Tire

Abstract

This tire comprises: side reinforcement rubber 2 having a crescent-shaped cross section and disposed on a side wall section 1b of a tire; and a communication device 10 embedded in the tire. The side reinforcement rubber has a side reinforcement rubber joint part 2j in which end parts in the tire circumferential direction of the side reinforcement rubber are joined to each other. At least a portion of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcement rubber joint part on a projected plane for when the tire is projected in the tire width direction.

Description

tire

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-208732, filed on December 11, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There have been tires in which side reinforcing rubber is provided on the sidewall portion (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-71468

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have newly discovered a configuration that can prevent damage to a communication device (e.g., an RF tag) that is embedded inside a conventional tire such as that described above, due to deformation of the tire during rolling, and have thus come up with the present invention.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire that can suppress damage to a communication device due to deformation of the tire during rolling.

[0006] [1] A tire comprising: a side reinforcing rubber having a crescent cross section arranged on a sidewall portion of the tire; and a communication device embedded inside the tire, wherein the side reinforcing rubber has a side reinforcing rubber joint portion where the tire circumferential end portions of the side reinforcing rubber are joined together, and at least a portion of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint portion on a projection plane when the tire is projected in the tire width direction.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire that can suppress damage to a communication device due to deformation of the tire during rolling.

[0008] 1 is a side view schematically showing a tire according to one embodiment of the present invention as seen from one side in the tire width direction, and is also a projection view schematically showing the tire when projected in the tire width direction. An A-A cross-sectional view schematically showing a half portion of the tire of FIG. 1 as a cross section taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. An B-B cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of the side reinforcing rubber of FIG. 1 as a cross section taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. A perspective view schematically showing an example of a communication device that can be used in a tire according to any embodiment of the present invention. An exploded perspective view schematically showing the communication device of FIG. 4 in an exploded state. An exemplary side view of a tire according to another embodiment of the present invention as seen from one side in the tire width direction, and is also a projection view schematically showing the tire when projected in the tire width direction.

[0009] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, for example, for a pneumatic tire for a passenger car.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a tire according to the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Common components and parts in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals. In some drawings, the tire width direction is indicated by the reference numeral "WD," the tire radial direction is indicated by the reference numeral "RD," and the tire circumferential direction is indicated by the reference numeral "CD." In this specification, one side in the tire circumferential direction (CD) is referred to as the "tire circumferential first side (CD1)" ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), and the other side in the tire circumferential direction (CD) is referred to as the "tire circumferential second side (CD2)" ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ).

[0011] 1 to 3 are drawings for explaining a tire 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a tire 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from one side in the tire width direction, and is also a projection view schematically showing the tire 1 when projected in the tire width direction. FIG. 2 is an A-A cross-sectional view showing a half portion of the tire 1 (a portion on either side of the tire equatorial plane CL) of the tire 1 in FIG. 1, taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a B-B cross-sectional view showing a portion of the side reinforcing rubber 2 in FIG. 1, taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. Line B-B in FIG. 1 extends along the tire circumferential direction. The tire 1 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars. However, the tire 1 according to any embodiment of the present invention may be configured as any type of tire.

[0012] The tire 1 includes a tire main body 1M and a communication device 10. The tire main body 1M corresponds to the portion of the tire 1 other than the communication device 10.

[0013] Unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship and dimensions of each element are measured under standard conditions in which the tire 1 is mounted on an applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and no load is applied. Furthermore, when the tire 1 is mounted on an applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and subjected to a maximum load, the width in the tire width direction of the contact patch that comes into contact with the road surface is referred to as the tire contact width, and the ends of the contact patch in the tire width direction are referred to as contact edges.

[0014] In this specification, the term "applicable rim" refers to a standard rim (referred to as "Measuring Rim" in the ETRTO STANDARDS MANUAL and "Design Rim" in the TRA YEAR BOOK) for an applicable size that is an industrial standard valid in the region where a pneumatic tire is produced and used, and is described or will be described in the future in the JATMA YEAR BOOK of the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) in Japan, the STANDARDS MANUAL of the European Tire and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO) in Europe, the YEAR BOOK of the Tire and Rim Association, Inc. (TRA) in the United States, etc. In the case of sizes not specified in these industry standards, it refers to a rim with a width corresponding to the bead width of a pneumatic tire. "Applicable rim" includes not only current sizes but also sizes that will be specified in the aforementioned industry standards in the future. Examples of "sizes that will be specified in the future" include sizes listed as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of ETRTO.

[0015] 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 set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards such as the JATMA Yearbook, and in the case of a size not set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards, refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is to be mounted. Also, in this specification, "maximum load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a tire for the applicable size as set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards, or in the case of a size not set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards, refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is to be mounted.

[0016] First, the tire body 1M will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tire body 1M includes a tread portion 1a, a pair of sidewall portions 1b extending radially inward from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction, and a pair of bead portions 1c provided at the ends of each sidewall portion 1b on the inner side in the tire radial direction. The tread portion 1a is a portion of the tire body 1M in the tire width direction between a pair of ground-contact edges. The bead portions 1c are configured to contact the rim on the inner side in the tire radial direction and the outer side in the tire width direction when the tire 1 is mounted on a rim. The tire body 1M also includes a pair of tire side portions 1d extending radially inward from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction. The tire side portions 1d consist of the sidewall portions 1b and the bead portions 1c. The tire body 1M also includes a pair of bead cores 4a, a pair of bead fillers 4b, a carcass 5, a belt 6, a tread rubber 7, a side rubber 8, an inner liner 9, and a pair of side reinforcing rubbers 2.

[0017] Each bead core 4a is embedded in a corresponding bead portion 1c. The bead core 4a includes a plurality of bead wires coated with rubber. The bead wires are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel). The bead wires may be made of, for example, monofilament or stranded wire. The bead wires may also be made of organic fiber or carbon fiber.

[0018] Each bead filler 4b is located radially outward of the corresponding bead core 4a and extends tapered toward the radially outward direction of the tire. The bead fillers 4b are made of, for example, rubber.

[0019] The carcass 5 straddles a pair of bead cores 4a and extends in a toroidal shape. The carcass 5 is composed of one or more carcass plies 5a (two in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2). Each carcass ply 5a includes one or more carcass cords 5c and a covering rubber 5r covering the carcass cords 5c (FIG. 2). The carcass cords 5c may be formed of monofilaments or twisted wires. The carcass cords 5c are preferably made of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, or aramid. The carcass ply 5a includes a ply main body 5M located between the pair of bead cores 4a. The carcass ply 5a may further include ply turn-up portions 5T that are turned up from both ends of the ply main body 5M around the bead cores 4a from the inner side to the outer side in the tire width direction. However, the carcass ply 5a does not necessarily have to include the ply turn-up portions 5T. The ply main body portion 5M is located on the inner side of the bead fillers 4b and the bead cores 4a in the tire width direction. The ply turn-up portion 5T is located on the outer side of the bead fillers 4b and the bead cores 4a in the tire width direction. The carcass 5 preferably has a radial structure, but may have a bias structure.

[0020] The belt 6 is disposed radially outward of the crown portion of the carcass 5. The belt 6 includes one or more belt layers 6a. Each belt layer 6a includes one or more belt cords and a coating rubber that covers the belt cords. The belt cords may be formed of a monofilament or a twisted wire. The belt cords may be made of a metal (e.g., steel) or an organic fiber such as polyester, nylon, rayon, or aramid.

[0021] The tread rubber 7 is located in the tread portion 1a on the radially outer side of the belt 6. The tread rubber 7 forms a tread surface, which is the radially outer surface of the tread portion 1a. A tread pattern is formed on the tread surface.

[0022] The side rubber 8 is located in the sidewall portion 1b. The side rubber 8 forms an outer surface of the sidewall portion 1b on the outer side in the tire width direction. The side rubber 8 is located further outward in the tire width direction than the carcass 5. The side rubber 8 is located further outward in the tire width direction than the bead filler 4b. The side rubber 8 is formed integrally with the tread rubber 7.

[0023] The inner liner 9 is disposed on the tire inner side of the carcass 5, and may be laminated on the tire inner side of the carcass 5, for example. The inner liner 9 is made of, for example, a butyl-based rubber having low air permeability. Butyl-based rubbers include, for example, butyl rubber and its derivative, halogenated butyl rubber. The inner liner 9 is not limited to butyl-based rubber, and may be made of other rubber compositions, resins, or elastomers.

[0024] A side reinforcing rubber 2 is disposed in the sidewall portion 1b. Each side reinforcing rubber 2 is embedded in the corresponding sidewall portion 1b. Each side reinforcing rubber 2 is disposed on the inner side of the carcass 5 in the tire width direction. Each side reinforcing rubber 2 is disposed on the outer side of the inner liner 9 in the tire width direction. In a cross section in the tire width direction, the side reinforcing rubber 2 gradually decreases in thickness toward the inner and outer sides in the tire radial direction and has a crescent-shaped cross section that is convexly curved toward the outer side in the tire width direction. In this way, the tire 1 is configured as a run-flat tire. The side reinforcing rubber 2 reinforces the tire side portion 1d and, when the internal pressure of the tire 1 is low due to a puncture or the like, contributes to supporting the vehicle body weight and suppresses vertical deflection of the tire 1, thereby enabling driving over a certain distance.

[0025] Next, the communication device 10 will be described. The communication device 10 is not particularly limited in configuration as long as it is configured to be capable of wireless communication with a predetermined external device (e.g., a reader or reader / writer) outside the tire 1. The communication device 10 preferably includes an RF tag. The RF tag is also called an "RFID tag." The RF tag is preferably configured as a passive type, but may also be configured as an active type. The communication device 10 may include an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the tire 1, an internal pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of the tire 1, or the like, instead of or in addition to the RF tag.

[0026] 4 and 5 show an example of the communication device 10. In this example, the communication device 10 has an RF tag. In this example, the communication device 10 includes an RF tag 10e and a covering portion 10f. The RF tag 10e includes an IC chip 10c and an antenna portion 10b. The RF tag 10e is configured as a passive type.

[0027] The IC chip 10c is powered by, for example, induced electromotive force generated by radio waves received by the antenna unit 10b. The IC chip 10c includes, for example, a control unit and a memory unit. The memory unit may store any information. For example, the memory unit may store identification information of the tire 1. The identification information of the tire 1 is unique identification information of each tire 1, such as the tire's manufacturer, manufacturing plant, and manufacturing date, which can identify each tire. The memory unit may also store tire history information, such as the tire's mileage, number of sudden braking events, number of sudden starts, and number of sharp turns. For example, sensors for detecting tire internal temperature, tire pressure, tire acceleration, etc. may be installed in the tire cavity, and the memory unit may store the information detected by these sensors. In this case, the RF tag 10e can acquire the information detected by the sensors by wirelessly communicating with the sensors via the antenna unit 10b. The control unit is configured to be able to read information from the memory unit.

[0028] The antenna unit 10b has a pair of antennas 10b1 and 10b2. The pair of antennas 10b1 and 10b2 are respectively connected to ends of the IC chip 10c that are located on opposite sides of each other. The antenna unit 10b is configured to be able to transmit and receive signals to and from the predetermined external device outside the tire 1. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 extend linearly, but the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 may extend in any shape, such as a wave shape.

[0029] The covering portion 10f covers the entire RF tag 10e. The covering portion 10f is formed of, for example, rubber or resin. In this example, the covering portion 10f has a pair of sheet-like covering members 10f1 and 10f2. The pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are stacked on top of each other with the RF tag 10e sandwiched between them. It is preferable that the pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are fixed to each other by adhesive or the like. However, the covering portion 10f may also be composed of a single member. In this example, the covering portion 10f has a rectangular shape in a plan view, but the covering portion 10f may have any shape in a plan view. Note that the communication device 10 does not necessarily have to have the covering portion 10f, i.e., it may be composed of only the RF tag 10e.

[0030] The communication device 10 configured in this manner is configured to be able to receive information transmitted from the specified external device via radio waves or magnetic fields using the antenna unit 10b. Rectification (in the case of radio waves) or resonance (in the case of magnetic fields) generates power in the antenna unit 10b of the communication device 10, causing the memory unit and control unit of the IC chip 10c to perform a predetermined operation. For example, the control unit reads information from the memory unit and transmits it via radio waves or a magnetic field from the antenna unit 10b to the specified external device. The specified external device receives the radio waves or magnetic field from the communication device 10. The specified external device can obtain the information stored in the memory unit of the IC chip 10c of the communication device 10 by extracting the received information.

[0031] However, the communication device 10 may have any configuration different from that of this example.

[0032] The communication device 10 may have a longitudinal direction LD, a transverse direction SD, and a thickness direction TD. The longitudinal direction LD, transverse direction SD, and thickness direction TD are perpendicular to one another. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the communication device 10 includes an RF tag 10e, the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is parallel to the extension direction of the antenna unit 10b. When the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 of the antenna unit 10b are corrugated, the extension direction of the antenna unit 10b refers to the extension direction of the center line of the amplitude of the corrugation formed by the antennas 10b1 and 10b2. In the communication device 10, the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 refers to the thickness direction of the coating 10f when the communication device 10 includes the coating 10f, and refers to the thickness direction of the IC chip 10c when the communication device 10 does not include the coating 10f.

[0033] The length of the RF tag 10e in the longitudinal direction LD is preferably, for example, 20 mm or more, or 50 mm or more. The length of the RF tag 10e in the longitudinal direction LD is preferably, for example, 100 mm or less, or 70 mm or less. The length of the RF tag 10e in the short side direction SD is preferably, for example, 10 mm or less, or 8 mm or less. The length of the RF tag 10e in the thickness direction TD is preferably, for example, 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has a covering portion 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the longitudinal direction LD is preferably, for example, 30 mm or more, or 60 mm or more. The length of the RF tag 10e in the longitudinal direction LD is preferably, for example, 110 mm or less, or 80 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has a covering 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the short-side direction SD is preferably, for example, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less. When the communication device 10 has a covering 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the thickness direction TD is preferably, for example, 6 mm or less, or 3 mm or less. The thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering 10f is preferably, for example, 0.5 mm or more. Furthermore, the thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering 10f is preferably, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0034] The communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire 1 (tire main body 1M).

[0035] When manufacturing the tire 1, the raw tire constituting the tire main body 1M and the communication device 10 are housed inside a tire mold and vulcanized.

[0036] Below, preferred configurations of various tire constituent members (such as the side reinforcing rubber 2) that make up the tire main body 1M and preferred positional relationships between the various tire constituent members that make up the tire main body 1M and the communication device 10 will be described. Note that the communication device 10 may be provided in only one of a pair of tire halves on either side of the tire equatorial plane CL of the tire 1. In that case, the configuration, position, etc. described below are preferably satisfied in at least the tire half of the pair of tire halves of the tire 1 in which the communication device 10 is provided, but may also be satisfied in each of the pair of tire halves of the tire 1. Also, the communication device 10 may be provided in each of the pair of tire halves of the tire 1. In that case, the configuration, position, etc. described below are preferably satisfied in each of the tire halves, but may also be satisfied in only one of the pair of tire halves of the tire 1.

[0037] 1 and 3, the side reinforcing rubber 2 has a side reinforcing rubber joint portion 2j where a pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 are joined together. As shown schematically in Fig. 3, one of the pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 is a first tire circumferential end portion 2p1 which is an end portion on a first tire circumferential side CD1 of the side reinforcing rubber 2. The first tire circumferential end portion 2p1 includes a first tire circumferential edge 2e1 which is the tire circumferential end edge of the first tire circumferential end portion 2p1 that is located closest to the first tire circumferential side CD1 and faces the first tire circumferential side CD1. The other of the pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 is a second tire circumferential end portion 2p2 which is an end portion on a second tire circumferential side CD2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2. The second tire circumferential end 2p2 includes a second tire circumferential edge 2e2 that is located closest to the tire circumferential second side CD2 among the second tire circumferential end portions 2p2 and faces the tire circumferential second side CD2. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , in the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j, a pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may overlap each other in the tire width direction. In this case, the joint strength between the pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 can be improved, and thus, a gap between the tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 can be effectively suppressed. In this case, the first tire circumferential end portion 2p1 may be located outward in the tire width direction from the second tire circumferential end portion 2p2, or the first tire circumferential end portion 2p1 may be located inward in the tire width direction from the second tire circumferential end portion 2p2. Alternatively, although not shown in the figures, at the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j, the pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may have their respective tire circumferential end edges 2e1, 2e2 butted together (and thus in contact).In this case, as in the example of Fig. 3 , when viewed in a cross section ( Fig. 3 ) along the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction, the pair of tire circumferential edges 2e1, 2e2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may be approximately parallel to the tire width direction, or may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the tire width direction. In each of the above examples, the pair of tire circumferential end portions 2p1, 2p2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may each have an approximately uniform (constant) thickness in the tire width direction along the tire circumferential direction, as in the example of Fig. 3 , or may have an uneven thickness in the tire width direction along the tire circumferential direction, for example, the thickness in the tire width direction may gradually decrease toward the respective tire circumferential edges 2e1, 2e2 along the tire circumferential direction. In each of the above examples, the pair of tire circumferential edges 2e1, 2e2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may have a three-dimensional planar shape as in the example of Fig. 3 , and may therefore have a linear shape when viewed in a cross section ( Fig. 3 ) along the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction. Alternatively, the pair of tire circumferential edge portions 2e1, 2e2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may be three-dimensionally linear, and may therefore be dot-like when viewed in the tire width direction and in a cross section ( FIG. 3 ) along the tire circumferential direction. In each of the above examples, on a projection plane ( FIG. 1 ) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction, the pair of tire circumferential edge portions 2e1, 2e2 of the side reinforcing rubber 2 may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the tire radial direction as in the example of FIG. 1 , or may extend parallel to the tire radial direction. In each of the above examples, the thickness of the side reinforcing rubber 2 in the tire width direction at the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j may be greater than the thickness in the tire width direction at a portion other than the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j, as in the example of FIG. 3 .

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the tire 1, at least a portion (only a portion in the example of FIG. 1) of the communication device 10 overlaps with the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j on the projection surface (FIG. 1) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction.

[0039] As described above, in this embodiment, on the projection plane ( FIG. 1 ) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction, at least a portion of the communication device 10 (only a portion in the example of FIG. 1 ) overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j. The rubber that constitutes the side reinforcing rubber 2 generally tends to be relatively hard and relatively thick among all tire constituent members (particularly tire constituent members made of rubber) that constitute the tire main body 1M. The side reinforcing rubber 2 tends to be particularly thick at the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j. According to this embodiment, on the projection plane, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is arranged so as to overlap the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j, which is a particularly hard and thick portion (and therefore a portion that is particularly resistant to deformation) of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M). As a result, during rolling, the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j suppresses deformation of itself while positioned near the communication device 10, and therefore supports the communication device 10 so as to suppress deformation near the communication device 10, effectively suppressing damage to the communication device 10 due to deformation of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M) during rolling. This improves the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1. Note that, for example, when the communication device 10 has the IC chip 10c and the antenna unit 10b as described above (FIGS. 4 and 5), generally, when the tire 1 deforms, the antenna unit 10b is displaced and / or deformed relative to the IC chip 10c, and therefore the connection portion between the IC chip 10c and the antenna unit 10b and the vicinity thereof tend to be particularly susceptible to damage. Furthermore, as described above, the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j is originally a particularly hard and thick part of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M), and therefore, in this embodiment, adding the communication device 10 near it has little effect on the uniformity of the tire 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the communication device 10 due to deformation of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M) during rolling, with almost no loss of uniformity, and it is possible to improve the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the communication device 10 may be oriented so that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is substantially aligned with the tire circumferential direction. In this case, the ability to follow tire deformation during tire rolling can be improved, and ultimately the durability of the communication device 10 can be improved. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , it is preferable that at least the IC chip 10c of the communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j on the projection surface ( FIG. 1 ) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction. This further improves the durability of the communication device 10, particularly the IC chip 10c, against deformation of the tire 1 during rolling. From the same perspective, it is preferable that at least the connection portion between the IC chip 10c and the antenna unit 10b of the communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j on the projection surface ( FIG. 1 ) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction.

[0041] Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the communication device 10 may be oriented so that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is substantially aligned with the tire radial direction. In this case, most or all of the communication device 10 may overlap the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j on the projection plane (Fig. 6) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction. This further improves the durability of most or all of the communication device 10 against deformation of the tire 1 during rolling.

[0042] In each example described herein, it is preferable that the entire communication device 10 overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint 2j on the projection surface (FIGS. 1 and 6) when the tire 1 is projected in the tire width direction, as in the example of Fig. 6. This further improves the durability of the entire communication device 10 against deformation of the tire 1 during rolling.

[0043] As shown in the example of FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the communication device 10 be disposed on the outer side of the side reinforcing rubber 2 in the tire width direction. As shown in the example of FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the communication device 10 be disposed on the outer side of the carcass 5 in the tire width direction. As shown in the example of FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the communication device 10 be located between the side rubber 8 and the carcass 5. The side rubber 8 is located on the outermost side of the tire, and therefore has high heat dissipation performance. Therefore, by positioning the communication device 10 between the side rubber 8 and the carcass 5, the heat dissipation function of the side rubber 8 can further reduce the amount of heat applied to the communication device 10, and ultimately, damage to the communication device 10 due to heat can be further suppressed. In this case, it is preferable that the communication device 10 be in contact with the side rubber 8 as shown in FIG. 2 .

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2 , the communication device 10 is preferably embedded inside the tire side portion 1d of the tire 1. Generally, metal weakens radio waves between the communication device 10 and the specified external device (e.g., a reader or reader / writer), potentially reducing communication performance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device and ultimately shortening the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device. Meanwhile, in the tire main body 1M, metal (e.g., steel) may be used for the belt 6, bead cores 4a, and the like. Generally, the tire side portion 1d tends to contain less metal than the tread portion 1a. Therefore, by disposing the communication device 10 in the tire side portion 1d, communication performance can be improved compared to disposing the communication device 10 in the tread portion 1a, and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device can be increased. The communication device 10 is preferably embedded in a portion of the tire side portion 1d of the tire main body 1M that is closer to the carcass 5 in the tire width direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the communication device 10 be oriented so that the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 is substantially along the tire width direction (FIG. 2).

[0045] The communication device 10 is preferably disposed in the sidewall portion 1b, as shown in the example of Fig. 2. Generally, the sidewall portion 1b tends to have a smaller amount of metal than the bead portion 1c. Therefore, by disposing the communication device 10 in the sidewall portion 1b, communication performance can be improved compared to when the communication device 10 is disposed in the bead portion 1c, and the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device can be increased.

[0046] The communication device 10 is preferably located in the vicinity of the tire maximum width position of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M) in the tire radial direction.

[0047] 2, the tire radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is preferably located radially outward of the tire radially outer end of the bead core 4a, and more preferably located radially outward of the tire radial center of the bead filler 4b, for example, preferably located radially outward of the tire radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b. This configuration is particularly suitable when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars.

[0048] When the communication device 10 is disposed in the sidewall portion 1b as described above, it is preferable that the tire radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 be located radially inward of the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5, as shown in the example of FIG. 2 . This improves communication performance, increases the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device, and allows the communication device 10 to be disposed in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is subject to relatively little strain during, for example, the tire 1 rolling, thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and the tire 1. The tire radial distance between the tire radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 and the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is preferably 3 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm. This configuration is particularly suitable when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars.

[0049] 2, it is preferable that the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially outward of the tire radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b. However, the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same radial position as the tire radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b or further inward in the tire radial direction.

[0050] The tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M), may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire maximum width position, or may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position. Here, the "tire maximum width position" refers to the tire radial position at which the tire width direction dimension of the tire 1 (specifically, the tire main body 1M) is maximum.

[0051] 2, it is preferable that the communication device 10 contacts the outer surface in the tire width direction of the carcass 5, and more preferable that the communication device 10 contacts the outer surface in the tire width direction of the ply folded-up portion 5T of the carcass 5. This configuration is particularly preferable when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars.

[0052] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, for example, for a pneumatic tire for a passenger car.

[0053] 1: Tire 1M: Tire main body, 1a: Tread portion, 1b: Sidewall portion, 1c: Bead portion, 1d: Tire side portion, 2: Side reinforcing rubber, 2p1: First tire circumferential end portion (tire circumferential end portion), 2p2: Second tire circumferential end portion (tire circumferential end portion), 2e1: First tire circumferential edge (tire circumferential edge), 2e2: Second tire circumferential edge (tire circumferential edge), 2j: Side reinforcing rubber joint portion, 4a: Bead core, 4b: Bead filler, 4bu: Tire radial outer end of bead filler, 5: Carcass, 5a: Carcass ply, 5c: Carcass cord (cord), 5r: Covering rubber, 5M: Ply main body portion, 5T: Ply turn-up portion, 5e: Tire radial outer end of carcass ply turn-up portion, 6: Belt, 6a: Belt layer, 7: Tread rubber, 8: Side rubber, 9: Inner liner, 10: Communication device, 10e: RF tag, 10b: Antenna portion, 10b1, 10b2: Antenna, 10f: Covering portion, 10f1, 10f2: Covering member, 10c: IC chip, 10u: Tire radial outer end of communication device, CL: Tire equatorial plane, WD: Tire width direction, RD: Tire radial direction, CD: Tire circumferential direction, CD1: Tire circumferential first side, CD2: Tire circumferential second side, LD: Longitudinal direction of communication device, SD: Shortitudinal direction of communication device, TD: Thickness direction of communication device, O: Center axis (rotational axis) of tire

Claims

1. A tire comprising: a side reinforcing rubber having a crescent-shaped cross section arranged on a sidewall portion of the tire; and a communication device embedded inside the tire, wherein the side reinforcing rubber has a side reinforcing rubber joint where end portions of the side reinforcing rubber in the tire circumferential direction are joined together, and at least a portion of the communication device overlaps the side reinforcing rubber joint on a projection plane when the tire is projected in the tire width direction.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is oriented so that its longitudinal direction is substantially along the tire circumferential direction, the communication device has an IC chip, and at least the IC chip of the communication device overlaps with the side reinforcing rubber joint on the projection plane.

3. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is oriented such that a longitudinal direction of the communication device is substantially aligned with a radial direction of the tire.

4. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is entirely overlapped with the side reinforcing rubber joint on the projection plane.

5. A tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication device comprises an RF tag.

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