Systems and methods for installing electronic assembly on tire

Abstract

A method of installing an electronic device on a tire includes preparing a surface of a sidewall of the tire. The sidewall defines a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region. The method further includes applying an adhesive layer to the surface, attaching the electronic device to an adhesive surface of a cushion, arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion to interface with at least a portion of the adhesive layer along the sidewall of the tire such that the electronic device is located in the recessed region, and coupling the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING ELECTRONICASSEMBLY ON TIRETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to monitoring tires. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to installation of an electronic device to monitor tires during their lifecycles.BACKGROUND

[0002] When a tire undergoes processing such as repairs, retreading, or other operations, a sticker, a barcode, or a patch having a unique identifier may be placed on the tire to monitor and track the tire. However, as recognized by the inventors of the present application, such techniques may not withstand normal and repeated use of the tire. For example, a sticker may rub or fall off of the tire and a barcode may wear out as the tire is used.SUMMARY

[0003] The techniques of the present disclosure allow for durable attachment of an electronic assembly (an electronic component, an electronic package, an electronic device) to a tire. Such attachment facilitates continued monitoring and tracking of a tire. Such monitoring and tracking, in turn, can aid in aspects of supply chain management (including manufacturing, shipping, distribution, vehicle fleet management, etc.). In particular, the techniques of the present disclosure promote a secure and stable installation of an electronic assembly on a tire, which can aid in determining the life of a casing of the tire to inform decision-making and allow assessments relating to the quality of the casing, and provide insight into tire performance over time, among other factors.

[0004] One embodiment relates to a method of installing an electronic device on a tire. The method includes preparing a surface of a sidewall of the tire. The sidewall defines a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region. The method further includes applying an adhesive layer to the surface, attaching the electronic device to an adhesive surface of a cushion, arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion to interface with at least a portion of the adhesive layer along the sidewall of the tire so asto position the electronic device in the recessed region, and coupling the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

[0005] Another embodiment relates to an assembly of a tire assembled with an electronic device as set forth above. The assembly includes a tire having a sidewall. The sidewall defines a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region. An adhesive layer is applied to a surface of the sidewall. An electronic device having radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry is attached to an adhesive surface of a cushion of the tire. The electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion interface with at least a portion of the adhesive layer along the sidewall of the tire. The electronic device is positioned in the recessed region. The cushion and the electronic device are fixedly coupled to the tire.

[0006] Still another embodiment relates to a system for monitoring a tire. The system includes tire including a sidewall defining a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region and a bead area located radially inwards of the sidewall and including a radial inward end, the recessed region located radially outwards relative to the bead area, an electronic device configured to monitor a characteristic related to the tire, and a cushion having an adhesive surface, the electronic device being coupled to the adhesive surface of the cushion. The cushion and the electronic device are coupled to the sidewall of the tire such that the electronic device is positioned within the recessed region. The electronic device is operable to transmit data related to the characteristic of the tire to an external receiver. Arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion comprises disposing the electronic device between about 1 inch and about 3 inches radially outward from the radial inward end of the bead area.

[0007] These and other features, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This summary is illustrative only and should not be regarded as limiting.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings are not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment, and, together with the specification, describe the subject matter of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front, cross-sectional view of a tire casing, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0010] FIG. 2 is a front, cross-sectional view of a retread element, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front, cross-sectional view of a retreaded tire having the tire casing of FIG. 1 and the retread element of FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electronic device configured as an RFID tag, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0013] FIGS. 5-9 are various side views illustrating a process by which the RFID tag of FIG. 4 is installed on the tire casing of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0014] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a method of installing the RFID tag of FIG. 4 on the tire casing of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0015] FIGS. 11-14 are various side views illustrating a process by which a sticker including an inlay ed RFID tag is installed on the tire casing of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment, and

[0016] FIGS. 15 and 16 are side views of a curing device used to cure a cushion to the tire casing of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain illustrative embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.Overview

[0018] Tires are used in various applications and under a variety of circumstances. Some tires may be designed to withstand the forces of a landing aircraft. Some tires may be designed to provide extra grip on surfaces covered in snow and ice. Some tires may be manufactured to be more suited to be repairable and retreaded.

[0019] When a tire arrives at a shop to be retreaded, a radio frequency (RFID) tag may be installed onto the tire (e.g., the casing of the tire) and associated with a unique identifier (e.g., unique to the tire) used to track and monitor one or more properties (e.g., characteristics) related to the tire such as the performance of the tire and the location of the tire. By way of example, the RFID tag may provide information regarding the history of the tire after the RFID tag has been installed such as the manufacturer, the manufacturing date, and the maintenance and repair history. By way of another example, the RFID tag may provide insight regarding asset tracking (e.g., distribution locations of the tire, dealer locations of the tire, inventory management, fleet management, etc.). By way of yet another example, the RFID tag may allow for collection of data providing insight regarding the performance of the tire such as the distance traveled of the tire and the tire tread wear. Installing an electronic device, such as the RFID tag, on the tire utilizing the systems and methods described herein ensures the robustness of the installation and durability of the RFID tag throughout the lifecycle of the tire.Terms

[0020] As used herein, the term “precured” refers to a material that is cured. Conversely, “uncured” refers to materials that are in their raw form and have not been cured. For example, curing an uncured material results in a cured or precured material.

[0021] As used herein, the term “precured tire tread” refers to a tire tread or build-up (e.g., precured product having no tread pattern thereon; blank; slick) that is separate from (e.g., not cured to) a tire casing. After a precured tire tread has been cured to a tire casing, the precured tire tread becomes a tire tread, and the combination of the precured tread cured to the tire casing forms a tire. The precured tire tread may take the form of a strip, oval, circle, ring, or similar shape.

[0022] As used herein, the term “retread element” may refer to a precured tire tread or a precured tire tread including materials and features such as, but not limited to, studs, reinforcing fabrics, Kevlar, nylon, cords, and similar features and materials.

[0023] As used herein, the term “retreaded tire assembly” refers to a precured tire assembly applied to a tire casing with an uncured adhesive interposed between the mating surfaces. The retreaded tire assembly may be ready to be positioned within an envelope for curing. After a retreaded tire assembly has been cured, it becomes a tire.

[0024] As used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” refers to a direction parallel to an axis.

[0025] As used here, the terms “circumferential” and “circumferentially” refer to the direction extending along the perimeter of the surface of the tire perpendicular to an axial direction.

[0026] As used herein, the terms “radial” and “radially” refer to the direction toward or away from an axis.Overview of a Retread Operation

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a front, cross-sectional view of a tire casing 100 (e.g., tire carcass, etc.) is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. After the tire tread of a tire wears beyond a certain limit, the tire is either discarded, re-grooved, or retreaded before it is used on a vehicle. In some embodiments, during a retread operation, what remains of the tire tread is removed from the tire casing 100 by a buffing machine through a buffing operation. During the buffing operation, the tire tread is ground away from the tire casing 100, leaving a tread mounting surface (e.g., buffed mounting surface, mating surface, bonding surface, curing surface, etc.), shown as mounting surface 102, on the tire casing 100. The mounting surface 102 extends circumferentially about the tire casing 100 and extends axially across a crown 108 until it terminates at shoulder areas 104.The mounting surface 102 exhibits a curvature between the shoulder areas 104. In some embodiments, after the buffing operation, the mounting surface 102 is buffed to a slightly rounded (e.g., toroidal) radius extending between the shoulder areas 104. By way of example, the mounting surface 102 may define a diameter, shown as casing diameter D, where the casing diameter D is greater proximate a center line C of the mounting surface 102 when compared to the casing diameter D proximate the shoulder areas 104. The tire casing 100 may be a radial tire or a bias ply tire.

[0028] The tire casing 100 includes a pair of sidewalls 106 bounded by a generally radial crown 108 (e.g., outer wall, etc.) that extends between the sidewalls 106. Each of the sidewalls 106 extend radially inward from the crown 108 and terminate at a bead area 110 structured for mounting on a tire rim. The bead area 110 may be designed in a variety of configurations depending on, for example, tire type, tire size, or rim configuration. The bead area 110 includes a bead 112 that has metal strands or wires to improve the strength of the bead area 110.

[0029] The sidewalls 106 may include multiple layers, such as a rubber layer, a radial ply, and an inner liner, which cooperate to provide strong and flexible sidewalls 106. The sidewalls 106 are joined to the crown 108 and a tire tread 113 (e.g., the retread element 120 after a retreading and curing operation, the tread of a retread tire, the tread of a newly manufactured tire) through a pair of shoulder areas 104. The shoulder areas 104 are contiguous with the sidewalls 106 and the crown 108. In some embodiments, the shoulder areas 104 are contiguous with the tire tread 113.

[0030] The tire casing 100 defines a width (e.g., a tire width), shown as casing width W. The casing width W may be defined by an axial distance from an outer surface of a left sidewall 106a (e.g., an outer surface of the vehicular exterior side sidewall 106, an outer surface of an axially outward sidewall 106, an outer surface of a first sidewall) to an outer surface of a right sidewall 106b (e g., an outer surface of the vehicular interior side sidewall 106, an outer surface of an axially inward sidewall 106, an outer surface of a second sidewall). When the tire casing 100 is fully inflated (e.g., pneumatically inflated), the sidewalls 106 define a slightly rounded (e.g., elliptical or toroidal) radius or profile extending vertically between the mounting surface 102 and the bead area 110. By way of example, the casing width W is smaller within an area proximate the beadarea 110 when compared to the casing width W proximate a vertical midpoint (e.g., center point, center region, a point at which the casing width W is at a maximum, etc.) of the tire casing 100.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tire casing 100 may define a protruding region 114 (e.g., a bulging region, a maximum width region, a convex region, etc.) and a recessed region 116 (e g., a protected region). The protruding region 114 may be an area along the outer surface of the left sidewall 106a and the outer surface of the right sidewall 106b where the casing width W is at a maximum. The recessed region 116 may be an area along the outer surface of the left sidewall 106a and the outer surface of the right sidewall 106b located radially inwards relative to the protruding region 114. Because of the slightly rounded profile of the tire casing 100 (e.g., when the tire casing 100 is inflated), the recessed region 116 has a smaller casing width W compared to the casing width W of the protruding region 114. By way of example, an average casing width W of the recessed region 116 is smaller than an average casing width W of the protruding region 114. By way of another example, the casing width W at a given (e.g., arbitrary, respective) position within the recessed region 116 is smaller than the casing width W at a given (e.g., arbitrary, respective) position within the protruding region 114.

[0032] In some embodiments, the protruding region 114 protects the recessed region 116 from scrapes, abrasions, and other damage when the tire (e.g., the retreaded tire 140) is coupled with a vehicle to propel the vehicle. By way of example, during operation of the vehicle, the tire and the tire casing 100 may contact a curb along the side of the road on which the vehicle is travelling. In such an example, because of the slightly rounded profile when the tire casing 100 is inflated, the protruding region 114 will contact the curb while the recessed region 116 does not contact the curb, thereby protecting the recessed region 116 from scrapes, abrasions, and other damage. In some embodiments, the protruding region 114 protects the recessed region from scrapes, abrasions, and other damage when the tire and the tire casing 100 contact other objects and / or features of the road such as telephone poles, bollards, buildings, guard rails, cones, other vehicles, etc.

[0033] In some embodiments, a portion of the tire tread is left behind on the tire casing 100, such as if a user would like to increase a thickness of the crown 108 before applying a retread element, as described herein, to the tire casing 100. When the tire tread has been removed, themounting surface 102 is left behind (e.g., exposed, revealed, etc ). After the tire tread is removed and the mounting surface 102 is exposed, a process called skiving and filling may be performed on the tire casing 100. Skiving and filling is the removal of and filling of anomalies or other features or portions for which a physical transformation is desired (e.g., damaged material, deformities, worn material, undesired material, scuffs, scratches, holes, nicks, punctures, tears, bumps, bulges, cracks, cuts, discolorations, bums, abrasions, weathering, stone trapping, etc.) present in the tire casing 100 prior to taking a maintenance action, such as making a repair or performing a retread operation. In some cases, the tire casing 100 accumulates anomalies due to bits or other sharp objects the tire comes in contact with during use. The anomalies are first ground smooth by an appropriate cutting tool (e.g., sidewall buffer, wire brush, etc.), and then filled with repair gum (e.g., uncured rubber material, etc.). The affected areas may be filled to the level of the mounting surface 102 (e.g., such that the mounting surface 102 remains smooth) to avoid air pockets between the mounting surface 102 and the later applied retread element.

[0034] After the buffing, skiving, and filling operations, a retread element 120 (e.g., precured tire tread, etc.) is coupled to the tire casing 100. Referring to FIG. 2, a front, cross-sectional view of the retread element 120 is shown. The retread element 120 (e.g., tread band, etc.) may be formed from rubber, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and various polymers and compounding ingredients, such as carbon black, silica, anti-degradants, and zinc oxide. In some embodiments, the retread element 120 is otherwise formed of other suitable materials. The retread element 120 may be formed in a strip having a tread width 122 corresponding to a width of the mounting surface 102 between the shoulder areas 104. The tread width 122 is in a range of approximately 5 inches (in) and approximately 15 in (e.g., approximately 6 in to approximately 14 in), inclusive (e.g., about 5.7 in., about 6 in., about 7 in., about 8 in., about 9 in., about 10 in., about 11 in., about 12 in., about 13 in., about 14 in., about 14.7 in., etc.).

[0035] Additionally, the retread element 120 has a tread thickness 124 (e.g., element thickness or a tread span that is an extent of the retread element in a thickness direction). The tread thickness 124 is in a range of approximately .3 inches and approximately 2 inches, inclusive (e.g., about .285 in., about .3 in., about .5 in., about .75 in., about 1 in., about 1.25 in., about 1.5 in., about 1.75 in.,about 2 in., about 2.1 in., etc.). In some embodiments, the retread element 120 (e.g., the tread width 122 and the tread thickness 124) is otherwise suitably dimensioned. The retread element 120 includes a retread element back side 126 (e.g., generally planar mounting surface, continuous surface, mating surface, binding surface, etc.). The retread element 120 includes a retread element front side 128 (e.g., generally planar opposing surface, road -contacting surface, tread surface, etc.), which is opposite of the retread element back side 126. The retread element front side 128 is configured to engage with a road surface and includes a plurality of tread grooves 130 configured to channel water and provide added traction during certain road and adverse weather conditions. In some embodiments, the retread element front side 128 includes a tread pattern 132 (e.g., a tread design, a series of treads, a tread pattern repetition, etc.). The tread pattern 132 may include a plurality of lugs, grooves, cuts, sipes, sipe cuts, and similar features.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, a front, cross-sectional view of a retreaded tire having the tire casing 100 is shown. The retread element 120 is coupled to the tire casing 100 using an adhesive 134 (e.g., cushion gum, uncured gum, uncured adhesive, polyurethane adhesive, rubber cement, liquid adhesive, etc.). The adhesive 134 is extruded freely on to the mounting surface 102 after the buffing, skiving, and filling operations. In some embodiments, the adhesive 134 is cushion gum. Specifically, after the tire is buffed, the adhesive 134 is extruded on to the mounting surface 102 and the retread element back side 126 is positioned on the adhesive 134 such that the retread element back side 126 extends between the shoulder areas 104 of the tire casing 100. Accordingly, a retreaded tire assembly is formed.

[0037] Following formation, the retreaded tire assembly is then placed in a pressure chamber and the adhesive 134 is cured. In some embodiments, the retreaded tire assembly is placed within a curing envelope and placed within a curing chamber (e.g., autoclave, pressure vessel, etc.). The temperature and / or pressure of the curing chamber is controlled such that the retread element 120 conforms to the tire casing 100. After the retreaded tire assembly is cured, a retreaded tire 140 is formed. The retreaded tire 140 includes sidewalls 106. Portions of the shoulder areas 104 are formed by the adhesive 134 and the retread element 120. In some embodiments, the sidewalls 106 extend from the retread element front side 128 to the bead area 110.

[0038] The retreaded tire 140 includes a first bondline 142. The first bondline 142 is interposed between the retread element 120 and the tire casing 100. More specifically, the first bondline 142 is interposed between the mounting surface 102 and the adhesive 134. Both sides of the retreaded tire 140 (e.g., the vehicular exterior side and the vehicular interior side) include the first bondline 142. The first bondline 142 is a boundary between the adhesive 134 and the mounting surface 102. The first bondline 142 extends across the crown 108 between the shoulder areas 104 and extends circumferentially about the retreaded tire 140. The first bondline edge 144 may be visible on the shoulder areas 104 after the adhesive 134 and the retread element 120 have been applied to the tire casing 100. As used herein, a “bondline edge” is the edge of a border (e.g., the first bondline 142, the second bondline 146, etc.) that exists between two portions of the retreaded tire 140. By way of example, a bondline edge may be a border axially between the adhesive 134 and the mounting surface 102. By way of another example, a bondline edge may be a border axially between the retread element 120 and the tire casing 100. In some embodiments, the bondline edges define substantially elliptical shapes, substantially cylindrical shapes, shapes complementary to the shapes of the two portions of the retreaded tire 140 between which the bondline edges exist, or are otherwise shaped.

[0039] The retreaded tire 140 further includes a second bondline 146. The second bondline 146 is interposed between the retread element 120 and the tire casing 100. More specifically, the second bondline 146 is interposed between the adhesive 134 and the retread element 120. Both sides of the retreaded tire 140 (e.g., the vehicular exterior side and the vehicular interior side) may include the second bondline 146. The second bondline 146 is a boundary between the adhesive 134 and the retread element 120. The second bondline 146 extends circumferentially about the retreaded tire 140. The second bondline 146 includes a second bondline edge 148 that may be visible on the shoulder areas 104 after the adhesive 134 and the retread element 120 have been applied to the tire casing 100.

[0040] The retreading operation described above to form the retreaded tire 140 may be referred to as a precure retreading process (e.g., cold cure retreading), wherein the new tire tread 113 is formed from a precured (e.g., vulcanized) strip of tread (e.g., the retread element 120). In someembodiments, the retreaded tire 140 is formed from another type of retreading process. By way of example, the retreaded tire 140 may be formed from a mold cure retreading process (e.g., hot cure retreading), wherein the new tire tread 113 is formed by building up or otherwise applying raw rubber material (e.g., uncured rubber, un-vulcanized rubber, green tread rubber) to the mounting surface 102. The mold cure retreading process includes a buffing operation similar to or the same as the buffing operation described above with respect to the precure retreading process, in which case the description is incorporated herein.

[0041] After the buffing, skiving, and filling operations, uncured rubber is applied to the mounting surface 102 of the tire casing 100. In some embodiments, two or more layers of the uncured rubber are applied to the mounting surface 102 of the tire casing 100. The uncured rubber may be applied such that the substantial entirety of the mounting surface 102 is covered with the uncured rubber. The tire casing 100 with the uncured rubber is then cured in a curing mold to shape the uncured rubber into a desired tread pattern and to adhere the new tire tread 113 to the tire casing 100. Accordingly, a retreaded tire assembly is formed. The retreaded tire 140 referred to herein may be formed by the mold cure retreading process, the precure retreading process, or any other suitable retreading process.Systems and Methods of Installing Electronics on a Tire

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, one or more electronics (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, GPS sensors, an electronic assembly, electronic package, etc.), shown as electronic device 150, may be coupled to the tire casing 100 to monitor and track (e.g., to facilitate monitoring and tracking) various parameters (e.g., characteristics) related to the tire (e.g., the tire casing 100, the tire tread 113, the retreaded tire 140, etc.) such as performance of the tire (e.g., performance of the retreaded tire 140), the life of the tire casing 100, the manufacturer of the tire casing 100, the distribution of the tire casing 100, the location of the tire casing 100, or otherwise. The electronic device 150 may be coupled to the tire casing 100 at one or more different locations. In some embodiments, the electronic device 150 is coupled to an exterior surface of the sidewalls 106 (e.g., the outer surface of the left sidewall 106a, the outer surface of the right sidewall 106b) such that the electronic device 150 is positioned in therecessed region 116. Coupling the electronic device 150 to the tire casing 100 such that the electronic device 150 is positioned in the recessed region 116 facilitates protecting the electronic device 150 when a vehicle, with which the tire casing 100 is coupled, and the tire casing 100 contact an object (e.g., curbs, telephone poles, bollards, buildings, guard rails, cones, other vehicles, etc.) during operation of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the electronic device 150 is located entirely within the recessed region 116. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the electronic device 150 is located in the recessed region 116.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 150 is shown configured as an RFID tag 154. The RFID tag 154 contains RFID circuitry (e.g., an integrated circuit) and an antenna on a substrate. The RFID tag 154 may be a passive RFID tag configured to operate across different frequency bands such as low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), ultra-high frequency (UHF), and / or any other frequency range. In such embodiments, the RFID tag 154 does not include an internal source of energy (e.g., a battery), rather the RFID tag 154 draws power from an RFID reader (e.g., an external receiver) configured to communicate with the RFID tag 154. In other embodiments, the RFID tag 154 is an active RFID tag including an internal energy source.

[0044] The RFID tag 154 includes an antenna 158 configured to enable communications between the RFID tag 154 and the RFID reader. The antenna 158 may be configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals by way of an electromagnetic field generated by the RFID reader, thereby permitting energy to be transferred to the RFID tag 154 and the components thereof to facilitate communications. The RFID tag 154 includes a housing 162 including one or more electronics, such as an integrated circuit, that contain a unique identifier that is unique to the RFID tag 154.

[0045] Generally, the RFID tag 154 is associated with the unique identifier and is configured to be coupled with the tire casing 100 to permit the tire casing 100 to be uniquely identified (e.g., identified as its own singular instance of a tire casing) by way of the RFID tag 154 coupled therewith. The unique identifier is configured to permit tracking of the tire as the tire is moved from one position to another on the vehicle, from one vehicle to another vehicle, from one distributor to another, and / or at any other stage of the manufacturing or distribution processes. Byway of example, the unique identifier may permit inventory management of the tire casings 100 and the retreaded tires 140 in warehouses, distribution centers, and retailers. By way of another example, the unique identifier may permit tracking the tire casings 100 and the retreaded tires 140 throughout their lifecycle from manufacturing to distribution, sale, retreading, and recycling. The unique identifier is configured to provide information associated with one or more of the manufacturing date of the tire casing 100, the wear of the tire tread 113, and / or maintenance history (e.g., previous retreading operations performed on the tire casing 100, locations on the tire casing 100 of previously fixed damages, etc ). The unique identifier is configured to provide insight regarding one or more of scheduling maintenance, inspections, and / or replacement of the tire casing 100. The unique identifier is configured to be stored in a data repository storing unique identifiers for all registered tires. The history of the tire can be retrieved using the unique identifier corresponding to the tire. In some embodiments, multiple RFID tags 154 may be installed on the tire casing 100. In such embodiments, each RFID tag 154 installed on the tire casing 100 are associated with each other and with the tire casing 100 to which they are attached.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the tire is newly manufactured and / or when the tire casing 100 arrives at a site to undergo the retreading operation as described herein, the RFID tag 154 is coupled with the tire (e.g., by way of the process described below, by way of method 200, etc.). When the RFID tag 154 is installed, it may be encoded with relevant information such as the unique identifier corresponding to the tire, the model of the tire, the tire manufacturer / retreader, the manufacturing / retreading date, and / or any other relevant information related thereto. This information may be stored in a memory of the RFID tag 154 (e.g., by the one or more electronics included in the housing 162) and associated with the unique identifier of the RFID tag 154. Additionally or alternatively, the information may be stored in a database (e.g., a local database, a cloud-based database, etc.) and associated with the unique identifier of the RFID tag 154. As the tire casing 100 moves through the distribution chain, the RFID tag 154 may be scanned at various checkpoints, which updates the database with the location and movement of the tire casing 100. When the tire casing 100 is brought in for maintenance (e.g., to undergo the retreading process, to patch a hole, etc.), the RFID tag 154 may be scanned to update the database with relevant information regarding tread wear, repairs, and replacement. By way of example, the RFID tag 154may be scanned after each step in the retreading operation to update the database with relevant information regarding which steps have been completed and which steps are to be performed next.

[0047] In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be coupled with the vehicle, the tire casing 100, and / or the retreaded tire 140 to record or measure components of the vehicle. The sensors can be in electrical communication with the vehicle. By way of example, the sensors may be mounted on the wheels or near the tires of the vehicle. The sensors may include at least an accelerometer, a global positioning sensor (“GPS”), a pressure sensor (e.g., a tire sensor), a temperature sensor, a tachometer to measure the wheel speed (e.g., rotation per minute (“RPM”)), a positioning sensor, or an image sensor for recording visual feedback. The accelerometer can record the acceleration of the vehicle or the angular acceleration of the wheels. The GPS can record the location of the wheels of the vehicle. The temperature sensor can record the temperature of the tire (e.g., the tire casing 100, the tire tread 113, the retreaded tire 140, belts, or ply of the tire), the temperature of the rim, or the temperature of the pressurized pocket of the wheel. The positioning sensor can record the height of the wheel of the vehicle with respect to the ground.

[0048] In some embodiments, a data processing system may link the received sensor data (e.g., one or more values from the one or more sensors) to the unique identifier associated with the tire the information was sensed from (e.g., associated with the RFID tag 154 coupled with the tire). By way of example, when the RFID reader receives the unique identifier, the sensor data is transmitted to the RFID reader to be stored and processed. By way of another example, the RFID tag 154 may be operable to transmit data related to one or more characteristics related to the tire to the RFID reader (e.g., an external receiver). The data processing system can determine a unique identifier based on the position of the one or more sensors used to collect the sensor data. Based on the position, the data processing system can determine a corresponding wheel / tire at the position of the vehicle. The unique identifier of the wheel can be pre-recoded in the data repository, such that the unique identifier can be identified based on the position of the sensor. In some cases, the one or more sensors can include the unique identifier of the tire when transmitting the data to the data processing system. By linking the sensor data and the unique identifier, the data processing system can store the sensor data with inspection data associated with the tire.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5-9, a process for installing the RFID tag 154 on the tire casing 100 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a prepared surface 166 of the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100 is prepared. At least a portion of the prepared surface 166 is located within the recessed region 116 of the sidewall 106. In some embodiments, the prepared surface 166 is located entirely within the recessed region 116. In some embodiments, preparing the prepared surface 166 includes buffing the sidewall 106 using a tire buffer or a rotary buffer having abrasive pads for buffing the surface of the sidewall 106. In other embodiments, the prepared surface 166 is prepared by grinding the sidewall 106 with a wire brush. Buffing the sidewall 106 may create a roughened texture which improves a bond strength between the tire casing 100 and an adhesive adhered thereto. In some embodiments, preparing the prepared surface 166 further includes cleaning the sidewall 106 to remove dirt, contaminants, and other debris. In such an embodiment, the prepared surface 166 may be cleaned with a disinfectant solution, soap, water, or the like. Preparing the prepared surface 166 by buffing and cleaning the sidewall 106 promotes adhesion and longevity of an adhesive bond and facilitates consistency during an adhesion process described herein.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, an adhesive layer 170 is applied to the prepared surface 166 of the sidewall 106. The adhesive layer 170 may be a black rubber cement applied to the prepared surface 166 using a brush. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 170 is another material such as an epoxy adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, or another suitable material. The adhesive layer 170 is configured to facilitate adhering a cushion (e.g., cushion 174) and the RFID tag 154 with the tire casing 100.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the RFID tag 154 is attached to a section of cushion (e.g., rubber, precured tread rubber, cushion gum, bonding gum, etc.), shown as cushion 174. The cushion 174 may include an adhesive surface 178 that is tacky (e.g., sticky, capable of adhering to a surface). As shown in FIG. 7, the RFID tag 154 is attached to the adhesive surface 178 of the cushion 174. In some embodiments, the cushion 174 is a precured section of rubber material cut from a larger sheet of precured rubber material. In such embodiments, the cushion 174 may be sized such thatthe entire RFID tag 154 fits within the area defined by the adhesive surface 178 of the cushion 174. In other embodiments, the cushion 174 is an uncured section of raw rubber material.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the cushion 174 with the RFID tag 154 attached to the adhesive surface 178 thereof is arranged to interface with the adhesive layer 170. The cushion 174 may interface with at least a portion of the adhesive layer 170 to adhere the cushion 174 and the RFID tag 154 to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100. The cushion 174 may be disposed to interface with the adhesive layer 170 such that the RFID tag 154 is positioned entirely within the recessed region 116. In some embodiments, the RFID tag 154 is positioned in a range of approximately (e.g., within 5% of being) 1 inch (in.) and approximately 3 inches, inclusive (e.g., about 0.95 in., about 1 in., about 1.5 in., about 2 in., about 2.5 in., about 3 in., about 3.15 in., etc.) radially outward from a radial inward end of the bead area 110.

[0053] In some embodiments, the RFID tag 154 and the cushion 174 are positioned such that, when the retreaded tire 140 (e.g., the tire casing 100) is mounted on a tire rim by way of the bead area 110, the RFID tag 154 and the cushion 174 do not contact the tire rim. In other embodiments, the RFID tag 154 is otherwise suitably spaced from the bead area 110 (e.g., depending on a size of the tire casing 100, depending on the length of the casing diameter D, etc.) such that the RFID tag 154 is positioned entirely within the recessed region 116. In other embodiments, the RFID tag 154 is at least partially positioned within the recessed region 116. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 170 is applied to the prepared surface 166 such that an area of the applied adhesive layer 170 is greater than an area of the adhesive surface 178 of the cushion 174, thereby ensuring a sufficiently sized area to interface the adhesive surface 178 to the adhesive layer 170. In some embodiments, the cushion 174 does not include the adhesive surface 178. In such an embodiment, the RFID tag 154 and the cushion 174 may adhere to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100 by way of the adhesive layer 170.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 9, the tire casing 100 with the adhesive layer 170 applied to the sidewall 106 and the cushion 174 adhering the RFID tag 154 therebetween is cured to fixedly couple the cushion 174 and the RFID tag 154 with the tire casing 100. In some embodiments, the tire casing 100 with the adhesive layer 170 applied to the sidewall 106 and the cushion 174adhering the RFID tag 154 therebetween (e.g., the retreaded tire assembly) is placed within a curing envelope and placed within a curing chamber (e.g., autoclave, pressure vessel, etc.). The temperature and / or pressure of the curing chamber is controlled such that the cushion 174 conforms to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100. In other embodiments, the tire casing 100 with the adhesive layer 170 applied to the sidewall 106 and the cushion 174 adhering the RFID tag 154 therebetween is cured by a vulcanizing machine (e.g., a spotter) to fixedly couple the cushion 174 and the RFID tag 154 with the tire casing 100. The temperature and / or pressure applied to the tire casing 100 by the vulcanizing machine may be controlled such that the cushion 174 conforms to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100 as discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0055] In some embodiments, after the curing process, the cushion 174 may have sufficiently cured and vulcanized such that the cushion 174 is integrally formed with the sidewall 106. The RFID tag 154 may be positioned between the tire casing 100 and the cushion 174 such that the RFID tag 154 is protected from water damage and chemical damage. As a result of the RFID tag 154 being positioned within the recessed region 116, during operation of the retreaded tire 140 and / or a newly manufactured tire with the RFID tag 154 installed, the RFID tag 154 is protected from being damaged (e.g., due to the larger casing width W of the protruding region 114 relative to that of the recessed region 116) if the retreaded tire 140 and / or the newly manufactured tire contacts an object (e.g., curbs, telephone poles, bollards, buildings, guard rails, cones, other vehicles, etc.). In some embodiments, the cushion 174 provides further protection of the RFID tag 154 due to the durability thereof after curing.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 10, a method 200 of installing an electronic device (e.g., the RFID tag 154, one or more sensors, etc.) on a tire is shown including steps 202-210. At step 202, a surface (e.g., prepared surface 166) of a sidewall (e.g., sidewall 106) of a tire (e.g., tire casing 100) is prepared. The sidewall may define a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards of the protruding region. When the tire is inflated (e.g., with pressurized air), the sidewall may define a slightly rounded profile such that a casing width (e.g., casing width W) at a given (e.g., arbitrary, respective) position within the recessed region is smaller than the casing width ata given (e.g., arbitrary, respective) position within the protruding region. In some embodiments, the protruding region protects the recessed region from scrapes, abrasions, and other damage when the tire is coupled with a vehicle to propel the vehicle. By way of example, the protruding region extends axially farther away from a center line of the tire compared to the recessed region. Preparing the surface may include buffing the surface with a wire brush and / or some other abrasive tool and cleaning the surface to remove contaminants and debris. Preparing the surface by buffing and cleaning the sidewall promotes adhesion and longevity of an adhesive bond and facilitates consistency during an adhesion process.

[0057] At step 204, an adhesive layer (e.g., adhesive layer 170) is applied to the surface prepared in step 202. The adhesive layer is configured to facilitate adhering a cushion and one or more electronic devices (e.g., the RFID tag 154, one or more sensors, etc.) with the tire. In some embodiments, step 204 is omitted.

[0058] At step 206, the electronic device is attached to a section of cushion (e.g., cushion 174). The electronic device may be attached to an adhesive surface (e.g., adhesive surface 178) of the cushion. In some embodiments, step 206 is performed prior to step 204.

[0059] At step 208, the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion is arranged to interface with the adhesive layer along the sidewall of the tire. In some embodiments, the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion are arranged to interface with the adhesive layer along the sidewall of the tire so as to position the electronic device in the recessed region.

[0060] At step 210, the tire with the adhesive layer applied to the sidewall and the cushion adhering the electronic device therebetween is cured to fixedly coupled the cushion and the electronic device with the tire. In some embodiments, the tire with the adhesive layer applied to the sidewall and the cushion adhering the electronic device therebetween is placed within a curing envelope and placed within a curing chamber (e.g., autoclave, pressure vessel, etc.). The temperature and / or pressure of the curing chamber is controlled such that the cushion conforms to the sidewall of the tire. In other embodiments, the tire casing with the adhesive layer applied to the sidewall and the cushion adhering the RFID tag therebetween is cured with a vulcanizingmachine (e.g., a spotter) to fixedly couple the cushion and the RFID tag with the tire casing. The temperature and / or pressure applied to the tire casing by the vulcanizing machine may be controlled such that the cushion conforms to the sidewall of the tire casing.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 11, a sticker (e.g., an adhesive material, an adhesive label, etc.), shown as sticker 300, includes an adhesive backed material that forms an outer surface of the sticker 300. The adhesive backed material is tacky to facilitate affixing (e.g., adhering, sticking, attaching, etc.) the sticker 300 to the tire casing 100. In some embodiments, the sticker 300 is made from a paper or plastic material having an adhesive layer (e.g., the adhesive backed material) on one side of the sticker 300. The sticker 300 may be embedded with an electronic device (e.g., an electronic assembly, electronic package), such as an RFID tag 304. In some embodiments, the RFID tag 304 is the same as or substantially similar to the RFID tag 154, in which case the description is incorporated herein. The RFID tag 304 may be inlay ed with the sticker 300 such that the RFID tag 304 is embedded or otherwise attached to the adhesive backed material of the sticker 300. In some embodiments, the RFID tag 304 is inlayed with the sticker 300 by way of a printing process, a lamination process, or another suitable process. In some embodiments, the adhesive backed material of the sticker 300 is covered by a protective liner or backing. This liner may be removed from (e.g., peeled off of) the sticker 300 to expose the adhesive backed material thereof before adhering the sticker 300 to the tire casing 100. The adhesive backed material of the sticker 300 may be interfaced with the tire casing 100 to adhere the sticker and the RFID tag 304 thereto.

[0062] In some embodiments, before adhering the sticker 300 and the RFID tag 304 to the tire casing 100, the sidewall 106 is prepared as described above with reference to FIG. 5, in which case the description is incorporated herein. The sticker 300 may interface with the tire casing 100 such that the RFID tag 304 is positioned entirely within the recessed region 116. In other embodiments, the RFID tag 304 is at least partially positioned within the recessed region 116. As a result of the RFID tag 304 being positioned within the recessed region 116, during operation of the retreaded tire 140 and / or a newly manufactured tire with the RFID tag 304 installed, the RFID tag 304 is protected from being damaged (e.g., due to the larger casing width W of the protruding region 114relative to that of the recessed region 116) if the retreaded tire 140 and / or the newly manufactured tire contacts an object (e.g., curbs, telephone poles, bollards, buildings, guard rails, cones, other vehicles, etc.).

[0063] Referring to FIG. 12, an adhesive layer 308 is applied over an exterior facing surface of the sticker 300 adhered to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100. The adhesive layer 308 may be applied such that a majority or entirety of the sticker 300 is covered by the adhesive layer 308. The adhesive layer 308 may be a black rubber cement applied to the sticker 300 using a brush. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 308 is another material such as an epoxy adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, or another suitable material. The adhesive layer 170 is configured to facilitate adhering a cushion (e.g., cushion 312) with the tire casing 100 and over the sticker 300.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 13, a cushion 312 is interfaced with the adhesive layer 308 and adhered to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100. The cushion 312 may be the same as the cushion 174 described above with reference to FIGS. 7-9.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 14, the tire casing 100 with the adhesive layer 308 applied over the sticker 300 affixed to the sidewall 106 and the cushion 312 interfaced with the adhesive layer 308 is cured to fixedly couple the cushion 312, the sticker 300, and the RFID tag 304 with the tire casing 100. In some embodiments, the tire casing 100 with the adhesive layer 308 applied over the sticker 300 affixed to the sidewall 106 and the cushion 312 interfaced with the adhesive layer 308 (e.g., the retreaded tire assembly) is placed within a curing envelope and placed within a curing chamber (e.g., autoclave, pressure vessel, etc.). The temperature and / or pressure of the curing chamber is controlled such that the cushion 312 conforms to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100. In other embodiments, the tire casing 100 with the adhesive layer 308 applied over the sticker 300 affixed to the sidewall 106 and the cushion 312 interfaced with the adhesive layer 308 is cured by a vulcanizing machine (e.g., a spotter) to fixedly couple the cushion 312 and the RFID tag 304 with the tire casing 100. The temperature and / or pressure applied to the tire casing 100 by the vulcanizing machine may be controlled such that the cushion 312 conforms to the sidewall 106 of the tire casing 100 as discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0066] In some embodiments, after the curing process, the cushion 312 may have sufficiently cured and vulcanized such that the cushion 312 is integrally formed with the sidewall 106. The sticker 300 and the RFID tag 304 may be positioned between the tire casing 100 and the cushion 312 such that the RFID tag 304 is protected from water damage and chemical damage. As a result of the RFID tag 304 being positioned within the recessed region 116, during operation of the retreaded tire 140 and / or a newly manufactured tire with the RFID tag 304 installed, the RFID tag 304 is protected from being damaged (e.g., due to the larger casing width W of the protruding region 114 relative to that of the recessed region 116) if the retreaded tire 140 and / or the newly manufactured tire contacts an object (e.g., curbs, telephone poles, bollards, buildings, guard rails, cones, other vehicles, etc.). In some embodiments, the cushion 312 provides further protection of the RFID tag 304 due to enhanced durability thereof after curing.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the tire casing 100 may be cured by a curing device (e.g., a spotter), shown as vulcanizing machine 400, to couple a cushion (e.g., the cushion 174, the cushion 312) and an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 150, the RFID tag 154, the RFID tag 304) with the tire casing 100. The vulcanizing machine 400 may include two or more jaws (e.g., clamps, clamp pieces, etc.), shown as jaws 402, configured to interface with the tire casing 100 and the cushion. The vulcanizing machine 400 may include a mechanism 404 (e.g., a screw mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism (e.g., a hydraulic actuator), a pneumatic mechanism (e.g., a pneumatic actuator), etc.) configured to position the jaws 402 between an open position 406 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14), a closed position 408 (as shown in FIG. 15), or any position therebetween. The mechanism 404 may control a pressure that is applied to the tire casing 100 and the cushion. In the open position 406, a space is provided between the jaws 402. The space may be sufficiently sized to receive both the sidewall 106 and the cushion coupled to the sidewall 106. The mechanism 404 may be engaged with to increase or decrease the space between the jaws 402.

[0068] The jaws 402 may include a heating element (e.g., heater, resistive heating circuit, etc.) configured to conduct heat through the jaws 402. To cure the cushion, and thereby fixedly couple the cushion and the electronic device with the tire casing 100, the vulcanizing machine 400 may control the temperature and the pressure applied to the cushion and the tire casing 100. By way ofexample, the sidewall 106 with the cushion and the electronic device positioned therebetween may be positioned within the space between the jaws 402 when the vulcanizing machine 400 is in the open position 406. An operator may engage with the mechanism 404 to move the jaws 402 closer together and transition the vulcanizing machine 400 to the closed position 408. In the closed position 408, or substantially close to (proximate) the closed position 408, the jaws 402 may contact (i) the cushion positioned along an axially outward facing surface of the sidewall 106 and (ii) an axially inward facing surface of the sidewall 106. The jaws 402 may transfer heat (by way of the heating element) and / or apply pressure (e.g., a force) to the cushion to cure the cushion, thereby fixedly coupling the cushion and the electronic device to the tire casing 100.[0069| As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean + / - 10% of the disclosed values. When the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are applied to a structural feature (e.g., to describe its shape, size, orientation, direction, etc.), these terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0070] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0071] The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another,or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical or electrical.

[0072] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0073] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any othertype of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communi cably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.

[0074] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

[0075] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0076] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of tire casing 100 and the RFID tag 154 and the systems and components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of installing an electronic device on a tire comprising: preparing a surface of a sidewall of the tire, the sidewall defining a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region; applying an adhesive layer to the surface; attaching the electronic device to an adhesive surface of a cushion; arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion to interface with at least a portion of the adhesive layer along the sidewall of the tire so as to position the electronic device in the recessed region; and coupling the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising curing the tire and the cushion to couple the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising placing the tire having the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion arranged to interface with the at least a portion of the adhesive layer in a curing envelope, wherein curing the tire and the cushion includes placing the tire and the cushion in a curing chamber to couple the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising placing the tire having the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion arranged to interface with the at least a portion of the adhesive layer in a curing device to couple the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the curing device includes jaws configured to contact the tire and the cushion and apply at least one of heat or pressure to cure the tire and the cushion to couple the cushion and the electronic device to the tire.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidewall is a first sidewall and the tire includes a tire width defined by an axial distance from an outer surface of the first sidewall to an outer surface of a second sidewall of the tire.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the protruding region is an area along the first sidewall and the second sidewall where the tire width is at a maximum.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein an average tire width of the recessed region is smaller than an average tire width of the protruding region.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the tire width at a respective position within the recessed region is smaller than the tire width at a respective position within the protruding region.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tire includes a bead area located radially inwards of the sidewall and including a radial inward end, and the recessed region is located radially outwards of the bead area.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion comprises disposing the electronic device between about 1 inch and about 3 inches radially outward from the radial inward end of the bead area.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the bead area is structured for mounting the tire on a tire rim, and the cushion is positioned such that, when the tire mounted on the tire rim, the cushion does not contact the tire rim.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to facilitate monitoring a characteristic related to the tire.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes radio identification (RFID) circuitry.

15. A tire assembly comprising: a tire including a sidewall, the sidewall defining a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region; an adhesive layer applied to a prepared surface of the sidewall; an electronic device including radio identification (RFID) circuitry; and a cushion including an adhesive surface configured to couple to the tire, wherein the electronic device is configured to attach to the adhesive surface of the cushion, and the electronic device and the adhesive surface are configured to be arranged to interface with at least a portion of the adhesive layer along the sidewall so as to position the electronic device in the recessed region.

16. The tire assembly of claim 15, wherein the sidewall is a first sidewall and the tire includes a tire width defined by an axial distance from an outer surface of the first sidewall to an outer surface of a second sidewall of the tire.

17. The tire assembly of claim 16, wherein the tire width at a respective position within the recessed region is smaller than the tire width at a respective position within the protruding region.

18. The tire assembly of claim 15, wherein the tire includes a bead area located radially inwards of the sidewall and including a radial inward end, and the recessed region is located radially outwards of the bead area.

19. The tire assembly of claim 18, wherein arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion comprises disposing the electronic device between about 1 inch and about 3 inches radially outward from the radial inward end of the bead area.

20. A system for monitoring a tire, comprising: a tire including: a sidewall defining a protruding region and a recessed region located radially inwards relative to the protruding region; and a bead area located radially inwards of the sidewall and including a radial inward end, the recessed region located radially outwards relative to the bead area; an electronic device configured to monitor a characteristic related to the tire; and a cushion having an adhesive surface, the electronic device being coupled to the adhesive surface of the cushion, wherein the cushion and the electronic device are coupled to the sidewall of the tire such that the electronic device is positioned within the recessed region, wherein the electronic device is operable to transmit data related to the characteristic of the tire to an external receiver, and wherein arranging the electronic device and the adhesive surface of the cushion comprises disposing the electronic device between about 1 inch and about 3 inches radially outward from the radial inward end of the bead area.

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