tire

Abstract

This tire has: an annular resin-made tire frame member provided with at least a bead part; a tread member that is disposed on the tire-radial-direction outer side of the tire frame member and constitutes a tire tread; a tire frame part formed on the tire-radial-direction outer side of the tire frame member and farther inward in the tire width direction than the tire-width-direction end part of the tread member, the tire-width-direction outer side of the tire frame part being lowered toward the tire-radial-direction inner side; a coating layer formed on the outer side of the tire frame member from the bead part to the tire frame part; and an RFID tag provided to the tire frame part.

Description

tire

[0001] The present disclosure relates to tires.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-87598 discloses a tire having an annular resin tire frame member and an RFID tag. The tire frame member includes a bead portion, a side portion connected to the outer side of the bead portion in the tire radial direction, and a crown portion connected to the inner side of the side portion in the tire width direction. The RFID tag is attached to the outer surface of the side portion.

[0003] In the tire described in JP 2023-87598 A, when a resin tire frame member is formed by injection molding, if an RFID tag is set in a mold and integrated into the tire frame member, there is a risk that the position of the RFID tag will be shifted due to the flow of resin generated from the gate.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to suppress positional deviation of an RFID tag in a tire having a tire frame member made of resin and an RFID tag.

[0005] The tire disclosed herein includes: an annular tire frame member made of resin and including at least a bead portion; a tread member disposed radially outward of the tire frame member and constituting a tire tread; a tire frame step formed radially outward of the tire frame member and inward in the tire width direction than an end portion of the tread member in the tire width direction, with the outer side in the tire width direction being lower toward the inner side in the tire radial direction; a coating layer formed on the outside of the tire frame member from the bead portion to the tire frame step; and an RFID tag provided on the tire frame step.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, in a tire having a tire frame member made of resin and an RFID tag, it is possible to suppress positional deviation of the RFID tag.

[0007] Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along the tire width direction of the tire according to the present embodiment; Fig. 1C is a partially enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the tire according to the present embodiment when mounted on a rim; Fig. 1D is an enlarged plan view showing an enlarged peripheral portion of a tire frame stepped portion in Fig. 1A; Fig. 1E is a plan view showing an enlarged peripheral portion of a tire frame stepped portion, a cover layer, a part of a belt layer, and an RFID tag shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 1F is a side view of the tire frame member shown in Fig. 1A; Fig. 1G is a plan view of the RFID tag shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5A is a side view of the RFID tag of Fig. 5A;

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are the same or similar components. Note that duplicated explanations and reference numerals may be omitted in the embodiments described below. Furthermore, all drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily match those in reality. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of each element between multiple drawings do not necessarily match.

[0009] In the drawings, arrow TC indicates the tire circumferential direction, arrow TW indicates the tire width direction, and arrow TR indicates the tire radial direction. Hereinafter, the side closer to the tire rotation axis along the tire radial direction will be referred to as the "tire radially inner side," and the side farther from the tire rotation axis along the tire radial direction will be referred to as the "tire radially outer side." Meanwhile, the side closer to the tire equatorial plane CL along the tire width direction will be referred to as the "tire widthwise inner side," and the side farther from the tire equatorial plane CL along the tire width direction will be referred to as the "tire widthwise outer side." The measurement method for each dimension conforms to the method described in the 2021 YEAR BOOK published by JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association).

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1A, the tire 10 of this embodiment is a pneumatic tire that is filled with air, and has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially the same as that of a conventional pneumatic tire made of rubber (hereinafter referred to as a "rubber tire" as appropriate).

[0011] (Tire frame member 17) The tire 10 of this embodiment has an annular tire frame member 17 made of resin that forms a frame portion of the tire 10. The tire frame member 17 of this embodiment is formed by joining a pair of tire halves 17A made of a resin material at the tire equatorial plane CL by joining members 19.

[0012] The tire frame member 17 includes a pair of bead portions 12 spaced apart in the tire width direction, side portions 14 connected to the tire radially outer sides of the bead portions 12, and a crown portion 16 connected to the tire widthwise inner sides of the side portions 14 and connecting the tire radially outer ends of each side portion 14. The circumferential direction, width direction, and radial direction of the tire frame member 17 correspond to the tire circumferential direction, tire width direction (tire axial direction), and tire radial direction, respectively.

[0013] The tire frame member 17 is formed primarily from a resin material. This resin material does not include vulcanized rubber. Examples of the resin material include thermoplastic resins (including thermoplastic elastomers), thermosetting resins, and other general-purpose resins, as well as engineering plastics (including super engineering plastics).

[0014] Thermoplastic resins (including thermoplastic elastomers) refer to polymeric compounds that soften and flow with increasing temperature and become relatively hard and strong when cooled. In this specification, a distinction is made between thermoplastic elastomers and polymeric compounds that soften and flow with increasing temperature and become relatively hard and strong when cooled, and have rubber-like elasticity, and non-elastomers and polymeric compounds that soften and flow with increasing temperature and become relatively hard and strong when cooled, but do not have rubber-like elasticity, as thermoplastic resins that are not elastomers.

[0015] Examples of thermoplastic resins (including thermoplastic elastomers) include polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers (TPO), polystyrene thermoplastic elastomers (TPS), polyamide thermoplastic elastomers (TPA), polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), polyester thermoplastic elastomers (TPC), and dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers (TPV), as well as polyolefin thermoplastic resins, polystyrene thermoplastic resins, polyamide thermoplastic resins, and polyester thermoplastic resins.

[0016] Furthermore, as the thermoplastic material, for example, a material having a deflection temperature under load (at a load of 0.45 MPa) of 78°C or higher as specified in ISO 75-2 or ASTM D648, a tensile yield strength of 10 MPa or higher as specified in JIS K7113, a tensile elongation at break of 50% or higher as specified in JIS K7113, and a Vicat softening temperature (method A) of 130°C as specified in JIS K7206 can be used.

[0017] A thermosetting resin is a polymer compound that forms a three-dimensional network structure and hardens as the temperature rises. Examples of thermosetting resins include phenolic resin, epoxy resin, melamine resin, and urea resin.

[0018] In addition to the thermoplastic resins (including thermoplastic elastomers) and thermosetting resins described above, general-purpose resins such as (meth)acrylic resins, EVA resins, vinyl chloride resins, fluorine-based resins, and silicone-based resins may also be used as the resin material.

[0019] Furthermore, the tire frame member 17 may be formed from a single resin material, or each portion of the tire frame member 17 (bead portion 12, side portion 14, crown portion 16, etc.) may be formed from a resin material having different characteristics.

[0020] An annular bead core 15 extending circumferentially of the tire is embedded in the bead portion 12. The bead core 15 is made of a bead cord (not shown) such as a metal cord (e.g., a steel cord), an organic fiber cord, a resin-coated organic fiber cord, or a hard resin. Note that the bead core 15 may be omitted if sufficient rigidity of the bead portion 12 can be ensured.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1B, the bead portion 12 is in close contact with the bead seat portion 21 and the rim flange 22 of the rim 20 via the covering layer 24, thereby maintaining the internal pressure of the air filled in the tire.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1A, the side portion 14 is a portion that constitutes the side of the tire 10, and is gently curved so as to be convex outward in the tire width direction from the bead portion 12 toward the crown portion 16.

[0023] The crown portion 16 is a portion that supports a tread element 30 (described later) that is provided on the outer side in the tire radial direction, and has an outer peripheral surface that is substantially flat along the tire width direction.

[0024] Here, the tire frame member 17 (specifically, the tire half body 17A) is formed by injection molding. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 4 , a gate mark 70 is formed on the tire frame member 17, indicating the position of the gate (hereinafter referred to as the gate position) through which molten resin is injected during injection molding. Note that Fig. 4 shows a simplified view of the tire frame member 17 and also schematically illustrates the gate mark 70. Also, in Fig. 4 , dashed arrows indicate the flow of resin.

[0025] After molding, the tire frame member 17 has gate marks 70 at the gate positions that are, for example, cloudy and circular compared to areas other than the gate positions, making it possible to identify the gate positions.

[0026] In addition, since the gate marks 70 indicate that the tire frame member 17 was formed by injection molding, the gate marks 70 can also be said to be injection molding marks that indicate that the tire frame member 17 was formed by injection molding.

[0027] During injection molding, the gate is disposed on the outer side of the tire frame member 17 in the tire radial direction (i.e., the crown portion 16 side) or on the inner side of the tire frame member 17 in the tire radial direction (i.e., the bead portion 12 side). Therefore, the gate mark 70 is formed on the outer side of the tire frame member 17 in the radial direction or on the inner side of the tire frame member 17 in the radial direction.

[0028] Furthermore, a plurality of gates are arranged along the tire circumferential direction during injection molding, and therefore a plurality of gate marks 70 are formed along the tire circumferential direction.

[0029] Furthermore, specifically, during injection molding, a plurality of gates are arranged along the tire circumferential direction, for example, in a range of 6 to 12. Even more specifically, during injection molding, a plurality of gates are arranged along the tire circumferential direction, for example, at equal angular intervals of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0030] Therefore, specifically, a plurality of gate marks 70 are formed along the tire circumferential direction, for example, in a range of 6 to 12. More specifically, a plurality of gate marks 70 are formed along the tire circumferential direction at equal angular intervals of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, for example. Note that Fig. 4 shows an example in which eight gate marks 70 are formed along the tire circumferential direction at equal angular intervals of 45 degrees on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tire frame member 17.

[0031] In this embodiment, as described above, the gate is positioned radially outside the tire frame member 17 or radially inside the tire frame member 17 during injection molding, and therefore, during injection molding, resin flows in the tire radial direction.

[0032] (Tire frame step 18) As shown in Fig. 2 , a tire frame step 18 is formed on the outer surface of the tire frame member 17. The tire frame step 18 is formed further inward in the tire width direction than an end 30A in the tire width direction of a tread member 30, which will be described later. The tire frame step 18 is a step portion formed on the surface of the tire frame member 17 so that the outer side in the tire width direction is lower, and is formed integrally with the outer surface of the tire frame member 17. In other words, the tire frame step 18 is composed of a wall surface rising from the surface of the tire frame member 17, and is the portion that defines the boundary with the coating layer 24, which will be described later.

[0033] The angle between the wall surface constituting the tire frame step portion 18 and the surface of the tire frame member 17 can be set to any angle, and may be set to 90 degrees or an angle smaller than 90 degrees.

[0034] The thickness of the tire frame member 17 on the inner side in the tire width direction of the tire frame step 18 is thicker than the thickness of the tire frame member 17 on the outer side in the tire width direction. The height H1 of the tire frame step 18 can be set arbitrarily, but from the perspective of placing the plate-shaped RFID tag 40 on the tire frame step 18, as described below, it is preferable that the height H1 be at least half the dimension of the RFID tag 40 in the thickness direction, and more preferably be greater than that dimension.

[0035] 1A and 2 , a belt layer 28 is provided on the tire radially outer side of the crown portion 16. This belt layer 28 is configured by spirally winding resin-coated reinforcement cords 26 in the tire circumferential direction. An end 28A in the tire width direction of the belt layer 28 is disposed closer to the tire equatorial plane CL than the tire frame step portion 18. As a result, an end face 24A of a covering layer 24, which will be described later, is disposed on the tire width direction outer side of the belt layer 28, and the belt layer 28 is prevented from being covered by the covering layer 24, allowing a tread member 30 to be appropriately layered on the tire radially outer side of the belt layer 28.

[0036] 1A and 2, a covering layer 24 is formed on the outer side of the tire frame member 17, extending from the bead portion 12 to the tire frame step 18. As shown in Fig. 1B, the end of the covering layer 24 on the bead portion 12 side is disposed so as to extend further inward into the tire than the part of the bead portion 12 that is in close contact with the rim 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the end of the covering layer 24 on the tread member 30 side is formed up to the tire frame step 18, and an end face 24A is in close contact with the tire frame step 18. When the tire 10 is assembled to the rim 20, the covering layer 24 comes into close contact with the rim 20 and seals the gas-filled space within the tire 10.

[0037] The covering layer material that constitutes the covering layer 24 is made of a material that is more weather resistant than the tire frame member 17. The covering layer material is preferably made of a material that has better sealing properties than the material that constitutes the tire frame member 17. In addition, the elastic modulus of the covering layer 24 is preferably lower than the elastic modulus of the tire frame member 17. This allows for an appropriate seal between the covering layer 24 and the rim 20 while maintaining the rigidity of the tire frame member 17.

[0038] The elastic modulus of the coating layer 24 is preferably 0.5 MPa or more and 50 MPa or less. If the elastic modulus of the coating layer 24 is less than 0.5 MPa, the compressive creep property of the portion that comes into close contact with the rim 20 may be insufficient, and a gap may form between the rim and the coating layer 24. If the elastic modulus of the coating layer 24 is more than 50 MPa, the compressive deformation of the portion that comes into close contact with the rim 20 may be insufficient, and a gap may form between the rim and the coating layer 24.

[0039] Moreover, the elastic modulus of the covering layer 24 is more preferably 70% or less of the elastic modulus of the tire frame member 17. The elastic modulus of the covering layer 24 is further preferably 50% or less of the elastic modulus of the tire frame member 17, and further preferably 25% or less when a resin with excellent abrasion resistance is used as the covering layer material that constitutes the covering layer 24.

[0040] The resin material for the coating layer 24 can be a thermoplastic resin, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermosetting resin, or the like, having elasticity similar to rubber. Alternatively, the coating layer 24 can be made of rubber. The material for the coating layer 24 is preferably an olefin-based, ester-based, amide-based, or urethane-based TPE, or a TPV partially blended with a rubber-based resin. Furthermore, the material preferably has a deflection temperature under load (at a load of 0.45 MPa) of 75°C or higher as specified in ISO 75-2 or ASTM D648, a tensile yield elongation of 10% or higher as specified in JIS K7113, a tensile break elongation of 50% or higher as specified in JIS K7113, and a Vicat softening temperature (Method A) of 130°C or higher as specified in JIS K7113. The thermosetting resin for the coating layer 24 can be a phenolic resin, a urea resin, a melamine resin, an epoxy resin, a polyester resin, or the like.

[0041] 1A and 2 , a tread element 30 is disposed on the tire radial direction outer side of the tire frame member 17. The tread element 30 is disposed along the tire frame member 17 and constitutes the tire tread, which is the ground contact portion of the tire 10. Specifically, the tread element 30 has a tread element body 32 and an intermediate rubber 34.

[0042] The tread element body 32 is laminated on the tire frame member 17 via an intermediate rubber 34. A tread pattern (not shown) is formed on the tread element body 32 on the contact surface with the road surface.

[0043] An end 30A in the tire width direction of the tread element 30 is disposed outward in the tire width direction from an end face 24A of the coating layer 24. As a result, the end face 24A of the coating layer 24 is covered by the tread element 30, and the entire outer surface of the tire frame element 17 from the bead portion 12 to the tread element 30 is covered by the coating layer 24.

[0044] The tread member 30 is formed of, for example, rubber that has better abrasion resistance than the thermoplastic resin that forms the side portions 14. The rubber used for the tread member 30 may be the same as the tread rubber of a conventional pneumatic tire or the tread rubber of a retread tire. Note that the tread member 30 may also be formed of another type of thermoplastic resin that has better abrasion resistance than the thermoplastic resin that forms the side portions 14.

[0045] 2 and 3, the tire 10 has an RFID tag 40. The RFID tag 40 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with a reader (not shown). Note that the RFID tag 40 is not shown in FIG. 1A.

[0046] 5A and 5B, the RFID tag 40 specifically includes a resin case 42, and an RFID chip 44 and an antenna 46 housed in the case 42. In this embodiment, the pair of antennas 46 extend from the RFID chip 44 in opposite directions.

[0047] The case 42 is plate-shaped and, in a plan view, is formed into a generally rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the extension direction (direction of arrow W) of the antenna 46. In this embodiment, the case 42 has a short side curved in an arc shape. Furthermore, the case 42 is flexible, and the RFID tag 40 (specifically, the case 42) can deform in response to deformation of the tire 10 (see FIG. 5B ).

[0048] In the present embodiment, the case 42 is formed from the same type of resin material as the resin material forming the tire frame member 17. The shape of the case 42 is not limited to the above-described substantially rectangular shape. The case 42 may also be, for example, in the form of a film.

[0049] The RFID tag 40 is provided on the tire frame step 18. Specifically, the RFID tag 40 is integrated with the tire frame step 18. In this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is integrated with the tire frame step 18 of the tire half body 17A by injection molding the tire half body 17A (hereinafter referred to as insert molding) while the tire half body 17A is placed in a mold that molds the tire half body 17A. In this manner, the tire frame step 18 (i.e., the tire frame member 17) is molded so that the RFID tag 40 (specifically, the case 42) and the tire frame step 18 are integrated.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the RFID tag 40 forms part of the tire frame step 18, and the tire frame step 18 including the RFID tag 40 is formed along the tire circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is disposed opposite the end face 24A of the coating layer 24.

[0051] Note that, by observing the interface between the RFID tag 40 (specifically, the case 42) and the tire frame member 17 with, for example, an observation device (for example, an electron microscope), it is possible to determine whether the RFID tag 40 is insert-molded or whether the RFID tag 40 is welded to the tire frame member 17 after the tire half 17A is molded. In other words, the tire frame member 17 has molding marks that indicate that the RFID tag 40 is insert-molded.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 3, the RFID tag 40 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction (specifically, the longitudinal direction of the case 42) is aligned with the tire circumferential direction (the direction of the arrow TC). Therefore, the RFID tag 40 is arranged such that the extension direction of the antenna 46 (the direction of the arrow W) is aligned with the tire circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is provided on one side portion 14 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0053] 3, recesses 18A are formed in the tire frame step 18 adjacent to the RFID tag 40 in the tire circumferential direction. Specifically, the recesses 18A are formed adjacent to both sides of the RFID tag 40 in the tire circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the tire frame step 18 including the RFID tag 40 is provided in the entire circumferential region of the tire frame member 17 except for the recesses 18A.

[0054] (Function) In the tire 10 of this embodiment, the tire frame step 18 is formed, and therefore, when the coating layer 24 is formed using a mold or the like, the tire frame step 18 can be used as a dam to prevent the outflow of the coating layer material. Furthermore, in the tire 10, the RFID tag 40 is provided in the tire frame step 18. Specifically, the RFID tag 40 is integrated with the tire frame step 18.

[0055] 2 , the tire frame step 18 is formed such that the outer side in the tire width direction is lowered toward the inner side in the tire radial direction, and the inner side in the tire width direction of the lowered portion (hereinafter referred to as low portion 181) rises higher than the low portion 181. For this reason, a recess (hereinafter referred to as mold recess) for forming the tire frame step 18 is provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member 17 by injection molding.

[0056] Furthermore, since the RFID tag 40 is provided in the tire frame step 18, it is possible to place the RFID tag 40 in a mold recess. By placing the RFID tag 40 in the mold recess in this way, it is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow when the tire frame member 17 is formed by injection molding. This makes it possible to prevent the RFID tag 40 from shifting out of position.

[0057] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the RFID tag 40 forms part of the tire circumferential direction of the tire frame step 18, and the tire frame step 18 including the RFID tag 40 is formed along the tire circumferential direction. This allows the RFID tag 40 to be firmly integrated with the tire frame step 18, and also allows the RFID tag 40 to function as a dam to prevent outflow.

[0058] 3, in the tire 10, recesses 18A are formed in the tire frame step 18 adjacent to the RFID tag 40 in the tire circumferential direction. Specifically, the recesses 18A are formed adjacent to both sides of the RFID tag 40 in the tire circumferential direction. For this reason, protrusions (hereinafter referred to as mold protrusions) for forming the recesses are provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member 17 by injection molding, adjacent to both sides of the mold recesses in the tire circumferential direction.

[0059] By placing the RFID tag 40 in the mold recess, the RFID tag 40 can be positioned by the mold protrusions on both sides in the tire circumferential direction when the tire frame member 17 is formed by injection molding. This makes the RFID tag 40 less susceptible to the influence of resin flow, and positional deviation of the RFID tag 40 can be suppressed.

[0060] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the tire frame step 18 of the tire frame member 17 is molded to be integrated with the case 42 that houses the RFID chip 44 and the antenna 46. This allows the RFID tag 40 to be easily incorporated into the tire frame member 17.

[0061] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the resin material forming the case 42 of the RFID tag 40 is the same as the resin material forming the tire frame member 17. Therefore, compared to tires in which the resin materials are different types, the case 42 can be more firmly integrated with the tire frame step portion 18.

[0062] (Other Embodiments) The above describes one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the tire frame step 18 is configured as a step, but is not limited to this. The tire frame step of the present disclosure may be configured as a protrusion rising from the surface of the tire frame member. This protrusion may be formed as a ridge extending along the tire circumferential direction.

[0064] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the recessed portion 18A is formed adjacent to both sides of the RFID tag 40 in the tire circumferential direction, but this is not limited thereto. The recessed portion of the present disclosure may be formed adjacent to one side of the RFID tag 40 in the tire circumferential direction. Furthermore, the tire frame step portion of the present disclosure may be configured without a recessed portion. In this configuration, for example, the tire frame step portion 18 including the RFID tag 40 can be configured to be provided around the entire circumference of the tire frame member 17.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the tire frame step 18 including the RFID tag 40 is provided in the entire circumferential area of ​​the tire frame member 17 excluding the recessed portion 18A, but this is not limited to this. The tire frame step 18 including the RFID tag 40 may be provided in a part of that area, or the tire frame step 18 including the RFID tag 40 may be configured to be provided in a part of the tire frame member 17 in the tire circumferential direction.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is provided in one side portion 14 of the tire frame member 17 as shown in FIG. 2 , but this is not limited to this. The RFID tag of the present disclosure may be provided in each of the side portions 14 on both sides of the tire frame member 17. In other words, it is sufficient that the RFID tag of the present disclosure is provided in at least one of the side portions 14 on both sides of the tire frame member 17.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the resin material forming the case 42 and the resin material forming the side portion 14 are the same type of resin material, but this is not limited to this. In the tire 10 of the present disclosure, the resin material forming the case 42 and the resin material forming the side portion 14 may be different types of resin materials.

[0068] (Additional Note) A tire according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: an annular tire frame member made of resin and including at least bead portions; tread members arranged radially outward of the tire frame member and constituting a tire tread; a tire frame step portion formed radially outward of the tire frame member and inward in the tire width direction than an end portion of the tread member in the tire width direction, with the outer side in the tire width direction being lower toward the inner side in the tire radial direction; a coating layer formed on the outside of the tire frame member from the bead portions to the tire frame step portion; and an RFID tag provided on the tire frame step portion.

[0069] In the tire of the first aspect of the present disclosure, a tire frame step is formed, and therefore the tire frame step can be used as a dam to prevent the outflow of the material for the coating layer when molding the coating layer using a mold, etc. Furthermore, according to the tire of the first aspect of the present disclosure, an RFID tag is provided in the tire frame step.

[0070] Here, the tire frame stepped portion is formed such that the outer side in the tire width direction is lowered toward the inner side in the tire radial direction, and the inner side in the tire width direction of the lowered portion (hereinafter referred to as the low portion) rises higher than the low portion. For this reason, a recess (hereinafter referred to as the mold recess) for forming the tire frame stepped portion is provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member by injection molding.

[0071] Furthermore, since the RFID tag is provided in the tire frame step, it can be placed in a mold recess. By placing the RFID tag in the mold recess in this way, it is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow when the tire frame member is formed by injection molding. This makes it possible to prevent the RFID tag from shifting in position.

[0072] In a tire according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the RFID tag is integrated with the tire frame stepped portion.

[0073] According to the tire of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag is integrated with the tire frame step, which allows the RFID tag to be placed in the mold recess. By placing the RFID tag in the mold recess in this way, it is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow when molding the tire frame member by injection molding. This makes it possible to prevent the RFID tag from shifting in position.

[0074] In a tire of a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, the RFID tag forms a part of the tire circumferential direction of the tire frame step, and the tire frame step including the RFID tag is formed along the tire circumferential direction.

[0075] According to the tire of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag forms part of the tire circumferential direction of the tire frame step, and the tire frame step including the RFID tag is formed along the tire circumferential direction. This allows the RFID tag to be firmly integrated with the tire frame step, and also enables the RFID tag to function as a dam to prevent outflow.

[0076] In a tire according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to third aspects, a recess is formed in the tire frame stepped portion adjacent to the RFID tag in the tire circumferential direction.

[0077] According to the tire of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a recess is formed in the tire frame step portion adjacent to the RFID tag in the tire circumferential direction, and therefore a protrusion (hereinafter referred to as a mold protrusion) for forming the recess is provided adjacent to the mold recess in the mold used when molding the tire frame member by injection molding.

[0078] By disposing the RFID tag in the mold recess, the RFID tag can be positioned by the mold protrusion when the tire frame member is formed by injection molding. As a result, the RFID tag is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow, and positional deviation of the RFID tag can be suppressed.

[0079] In a tire of a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fourth aspect, recesses are formed in the tire frame stepped portion adjacent to both sides of the RFID tag in the tire circumferential direction.

[0080] According to the tire of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, recesses are formed in the tire frame step portion adjacent to both sides of the RFID tag in the tire circumferential direction, and therefore mold protrusions are provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member by injection molding adjacent to both sides of the mold recesses in the tire circumferential direction.

[0081] Furthermore, by placing the RFID tag in the mold recess, the RFID tag can be positioned on both sides of the tire in the circumferential direction by the mold protrusions when the tire frame member is formed by injection molding. As a result, the RFID tag is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow, and positional deviation of the RFID tag can be suppressed.

[0082] In a tire of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the RFID tag has a resin case and an RFID chip and antenna housed in the case, and the tire skeleton step portion is molded to be integrated with the case.

[0083] According to the tire of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the tire frame step portion is molded to be integrated with the case that houses the RFID chip and antenna, so that the RFID tag can be easily incorporated into the tire frame member.

[0084] In a tire of a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the sixth aspect, the case is formed from the same type of resin material as the resin material that forms the tire frame member.

[0085] According to the tire of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the resin material forming the RFID tag case is the same type as the resin material forming the tire frame member, and therefore the case can be more firmly integrated with the tire frame step portion than in tires in which the resin materials are different types.

[0086] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-209349, filed on December 12, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A tire comprising: an annular resin tire frame member having at least a bead portion; a tread member arranged radially outward of the tire frame member and constituting a tire tread; a tire frame step formed radially outward of the tire frame member and inward in the tire width direction than an end portion of the tread member in the tire width direction, the tire width direction outer side being lower toward the tire radial direction inner side; a coating layer formed on the outside of the tire frame member from the bead portion to the tire frame step; and an RFID tag provided on the tire frame step.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag is integrated with the tire frame step.

3. A tire as described in claim 1, wherein the RFID tag forms a part of the tire frame step in the tire circumferential direction, and the tire frame step including the RFID tag is formed along the tire circumferential direction.

4. The tire according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in the tire frame step portion so as to be adjacent to the RFID tag in the tire circumferential direction.

5. The tire according to claim 4, wherein recesses are formed in the tire frame step portion adjacent to both sides of the RFID tag in the tire circumferential direction.

6. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag has a resin case, and an RFID chip and an antenna housed in the case, and the tire frame step is molded so as to be integrated with the case.

7. The tire according to claim 6, wherein the case is formed from the same type of resin material as the resin material forming the tire frame member.

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