Pneumatic Tire Electronic Component Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating electronic components into tires, such as RFID, face issues with damage or deformation due to impact loads during travel and insufficient reading performance, especially when the components are embedded in unvulcanized tires.

Innovation Solution

The electronic component is positioned between the bead and clinch of the tire, with the clinch being a rubber member that has a specific viscoelastic property ratio (E*150°C / E*100°C ≥ 0.9) to minimize damage and maintain reading performance, using a rubber composition that includes isoprene-based rubbers, carbon black, heat resistance improving agents, and other additives to ensure durability and heat resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic component is embedded in unvulcanized tire, then the electronic component is integrated with the tire structure, but the electronic component is damaged or deformed by impact load during traveling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration stabilityVSAvoidimpact load damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the electronic component in a hardened rubber member (vulcanized portion) that serves as a protective cushion against impact loads. The hardened rubber member has higher rigidity and strength compared to unvulcanized rubber, providing preemptive protection to the electronic component before impact occurs during tire operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a localized hardened rubber member at the specific position where the electronic component is embedded. This hardened portion has different physical properties (higher rigidity, strength, and heat resistance) compared to the surrounding unvulcanized rubber, providing targeted protection exactly where the electronic component is located without affecting the overall tire flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the electronic component is adhered to the tire surface after vulcanization, then the electronic component is easily protected from damage, but the electronic component falls-off while traveling on the road surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the electronic component into the tire structure through embedding in the hardened rubber member during vulcanization molding, rather than adhering it separately after vulcanization. This combines the electronic component with the tire as a unified structure, eliminating the adhesion interface that would otherwise fail under dynamic loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing the hardened rubber member that cushions and protects the electronic component from impact loads and deformation during tire operation. This protective cushion is built into the tire structure before the tire enters service, ensuring continuous protection throughout the tire's lifespan.

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

3Reliability

If the electronic component is embedded in unvulcanized tire, then the electronic component is integrated with tire structure, but reading performance is insufficient due to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration stabilityVSAvoidreading performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a localized hardened rubber member with controlled physical properties (rigidity, strength, and dimensional stability) at the electronic component's position. This localized hardened portion maintains its shape and volume under operational conditions, ensuring the electronic component remains properly positioned and functional for accurate reading performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 damage and deformation of the electronic component during high-speed and severe handling, maintaining sufficient reading performance by controlling the viscoelastic properties of the tire rubber, ensuring reliable data communication from the tire.

Implementation Method 1

E*(100℃) and E*(150℃) of the hardened rubber member satisfy a predetermined relational expression, indicating the use of viscoelastic properties at different temperatures to maintain structural integrity under thermal and mechanical stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3677447B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3677447B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677447B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677447B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a technique for producing a tire which, even if an electronic component is included therein, can prevent damages or deformations of the electronic component caused by impact load during street-traveling, etc., and maintain sufficient reading performance. Provided is a pneumatic tire provided with an electronic component at a position located on the further outer side in the tire axis direction than a carcass, wherein, in a tire rubber member having a maximum value of E∗(100°C) at 100°C, among tire rubber members located toward the outer side in the tire axis direction from the position at which the electronic component is disposed, E∗(100°C) at 100°C and E∗(150°C) at 150°C satisfy the following formula: E∗(150°C)/E∗(100°C) ≥ 0.9.