Pack for attaching electronic devices to tires

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical device pack including an adhesive layer deposited on a transfer layer, an electrical device such as an RFID transponder deposited on the adhesive layer, and a peelable cover for protecting the electrical device. The electrical device pack of the present invention provides an electrical device that can be used immediately and can be applied directly to the uncured rubber of a tire product without the need for further processing. The present invention also discloses a method for attaching an electrical device to a tire using the electrical device pack, which enables the tag to be accurately placed at a desired position on the tire in a desired alignment without excessive handling of the tag and without causing damage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pack for attaching an electrical device to a tire, and a method for attaching an electrical device to a tire. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pack for attaching an RFID tag to a tire, and a method for attaching an RFID tag to a tire.

Background Art

[0002] Incorporating an electrical device into a tire structure is known to have many advantages, such as tracking the tire during manufacturing, transportation and storage operations, and measuring physical parameters such as temperature and pressure. In the art, different types of electrical devices are used for these purposes, and wireless frequency communication between the tire and an external monitoring device or an external interrogation device is most common. Such a communication system often includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a reader (reading device) that communicates with the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes an antenna and an RFID chip. Thus, information from the reader is received via the antenna, stored in the RFID chip, and the information stored in the RFID chip is transmitted to the reader via the antenna. The RFID device may be a read-only device, a write-only device or a read-write device.

[0003] The RFID tag and other electrical devices may be attached to the tire within a tire-mountable device. One of the problems associated with RFID tags is the method of arranging and configuring the antenna so that the data within the device is accurately transmitted to an information collection device outside the tire. The problems associated with the use of RFID tags in tires are: (i) improving the transmission efficiency by arranging the antenna as close as possible to the outside of the tire; (ii) arranging the antenna away from the metal reinforcing cords that interfere with signal propagation; (iii) providing a device that can withstand repeated stresses in a working tire; (iv) attaching the device to the tire without excessive handling and damage; and (v) ensuring the adhesion between the antenna, typically a metal element, and the rubber material to fix the antenna in place.

[0004] The following are examples of conventional methods for attaching electrical devices to tires.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 1,0513,153 discloses a tire comprising a circumferential tread and a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip positioned beneath the circumferential tread. The RFID chip is secured within the tire by vulcanization, adhesive, patch, or barb.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 8,833,409 discloses a pneumatic tire having a tag carried by a reinforcing belt. The tag may be located in the crown, reinforcing cord, reinforcing belt joint, or in a recess formed on the outer surface of the tire's sidewall. The tag may be sealed with a sealing material such as epoxy to secure it to the tire's sidewall.

[0007] European Patent Application Publication No. 1516502 discloses a radio frequency antenna for use with a radio device embedded in a tire, comprising an antenna body and an insulating coating surrounding the antenna body, wherein the insulating coating has a dielectric constant lower than that of the rubber material. Coating materials used include electroshrink tubing, thermoplastic polycarbonate, butadiene rubber, low-carbon rubber, isocyanate adhesives, polyethylene, insulating varnish, epoxy, TPE cellulose acetate, parylene, and insulating polyester varnish.

[0008] International Publication No. 2011 / 002440 discloses a tire-mountable device comprising a first layer, a second layer, an intermediate layer positioned between the first and second layers, and an electrical device embedded in the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer of the tire-mountable device completely encloses the electrical device and is formed from a potting compound selected from epoxy, silicone, and urethane.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 053306 discloses a chemically treated RFID-equipped mesh tire label configured to be integrally incorporated within a vulcanized tire. The label includes a mesh surface layer configured to be adhered to the outer surface of an unvulcanized tire, a mesh back layer attached to the mesh surface layer, and an RFID device attached between the mesh layers. The mesh layers include a woven or nonwoven material formed from polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or cotton.

[0010] International Publication No. 2016 / 053933 discloses an RFID label incorporated into a tire. The RFID label comprises a surface layer, one or more primer layers, an adhesive layer, an RFID component, and a liner. The adhesive layer is used to attach the RFID label to the tire and comprises unsaturated rubber, an acrylic adhesive, and / or a rubber-acrylic compound. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10513153 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8833409 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 1516502 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2011 / 002440 brochure [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 053306 [Patent Document 6] International Publication No. 2016 / 053933 Brochure [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] However, in this field, there is a need for an easy-to-use system for mounting electrical devices to tires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention discloses an electrical device tag pack comprising an adhesive layer deposited on a transfer layer, an electrical device deposited on the adhesive layer, and a peel-off cover for protecting the tag. The electrical device tag pack of the present invention provides a ready-to-use electrical device that can be applied directly to the uncured rubber of a tire product without requiring further processing. The present invention also discloses a method for attaching an electrical device to a tire using the electrical device pack, which enables the electrical device, such as an RFID tag, to be precisely positioned in a desired location and alignment on the tire without excessive handling or causing damage to the electrical device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] The attached drawings are provided solely for illustrative purposes of the electrical equipment pack, and its advantages over the prior art are outlined above and briefly described below.

[0015] The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of protection specified in the claims, nor should they be referenced alone to interpret the scope specified in the claims without relying on the technical disclosures in the description of the invention.

[0016] [Figure 1] Schematic diagrams of the top view (A) and cross-sectional view (B) of the electrical equipment pack are shown. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of a method for attaching electrical equipment to uncured rubber is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] The present invention proposes an electrical device pack (5) for attaching an electrical device (1) to a tire.

[0018] Figures 1A and 1B show an electrical device tag pack (5) according to the present invention. The electrical device pack (5) includes an adhesive layer (3) deposited on a transfer layer (2), an electrical device (1) deposited on the adhesive layer (3), and a peelable cover (4) for protecting the electrical device (1).

[0019] The electrical device (1) may be an identification or tracking device such as those that can be used in manufacturing, distribution, and sales activities, or a monitoring device for measuring the temperature, pressure, or other physical parameters of a tire in operation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical device (1) is an RFID transponder including an RFID chip and an antenna operably communicating to wirelessly communicate with an external device such as an RFID reader. Coiled spring antennas, plate antennas, and various types of rod antennas can be used as the antenna. Identification information such as a manufacturing number and a part number is stored in a memory portion within the RFID chip. However, those skilled in the art can understand that the tire tag pack (5) can be used to fix and protect any electrical device or component without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The tag (1) is an electrical device that can be used to transmit data wirelessly to a remote receiver via the antenna and / or receive data from a remote transmitter.

[0020] The above electrical device (1) includes an adhesive material pretreated with an adhesion promoter solution to improve adhesion to rubber components of the tire. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tag is treated by immersion in a resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL) solution, as commonly used in the art. In an alternative embodiment, a composition that does not contain resorcinol formaldehyde (RF-free), for example, a composition containing an acrylic resin and / or natural latex, can be used. In an alternative embodiment, a rosin ester and / or a rosin ester adhesion promoter may be added to the immersion solution. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical device (1) coated with the adhesion promoter solution can be dried in an oven at 160 °C.

[0021] However, those skilled in the art will understand that any method known in the art for improving the adhesion of components to rubber can be used in this application such that the electrical device (1) remains intact over the service life of the tire and remains adhered to or within the tire.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the electrical device (1) is an RFID transponder, and the antenna of the RFID tag includes at least one synthetic or bio-based polymer fabric material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric material is an adhesive material.

[0023] The transfer layer (2) functions as a carrier for the electrical device (1). The transfer layer (2) is made of a flexible material such as polyolefin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), flexible plastic film, cotton, paper, glass fiber, or synthetic fabric. The transfer layer (2) can be designed in a continuous or discontinuous form.

[0024] The adhesive layer (3) partially or completely covers the transfer layer (2) and is used to attach the electrical device (1) to the transfer layer (2). The adhesive layer (3) contains an aqueous or solvent-based adhesive component. The adhesive layer (3) is designed to be suitable for pre-treatment of the electrical device (1) but not for the rubber components of the tire, so that when the electrical device pack (5) is attached to the tire, only the electrical device (1) is attached to the tire and the rest of the electrical device pack (5) can be removed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layer (3) contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicone adhesives, rubber-based adhesives, acrylic adhesives, and combinations thereof.

[0025] The peel-off cover (4) described above functions as a physical barrier to the electrical device (1) to protect the electrical device from external factors such as heat, light, and moisture. The peel-off cover (4) is made of a flexible material such as plastic film, textile, or paper. The peel-off cover (4) is removed manually or by an automated system before the electrical device (1) is mounted on the tire.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a method for mounting the electrical device (1) to a tire. The electrical device (1) is mounted directly to the uncured rubber (100) of the tire before the curing process and embedded between the layers that make up the final tire product. Tire types to which the electrical device (1) can be mounted include, but are not limited to, bias tires, belted bias tires, radial tires, solid tires, semi-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and airless tires. Generally, all tires include an outer tread, a bead that contacts the rim when the tire is mounted, and a side wall extending between the tread and the bead. This method is advantageous in that it allows the electrical device (1) to be precisely positioned on the tire in a desired location and alignment without excessive handling of the electrical device (1) and without causing damage to the electrical device (1).

[0027] It is most advantageous to position the electrical device (1) in a location that has minimal tensile and compressive strain during operation. Preferably, the electrical device (1) is mounted between the carcass layer and the outer rubber layer in the upper, middle, or lower circumferential sidewall region of the tire. Excellent readability of the tag is obtained at these locations due to the thin gauge and distance from the metal components of the tire. In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical device (1) is mounted in the bead region of the tire, including the apex rubber and the bead ring. If the apex rubber consists of two or more parts, the electrical device (1) may be mounted on or within the apex rubber. These locations are advantageous because they reduce horizontal deformation during operation. In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical device (1) is mounted between the apex rubber and the bead ring apex, with the electrical device (1) initially mounted above the rubberized bead ring, and the apex rubber being mounted on the bead ring and tag (1). This location is advantageous because it reduces deformation in all directions during operation.

[0028] The method for attaching the electrical device (1) to the tire is: The steps include obtaining an electrical device pack (5), The steps include removing the peel-off cover (4) manually or by an automated system, The steps include attaching an electrical device pack (5), which includes a transfer layer (2), an adhesive layer (3), and an electrical device (1), to a desired position on the uncured rubber (100), The steps include: holding the electrical device pack (5) in this position on the uncured rubber (100) to ensure adhesion; With the electrical device (1) still attached to the uncured rubber (100), the steps include removing the transfer layer (2) and the adhesive layer (3), and Includes.

[0029] It is important to note that the adhesive strength of the uncured rubber (100) is higher than the adhesive strength of the electrical device (1), and the adhesive strength of the electrical device (1) is higher than the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer (3), and as a result, the electrical device (1) remains attached to the uncured rubber (100). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion level between the uncured rubber (100) and the electrical device (1) is 100 to 250 N, while the adhesion level between the electrical device (1) and the adhesive layer (3) is 2 to 50 N.

[0030] Subsequently, other tire elements such as tire cords are added to the uncured rubber (100), and the tire is cured to obtain a final tire product having an electrical device (1) such as an RFID transponder. The tire can then be identified using an RFID reader, which enables tracking of the tire in a manufacturing or production system, monitoring of the tire's location, and performing inventory operations.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will understand that the electrical device pack (5) of the present invention can be used in conjunction with other rubber or rubber-based articles in addition to tires. Other rubber-based articles include, but are not limited to, suspension components, cushions, shoe soles, hoses, hockey pucks, conveyor belts, musical mouthpieces, and bowling balls.

[0032] In summary, the present invention proposes an electronic device pack (5) comprising an adhesive layer (3) deposited on a transfer layer (2), an electronic device (1) deposited on the adhesive layer (3), and a peel-off cover (4) covering the electronic device (1).

[0033] In one modification of the present invention, the electronic device (1) includes at least one adhesive material.

[0034] In a further modification of the present invention, the adhesive material is a material that has been treated at least once with a solution, the solution containing at least one material selected from the group consisting of resorcinol formaldehyde latex solution, acrylic resin solution, rosin ester solution, natural latex solution, and combinations thereof.

[0035] In a further modification of the present invention, the electronic device (1) is an RFID transponder.

[0036] In a further modification of the present invention, the RFID transponder includes an operationally communicating RFID chip and antenna.

[0037] In a further modification of the present invention, the antenna of the RFID tag comprises at least one synthetic or bio-based polymer fabric material.

[0038] In a further modification of the present invention, the antenna of the RFID tag includes at least one adhesive material.

[0039] In a further modification of the present invention, the transfer layer (2) comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), flexible plastic films, cotton, paper, glass fibers, synthetic fabrics, and combinations thereof.

[0040] In a further modification of the present invention, the adhesive layer (3) contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicone adhesives, rubber-based adhesives, acrylic-based adhesives, and combinations thereof.

[0041] In a further modification of the present invention, the transfer layer (2) is configured to protect the tag (1) from external factors such as heat, light, and moisture.

[0042] The present invention also, Step a) to obtain an electrical device pack (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Step b) removing the peel-off cover (4) manually or by an automated system, Step c) involves attaching the electrical device pack (5), which includes a transfer layer (2), an adhesive layer (3), and an electrical device (1), to a desired position on the uncured rubber (100). Step d) holds the electrical device pack (5) in this position on the uncured rubber (100) to ensure adhesion, With the electrical device (1) still attached to the uncured rubber (100), step e) removes the transfer layer (2) and the adhesive layer (3) and The present invention provides a method for attaching an electrical device (1), including the above, to a tire.

[0043] In a modified version of the present invention, the adhesive strength of the uncured rubber (100) is higher than the adhesive strength of the electrical device (1), and the adhesive strength of the electrical device (1) is higher than the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer (3).

[0044] In a further modification of the present invention, the adhesion level between the uncured rubber (100) and the electrical device (1) is 100 to 250 N, while the adhesion level between the electrical device (1) and the adhesive layer (3) is 2 to 50 N.

Claims

1. An electronic device pack (5) comprising an adhesive layer (3) deposited on a transfer layer (2), an electronic device (1) deposited on the adhesive layer (3), and a peel-off cover (4) covering the electronic device (1), The electronic device pack (5) is configured such that, after removing the peel-off cover (4) and attaching the electronic device pack (5) to the uncured rubber (100), the transfer layer (2) and the adhesive layer (3) can be removed from the uncured rubber (100), and the electronic device (1) remains attached to the uncured rubber (100).

2. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device (1) includes at least one adhesive material.

3. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive material is a material treated at least once with a solution, and the solution contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of resorcinol formaldehyde latex solution, acrylic resin solution, rosin ester solution, natural latex solution, and combinations thereof.

4. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device (1) is an RFID transponder.

5. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 4, wherein the RFID transponder includes an RFID chip and an antenna that enables operation for communication.

6. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 5, wherein the antenna of the RFID tag comprises at least one synthetic or bio-based polymer fabric material.

7. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 5, wherein the antenna of the RFID tag comprises at least one adhesive material.

8. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 1, wherein the transfer layer (2) comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), flexible plastic film, cotton, paper, glass fiber, synthetic fabric, and combinations thereof.

9. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer (3) contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicone adhesive, rubber-based adhesive, acrylic adhesive, and combinations thereof.

10. The electronic device pack (5) according to claim 1, wherein the transfer layer (2) is configured to protect the electronic device (1) from external factors such as heat, light, and moisture.

11. Step a) to obtain the electronic device pack (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Step b) removing the peel-off cover (4) manually or by an automated system, Step c) involves attaching the electronic device pack (5), which includes a transfer layer (2), an adhesive layer (3), and an electronic device (1), to a desired position on the uncured rubber (100). Step d) to hold the electronic device pack (5) in this position on the uncured rubber (100) to ensure adhesion, With the electronic device (1) still attached to the uncured rubber (100), step e) removes the transfer layer (2) and the adhesive layer (3). A method for attaching an electronic device (1), including the above, to a tire.

12. A method for attaching an electronic device (1) to a tire according to claim 11, wherein the adhesive strength of the uncured rubber (100) is higher than the adhesive strength of the electronic device (1), and the adhesive strength of the electronic device (1) is higher than the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer (3).

13. A method for attaching an electronic device (1) to a tire according to claim 12, wherein the bonding level between the uncured rubber (100) and the electronic device (1) is 100 to 250 N, and the bonding level between the electronic device (1) and the adhesive layer (3) is 2 to 50 N.

Images