tire

Abstract

To provide a tire which enables a position of an electronic tag to be indicated clearly.SOLUTION: A tire 100 includes: a tread part 3; a side wall part 2; an electronic tag 7 disposed at the inner side of an outer surface; and display parts 9 which indicate a position of the electronic tag 7. Each display part 9 is disposed within a recessed part 31 recessed inward from a tread at the tread part 3 and arranged at the same position as the electronic tag 7 in a circumferential direction C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a pneumatic tire equipped with a transponder. The transponder can provide various tire-related information and data about the tire in use. In this tire, the transponder has transmission / reception and storage functions and is located, for example, in the sidewall. An identification mark indicating the location of the transponder is provided on the tire outer surface of the sidewall where the transponder is located or on the tire outer surface of the sidewall opposite the sidewall where the transponder is located. The identification mark indicating the location of the transponder is distinguishable from other parts based on color or shape. When the color of the identification mark differs from the color of the tire outer surface, this includes cases where any of the color, brightness, or hue is different. When the identification mark has a three-dimensional shape, it may be a concave shape recessed from the tire outer surface, a convex shape protruding from the tire outer surface, or a shape that combines a concave shape and a convex shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-056443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, an electronic chip (so-called electronic tag or RFID tag, hereinafter simply referred to as an electronic tag) functioning as a transponder may be provided inside or on the inner surface of a tire. Communication with the electronic chip may then be made possible to provide information about the tire to an external terminal. This makes it possible to ascertain the tire's model, distribution and sales information, usage history, and driving information of the vehicle on which the tire is mounted, obtain information necessary for tire recycling (e.g., information about the tire's constituent materials) from the tire, and facilitate traceability management for proper tire disposal and recycling. If the location of the electronic tag is displayed on the outer surface of the tire, this is convenient because the display allows the user to determine the position to hold a sensor over when obtaining information using a terminal device that obtains information from the electronic tag. This is also convenient because the location of the electronic tag can be known when separating the electronic tag from the tire during sorting when disposing of or recycling tires.

[0005] However, when a mark indicating the location of an electronic tag is provided on the side of a tire, such as the sidewall, it may be difficult to visually identify the sidewall. For example, when tires are stored flat or side by side, the sidewall of a tire is hidden by adjacent tires. Of course, it is possible to visually identify the sidewall by moving the tire from its storage location. However, in an environment where a large number of tires are stored or when the tire is large, moving the tire in this manner imposes a significant burden on workers. Therefore, it is desirable to clearly indicate the location of the electronic tag provided on the tire.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tire that can clearly indicate the position of an electronic tag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the tire according to the present invention comprises: A tread portion; A sidewall portion, an electronic tag placed inside the outer surface; a display unit that indicates the position of the electronic tag; The display unit The tread portion is disposed in a recess recessed inward from the tread surface, It is arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction as the electronic tag.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the position of the electronic tag attached to the tire can be clearly indicated. That is, with the tire tread exposed, a worker (hereinafter simply referred to as the worker) who intends to communicate with the electronic tag of the tire can easily grasp the position of the electronic tag in the circumferential direction of the tire by using the display unit, which is located in the same position as the electronic tag in the circumferential direction of the tire, as a landmark.

[0009] Furthermore, by arranging the display portion within the recess, even when the tire tread surface is worn away during driving, the display portion can be protected from wear and the visibility of the display portion can be maintained.

[0010] In the tire according to the present invention, The display unit The tread surface is formed of a material of a different color from the other parts, It may be formed from the outer surface to the inside.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the markings can be easily distinguished by different colors. In this case, since the markings are formed from the outer surface to the inside of the tire, deterioration of the distinguishability of the markings can be prevented even if the tire is used to a certain extent and wears down to the recessed parts.

[0012] In the tire according to the present invention, The display unit may indicate the position of the electronic tag in the width direction of the tire.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the worker can easily know on which side in the width direction of the tire the electronic tag is placed.

[0014] In the tire according to the present invention, The indicia may extend from the sidewall portion to the tread portion.

[0015] According to the above configuration, if the tread portion or sidewall of the tire is exposed, the worker can easily ascertain the position of the electronic tag in the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0016] In the tire according to the present invention, The display unit The electronic tag is disposed at a different position in the circumferential direction from the electronic tag. The position of the electronic tag in the circumferential direction may be indicated.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the worker can easily ascertain on which side in the circumferential direction of the tire the electronic tag is placed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tire. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tire that intersects the circumferential direction and includes a display portion. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the surface of a tread portion of a tire according to a first modified example. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the surface of a tread portion of a tire according to a second modification. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the surface of a tread portion of a tire according to a third modification. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the surface of a tread portion of a tire according to a fourth modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another tire in which the electronic tag is arranged differently. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another tire in which the display portion has a different form. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another tire in which the display portion has a different form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A tire according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a tire 100 according to this embodiment. The tire 100 is equipped with an electronic tag 7 (hereinafter referred to as tag 7) placed inside the outer surface of the tire 100, and a display unit 9 that indicates the position of the tag 7. An example of the tag 7 is a so-called RFID tag, which is an electronic circuit device or electronic chip that includes an antenna circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit for communication. The tire 100 will be described in detail below.

[0021] The tire 100 includes a bead portion 1 disposed on the side of the tire 100 and fixing the tire 100 to a rim, a sidewall portion 2 which is the side of the tire 100, and a tread portion 3 which comes into contact with the road surface.

[0022] The tire 100 is formed in a roughly circular ring shape centered on the axis G. That is, the tread portion 3, the sidewall portion 2, and the bead portion 1 are all roughly circular ring shapes with the axis G as their common center.

[0023] In the following description, the width direction W, circumferential direction C, and radial direction R (see FIG. 2) of the tire 100 have the same meaning as the width direction, circumferential direction, and radial direction of the tread portion 3. In the radial direction R, the outside of the annulus is referred to as the radially outer side, and the inside of the annulus is referred to as the radially inner side.

[0024] 2 shows a cross section of the tire 100 intersecting with the circumferential direction C, that is, a cross section of the tire 100 seen along the circumferential direction C, including the display portion 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the tire 100 has, as its internal structure, a carcass 5 which is a cord layer that forms the skeleton of the tire 100, bead cores 4 that form the internal skeleton of the bead portion 1 and support the carcass 5, and a belt 6 which is a reinforcing band stretched along the circumferential direction C between the surface of the tread portion 3 and the carcass 5.

[0025] The bead portion 1, the sidewall portion 2, and the tread portion 3 each contain synthetic rubber. The synthetic rubber of the bead portion 1 and the sidewall portion 2 is referred to as side rubber. The synthetic rubber of the tread portion 3 is referred to as tread rubber. The bead core 4, the carcass 5, and the belt 6 are embedded in the side rubber and the tread rubber. In the tire 100, the radially outer ends of the sidewall portions 2 are integrally connected to both ends of the tread portion 3 in the width direction W. The bead portions 1 are integrally connected to the radially inner ends of the sidewall portions 2. In other words, the cross section of the tire 100 intersecting the circumferential direction C is C-shaped. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the tire 100 refers to the outer surface of the arc of the C-shape of the tire 100. Furthermore, the inner surface of the tire 100 refers to the inner surface of the arc of the C-shape of the tire 100.

[0026] The tire 100 in this embodiment further includes the tag 7 and the display unit 9 as described above.

[0027] A tread pattern is formed in the tread portion 3, and includes a plurality of protrusions 30 (an example of a tread surface) whose outer peripheral surface comes into contact with the road surface, and circumferential grooves as a plurality of recesses 31 recessed radially inward relative to the protrusions 30. The outer peripheral surface refers to the radially outer surface of the tread portion 3 in the tire 100.

[0028] 1 and 2 illustrate an example in which the tag 7 is disposed inside the tire 100 on the side of one sidewall portion 2 closer to the bead portion 1, and on the outer side of the carcass 5 (see FIG. 2) in the width direction W of the tire 100. In other words, the tag 7 is located on the side of the tire 100. The outer side in the width direction W is the same side as the sidewall portion 2 when viewed from the tread portion 3.

[0029] The display portion 9 is formed in a part of the recessed portion 31 in the tread portion 3. In this embodiment, the case where the display portion 9 is formed in two places is exemplified, but the display portion 9 may be formed in only one place, or may be formed in three or more places.

[0030] 1 , the display unit 9 is arranged at the same position as the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100. This allows the display unit 9 to indicate the position of the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100. Here, the phrase "the display unit 9 and the tag 7 are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction C" means that at least a portion of the display unit 9 and the tag 7 are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction C, and is not limited to a configuration in which the entire display unit 9 and the tag 7 are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction C.

[0031] If the tag 7 is located on the side of the tire 100, for example when the tires 100 are stacked flat, the outer surface of the tire 100 at the portion where the tag 7 is located may be hidden by another adjacent tire. However, if the display unit 9 is provided in the recessed portion 31 and the recessed portion 31 of the tread portion 3 is exposed and visible, the worker can easily grasp the position of the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100 by using the display unit 9, which is located in the same position as the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100, as a landmark.

[0032] The indicator 9 may be formed of a material (different-color material) of a different color from the other parts of the tread portion 3. This allows the display of the indicator 9 to be easily distinguished by the difference in color. Note that a different color means that there is a difference that can be visually recognized in terms of color, tone, brightness, pattern, gloss, etc., in other words, that the indicator 9 is visually distinguishable. The different-color material also includes a luminescent or phosphorescent material. In this embodiment, a case where a different-color portion 91 (sometimes referred to as a first indicator portion) is formed as the indicator 9 is exemplified. The different-color material may be made by adding a pigment of a different color from the other parts to rubber, or by removing carbon from rubber.

[0033] Forming the different color portions 91 as the display unit 9 in the recessed portions 31 makes the tire 100 more resistant to wear than forming the display unit 9 in the protruding portions 30. In other words, since the recessed portions 31 are less susceptible to wear than the protruding portions 30, the display unit 9 can provide stable display for a long period of time.

[0034] 2, the different color portion 91 serving as the display portion 9 is formed from the outer surface (inner groove surface) of the recessed portion 31 to the inside of the tire 100, and has a predetermined thickness toward the inside in the radial direction R. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in the discernibility of the display portion 9 even when the tire 100 has been used to a certain extent and the protruding portion 30 has worn away.

[0035] The different color portion 91 may be formed by a different color material having a predetermined thickness and being embedded in a surface layer portion of the recess 31. The different color portion 91 may be formed, for example, from the outer surface (inner groove surface) of the recess 31 to the inside of the thick portion of the tread portion 3. In other words, the different color portion 91 may be formed so that it is thicker toward the side of the protrusion 30 or toward the inside of the tread portion 3 in the radial direction R of the tire 100. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in the distinguishability of the display portion 9 when the protrusion 30 is worn, and also makes it possible to improve the distinguishability of the display portion 9 when viewed obliquely from the recess 31.

[0036] In this embodiment, the display unit 9 is disposed on the side of the tread portion 3 closer to the tag 7 in the width direction W. As a result, the display unit 9 indicates the position of the tag 7 in the width direction W of the tire 100. In other words, it can indicate that the tag 7 is disposed on the side where the display unit 9 is disposed. This allows the worker to easily know on which side in the width direction W of the tire 100 the tag 7 is disposed.

[0037] (Description of Modifications) A modification of the above embodiment will be described below.

[0038] (Variation 1) 3 illustrates an example in which the tread pattern of the tread portion 3 is a zigzag pattern formed along the circumferential direction C. Note that FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outer surface of the tread portion 3. In this case, the recessed portions 31 are formed with valley portions 31a that are recessed so as to have a convex shape toward one side in the width direction W, and peak portions 31b that are also convex toward one side in the width direction W.

[0039] In FIG. 3 , the shape of the tread pattern is utilized to indicate the position of the tag 7 by the display unit 9. More specifically, the display unit 9 is formed in a recess 31 of the tread pattern formed at the same position as the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100, with the valley 31 a facing in the direction indicating the tag 7. In this case, the peak 31 b also points to the tag 7. This makes the display unit 9 shaped like an arrow, and enables the position of the tag 7 to be indicated. This allows the worker to easily grasp on which side in the width direction W of the tire 100 the tag 7 is located. Note that if the tread pattern of the tread portion 3 is not zigzag, the display unit 9 can be formed in a recess on the side surface of the circumferential groove that is the recess 31 and faces in the direction indicating the tag 7 (a recess recessed from the side surface of the recess 31 to the outside of the groove).

[0040] (Variation 2) 4 shows an example in which the top 31b of the recess 31 in the portion where the display portion 9 is formed is chamfered to form an irregularly shaped portion 39, thereby enlarging the display area of ​​the display portion 9. Furthermore, by forming the irregularly shaped portion 39, a geometric pattern different from other portions is formed in the tread portion 3, thereby realizing an easy-to-understand position indication for the tag 7. In other words, the shape of the irregularly shaped portion 39 can also be used to realize the display portion 9.

[0041] (Variation 3) When the display section 9 is realized by the shape of the irregularly shaped section 39, the different color section 91 as the display section 9 may be omitted, as shown in FIG.

[0042] (Variation 4) Fig. 6 illustrates an example in which the tread pattern of the tread portion 3 is zigzag. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the outer surface of the tread portion 3. In this case, the recessed portion 31 has a first inclined portion 31A that is inclined with respect to the width direction W or the circumferential direction C, and a second inclined portion 31B that is inclined with respect to the width direction W or the circumferential direction C. The second inclined portion 31B is inclined in the opposite direction to the first inclined portion 31A.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 6 , a direction indicator 99 made of a different color material or the like is formed on the first inclined portion 31A or the second inclined portion 31B at a position different from the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100, and the position of the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100 is indicated by the orientation of the first inclined portion 31A or the second inclined portion 31B. Specifically, the direction indicator 99 is formed on the first inclined portion 31A or the second inclined portion 31B that faces (has a side) the tag 7 in the recess 31, thereby indicating the position of the tag 7. In other words, the position of the tag 7 can be indicated by the shape of the tread pattern. Note that, when the tread pattern of the tread portion 3 is not zigzag, the indicator 9 can be formed on a portion facing the tag 7 in a recess on a side surface of the circumferential groove that is the recess 31 (a recess that is recessed from the side surface of the recess 31 to the outside of the groove).

[0044] In this way, the position of the electronic tag attached to the tire can be clearly indicated.

[0045] [Another embodiment]

[0046] (1) In the above embodiment, the tag 7 is disposed on the side of the tire 100. However, the tag 7 may be disposed on the radially inner side of the tire 100 in the tread portion 3, as shown in Fig. 7. For example, the tag 7 may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the tire 100 in the tread portion 3. Fig. 7 illustrates a case in which a different color portion 91 is formed at a position of a recess 31 in the tread portion 3 where a perpendicular line drawn from the tag 7 toward the outer surface of the tire 100 closest to the outer surface intersects with the outer surface.

[0047] (2) In the above embodiment, the indication portion 9 is formed only in the recessed portion 31 of the tread portion 3. However, the indication portion 9 may be formed not only in the recessed portion 31 but also in the sidewall portion 2 and the bead portion 1.

[0048] For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , display portions 9 are formed in a plurality of recesses 31 in the tread portion 3, and further display portions 9 are formed in a range from the sidewall portions 2 to the bead portions 1. The display portions 9 are arranged side by side on the outer surface of the tire 100 at the same positions as the tags 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100. That is, the display portions 9 extend as a whole from the bead portions 1 and the sidewall portions 2 of the tire 100 to the recesses 31 of the tread portion 3, although they are interrupted by the protrusions 30. This allows the display portions 9 to more clearly indicate the positions of the tags 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100. Note that the display portions 9 may also be formed in the protrusions 30, and the display portions 9 may extend from the bead portions 1 and the sidewall portions 2 of the tire 100 to the recesses 31 of the tread portion 3.

[0049] 8 illustrates an example in which the indicator 9 formed in the range from the sidewall portion 2 to the bead portion 1 is a printed portion 92 (sometimes referred to as a second indicator portion) in which a material of a color different from the surrounding area is printed or attached to the outer surface of the tire 100. That is, the indicator 8 may have a different color portion 91 as a first indicator portion and a printed portion 92 as a second indicator portion.

[0050] With such a display portion 9, if the recess 31 in the tread portion 3 of the tire 100 or the sidewall portion 2 or bead portion 1 is exposed, the worker can easily grasp the position of the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C and width direction W of the tire 100.

[0051] (3) In the above embodiment, the display unit 9 is formed at the same position as the tag 7 in the circumferential direction C of the tire 100. However, the display unit 9 is not a display that directly indicates the position of the tag 7. 9 illustrates an example in which the display unit 9 has a position display unit 97 formed at a position where a perpendicular line drawn from the tag 7 to the outer surface of the tire 100 closest to the tag 7 intersects with the outer surface. The position display unit 97 may be, for example, a display in the form of a recess or the like, or a different colored display printed or attached to the outer surface. When a worker communicates with the tag 7 using a terminal device, it is sufficient for the display unit 9 to indicate the approximate position of the tag 7. However, for example, when a sorting process (sorting the tag 7, i.e., removing the tag 7 from the tire 100) is to be performed when disposing of the tire 100, it is preferable for the position display unit 97 to accurately indicate the position of the tag 7.

[0052] (4) In the above embodiment, the direction indicator 99 indicates the position of the tag 7 by the shape of the tread pattern. However, the direction indicator 99 may be realized by a shape formed from a different color material, etc., that is different from the shape of the tread pattern. For example, the direction indicator 99 may be an arrow-shaped (e.g., triangular) shape formed from a different color material.

[0053] (5) In the above embodiment, the tag 7 is disposed inside the tire 100, but the tag 7 may also be disposed on the inner surface of the tire 100 by being attached thereto.

[0054] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The present invention is applicable to tires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Bead part 100: Tire 2: Sidewall 3: Tread area 30: Convex part 31: Recess 31A: First slope part 31B:Second slope part 31a: Tanibe 31b: Top 39: Unusual part 4: Bead core 5: Carcass 6: Belt 7: Tags (electronic tags) 9: Display section 91: Unusual Section 92: Printing section 97:Position display section 99: Direction display section C: Circumferential direction R: Radial direction W: Width direction

Claims

1. A tread portion; A sidewall portion; an electronic tag placed inside the outer surface; a display unit that indicates the position of the electronic tag; The display unit The tread portion is disposed in a recess recessed inward from the tread surface, It is arranged at the same position as the electronic tag in the circumferential direction, The tread portion is formed of a material of a different color from other portions, A tire in which the tread portion is formed from the outer surface to the inside.

2. The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the display indicates a position of the electronic tag in the width direction of the tire.

3. The tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the marking portion extends from the sidewall portion to the tread portion.

4. The display unit The electronic tag is disposed at a different position in the circumferential direction from the electronic tag. The tire according to claim 1 , wherein the position of the electronic tag in the circumferential direction is indicated.

Images