Tires and communication devices

Abstract

To provide a tire capable of temporarily using a communication device in accordance with applications during conveyance or the like, and to provide the communication device capable of being detached from / attached to the tire.SOLUTION: A tire 1B has a communication device 2 with a string-like member 3 and is provided with a holding part 1a holding the string-like member 3. The communication device 2 is provided with the annular string-like member 3 held by the holding part 1a provided in the tire 1B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART It is known that conventional tires have embedded therein a communication device such as a transponder having a transmitting / receiving function and a storage function (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [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] However, the above-mentioned conventional tire is not designed to be used temporarily with the communication device only during transportation such as logistics.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire in which a communication device can be temporarily used depending on the purpose, such as during transportation, and a communication device that can be temporarily attached to the tire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tire according to the present invention has a communication device having a string-like member, and is provided with a holding part that holds the string-like member. The tire according to the present invention can temporarily use the communication device depending on the purpose, such as during transportation.

[0007] The tire according to the present invention is provided with a holding portion that holds a string-like member connected to a communication device. The tire according to the present invention can temporarily use the communication device depending on the purpose, such as during transportation.

[0008] The communication device according to the present invention is provided with a ring-shaped string member that is held by a holder provided on the tire. By using the ring-shaped string member, the communication device according to the present invention can be temporarily attached to the tire.

[0009] In the tire according to the present invention, the retaining portion may be provided on at least one side surface of a block that forms the tread pattern of the tire. In this case, the communication device can be mounted compactly.

[0010] In the tire according to the present invention, the holding portion may be a groove. In this case, by hooking a string-like member of a communication device into the groove, the communication device can be firmly held.

[0011] In the tire according to the present invention, the groove may have a housing portion capable of housing the communication device, in which case the communication device can be effectively protected.

[0012] In the communication device according to the present invention, the length of the string-like member may be adjustable, in which case the string-like member can be held by the holding part in accordance with the size of the object to be held by the string-like member.

[0013] The communication device according to the present invention may have an attachment portion for attaching the communication device to the string-like member, which makes it easier to attach the communication device to the string-like member.

[0014] In the communication device according to the present invention, the string-shaped member may be integrally formed with the communication device. In this case, the position of the communication device is fixed with respect to the string-shaped member, making it easy to position the communication device relative to the tire. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire that can temporarily utilize a communication device depending on the purpose, such as during transportation, and a communication device that can be temporarily attached to the tire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a string-like member to which a communication device can be attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of a string-shaped member to which a communication device can be attached. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a part of a tread portion of a tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of the tire of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of a tire according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of a tire according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of a tire according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a communication device and a string-shaped member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, tires and communication devices according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 1 schematically shows a tire 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the tire 1A will be treated as a pneumatic tire for construction and mining vehicles.

[0019] The tire 1A has a communication device 2 having a string-like member 3. The tire 1A is provided with a holding portion 1a that holds the string-like member 3.

[0020] The tire 1A can hold the string-like member 3 connected to the communication device 2 by using the holding portion 1a. Furthermore, the string-like member 3 can be removed from the tire 1A, for example, by cutting the string-like member 3 or, as will be described later, by changing the length of the string-like member 3. This allows the communication device 2 to be temporarily attached to and removed from the tire 1A, for example, during the flow of logistics. Therefore, the tire 1A allows the communication device 2 to be used temporarily depending on the purpose, such as during transportation.

[0021] The holding portion 1a can be a groove formed in the tire 1A. The groove is a linear recess in a portion of the tire 1A. In this case, by hooking the string-like member 3 of the communication device 2 into the groove, misalignment of the string-like member 3 with respect to the holding portion 1a is suppressed, and the communication device 2 can be firmly held. In particular, when the holding portion 1a is an annular groove, misalignment of the string-like member 3 with respect to the holding portion 1a can be further suppressed. Furthermore, when the holding portion 1a is an annular groove, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the communication device 2 falls off during transportation of the tire 1A.

[0022] In this embodiment, the groove may be, for example, a tire circumferential groove extending in the tire circumferential direction of the tread portion 12. According to this embodiment, the string-like member 3 of the communication device 2 is held by a holding portion 1a, which is a groove recessed into the tread portion 12, as shown in FIG. 1. This allows the communication device 2 to be firmly held. Note that in this embodiment, the groove is an annular groove that is continuous in the tire circumferential direction, but the groove may be discontinuous in the tire circumferential direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the tread pattern of the tire 1A is a rib pattern. The rib pattern is formed by a plurality of annular tire circumferential grooves that are arranged at intervals in the tire width direction and extend in the tire circumferential direction, as shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the retaining portion 1a can be the tire circumferential grooves that form the rib pattern.

[0024] The communication device 2 is provided with a circular string-like member 3 that is held by a holding portion 1a provided on the tire 1A. According to the communication device 2, by using the circular string-like member 3, the communication device 2 can be temporarily attached to the tire 1A.

[0025] The string-like member 3 is composed of linear fiber elements. The string-like member 3 is composed of one fiber element or multiple fiber elements. When the string-like member 3 is composed of multiple fiber elements, the structure of the string-like member 3 can be a twisted wire structure in which multiple fiber elements are twisted together, or a braided wire structure in which multiple fiber elements are knitted together. Examples of fiber elements that make up the string-like member 3 include plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, and paper, animal fibers such as silk, and chemical fibers such as rubber and synthetic resin.

[0026] 2, the communication device 2 has an attachment part 4 for attaching the communication device 2 to the string-shaped member 3. In this case, it is easy to attach the communication device 2 to the string-shaped member 3. Furthermore, if the attachment part 4 is detachable from at least one of the communication device 2 or the string-shaped member 3, the communication device 2 and the string-shaped member 3 can be combined in various ways.

[0027] A specific example of the attachment portion 4 is a ring-shaped fastener. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 4 is attached to the communication device 2. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 4 is attached to the communication device 2 through a through-hole formed in the case of the communication device 2. In addition, in this embodiment, the communication device 2 is attached to the string-like member 3 by passing the string-like member 3 through the through-hole (ring hole) of the attachment portion 4. Specific examples of fasteners include a metal hook and a spring ring. Specific examples of metal hooks include a jump ring, a square ring, a double ring, a snap hook, and a lobster clasp. Both the metal hook and the spring ring are detachable from at least either the communication device 2 or the string-like member 3. Therefore, when a metal hook, a spring ring, or the like is used as the attachment portion 4, various combinations can be achieved by appropriately replacing the communication device 2 and the string-like member 3. However, the attachment portion 4 can also be fixed to either the communication device 2 or the string-like member 3 in advance.

[0028] In this embodiment, the length of the string-shaped member 3 can be changed. In this case, the string-shaped member 3 can be held by the holding portion 1a in accordance with the size of the object for which the string-shaped member 3 is to be held.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an example of a string-like member 3 whose length can be adjusted. Referring to FIG. 3, the string-like member 3 can be stretched and contracted in the length direction of the string-like member 3. Here, the length direction of the string-like member 3 refers to the direction in which the string-like member 3 extends. In this case, the string-like member 3 can be made of a stretchable material, such as rubber or an elastic resin. In FIG. 3, the solid line indicates the state in which the string-like member 3 is at its natural length (i.e., the state in which the string-like member 3 is contracted). In FIG. 3, the two-dot chain line indicates the state in which the string-like member 3 is stretched from its natural length. In this case, the string-like member 3 can be stretched and contracted to fit the size of the object to be held (specifically, a tire, a block of a block pattern, etc., as described later). Therefore, in this case, the string-like member 3 can be held by the holding portion 1a to fit the object of different sizes.

[0030] FIG. 4 also shows another example of a string-like member 3 whose length can be adjusted. Referring to FIG. 4, the string-like member 3 can be one whose length can be adjusted. In this case, the string-like member 3 has a main body 3a made of linear fiber elements and an adjustment portion 3b that adjusts the length of the main body 3a. One end of the main body 3a is fixed to the adjustment portion 3b. The other end of the main body 3a slidably passes through the adjustment portion 3b. This allows the string-like member 3 to be formed into a ring-shaped string-like member by the main body 3a. The adjustment portion 3b, together with the main body 3a, constitutes an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the amount of pull-out of the main body 3a from the adjustment portion 3b. Examples of the adjustment mechanism include a one-way mechanism such as a ratchet. A specific example of such a string-like member 3 is a cable tie. In this case, the length of the string-like member 3 can be adjusted to match the size of the object to be held by the string-like member 3. Therefore, in this case as well, the string-like member 3 can be held by the holding portion 1a to fit objects of different sizes.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a portion of a tread portion 12 of a tire 1B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tread pattern of the tire 1B is a block pattern as shown in FIG. 5. The block pattern is formed by a plurality of independent blocks 11 as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, for example, only two blocks 11 arranged at an interval in the tire width direction are denoted by the reference numeral 11. However, in this embodiment, a plurality of blocks 11 are arranged at an interval in the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction as shown in the figure.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a main portion of a tire 1B. Referring to Fig. 6, the retaining portion 1a is provided on at least one side surface F of a block 11 that forms the tread pattern of the tire 1B. In this case, the communication device 2 can be mounted compactly.

[0033] In this embodiment, the block 11 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes in the tire radial direction from the base 13 of the tread portion 12. In this embodiment, a retaining portion 1a is provided on each of the four side surfaces F of the block 11 (one side surface F is located on the back side of the drawing and is not shown). In this embodiment, the retaining portion 1a is a groove formed by linearly recessing a portion of the side surface F of the block 11. The groove extends around the block extension axis that passes through the center of the block 11 and rises from the base 13 of the tread portion 12 (hereinafter also referred to as the "block circumferential direction"). The grooves are connected to each other in the block circumferential direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the retaining portion 1a is an annular groove that encircles the four side surfaces F of the block 11. According to this embodiment, the string-like member 3 connected to the communication device 2 is retained by the retaining portion 1a, which is a groove recessed into the side surface F of the block 11, as shown in FIG. 6. Also in this case, the string-like member 3 can be removed from the tire 1B by cutting the string-like member 3 or by changing the length of the string-like member 3. Therefore, like the tire 1A, the communication device 2 can also be used temporarily for the tire 1B depending on the purpose, such as during transportation.

[0034] However, the retaining portion 1a can be provided on at least one side surface F of the four side surfaces F of the block 11. For example, the retaining portion 1a can be provided on only one side surface F. Alternatively, a retaining portion 1a can be provided on each of two or more side surfaces F, and the retaining portions 1a can be configured to be connected to one another in the circumferential direction of the block. Furthermore, the retaining portions 1a can be provided at intervals on the multiple side surfaces F, sandwiching one or more side surfaces F therebetween. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the retaining portions 1a on each of two side surfaces F that face each other across the block extension axis.

[0035] The holding portion 1a may be a protrusion instead of a groove. In this case, the communication device 2 can be firmly held by hooking the string-like member 3 of the communication device 2 onto the protrusion.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows an example in which the retaining portion 1a is a protrusion. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a main portion of a tire 1C according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The tire 1C also has a block pattern in the tread portion 12 similar to that shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the retaining portion 1a is a protrusion that protrudes from a portion of the side surface F. In this embodiment, the protrusion is a linear protrusion that protrudes from a portion of the side surface F. The string-like member 3 is held and prevented from coming off by the retaining portion 1a, which is a protrusion that protrudes from the side surface F. In this case, too, by hooking the string-like member 3 connected to the communication device 2 onto the retaining portion 1a, displacement of the string-like member 3 relative to the retaining portion 1a is suppressed, and the communication device 2 can be firmly held. In particular, when the retaining portion 1a is an annular protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the block, displacement of the string-like member 3 relative to the retaining portion 1a can be further suppressed. Furthermore, when the retaining portion 1a is an annular protrusion, it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the communication device 2 falls off during transportation of the tire 1A. However, similar to the case of the groove, the protrusion serving as the retaining portion 1a may be provided on at least one side surface F of the block 11. The protrusion may also be a protrusion formed by locally protruding a part of the side surface F.

[0037] Furthermore, the holding portion 1a may be a through-hole instead of a groove or a protrusion. In this case, the string-like member 3 of the communication device 2 may be passed through the through-hole, thereby firmly holding the communication device 2.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows an example in which the retaining portion 1a is a through hole. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a main portion of a tire 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The tire 1D also has a block pattern in the tread portion 12 similar to that of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the retaining portion 1a is a through hole that penetrates the side surface F of the block 11. The string-like member 3 is retained by the retaining portion 1a, which is a through hole. In this case, by passing the string-like member 3 connected to the communication device 2 through the retaining portion 1a, which is a through hole, displacement of the string-like member 3 with respect to the retaining portion 1a is suppressed, and the communication device 2 can be firmly held.

[0039] 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of a tire 1E according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The tire 1E also has a block pattern in the tread portion 12 similar to that shown in FIG.

[0040] Tire 1E is a modified example of tire 1B. As shown in FIG. 9, when the retaining portion 1a is a groove, the groove can have a storage portion 1b capable of storing the communication device 2. In this case, it is possible to prevent the communication device 2 attached to tire 1E from coming into contact with other members (members different from the communication device 2). Specifically, for example, even when multiple tires 1E are stacked, it is possible to prevent the communication device 2 from coming into contact with another tire. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to effectively protect the communication device 2.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 9 , in this embodiment, the holding portion 1a is composed of a storage portion 1b and a groove portion 1c. In this embodiment, the storage portion 1b is a storage recess formed by locally recessing a portion of the side surface F. In this embodiment, the storage portion 1b is shaped like an ellipse. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the groove portion 1c is a linear groove formed by linearly recessing a portion of the side surface F. In this embodiment, the groove portion 1c is continuous with the storage portion 1b. In this case, the storage portion 1b can function as the holding portion 1a together with the groove portion 1c. The depth of the storage portion 1b can be set to a depth that allows the communication device 2 to be stored so that the communication device 2 is flush with the side surface F, or a depth that allows the communication device 2 to be stored inside the side surface F. Alternatively, the depth of the storage portion 1b can be set to a depth that allows the communication device 2 to be stored so that it protrudes outward from the side surface F. Furthermore, the groove portion 1c, together with the storage portion 1b, may be provided on at least one side surface F of the block 11, as in the other embodiments.

[0042] The string-shaped member 3 may be formed integrally with the communication device 2. In this case, the position of the communication device 2 is fixed relative to the string-shaped member 3, making it easy to position the communication device 2 relative to the tire.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a communication device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 10 shows an example of a communication device 2 integrally formed with a string-like member 3. Referring to FIG. 10, the string-like member 3 is integrally molded on the outside of the communication device 2, with the communication device 2 serving as an insert. Specifically, the string-like member 3 is composed of a main body 3a of the string-like member 3 and a covering portion 3c that covers the communication device 2. In this case, the position of the communication device 2 is fixed relative to the string-like member 3, making it easy to position the communication device 2 relative to the housing portion 1b provided on the side surface F of the block 11. The covering portion 3c can be a housing case that houses the communication device 2. Furthermore, by omitting the covering portion 3c, the main body 3a can be directly connected to the communication device 2 as the string-like member 3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length of the string-like member 3 can be changed by stretching or adjusting at least the main body 3a.

[0045] The communication device 2 is capable of wireless communication. The communication device 2 is, for example, an RF (Radio Frequency) tag. An RF tag is also called an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. The communication device 2 includes, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip constituting a control unit and a memory unit, and one or more antennas connected to the IC chip. The IC chip may store any information related to the tire, such as tire identification information and manufacturing date. The communication device 2 may have, for example, two antennas extending linearly, wavy, or spirally extending from the IC chip in opposite directions, giving the communication device 2 an elongated shape as a whole. However, the configuration of the communication device 2 is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 2 may have one or more antennas extending linearly, wavy, or spirally from the IC chip. Alternatively, the communication device 2 may have a single antenna extending from the IC chip and arranged in a spiral shape surrounding the IC chip.

[0046] The IC chip may be operated by an induced electromotive force generated by electromagnetic waves received by one or more antennas. That is, the communication device 2 may be a passive communication device. Alternatively, the communication device 2 may further include a battery and be capable of communicating by generating electromagnetic waves using its own power. That is, the communication device 2 may be an active communication device. Furthermore, the communication device 2 includes not only one configured with an IC chip and an antenna, but also one configured with an IC chip, an antenna, and a covering (case) that covers them.

[0047] The above describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, various shapes and arrangements of the blocks can be adopted. Furthermore, the tire according to the present invention can be applied to any type of tire. For example, the tire according to the above embodiment can be applied to pneumatic tires for trucks and buses, and pneumatic tires for passenger cars, in addition to tires for construction and mining vehicles. Furthermore, the various configurations adopted in each of the above-described embodiments can be omitted, mutually substituted, or combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1A-1E: tire, 1a: holding portion, 1b: storage portion, 1c: groove portion, 2: communication device, 3: string-like member, 3a: main body of string-like member, 3b: adjustment portion, 3c: covering portion, 4: mounting portion, 11: block, 12: tread portion, 13: base portion of tread portion, F: side surface of block

Claims

1. A tire having a communication device having a string-like member, the tire being provided with a holding portion that holds the string-like member, The tire, wherein the retaining portion is provided on at least one side surface of a block that forms the tread pattern of the tire.

2. A tire provided with a holding portion that holds a string-like member connected to a communication device, The tire, wherein the retaining portion is provided on at least one side surface of a block that forms the tread pattern of the tire.

3. A communication device provided with a circular string-shaped member that is held by a holding portion provided on a tire, The communication device has an attachment portion for attaching the communication device to the string-like member.

4. A communication device provided with a ring-shaped string-like member held in a holding portion provided on a tire, The string-like member is integrally formed with the communication device.

5. The tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining portion is a groove.

6. The tire according to claim 5 , wherein the groove has a receiving portion capable of receiving the communication device.

7. 5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the length of the string-like member is variable.

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