tire

Abstract

This tire includes: a tire-framework member that is annular and made of resin and that comprises a bead part, a side part which runs to the outer side in a tire radial direction of the bead part, and a crown part which runs to the inner side in the tire width direction of the side part; a thickness part formed on the side part and having a thickness in the tire width direction thicker than that of another part of the side part by projecting in the tire width direction more than the another part; and an RFID tag provided to the thickness part so as to be integrated with the thickness 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 side portion, there is a risk that the RFID tag will be misaligned due to the flow of resin generated from the gate.In addition, the tire is required to have improved quietness by suppressing the noise generated when the tire comes into contact with the road surface while traveling.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to improve quietness and 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 has an annular tire frame member made of resin and including a bead portion, a side portion connected to the outside of the bead portion in the tire radial direction, and a crown portion connected to the inside of the side portion in the tire width direction; a thickness portion formed in the side portion and protruding in the tire width direction more than other portions of the side portion, thereby making the tire width direction thicker than the other portions; and an RFID tag provided in the thickness portion so as to be integrated with the thickness portion.

[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 improve quietness and suppress positional deviation of the RFID tag.

[0007] Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing one side of a cross section along the tire width direction of a tire according to the present embodiment. Fig. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the tire of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by arrow 3X in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a side view of a tire frame member included in the tire of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a plan view of an RFID tag included in the tire of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 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. 1, 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 a joining member 17B.

[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] The bead portion 12 is a portion that fits onto a standard rim via a covering rubber 24, and has an annular bead core 18 embedded therein that extends circumferentially along the tire. The bead core 18 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 18 may be omitted if sufficient rigidity of the bead portion 12 can be ensured.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , the side portion 14 is a portion that constitutes the side of the tire 10, and is gently curved from the bead portion 12 toward the crown portion 16 so as to be convex outward in the tire width direction.

[0022] The crown portion 16 is a portion that supports a tread 32 (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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] (Belt layer 28) A belt layer 28 is provided on the tire radial outer side of the crown portion 16. This belt layer 28 is configured by winding a reinforcing cord 26 coated with a resin 27 spirally in the tire circumferential direction.

[0032] (Reinforcing layer 30) A reinforcing layer 30 is disposed on the outer surface of the tire frame member 17. The reinforcing layer 30 extends along the outer surface of the tire frame member 17 from the inner side in the tire radial direction of the bead core 18 toward the outer side in the tire radial direction, and further extends beyond the tire equatorial plane CL toward the inner side in the tire radial direction of the opposite bead core 18.

[0033] The reinforcing layer 30 includes a plurality of reinforcing cords (not shown) coated with rubber (not shown). The reinforcing cords of the reinforcing layer 30 are monofilaments (single wires) of organic fibers or multifilaments (twisted wires) made of twisted organic fibers, and extend in the radial direction and are arranged in parallel in the tire circumferential direction. The reinforcing cords of the reinforcing layer 30 may be inclined at an angle of 10° or less with respect to the tire radial direction in a side view of the tire.

[0034] The reinforcing layer 30 of this embodiment is formed by bonding plies 30L and 30R, which will be described later and which are made by covering a plurality of reinforcing cords arranged parallel to one another with rubber (unvulcanized), to the outer peripheral surface of the molded tire frame member 17. In this embodiment, the reinforcing layer 30 covers the outer surface 14A of the side portion 14 and an RFID tag 40, which will be described later.

[0035] Examples of the reinforcing cords that can be used in the reinforcing layer 30 include polyester cords, nylon cords, PET cords, and aromatic polyamide cords. Metals such as steel may also be used as the material for the reinforcing cords in the reinforcing layer 30. The reinforcing layer 30 may be made of reinforcing cords coated with resin instead of rubber.

[0036] (Tread 32) A rubber tread 32 is disposed on the radially outer side of the reinforcing layer 30. The tread 32 covers the radially outer portion of the reinforcing layer 30. The rubber material constituting the tread 32 is similar to the tread rubber of conventional pneumatic tires and the tread rubber of retread tires. A tread pattern (not shown) is formed on the contact surface of the tread 32 with the road surface.

[0037] 1 and 2 , a covering rubber 24 is provided on the outer surface of the reinforcing layer 30 attached to the tire frame member 17, extending from the outer surface 14A of the side portion 14 on the outer side of the tire to the inner surface 12B of the bead portion 12 on the inner side of the tire. Specifically, the covering rubber 24 is folded back from the outer surface 14A of the side portion 14 to the outer surface 12A of the bead portion 12 toward the inner surface 12B of the bead portion 12.

[0038] An outer end portion of the covering rubber 24 on the outer side in the tire radial direction is sandwiched between the reinforcing layer 30 attached to the tire frame member 17 and an outer end portion of the tread 32 on the outer side in the tire width direction, and is joined (vulcanization bonded) to the tread 32 and the tire frame member 17. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the reinforcing layer 30 attached to the tire frame member 17 is entirely covered by the tread 32 and the covering rubber 24.

[0039] The rubber material that constitutes the covering rubber 24 is a rubber material that has better weather resistance and sealing properties with a standard rim than the tire frame member 17. The rubber material that constitutes the covering rubber 24 is the same as the rubber material used for the sidewalls and bead portions of conventional pneumatic tires made of general rubber.

[0040] 1 , 2 , and 3 , a thick portion 60 is formed in the side portion 14 of the tire frame member 17. The thick portion 60 protrudes in the tire width direction more than other portions of the side portion 14 (hereinafter referred to as general portions 62), and is thereby made thicker in the tire width direction than the general portions 62.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the thickness portion 60 is increased in the tire width direction by protruding inward in the tire width direction on an inner surface 14B on the inner side in the tire width direction of the side portion 14. The thickness portion 60 is formed in a region that includes the tire maximum width portion 17C (i.e., the portion where the dimension in the tire width direction is maximum) in the tire radial direction of the tire frame member 17. The thickness portion 60 is also formed around the entire side portion 14 along the tire circumferential direction of the tire frame member 17.

[0042] The thickness of the thick portion 60 is, for example, greater than the thickness of the thinnest portion of the side portion 14 by 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less (preferably 1.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less).

[0043] 1, 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).

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 ).

[0046] 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.

[0047] The RFID tag 40 is provided in the thickness portion 60 (i.e., the side portion 14) so ​​as to be integrated with the thickness portion 60 in the side portion 14. Specifically, the RFID tag 40 is integrated with the side portion 14, including the thickness portion 60, of the tire half body 17A by injection molding (hereinafter referred to as insert molding) the tire half body 17A while it is placed in a mold that molds the tire half body 17A. In this way, the thickness portion 60 (i.e., the side portion 14) is molded so that the RFID tag 40 (specifically, the case 42) and the thickness portion 60 are integrated.

[0048] In this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 protrudes in the tire width direction beyond the general portion 62 and forms part of the thick portion 60. In this embodiment, the entire RFID tag 40 protrudes inward in the tire width direction beyond the general portion 62. Furthermore, the RFID tag 40 forms part of the thick portion 60 in the tire circumferential direction, and the thick portion 60 including the RFID tag 40 is formed around the entire side portion 14 in the tire circumferential direction.

[0049] By observing the interface between the RFID tag 40 (specifically, the case 42) and the side portion 14 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 side portion 14 after the tire half body 17A is molded. In other words, the tire frame member 17 has molding marks that indicate that the RFID tag 40 is insert-molded.

[0050] The RFID tag 40 is arranged such that its own longitudinal direction (specifically, the longitudinal direction of the case 42) runs along the tire circumferential direction (the direction of arrow TC). Therefore, the RFID tag 40 is arranged such that the extension direction (the direction of arrow W) of the antenna 46 runs along the tire circumferential direction. The RFID tag 40 is also arranged in a region of the tire frame member 17 in the tire radial direction that includes the tire maximum width portion 17C (i.e., the portion where the dimension in the tire width direction is greatest).

[0051] In this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is provided on one side portion 14 as shown in FIG.

[0052] (Operation) In the tire 10 of this embodiment, the thick portion 60 formed in the side portion 14 protrudes in the tire width direction more than the general portion 62 of the side portion 14, thereby making the thickness in the tire width direction thicker than the general portion 62. This makes it possible to suppress vibration in the side portion 14 compared to a configuration in which the thick portion 60 and the general portion 62 have the same thickness in the tire width direction. As a result, the quietness of the tire 10 can be improved.

[0053] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the RFID tag 40 is provided in the thickness portion 60 so as to be integrated with the thickness portion 60. As described above, since the thickness portion 60 protrudes in the tire width direction more than the general portion 62, a recess for forming the thickness portion 60 is provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member 17 by injection molding. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the RFID tag 40 protrudes in the tire width direction more than the general portion 62, a recess for disposing the RFID tag 40 is provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member 17 by injection molding.

[0054] Furthermore, by disposing the RFID tag 40 in the recess of the mold, it is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow when molding the tire frame member 17 by injection molding. This makes it possible to prevent the RFID tag 40 from shifting out of position.

[0055] As described above, according to the tire 10, in the tire 10 having the tire frame member 17 made of resin and the RFID tag 40, it is possible to improve quietness and suppress displacement of the RFID tag 40.

[0056] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the thick portion 60 including the RFID tag 40 is formed around the entire side portion 14 in the tire circumferential direction. Therefore, quietness of the tire 10 can be improved compared to a configuration in which the thick portion 60 including the RFID tag 40 is formed on only a portion of the side portion 14 in the tire circumferential direction.

[0057] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag 40 is arranged along the tire circumferential direction. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag 40 is arranged along the tire radial direction, the RFID tag 40 is less susceptible to deformation when the tire 10 comes into contact with the ground. Therefore, damage to the RFID tag 40 can be suppressed.

[0058] Furthermore, in the tire 10, the side portion 14 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.

[0059] 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 side portion 14.

[0060] (Tire Aspect Ratio) In the tire 10 of the present embodiment, the tire aspect ratio is set, for example, in the range of 10 to 65 (preferably 35 to 55). A tire with an aspect ratio in this range allows the side portions 14 to be relatively thin, and is therefore particularly suitable for achieving both reduced rolling resistance due to the thinning of the side portions 14 and improved quietness due to the thick portions 60. In other words, if the aspect ratio of the tire 10 is less than 10, the tire 10 is more likely to pick up road vibrations and the side portions 14, where the thick portions 60 can be locally provided, become smaller, making it difficult to fully achieve the effects of the present disclosure. On the other hand, if the aspect ratio of the tire exceeds 65, the weight of the tire itself becomes large, making it impossible to reduce rolling resistance.

[0061] (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.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the thickness of the thick portion 60 is increased in the tire width direction by protruding inward in the tire width direction on the inner surface 14B on the inner side in the tire width direction of the side portion 14, but this is not limited to this. The thickness portion of the present disclosure may be increased in the tire width direction by protruding outward in the tire width direction on the outer surface 14A on the outer side in the tire width direction of the side portion 14.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the thick portion 60 is formed in a region of the tire frame member 17 in the tire radial direction that includes the tire maximum width portion 17C (i.e., the portion where the dimension in the tire width direction is greatest), but this is not limited to this. The thick portion of the present disclosure may be configured to be formed in a region that is shifted radially inward or outward from the tire maximum width portion 17C.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the thick portion 60 including the RFID tag 40 is formed around the entire side portion 14 along the tire circumferential direction of the tire frame member 17, but this is not limited to this. The thick portion of the present disclosure may be configured to be formed in a part of the side portion 14 in the tire circumferential direction.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the thickness of the thick portion 60 is set to be greater than the thickness of the thinnest portion of the side portion 14 by 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less (preferably 1.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less), but is not limited to this. The thickness of the thick portion of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described range, and it is sufficient that the thickness in the tire width direction is greater than that of the general portion 62 of the side portion 14.

[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 entire RFID tag 40 protrudes inward in the tire width direction from the general portion 62, but this is not limited to this. The RFID tag of the present disclosure may be configured so that a portion of the RFID tag protrudes inward in the tire width direction from the general portion 62. The RFID tag of the present disclosure may be configured so that it protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the general portion 62.

[0068] 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.

[0069] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the tire aspect ratio was set, for example, in the range of 10 or more and 65 or less (preferably in the range of 35 or more and 55 or less), but this is not limited thereto, and the tire aspect ratio of the present disclosure can be set in any range.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing layer 30 is configured to include a plurality of reinforcing cords (not shown) coated with rubber (not shown), but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The reinforcing layer 30 may also be configured to include a plurality of reinforcing cords (not shown) coated with a resin material (not shown).

[0071] (Additional Note) A tire according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an annular tire frame member made of resin, the tire frame member including 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; a thickness portion formed in the side portion and projecting in the tire width direction more than other portions of the side portion to thereby have a thickness in the tire width direction greater than the other portions; and an RFID tag provided in the thickness portion so as to be integrated with the thickness portion.

[0072] According to the tire of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the thick portion formed in the side portion protrudes in the tire width direction more than the other portions of the side portion, thereby making the thickness in the tire width direction thicker than the other portions. This makes it possible to suppress vibration in the side portion compared to a configuration in which the thick portion and the other portions have the same thickness in the tire width direction. As a result, it is possible to improve the quietness of the tire.

[0073] Furthermore, in the tire according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag is provided in the thickness portion so as to be integrated with the thickness portion.

[0074] Here, because the thickness portion protrudes more in the tire width direction than the other portions, a recess for forming the thickness portion is provided in the mold when molding the tire frame member by injection molding. Furthermore, because the RFID tag is provided in the thickness portion, it becomes possible to place the RFID tag in the recess in the mold. By placing the RFID tag in the recess in the mold in this way, it is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow when molding the tire frame member by injection molding. Therefore, misalignment of the RFID tag can be suppressed.

[0075] As described above, according to the tire of the first aspect of the present disclosure, in a tire having a tire frame member made of resin and an RFID tag, it is possible to improve quietness while suppressing misalignment of the RFID tag.

[0076] In a second aspect of the tire of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, the RFID tag protrudes in the tire width direction beyond the other portions and forms part of the thickness portion.

[0077] According to the tire of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag protrudes in the tire width direction more than other portions of the side portion, and therefore a recess for locating the RFID tag is provided in the mold used when molding the tire frame member by injection molding. By locating the RFID tag in the recess in the mold, the RFID tag is less susceptible to the influence of resin flow when molding the tire frame member by injection molding. This makes it possible to suppress misalignment of the RFID tag.

[0078] 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 thick portion in the tire circumferential direction, and the thick portion including the RFID tag is formed around the entire side portion along the tire circumferential direction.

[0079] According to the tire of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the thick portion including the RFID tag is formed around the entire side portion in the circumferential direction of the tire, thereby improving the quietness of the tire compared to a configuration in which the thick portion including the RFID tag is formed only on a portion of the side portion in the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0080] A tire according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the tire according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag is arranged along the tire circumferential direction.

[0081] According to the tire of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the RFID tag is arranged with its longitudinal direction aligned with the tire circumferential direction, and therefore is less susceptible to deformation when the tire comes into contact with the ground than in a configuration in which the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag is aligned with the tire radial direction, thereby making it possible to suppress damage to the RFID tag.

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

[0083] In the tire of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the side portion of the tire frame member 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] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides the tire of the fifth aspect, wherein the case is formed from the same type of resin material as the resin material that forms the tire frame member.

[0085] In the tire of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the resin material forming the RFID tag case is the same as the resin material forming the tire frame member, so the case can be more firmly integrated into the side portion than in tires in which the resin materials are different types.

[0086] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-209351, 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 having an annular resin tire frame member including a bead portion, a side portion connected to the outside of the bead portion in the tire radial direction, and a crown portion connected to the inside of the side portion in the tire width direction; a thickness portion formed in the side portion and protruding in the tire width direction more than other portions of the side portion, thereby making the tire width direction thicker than the other portions; and an RFID tag provided in the thickness portion so as to be integrated with the thickness portion.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag protrudes in the tire width direction beyond the other portions and forms part of the thickness portion.

3. A tire as described in claim 1, wherein the RFID tag forms a part of the thick portion in the tire circumferential direction, and the thick portion including the RFID tag is formed around the entire side portion in the tire circumferential direction.

4. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag is arranged along the tire circumferential direction.

5. A tire as described in claim 1, wherein the RFID tag has a resin case, and an RFID chip and an antenna housed in the case, and the side portion is molded so as to be integrated with the case.

6. The tire according to claim 5, 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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