Tire with projection and snap-on sensor

Abstract

A tire is provided that has a crown with tread located at an outer surface of the tire. The crown has an inner surface and a projection extends from the inner surface towards the central axis in the radial direction. The projection has a first radial location and a second radial location, and the axial cross-section at the second radial location is greater in size than the axial cross-section at the first radial location. The second radial location is closer to the central axis than the first radial location. The projection is located within a receiving void of a container, and the container has a cavity into which a sensor is located. At the first radial location the container is located on opposite axial sides of the projection, and at the second radial location the container is located on opposite axial sides of the projection.

Description

TITLETIRE WITH PROJECTION AND SNAP-ON SENSORFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a tire that has a snap-on sensor that is capable of measuring parameters of the tire such as pressure, temperature, and acceleration, and could additionally or alternatively be used to identify the tire. More particularly, the present application involves a tire that has a projection from its inner liner upon which a container that holds a sensor can be attached to result in the sensor being secured to the inside of the tire.BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to place sensors into the tires of vehicles in order to measure such things as tire inflation pressure, tire temperature, tire acceleration, tire velocity, and other parameters. The sensors may also provide tire identification information and other data in addition to, or alternatively to, just measurement data. Such electronic sensors typically require a container to be fixed inside of the tire into which the sensor is inserted and retained. The container can have a cavity into which the electronic sensor is placed, and a lip could surround a portion of the top of an electronic sensor and hold it in place in the cavity. The lip is made of a flexible material and is rolled back to allow the sensor to be pushed past it and into the cavity. The flexible lip can then be flipped back into its original position, and in so doing engage the sensor and function to retain it in the cavity. The holding of the electronic sensor within the tire should be strong enough to keep the electronic sensor in place upon being subjected to high acceleration, forces, and temperatures during operation of the vehicle.

[0003] The container can be a piece that is separately formed and then subsequently attached to the tire once the tire has been molded. This attachment can be made by using green rubber or adhesive to bond the rubber container to the inner layer of the tire. Another way of providing a container to the interior of the tire is by molding it into the tire during the production process. One such method of molding a container onto the inner surface of the tire is disclosed in patent application publication WO 2021 / 126199 entitled “Method of Molding a Container into a Tire” which is owned by the present Applicant and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. This method involves the placement of a puck onto a flexible bladderof a mold which is used to mold the container onto the inner surface of the tire when at the same time the rest of the tire is being molded by the mold. Although capable of molding the container onto the inner surface, the disclosed method presents certain manufacturing challenges. For example, in one embodiment the puck is located within a concave cavity of the flexible bladder, and the construction of a flexible bladder with such a cavity that can expand and contract during production is not industrially practical. Such a molded on container requires that the sensor that is used in the tire be of a particular size and shape, and it is not possible to use sensors that have a different size or shape with a molded on container that is designed for a specific sensor. If a sensor of the exact size and shape cannot be found as a replacement, the container cannot accommodate sensors of other sizes and shapes and the sensor functionality cannot be used.

[0004] Patent number JP 2012-25319 discloses a pneumatic tire that has a mechanism for attaching a radio frequency identification tag to its inner surface. In this regard, a pouch-shaped cross-sectional space is formed on the interior of the tire, and a fastener member that is attached to the tag is inserted into the pouch. Although this engagement functions to hold the tag to the interior of the tire, it requires a void to be created in the interior of the tire. The pouch-shaped cross-sectional spaces are open on one end and allow for the attachment to separate on this open end. Although different techniques are known for producing tires that have objects located on their interior, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs, in which:

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tire that has a container and acoustic foam.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a tire with a container and sensor detached.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a front view of a projection.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a front view a sensor and container attached to the projection of Fig 3.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a container and sensor attached to a projection of a tire.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a container that holds a circular shaped sensor.

[0012] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a container that holds an elliptical shaped sensor.

[0013] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a projection with attached container and sensor in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

[0015] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a projection with attached container and sensor in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

[0017] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a projection with a stem and a head attached to a container and sensor in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

[0019] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a projection that has a plurality of segments that are attached to a container and sensor.

[0020] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

[0021] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an inside portion of a tire that has a plurality of projections and a container that has a plurality of receiving voids.

[0022] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a projection in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 17.

[0024] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of Fig. 17.

[0025] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an inside portion of a tire that has a cross-shaped projection and a wall that extends from the inner surface in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a container that has a cross-shaped receiving void and legs to be received within the wall.

[0027] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Fig. 21 attached to the projection of Fig. 20.

[0028] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the attached container and projection of Fig.22 but rotated 45 degrees from the view of Fig. 22.

[0029] Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view of tire with an attached container and sensor that are spaced from and located between strips of acoustic foam.

[0030] Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the tire in which the acoustic foam itself defines the container into which the sensor is housed, and defines the receiving void into which the projection is received.

[0031] Fig. 26 is a is a cross-sectional view of a projection with a slit and with attached container and sensor in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 27 is a bottom view of a container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 28 is a perspective view taken along line 28-28 of Fig. 27.

[0034] Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the projection of Fig. 17 inserted into the container of Fig. 27.

[0035] Fig. 30 is a bottom view of a container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Fig. 31 is a perspective view taken along line 31-31 of Fig. 30.

[0037] Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a sensor that has an insert that is received within a slit of the projection to enhance the connection.

[0038] Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of Fig. 32 but with force applied to the stem to cause the insert to be removed from the slit.

[0039] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.

[0041] It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes rangesfrom 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.

[0042] A tire 10 for the attachment of a sensor 56 onto the tire 10 is provided that utilizes a projection 100 that extends from the inner surface 30 of the tire 10. The projection 100 has a shape that features first and second radial locations 102, 104 in which the second radial location 104 is located closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14 and has a greater axial cross-section 108 than does the first radial location 102. A container 44 is provided that has a cavity 52 into which the sensor 56 is disposed. The container 44 has a receiving void 58 into which the projection 100 is inserted. The container 44 and the attached sensor 56 are thus retained onto the projection 100 with this connection so that the sensor 56 is in turn attached to the tire 10. The sensor 56 may be used to measure parameters of the tire 10 such as speed, acceleration, pressure, or identification. The sensor 56 may be used to obtain any information on the tire 10. For example, the sensor 56 may be used to measure local acceleration in the tread pattern away from the center of the tread pattern. The sensor 56 may also be used to measure shock or deformation, or any other desired parameter.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a tire 10 with a central axis 42 that extends in an axial direction 16 and tread 20 that extends completely 360 degrees around the central axis 42 in the circumferential direction 18 of the tire 10. The tread 20 is on the outer surface 26 of the tire 10 and is the portion of the tire 10 configured for engagement with the ground or road surface. The tire 10 has a pair of sidewalls 38, 40 that are included in a carcass portion of the tire 10 onto which the tread 20 is located. An inner surface 30, not visible in Fig. 1, of the tire 10 is located opposite the tread 20 and extends between the inner sides of the left sidewall 38 and the right sidewall 40. The container 44 is attached to the inner surface 30 and extends through acoustic foam 12 that is likewise attached to the inner surface 30 and is visible in the perspective view of Fig. 1. The container 44 and the sensor 56 included within the container 44 can both extend through a hole in the acoustic foam 12 so as to be located closer to the central axis 42 in a radial direction 14 of the tire 10 than the acoustic foam 12 is to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. The acoustic foam 12 may engage the container 44 and may be free from engagement with the sensor 56. The acoustic foam 12extends completely 360 degrees about the central axis 42 in the circumferential direction 18 and is continuous in the regard except for the hole into which the container 44 is located.

[0044] A cross-section of a tire 10, which in this instance can be described as a radial cut of the tire 10, that includes a container 44 that can house a sensor 56 is shown with reference to Fig. 2. Various tissues, sometimes called products, composed of different materials are present throughout the tire 10. The tread 20 of the tire 10 is located farthest from the central axis 42 of the tire 10 in the radial direction 14. A first belt layer 64 and a second belt layer 66 are located below the tread 20 in the radial direction 14 and comprise belts for use in strengthening and holding the form of the tire 10. The reinforcement belts of the layers 64, 66 may be crossed relative to one another, and in some instances they can be arranged at an angle of 20 degrees to one another. The crown 22 of the tire 10 includes the tread 20 along with the belt layers 64, 66, and is located in the center of the tire 10 with respect to the axial direction 16 of the tire 10. Left and right sidewalls 38, 40 extend from the crown 22 in the radial direction 14 and terminate in a pair of beads 24, 34 that are arranged for mounting onto the rim of the wheel of the vehicle. The left bead 24 engages and is located at the end of the left sidewall 38, and the right bead 34 engages and is located at the end of the right sidewall 40 in the radial direction 14. The beads 24, 34 both extend from the sidewalls 38, 40 in the radial direction 14 and are the portions of the tire 10 that are located closest to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14.

[0045] A left bead core 28 is located in the left bead 24, and a right bead core 86 is located in the right bead 34. The bead cores 28, 86 are present to provide strength and a gripping force in the beads 24, 34 for retention onto the rim. The left bead 24 can be a mirror image of the right bead 34 and both beads 24, 34 can have products that are made of the same material. Some of the tissues / products are located only in the beads 24, 34 while others are located in the beads 24, 34 and extend therefrom. For instance, an inner liner 68 is inside of the beads 24, 34 and extends to inner, exterior sides of the beads 24, 34 before extending up the sidewalls 38, 40 into which the inner liner 68 forms inner, exterior sides of the sidewalls 38, 40. The inner liner 68 then extends from the two sidewalls 38, 40 across the entire inner side of the crown 22 in the axial direction 16 and forms the inner surface 30 of the crown 22. The inner liner 68 is arranged in a mirror- image manner in the left and right beads 24, 34 and terminates within these two beads 24, 34. The inner liner 68 is a product of the tire 10 thatextends all the way from one bead 24 to the other bead 34 and is made of a material that is fluid tight so that fluid between the tire 10 and rim is maintained therein for purposes of maintaining inflation pressure of the tire 10. The ends of the inner line 68 in the beads 24, 34 may be outboard of the rods 72, 88 in the axial direction and may be positioned internally in the beads 72, 88 so that they are not on the exterior surface. The inner liner 68 does not engage the rods 72, 88 and is located inward in the radial direction 14 from the rods 72, 88, and inboard from the rods 72, 88 in the axial direction 16.

[0046] The tire 10 includes a tissue designated as a first reinforcement ply 32 that has an end that is located within the left bead 24 and extends through the left sidewall 38 and crown 22 and into the right sidewall 40 and finally into and terminating within the right bead 34. The first reinforcement ply 32 wraps around the left bead core 28 to a location that is outward in the axial direction 16 from the rod 72. The first reinforcement ply 32 has a main portion that is in the left bead 24 and is inboard from the rod 72. This main portion extends to the bead core 28 to a location of the first reinforcement ply 32 that is closest to the central axis 12 in the radial direction 14. The first reinforcement ply 32 is wrapped around the left bead core 28 and may engage the left bead core 28 in some embodiments. The first reinforcement ply 32 can be arranged in the right bead 34 in a similar manner in which it can wrap around and may engage the right bead core 86. The first reinforcement ply 32 may be outboard from the rod 88 in the axial direction 16 in the right bead 34 and can terminate within the right bead 34 at a position that is completely outboard from the rod 88 in the axial direction 16. The first reinforcement ply 32 may also be completely inboard from the right bead 34 in the radial direction 14 such that it is closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14.

[0047] Relative positions in the axial direction 16 can be described with respect to inboard and outboard positions. The most inboard point of the tire 10 may be the radial direction line 14 shown in Fig. 2 in its location in Fig. 2 as it is located at the center of the tire 10 in the axial direction 16. The center of the tire 10 is inboard of both the left and right hand beads 24, 34 in the axial direction 16. As used herein, an object described as inboard in the axial direction 16 to another object means that it is located closer to the radial direction line 14 as shown in Fig. 2. Further, as used herein an object described as being located outboard from another object in the axial direction 16 means that it is located farther from theradial direction line 14 in the axial direction 16 as shown in Fig. 2. As another example, the first reinforcement ply 32 in the left bead 24 is outboard of the rod 72 in the axial direction 16. Relative positioning in the radial direction 14 may be described in relation to the central axis 42 in which objects may be closer to or farther from the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14 than other objects.

[0048] The left bead 24 has a left bead core 28 that made up of one or more steel rods 72. Left bead filler 36 is present within the left bead 24 and may include padding gum with a wrapping tissue that surrounds the entire left bead core 28. This padding gum and wrapping tissue are not shown in Fig. 2, and instead only bead filler 36 completely surrounds the rod 72, but is to be understood that other arrangements of the left bead 24 are possible. The rod 72 making up the left bead core 28 is shown as a single piece and has a rectangular cross- sectional shape. This single piece can actually be many rods arranged together in the shape of a rectangle. In other embodiments the left bead core 28 can be made of multiple components and these components could have any cross-sectional shape. The wrapping tissue, if present, may have a stiffness of 14 MPa and can be made of a rubber mix and textile which in some instances can be a nylon ply. The padding gum, if present, can be a rubber mix and may have a stiffness of 28 MPa, and the rod 72 can be made of steel or aluminum and can have a stiffness of 30,000,000 MPa in some embodiments. The left bead core 28 can be lightened so that a smaller rod 72 can be used to improve performance properties of the tire 10. Although shown as being a rectangular rod 72, the rod 72 could be circular in other embodiments. In yet further arrangements, the rod 72 could be variously shaped and need not be a rectangular or circular in shape.

[0049] The left bead 24 includes left bead filler 36 that can engage and completely surround the rod 72, and may also engage the first reinforcement ply 32 and be between the main portion and the return casing ply of the first reinforcement ply 32. The left bead filler 36 also engages the second reinforcement ply 74 and the third reinforcement ply 80. The left bead filler 36 may be placed into the left bead 24 as a single layer, or it may be made of multiple layers within the left bead 24. The left bead filler 36 can be a rubber mix that can have a stiffness in the range from 3.6 MPa to 5.6MPa. The left bead filler 36 ends in the left bead 24, or in some instances may extend into the left sidewall 38 of the tire 10. However, the left bead filler 36 does not extend all the way under the belt layers 64, 66 to the otherright sidewall 40 of the tire 10. The first reinforcement ply 32 is a composite material that includes metal cords and a rubber mix. The first reinforcement ply 32 in the direction of its cords is stiffer than the left bead filler 36.

[0050] The left bead 24 includes an anti -abrasive strip 46 that is on the outside of the left bead 24 and is designed to engage the rim. The anti-abrasive strip 46 engages the inner liner 68 and the second reinforcement ply 74. A similar anti-abrasive strip 84 is present in the right bead 34 and engages the inner liner 68 and the second reinforcement ply 74. The right bead 34 can be arranged in a similar manner to the left bead 24. In this regard, the rod 88 and the right bead core 86 can be configured in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to the rod 72 and the left bead core 28. The right bead filler 82 may be arranged in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to the left bed filler 36 and a repeat of this information is not necessary. The two anti-abrasive strips 46, 84 can be made of the same material and may be shaped and sized the same as one another, and they can engage the same components and counterpart components in the left and right beads 24, 34. The other components in the right bead 34 can be arranged in a manner similar to that as previously discussed with respect to the left bead 24.

[0051] The present application describes the stiffness of a product or material. The stiffness that is being referred to is the Young’s modulus which is the stiffness of an elastic material, or elastic modulus. The stiffness is provided in measurements of mega pascals (MPa). The stiffness material property in question that is being referred to is MAIO. This stiffness property can be calculated using French standard NF T 46-002, September 1988.

[0052] The tire 10 includes three reinforcement plies 32, 74, and 80 that extend from the left bead 24 across the crown of the tire 10 under the belt layers 64, 66 and into the right bead 34. The first and second reinforcement plies 32, 74 wrap around the bead cores 28, 86, but the third reinforcement ply 80 does not wrap around the two bead cores 28, 86. The second and third reinforcement plies 74, 80 can be configured as previously discussed with respect to the first reinforcement ply 32 and a repeat of this information is not necessary. The reinforcement plies 32, 74, 80 provide strength and flexibility to the tire 10, and provide a support structure for the inflation pressure of the tire 10 which carries the tire 10 load. The third reinforcement ply 80 engages the second reinforcement ply 74 and is spaced from and not in engagement with the first reinforcement ply 32 in the left and right beads 24, 34. Thethird reinforcement ply 80 is located outboard from the second reinforcement ply 74 in the axial direction 16. The third reinforcement ply 80 engages the first reinforcement ply 32 in the left and right sidewalls 38, 40, and is spaced from and not in engagement with the second reinforcement ply 74 in the left and right sidewalls 38, 40.

[0053] In the crown 22 the third reinforcement ply 80 engages the second belt layer 66 and is located inward in the radial direction 14 from the second belt layer 66. The first reinforcement ply 32 engages the third reinforcement ply 80 and is located inward from it in the radial direction 14. The second reinforcement ply 74 engages the first reinforcement ply 32 and is located inward from the first reinforcement ply 32 in the radial direction 14, and the second reinforcement ply 74 is free from engagement with the third reinforcement ply 80 in the crown 22. The inner liner 68 engages the second reinforcement ply 74 and forms the inner surface 30 of the crown 22. In the crown 22, the inner liner 68 is free from engagement with the first and third reinforcement plies 32, 80, belt layers 64, 66 and the tread 20.

[0054] A projection 100 extends from the inner surface 30 towards the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. The projection 100 is formed integrally with the material of the inner liner 68 and is made of the same material as that of the inner liner 68. The projection 100 could be a separate component that is attached to the inner liner 68, however in the preferred embodiment the projection 100 is integrally formed with the inner liner 68. The projection 100 has a shape in which it has a larger cross-section at an area closer to the central axis 42 than at an area that is farther from the central axis 42. In particular, a first radial location 102 and a second radial location 104 are identified on the projection 100. The two radial locations 102, 104 are separated from one another in the radial direction 14. The first radial location 102 is located closer to the tread 20 and inner surface 30 of the crown 22 than is the second radial location 104. The second radial location 104 is closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14 than the first radial location 102. These closer to locations are measured from the axial centerline of the tire 10. The fist radial location 102 has an axial cross-section 106 that is smaller than an axial cross-section 108 of the second radial location 104. The projection 100 can be described as a component that extends from the inner surface 30 and is not actually a part of the inner surface 30, but allows the container 44 to be attached to the inner surface 30. The projection 100 may be integrally molded with the inner liner 68,or may be a patch of material placed onto the inner surface 30 and then molded to form the projection 100 and cause the projection 100 to be integrally connected with the inner liner 68.

[0055] The projection 100 is shaped so as to have a stem 122 that engages the inner liner 68 and extends from the inner liner 68 towards the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. The first radial location 102 is located within the stem 122. The stem 122 has a circular cross-sectional shape. The projection 100 has a head 124 located at the end of the stem 122 which is located closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. The head 124 extends in the axial direction 16 as it extends in the radial direction 14 away from the stem 122. The head 124 has a truncated conical shape. The second radial location 104 is located within the head 124. The projection 100 has a terminal radial end 126 that is the portion of the projection 100 that is farthest from its extension point from the inner surface 30 in the radial direction 14. With reference to Fig. 3, the terminal radial end 126 is at the head 124 and is flat. The terminal radial end 126 is circular in shape and has a larger axial cross-sectional size than the cross-sectional size of the stem 122.

[0056] The tire 10 includes a container 44 as shown in Fig. 2. The container 44 may be made of the same material as that of the inner liner 68, or may be made of a different material. The container 44 could be made of plastic or rubber. The container 44 has the shape of a truncated cone. A receiving void 58 is defined on the side of the container 44 that faces the inner surface 30 and has the largest cross-sectional area size of the two radial sides of the container 44. The receiving void 58 has a shape that is complimentary to that of the shape of the projection 100. A cavity 52 is defined on the side of the container 44 that is opposite to that of the receiving void 58. The cavity 52 faces the central axis 42, and is larger is size than the receiving void 58.

[0057] Figs. 4 and 5 show the container 44 attached to the projection 100, and the sensor 56 located within the container 44. The container 44 can be pushed against the projection 100 so that the projection 100 is pushed into the receiving void 58. The container 44 and / or the projection 100 can be made of a material that has some flexibility to allow the projection 100 to be inserted. Once inserted, the end of the container 44 engages the inner surface 30. Glue or other adhesive is not used to attach the container 44 to the inner surface 30. Instead, the only mechanism of attachment of the container 44 to the rest of the tire 10 is via the interlocking arrangement between the projection 100 and the receiving void 58. Theprojection 100 has two axial sides 76, 78. The axial sides 76, 78 are spaced from one another in the axial direction 16 and face away from one another. When the container 44 is attached, the container 44 is located outboard from the axial side 76 in the axial direction 16, and the container 44 is located outboard from the axial side 78 in the axial direction 16. The container 44 engages the terminal radial end 126. The axial sides 76, 78 engage the container 44, and the fit between the projection 100 and receiving void 58 causes it to be securely retained onto the projection 100. The container 44 is then held onto the inner surface 30 as the projection 100 is integrally formed with the inner surface 30. The projection 100 has a maximum length in the axial direction 16 that is less than the maximum length of the sensor 56 in the axial direction 16. Also, the perimeter of the sensor 56 and container 44 are each greater than the perimeter of the protuberance 100. These perimeters may be measured on the objects as being the maximum perimeters when the container 44 is attached.

[0058] The cavity 52 has a shape and size that is complimentary to that of the sensor 56 so that the sensor 56 can be fit within the cavity 52. The sensor 56 has a circular cross- sectional shape, and the cavity 52 likewise has a circular cross-sectional shape. A lip of the container 44 can be pulled up and the sensor 56 may be inserted into the cavity 52. After insertion, the lip can be moved back into place to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 so that the sensor 56 is tightly held into the container 44. This is possible due to the flexibility of the container 44 and the size and geometry of the lip on the lower end of the container 44. However, other arrangements are possible in which the lip is not present and the sensor 56 is held into the container 44 via a frictional fit or other geometry. The sensor 56 can be held by the container 44 without adhesive being used to cause this attachment. The container 44 extends outboard beyond the sensor 56 on both sides of the sensor 56. The container 44 surrounds the sensor 56 except for the terminal radial end of the container 44 which is open and allows the sensor 56 to be viewed. A portion of the sensor 56 can extend out of the cavity 52 and not be surrounded at all by the container 44.

[0059] The container 44 and housed sensor 56 are securely attached onto the projection 100 via the interlocking of the projection 100 and the receiving void 58. This attachment is made without the presence of any adhesives. The attachment mechanism allows for the production of a single size and type of projection 100 onto the tire 10. If sensors 56 of different sizes or shapes are desired to be used, the size and shape of the container 44 can beprovided so that it accommodates housing of that particularly sized and shaped sensor 56. This container 44 could have a receiving void 58 into which the same size and type of projection 100 is fit in order to hold the container 44 and sensor 56 onto the tire 10. In this regard different sized and shaped containers 44 with different sized and shaped sensors 56 can be incorporated into attaching a standardized projection 100 on tires 10 of various sizes and configurations. If removal is desired, the sensor 56 can be removed from the container 44 by rolling back the lip of the container 44 and pulling the sensor 56 from the container 44. Also, the entire container 44 can be pulled off of the projection 100 to effect removal of the container 44 and attached sensor 56 from the inner surface 30. A different sized or shaped container 44 and / or sensor 56 could be attached to the same projection 100 if the sensor 56 no longer works and an exact replacement cannot be found or if a different sensor 56 is desired.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sensor 56 housed within the container 44. The container 44 and sensor 56 are both circular in shape, and the container 44 has a lip that circles an upper surface of the sensor 56 to hold it within the cavity 52 of the container 44. The walls of the container 44 engage the sensor 56 and function to hold the sensor 56 within the cavity 52 as well. Another arrangement of the sensor 56 is shown with reference to Fig. 7 in which the sensor 56 has an elliptical shape. The container 44 is shaped differently than the one in Fig. 6 as the container 44 has an elliptical shape to be complimentary to that of the elliptically shaped sensor 56. The cavity 52 of the container 44 is elliptical in shape to receive the sensor 56, and the lip and walls of the container 44 function to hold the sensor 56 within the cavity 52. Various sizes, shapes, and configurations of the container 44 are possible in order to hold sensors 56 of different sizes and shapes for retention onto the projection 100.

[0061] The projection 100 can be variously configured and capable of holding the container 44 onto the tire 10. Figs. 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the projection 100 that has the shape of a truncated cone. The projection 100 is integrally formed with the material of the inner liner 68 and extends in the radial direction 14 from the inner surface 30. The projection 100 extends outboard in the axial direction 16 continuously from the inner surface 30 to the terminal radial end 126 at the same rate along the entire axial sides 76, 78. This arrangement causes the first radial location 102 to have a smaller sized axial cross-section106 than the axial cross-section 108 of the second radial location 104. The receiving void 58 has a shape that is complimentary to that of the projection 100 and the projection 100 is fit within the receiving void 58 so that the entire space of the receiving void 58 is taken up by the projection 100 and no space remains. The receiving void 58 decreases continuously in cross-sectional size as it moves outward in the radial direction 14 away from the central axis 42. The projection 100 is symmetric about its central axis such that it has a circular cross- sectional shape at all cross-sections at different points in the radial direction 14. The container 44 engages the inner surface 30 when connected to the projection 100.

[0062] Another exemplary embodiment of the projection 100 is shown with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. Here, the projection 100 has a stem 122 that engages the inner liner 68 and extends therefrom such that the axial sides 76, 78 approach one another continuously upon extension from the inner surface 30 in the radial direction 14. A head 124 is located at the end of the stem 122 and has a cylindrical shape. The stem 122 and the head 124 have the same length as shown in Fig. 11. The first radial location 102 is in the stem 122 and has a smaller axial cross-sectional 106 size than does the second radial location 104 located in the head 124. The receiving void 58 has a shape that is complimentary to that of some of the stem 122, and a portion of the stem 122 is received within this part of the receiving void 58. The receiving void 58 also has on its inner radial end a generally cylindrical shape and the head 124 is located within this portion of the receiving void 58. However, the receiving void 58 at this area is greater than the size of the head 124 so that the head 124 does not completely fill this area of the receiving void 58. The receiving void 58 is thus not completely filled by the projection 100 when the projection 100 is received within the receiving void 58.

[0063] The lower portion of the head 124 may engage the container 44 to prevent the container 44 from becoming detached from the projection 100. The inner most radial end of the head 124 can be spaced from and free from engagement with the container 44. When the container 44 is attached to the projection 100, the container 44 does not engage the inner surface 30, and a space is defined between the container 44 and the inner surface 30. To attach the container 44, it may be pressed onto the projection 100 until the head 124 is forced into the receiving void 58. The connection between the container 44 and projection 100 may be made without the use of adhesives.

[0064] Another arrangement of the projection 100 and receiving void 58 is shown with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. The projection 100 has a stem 122 that engages the inner surface 30, and a head 124 that is located at the end of the stem 122 and forms the terminal radial end 126 of the projection 100. The axial cross-section of the stem 122 is the same size along its entire radial length. The head 124 is elliptical in shape and has the same length as does the stem 122 as shown in Fig. 13. The elliptical shape of the head 124 causes the outer radial end of the head 124 at the stem 122 to engage the container 44 to prevent it from being detached from the projection 100. The receiving void 58 is shaped similarly to the stem 122 and head 124, but is larger than these two features. As such, when the projection 100 is inserted into the receiving void 58, the projection 100 does not fill the entire receiving void 58. The receiving void 58 remains present so that the entire head 124 does not engage the container 44, and so that the stem 122 does not engage the container 44. The container 44 is likewise spaced from and free from engagement with the inner surface 30. The receiving void 58 is also present on either end of the projection 100 as shown in Fig. 13 so that the projection 100 does not fill the entire receiving void 58 along its length. Depending upon where the container 44 is located at based upon the rotational position of the tire 10, it will engage either the projection 100 or the inner surface 30, or possibly both the projection 100 and inner surface 30. The configuration in Figs. 12 and 13 illustrates the fact that space can exist among all sides of the projection 100 and container 44 so that the receiving void 58 is always present. It is to be understood that the container 44 in this embodiment will move relative to the projection 100 as the container 44 is retained onto the projection 100, but in other embodiments described herein there is no such movement.

[0065] Another embodiment of the projection 100 and container 44 is shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Here, the projection 100 is made of a plurality of segments and is integrally formed with the inner liner 68. A segment 134 engages the inner liner 68 at an outer radial end 140 of the segment 134 and extends from it in the radial direction 14, expanding at a continuous rate in the axial direction 16 until it terminates at an inner radial end 142 at which point it engages a second segment 136. The segment 134 has a circular cross-sectional shape at all locations in the radial direction 14. This arrangement causes the axial cross-section at the second radial location 104 to be greater in size than the axial cross-section at the first radial location 102, and both of these locations 102, 104 are within the segment 134.

[0066] The second segment 136 has the same shape as that of the first segment 134 and extends from the inner radial end of the first segment 134 and is centered therewith. The second segment 136 is smaller than the first segment 134, and no cross-sectional size of the second segment 136 is greater than any of the cross-sectional sizes of the first segment 134. A third segment 138 extends from the second segment 136 and has the same shape as that of the second and first segments 136, 134 but is smaller in size than these two segments 136, 134. None of the cross-sectional sizes of the third segment 138 are greater than any of the cross-sectional sizes of the first and second segments 134, 136. All of the segments 134, 136, 138 have circular cross-sectional shapes at all locations in the radial direction 14.

[0067] The receiving void 58 has a size that is greater than that of the size of the projection 100 so that when the projection 100 is inserted into the receiving void 58, some space of the receiving void 58 remains. The receiving void 58 has a shape that allows the projection 100 to be retained therein. In this regard, the receiving void 58 has a cylindrical shape from the outer radial end 140 to a location in the radial direction at which point it expands outboard in the axial direction 16 to capture the portion of the segment 134 that is close to the inner radial end 142. The receiving void 58 has a similar shape but is differently sized to capture the segments 136, 138 as appropriate. Each one of the segments 134, 136, 138 thus engage the container 44, and each one of the segments 134, 136, 138 have portions that are spaced from the container 44. Although three segments 134, 136, 138 are shown, 2 segments, 4 segments, 5 segments, or from 6-12 segments could be present in other embodiments. In other arrangements the segments 134, 136, 138 could be shaped differently from one another and need not have the same shape. Also, some of the segments 134, 136, 138 could be of the same size and shape as one another in other embodiments.

[0068] The tire 10 has been shown as having but a single projection 100 used to attach the container 44 to the tire 10. However, any number of projections 100 can be used in other embodiments. Fig. 16 shows an embodiment in which the inner liner 68 is integrally formed with a first projection 100, a second projection 110, a third projection 114, and a fourth proj ection 118. The four proj ections 100, 110, 114, 118 are all shaped and sized the same as one another and extend radially from the inner surface 30 at a constant rate outward so that the cross-sectional area of the projections 100, 110, 114, 118 increases in size until the projections 100, 110, 114, 118 terminate at their radially inward most point. The projections100, 110, 114, 118 are spaced from one another and not in contact and are oriented around a center and extend in their longer length direction from this center. The container 44 has an end that includes four receiving voids 58, 112, 116, 120 that are open on the end of the container 44 and the wall of the container. The four receiving voids 58, 112, 116, 120 are separated from one another and are not in communication with one another, and have shapes that are complimentary to the shape of the projections 100, 110, 114, 118. The sensor 56 is held by the container 44 on an end of the container 44 opposite to that which includes the four receiving voids 58, 112, 116, 120. The container 44 can be moved into engagement with the projections so that the first projection 100 is pushed into the first receiving void 58, the second projection 110 is pushed into the second receiving void 112, the third projection 114 is pushed into the third receiving void 116, and the fourth projection 120 is placed into the fourth receiving void 118. The container 44 is held to the inner surface 30 as the shape of the projections 100, 110, 114, 118 interlock with the shape of the four receiving voids 58, 112, 116, 120. Although four projections 100, 110, 114, 118 are used to effect attachment, any number of projections could be used in other embodiments for attachment of the container 44. The use of multiple projections 100, 110, 114, 118 may prevent the container 44 from rotating, which might be the case if a single projection 100 were present. It is to be understood that if just two projections 100, 110 were present and used, then this configuration may also be sufficient to prevent any rotation of the container 44 around the single projection 100.

[0069] The sensor 56 has been described as being removably attached to the container 44 in variously described embodiments. However, any of the disclosed versions of the tire 10 can have the sensor 56 be permanently attached to the container 44. In this regard, the container 44 may be integrally formed with the sensor 56 and be part of the sensor 56. As such, the variously disclosed embodiments could have the sensor 56 be permanently attached to the container 44, or could be able to be removed from the container 44. The same sensor 56 or a different sensor 56 could be subsequently inserted into the container 44 and attached.

[0070] Another embodiment of the projection 100 is shown in Fig. 17 in which the projection 100 is integrally formed with the inner liner 68. The projection 100 has a stem 122 with a head 124 located on the end of the stem 122. The first radial location 102 is located within the stem 122, and the second radial location 104 is located within the headY1124. The stem 122 has a wall that has a concave shape, and the head 124 has a wall that is straight with a convex shape that extends to the terminal radial end 126. Fig. 18 is a cross- sectional view taken at the first radial location 102 and shows the axial cross-section 106 at the first radial location 102. The axial cross-section 106 is circular in shape. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken at the second radial location 104 in the head 124. The axial crosssection 108 is the cross-section of the projection 100 at the second radial location 104 and is circular in shape. As shown upon comparison of Figs. 18 and 19, the area of the axial crosssection 106 is smaller than the area of the axial cross-section 108. The axial cross-section 108 is closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14 than the axial cross-section 106 is to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14.

[0071] The length in the axial direction 16 from the axial side 76 to the axial side 78 is smaller at the stem 122 than at the head 124. The area of the axial cross-section 106 is smaller than the area of the axial cross-section 108 in all of the disclosed embodiments described herein. Although the axial cross-sections 106 and 108 are circular in this embodiment, they need not be circular in other embodiments of the tire 10. The area of the axial cross-section of the stem 122 is smaller than the axial cross-section of the head 124 at any radial position of the stem 122 or head 124. The term “area” as used herein is the surface area of a cross-section or surface measured in terms of square inches, square centimeters or the like.

[0072] The projection 100 can be arranged in a variety of manners. Another such arrangement is shown in Fig. 20 in which the projection 100 is configured in the shape of a cross with arms that are oriented to one another at 90 degree angles. Each arm has a stem 122 that is not as wide as the head 124 located at the radial inner ends of the stems 122. The arms intersect one another and the first and second radial locations 102, 104 are presented as previously discussed. In the space between the arms of the projection 100 are an additional feature of the projection 100. A wall 50 extends from the inner surface 30 between each one of the arms of the projection 100 and are curved in that they have a circular outer perimeter. The walls 50 extend along a portion of, but not all of, the radial lengths of the stems 122, and the walls 50 do not extend in the radial direction 14 to the position of any of the heads 124. Each one of the walls 50 has a lip 54 that extends from the radially inward most portion of the wall 50 towards the center of the cross formed by the arms of the projection 100. Thewalls 50 and the lip 54 are free from engagement with the arms of the projection 100. The walls 50 and lips 54 with the inner surface 30 define recesses.

[0073] It should be noted that the first and second radial locations 102, 104 are only located with respect to one of the arms of the projection 100 and not any additional arms of the projection 100. In this regard, if the projection 100 has multiple arms, the first and second radial locations 102, 104 are not drawn across the entire projection 100, but instead are only drawn across one of the multiple arms. The axial cross-section 108 of the second radial location 104 is greater than the axial cross-section 106 of the first radial location 102, and these axial cross-sections 106, 108 are the measured area of just one of the arms of the projection 100 and do not include area that is in any other arm of the projection besides just one.

[0074] A container 44 that is used with the projection 100 of Fig. 20 is shown in Fig. 21. The container 44 has a cylindrically shaped portion into which the receiving void 58 is located. The receiving void 58 is provided with a shape that is complimentary to the heads 124 of the projection 100 and to a portion of the stems 122. The receiving void 58 does not accommodate the entire radial length of the stems 122 but instead accommodates less than 50% of the radial length of the stems 122. This length accommodation could be varied in other arrangements so that the receiving void 58 extends for a length in the radial direction 14 that is greater than 50% of the radial extension length of the stems 122.

[0075] The container 44 has a cavity 52 on its radially inner end into which the sensor 56 can be located and retained. The container 44 has a lip that can be pushed open for placing the sensor 56 into the cavity 52 and then released back to assume the position shown in Fig. 21 to be located over a portion of the sensor 56 in the radial direction 14 and to retain the sensor 56 within the container 44. The container 44 has on its radial end opposite to the cavity 52 four legs 144 which extend in the radial direction 14 from the radial end of the cylindrical portion. The legs 144 have a protuberance on their inner radial ends, and the legs 144 are spaced from and not in engagement with one another. In this regard, the legs 144 define a space therebetween that aligns with the receiving void 58 and this space accommodates the portion of the stems 122 that are not received within the receiving void 58.

[0076] Figs. 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views with the container 44 of Fig. 21 attached to the projection of Fig. 20. The cross-section of Fig. 22 is taken through two of the arms of the projection 100 and does not cut through the walls 50. The cross-section of Fig. 23 is a cross-section rotated 45 degrees from the cross-section of Fig. 22 and cuts through two of the walls 50. When the container 44 is attached to the projection 100, the four heads 124 are located within the receiving void 58 to retain the container 44 to the projection 100. A portion of the four stems 122 are located within the receiving void 58, but not all of the stem 122 is located within the receiving void 58. The legs 144 are the only portion of the container 44 that engage the inner surface 30. The shape of the legs 144 cause them to be received within the recesses defined by the walls 50, lips 54, and the inner surface 30. The projections of the legs 144 can be snapped into the walls 50 and lips 54 in order to retain the container 44 onto the projection 100. The remaining portions of the stems 122 which are those closest to the inner surface 30 are located between the spaces between adjacent legs 144. The fit between the container 44 and the projection 100 is tight enough to hold the container 44 onto the projection 100, but flexible enough for one to detach the container 44 from the projection 100 if sufficient force is applied to the container 44.

[0077] An embodiment of the tire 10 is shown in Fig. 24 in cross-section and features a container 44 that is attached to a projection 100 that is circular in cross-sectional shape and that extends in a constant rate from the inner surface 30. The projection 100 has a convex shaped inner radial end onto which the terminal radial end 126 is located. This convex shaped inner radial end is located at the end of the portion of the projection 100 that has the constant rate of extension. The projection 100 extends from the inner surface 100 so as to have a wall that extends from the inner surface 100 at a constant angle all the way around the projection 100. This wall of the projection 100 has an angle 146 of 12 degrees to the radial direction. Other embodiments of the projection 100 are possible in which the wall of the projection extends at an angle 146 of 12 degrees or less all the way around the projection. This angle 146 forms an undercut in the shape of the projection 100. The stem 122 in Fig. 5 has an angle 146 of 0 degrees with respect to the radial direction 14. The angles 146 are those that are present extending from the inner surface 30 radially inward and may or may not be present along the entire length of the protrusion 100 in the radial direction 14.

[0078] The container 44 is retained onto the projection 100 and engages the inner surface 30 during attachment. The container 44 holds a sensor 56, and no portion of the sensor 56 is closer to the central axis 42 than is the container 44 to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. The tire 10 includes acoustic foam 12 that is attached to the inner surface 30. The acoustic foam functions as a noise dampener within the tire 10 so that the tire 10 produces reduced noise during driving of the vehicle. The acoustic foam 12 may be attached to the inner surface 30 via adhesion, and is spaced from and free from engagement with the container 44 and projection 100. The acoustic foam 12 can be two strips of acoustic foam 12 attached to the inner surface 30 of the crown 22 on opposite sides of the container 44 in the axial direction 16. The acoustic foam 12 may encircle the central axis 42 completely so that it extends 360 degrees around the central axis 42 in the circumferential direction 18.

[0079] The container 44 and its inserted sensor 56 can be centered on the crown 22 so that they are at the midpoint of the crown 22 and tire 10 in the axial direction 16. The container 44 could be arranged to extend beyond the acoustic foam 12 in the radial direction 14 so that it is located closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14 than the acoustic foam 12 is located to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. In other embodiments, the container 44 does not extend past the acoustic foam 12 so that the acoustic foam 12 is located closer to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14 than the container 44 is to the central axis 42.

[0080] Another embodiment of the tire 10 is shown with reference to Fig. 25 in which the acoustic foam 12 is present and is attached to the inner surface 30 of the crown 22 and is spaced from and free from contact with the sidewalls 24, 34. In this embodiment, the container 44 itself is formed by the acoustic foam 12. The cavity 52 is present within the acoustic foam 12, and the lip of the container 44 is a part of the acoustic foam 12. The sensor 56 is held within the cavity 52 such that no portion of the sensor 56 is closer to the central axis 42 than the acoustic foam 12 is to the central axis 42 in the radial direction 14. If the lip is not present, the sensor 56 could be press fit into the acoustic foam 12 to be held within the cavity 52. The acoustic foam 12 defines the receiving void 58 that is of a complimentary shape to that of the projection 100. The projection 100 is located within the receiving void 58 and engages the acoustic foam 12, and this receipt of the projection 100 within the receiving void 58 causes the container 44 and the acoustic foam 12 to be retained to the innersurface 30. The container 44 can be localized in the acoustic foam 12 so that the container 44 does not extend 360 degrees around the central axis 42 in the circumferential direction 18 while the acoustic foam 12 does in fact extend fully 360 degrees.

[0081] Additionally, adhesive can be applied to the acoustic foam 12 to cause the acoustic foam 12 to be held onto the inner surface 30 in addition to the presence of the projection 100 which holds the acoustic foam 12 to the inner surface 30. Although various embodiments illustrated in other drawings and described elsewhere herein have described an attachment mechanism that does not use adhesive, it is to be understood that adhesive may be used to further attach the container 44 to the inner surface 30 in addition to the use of the projection 100 and receiving void 58 interlocking attachment arrangement. As such, adhesive is an optional feature that can be used to further attach the container 44 to the inner surface 30.

[0082] The acoustic foam 12 is a component that is provided in the tire 10 for absorbing the cavity noise of the tire 10. The acoustic foam 12 can be a single piece or may be multilayered in accordance with various embodiments. The acoustic foam 12 may have a density ranging from 10 to 100 kg / m3, the average basis weight of the acoustic foam may be from 0.3 to 3.0 kg / m2and preferably from 0.5 to 1.5 kg / m2, and the circumferential ends are in engagement with one another or non-existent if formed as a ring. In some embodiments, the acoustic foam 12 forming the container 44 in addition to providing noise dampening characteristics is a foam material that has a density less than 1.0 g / cm3, preferably a density that is less than 0.07 g / cm3. The acoustic foam 12 is made of a material that affords it some degree of flexibility so that it can be compressed and formed into various shapes. The acoustic foam 12 can be a sponge-like porous material that has open or closed cells, and may be made of polyurethane, vegetable fiber, synthetic fibers, animal fibers, or rubber in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The acoustic foam 12 may be easily deformed and compressed, and has a specific gravity and weight that will not impact the weight of the tire 10 into which it is contained. Examples of materials that can be used to construct the acoustic foam 12 may be found in United States Patent numbers 6,729,373;6,755,483; and 7,975,740 the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes. The acoustic foam 12 is not made of the same material as theinner surface 30 and is a separate component that is produced and subsequently attached to the inner surface 30.

[0083] The tire 10 can be designed so that only a single container 44 and sensor 56 are present in the tire 10, or it may be the case that from 2-5 containers 44 and associated sensors 56 are present within the tire 10. Further, the container 44 and sensor 56 need not be centered on the crown 22 in the axial direction 16 but could be located off center. The container 44 that can be made out of the same material as that which makes up the inner surface 30, or could be made out of a different material than the inner surface 30. The container 44 may be made out of plastic or rubber in accordance with different exemplary embodiments. The container 44 is a separate component from the inner surface 30 that is produced or cured and is then subsequently attached to the inner surface 30. The container 44 can be arranged so that the only recesses or cavities in the container 44 are the receiving void 58 and the cavity 52 such that none other than these two are present. The lip of the container 44 can be a flexible member capable of being bent. The cavity 52 can be arranged so that only a single, and no more than a single, opening into the cavity 52 exists and faces only in the radial direction 14 of the tire 10, and does not face in the axial direction 16 when the container 44 is incorporated into the tire 10. The spacing of the wall of the container 44 forming the cavity 52 can be smaller than that of the width of the sensor 56 so that the presence of the sensor 56 deforms or pushes the wall in the axial direction 16 to generate frictional holding of the sensor 56 within the cavity 52 to prevent the sensor 56 from exiting the cavity 52.

[0084] The disclosed arrangements of the tire 10 allow for the incorporation of a sensor 56 without the need to use adhesion, which could fail as the tire 10 rotates, flexes, heats and cools. Some disclosed embodiments allow for the use of adhesives, but the interaction of the projection 100 and the container 44 will still allow for a connection to exist even if the adhesive fails and can compliment the combined connection. If the sensor 56 fails or needs to be replaced and the same sensor 56 cannot be found, a sensor 56 of a different size, shape or configuration can be used with the same tire 10 and projection 100 since the projection 100 can be used with any sized, shaped, or configured container 44 so long as the receiving void 58 fits onto the projection 100. The configuration allows for the only contact between the container 44 and the rest of the tire 10 to be between the container 44 and the projection100. This feature may extend the life of the connection as there is less surface area to become separated. The container 44 could be made of the same material as the protrusion 100 and the inner liner 68, but could also be made of a different material such as polyurethane or foam. The container 44 attachment arrangement may reduce the risk of noise excitation and may increase tire uniformity. The material making up the container 44 can be selected so as to have a density less than 1.0 g / cm3, preferably a density that is less than 0.07 g / cm3.

[0085] Fig. 26 shows another arrangement configured the same as that previously described in other embodiments, but including a slit 150 in the projection 100. It may be the case that detachment of the container 44 from the projection 100 is difficult and may result in breaking the projection 100 or damaging the container 44. In this regard, one or more slits 150 are provided in the projection 100 to prevent this damage. The slit 150 provides a void that can be closed when the projection 100 is deformed during removal or insertion of the container 44. The slit 150 gives the projection 100 some give so that damage to the projection 100 or container 44 is reduced or avoided. Although one slit 150 is shown, any number of slits 150 can be present within the projection 100 in other embodiments. The slit 150 starts at the terminal radial end 126 and extends into the projection 100 in the radial direction 14 any amount, and in some cases may extend al the way into the inner liner 68 and be more outward than any portion of the projection 100. The slit 150 may extend completely through the projection 100 so as to split the projection 100 evenly into two halves in some arrangements. The slit 150 can be present within any of the projections 100 disclosed herein.

[0086] Another embodiment of the container 44 is shown with reference to Fig. 27 which is a bottom view of the container 44, and Fig. 28 which is a perspective view taken through line 28-28 of Fig. 27. The container 44 again features a cavity 52 into which the sensor 56 could be located. The container 44 features a receiving void 58 that has an opening on the outer radial surface of the container 44 that extends into the container 44. The opening has a circular center with four identically shaped opening legs 152 that extend symmetrically from the circular center. The interior of the receiving void 58 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter larger than that of the entire opening that has a maximum diameter that extends from one opening leg 152 to an opposite opening leg 152. Fig. 29 shows the connection between the container 44 and the projection 100 to retain the container 44 onto the innersurface 30. The projection 100 may be the projection 100 that was previously described and shown in Figs. 17-19. The opening legs 152 make the opening of the receiving void 58 more flexible so that it is easier for the projection 100 to be pushed through the opening and into the receiving void 58. The container 44 will deform back into the shape shown in Fig. 29 so that portions of the container 44 are located between the head 124 and inner surface 30. The stem 122 remains free from contact with the container 44 when the projection 100 is disposed within the receiving void 58. The legs 152 allow the projection 100 to be more easily removed from the receiving void 58.

[0087] A modified version of the container 44 from that shown in Figs. 27-29 is shown with reference to Figs. 30 and 31. Here, the container 44 functions in the same way to be retained to the inner surface 30 by the projection 100 of Figs. 17-19. The container 44 differs in that the legs 152 are more narrow in size than those of the Figs. 27-29 embodiment. The legs 152 extend from the circular center at 90 degree orientations and are rectangular in shape. The legs 152 terminate at outer ends that are circular so that the legs 152 have a different shape than those of the Figs. 27-29 embodiment. The legs 152 function in the same way to allow the projection 100 to be more easily inserted and removed from the receiving void 58.

[0088] Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the container 44 connected to the projection 100 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. The container 44 is spaced from the inner surface 30 and free from contact therewith when the container 44 is retained to the projection 100. The projection 100 has a slit 150 that extends from its outward most end in the radial direction 14 to the terminal radial end 126. In the engaged configuration, the container 44 engages the stem 122 and head 124, and the receiving void 58 is completely filled with the projection 100. The container 44 is designed so that a space extends from the receiving void 58 to the cavity 52 so that the cavity 52 and receiving void 58 are in communication with one another. The sensor 56 has an insert 154 that extends from the outer radial end thereof. The insert 154 may be rigidly attached to the sensor 56. The insert 154 has the shape of a truncated cone, but can be variously shaped in other arrangements such as being cone shaped or linear in shape. The sensor 56 is disposed within the cavity 52 and is retained to the container 44 by the lip of the container 44. When inserted into the cavity 52, the insert 154 of the sensor 56 extends in the radial direction 14 to fill the spacebetween the cavity 52 and the receiving void 58. The insert 154 is inserted into the slit 150 of the projection 100, and is located within the head 124. The slit 150 in the head 124 could be widened from that in the stem 122 to make it easier to have the insert 154 pushed into the slit 150. Placement of the insert 154 into the slit 150 causes the insert 154 and attached sensor 56 to be more securely held onto the projection 100, and in turn causes the container 44 to be more securely held onto the projection 100.

[0089] If removal of the sensor 56 or container 44 is desired, force 156 may be applied to the projection 100 to help effect this disengagement. Fig. 33 shows the container 44 and sensor 56 of Fig. 32 with the sensor 56 in a detached condition. A pair of pliers or other tool can be positioned between the container 44 and the inner surface 30 in the space that is present between the container 44 and inner surface 30 in the radial direction 14. The pliers or other tool can cause force 156 to be applied to the stem 122 to in turn cause the stem 122 and attached slit 150 to be compressed as shown in Fig. 33. This compression of the projection 100 will in turn cause the head 124 and stem 122 to become smaller in size in the receiving void 58 so that the head 124 and stem 122 may not engage the container 44 in some arrangements. Likewise, constricting the size of the slit 150 will cause the insert 154 to be pushed out of the slit 150 so that the insert 154 is removed from the projection 100. This will cause the engagement of the sensor 56 and the container 44 to be less secure and may cause the sensor 56 to be pushed out of the cavity 52 as shown in Fig 33. The sensor 56 may be removed in this instance and replaced with a new sensor 56. Additionally or alternatively, the container 44 can be removed from the projection 100 when the force 156 is applied because the projection 100 will offer less resistance to removal of the container 44 due to the reduced size of the projection 100.

[0090] While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A tire, comprising: a central axis that extends in an axial direction, wherein a radial direction is perpendicular to the central axis; a crown with tread located at an outer surface of the tire, wherein the crown has an inner surface; a left sidewall that extends from the crown in the radial direction; a right sidewall that extends from the crown in the radial direction; a left bead that extends from the left sidewall in the radial direction; a right bead that extends from the right sidewall in the radial direction; a projection that extends from the inner surface of the crown towards the central axis in the radial direction, wherein the projection has a first radial location and a second radial location, wherein the second radial location is located closer to the central axis in the radial direction than the first radial location is located to the central axis in the radial direction, wherein an axial cross-section of the projection at the second radial location is greater in size than the axial crosssection of the projection at the first radial location; a container that has a cavity, wherein the container has a receiving void, wherein the projection is located within the receiving void such that the container is retained onto the projection, wherein at the first radial location the container is located on opposite axial sides of the projection, and wherein at the second radial location the container is located on opposite axial sides of the projection; and a sensor that is located in the cavity of the container.

2. The tire as set forth in claim 1 , wherein an inner liner makes up the inner surface of the crown, wherein the projection is integrally formed with the inner liner and is made of the same material as the inner liner.

3. The tire as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection is a first projection, and wherein the receiving void is a first receiving void, and further comprising: a second projection that extends from the inner surface of the crown towards the central axis in the radial direction; a third projection that extends from the inner surface of the crown towards the central axis in the radial direction; and a fourth projection that extends from the inner surface of the crown toward the central axis in the radial direction; wherein the container has a second receiving void into which the second projection is located, wherein the container has a third receiving void into which the third projection is located, and wherein the container has a fourth receiving void into which the fourth projection is located.

4. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the projection has a stem that extends from the inner surface, wherein the projection has a head that extends from the stem to a terminal radial end of the projection, wherein the axial cross-section of the stem continually decreases in size from the inner surface to the head, and wherein the head has a convex shaped outer surface.

5. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the projection has a stem that extends from the inner surface, wherein the projection has a head that extends from the stem to a terminal radial end of the projection, wherein the axial cross-section of the stem remains thesame size from the inner surface to the head, and wherein the head has a convex shaped outer surface.

6. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the projection extends from the inner surface to a terminal radial end of the projection such that the axial cross-section of the projection continually increases in size from the inner surface to the terminal radial end.

7. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the projection has a stem that extends from the inner surface, wherein the projection has a head that extends from the stem to a terminal radial end of the projection, wherein the axial cross-section of the stem is smaller in size than the axial cross-section of the head, wherein the terminal radial end of the projection is flat.

8. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the projection has a plurality of segments that are positioned sequentially from one another in the radial direction, wherein the axial cross-sections of all of the segments continuously increase in size from outer radial ends to inner radial ends of each one of the segments.

9. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the container is spaced from and free from engagement with the inner surface.

10. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a wall that extends from the inner surface of the crown towards the central axis in the radial direction; and a lip that extends from the wall and defines with the wall and the inner surface a recess, wherein the container has a plurality of legs that are located within the recess, and wherein the plurality of legs engage the lip;wherein the projection is located between two of the legs of the container, and wherein the projection extends through the wall and the lip such that the wall and the lip are discontinuous.

11. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-10, further comprising acoustic foam that is attached to the inner surface, wherein the projection, the container, and the sensor are all spaced from and free from engagement with the acoustic foam.

12. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-11, wherein adhesive is not used to attach the container to the projection or to the inner surface.

13. The tire as set forth in claim 1, further comprising acoustic foam that is attached to the inner surface, wherein the acoustic foam defines the container such that the container is made of the acoustic foam and the acoustic foam defines the cavity and the receiving void14. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-13, wherein the sensor provides tire identification information, pressure information, and temperature information.

15. The tire as set forth in any one of claims 1-14, wherein the projection has a slit.

16. The tire as set forth in claim 15, wherein the sensor has an insert that extends through the container and into the slit of the projection and engages the projection.

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