Run-Flat Tire Sidewall Thermal Barrier for RF Tag Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tires fail to effectively protect communication devices, such as RF tags, from heat damage caused by side reinforcing rubber during run-flat operations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a low-thermal-conductivity member with lower thermal conductivity than the side reinforcing rubber, positioned between the side reinforcing rubber and the communication device, to block heat transfer and prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a side reinforcing rubber is provided in a sidewall portion to enable run-flat running, then the tire can maintain structural integrity and support vehicle weight during run-flat operation, but heat generated by the side reinforcing rubber causes damage to communication devices disposed in the tire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverun-flat capabilityVSAvoidheat damage to communication device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A low-thermal-conductivity member (such as a foam member or air layer) is introduced as an intermediary between the side reinforcing rubber and the communication device. This intermediary blocks heat transfer from the side reinforcing rubber to the communication device, protecting the device while maintaining the run-flat structural integrity provided by the side reinforcing rubber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewall structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the side reinforcing rubber provides structural support for run-flat operation, the low-thermal-conductivity member acts as a thermal barrier, and the communication device is positioned in a protected zone. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a communication device is disposed in the tire for monitoring purposes, then tire monitoring functionality is achieved, but the communication device is vulnerable to heat damage from the side reinforcing rubber during run-flat running

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcommunication device durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The low-thermal-conductivity member serves as a protective intermediary that enables the communication device to be disposed in the tire for monitoring purposes while protecting it from heat damage. This allows the tire to gain monitoring versatility without compromising the reliability of the communication device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the low-thermal-conductivity member is positioned between the side reinforcing rubber and the communication device, then heat transfer is blocked and communication device protection is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat damage suppressionVSAvoidtire structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The low-thermal-conductivity member can be implemented as a thin foam layer or air-filled cavity, which adds minimal structural complexity while effectively blocking heat transfer. These thin-film or shell-like structures integrate easily into the existing tire sidewall construction without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The low-thermal-conductivity member utilizes materials with inherently low thermal conductivity (such as foam or air), which are already commonly used in tire construction for other purposes. This approach recovers existing material properties for heat blocking functionality rather than introducing entirely new complex materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This configuration effectively suppresses heat-induced damage to communication devices, ensuring their functionality even after tire failure due to punctures, and maintains communication functionality post-disposal.

Implementation Method 1

a low-thermal-conductivity member having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the side reinforcing rubber, in which the low-thermal-conductivity member is positioned between the side reinforcing rubber and the communication device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250001814A1tire

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 BRIDGESTONE CORP

AI summary

A tire 1 includes a side-reinforcing rubber having a crescent-shaped cross section 2 disposed in a sidewall portion 1b of the tire, a low-thermal-conductivity member 3 having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the side reinforcing rubber, and a communication device 10, in which the low-thermal-conductivity member is positioned between the side reinforcing rubber and the communication device.