Retreaded Tire RFID Tag Embedding for Peel-Resistant Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting RFID tags on tires without pre-installed tags face issues such as peeling and intentional replacement, and the risk of damage due to strain concentration and radio wave interference from metal components.

Innovation Solution

A production method for retreaded tires that incorporates an RFID tag within a crosslinked rubber protector, positioned radially inward of the belt and with a shorter initial vulcanization time, ensuring the tag is fixed and protected from damage, maintaining a good communication environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an RFID tag is mounted on a tire after manufacturing, then information management capability is added, but the tag is susceptible to peeling and intentional replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRFID tag fixation reliabilityVSAvoidManufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag is embedded in the uncured rubber composition before the tire curing process, allowing the tag to be automatically fixed and protected during tire manufacturing without requiring separate post-manufacturing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag embedding process is merged with the tire curing process, where the rubber composition is applied to the tire surface, the RFID tag is embedded, and then the entire assembly is cured together in a single operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the RFID tag is placed near metal components for fixation, then the tag is securely fixed, but radio wave communication is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRFID tag communication reliabilityVSAvoidRadio wave interference from metal components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber composition serves as an intermediary material between the RFID tag and the tire structure, providing both mechanical fixation and electromagnetic shielding that prevents radio wave interference while securing the tag in place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rubber composition forms a flexible encapsulating layer around the RFID tag, isolating it from metal components and providing electromagnetic protection while allowing the tag to move with the tire deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the RFID tag is positioned on the tread surface for easy access, then mounting is simplified, but the tag is exposed to strain concentration and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRFID tag durabilityVSAvoidStrain concentration on tag
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber composition provides beforehand cushioning and protection to the RFID tag by encapsulating it within a flexible matrix that absorbs and distributes mechanical strains, preventing concentration of stress on the tag during tire deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag is nested within the rubber composition which is itself applied to the tire surface, creating a hierarchical structure where the tag is protected inside the rubber layer rather than being exposed on the surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method reduces risks of RFID tag peeling and replacement, enhances communication reliability, and maintains the integrity of the RFID tag's information management capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a protector which is a crosslinked product of a rubber composition and an RFID tag which is enclosed in the protector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization:

Implementation Method 2

radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to tires in order to manage information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification:

Data Source

PatentEP4446103B1Production method for retreaded tire and retreaded tire
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4446103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4446103B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4446103B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for producing a retreaded tire 2 includes a step of shaving a tread 104 from a tire 102, a step of attaching a tag member 30 to a formed surface BD made by shaving the tread 104, and a step of reconstructing a new tread 4. The formed surface BD is located radially outward of a maximum width position of the tire 2. The tag member 30 is located radially inward of an end of a belt 14. An initial vulcanization time t10 of a rubber composition for a protector 34 of the tag member 30 is shorter than an initial vulcanization time 110 of a rubber composition for the new tread 4.