2 in the tire diameter direction B. The second side portion 10b2 extends from the other end of the tread portion 10a in the tire width direction A toward the inside B2 in the tire diameter direction B. Hereinafter, when the first side portion 10b1 and the second side portion 10b2 are not particularly distinguished, they will be simply referred to as the "side portion 10b".

[0021] The side portion 10b includes a sidewall portion 11 and a bead portion 12. The sidewall portion 11 is continuous with the end portion of the tread portion 10a in the tire width direction A and extends inward B2 in the tire diameter direction B. The bead portion 12 is continuous with the end portion of the sidewall portion 11 on the inner side B2 in the tire diameter direction B.

[0022] More specifically, the tire body 10 of the present embodiment includes a bead core 2, a bead filler 3, a carcass 4, a belt 5, a tread rubber 7, a side rubber 8, and an inner liner 9. However, the tire body 10 is not limited to the above components and may include other components.

[0023] [Tire body 10] [[Bead core 2 and bead filler 3]] The bead core 2 and the bead filler 3 are embedded in the bead portion 12 of the side portion 10b. The bead core 2 includes a bead cord covered with rubber around its circumference. The bead cord is formed of a steel cord. The bead filler 3 is made of rubber and is located on the outer side B1 in the tire diameter direction B with respect to the bead core 2.

[0024] [[Carcass 4]] The carcass 4 straddles between a pair of bead portions 12 composed of the bead portion 12 of the first side portion 10b1 and the bead portion 12 of the second side portion 10b2, more specifically, between a pair of bead cores 2, and extends in a toroidal shape. Specifically, the carcass 4 of the present embodiment includes a carcass ply 4a. The carcass ply 4a is folded back from the inner side to the outer side in the tire width direction A around each bead core 2. The carcass ply 4a may include a plurality of ply cords arranged parallel to each other and a coating rubber covering the plurality of ply cords. The carcass 4 of the present embodiment includes only one carcass ply 4a, but may include two or more carcass plies 4a. The plurality of ply cords of the carcass ply 4a may be arranged at an angle of, for example, 75° to 90° with respect to the tire circumferential direction C. The ply cords of the carcass ply 4a can be made of a metal cord such as a steel cord, for example.

[0025] More specifically, the carcass ply 4a of the present embodiment includes a main body portion 4a1 located between a pair of bead cores 2, and a folded-back portion 4a2 that is continuous with the main body portion 4a1 and is formed by being folded back from the inside to the outside in the tire width direction A around each bead core 2. The bead filler 3 described above is disposed between the main body portion 4a1 and the folded-back portion 4a2 of the carcass ply 4a.

[0026] [[Belt 5]] The belt 5 is embedded in the tread portion 10a. The tire body 10 of the present embodiment includes four belts 5 on the outer side B1 in the tire radial direction B of the crown portion of the carcass 4. The four belts 5 of the present embodiment are a first belt 5a, a second belt 5b, a third belt 5c, and a fourth belt 5d. Hereinafter, when the first belt 5a, the second belt 5b, the third belt 5c, and the fourth belt 5d are not particularly distinguished, they will be simply referred to as "belt 5". The first belt 5a is located innermost B2 in the tire radial direction B among the first belt 5a, the second belt 5b, the third belt 5c, and the fourth belt 5d. The fourth belt 5d is located outermost B1 in the tire radial direction B among the first belt 5a, the second belt 5b, the third belt 5c, and the fourth belt 5d. The second belt 5b and the third belt 5c are located between the first belt 5a and the fourth belt 5d in the tire radial direction B. More specifically, the third belt 5c is located on the outer side B1 in the tire radial direction B of the second belt 5b.

[0027] In the present embodiment, a four-layer belt layer is formed by the first belt 5a, the second belt 5b, the third belt 5c, and the fourth belt 5d. Specifically, the first belt 5a forms a first belt layer 20a located innermost B2 in the tire radial direction B. The fourth belt 5d forms a fourth belt layer 20d located outermost B1 in the tire radial direction B. The second belt 5b forms a second belt layer 20b. The third belt 5c forms a third belt layer 20c.

[0028] The belt 5 may include a plurality of belt cords arranged parallel to each other and a coating rubber covering the plurality of belt cords. The first to fourth belt layers 20a to 20d are inclined belt layers in which the belt cords form a predetermined angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction C. Among the first to fourth belt layers 20a to 20d, the belt cords of two adjacent belt layers in the tire radial direction B may be inclined in the same direction or in the opposite direction with respect to the tire circumferential direction C.

[0029] The material of the belt cord of the belt 5 is not particularly limited. The belt cord of the belt 5 may be, for example, a metal cord or an organic fiber cord. The rubber composition used for the coating rubber of the belt 5 is not particularly limited.

[0030] [[Tread rubber 7]] As shown in FIG. 1, the tread rubber 7 is disposed on the outer side B1 in the tire radial direction B of the crown portion of the main body portion 4a1 of the carcass ply 4a and the first to fourth belts 5a to 5d constituting the first to fourth belt layers 20a to 20d. The tread outer surface 13a, which is the outer surface of the tread portion 10a of the present embodiment, is constituted by the tread rubber 7. As shown in FIG. 1, on the tread outer surface 13a, there are two inner circumferential grooves 7a1 that partition the center land portion 7a through which the tire equatorial plane CL passes, and two outer circumferential grooves 7b1 that are located outside the inner circumferential grooves 7a1 in the tire width direction A and partition an intermediate land portion 7b between the inner circumferential grooves 7a1. Further, on the tread outer surface 13a of the present embodiment, a shoulder land portion 7c is partitioned between the outer circumferential groove 7b1 and the tread end 15 located outside the outer circumferential groove 7b1 in the tire width direction A. Note that, for example, width direction grooves extending in the tire width direction A may be formed on the tread outer surface 13a.

[0031] [[Side rubber 8]] The side rubber 8 is disposed outside the main body portion 4a1 and the folded-back portion 4a2 of the carcass ply 4a in the tire width direction A. The side outer surface 14a, which is the outer surface of the side portion 10b of the present embodiment, is constituted by the side rubber 8. The end portion of the side rubber 8 on the outer side B1 in the tire radial direction B is continuous with the end portion of the above-described tread rubber 7 in the tire width direction A.

[0032] Thus, in the present embodiment, the outer surface of the tire body 10 includes a tread outer surface 13a and a side outer surface 14a continuous with the tread outer surface 13a.

[0033] [[Inner liner 9]] The inner liner 9 covers the tire inner surface side of the main body portion 4a1 of the carcass ply 4a and constitutes the inner surface of the tire body 10. The inner surface of the tire body 10 includes a tread inner surface 13b, which is the inner surface of the tread portion 10a, and a side inner surface 14b, which is the inner surface of the side portion 10b. The inner liner 9 is laminated on the tire inner surface side of the main body portion 4a1 of the carcass ply 4a. The inner liner 9 may be formed of, for example, a butyl-based rubber having low air permeability.

[0034] [Covered communication device 40] As shown in FIG. 1, the covered communication device 40 includes a communication device 41 and a covering body 42. The covering body 42 covers the periphery of the communication device 41. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the covered communication device 40 is embedded in the tire body 10. Specifically, a part of the covered communication device 40 of the present embodiment is embedded in the tire body 10. Also, another part of the covered communication device 40 of the present embodiment is exposed from the tire body 10. More specifically, in the present embodiment, only a part of the covering body 42 of the covered communication device 40 is exposed from the outer surface of the tire body 10. Thus, only a part of the covered communication device 40 of the present embodiment is embedded in the tire body 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the covered communication device 40 may be entirely embedded in the tire body 10.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the coated communication device 40 of the present embodiment is embedded in the side portion 10b of the tire body 10. More specifically, the coated communication device 40 of the present embodiment is embedded in the first side portion 10b1 of the tire body 10. The coated communication device 40 of the present embodiment is located outside the tire width direction A with respect to the main body portion 4a1 of the carcass 4 in the first side portion 10b1. However, the coated communication device 40 may be embedded at other positions in the first side portion 10b1.

[0036] Furthermore, the coated communication device 40 may be embedded at positions other than the first side portion 10b1. The coated communication device 40 may be embedded in, for example, the second side portion 10b2 of the tire body 10. Also, the coated communication device 40 may be embedded in the tread portion 10a of the tire body 10.

[0037] The communication device 41 of the coated communication device 40 only needs to be configured to be capable of wireless communication with a predetermined device outside the tire 1, and the configuration of the communication device 41 is not particularly limited. Examples of the communication device 41 include an RF tag. The RF tag as the communication device 41 is capable of wireless communication with a reader / writer located outside the tire 1. The RF tag may be, for example, a passive type RF tag that operates by power supplied from a reader / writer located outside the tire 1. Specifically, the RF tag as the communication device 41 can receive information transmitted on a radio wave or a magnetic field from the antenna portion of the reader / writer by the antenna portion of the RF tag. Power is generated in the antenna portion of the RF tag by rectification (in the case of a radio wave) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), and the storage portion and the control portion of the RF tag execute a predetermined operation. The control portion of the RF tag can, for example, read out information in the storage portion of the RF tag and reply (transmit) it from the antenna portion to the reader / writer on a radio wave or a magnetic field. The antenna portion of the reader / writer receives the radio wave or the magnetic field from the RF tag. The control portion of the reader / writer can acquire the information stored in the storage portion of the RF tag by taking out the received information. Note that the above-described storage portion and control portion of the RF tag may be configured by, for example, an integrated circuit (IC chip) including a non-volatile memory.

[0038] As described above, the covering body 42 covers the periphery of the communication device 41. The covering body 42 of the present embodiment includes a covering rubber 42a that covers the periphery of the communication device 41, and a covering outer surface layer 42b that covers the periphery of the covering rubber 42a.

[0039] When an RF tag is installed on the tire body 10 as the communication device 41, it is known that the communication distance is shortened and noise is generated due to the influence of the physical properties (dielectric constant, magnetic permeability, resistivity, etc.) of surrounding metals and rubbers. In order to suppress the shortening of the communication distance and the generation of noise, the communication device 41 is preferably covered with a rubber composition having a low dielectric constant. Therefore, the communication device 41 of the present embodiment is covered with a covering rubber 42a made of a rubber composition having a low dielectric constant.

[0040] The rubber component of the rubber composition constituting the covering rubber 42a may be, for example, those commonly used in the tread rubber 7 and side rubber 8 of the tire body 10. The rubber component of the covering rubber 42a may be, for example, natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, butyl rubber, etc. The dielectric constant of the rubber composition constituting the covering rubber 42a may be realized, for example, by adjusting the compounding amounts of carbon black and silica.

[0041] The covering outer surface layer 42b is, for example, a covering different-color layer 50 having a hue different from that of the side rubber 8, which is a portion of the tire body 10 located around the covering outer surface layer 42b. The side rubber 8 is usually black by being compounded with carbon black. Therefore, the hue of the covering outer surface layer 42b of the present embodiment is other than black. By providing such a covering different-color layer 50, when the communication device 41 embedded in the tire 1 is removed by drilling the tire 1, it becomes easier to confirm whether the entire communication device 41 is included in the drilled portion. Details of this will be described later (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0042] The covering outer layer 42b may have the same hue as the above-described covering rubber 42a, or may have a different hue. However, when carbon black is compounded in the rubber composition constituting the covering rubber 42a to achieve a low dielectric constant, the hue of the covering rubber 42a becomes black, similar to the hue of the side rubber 8. In such a case, it is preferable that the hue of the covering outer layer 42b is different from the hues of the side rubber 8 and the covering rubber 42a.

[0043] The covering outer layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 may be constituted by, for example, a paint containing a pigment. That is, the covering outer layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 may be a colored paint laminated on the outer surface of the covering rubber 42a. Further, the covering outer layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 may be, for example, a rubber composition colored by compounding another pigment other than carbon black. That is, the covering outer layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 may be a colored rubber laminated on the outer surface of the covering rubber 42a.

[0044] Further, it is preferable that the covering outer layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 contains a phosphorescent material. The covering outer layer 42b containing a phosphorescent material may be constituted by, for example, a paint containing a phosphorescent material in addition to a pigment. Further, the covering outer layer 42b containing a phosphorescent material may be constituted by, for example, a rubber composition in which a phosphorescent material is compounded in addition to another pigment other than carbon black.

[0045] The phosphorescent material is not particularly limited, and a known phosphorescent material may be used. Examples of the phosphorescent material include composition formulas: SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy, Sr4Al14O25:Eu,Dy, SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy + Sr4Al14O25:Eu,Dy, Sr4Al14O25:Eu,Dy + CaAl2O4:Eu,Nd, CaAl2O4:Eu,Nd, ZnS:Cu,Mn,Co, ZnS:Cu, etc.

[0046] [[The identification part 60 of the covering body 42]] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the identification portion 60 of the covering 42 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the punching method of the communication device 41. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the punching hole 91 when the entire covered communication device 40 is punched by the punching method shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the punching hole 91 when only a part of the covered communication device 40 is punched by the punching method shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] The identification portion 60 can be identified from the portion of the tire body 10 located around the covering 42 in a cross-sectional view in a plane passing through the covered communication device 40 (see FIG. 1). That is, in the present embodiment, in the above cross-sectional view (see FIG. 1), the identification portion 60 of the covering 42 is configured to be distinguishable from the side rubber 8 of the tire body 10 located around the covering 42. Here, "distinguishable" means that it can be identified through vision. More specifically, the identification portion 60 of the present embodiment is the covering outer surface layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50. As described above, the covering outer surface layer 42b has a hue different from that of the surrounding side rubber 8. Such a covering outer surface layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 is distinguishable from the surrounding side rubber 8 in a cross-sectional view in a plane passing through the covered communication device 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0048] In the punching method shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical punching member 90 can be used to punch a part of the tire 1 in a cylindrical shape in the tire thickness direction D. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the covering outer surface layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 is not exposed on the inner surface of the punching hole 91 formed by the punching member 90. That is, it shows that the cylindrical punching member 90 has punched a part of the tire 1 without intersecting the covering outer surface layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50. By confirming that the covering outer surface layer 42b as the covering different-color layer 50 is not exposed on the inner surface of the punching hole 91, it can be confirmed that all of the covered communication device 40 including the entire communication device 41 has been punched.

[0049] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the coating outer surface layer 42b as the coating different-color layer 50 is exposed on the inner surface of the punched hole 91 formed by the punching member 90. That is, it shows that the cylindrical punching member 90 intersects the coating outer surface layer 42b as the coating different-color layer 50 and punches out a part of the tire 1. By confirming that the coating outer surface layer 42b as the coating different-color layer 50 is exposed on the inner surface of the punched hole 91, it can be confirmed that not all of the coated communication device 40 including the entire communication device 41 is punched out. That is, it is possible to grasp the possibility that a part of the communication device 41 remains without being punched out.

[0050] In this way, by providing the identification part 60 (in this embodiment, the coating different-color layer 50 as an example of the identification part 60), when removing the communication device 41 embedded in the tire 1 by punching out the tire 1, it becomes easier to confirm whether the entire communication device 41 is included in the punched part.

[0051] As described above, the identification part 60 of this embodiment is the coating different-color layer 50 having a hue different from that of the portion (the side rubber 8 in this embodiment) located around the coating body 42 in the tire body 10, but it is not limited to this configuration. The identification part 60 may have, for example, a different lightness, chroma, gloss, etc. from the portion (the side rubber 8 in this embodiment) located around the coating body 42 in the tire body 10. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the identification part 60 is the coating different-color layer 50 having at least a different hue from the portion (the side rubber 8 in this embodiment) located around the coating body 42 in the tire body 10. By making the hues different, the discrimination power of the identification part 60 can be enhanced.

[0052] Further, the coating color - different layer 50 as the identification unit 60 of the present embodiment is the coating outer surface layer 42b laminated on the outer surface of the coating rubber 42a covering the periphery of the communication device 41. The layer thickness of the coating outer surface layer 42b is smaller than the layer thickness of the coating rubber 42a. With such a configuration, the coating rubber 42a aimed at suppressing the shortening of the communication distance and the generation of noise, and the coating outer surface layer 42b aimed at improving the discriminability can be configured with functional separation. That is, it is not necessary to form a single layer that achieves both the suppression of the shortening of the communication distance and the generation of noise and the improvement of the discriminability, and the design freedom of the coating body 42 can be increased.

[0053] However, the coating color - different layer 50 as the identification unit 60 may be provided on the coating rubber 42a. The details will be described later (see FIG. 8).

[0054] Also, as described above, the coating outer surface layer 42b as the coating color - different layer 50 preferably contains a phosphorescent material. That is, the identification unit 60 preferably contains a phosphorescent material. By doing so, the identification unit 60 that emits light in a dark environment can be realized, and the discriminability of the identification unit 60 in a dark environment can be enhanced.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the coating body 42 of the coated communication device 40 of the present embodiment is exposed to the outside from the tire body 10. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a part of the identification unit 60 of the coating body 42 is exposed to the outside from the tire body 10. By the identification unit 60 being exposed to the outside of the tire body 10, the identification unit 60 can be also used as a marking area that enables the position of the communication device 41 to be identified from the outside of the tire 1. In the present embodiment, hereinafter, the part of the coating body 42 that is exposed to the outside from the tire body 10 is referred to as the "exposed part 43". The exposed surface, which is the surface of the exposed part 43 of the coating body 42, is constituted by the coating outer surface layer 42b as the coating color - different layer 50. That is, the exposed surface, which is the surface of the exposed part 43, has a different hue from the outer surface located around the exposed part 43 among the outer surfaces of the tire body 10, and constitutes a marking area 70 that can be identified from the outside of the tire 1.

[0056] In FIGS. 5 and 6, a front view of the identification area 70 is shown. In particular, FIG. 6 is a side view of the tire 1 as viewed from the first side portion 10b1 side. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the position of the communication device 41 is indicated by a broken line. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 are arranged at the same position in the tire radial direction B. Here, "the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 are arranged at the same position in the tire radial direction B" means that there is at least one virtual circle L1 around the central axis O of the tire 1 that passes through the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 in a side view of the tire 1 (see FIG. 6). That is, it is not limited to the case where the extending areas of the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 in the tire radial direction B completely coincide.

[0057] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 are arranged at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. Here, "the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 are arranged at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C" means that there is at least one virtual straight line L2 that passes through the central axis O of the tire 1 and passes through the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 on one side with respect to the central axis O in a side view of the tire 1 (see FIG. 6). That is, it is not limited to the case where the extending areas of the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 in the tire circumferential direction C completely coincide.

[0058] In other words, the identification area 70 and the communication device 41 of the present embodiment overlap in the tire thickness direction D. The communication device 41 of the present embodiment overlaps with the identification area 70 in the tire thickness direction D throughout the entire extending area in the tire radial direction B and the tire circumferential direction C. That is, the entire communication device 41 of the present embodiment overlaps with the identification area 70 in the tire thickness direction D. However, only a part of the communication device 41 may overlap with the identification area 70 in the tire thickness direction D. Also, the entire identification area 70 may overlap with the communication device 41 in the tire thickness direction D. Furthermore, in the tire thickness direction D, the contour of the identification area 70 and the contour of the communication device 41 may coincide. That is, the entire identification area 70 may overlap with the entire communication device 41 in the tire thickness direction D.

[0059] Thus, at least a part of the identification region 70 of the present embodiment is disposed at a position overlapping with the communication device 41 in the tire thickness direction D. Therefore, the position of the communication device 41 can be identified by identifying the identification region 70 from the outside of the tire 1.

[0060] The hue of the identification region 70 may vary, for example, according to the embedding depth of the communication device 41 in the tire thickness direction D. For example, when the identification region 70 is yellow, it indicates a depth of 1 mm or more and less than 5 mm from the outer surface of the tire 1, and when the identification region 70 is blue, it indicates a depth of 5 mm or more and less than 15 mm from the outer surface of the tire 1, and so on. However, it is not limited to the hue of the identification region 70. For example, the embedding depth of the communication device 41 in the tire thickness direction D may be indicated by using the outer shape of the identification region 70 or the like. Note that the identification region 70 of the present embodiment is a part of the coating outer surface layer 42b of the coating body 42. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hue of the identification region 70 described above is the same as the hue of the coating outer surface layer 42b as the coating different-color layer 50. However, only the identification region 70 in the coating outer surface layer 42b may have a different hue.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the identification region 70 of the present embodiment may include a light-emitting region 71. The light-emitting region 71 may be, for example, a phosphorescent region that emits stored light. By providing the identification region 70 with the light-emitting region 71, the identification region 70 can be easily identified from the outside of the tire 1 in a dark environment such as at night or in a dark place. Therefore, in a dark environment, the position of the communication device 41 can be easily identified. The light-emitting region 71 of the identification region 70 is not particularly limited as long as it is a region that emits light to the outside. The light-emitting region 71 may be constituted by, for example, a phosphorescent paint containing a phosphorescent material as described above.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the marking area 70 may include a non-light-emitting area 72 surrounded by a light-emitting area 71. By providing such a non-light-emitting area 71, the contrast between the light-emitting area 71 and the non-light-emitting area 72 in a dark environment is emphasized. Therefore, the visibility of the marking area 70 in a dark environment can be enhanced.

[0063] In the present embodiment, in a front view of the marking area 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), the entire periphery of the non-light-emitting area 72 is surrounded by the light-emitting area 71. More specifically, the light-emitting area 71 of the marking area 70 of the present embodiment is annular in a front view of the marking area 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The non-light-emitting area 72 is provided inside the annular light-emitting area 71 in a front view of the marking area 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). However, the configurations of the light-emitting area 71 and the non-light-emitting area 72 of the marking area 70 are not limited to this configuration. As long as the non-light-emitting area 72 of the marking area 70 can be identified in a dark environment, there may be a position where the light-emitting area 71 is not provided around the non-light-emitting area 72. Examples of such a mode include a non-light-emitting area 72 surrounded by a substantially C-shaped light-emitting area 71 in a front view of the marking area 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). However, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the entire periphery of the non-light-emitting area 72 is surrounded by the light-emitting area 71 in a front view of the marking area 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). By doing so, the contrast between the light-emitting area 71 and the non-light-emitting area 72 in a dark environment is more emphasized.

[0064] The non-light-emitting area 72 may have a color different from that of the light-emitting area 71. Here, the "different color" means not only that at least one of the hue, lightness, and chroma is different, but also that there is a difference that can be grasped visually, such as a difference in gloss. By doing so, the distinguishability of each of the light-emitting area 71 and the non-light-emitting area 72 in a bright environment can be enhanced.

[0065] Further, the non-light-emitting region 72 may be provided on a fine uneven surface. The fine uneven surface may include, for example, a base surface and a plurality of ridges having a height of 0.1 to 1.0 mm arranged in parallel on the base surface. The distance between the tops of two adjacent ridges is preferably, for example, 0.3 to 1.5 mm. By providing the non-light-emitting region 72 on such a fine uneven surface, the reflection of light in the non-light-emitting region 72 can be controlled in a bright environment, and a high contrast can be achieved with the surrounding light-emitting region 71 that reflects light. Thereby, in a bright environment, the distinguishability of each of the light-emitting region 71 and the non-light-emitting region 72 can be further enhanced.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1, the exposed portion 43 of the present embodiment protrudes outward from the outer surface of the tire body 10, but is not limited to this configuration. In other words, although the exposed surface, which is the surface of the exposed portion 43 of the present embodiment, is a convex surface, it is not limited to this configuration. The exposed surface, which is the surface of the exposed portion 43, may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the tire body 10. However, as in the present embodiment, the exposed surface, which is the surface of the exposed portion 43, is preferably a convex surface. By doing so, for example, it is possible to suppress a decrease in visibility from the outside of the marking region 70 such that the marking region 70 is covered with mud or the like and becomes difficult to visually recognize from the outside.

[0067] Note that the identification area 70 of the present embodiment is provided on the first side outer surface 14a1 which is the outer surface of the first side portion 10b1. However, as shown in FIG. 1, another identification area 80 may be provided on the second side outer surface 14a2 which is the outer surface of the second side portion 10b2. The another identification area 80 may be arranged, for example, at the same position as the communication device 41 in the tire circumferential direction C. By doing so, compared with the case of only the identification area 70, the position of the communication device 41 in the tire circumferential direction C can be specified even from the second side portion 10b2 side. Therefore, for example, when the tire 1 is mounted on a vehicle and the first side portion 10b1 is arranged inside the vehicle and the identification area 70 cannot be seen from the outside of the vehicle, the position of the communication device 41 can be narrowed down based on the another identification area 80 of the second side portion 10b2, and the position of the communication device 41 can be easily specified regardless of the orientation of the first side portion 10b1 of the tire body 10 when mounted on the vehicle.

[0068] The another identification area 80 provided on the outer surface of the second side portion 10b2 may include a light emitting area like the above-described identification area 70. Thereby, the visibility from the surroundings in a dark environment can be enhanced. Further, the another identification area 80 provided on the outer surface of the second side portion 10b2 preferably has a color or shape distinguishable from the surroundings. Thereby, the visibility from the surroundings in a bright environment can be enhanced.

[0069] <Second Embodiment> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a pneumatic tire 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tire 100") as an embodiment of the tire according to the present invention will be illustrated and described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tire 100 in the tire width direction. The tire 100 of the present embodiment is different in configuration in that the entire covered communication device 40 is completely embedded inside the tire body 10 as compared with the above-described tire 1 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, here, this difference will be mainly described, and the description of the configuration common to the tire 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 7, the covered communication device 40 of this embodiment is not exposed outside the tire body 10. Even in such a case, by implementing the punching method as shown in Fig. 2, similar to the first embodiment, when the communication device 41 embedded in the tire 100 is removed by punching out the tire 100, the identification unit 60 can confirm whether the entire communication device 41 is included in the punched-out portion.

[0071] In this embodiment, since the entire covered communication device 40 is embedded in the tire body 10, there is no identification area 70 (see Fig. 1) shown in the first embodiment on the first side outer surface 14a1 of the first side portion 10b1 of the tire body 10. Therefore, when removing the communication device 41 from the tire 1, for example, a device such as a reader / writer capable of communicating with the communication device 41 can be used to estimate the position on the first side outer surface 14a1 where the communication device 41 overlaps in the tire thickness direction D. However, in order to make it easier to specify the position of the communication device 41 from the outside of the tire 1, it is preferable to separately provide an identification area on the first side outer surface 14a1 indicating the position overlapping the communication device 41 in the tire thickness direction D.

[0072] <Third Embodiment> Next, with reference to Fig. 8, a pneumatic tire 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tire 200") as an embodiment of the tire according to the present invention will be exemplarily described. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tire 200 in the tire width direction. The tire 200 of this embodiment has a different configuration of the covering 42 compared to the above-described tire 1 (see Fig. 1), and the other configurations are common. Therefore, here, the above differences will be mainly described, and the description of the configurations common to the tire 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0073] The covering 42 of this embodiment includes a covering rubber 42a that covers the periphery of the communication device 41. And the covering different-color layer 50 as the identification unit 60 is provided on the covering rubber 42a.

[0074] The covering different-color layer 50 as the identification part 60 may be, for example, a part of the covering rubber 42a or the whole of the covering rubber 42a. That is, the covering different-color layer 50 as the identification part 60 may be provided only at a certain position in the thickness direction of the covering rubber 42a, or may be the entire area in the thickness direction of the covering rubber 42a. As shown in FIG. 8, the covering different-color layer 50 of the present embodiment is constituted by the whole of the covering rubber 42a.

[0075] In this way, since the covering different-color layer 50 as the identification part 60 is provided on the covering rubber 42a, compared with the configuration provided on the covering outer surface layer 42b (see FIG. 1) as in the first embodiment, it is easier to form the covering different-color layer 50 as the identification part 60 with a greater thickness. Therefore, when the covering different-color layer 50 as the identification part 60 is exposed in the punching hole 91 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the exposed area of the covering different-color layer 50 can be increased. Thereby, the discriminability of the identification part 60 on the inner surface of the punching hole 91 formed in the tire 1 can be enhanced.

[0076] The covering different-color layer 50 provided on the covering rubber 42a may be, for example, a rubber composition that is colored by mixing another pigment other than carbon black. Therefore, when the covering different-color layer 50 is constituted by the whole of the covering rubber 42a, the whole rubber composition constituting the covering rubber 42a may be colored by mixing another pigment other than carbon black. Further, when the covering different-color layer 50 is constituted by only a part of the covering rubber 42a, for example, it may be vulcanized in a state where a layer of rubber composition colored by mixing another pigment other than carbon black is sandwiched between two layers of black rubber compositions.

[0077] Even when the covering different-color layer 50 is constituted by the whole of the covering rubber 42a as in the present embodiment, the marking area 70 can be realized by the exposed surface which is the surface of the exposed part 43 exposed from the tire body 10.

[0078] Further, similar to the first embodiment, the identification area 70 may include a light-emitting area 71 (see FIG. 5 etc.) and a non-light-emitting area 72 (see FIG. 5 etc.). In this embodiment, the light-emitting area 71 can be realized, for example, by a rubber composition in which a phosphorescent material is mixed with a pigment.

[0079] The tire according to the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0080] The present invention relates to a tire.

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 1, 100, 200: Tire, 2: Bead core, 3: Bead filler, 4: Carcass, 4a: Carcass ply, 4a1: Body part, 4a2: Turn-up part, 5: Belt, 5a~5d: First~Fourth belts, 7: Tread rubber, 7a: Center land, 7a1: Inner circumferential groove, 7b: Intermediate land, 7b1: Outer circumferential groove, 7c: Shoulder land, 8: Side rubber, 9: Inner liner, 10: Tire body, 10a: Tread part, 10b: Side part, 10b1: First side part, 10b2: Second side part, 11: Sidewall part, 12: Bead part, 13a: Tread outer surface, 13b: Tread inner surface, 14a: Side outer surface, 14a1: First side outer surface, 14a2: Second side outer surface, 14b: Side inner surface, 15: Tread end, 20a~20d: First~Fourth belt layers, 40: Coated communication device, 41: Communication device, 42: Coating, 42a: Coating rubber, 42b: Coated outer surface layer, 43: Exposed part, 50: Coated different-color layer, 60: Identification part, 70: Identification area, 71: Light-emitting area, 72: Non-light-emitting area, 80: Identification area, 90: Punching member, 91: Punching hole, A: Tire width direction, B: Tire diameter direction, B1: Outer side in tire diameter direction, B2: Inner side in tire diameter direction, C: Tire circumferential direction, D: Tire thickness direction, O: Central axis of tire, CL: Tire equatorial plane, L1: Virtual circle, L2: Virtual straight line

Claims

1. A tire body and, A coated communication device at least partially embedded in the tire body, comprising: The coated communication device includes: A communication device and, A coating covering the periphery of the communication device, The coating includes an identification portion distinguishable from a portion of the tire body located around the coating in a cross-sectional view in a plane passing through the coated communication device. The coating includes a coated different-color layer having a hue different from that of a portion of the tire body located around the coating. The identification portion is the coated different-color layer. The coating includes: Coated rubber covering the periphery of the communication device and, A coated outer surface layer covering the periphery of the coated rubber, The coated different-color layer is the coated outer surface layer, a tire.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein a part of the identification portion of the coating is exposed from the outer surface of the tire body.

3. The tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification portion of the coating includes a light-emitting region.

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