Tire and non-pneumatic tire

Abstract

This tire includes: an annular tire framework member which includes bead portions, side portions continuous with the bead portions on the radially outer side of the tire, and a crown portion continuous with the side portions on the inside in the width direction of the tire; a spiral belt which is disposed on outside of the crown portion in the radial direction of the tire and which is formed by winding a resin coated cord, obtained by coating one or a plurality of reinforcing cords with a resin, in a spiral shape in the circumferential direction of the tire; and an RF tag which is disposed on the outside of the crown portion in the radial direction of the tire, and which has at least a portion disposed on an extension line of the resin coated cord that extends from one end of the resin coated cord in a plan view.

Description

Tires and non-pneumatic tires

[0001] The present disclosure relates to tires and non-pneumatic tires.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Tires incorporating an RF tag (also called an RF tag) equipped with an RFID chip and an antenna are known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-87600).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-179731 discloses a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-179731 includes a mounting body attached to an axle, an outer cylindrical body surrounding the mounting body from the outside in the tire radial direction, a tread portion surrounding the outer cylindrical body from the outside in the tire radial direction, and a connecting member that displaceably connects the mounting body and the outer cylindrical body. Furthermore, the non-pneumatic tire disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-179731 has a spiral reinforcing layer bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body. The spiral reinforcing layer is formed by spirally winding a wire body, which has one cord or multiple parallel cords embedded in a covering, around the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body.

[0004] Incidentally, there is known a tire in which a spiral belt, in which a resin-coated cord is wound spirally in the tire circumferential direction, is disposed on the radially outer side of the crown portion of a tire frame member. When an RF tag is disposed in such a tire, the RF tag is disposed on the crown portion and to the side of the end of the resin-coated cord to prevent damage to the RF tag. However, if space for disposing the RF tag is secured, the width of the spiral belt relative to the crown portion becomes narrower by the space for disposing the RF tag.

[0005] Furthermore, the inventors of the present disclosure have come up with the novel idea of ​​providing a communication device (e.g., an RF tag, etc.) in a non-pneumatic tire such as that described in JP 2016-179731 A, and have newly discovered a configuration that can suppress damage to the communication device in a non-pneumatic tire when a vehicle equipped with the non-pneumatic tire is running (hereinafter simply referred to as "when the vehicle is running"), leading to the present disclosure.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to ensure the width of the spiral belt relative to the crown portion in a tire in which a spiral belt and an RF tag are disposed radially outward of a crown portion of a tire frame member.An object of another aspect of the present disclosure is to suppress damage to a communication device in a non-pneumatic tire during vehicle travel.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a tire having: an annular tire frame member including a bead portion, a side portion contiguous to the outside of the bead portion in the tire radial direction, and a crown portion contiguous to the inside of the side portion in the tire width direction; a spiral belt disposed on the outside of the crown portion in the tire radial direction and formed by spirally winding a coated cord, which is made of one or more reinforcing cords coated with resin or rubber, in the tire circumferential direction; and an RF tag disposed on the outside of the crown portion in the tire radial direction, at least a portion of which is disposed on an extension line of the coated cord extending from one end of the coated cord in a plan view.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a non-pneumatic tire comprising: a wheel member attachable to an axle; a ring member attached to the wheel member; a spiral reinforcing layer formed by spirally winding a wire body having one cord or multiple parallel cords embedded in a covering on the outer peripheral surface of the ring member; a tread member surrounding the outside of the spiral reinforcing layer in the tire radial direction; and a communication device arranged adjacent to one end face of the wire body in the tire circumferential direction.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in a tire in which a spiral belt and an RF tag are disposed on the tire radially outer side of a crown portion of a tire frame member, the width of the spiral belt relative to the crown portion can be ensured. Also, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, in a non-pneumatic tire, damage to a communication device can be suppressed when the vehicle is traveling.

[0010] 1. A cross-sectional view showing one side of a cross section along the tire width direction of a tire according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 2. A plan view of a spiral belt and crown portion showing the periphery of an RF tag carried by the tire of FIG. 1. 3. A cross-sectional view along the line 3X-3X in FIG. 2. 4. A plan view of an RF tag carried by the tire of FIG. 1. 5. A side view of the RF tag of FIG. 4A. 6. A plan view of a spiral belt and crown portion showing the periphery of an RF tag carried by a tire according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 7. A plan view of a spiral belt and crown portion showing an enlarged periphery of an RF tag carried by a tire according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 8. A cross-sectional view showing one side of a cross section along the tire width direction of a tire according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 9. A plan view of a spiral belt and crown portion showing the periphery of an RF tag carried by the tire of FIG. 7. 10. A side view of a non-pneumatic tire according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 11. A diagram showing an enlarged portion of FIG. 9. 12. A cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 10. 13. A diagram showing the communication device shown in FIG. 9 and a reader / writer capable of wireless communication with this communication device. 14. A diagram showing an example of the communication device shown in FIG. 9. 15. A perspective view showing the communication device shown in FIG. 13 covered with a covering member. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship in the tire circumferential direction between a communication device and one end face of a wire body of a spiral reinforcement layer. FIG.

[0011] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment for implementing the technology of 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 descriptions 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 the elements shown in the drawings do not necessarily match those in reality. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of the elements do not necessarily match between multiple drawings.

[0012] 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 part follows the method described in the 2023 YEAR BOOK published by JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association).

[0013] 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).

[0014] (Tire Frame Member) 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.

[0015] 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 axial direction, and tire radial direction, respectively.

[0016] 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).

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The tire frame member 17 may be formed from a single resin material, or may be formed from resin materials having different characteristics for each portion of the tire frame member 17 (bead portion 12, side portion 14, crown portion 16, etc.).

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 an outer surface 16A is made substantially flat along the tire width direction.

[0026] (Spiral belt) A spiral belt 29 is provided on the tire radial outer side of the crown portion 16. This spiral belt 29 is formed by spirally winding a resin-coated cord 28 (an example of a coated cord in the present disclosure) in the tire circumferential direction, in which one or more reinforcing cords 26 are coated with resin 27. Note that in the present embodiment, the spiral belt 29 is formed by the resin-coated cord 28 in which one reinforcing cord 26 is coated with resin 27, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration.

[0027] (Reinforcing Layer) 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The reinforcing layer 30 of this embodiment is formed by bonding plies 30L and 30R (described later), each of which has a plurality of reinforcing cords aligned parallel to one another and coated with (unvulcanized) rubber, to the outer peripheral surface of the molded tire frame member 17. Specifically, the reinforcing layer 30 covers at least the outer surface 14A of the side portion 14.

[0030] 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.

[0031] (Tread) 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 the same as 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 2 and 3, the tire 10 has an RF tag (also called an RFID tag) 40. This RF tag 40 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with a reader (not shown).

[0036] 3, the RF tag 40 is disposed on the outer side of the crown portion 16 in the tire radial direction. Specifically, the RF tag 40 is attached to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16. In the present embodiment, as an example, the RF tag 40 is welded to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16.

[0037] 2, at least a portion of the RF tag 40 is disposed on an extension line 28EL of the resin-coated cord 28 extending from one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 in a plan view. The extension line 28EL here is a straight line extending from a center line 28CL passing through the center of the resin-coated cord 28. Since the resin-coated cord 28 is wound spirally, the center line 28CL may be inclined at a slight angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction.

[0038] The RF tag 40 is also close to the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 in a plan view. Close proximity here includes a state in which the RF tag 40 is in contact with the end surface of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 and a state in which the gap S between the end surface of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 and the RF tag 40 is 1 mm or less. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the RF tag 40 is in contact with the end surface of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 in a plan view. A case 42 (described later) of the RF tag 40 may be attached to a portion of the end surface of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 that is made of resin 27. As an example, the case 42 of the RF tag 40 may be welded to a portion of the end surface of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 that is made of resin 27.

[0039] The RF tag 40 is also arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the RF tag 40 is aligned with the extension line 28EL in a plan view.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the RF tag 40 includes a flexible resin case 42, an RFID chip 44, and an antenna 46 housed in the case 42. In this embodiment, a pair of antennas 46 extend in opposite directions from the RFID chip 44. Specifically, the pair of antennas 46 extend in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction of the RF tag 40. In this embodiment, the case 42 is formed from the same type of resin material as the resin material forming the crown portion 16 of the tire frame member 17. As described above, the case 42 is welded to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16. In this embodiment, the case 42 is plate-shaped and has a substantially rectangular shape with short sides curved in an arc shape in a plan view. However, the shape of the case 42 is not limited to this substantially rectangular shape. The case 42 may also be, for example, a film-like shape.

[0041] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In the tire 10 of this embodiment, in a plan view of the spiral belt 29 shown in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the RF tag 40 is disposed on an extension line 28EL extending from one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28. By disposing the RF tag 40 in this manner, the amount by which the RF tag 40 protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 is reduced, making it possible to dispose the resin-coated cord 28 close to the end 16E of the crown portion 16 in the tire width direction. Therefore, compared to a case in which the RF tag 40 is disposed laterally of the end of the resin-coated cord 28, the tire 10 of this embodiment can dispose the resin-coated cord 28 close to the end 16E of the crown portion 16 in the tire width direction, thereby ensuring the width of the spiral belt 29 relative to the crown portion 16 (i.e., the width along the tire width direction). As a result, the tire 10 can improve tire rigidity by disposing the RF tag 40 in the crown portion 16.

[0042] In this embodiment, the tire width direction end 16E of the crown portion 16 in the tire 10 is the boundary (inflection point) between the approximately flat outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16 and the curved outer surface 14A of the side portion 14, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the tire width direction end of the crown portion may be set depending on the tire specifications.

[0043] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of this embodiment, the RF tag 40 is located close to one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28. That is, in the tire 10, the RF tag 40 is located close to one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 in a plan view. Here, the distance (distance along the tire width direction) from the side surface of the spiral belt 29 to the end 16E of the crown portion 16 narrows from the tip of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 around the tire. Therefore, by locating the RF tag 40 on the extension line 28EL of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 and close to the one end 28A, it is possible to locate the resin-coated cord 28 closer to the end 16E of the crown portion 16 than, for example, when the RF tag 40 is located farther away from the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28. This allows the width of the spiral belt 29 relative to the crown portion 16 to be further secured.

[0044] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of this embodiment, the RF tag 40 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the extension line 28EL in a plan view, and therefore, compared to when the RF tag 40 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the extension line 28EL, the amount by which the RF tag 40 protrudes outward in the tire width direction from the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28 is reduced, making it possible to arrange the resin-coated cord 28 close to the end 16E of the crown portion 16. This makes it possible to further ensure the width of the spiral belt 29 relative to the crown portion 16.

[0045] In the tire 10 of this embodiment, the tire weight can be reduced by coating the reinforcing cords 26 with the resin 27. Furthermore, the tire frame member 17 is formed of a resin material, which further reduces the tire weight. Furthermore, the recyclability of the spiral belt 29 and the tire frame member 17 is improved.

[0046] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of this embodiment, the case 42 that houses the RFID chip 44 and the antenna 46 is welded to the crown portion 16 of the tire frame member 17, so that the RF tag 40 can be easily and firmly attached to the tire frame member 17.

[0047] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of this embodiment, the resin material forming the case 42 of the RF tag 40 is the same type as the resin material forming the tire frame member 17, so that the case 42 can be firmly attached to the crown portion 16 compared to, for example, a configuration in which the resin materials are different types.

[0048] [Other Embodiments] While one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the tire 10 of the above-described embodiment, the RF tag 40 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the extension line 28EL. However, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the RF tag 40 may be arranged so that its longitudinal direction is oblique to the extension line 28EL. Note that the inclination angle of the longitudinal direction of the RF tag 40 with respect to the extension line 28EL is preferably within a range of ±15 degrees. Furthermore, a gap S may be present between the RF tag 40 and one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28. This gap S is preferably 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less.

[0049] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of the above-described embodiment, the RF tag 40 is disposed on the extension line 28EL of one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the RF tag 40 may be disposed on the extension line 28EL of the one end 28A of the resin-coated cord 28, as well as on the extension line of the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28.

[0050] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of the above-described embodiment, the RF tag 40 is welded to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which part or all of the RF tag 40 is housed in a recess (not shown) formed in the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16. By housing the RF tag 40 in this recess, the amount by which the RF tag 40 protrudes outward in the tire radial direction from the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16 is reduced, and even if a crack or the like occurs in the tread 32, the effect of the crack is less likely to reach the RF tag 40.

[0051] Furthermore, in the tire 10 of the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the one end 28A and the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28 overlap in the tire circumferential direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the one end 28A and the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28 may not overlap in the tire circumferential direction, and instead, the RF tag 40 and the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28 may overlap in the tire circumferential direction. Note that in FIG. 5 , the region where the one end 28A and the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28 overlap in the tire circumferential direction is indicated by the symbol OR. When the RF tag 40 and the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28 overlap in the tire circumferential direction in this manner, the narrow portion of the spiral belt 29, which would be narrowed if the one end 28A and the other end 28B of the resin-coated cord 28 did not overlap, is reinforced by the RF tag 40. This ensures the rigidity of the spiral belt 29 compared to, for example, a case where the reinforcement is not provided.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the RF tag 40 is welded to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the RF tag 40 may be adhered to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16 using an adhesive.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the resin material forming the case 42 and the resin material forming the crown portion 16 of the tire frame member 17 are the same type of resin material, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration, and the resin material forming the case 42 and the resin material forming the crown portion 16 of the tire frame member 17 may be different types of resin materials.

[0054] 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).

[0055] The RF tag 40 may be attached to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16 after the spiral belt 29 is formed on the tire frame member 17 during the manufacture of the tire 10, or may be attached to the outer surface 16A of the crown portion 16 before the spiral belt 29 is formed.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the tire frame member 17 is made of a resin material. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, as in the tire 100 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tire frame member may be made of a material containing vulcanized rubber. Specifically, the tire 100 is a so-called radial tire used for passenger cars, and includes a tire frame member 117, a spiral belt 126, and an RF tag 40. FIG. 7 shows the shape of the tire 100 in its natural state before inflation. The tire frame member 117 includes a bead portion 120, a side portion 122, and a crown portion 124. The tire frame member 117 also includes a carcass 116 made of vulcanized rubber and reinforcing cords, and an annular base ring 138 made of a resin material. The crown portion 124 of the tire frame member 117 is composed of a central portion of the carcass 116 and a base ring 138 arranged on the outer periphery of the central portion. In the tire 100, the outer end 138E of the base ring 138 in the tire width direction corresponds to the outer end of the crown portion 124 in the tire width direction, and the outer surface of the base ring 138 corresponds to the outer surface of the crown portion 124. The resin material constituting the base ring 138 may be the same type of resin material as the resin 132 of the spiral belt 126. The spiral belt 126 is attached (by welding, for example) to the outer surface of the base ring 138. As shown in FIG. 7 , the spiral belt 126 is formed by winding a resin-coated cord 134 (an example of a coated cord disclosed herein) in the tire circumferential direction, in which multiple (e.g., two) reinforcing cords 130 are coated with resin 132. Note that the material constituting the spiral belt 126 may be the same as the material constituting the spiral belt 29. As shown in FIG. 8 , an RF tag 40 is positioned on an extension line 134EL of one end 134A of the resin-coated cord 134. The RF tag 40 is attached to the base ring 138 constituting the crown portion 124. A tread 136 made of a rubber material is disposed radially outward of the spiral belt 126. In the tire 100, the tire frame member 117 is formed of a material containing vulcanized rubber, but the same effects as those of the tire 10 of the above-described embodiment in which the tire frame member 17 is formed only of a resin material can be obtained.The reference numeral 134B denotes the other end of the resin-coated cord 134.

[0057] In the tire 10 of the above-described embodiment, the spiral belt 29 is formed by spirally winding a resin-coated cord 28, in which one or more reinforcing cords 26 are coated with resin 27, in the tire circumferential direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a spiral belt (not shown) may be formed by spirally winding a rubber-coated cord (not shown), in which one or more reinforcing cords 26 are coated with rubber, in the tire circumferential direction. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the tire 10 described above can be obtained. Furthermore, a configuration in which a rubber-coated cord is used instead of a resin-coated cord may be applied to the tire 100 described above.

[0058] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, a direction parallel to the tire center axis O of a non-pneumatic tire will be referred to as the "tire width direction A." Hereinafter, a direction around the tire center axis O of a non-pneumatic tire will be referred to as the "tire circumferential direction B." Hereinafter, in a cross section of a non-pneumatic tire perpendicular to the tire center axis O, a radial direction of an imaginary circle centered on the tire center axis O will be referred to as the "tire radial direction C."

[0059] Fig. 9 is a side view of a non-pneumatic tire 501 as one embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire according to the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 10.

[0060] 9 , a non-pneumatic tire 501 of this embodiment includes a wheel member 502, a ring member 503, a spiral reinforcing layer 504, a tread member 505, and a communication device 506. The non-pneumatic tire 501 is used by being mounted on an axle of various vehicles such as a bicycle, a motorcycle, or an automobile.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the wheel member 502 is formed in a disk shape. The ring member 503, the spiral reinforcement layer 504, and the tread member 505 are each formed in an annular shape. The central axis of the wheel member 502, the central axis of the ring member 503, the central axis of the spiral reinforcement layer 504, and the central axis of the tread member 505 are located on a common axis. In this embodiment, this common axis is the tire center axis O.

[0062] In this embodiment, the center positions in the tire width direction A of the wheel member 502, the ring member 503, the spiral reinforcement layer 504, and the tread member 505 are approximately the same. In this embodiment, the wheel member 502, the ring member 503, the spiral reinforcement layer 504, and the tread member 505 have a structure that is symmetrical in the tire width direction A as a whole, with respect to the tire equatorial plane CL (see FIG. 11 ) that passes through the center positions in the tire width direction A, but is not limited to this configuration.

[0063] The wheel member 502 is configured to be attachable to an axle. Specifically, the wheel member 502 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical boss 502a that extends in the tire width direction A and to which the axle is fitted, a mounting tubular portion 502b that is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the boss 502a, a support tubular portion 502c that surrounds the outside of the mounting tubular portion 502b in the tire radial direction C and supports the ring member 503 on the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of spokes 502d that connect the mounting tubular portion 502b and the support tubular portion 502c.

[0064] The boss 502a, the mounting tubular portion 502b, and the support tubular portion 502c are each arranged so that their central axes are aligned with the tire central axis O. The multiple spokes 502d are arranged, for example, at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction B. Each of the multiple spokes 502d extends radially in the tire radial direction C from the boss 502a as its center.

[0065] The boss 502a, the mounting tube 502b, the support tube 502c, and the spokes 502d may be made of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The boss 502a, the mounting tube 502b, the support tube 502c, and the spokes 502d may also be made of a resin such as a thermoplastic resin. Furthermore, some of the elements of the boss 502a, the mounting tube 502b, the support tube 502c, and the spokes 502d may be made of metal, and other elements may be made of resin. In this way, the materials of the components of the wheel member 502 are not particularly limited.

[0066] The ring member 503 is attached to the wheel member 502. More specifically, the ring member 503 of this embodiment is fitted onto the outside of the support cylinder portion 502c of the wheel member 502 and is supported on the outer circumferential surface of the support cylinder portion 502c.

[0067] The ring member 503 includes an inner cylindrical body 511 , an outer cylindrical body 512 , and a connecting member 513 .

[0068] The inner cylindrical body 511 is fixed to the wheel member 502. Specifically, the inner cylindrical body 511 of this embodiment is fitted onto the support cylindrical portion 502c of the wheel member 502, and is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the support cylindrical portion 502c over the entire area in the tire circumferential direction B. In this state, the inner cylindrical body 511 of this embodiment is joined to the support cylindrical portion 502c with fastening members such as bolts, thereby being fixed to the support cylindrical portion 502c. The inner cylindrical body 511 is attached to the axle via the wheel member 502.

[0069] The outer cylinder body 512 surrounds the outside of the inner cylinder body 511 in the tire radial direction C. The central axis of the inner cylinder body 511 and the central axis of the outer cylinder body 512 are located on the tire central axis O. In this embodiment, the inner cylinder body 511 and the outer cylinder body 512 are arranged with their respective centers in the tire width direction A aligned with each other.

[0070] The connecting member 513 connects the inner cylindrical body 511 and the outer cylindrical body 512. The connecting member 513 is configured to be elastically deformable between the inner cylindrical body 511 and the outer cylindrical body 512. More specifically, the connecting member 513 is configured to be elastically deformable in the tire radial direction C between the inner cylindrical body 511 and the outer cylindrical body 512.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 9, a plurality of connecting members 513 of this embodiment are arranged in the tire circumferential direction B. More specifically, a plurality of connecting members 513 of this embodiment are arranged in the tire circumferential direction B at positions between the inner cylindrical body 511 and the outer cylindrical body 512 in the tire radial direction C. These multiple connecting members 513 are arranged spaced apart in the tire circumferential direction B. In other words, two connecting members 513 adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction B are not in contact with each other and are arranged spaced apart in the tire circumferential direction B. Furthermore, the multiple connecting members 513 of this embodiment are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the tire center axis O.

[0072] The connecting member 513 of this embodiment is a plate-shaped portion disposed so that its thickness direction is in the in-plane direction of a plane perpendicular to the tire center axis O. In the connecting member 513 of this embodiment, the outer end portion 513a, which is connected to the outer cylindrical body 512 and is located on the outside of the tire radial direction C, and the inner end portion 513b, which is connected to the inner cylindrical body 511 and is located on the inside of the tire radial direction C, are disposed at different positions in the tire circumferential direction B. In this manner, the plate-shaped portion serving as the connecting member 513 can be used as a leaf spring that easily elastically deforms in the tire radial direction C. However, the configuration of the connecting member 513 is not limited to that of this embodiment.

[0073] The constituent materials of the inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513 are made of resin. From the viewpoint of weight reduction, the inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513 are preferably made of resin. Examples of resin materials that can be used to constitute the inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513 include thermoplastic resins such as polyester and nylon, thermosetting resins such as vinyl ester resin and unsaturated polyester resin, and other synthetic resins. The resin material may further contain reinforcing fibers such as glass, carbon, graphite, aramid, polyethylene, and ceramic.

[0074] In this embodiment, the inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513 are integrally formed from a resin material by injection molding. Injection molding may be a method of simultaneously integrally molding the entire inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513. The resin material may be, for example, a single resin material, a mixture containing two or more resin materials, or a mixture containing one or more resin materials and one or more elastomers. The resin material may further contain additives such as antioxidants, plasticizers, fillers, or pigments. The resin material is preferably a thermoplastic resin. The inner cylinder 511, the outer cylinder 512, and the connecting member 513 may be formed separately and then assembled together.

[0075] The wheel member 502 has a function of connecting the axle and the ring member 503, and the ring member 503 has a function of absorbing vibrations transmitted from the ground to the axle. As such, the wheel member 502 and the ring member 503 have different functions, and therefore may be made of different materials. For example, the ring member 503 may be made of a material with a relatively low elastic modulus to ensure vibration absorption performance, and the wheel member 502 may be made of a material with a higher elastic modulus than the ring member 503 to ensure robustness.

[0076] The ring member 503 of this embodiment is configured by the inner cylinder body 511, the outer cylinder body 512, and the connecting member 513 described above, but is not limited to this configuration. The ring member 503 may further include other parts in addition to the inner cylinder body 511, the outer cylinder body 512, and the connecting member 513.

[0077] The spiral reinforcement layer 504 is formed by spirally winding a wire body 520, in which one cord 521 or multiple parallel cords 521 are embedded in a covering 522, on the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 512 of the ring member 503. Figure 11 shows, as an example, a wire body 520 in which only one cord 521 is embedded in the covering 522.

[0078] The wires 520 are spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 512, which serves as the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 503, so that the wires 520 are adjacent to each other in the tire width direction A on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 512. The coverings 522 at adjacent portions of the wires 520 in the tire width direction A are integrally fixed to each other in the tire width direction A, thereby forming a spiral reinforcement layer 504 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 512. For ease of explanation, the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11 indicates the boundary between the coverings 522 before they are fixed. In other words, the spiral reinforcement layer 504 includes a base layer 504a formed by fixing adjacent coverings 522 to each other in the tire width direction A, and one or more cords 521 extending spirally within the base layer 504a. The constituent material of the covering 522 may be, for example, a resin material. The covering 522 may be made of, for example, a rubber composition. The cord 521 may be, for example, a steel cord.

[0079] The spiral reinforcement layer 504 may be bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 512 of the ring member 503 over the entire area in the tire circumferential direction B. The adhesion between the spiral reinforcement layer 504 and the outer cylindrical body 512 may be achieved, for example, by welding the wires 520 that form the spiral reinforcement layer 504 to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body 512. Note that when the covering body 522 is formed of a rubber composition, the adhesion between the spiral reinforcement layer 504 and the outer cylindrical body 512 may be achieved by vulcanization bonding.

[0080] In the non-pneumatic tire 501 of this embodiment, the provision of the spiral reinforcement layer 504 can increase the rigidity of the outer cylindrical body 512 of the ring member 503. This can improve the durability of the non-pneumatic tire 501, for example, even when the non-pneumatic tire 501 is used in an environment where it receives a large input from the road surface or where a protrusion on the road surface pierces the tread member 505 of the non-pneumatic tire 501.

[0081] The tread element 505 surrounds the outside of the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire radial direction C. More specifically, the tread element 505 is formed in a cylindrical shape and covers the entire area from the outside of the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire radial direction C to the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder body 512 of the ring element 503 on the outside in the tire radial direction C. The elastic modulus of the constituent material of the tread element 505 is smaller than the elastic modulus of the constituent material of the ring element 503. The outer peripheral surface of the tread element 505 in the tire radial direction C is a tread surface 505a of the non-pneumatic tire 501. As shown in FIG. 11 , the tread surface 505a of the tread element 505 may be a curved surface in which the center side in the tire width direction A is convex outward in the tire radial direction C from both end sides.

[0082] The tread member 505 is formed, for example, from vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanizing a rubber composition containing natural rubber or the like, or from a thermoplastic material. Examples of thermoplastic materials include thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic resins. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include amide-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPA), ester-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPC), olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPO), styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPS), urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), crosslinked thermoplastic rubbers (TPV), and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPZ), as specified in JIS K 6418. Examples of thermoplastic resins include urethane resins, olefin resins, vinyl chloride resins, and polyamide resins. From the viewpoint of wear resistance, it is preferable to form the tread member 505 from vulcanized rubber.

[0083] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, at least a portion of the communication device 506 is disposed in a region in the tire radial direction C where the spiral reinforcement layer 504 is located. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the communication device 506 is disposed in a position adjacent to the wires 520 of the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire width direction A. Also, as shown in Figure 11, the communication device 506 is disposed adjacent to one end face 520a of the wires 520 of the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire circumferential direction B. Here, "disposed adjacently" does not limit to a configuration in which the communication devices 506 are disposed adjacently in contact with each other, but also includes a configuration in which the communication devices 506 are disposed adjacently and spaced apart from each other with a gap therebetween. Therefore, the communication device 506 may be disposed adjacent to one end face 520a of the wires 520 of the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire circumferential direction B with a gap of, for example, 5 mm or less therebetween. In Figure 11 , the position of one end face 520a of the wire body 520 and the end face 521a of the cord 521 at this end face 520a are indicated by dashed lines. By arranging the communication device 506 in this position, the periphery of the communication device 506 is protected by the ring member 503, the spiral reinforcement layer 504, and the tread member 505, thereby preventing the communication device 506 from being damaged while the vehicle is running. Note that in Figure 11 , a covering member 536 (described below) that covers the communication device 506 has a predetermined shape and is arranged at the position shown in Figure 11 , but this configuration is not limited to this. The communication device 506 may be configured, for example, to be embedded in the tread member 505, which flows during vulcanization and bulges inward in the tire radial direction C.

[0084] 12 is a diagram showing an RF tag serving as a communication device 506 of this embodiment and a reader / writer 560 capable of wireless communication with the RF tag. As shown in FIG. 12 , the communication device 506 of this embodiment may be a passive RF tag including a memory unit 506a that stores information about the non-pneumatic tire 501, an antenna unit 506b that can transmit and receive information to and from the reader / writer 560 located outside the non-pneumatic tire 501, and a control unit 506c that can write information to the memory unit 506a and read information from the memory unit 506a. Specifically, the RF tag serving as the communication device 506 of this embodiment can receive information transmitted by radio waves or magnetic fields from the antenna unit 560a of the reader / writer 560 via the antenna unit 506b. Electric power is generated in the antenna unit 506b by rectification (in the case of radio waves) or resonance (in the case of a magnetic field), and the memory unit 506a and the control unit 506c perform predetermined operations. For example, the control unit 506c reads information from the storage unit 506a and transmits the information via radio waves or a magnetic field from the antenna unit 506b to the reader / writer 560. The antenna unit 560a of the reader / writer 560 receives radio waves or a magnetic field from an RF tag serving as the communication device 506 of this embodiment. The control unit 560b of the reader / writer 560 can obtain the information stored in the storage unit 506a by extracting the received information. The storage unit 506a and the control unit 506c can be configured, for example, by an integrated circuit (IC chip) including a nonvolatile memory.

[0085] The information stored in the memory unit 506a of the RF tag serving as the communication device 506 of this embodiment is not particularly limited. The memory unit 506a may store, for example, unique identification information for each non-pneumatic tire 501, such as the manufacturer, manufacturing plant, and manufacturing date of the non-pneumatic tire 501, allowing each non-pneumatic tire to be identified. The memory unit 506a may also store tire history information, such as the mileage of the non-pneumatic tire 501, the number of sudden braking events, the number of sudden starts, and the number of sharp turns, as information rewritable by the reader / writer 560. Furthermore, for example, a sensor for detecting tire acceleration or the like may be attached to the non-pneumatic tire 501, and the memory unit 506a may store information detected by the sensor. The RF tag serving as the communication device 506 can acquire information detected by the sensor by wirelessly communicating with the sensor via the antenna unit 506b.

[0086] The communication device 506 is not limited to the RF tag of this embodiment as long as it is capable of wireless communication with a predetermined device outside the non-pneumatic tire 501 .

[0087] 13 and 14 are perspective views showing an RF tag as a communication device 506 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the RF tag as the communication device 506 of this embodiment includes a first antenna 531 and a second antenna 532 constituting an antenna unit 506b, an IC chip 533 constituting a control unit 506c and a memory unit 506a, which is operated by a dielectric electromotive force generated by radio waves received by the first antenna 531 and the second antenna 532, a plate-shaped support member 534 to which the IC chip 533 is attached, and a conductive conductor 535 electrically connecting the IC chip 533 to the first antenna 531 and the second antenna 532. As shown in Fig. 13, the RF tag as the communication device 506 of this embodiment includes elongated first antenna 531 and second antenna 532 protruding in opposite directions from the IC chip 533, sandwiching the IC chip 533 therebetween. As described above, the communication device 506 of this embodiment has an elongated shape in which the longitudinal direction D of the first antenna 531 and the second antenna 532 is the longitudinal direction of the entire communication device 506. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the RF tag serving as the communication device 506 shown in Fig. 13 is covered with a covering member 536. The covering member 536 is formed of resin. In this embodiment, the RF tag serving as the communication device 506, whose periphery is covered with the covering member 536 as shown in Fig. 14, is arranged in a region in which the spiral reinforcement layer 504 is located in the tire radial direction C.

[0088] The position and posture of the communication device 506 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the positional relationship in the tire circumferential direction B between the communication device 506 and one end face 520a of the wire body 520 of the spiral reinforcement layer 504.

[0089] 15 , the communication device 506 is disposed adjacent to one end surface 520 a of the wire body 520 in the tire circumferential direction B. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 , the communication device 506 is disposed at a position overlapping one end surface 520 a of the wire body 520 in the tire circumferential direction B. As described above, the wire body 520 forming the spiral reinforcement layer 504 is wound spirally on the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 503 (in this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the outer tubular body 512). Therefore, the wire body 520 is not disposed at positions adjacent to each of the end surfaces of the wire body 520 in the tire circumferential direction B. Therefore, the positions adjacent to each of the end surfaces of the wire body 520 in the tire circumferential direction B are surrounded by the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire width direction A and the tire circumferential direction B, and spaces Z are formed between the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 503 and the tread member 505 in the tire radial direction C. The communication device 506 is disposed in this space Z. By disposing the communication device 506 in the space Z, the periphery of the communication device 506 is protected by the ring member 503, the spiral reinforcement layer 504, and the tread member 505, and damage to the communication device 506 during vehicle travel can be suppressed.

[0090] In addition, although the communication device 506 in this embodiment is arranged adjacent to the end face 520a of the wire body 520 in the tire circumferential direction B, it may also be arranged adjacent to the opposite end face 520b of the wire body 520 in the tire circumferential direction B.

[0091] 11 and 15 , in this embodiment, the entire communication device 506 is located inward in the tire width direction A from an outer end 520 a1 of one end face 520 a of the wire body 520. In this manner, the communication device 506 does not protrude outward in the tire width direction A from the end face 520 a of the wire body 520, thereby preventing the communication device 506 from being damaged by an impact from outside in the tire width direction A. Note that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , a covering member 536 that covers the communication device 506 is located inward in the tire width direction A from an outer end 520 a1 of one end face 520 a of the wire body 520. In this manner, the communication device 506 is further prevented from being damaged by an impact from outside in the tire width direction A.

[0092] 11 , in this embodiment, the entire communication device 506 is located inward, in the tire width direction A, from outer ends 521a1 of end faces 521a of cords 521 on one end face 520a of wire body 520. In this manner, the communication device 506 does not protrude outward in the tire width direction A from the cords 521 of wire body 520, which further reduces damage to the communication device 506 due to an impact from the outside in the tire width direction A.

[0093] 11 , in this embodiment, the entire communication device 506 is located inward in the tire radial direction C from an outer end 520a2 of one end face 520a of the wire body 520 in the tire radial direction C. In this manner, the communication device 506 does not protrude outward in the tire radial direction C from the end face 520a of the wire body 520, and therefore the communication device 506 can be prevented from being damaged by an impact from the outside in the tire radial direction C via the tread member 505, for example.

[0094] 11 , in this embodiment, the entire communication device 506 is located inward in the tire radial direction C from an outer end 521 a2 in the tire radial direction C of an end face 521 a of a cord 521 on one end face 520 a of the wire body 520. In this manner, the communication device 506 does not protrude outward in the tire radial direction C from the cord 521 of the wire body 520, which further reduces damage to the communication device 506 due to an impact from outside in the tire radial direction C.

[0095] As described above, the RF tag serving as the communication device 506 of this embodiment has an elongated shape. As shown in FIGS. 10 , 11 , and 15 , the communication device 506 of this embodiment is disposed so that its longitudinal direction (which is the same direction as the longitudinal direction D of the first antenna 531 and the second antenna 532 in this embodiment, and will hereinafter be referred to as the longitudinal direction D) is aligned with the tire circumferential direction B. The ring member 503 receives force from the road surface when the vehicle is traveling and deforms in the tire radial direction C. At this time, the variation in the amount of deformation in the tire radial direction C depending on the position in the tire circumferential direction B is greater than the variation in the amount of deformation in the tire radial direction C depending on the position in the tire width direction A. Therefore, if the elongated communication device 506 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction D is aligned with the tire circumferential direction B, stress is concentrated in a portion of the communication device 506 in the longitudinal direction D, making it prone to localized deformation, damage, breakage, and the like. However, as described above, the communication device 506 is disposed adjacent to the spiral reinforcement layer 504 in the tire width direction A and the tire circumferential direction B in the space Z, and therefore the spiral reinforcement layer 504 suppresses deformation in the tire radial direction C, thereby suppressing deformation, damage, breakage, etc. due to the above-mentioned stress concentration. In other words, by disposing the communication device 506 in the above-mentioned space Z, even if the communication device 506 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction D is along the tire circumferential direction B, a decrease in the durability of the communication device 506 can be suppressed.

[0096] The non-pneumatic tire according to the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and various modifications, changes, and combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0097] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] The SDGs have been proposed to realize a sustainable society. It is believed that one embodiment of the present disclosure can be a technology that contributes to "No. 12: Responsible Consumption and Production" and "No. 13: Take concrete measures against climate change."

[0098] Next, the following notes are disclosed regarding this embodiment.

[0099] <Supplementary Note 1> [1] A tire having an annular tire frame member including bead portions, side portions contiguous to the outer sides of the bead portions in the tire radial direction, and a crown portion contiguous to the inner sides of the side portions in the tire width direction; a spiral belt disposed on the outer side of the crown portion in the tire radial direction and formed by spirally winding a coated cord in the tire circumferential direction, the coated cord being made of one or more reinforcing cords coated with resin or rubber; and an RF tag disposed on the outer side of the crown portion in the tire radial direction, at least a portion of which is disposed on an extension line of the coated cord extending from one end of the coated cord in a plan view.

[0100] In the tire [1], at least a part of the RF tag is arranged on an extension line of the coated cord extending from one end of the coated cord in a plan view, so that the width of the spiral belt relative to the crown portion can be secured compared to, for example, a case where the RF tag is arranged to the side of one end of the coated cord.

[0101] [2] The tire according to [1], wherein the coated cord is formed by coating the reinforcing cord with a resin.

[0102] In the tire [2], the reinforcing cords are coated with resin, which allows for a reduction in tire weight.

[0103] [3] The tire according to [1] or [2], wherein the RF tag is located close to one end of the coated cord.

[0104] In the tire [3], since the RF tag is close to one end of the coated cord, the width of the spiral belt relative to the crown portion can be secured compared to, for example, when the RF tag is farther away from one end of the coated cord.

[0105] [4] The tire according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the RF tag is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the RF tag is along the extension line in a plan view.

[0106] In the tire [4], the RF tag is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is along the extension line when viewed in a plane, and therefore the width of the spiral belt relative to the crown portion can be secured compared to, for example, when the RF tag is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the extension line.

[0107] [5] The tire according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the RF tag and the other end of the coated cord overlap in the tire circumferential direction in a plan view.

[0108] In the tire [5], the RF tag and the other end of the coated cord overlap in the tire circumferential direction in a plan view, and therefore, the rigidity of the spiral belt can be ensured compared to, for example, a case where one end of the coated cord and the RF tag do not overlap with the other end of the coated cord.

[0109] [6] The tire according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the tire frame member is formed of a resin material.

[0110] In the tire [6], the tire frame members are formed of a resin material, so that the tire weight can be reduced.

[0111] [7] The tire according to [6], wherein the RF tag includes a flexible resin case, and an RFID chip and an antenna housed in the case, and the case is welded to the crown portion.

[0112] In the tire [7], the case that houses the RFID chip and antenna is welded to the crown portion, so that the RF tag can be easily and firmly attached to the tire frame member.

[0113] <Supplementary Note 2> [1] A non-pneumatic tire comprising: a wheel member attachable to an axle; a ring member attached to the wheel member; a spiral reinforcing layer formed by spirally winding a wire body, the wire body having one cord or a plurality of parallel cords embedded in a covering, on an outer peripheral surface of the ring member; a tread member surrounding the outside of the spiral reinforcing layer in the tire radial direction; and a communication device arranged adjacent to one end face of the wire body in the tire circumferential direction.

[0114] [2] The non-pneumatic tire according to [1], wherein the entire communication device is located inside an outer end of the end face on the one side of the wire body in the tire width direction.

[0115] [3] The non-pneumatic tire according to [2], wherein the entire communication device is located inside, in the tire width direction, an outer end of an end face of the cord on the one end face of the wire body.

[0116] [4] The non-pneumatic tire according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the entire communication device is located inward in the tire radial direction from an outer end in the tire radial direction of the end face on the one side of the wire body.

[0117] [5] The non-pneumatic tire according to [4], wherein the entire communication device is located inward in the tire radial direction from an outer end in the tire radial direction of an end face of the cord on the one end face of the wire body.

[0118] [6] The non-pneumatic tire according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the communication device has an elongated shape, and the communication device is arranged such that a longitudinal direction thereof is along the tire circumferential direction.

[0119] [7] The non-pneumatic tire according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the ring member comprises: an inner cylindrical body attached to the wheel member; an outer cylindrical body surrounding the outer side of the inner cylindrical body in the tire radial direction; and a connecting member connecting the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body and elastically deforming between the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body; and the spiral reinforcing layer is formed by winding the wire in a spiral shape around the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical body.

[0120] [8] The non-pneumatic tire according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the communication device is an RF tag.

[0121] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0122] In addition, the disclosures of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-209532 filed on December 12, 2023 and 2023-210566 filed on December 13, 2023 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0123] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to tires and non-pneumatic tires.

Claims

1. A tire having an annular tire frame member including a bead portion, a side portion connected to the radially outer side of the bead portion, and a crown portion connected to the radially inner side of the side portion in the tire width direction; a spiral belt arranged on the radially outer side of the crown portion and formed by winding a coated cord, which is one or more reinforcing cords covered with resin or rubber, in a spiral shape around the tire circumferential direction; and an RF tag arranged on the radially outer side of the crown portion, at least a portion of which is arranged on an extension line of the coated cord extending from one end of the coated cord in a plan view.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the coated cord is formed by coating the reinforcing cord with a resin.

3. A tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the RF tag is located adjacent to one end of the coated cord.

4. A tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RF tag is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the RF tag is aligned with the extension line in a plan view.

5. A tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the RF tag and the other end of the coated cord overlap in the tire circumferential direction in a plan view.

6. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tire frame member is formed from a resin material.

7. The tire according to claim 6, wherein the RF tag comprises a flexible resin case, and an RFID chip and an antenna housed in the case, and the case is welded to the crown portion.

8. A non-pneumatic tire comprising: a wheel member attachable to an axle; a ring member attached to the wheel member; a spiral reinforcement layer formed by spirally winding a wire body having one cord or a plurality of parallel cords embedded in a covering on the outer peripheral surface of the ring member; a tread member surrounding the outside of the spiral reinforcement layer in the tire radial direction; and a communication device arranged adjacent to one end face of the wire body in the tire circumferential direction.

9. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 8, wherein the entirety of the communication device is located inward in the tire width direction from an outer end of the end face on said one side of the wire body.

10. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 9, wherein the communication device is located entirely inside, in the tire width direction, an outer end of an end face of the cord at the end face on said one side of the wire body.

11. A non-pneumatic tire as described in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the entirety of the communication device is located in the tire radial direction inside an outer end of the end face on said one side of the wire body in the tire radial direction.

12. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 11, wherein the communication device is located entirely inside, in the radial direction of the tire, from an outer end, in the radial direction of the tire, of an end face of the cord at the end face on the one side of the wire body.

13. A non-pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the communication device has an elongated shape, and the communication device is disposed such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the tire circumferential direction.

14. A non-pneumatic tire as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the ring member comprises: an inner cylinder body attached to the wheel member; an outer cylinder body surrounding the outside of the inner cylinder body in the tire radial direction; and a connecting member connecting the inner cylinder body and the outer cylinder body and elastically deformable between the inner cylinder body and the outer cylinder body; and the spiral reinforcement layer is formed by winding the wire in a spiral shape around the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder body.

15. A non-pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the communication device is an RF tag.

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