Tire

Abstract

Provided is a tire with which the position where a communication device is embedded is easily ascertained and in which the durability of the communication device is improved. A tire (1) comprises at least one mark (21) provided on a tire outer surface (1ds) of a tire side part (1d), and a communication device (10) embedded inside the tire side part (1d). At least one mark (21) of the at least one mark (21) is a recessed mark (21(21a)) provided on the tire outer surface (1ds) of the tire side part (1d). At least part of the communication device (10) is embedded inside the tire side part (1d) positioned directly below the recessed mark (21(21a)).

Description

tire

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-209644, filed on December 12, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Some conventional tires have a mark on the outer surface of the tire side that is convex, and the communication device is embedded inside the mark, so that the communication device can be easily identified (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] WO 2023 / 276180

[0004] However, in the conventional tire, the embedded position of the communication device is such that it protrudes from the outer surface of the tire side, which may cause damage to the tire side by flying stones or the like. Therefore, the conventional tire has room for improvement in terms of the durability of the communication device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tire in which the position where a communication device is embedded can be easily determined and the durability of the communication device can be improved.

[0006] (1) A tire according to the present invention is a tire including at least one marking provided on the outer surface of a tire side portion and a communication device embedded inside the tire side portion, wherein at least one of the at least one marking is a recessed marking provided on the outer surface of the tire side portion, and at least a portion of the communication device is embedded inside the tire side portion directly below the recessed marking. With the tire according to the present invention, it is easy to determine the position where the communication device is embedded, and the durability of the communication device is improved.

[0007] (2) In the tire of (1) above, the entire communication device may be embedded inside the tire side portion located directly below the recessed marking, thereby further improving the durability of the communication device.

[0008] (3) In the tire of (1), the communication device preferably has at least one antenna, and at least one of the at least one antenna is embedded inside the tire side portion located directly below the recessed mark. In this case, communication performance of the communication device is improved.

[0009] (4) In the tire of any one of (1) to (3) above, the recessed surface forming the recessed marking may have a pattern area on at least a portion of the recessed surface, and the pattern area may have a plurality of protrusions protruding from at least a portion of the recessed surface with a protrusion height that is smaller than the depth of the recessed surface. In this case, the visibility of the recessed marking on which the communication device is disposed is improved.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tire in which the position where the communication device is embedded can be easily determined and the durability of the communication device is improved.

[0011] 1 is a side view showing a portion of a tire side portion of a tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. FIG. 1 is an enlarged view showing a portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a tire width direction cross-sectional view showing a portion of the tire of FIG. 2, taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a communication device that can be used in a tire according to any embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the communication device of FIG. 4 in an exploded state. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a portion of a tire side portion of a tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. FIG. 6 is a tire width direction cross-sectional view showing a portion of the tire of FIG. 6, taken along line B-B in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the tire of FIG. 6, taken along line C-C in FIG. FIG. 7 is a tire width direction cross-sectional view showing a portion of a tire according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, for example, a pneumatic tire for a passenger car, a pneumatic tire for a truck or a bus, etc.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a tire according to the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The same reference numerals are used to designate common members and parts in the drawings. In some drawings, the tire width direction is indicated by the reference numeral "WD," the tire radial direction is indicated by the reference numeral "RD," and the tire circumferential direction is indicated by the reference numeral "CD." In this specification, the side closer to the tire cavity is referred to as the "inner side of the tire," and the side farther from the tire cavity is referred to as the "outer side of the tire."

[0015] FIGS. 1 to 3 are drawings for explaining a tire 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a portion of a tire side portion of the tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a tire widthwise cross-sectional view showing a portion of the tire of FIG. 2 (specifically, a portion on one side of the tire equatorial plane CL), taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIGS. 6 to 8 are drawings for explaining a tire 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a portion of a tire side portion of the tire according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the outer side in the tire width direction. FIG. 7 is a tire widthwise cross-sectional view showing a portion of the tire of FIG. 6 (specifically, a portion on one side of the tire equatorial plane CL), taken along line B-B in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the tire of FIG. 6, taken along line C-C in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a tire 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in the tire width direction showing a part of a tire according to a third embodiment of the present invention (specifically, a part on one side of the tire equatorial plane CL).

[0016] The tire 1 of each embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses. The tire 1 of the embodiment shown in Figure 9 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars. For convenience of explanation, these embodiments will be described together below.

[0017] The tire 1 according to any embodiment of the present invention may be configured as any type of tire.

[0018] The tire 1 includes a tire main body 1M and a communication device 10. The tire main body 1M corresponds to the portion of the tire 1 other than the communication device 10.

[0019] Unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship and dimensions of each element are measured under standard conditions in which the tire 1 is mounted on an applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and no load is applied. Furthermore, when the tire 1 is mounted on an applicable rim, inflated to a specified internal pressure, and subjected to a maximum load, the width in the tire width direction of the contact patch that comes into contact with the road surface is referred to as the tire contact width, and the ends of the contact patch in the tire width direction are referred to as contact edges.

[0020] In this specification, the term "applicable rim" refers to a standard rim (referred to as "Measuring Rim" in the ETRTO STANDARDS MANUAL and "Design Rim" in the TRA YEAR BOOK) for an applicable size that is an industrial standard valid in the region where a pneumatic tire is produced and used, and is described or will be described in the future in the JATMA YEAR BOOK of the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) in Japan, the STANDARDS MANUAL of the European Tire and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO) in Europe, the YEAR BOOK of the Tire and Rim Association, Inc. (TRA) in the United States, etc. In the case of sizes not specified in these industry standards, it refers to a rim with a width corresponding to the bead width of a pneumatic tire. "Applicable rim" includes not only current sizes but also sizes that will be specified in the aforementioned industry standards in the future. Examples of "sizes that will be specified in the future" include sizes listed as "FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS" in the 2013 edition of ETRTO.

[0021] In this specification, "specified internal pressure" refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a single wheel for the applicable size and ply rating as set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards such as the JATMA Yearbook, and in the case of a size not set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards, refers to the air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is to be mounted. Also, in this specification, "maximum load" refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity of a tire for the applicable size as set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards, or in the case of a size not set forth in the aforementioned industrial standards, refers to the load corresponding to the maximum load capacity specified for each vehicle on which the tire is to be mounted.

[0022] First, the tire body 1M will be described.

[0023] 3, 7, 9, etc., in each embodiment described in this specification, a tire main body 1M includes a tread portion 1a, a pair of sidewall portions 1b extending radially inward from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction, and a pair of bead portions 1c provided at the ends of each sidewall portion 1b on the inner side in the tire radial direction. The tread portion 1a is a portion of the tire main body 1M in the tire width direction between a pair of ground-contact edges. The bead portions 1c are configured to contact the rim on the inner side in the tire radial direction and the outer side in the tire width direction when the tire 1 is mounted on a rim.

[0024] The tire main body 1M has a pair of tire side portions 1d extending radially inward from both ends of the tread portion 1a in the tire width direction. The tire side portion 1d consists of a sidewall portion 1b and a bead portion 1c. In this specification, the outer surface of the tire side portion 1d is referred to as the "tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d."

[0025] The tire body 1M also includes a pair of bead cores 4a, a pair of bead fillers 4b, a carcass 5, a belt 6, a tread rubber 7, a side rubber 8, and an inner liner 9.

[0026] Each bead core 4a is embedded in a corresponding bead portion 1c. The bead core 4a includes a plurality of bead wires coated with rubber. The bead wires are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel). The bead wires may be made of, for example, monofilament or stranded wire. The bead wires may also be made of organic fiber or carbon fiber.

[0027] Each bead filler 4b is located radially outward of the corresponding bead core 4a and extends tapered toward the radially outward direction of the tire. The bead fillers 4b are made of, for example, rubber.

[0028] Bead fillers are sometimes called "stiffeners."

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, when the tire body 1M (and thus the tire 1) is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, the bead filler 4b may be configured from multiple (two in each of the examples in Figures 3 and 7) bead filler portions 4b1, 4b2. These multiple bead filler portions 4b1, 4b2 may have different hardnesses, for example. These multiple bead filler portions 4b1, 4b2 are arranged (stacked) along the tire radial direction, for example.

[0030] The carcass 5 is disposed between the pair of bead cores 4a and extends in a toroidal shape. The carcass 5 is composed of one or more carcass plies 5a. Each carcass ply 5a includes one or more carcass cords and a coating rubber that covers the carcass cords. The carcass cords may be formed of monofilaments or twisted wires.

[0031] The carcass cord may be made of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc., or may be made of metal (e.g., steel). When the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, the carcass cord is preferably made of metal (e.g., steel). When the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars, the carcass cord is preferably made of organic fibers such as polyester, nylon, rayon, aramid, etc.

[0032] The carcass ply 5a includes a ply main body 5M located between a pair of bead cores 4a. The carcass ply 5a may further include ply turn-up portions 5T that are turned up from both ends of the ply main body 5M around the bead cores 4a from the inner side in the tire width direction to the outer side in the tire width direction. However, the carcass ply 5a does not necessarily have to include the ply turn-up portions 5T. The carcass 5 preferably has a radial structure, but may also have a bias structure.

[0033] The belt 6 is disposed radially outward of the crown portion of the carcass 5. The belt 6 includes one or more belt layers 6a. Each belt layer 6a includes one or more belt cords and a coating rubber that covers the belt cords. The belt cords may be formed of a monofilament or a twisted wire. The belt cords may be made of a metal (e.g., steel) or an organic fiber such as polyester, nylon, rayon, or aramid.

[0034] The tread rubber 7 is located in the tread portion 1a on the radially outer side of the belt 6. The tread rubber 7 forms a tread surface, which is the radially outer surface of the tread portion 1a. A tread pattern is formed on the tread surface.

[0035] The side rubber 8 is located on the outer side of the carcass 5 in the tire width direction in the sidewall portion 1b. The side rubber 8 constitutes the outer surface of the sidewall portion 1b in the tire width direction. The side rubber 8 is formed integrally with the tread rubber 7.

[0036] The inner liner 9 is disposed on the tire inner side of the carcass 5, and may be laminated on the tire inner side of the carcass 5, for example. The inner liner 9 is made of, for example, a butyl-based rubber having low air permeability. Butyl-based rubbers include, for example, butyl rubber and its derivative, halogenated butyl rubber. The inner liner 9 is not limited to butyl-based rubber, and may be made of other rubber compositions, resins, or elastomers.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 7, when the tire body 1M (and therefore the tire 1) is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses, the tire body 1M may include a reinforcing member 3 around the bead core 4a. As in the examples of Figures 3 and 7, the reinforcing member 3 may be disposed on the opposite side of the carcass 5 from the bead core 4a. The reinforcing member 3 includes one or more reinforcing plies 3a (three reinforcing plies in the examples of Figures 3 and 7). Each reinforcing ply 3a includes a reinforcing cord. The reinforcing cord may be made of a metal (e.g., steel) or an organic fiber such as polyester, nylon, rayon, or aramid.

[0038] In each embodiment described herein, the tire main body 1M includes one or more marking portions 20 provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The marking portion 20 is formed of the side rubber 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and 6 , the marking portion 20 includes at least one marking 21, i.e., one or more marks 21. The marking 21 is a letter, a symbol, or a figure. The concept of a figure includes a barcode or a pattern. In each example shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and 6 , the marking portion 20 includes multiple marks 21. In this embodiment, the marking portion 20 includes four marks 21 each forming the letters "T," "I," "R," and "E." The marking portion 20 may represent, for example, a company name, a product name, a logo, a tire size, or the like. At least one marking 21 of the marking portion 20 may be a recessed mark provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. In this embodiment, each mark 21 is a recessed mark provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. Specifically, each mark 21 is formed by a recess provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. That is, each mark 21 is recessed inward in the tire width direction relative to a base surface 2ab on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. The base surface 2ab corresponds to the background surface of the mark portion 20, and specifically refers to the portion of the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d surrounding each mark 21, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9. The base surface 2ab may be a smooth surface without irregularities, or may be an irregular surface having irregularities that are finer than the marks 21. In each of the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and 6, the mark portion 20 has a plurality of marks 21, and these multiple marks 21 are arranged along the tire circumferential direction. However, the multiple marks 21 that make up the marking section 20 may be arranged in any direction.

[0039] Next, the communication device 10 will be described.

[0040] The communication device 10 is not particularly limited in configuration as long as it is configured to be capable of wireless communication with a predetermined external device (for example, a reader or reader / writer) outside the tire 1.

[0041] The communication device 10 preferably includes an RF tag. The RF tag is also called an “RFID tag.” The RF tag is preferably configured as a passive type, but may also be configured as an active type.

[0042] The communication device 10 may have an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the tire 1, an internal pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of the tire 1, or the like, instead of or in addition to the RF tag.

[0043] 4 and 5 show an example of the communication device 10. In this example, the communication device 10 has an RF tag. In this example, the communication device 10 includes an RF tag 10e and a covering portion 10f. The RF tag 10e includes an IC chip 10c and an antenna portion 10b. The RF tag 10e is configured as a passive type.

[0044] The IC chip 10c is operated by, for example, an induced electromotive force generated by radio waves received by the antenna unit 10b. The IC chip 10c includes, for example, a control unit and a storage unit.

[0045] The memory unit may store any information. For example, the memory unit may store identification information of the tire 1. The identification information of the tire 1 is unique identification information of the tire 1 that can identify each tire, such as the tire's manufacturer, manufacturing plant, and manufacturing date. The memory unit may also store tire history information such as the tire's mileage, the number of sudden braking events, the number of sudden starts, and the number of sharp turns. For example, sensors that detect the tire's internal temperature, tire pressure, tire acceleration, etc. may be provided in the tire cavity, and the memory unit may store the detection information detected by these sensors. In this case, the RF tag 10e can acquire the detection information of the sensors by wirelessly communicating with the sensors via the antenna unit 10b.

[0046] The control unit is configured to be able to read information from the storage unit.

[0047] In the embodiment, specifically, the antenna unit 10b of the RF tag 10e has at least one antenna (10b1, 10b2). In this embodiment, the antenna unit 10b has a pair of antennas 10b1, 10b2. The pair of antennas 10b1, 10b2 are respectively connected to ends of the IC chip 10c that are located on opposite sides of each other. The antenna unit 10b is configured to be able to transmit and receive signals to and from the predetermined external device outside the tire 1. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the antennas 10b1, 10b2 extend linearly, but the antennas 10b1, 10b2 may extend in any shape, such as a wave shape.

[0048] The covering portion 10f covers the entire RF tag 10e and is made of, for example, rubber or resin.

[0049] In this example, the covering unit 10f has a pair of sheet-like covering members 10f1 and 10f2. The pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are stacked on top of each other with the RF tag 10e sandwiched between them. It is preferable that the pair of covering members 10f1 and 10f2 are fixed to each other by adhesive or the like.

[0050] However, the covering portion 10f may be made up of a single member.

[0051] In this example, the covering portion 10f has a rectangular shape in a plan view, but the covering portion 10f may have any shape in a plan view.

[0052] The communication device 10 does not have to have the covering portion 10f, that is, it may be composed of only the RF tag 10e.

[0053] The communication device 10 configured in this manner is configured to be able to receive information transmitted from the specified external device via radio waves or magnetic fields using the antenna unit 10b. Rectification (in the case of radio waves) or resonance (in the case of magnetic fields) generates power in the antenna unit 10b of the communication device 10, causing the memory unit and control unit of the IC chip 10c to perform a predetermined operation. For example, the control unit reads information from the memory unit and transmits it via radio waves or a magnetic field from the antenna unit 10b to the specified external device. The specified external device receives the radio waves or magnetic field from the communication device 10. The specified external device can obtain the information stored in the memory unit of the IC chip 10c of the communication device 10 by extracting the received information.

[0054] However, the communication device 10 may have any configuration different from that of this example.

[0055] The communication device 10 may have a longitudinal direction LD, a lateral direction SD, and a thickness direction TD. The longitudinal direction LD, the lateral direction SD, and the thickness direction TD are perpendicular to one another.

[0056] 4 and 5, when the communication device 10 has an RF tag 10e, the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is parallel to the extension direction of the antenna unit 10b. When the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 of the antenna unit 10b are corrugated, the extension direction of the antenna unit 10b refers to the extension direction of the amplitude center line of the corrugation formed by the antennas 10b1 and 10b2. In the communication device 10, the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 refers to the thickness direction of the coating 10f when the communication device 10 has the coating 10f, and refers to the thickness direction of the IC chip 10c when the communication device 10 does not have the coating 10f.

[0057] The length of the RF tag 10e in the longitudinal direction LD can be, for example, 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less. In this embodiment, the length of the RF tag 10e in the longitudinal direction LD is, for example, 50 mm or more and 70 mm or less. As a specific example, the length of the IC chip 10c in the longitudinal direction LD is approximately 2 to 5 mm. Furthermore, the length of the antenna 10b1 (10b2) in the longitudinal direction LD is approximately 20 to 35 mm.

[0058] The length of the RF tag 10e in the short side direction SD can be, for example, 10 mm or less, or 8 mm or less.

[0059] The length of the RF tag 10e in the thickness direction TD can be, for example, 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less.

[0060] When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the longitudinal direction LD can be, for example, 30 mm or more, or 60 mm or more. The length of the RF tag 10e in the longitudinal direction LD can be, for example, 110 mm or less, or 80 mm or less.

[0061] When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the short direction SD can be, for example, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less.

[0062] When the communication device 10 has the covering portion 10f, the length of the communication device 10 in the thickness direction TD can be, for example, 6 mm or less, or 3 mm or less.

[0063] The thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less, and the thickness of each of the covering members 10f1 and 10f2 of the covering portion 10f may be, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0064] In each embodiment described herein, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 , the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire main body 1M. The communication device 10 is embedded in a portion of the tire side portion 1d of the tire main body 1M that is more outward in the tire width direction than the carcass 5. In addition, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below a recessed mark 21a (21). In this embodiment, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one recessed mark 21 (21a). Specifically, referring to FIG. 2 , in a side view, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d in an area where the recessed mark 21a (21) is located. The communication device 10 is oriented so that the thickness direction TD of the communication device 10 is approximately aligned with the recess depth direction of the mark 21a ( FIGS. 3 and 7 ).

[0065] When manufacturing the tire 1, the raw tire constituting the tire main body 1M and the communication device 10 are housed inside a tire mold and vulcanized.

[0066] Here, the effects of each embodiment described in this specification will be described.

[0067] First, as described above, in each embodiment described herein, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9 , at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one recessed mark 21 (21a) of the marking portion 20 provided on the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. In other words, the communication device 10 is disposed in the tire side portion 1d. Generally, metal weakens radio waves between the communication device 10 and the specified external device (e.g., a reader or reader / writer), potentially reducing the communication capability between the communication device 10 and the specified external device and ultimately shortening the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device. Meanwhile, in the tire main body 1M, metal (e.g., steel) may be used for the carcass 5, belt 6, bead core 4a, reinforcing member 3, etc. Generally, the tire side portion 1d tends to contain less metal than the tread portion 1a. Therefore, by placing the communication device 10 in the tire side portion 1d, communication performance can be improved compared to when the communication device 10 is placed in the tread portion 1a, and it is possible to increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the above-mentioned specified external device.

[0068] As described above, in each embodiment described herein, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded in the tire side portion 1d located directly below the recessed mark 21 (21a). That is, in this embodiment, the communication device 10 is embedded in the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one mark 21. With this configuration, the mark 20, which is easily visible from the outside, has a display function indicating the location of the communication device 10, making it easier to grasp the location of the communication device 10. Therefore, an operator attempting to read the communication device 10 using the specified external device (e.g., a reader or reader / writer) can read the communication device 10 simply by holding the specified external device near the mark 20, thereby facilitating the reading operation. Another advantage is that the mark 20 has a display function indicating the location of the communication device 10, eliminating the need to separately process a mark indicating the location of the communication device 10 on the tire side portion 1d.

[0069] Furthermore, at least a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the recessed marking 21 (21 a). In other words, in this embodiment, the communication device is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one marking 21 (21 a). This positions the communication device inward in the tire width direction relative to the recessed marking 21 a (21) formed on the outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d. This reduces the likelihood that a foreign object, such as a flying stone, will damage the communication device 10, which is embedded in a position recessed inward in the tire width direction relative to the recessed marking 21 a (21). Therefore, by embedding at least a portion of the communication device 10 inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the recessed marking 21 (21 a), the durability of the communication device 10 is improved.

[0070] Therefore, according to the tire 1, the position where the communication device 10 is embedded can be easily determined, and the durability of the communication device 10 is improved.

[0071] In each embodiment described in this specification, among the marks 21 constituting the marking portion 20, in the mark 21a (21) in which the communication device 10 is embedded on the inner side in the tire width direction, the depth dimension of the concave surface f21 forming the concave mark 21 can be 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. Note that when measuring the depth dimension of the mark 21a, the dimension from an imaginary plane (shown by a dotted line in Figures 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab so as to cover the mark 21a to the base surface 21ab (bottom surface 21ab) of the mark 21a is measured along a perpendicular (normal) to the imaginary plane.

[0072] The entire communication device 10 can be embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the recessed mark 21 (21a). In each embodiment described herein, as shown in each of the examples in Figures 1 to 3 and 9, the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below one of the marks 21 (21a) constituting the marking portion 20. In this case, since the entire communication device 10 is located inside the tire side portion 1d rather than the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d, the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d that forms the recessed mark 21 (21a) serves as a barrier against foreign objects such as flying stones. As a result, the possibility of damaging the communication device 10 is further reduced. Therefore, in this case, the durability of the communication device 10 is further improved. In particular, in this case, the antenna section 10b of the communication device 10 is also located closer to the base surface 21ab of the concave mark 21a (21), thereby improving the communication performance of the communication device 10.

[0073] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below one of the concave marks 21 (21a), as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 9, it is preferable that the mark 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded has a length L1 (Figure 2) of 80 mm or less and 30 mm or more when measured at the center of the short side direction SD of the communication device 10 along the long side direction LD of the communication device 10.

[0074] The length L1 is measured along an imaginary plane (shown by a dotted line in Figures 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab so as to cover the mark 21a. If the mark 21a has multiple parts spaced apart from each other at the center of the short-side direction SD of the communication device 10 along the long-side direction LD of the communication device 10, the length L1 refers to the length of only the part of the multiple parts where the communication device 10 is embedded.

[0075] In each embodiment described herein, when the entire communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below one of the marks 21 (21a), as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and 9, it is preferable that the mark 21a in which the communication device 10 is embedded has a length L2 (Figure 2) of 10 mm or more and 30 mm or more when measured at the center of the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 along the lateral direction SD of the communication device 10. When the length L2 is 10 mm or more and 30 mm or less, the communication device 10 can be embedded inside the tire side portion 1d while being housed inside the mark (especially the alphabetic mark 21 as in this embodiment) without distorting the shape of the mark.

[0076] The length L2 is measured along an imaginary plane (shown by a dotted line in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9) formed by smoothly extending the base surface 2ab so as to cover the mark 21a. If the mark 21a has multiple portions spaced apart from each other along the short-side direction SD of the communication device 10 at the center of the long-side direction LD of the communication device 10, the length L2 refers to the length of only the portion of the multiple portions where the communication device 10 is embedded.

[0077] 6 to 8, only a portion of the communication device 10 may be embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below at least one mark 21 (21a) of the marks 21 constituting the marking portion 20. In this case, the other portion of the communication device 10 is located on the outer side of the tire than the at least one mark 21 (21a).

[0078] The communication device 10 has at least one antenna (10b1, 10b2), and at least one of the at least one antenna (10b1, 10b2) is embedded both inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the recessed mark 21 (21a) and in the tire side portion 1d not provided with the recessed mark 21. For example, as in the examples of Figures 6 to 8, when the communication device 10 has an RF tag 10e, at least a part of the IC chip 10c of the RF tag 10e may be located inside the tire side portion 1d where the mark 21a is provided, and thereby the antenna portion 10b of the RF tag 10e may be located inside the tire with respect to the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21). In this embodiment, the communication device 10 has two antennas 10b1 and 10b2, and each of the two antennas 10b1 and 10b2 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the recessed mark 21a (21). In this case, the antennas 10b1 and 10b2 of the communication device 10 are located closer to the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21), thereby improving the communication performance of the communication device 10. Note that in the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, only a portion of the communication device 10 is embedded inside the tire side portion 1d located directly below the two recessed marks 21a (21).

[0079] In each embodiment described herein, the orientation (direction) of the communication device 10 is arbitrary, but from the viewpoint of durability of the communication device 10, it is preferable that the communication device 10 be oriented so that the longitudinal direction LD of the communication device 10 is approximately along the tire circumferential direction, as in the examples of Figures 6 to 8. However, the communication device 10 may also be oriented so that the lateral direction LD of the communication device 10 is approximately along the tire circumferential direction, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3.

[0080] In each embodiment described herein, it is preferable that the communication device 10 be disposed in the sidewall portion 1b, as in the embodiments of Figures 3, 7, and 9. Generally, the sidewall portion 1b tends to have a smaller amount of metal than the bead portion 1c. Therefore, by disposing the communication device 10 in the sidewall portion 1b, it is possible to improve communication performance and increase the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device, compared to when the communication device 10 is disposed in the bead portion 1c.

[0081] In each embodiment described herein, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is located radially outward of the tire radial outer ends of the bead cores 4a. This improves communication performance and enables the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device to be increased.

[0082] In each embodiment described herein, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses ( FIGS. 1 to 3 , 6 to 8 ), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10 m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is located radially outward of the tire radial outer end 5 e of the ply folded-up portion 5T of the carcass 5. This improves communication performance, enables the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device to be increased, and allows the communication device 10 to be disposed in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is subject to relatively little strain when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1.

[0083] Here, "the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turn-up portion 5T of the carcass 5" refers to the tire radially outermost end of the ply turn-up portion 5T of each carcass ply 5a of the carcass 5 in the tire radial direction.

[0084] In each embodiment described herein, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses ( FIGS. 1 to 3 , 6 to 8 ), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10 m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is located radially outward of the tire radial outer end 3 u of the reinforcing member 3. This improves communication performance, enables the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device to be increased, and allows the communication device 10 to be disposed in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is subject to relatively little distortion during, for example, the rolling of the tire 1, thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1.

[0085] Here, the "tire radially outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3" refers to the tire radially outermost end of each reinforcing ply 3a of the reinforcing member 3 in the tire radial direction.

[0086] In each embodiment described herein, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses ( FIGS. 1 to 3 , 6 to 8 ), it is preferable that the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is located radially inward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b. This improves communication performance, enables the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the specified external device to be increased, and allows the communication device 10 to be disposed in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is relatively less distorted when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1.

[0087] The distance in the tire radial direction between the tire radial center 10m of the communication device 10 and the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b is preferably 1 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

[0088] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figures 1 to 3, Figures 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially inward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, but the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b or further outward in the tire radial direction.

[0089] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 to 8), it is preferable that the tire radial outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 is located radially inward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, but the tire radial outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b or further radially outward of that.

[0090] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figures 1 to 3, Figures 6 to 8), the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 8, or may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, or may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M.

[0091] Here, the "maximum tire width position of the tire main body 1M" refers to the tire radial direction position where the dimension of the tire main body 1M in the tire width direction is maximum.

[0092] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for trucks and buses (Figures 1 to 3, Figures 6 to 8), the tire radial outer end 3u of the reinforcing member 3 may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, as in the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 8, or may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, or may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M.

[0093] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger car ( FIG. 9 ), the tire radial outer end 10u of the communication device 10 (more preferably, the entire communication device 10) is preferably located radially outward of the tire radial outer end of the bead core 4a, and more preferably located radially outward of the tire radial center of the bead filler 4b, for example, it is preferably located radially outward of the tire radial outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b.

[0094] In each embodiment described herein, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for a passenger vehicle ( FIG. 9 ), and when the communication device 10 is disposed in the sidewall portion 1b as described above, it is preferable that the tire radially outer end 10u of the communication device 10 is located radially inward of the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply folded-up portion 5T of the carcass 5, as in the example of FIG. 9 . This improves communication performance, enables the communication distance between the communication device 10 and the predetermined external device to be increased, and allows the communication device 10 to be disposed in a portion of the tire main body 1M that is subject to relatively little distortion when the tire 1 rolls, etc., thereby improving the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1.

[0095] The distance in the tire radial direction between the tire radial outer end 10u of the communication device 10 and the tire radial outer end 5e of the ply folded-up portion 5T of the carcass 5 is preferably 3 to 30 mm, and more preferably 5 to 15 mm.

[0096] In each embodiment described herein, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars ( FIG. 9 ), it is preferable that the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 is located radially outward of the tire radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b, as in the example of FIG. 9. However, the tire radially outer end 5e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located at the same radial position as the tire radially outer end 4bu of the bead filler 4b or further inward in the tire radial direction.

[0097] In each embodiment described in this specification, when the tire 1 is configured as a pneumatic tire for passenger cars ( FIG. 9 ), the tire radially outer end 5 e of the ply turnup portion 5T of the carcass 5 may be located radially outward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, may be located at the same tire radial position as the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M, or may be located radially inward of the tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M. Here, the “tire maximum width position of the tire main body 1M” refers to the tire radial position at which the dimension of the tire main body 1M in the tire width direction is greatest.

[0098] In each embodiment described in this specification, as exemplified in Fig. 9, the concave surface f21 forming the concave mark 21 may have a pattern region K on at least a portion of the concave surface f21. The pattern region K may have a plurality of protrusions Q protruding from at least a portion of the concave surface f21 at a protrusion height that is smaller than the depth dimension of the concave surface f21, i.e., the depth dimension from the bottom surface (base surface 21ab) of the concave surface f21.

[0099] When multiple protrusions Q are provided on the concave surface f21 forming the concave mark 21, the pattern area K decorated with the multiple protrusions Q improves the visibility of the concave mark 21a(21) on which the communication device 10 is placed. Furthermore, in this case, turbulence is generated inside the concave mark 21a(21). This turbulence can cool the inside of the concave mark 21a(21), i.e., the concave surface f21 of the concave mark 21a(21). Therefore, in this case, the air-cooling effect caused by the turbulence generated inside the concave mark 21a(21) also improves the heat durability of the communication device 10. Furthermore, in this case, even if a foreign object such as a flying stone flies into the inside of the concave mark 21a(21) and hits the concave mark 21a(21), the multiple protrusions Q can absorb the impact that may be caused by the impact of the foreign object. Therefore, in this case, the durability of the communication device 10 is further improved.

[0100] In particular, a plurality of protrusions Q protrude from at least a portion of the recessed surface f21 to a protrusion height of 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and are provided at intervals of 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. In this example, specifically, the plurality of protrusions Q protrude from the base surface 21ab of the recessed mark 21a (21) to a protrusion height of, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. The interval between the plurality of protrusions Q is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. The base surface 21ab forms the bottom surface of the recessed mark 21a (21). The tire main body 1M may include only one pattern region K on the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21), or may include a plurality of pattern regions K with different intervals between the plurality of protrusions Q.

[0101] As described above, the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21) has minute irregularities formed by the multiple protrusions Q, which facilitates light absorption. As a result, the amount of light reflected outward by the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21) is less than the amount of light reflected outward by portions of the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d other than the pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21). Therefore, the brightness of the pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21) is lower than the brightness of portions of the tire outer surface 1ds of the tire side portion 1d other than the pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a (21).

[0102] In this embodiment, the entire communication device 10 is located inside the tire side portion 1d located in a pattern region K arranged on the base surface 21ab of the recessed mark 21a (21). The fine irregularities formed by the multiple protrusions Q make it difficult for distortion to concentrate near the pattern region K when the tire 1 rolls, etc. This reduces the load on the communication device 10 and improves the durability of the communication device 10 and, ultimately, the tire 1.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the entire communication device 10 is located inside the tire side portion 1d located in the pattern region K, the fine irregularities formed in the pattern region K make the outline of the communication device 10 located on the inner side in the tire width direction relative to the pattern region K less noticeable (particularly, for example, if the communication device 10 has an RF tag 10e, the outline of the RF tag 10e). This can improve the appearance of the tire 1. However, if the irregularities formed in the pattern region K are not particularly fine (specifically, if the protrusion height of the protrusions Q exceeds 1.0 mm and / or the spacing between the protrusions Q exceeds 3.0 mm), the outline of the communication device 10 can be made more noticeable.

[0104] Among the multiple marks 21 of the mark section 20, when the recessed mark 21a(21) on which the communication device 10 is arranged has a pattern region K provided on the base surface 21ab of the mark 21a(21), the recessed mark 21a(21) on which the communication device 10 is arranged can be made less noticeable among the multiple marks 21 of the mark section 20 by making the multiple protrusions Q protrude from at least a part of the concave surface forming the concave mark 21a(21) to a protrusion height of 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less and by setting the intervals (pitch (distance) between the centers of adjacent protrusions Q) to 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. This further improves the visibility of the recessed mark 21a(21) on which the communication device 10 is arranged due to the difference in color between the recessed mark 21a(21) and other marks around the mark 21a(21). Furthermore, even when the irregularities formed in the pattern area K are not particularly fine (specifically, when the protrusion height of the protrusions Q exceeds 1.0 mm and / or the spacing between the protrusions Q exceeds 3.0 mm), the visibility of the concave mark 21a (21) on which the communication device 10 is placed is further improved due to the difference in color between the mark 21a (21) and other marks around it by making the outline of the RF tag 10e more noticeable.

[0105] The pattern region K may have, as the protrusions Q, for example, multiple asterisk-shaped protrusions (hereinafter referred to as "asterisk protrusions Q") protruding from the base surface 21ab of the recessed mark 21a (21). The asterisk protrusions Q may be composed of six extending portions extending radially in different directions from the center of the asterisk protrusion Q when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the base surface 21ab (e.g., the direction of the rotational axis of the tire 1). The multiple asterisk protrusions Q may be linearly connected to each other so that the asterisk protrusions Q as a whole form multiple rows. An example of such a pattern region K is the pattern region K described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-006895. In this case, by adjusting the arrangement, spacing, etc. of the asterisk protrusions Q, the pattern region K can be adjusted to have different brightnesses between a pattern region that appears to be a high-brightness gray color and a pattern region that appears to be a low-brightness matte black color.

[0106] However, in the pattern region K, the dimensions of the protrusions Q, such as the protrusion height of the protrusions Q and the spacing between the protrusions Q, as described above, can be set as appropriate. Furthermore, the protrusions Q are not limited to asterisk-shaped protrusions. Various shapes of protrusions Q, such as cylindrical protrusions and polygonal pillar-shaped protrusions, can be employed as the protrusions Q. That is, in this embodiment, the protrusions Q can be, for example, a plurality of minute protrusions obtained by surface roughening treatment. That is, the dimensions, shape, and spacing of the protrusions Q can be set as appropriate so as to obtain a pattern region K with the desired color.

[0107] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] The SDGs have been proposed to realize a sustainable society. It is believed that each embodiment of the present invention can be a technology that contributes to "No. 9 - Build inclusive and resilient infrastructure for industry and technological innovation" and "No. 12 - Responsible consumption and production."

[0108] The tire according to the present invention can be suitably used for any type of pneumatic tire, for example, a pneumatic tire for a passenger car, a pneumatic tire for a truck or a bus, etc.

[0109] 1: Tire 1M: Tire main body, 1a: Tread portion, 1b: Sidewall portion, 1c: Bead portion, 1d: Tire side portion, 1ds: Tire outer surface of tire side portion, 2ab: Base surface, 3: Reinforcing member, 3a: Reinforcing ply, 3u: Tire radially outer end of reinforcing member, 4a: Bead core, 4b: Bead filler, 4b1, 4b2: Bead filler portion, 4bu: Tire radially outer end of bead filler, 5: Carcass, 5a: Carcass ply, 5M: Ply main body portion, 5T: Ply turn-up portion, 5e: Tire radially outer end of carcass ply turn-up portion, 6: Belt, 6a: Belt layer, 7: Tread rubber, 8: Side rubber, 9: Inner liner, 10: Communication device, 10e: RF tag, 10b: Antenna portion, 10b1, 10b2: Antenna, 10f: Covering portion, 10f1, 10f2: Covering member, 10c: IC chip, 10u: Tire radial outer end of communication device, 10m: Tire radial center of communication device, 20: Marking portion, 21, 21a: Mark, 21ab: Base surface (bottom surface) of marking, CL: Tire equatorial plane, WD: Tire width direction, RD: Tire radial direction, CD: Tire circumferential direction, LD: Longitudinal direction of communication device, SD: Shortitudinal direction of communication device, TD: Thickness direction of communication device, f21: Concave surface of marking, K: Pattern area, Q: Protrusion (asterisk protrusion)

Claims

1. A tire having at least one marking provided on the outer surface of the tire in a tire side portion, and a communication device embedded inside the tire side portion, wherein at least one of the at least one markings is a concave marking provided on the outer surface of the tire in the tire side portion, and at least a portion of the communication device is embedded inside the tire side portion located directly below the concave marking.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the entirety of said communication device is embedded inside said tire side portion located directly below said recessed marking.

3. The tire described in claim 1, wherein said communication device has at least one antenna, and at least one of said at least one antenna is embedded within said tire side portion located directly below said recessed marking.

4. A tire as described in claim 1, wherein the concave surface forming the concave mark has a pattern area on at least a portion of the concave surface, and the pattern area has a plurality of protrusions having a dimension smaller than the depth dimension of the concave surface from at least a portion of the concave surface.

Images