tire

Abstract

To provide a tire in which position of a communication device is identified from external surface of the tire in a dark environment.SOLUTION: A tire comprises: a tire body 10; and a communication device 40 which is buried in the tire body 10 or attached to internal surface of the tire body. The tire includes an indicator region 50 which is positioned on an external surface of the tire body 10 to indicate the position of the communication device 40, and the indicator region 50 includes luminous regions 61, 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a tire.

Background Art

[0002] Tires having a communication device such as an RF tag 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] It is difficult to identify the position of a communication device embedded inside a tire or attached to the inner surface of the tire from the outside of the tire in an environment where it is dark, such as at night.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire that enables the position of a communication device to be identified from the outside of the tire in an environment where it is dark.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A tire according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a tire body and a communication device embedded inside the tire body or attached to the inner surface of the tire body, and has a marking area located on the outer surface of the tire body and indicating the position of the communication device, the marking area including a light-emitting area. With this configuration, the position of the communication device can be identified from the outside of the tire in an environment where it is dark.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting area of the marking area has a color or shape that can be identified from the surroundings. This configuration allows the location of the communication device to be identified from outside the tire, even in brightly lit environments.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tire body comprises a tread portion and a first side portion and a second side portion extending inward in the tire radial direction from both ends of the tread portion in the tire width direction, the communication device is embedded inside one of the tread portion, the first side portion and the second side portion, or is attached to the inner surface of one of the tread portion, the first side portion and the second side portion, and the light-emitting portion of the marking area is positioned at the same location as the communication device in at least one of the tire width direction, tire radial direction and tire circumferential direction. This configuration makes it easier to locate the communication device in dark environments based on the illuminated area of ​​the marker.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the labeling region comprises a non-emitting region surrounded by the light-emitting region. This configuration improves the visibility of the marker area in dark environments.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication device is positioned so as not to overlap with the light-emitting region in the tire thickness direction, and so as to overlap with the non-light-emitting region in the tire thickness direction. This configuration allows the entire communication device to be easily removed from the tire by utilizing the designated area, for example, when the tire is being disposed of. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire that makes it possible to identify the location of a communication device from outside the tire, even in a dark environment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of a tire in the width direction as one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view of the first marking area of the tire shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a side view seen from the first side part side of the tire shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4A] It is a view showing a modified example of the first marking area shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4B] It is a view showing a modified example of the first marking area shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4C] It is a view showing a modified example of the first marking area shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4D] It is a view showing a modified example of the first marking area shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4E] It is a view showing a modified example of the first marking area shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction of the tire as one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction of the tire as one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a part of the developed view of the tread outer surface of the tire shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8A] It is a view showing a modified example of the third marking area shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8B] It is a view showing a modified example of the third marking area shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8C] It is a view showing a modified example of the third marking area shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8D] It is a view showing a modified example of the third marking area shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8E] It is a view showing a modified example of the third marking area shown in FIG. 6.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the tire according to the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the drawings. Common components in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this specification, the tire width direction refers to the direction parallel to the tire's central axis. The tire radial direction refers to the radial direction perpendicular to the tire's central axis and centered on the central axis. The tire circumferential direction refers to the direction in which the tire rotates around its central axis.

[0014] In this specification, "outer tread surface" refers to the outer circumference of the tire that comes into contact with the road surface when the tire, mounted on the rim and filled to the specified internal pressure, is rolled under the maximum load condition (hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum load condition"). "Tread edge" refers to the outer edge of the outer tread surface in the tire width direction.

[0015] In this specification, "rim" refers to the standard rim (Measuring Rim in ETRTO's STANDARDS MANUAL, Design Rim in TRA's YEAR BOOK) for applicable sizes, which is an industrial standard valid in the region where the tire is produced and used, and is listed or will be listed in the JATMA YEAR BOOK of JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers 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, etc. However, in the case of sizes not listed in the above industrial standards, it refers to a rim with a width corresponding to the tire bead width. "Rim" includes not only current sizes but also sizes that may be included in the above industrial standards in the future. An example of "sizes that may be listed in the future" is the size listed as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of ETRTO's STANDARDS MANUAL.

[0016] In this specification, "specified internal pressure" refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a single wheel for the applicable size and ply rating as described in the above-mentioned industrial standards such as the JATMA YEAR BOOK. For sizes not listed in the above-mentioned 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. Furthermore, in this specification, "maximum load capacity" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a tire of the applicable size as described in the above-mentioned industrial standards. For sizes not listed in the above-mentioned industrial standards, it refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is mounted.

[0017] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a pneumatic tire 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tire 1") as one embodiment of the tire according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the tire 1 described below means tire 1 that is mounted on a rim, filled to a specified internal pressure, and subjected to a maximum load condition. The type of tire 1 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a tire for trucks and buses, or a tire for passenger cars.

[0018] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of tire 1 in the tire width direction. As shown in Figure 1, tire 1 comprises a tire body 10 and a communication device 40.

[0019] The tire body 10 comprises 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 radial 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 radial direction B. Hereinafter, unless otherwise distinguished, the first side portion 10b1 and the second side portion 10b2 will simply be referred to as "side portion 10b".

[0020] The side portion 10b comprises a sidewall portion 11 and a bead portion 12. The sidewall portion 11 is connected to the end of the tread portion 10a in the tire width direction A and extends inward B2 in the tire radial direction B. The bead portion 12 is connected to the end of the sidewall portion 11 inward B2 in the tire radial direction B.

[0021] More specifically, the tire body 10 of this embodiment comprises 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.

[0022] [Tire body 10] [[Bead Core 2 and Bead Filler 3]] The bead core 2 and bead filler 3 are embedded in the bead portion 12 of the side portion 10b. The bead core 2 has a bead cord that is covered with rubber. The bead cord is made of steel cord. The bead filler 3 is made of rubber and is located on the outer side B1 in the tire radial direction B relative to the bead core 2.

[0023] [[Carcass 4]] The carcass 4 extends toroidally across a pair of bead portions 12, more specifically between a pair of bead cores 2, which are composed of the bead portion 12 of the first side portion 10b1 and the bead portion 12 of the second side portion 10b2. Specifically, the carcass 4 of this embodiment includes a carcass ply 4a. The carcass ply 4a is folded back from the inside to the outside in the tire width direction A around each bead core 2. The carcass ply 4a may comprise a plurality of ply cords arranged parallel to each other and a coating rubber covering the plurality of ply cords. The carcass 4 of this embodiment includes only one carcass ply 4a, but may include two or more carcass ply 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 metal cords, such as steel cords.

[0024] More specifically, the carcass ply 4a of this embodiment comprises a main body portion 4a1 located between a pair of bead cores 2, and a folded portion 4a2 connected to the main body portion 4a1 and formed by folding 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 positioned between the main body portion 4a1 and the folded portion 4a2 of the carcass ply 4a.

[0025] [[Belt 5]] Belt 5 is embedded in the tread portion 10a. The tire body 10 of this embodiment is equipped with 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 this embodiment are the first belt 5a, the second belt 5b, the third belt 5c, and the fourth belt 5d. Hereinafter, unless specifically distinguished, the first belt 5a, the second belt 5b, the third belt 5c, and the fourth belt 5d will simply be referred to as "belt 5". The first belt 5a is located in the 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 in the 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 outside B1 in the tire radial direction B of the second belt 5b.

[0026] In this embodiment, four belt layers are 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 the first belt layer 20a, located at the innermost B2 in the tire radial direction B. The fourth belt 5d forms the fourth belt layer 20d, located at the outermost B1 in the tire radial direction B. The second belt 5b forms the second belt layer 20b. The third belt 5c forms the third belt layer 20c.

[0027] Belt 5 may comprise 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. Of 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 with respect to the tire circumferential direction C, or they may be inclined in opposite directions.

[0028] The material of the belt cord of belt 5 is not particularly limited. The belt cord of belt 5 may be, for example, a metal cord or an organic fiber cord. The rubber composition used for the coating rubber of belt 5 is not particularly limited.

[0029] [[Tread Rubber 7]] As shown in Figure 1, the tread rubber 7 is positioned on the outer side B1 in the tire radial direction B of the crown portion 4a1 of the carcass ply 4a, and the first to fourth belts 5a to 5d that constitute the first to fourth belt layers 20a to 20d. The outer surface of the tread portion 10a in this embodiment, the tread outer surface 13a, is made of tread rubber 7. As shown in Figure 1, the tread outer surface 13a has two inner circumferential grooves 7a1 that define 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 define the intermediate land portion 7b between them and the inner circumferential grooves 7a1. In addition, the tread outer surface 13a in this embodiment has a shoulder land portion 7c defined between the outer circumferential grooves 7b1 and the tread end 15 that is located outside the outer circumferential grooves 7b1 in the tire width direction A. Furthermore, the outer surface 13a of the tread may have, for example, widthwise grooves extending in the tire width direction A.

[0030] [[Side elastic 8]] The side rubber 8 is positioned on the outside of the main body portion 4a1 and the folded portion 4a2 of the carcass ply 4a in the tire width direction A. The outer side surface 14a, which is the outer surface of the side portion 10b in this embodiment, is made of the side rubber 8. The outer end B1 of the side rubber 8 in the tire radial direction B is connected to the end of the tread rubber 7 in the tire width direction A.

[0031] Thus, in this embodiment, the outer surface of the tire body 10 comprises a tread outer surface 13a and a side outer surface 14a connected to the tread outer surface 13a. The tire body 10 is provided with a marking area 50 on its outer surface for displaying the location of a communication device 40, which will be described later. Details of the marking area 50 will be described later (see Figures 2 and 3, etc.).

[0032] [[Inner Liner 9]] The inner liner 9 covers the inner surface 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 inner surface of the main body portion 4a1 of the carcass ply 4a. The inner liner 9 may be made of, for example, a butyl rubber with low air permeability.

[0033] [Communication device 40] As shown in Figure 1, the communication device 40 is embedded inside the tire body 10. However, the communication device 40 may also be attached to the inner surface of the tire body 10. The inner surface of the tire body 10 to which the communication device 40 is attached may be the tread inner surface 13b, the first side inner surface 14b1 which is the inner surface of the first side portion 10b1, or the second side inner surface 14b2 which is the inner surface of the second side portion 10b2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the communication device 40 of this embodiment is embedded inside the side portion 10b of the tire body 10. More specifically, the communication device 40 of this embodiment is embedded inside the first side portion 10b1 of the tire body 10. The communication device 40 of this embodiment is embedded between the main body portion 4a1 of the carcass 4 and the side rubber 8 within the first side portion 10b1. However, the communication device 40 may be embedded at other locations within the first side portion 10b1. Also, as described above, the communication device 40 may be attached to the inner surface of the first side portion 10b1 (see the position indicated by the dashed line labeled "40" in Figure 1).

[0035] Furthermore, the communication device 40 may be located elsewhere than the first side portion 10b1. The communication device 40 may, for example, be embedded inside the second side portion 10b2 of the tire body 10, or it may be attached to the inner surface of the second side portion 10b2. Alternatively, the communication device 40 may be embedded inside the tread portion 10a of the tire body 10 (see Figure 5), or it may be attached to the inner surface of the tread portion 10a (see Figure 6).

[0036] The communication device 40 is not particularly limited in its configuration, as long as it is capable of wireless communication with a predetermined device outside the tire body 10. An example of the communication device 40 is an RF tag. The RF tag, as the communication device 40, is capable of wireless communication with a reader / writer located outside the tire body 10. The RF tag may be a passive type RF tag that operates on power supplied from a reader / writer located outside the tire body 10. Specifically, the RF tag, as the communication device 40, is capable of receiving information transmitted from the antenna unit of the reader / writer via radio waves or a magnetic field using the antenna unit of the RF tag. Power is generated in the antenna unit of the RF tag by rectification (in the case of radio waves) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), and the storage unit and control unit of the RF tag perform predetermined operations. The control unit of the RF tag can, for example, read the information in the storage unit of the RF tag and send it back (transmit) to the reader / writer from the antenna unit via radio waves or a magnetic field. The antenna unit of the reader / writer receives radio waves or a magnetic field from the RF tag. The control unit of the reader / writer can retrieve the information stored in the RF tag's memory unit by taking out the received information. The memory unit and control unit of the RF tag may be composed of an integrated circuit (IC chip) including non-volatile memory, for example.

[0037] The communication device 40 may be embedded in the tire body 10 in a state where it is a covered communication device, with a protective rubber covering applied to its periphery beforehand. In such a case, the protective rubber covering the communication device 40 may be colored a different color from the adjacent parts of the tire body 10.

[0038] [[[Indication area 50 on the outer surface of the tire body 10]]] As shown in Figure 1, a marking area 50 for indicating the location of the communication device 40 is provided on the outer surface of the tire body 10. In this embodiment, the marking area 50 is provided on the outer side surface 14a, which is the outer surface of the side portion 10b of the tire body 10. More specifically, the tire body 10 in this embodiment includes a first marking area 50a provided on the first outer side surface 14a1, which is the outer surface of the first side portion 10b1, and a second marking area 50b provided on the second outer side surface 14a2, which is the outer surface of the second side portion 10b2.

[0039] Figures 2 and 3 are front views of the first marking area 50a. In particular, Figure 3 is a side view of the tire 1 from the first side portion 10b1 side. In Figure 3, the position of the communication device 40 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the first marking area 50a and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire radial direction B. Here, "the first marking area 50a and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire radial direction B" means that, in a side view of the tire 1 (see Figure 3), there is at least one virtual circle L1 around the central axis O of the tire 1 that passes through the first marking area 50a and the communication device 40. In other words, it is not limited to the case where the extending areas of the first marking area 50a and the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B are perfectly coincide.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the first marker area 50a and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. Here, "the first marker area 50a and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C" means that, in a side view of the tire 1 (see Figure 3), there is at least one virtual straight line L2 that passes through the central axis O of the tire 1 and also passes through the first marker area 50a and the communication device 40 on one side of the central axis O. In other words, it is not limited to the case where the extending areas of the first marker area 50a and the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C are perfectly coincide.

[0042] In other words, the first marking area 50a and the communication device 40 in this embodiment overlap in the tire thickness direction D. The communication device 40 in this embodiment overlaps with the first marking area 50a in the tire thickness direction D across its entire extending area in the tire radial direction B and the tire circumferential direction C. That is, the entire communication device 40 in this embodiment overlaps with the first marking area 50a in the tire thickness direction D. However, only a part of the communication device 40 may overlap with the first marking area 50a in the tire thickness direction D. Also, the entire first marking area 50a may overlap with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. Furthermore, the contour of the first marking area 50a and the contour of the communication device 40 may coincide in the tire thickness direction D. That is, the entire first marking area 50a may overlap with the entire communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D.

[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, the first marker region 50a is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. Therefore, by identifying the first marker region 50a from outside the tire 1, the location of the communication device 40 can be determined.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first marker region 50a of this embodiment includes a light-emitting region 61. The light-emitting region 61 may be, for example, a phosphorescent region that emits stored light. Because the first marker region 50a includes a light-emitting region 61, the first marker region 50a can be easily identified from outside the tire 1 in dark environments such as at night or in dark places. Therefore, the location of the communication device 40 can be easily identified in dark environments.

[0045] The light-emitting region 61 of the first marked region 50a is not particularly limited as long as it is a region that emits light to the outside. The light-emitting region 61 may be made of, for example, a phosphorescent paint containing a phosphorescent material. Alternatively, the light-emitting region 61 may be formed by, for example, mixing a phosphorescent material into a part of the rubber composition that constitutes the outer surface of the tire body 10. The rubber composition containing the phosphorescent material may, for example, be attached to an unvulcanized tire and vulcanized together with the unvulcanized tire. Alternatively, the rubber composition containing the phosphorescent material may be attached to a vulcanized tire. Furthermore, the light-emitting region 61 may be formed of, for example, a resin phosphorescent body that constitutes a part of the outer surface of the tire. The resin phosphorescent body may be formed by, for example, supporting a phosphorescent material in the voids of a foamed resin such as polyurethane foam. The resin phosphorescent body may, for example, be attached to an unvulcanized tire and vulcanized together with the unvulcanized tire. Alternatively, the resin phosphorescent body may be attached to a vulcanized tire.

[0046] The phosphorescent material is not particularly limited, and any known phosphorescent material may be used. Examples of phosphorescent materials include those with the 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, and ZnS:Cu.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferable that the light-emitting area 61 of the first marker area 50a has a color or shape that is identifiable from the surroundings. As shown in Figure 1, the light-emitting area 61 in this embodiment is provided on the top surface of a protrusion 70 that protrudes outward from the surroundings in the tire width direction A. In this way, by having a color or shape that is identifiable from the surroundings, the first marker area 50a can be easily identified not only in dark environments but also in bright environments such as daytime. In other words, even in bright environments, the location of the communication device 40 can be identified from outside the tire 1.

[0048] In this embodiment, the light-emitting region 61 is provided on the top surface of the protrusion 70, but the configuration is not limited to this. The light-emitting region 61 may be provided, for example, on the bottom surface of the recess. In addition to being provided on, for example, the top surface of the protrusion 70 or the bottom surface of the recess, the light-emitting region 61 may have a different color from its surroundings. Here, "different color" means not only that at least one of the hue, lightness, and saturation is different, but also that there is a difference that can be perceived by the eye, such as a difference in pattern or gloss. Coloring the light-emitting region 61 can be achieved, for example, by adding a pigment together with the phosphorescent material described above, or by using a pigment containing the phosphorescent material described above. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the light-emitting region 61 is provided on at least the top surface of the protrusion 70. By doing so, a decrease in the visibility of the light-emitting region 61 from the outside, such as when the light-emitting region 61 is covered with mud or the like and becomes difficult to see from the outside, can be suppressed. The light-emitting region 61 provided on the top surface of the protrusion 70 may be formed, for example, by phosphorescent paint laminated on the top surface of the protrusion 70. Alternatively, the light-emitting region 61 provided on the top surface of the protrusion 70 may be realized by constructing the protrusion 70 itself from a rubber composition containing the above-mentioned phosphorescent material, a resin phosphorescent body, or the like.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the first marker region 50a of this embodiment includes a non-emitting region 62 surrounded by the light-emitting region 61. By providing such a non-emitting region 62, the contrast between the light-emitting region 61 and the non-emitting region 62 in a dark environment is enhanced. Therefore, the visibility of the first marker region 50a in a dark environment can be improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, in a front view of the first marked area 50a (see Figures 2 and 3), the entire periphery of the non-emitting area 62 is surrounded by the emitting area 61. More specifically, the emitting area 61 of the first marked area 50a in this embodiment is annular in a front view of the first marked area 50a (see Figures 2 and 3). In other words, the convex portion 70 in this embodiment is annular in a front view of the first marked area 50a (see Figures 2 and 3), and the emitting area 61 is provided on the top surface of this annular convex portion 70. The non-emitting area 62 is provided inside the annular emitting area 61 in a front view of the first marked area 50a (see Figures 2 and 3). However, the configuration of the emitting area 61 and the non-emitting area 62 of the first marked area 50a is not limited to this configuration. In a dark environment, if the non-emitting region 62 of the first marker region 50a can be identified, there may be positions around the non-emitting region 62 where no emitting region 61 is provided. For example, in a front view of the first marker region 50a (see Figures 2 and 3), the non-emitting region 62 is surrounded by a substantially C-shaped emitting region 61. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the entire area around the non-emitting region 62 is surrounded by the emitting region 61 in a front view of the first marker region 50a (see Figures 2 and 3). This further enhances the contrast between the emitting region 61 and the non-emitting region 62 in a dark environment.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, only the non-emitting region 62 of the first marking region 50a overlaps with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. In other words, the emitting region 61 of the first marking region 50a does not overlap with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. In this way, the emitting region 61 can be used to identify the position outside the outline of the communication device 40 (see dashed line in Figure 3) in a front view of the first marking region 50a (see Figures 2 and 3). Therefore, for example, when disposing of the tire 1, the entire communication device 40 can be easily removed from the tire body 10 by using the first marking region 50a.

[0052] The non-emitting region 62 may have a different color from the emitting region 61. Furthermore, the non-emitting region 62 may have a different color from the first side outer surface 14a1 of the first side portion 10b1 located around the first marked region 50a. This allows for improved identifiability of the emitting region 61, the non-emitting region 62, and the area around the first marked region 50a in bright environments.

[0053] The non-luminescent region 62, which is a different color from the luminescent region 61, may be formed, for example, by a paint containing a pigment. Alternatively, the non-luminescent region 62, which is a different color from the luminescent region 61, may be formed, for example, by mixing a pigment other than carbon black into a part of the rubber composition that makes up the outer surface of the tire body 10 to color it. Such a colored rubber composition may, for example, be attached to an unvulcanized tire and vulcanized together with the unvulcanized tire. Alternatively, the colored rubber composition may be attached to a vulcanized tire, for example. Furthermore, the non-luminescent region 62, which is a different color from the luminescent region 61, may be formed, for example, by a resin colored body that makes up a part of the outer surface of the tire. The resin colored body may be formed, for example, by supporting a pigment in the voids of a foamed resin such as polyurethane foam. The resin colored body may, for example, be attached to an unvulcanized tire and vulcanized together with the unvulcanized tire. Alternatively, the resin colored body may be attached to a vulcanized tire, for example.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the non-emitting region 62 may be provided on a finely uneven surface. The finely uneven surface may, for example, comprise a base surface and a plurality of ridges 68 with a height of 0.1 to 1.0 mm, arranged parallel to this base surface. The distance between the tops of two adjacent ridges 68 is preferably, for example, 0.3 to 1.5 mm. By providing the non-emitting region 62 on such a finely uneven surface, the reflection of light in the non-emitting region 62 can be controlled in bright environments, achieving high contrast with the surrounding light-reflecting region 61. This makes it possible to further improve the distinguishability of the light-reflecting region 61 and the non-emitting region 62 in bright environments.

[0055] Furthermore, the tire body 10 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical base projection 69 that protrudes from the outer surface of the first side portion 10b1, and an annular protrusion 70 that protrudes from the outer edge of the top surface of the base projection 69. The first marking area 50a of this embodiment is composed of a light-emitting area 61 provided on the top surface of the protrusion 70, and a non-light-emitting area 62 provided on the top surface of the base projection 69 inside the protrusion 70. In other words, in this embodiment, not only the light-emitting area 61 but also the non-light-emitting area 62 is provided on the top surface of the portion that protrudes from the periphery of the first marking area 50a. By providing the entire first marking area 50a on the top surface of the portion that protrudes from the outer surface of the tire body 10 in this way, the identifiability of the first marking area 50a can be further enhanced.

[0056] Such a first marked region 50a can be realized, for example, by laminating a paint containing phosphorescent material onto the top surface of the protrusion 70 and laminating a paint containing pigment onto the top surface of the base protrusion 69 inside the protrusion 70. Alternatively, the base protrusion 69 and the protrusion 70 may be formed separately and then laminated together. The base protrusion 69 may be formed from, for example, the colored rubber composition or resin colorant described above. The protrusion 70 may also be formed from, for example, the rubber composition or resin phosphorescent material described above.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, a second marking area 50b is provided on the second side outer surface 14a2 of the second side portion 10b2 of the tire body 10. The second marking area 50b is configured to be distinguishable from the first marking area 50a. Specifically, the second marking area 50b in this embodiment is composed only of a light-emitting area 81. In other words, in a front view, the entire contour of the second marking area 50b is a light-emitting area 81 and does not include a non-light-emitting area. By configuring the first marking area 50a and the second marking area 50b to be distinguishable in this way, confusion between the first marking area 50a and the second marking area 50b is prevented, and the information indicated by the first marking area 50a and the second marking area 50b can be distinguished.

[0058] In this embodiment, the information indicated by the first indicator area 50a is the position of the communication device 40 that overlaps with the tire thickness direction D. In contrast, the information indicated by the second indicator area 50b is the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. In this embodiment, the second indicator area 50b and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. Here, "the second indicator area 50b and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C" is the same relationship as described above where the first indicator area 50a and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. In other words, the second indicator area 50b in this embodiment indicates only the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. By providing the second indicator area 50b in addition to the first indicator area 50a, the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C can be identified even from the second side portion 10b2 side, compared to the case where only the first indicator area 50a is provided. Therefore, for example, even when the tire 1 is mounted on a vehicle, and the first side portion 10b1 is positioned on the inside of the vehicle and the first indicator area 50a is not visible from the outside of the vehicle, the position of the communication device 40 can be narrowed down based on the second indicator area 50b of the second side portion 10b2, and the position of the communication device 40 can be easily identified regardless of the orientation of the first side portion 10b1 of the tire body 10 when mounted on the vehicle.

[0059] In this embodiment, the second indicator area 50b displays the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C, but the configuration is not limited to this. The second indicator area 50b may also display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B. In other words, the second indicator area 50b and the communication device 40 may be located at the same position in the tire radial direction B. Here, "the second indicator area 50b and the communication device 40 being located at the same position in the tire radial direction B" is similar to the relationship described above where the first indicator area 50a and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire radial direction B. Furthermore, the second indicator area 50b may not display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B and the tire circumferential direction C, but only indicate that the communication device 40 is located on the first side portion 10b1. In other words, the second indicator area 50b may be an indicator indicating that the communication device 40 is not located on the second side portion 10b2. Thus, the second indicator area 50b is not particularly limited as long as it indicates some positional information of the communication device 40. However, as mentioned above, it is preferable to display at least the position C in the tire circumferential direction of the communication device 40.

[0060] Furthermore, it is preferable that the light-emitting region 81 of the second marker region 50b has a color or shape that is identifiable from its surroundings. As shown in Figure 1, the light-emitting region 81 in this embodiment is provided on the top surface of a protrusion 71 that protrudes outward from the surroundings in the tire width direction A. In this way, by having a color or shape that is identifiable from its surroundings, the second marker region 50b can be easily identified not only in dark environments but also in bright environments such as during the day.

[0061] In this embodiment, the light-emitting region 81 is provided on the top surface of the protrusion 71, but the configuration is not limited to this. The light-emitting region 81 may be provided, for example, on the bottom surface of the recess. In addition to being provided on, for example, the top surface of the protrusion 71 or the bottom surface of the recess, the light-emitting region 81 may have a different color from its surroundings. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the light-emitting region 81 is provided on at least the top surface of the protrusion 71. By doing so, a decrease in the visibility of the light-emitting region 81 from the outside, such as when the light-emitting region 81 is covered with mud or the like and becomes difficult to see from the outside, can be suppressed. The light-emitting region 81 may be formed by the same method as the light-emitting region 61 of the first marking region 50a described above, for example, by a paint containing a phosphorescent material.

[0062] In this embodiment, the light-emitting region 81 of the second marker region 50b is provided across the entire top surface of the cylindrical protrusion 71, but its configuration is not particularly limited as long as it can be distinguished from the light-emitting region 61 of the first marker region 50a in a dark environment. Furthermore, although the second marker region 50b is formed by the top surface of the cylindrical protrusion 71, its configuration is not particularly limited as long as it can be distinguished from the first marker region 50a in a bright environment. The configuration of the second marker region 50b is not particularly limited as long as it can be distinguished from the first marker region 50a in both dark and bright environments.

[0063] Next, a modified example of the first marking area 50a will be described with reference to Figures 4A to 4E. Figures 4A to 4E are side views of the tire 1 as seen from the first side portion 10b1 side. In Figures 4A to 4E, the position of the communication device 40 embedded in the first side portion 10b1 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0064] The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4A displays the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. However, the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4A does not display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B. In other words, the first indicator area 50a and the communication device 40 shown in Figure 4A are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C, but not at the same position in the tire radial direction B. The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4A allows the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C to be identified.

[0065] The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4B displays the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B. However, the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4B does not display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. In other words, the first indicator area 50a and the communication device 40 shown in Figure 4B are located at the same position in the tire radial direction B, but not at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. According to the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4B, the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B can be identified.

[0066] The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4C displays the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. However, the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4C does not display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B. More specifically, the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4C displays a predetermined range in the tire circumferential direction C. The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4C displays the range in the tire circumferential direction C where the central angle around the central axis O of the tire 1 is "θ". The communication device 40 is located within the range in the tire circumferential direction C indicated by the first indicator area 50a. According to the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4C, the range in the tire circumferential direction C where the communication device 40 is located can be identified.

[0067] In the example shown in Figure 4C, two first marker regions 50a, positioned at different locations in the tire circumferential direction C, indicate the range in the tire circumferential direction C where the communication device 40 is located. Each first marker region 50a has a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the front. Furthermore, one vertex 50a1 of each first marker region 50a is positioned opposite to another in the tire circumferential direction C. In this way, when indicating the range in the tire circumferential direction C using two first marker regions 50a, it is preferable that each first marker region 50a has a vertex 50a1 that faces another in the tire circumferential direction C. By providing such a vertex 50a1, the range in the tire circumferential direction C indicated by the two first marker regions 50a becomes visually easier to understand. The external shape of each first marker region 50a when viewed from the front is not limited to the triangular shape shown in Figure 4C. However, the external shape of each first marker region 50a when viewed from the front is preferably the triangular shape shown in Figure 4C. In this way, the range of the tire circumferential direction C indicated by the two first marker regions 50a becomes visually easier to understand.

[0068] The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4D indicates the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B and the tire circumferential direction C. More specifically, the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4D is located at the same position as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4D also indicates a predetermined range in the tire radial direction B. The communication device 40 is located within the range in the tire radial direction B indicated by the first indicator area 50a. According to the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4D, the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C can be identified, as well as the range in the tire radial direction B in which the communication device 40 is located.

[0069] In the example shown in Figure 4D, two first marker regions 50a, positioned at different locations in the tire radial direction B, indicate the range in the tire radial direction B where the communication device 40 is located. Each first marker region 50a has a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the front. Furthermore, one vertex 50a1 of each first marker region 50a is positioned opposite to the other in the tire radial direction B. In this way, when indicating the range in the tire radial direction B using two first marker regions 50a, it is preferable that each first marker region 50a has a vertex 50a1 that faces the other in the tire radial direction B. By providing such a vertex 50a1, the range in the tire radial direction B indicated by the two first marker regions 50a (the range between virtual circles L3 and L4 shown by the dashed line in Figure 4D) becomes visually easier to understand. The outer shape of each first marker region 50a when viewed from the front is not limited to the triangular shape shown in Figure 4D. However, the outer shape of each first marker region 50a when viewed from the front is preferably the triangular shape shown in Figure 4D. In this way, the range of the tire radial direction B indicated by the two first marker regions 50a becomes visually easier to understand.

[0070] Furthermore, in Figure 4D, the two first marker regions 50a are positioned at the same location as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C, but they may be positioned at different locations. However, as shown in Figure 4D, it is preferable that the two first marker regions 50a are positioned at the same location as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. This makes it easy to identify the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C, in addition to the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B.

[0071] The first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4E does not indicate the position of the communication device 40 in the tire radial direction B and the tire circumferential direction C, but only indicates that the communication device 40 is located on the first side portion 10b1. In other words, the first indicator area 50a shown in Figure 4E may only indicate that the communication device 40 is located on the first side portion 10b1 of the first side portion 10b1 and the second side portion 10b2 (see Figure 1). However, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 4A to 4D, it is preferable that the first indicator area 50a indicates at least one of the tire radial direction B and the tire circumferential direction C of the communication device 40 provided on the first side portion 10b1.

[0072] <Second Embodiment> Next, with reference to Figure 5, an example of a pneumatic tire 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tire 100") as one embodiment of the tire according to the present invention will be described. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of tire 100 in the tire width direction. Tire 100 of this embodiment differs from tire 1 (see Figure 1) described above only in the position where the communication device 40 is located. Therefore, here we will describe the position where the communication device 40 is located and the information displayed by the first indicator area 50a and the second indicator area 50b, and will omit the description of the configuration common to tire 1 of the first embodiment.

[0073] As shown in Figure 5, the tire 100 includes a communication device 40 embedded in the tread portion 10a of the tire body 10. In this embodiment, the communication device 40 is embedded in the tread portion 10a, but it may also be attached to the inner surface 13b of the tread. As shown in Figure 5, the communication device 40 is located on one side in the tire width direction A with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL. For the sake of explanation, the side in the tire width direction A with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL where the communication device 40 is located will be simply referred to as the "communication device 40 side in the tire width direction A". The other side in the tire width direction A with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL where the communication device 40 is not located will be simply referred to as the "opposite side from the communication device 40 side in the tire width direction A".

[0074] The configuration of the first marking region 50a in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so its explanation is omitted here. However, unlike the first embodiment, the first marking region 50a in this embodiment does not overlap with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. The first marking region 50a in this embodiment indicates the side of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. In other words, the first marking region 50a makes it possible to determine which side of the tire width direction A the communication device 40 is located on with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL.

[0075] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first marker region 50a in this embodiment is located at the same position as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. In this way, the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C can be identified by the first marker region 50a.

[0076] The configuration of the second indicator region 50b in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, so its explanation is omitted here. Also, the second indicator region 50b in this embodiment, like that of the first embodiment, indicates the side opposite to the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. In other words, the second indicator region 50b makes it possible to determine which side of the tire width direction A the communication device 40 is located on with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL.

[0077] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second marker region 50b in this embodiment is located at the same position as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. In this way, the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C can be identified by the second marker region 50b.

[0078] <Third Embodiment> Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, an example of a pneumatic tire 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tire 200") as one embodiment of the tire according to the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of tire 200 in the tire width direction. Figure 7 is a part of the unfolded view of the outer tread surface 13a of tire 200. In Figure 7, the position of the communication device 40 is indicated by a dashed line. Compared to tire 1 (see Figure 1) and tire 100 (see Figure 5) described above, tire 200 of this embodiment differs in its configuration in that the communication device 40 is located at a specific position and that it includes a third indicator area 50c. Therefore, this explanation will mainly focus on these differences, and the configuration common to tire 1 of the first embodiment and tire 100 of the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0079] As shown in Figure 6, the tire 200 is equipped with a communication device 40 attached to the inner surface 13b of the tread of the tire body 10. As shown in Figure 5, the communication device 40 in this embodiment is located on one side in the tire width direction A with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL. For the sake of explanation, the side in the tire width direction A with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL where the communication device 40 is located will be simply referred to as the "communication device 40 side in the tire width direction A". The other side in the tire width direction A with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL where the communication device 40 is not located will be simply referred to as the "side opposite to the communication device 40 side in the tire width direction A".

[0080] The configuration of the first indicator area 50a and the second indicator area 50b in this embodiment is the same as that of the first and second embodiments described above, so a description is omitted here. Similarly, the information indicated by the first indicator area 50a and the second indicator area 50b in this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment described above, so a description is omitted here. However, the tire body 10 of the tire 200 in this embodiment does not have to include either the first indicator area 50a or the second indicator area 50b, or both. By including the first indicator area 50a and the second indicator area 50b in the tire body 10 of the tire 200, the location of the communication device 40 can be identified more easily.

[0081] The third marking area 50c is located on the outer tread surface 13a, which is the outer surface of the tread portion 10a of the tire body 10.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire width direction A. Here, "the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire width direction A" means that, in an unfolded view of the outer surface 13a of the tire 200 tread (see Figure 7), there is at least one virtual straight line L5 parallel to the tire circumferential direction C that passes through the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40. In other words, it is not limited to the case where the extending areas of the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A are perfectly coincide.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. Here, "the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C" means that, in an unfolded view of the outer tread surface 13a of the tire 200 (see Figure 7), there is at least one virtual straight line L6 parallel to the tire width direction A that passes through the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40. In other words, it is not limited to the case where the extending areas of the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C are perfectly coincide.

[0084] In other words, the third marking area 50c and the communication device 40 in this embodiment overlap in the tire thickness direction D. The communication device 40 overlaps with the third marking area 50c in the tire thickness direction D across its entire extension area in the tire width direction A and the tire circumferential direction C. That is, the entire communication device 40 in this embodiment overlaps with the third marking area 50c in the tire thickness direction D. However, only a part of the communication device 40 may overlap with the third marking area 50c in the tire thickness direction D. Alternatively, the entire third marking area 50c may overlap with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. Furthermore, the contour of the third marking area 50c and the contour of the communication device 40 may coincide in the tire thickness direction D. That is, the entire third marking area 50c may overlap with the entire communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D.

[0085] Thus, in this embodiment, the third marker region 50c is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the communication device 40 in the tire thickness direction D. Therefore, by identifying the third marker region 50c from outside the tire 200, the location of the communication device 40 can be determined.

[0086] Furthermore, the third marking region 50c of this embodiment also includes a light-emitting region 91, similar to the first marking region 50a described above. The details of the light-emitting region 91 are the same as those of the light-emitting region 61 of the first marking region 50a described above, except that the outer shape of the third marking region 50c in a front view (see Figure 7) is substantially rectangular, and that it is formed on the bottom surface of the outer circumferential groove 7b1. Therefore, a detailed explanation is omitted here. For identifiability in bright environments, the light-emitting region 91 of the third marking region 50c may be provided, for example, on the top surface of a protrusion provided on the bottom surface of the outer circumferential groove 7b1. Alternatively, the light-emitting region 91 of the third marking region 50c may have a color that is identifiable from the surroundings, for example, on the bottom surface of the outer circumferential groove 7b1.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, it is preferable that the third marked region 50c of this embodiment includes a non-emitting region 92 surrounded by the light-emitting region 91. The details of the non-emitting region 92 are the same as those of the non-emitting region 62 of the first marked region 50a described above, except that the outer shape of the third marked region 50c in a front view (see Figure 7) is substantially rectangular and that it is formed on the bottom surface of the outer circumferential groove 7b1, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0088] Next, a modified example of the third marking area 50c will be described with reference to Figures 8A to 8E. Figures 8A to 8E are part of the unfolded view of the outer tread surface 13a of the tire 200. Also, in Figures 8A to 8E, the position of the communication device 40 attached to the inner tread surface 13b is indicated by a dashed line.

[0089] The third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8A displays the position of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. However, the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8A does not display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. In other words, the third indicator area 50c and the communication device 40 shown in Figure 8A are located at the same position in the tire width direction A, but not at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C. According to the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8A, the position of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A can be identified.

[0090] The third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8B displays the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. However, the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8B does not display the position of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. In other words, the third indicator area 50c and the communication device 40 shown in Figure 8B are located at the same position in the tire circumferential direction C, but not at the same position in the tire width direction A. The position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C can be determined by the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8B.

[0091] The third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8C indicates the position of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. However, the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8C does not indicate the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. More specifically, the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8C indicates a predetermined range in the tire width direction A. The communication device 40 is located within the range in the tire width direction A indicated by the third indicator area 50c. According to the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8C, the range in the tire width direction A where the communication device 40 is located can be identified.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 8C, two third marker regions 50c, positioned at different locations in the tire width direction A, indicate the range in the tire width direction A where the communication device 40 is located. Each third marker region 50c has a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the front (see Figure 7). Furthermore, one vertex 50c1 of each third marker region 50c is positioned opposite to another in the tire width direction A. When indicating the range in the tire width direction A using two third marker regions 50c in this way, it is preferable that each third marker region 50c has a vertex 50c1 that faces another in the tire width direction A. By providing such a vertex 50c1, the range in the tire width direction A indicated by the two third marker regions 50c becomes visually easier to understand. The external shape of each third marker region 50c when viewed from the front is not limited to the triangular shape shown in Figure 8C. However, the external shape of each third marker region 50c when viewed from the front is preferably the triangular shape shown in Figure 8C. In this way, the range A in the tire width direction indicated by the two third marker regions 50c (the range between the virtual straight lines L7 and L8 shown by the dashed lines in Figure 8C) becomes visually easier to understand.

[0093] The third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8D indicates the position of the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. However, the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8D does not indicate the position of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. More specifically, the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8D indicates a predetermined range in the tire circumferential direction C. The communication device 40 is located within the range in the tire circumferential direction C indicated by the third indicator area 50c. According to the third indicator area 50c shown in Figure 8D, the range in the tire circumferential direction C where the communication device 40 is located can be identified.

[0094] In the example shown in Figure 8D, two third marker regions 50c, positioned at different locations in the tire circumferential direction C, indicate the range in the tire circumferential direction C where the communication device 40 is located. Each third marker region 50c has a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the front (see Figure 7). Furthermore, one vertex 50c1 of each third marker region 50c is positioned opposite to another in the tire circumferential direction C. In this way, when indicating the range in the tire circumferential direction C using two third marker regions 50c, it is preferable that each third marker region 50c has a vertex 50c1 that faces another in the tire circumferential direction C. By providing such a vertex 50c1, the range in the tire circumferential direction C indicated by the two third marker regions 50c becomes visually easier to understand. The external shape of each third marker region 50c when viewed from the front is not limited to the triangular shape shown in Figure 8D. However, the external shape of each third marker region 50c when viewed from the front is preferably the triangular shape shown in Figure 8D. In this way, the range of the tire circumferential direction C indicated by the two third marker regions 50c (the range between the virtual straight lines L9 and L10 shown by the dashed lines in Figure 8D) becomes visually easier to understand.

[0095] Furthermore, in Figure 8D, the two third marker regions 50c are positioned at different locations from the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A, but they may also be positioned at the same location. This allows for easy identification of the communication device 40's position in the tire width direction A, in addition to its position in the tire circumferential direction C.

[0096] The third marked area 50c shown in Figure 8E does not indicate the position of the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A and the tire circumferential direction C, but rather indicates the side of the tread portion 10a where the communication device 40 is located in the tire width direction A. In other words, the third marked area 50c shown in Figure 8E may indicate one side of the tread portion 10a in the tire width direction A where the communication device 40 is located, with the tire equatorial plane CL in between. However, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8A to 8D, it is preferable that the third marked area 50c indicates at least one of the tire width direction A and the tire circumferential direction C of the communication device 40 provided on the tread portion 10a.

[0097] As described above, the light-emitting areas of the various indicator areas 50 shown in the first to third embodiments and modified examples allow for easy identification of the location of the communication device 40 even in a dark environment.

[0098] In particular, it is preferable that the light-emitting area of ​​the marker area 50 is positioned at the same location as the communication device 40 in at least one of the following directions: the tire width direction A, the tire diameter direction B, and the tire circumferential direction C. This makes it easier to locate the communication device 40 based on the light-emitting area of ​​the marker area 50 in a dark environment. In this specification, the light-emitting area 91 of the third marker area 50c shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8A is an example where it is positioned at the same location as the communication device 40 in the tire width direction A. Also, in this specification, the light-emitting area 61 of the first marker area 50a and the light-emitting area 81 of the second marker area 50b shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4B are examples where they are positioned at the same location as the communication device 40 in the tire diameter direction B. Furthermore, in this specification, the light-emitting region 61 of the first marker region 50a and the light-emitting region 81 of the second marker region 50b, as shown in Figures 1-3, 4A, 4D, 5, 6, 7, and 8A-8E, are positioned in the same location as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C. Also, in this specification, the light-emitting region 91 of the third marker region 50c, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8B, is positioned in the same location as the communication device 40 in the tire circumferential direction C.

[0099] The tire according to the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described in the embodiments and modifications above, and various modifications, changes, and combinations are possible as long as they do not depart from the scope of the claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0100] This invention relates to tires. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1, 100, 200: Tire, 2: Bead core, 3: Bead filler, 4: Carcass, 4a: Carcass ply, 4a1: Main body, 4a2: Folded section, 5: Belt, 5a~5d: 1st~4th belts, 7: Tread rubber, 7a: Center land section, 7a1: Inner circumferential groove, 7b: Middle land section, 7b1: Outer circumferential groove, 7c: Shoulder land section, 8: Side rubber, 9: Inner liner, 10: Tire body, 10a: Tread section, 10b: Side section, 10b1: 1st side section, 10b2: 2nd side section, 11: Sidewall section, 12: Bead section, 13a: Tread outer surface (example of the outer surface of the tire body), 13b: Tread inner surface (example of the inner surface of the tire body), 14a: Side outer surface (an example of the outer surface of the tire body), 14a1: First side outer surface, 14a2: Second side outer surface, 14b: Side inner surface (an example of the inner surface of the tire body), 14b1: First side inner surface, 14b2: Second side inner surface, 15: Tread edge, 20a~20d: First to fourth belt layers, 40: Communication device, 50: Marking area, 50a: First marking area, 50a1: Vertex, 50b: Second marking area, 50c: Third marking area, 50c1: Vertex, 61: Illuminated area of ​​the first marking area, 62: Non-illuminated area of ​​the first marking area, 68: Ridge, 69: Base protrusion, 70: Convex part, 71: Convex part, 81: Illuminated area of ​​the second marking area, 91: Illuminated area of ​​the third marking area, A: Tire width direction, B: Tire radial direction, B1: Outer side of tire radial direction, B2: Inner side of tire radial direction, C: Tire circumferential direction, D: Tire thickness direction, O: Tire central axis, CL: Tire equatorial plane, L1, L3, L4: Virtual circles, L2, L5~L10: Virtual straight lines

Claims

1. The tire itself, The tire body comprises a communication device embedded inside the side portion of the tire body, or attached to the inner surface of the side portion of the tire body, The tire body is located on the outer surface and includes a marker area that indicates the position of the communication device, The aforementioned labeling region is The light-emitting region, A non-emitting region surrounded by the aforementioned light-emitting region, The aforementioned tire body is A cylindrical base projection protruding from the outer surface of the side portion, The base projection comprises an annular protrusion that protrudes from the outer edge of the top surface of the base projection, The light-emitting region is provided on the top surface of the convex portion, The non-luminescent region is provided on the top surface of the base projection inside the convex portion of the tire.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting region of the marking region has a color or shape that is identifiable from the surroundings.

3. The tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-emitting region of the marking region is located at the same position as the communication device in at least one of the directions of the tire radial direction and the tire circumferential direction.

4. The tire according to claim 3, wherein the communication device is positioned so as not to overlap with the light-emitting region in the tire thickness direction, and is positioned so as to overlap with the non-light-emitting region in the tire thickness direction.

5. The non-luminescent region is provided on an uneven surface, The aforementioned uneven surface comprises a base surface and a plurality of ridges, each 0.1 to 1.0 mm high, arranged parallel to the base surface. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the distance between the tops of two adjacent ridges among the plurality of ridges is 0.3 to 1.5 mm.

6. The light-emitting region is formed by a resin phosphorescent body which constitutes a part of the outer surface of the side portion of the tire body and carries a phosphorescent material in the voids of the foamed resin, The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-luminescent region has a different color from the luminescent region, and the non-luminescent region constitutes a part of the outer surface of the side portion of the tire body and is formed by a resin coloring body that carries pigment in the voids of foamed resin.

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