Enveloping Member Pocket for Tire-Mounted Electronic Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for securing electronic devices to pneumatic tires require additional steps and surface preparation, such as gluing and buffing, which increase costs and complexity, and do not allow for easy replacement or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system where an enveloping member is cured simultaneously with the innerliner to form a pocket for removably securing items, such as wireless electronic modules, without the need for permanent adhesives or surface preparation, allowing for easy insertion, removal, and replacement of items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods use additional steps and surface preparation (gluing and buffing) to secure electronic devices to pneumatic tires, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enveloping member is integrated directly into the tire structure during the curing process, merging the attachment mechanism with the tire itself. This eliminates separate surface preparation and gluing steps, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure attachment through the cured elastic material that bonds the enveloping member to the tire inner surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The enveloping member is positioned and secured to the tire during the tire curing process itself, before the tire is fully assembled and before any subsequent operations. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for later surface preparation and gluing operations, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable attachment.
2Strength
If conventional methods use permanent adhesives to secure items to the tire, then the attachment strength is improved, but the ease of maintenance and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enveloping member provides a dynamic attachment solution where items can be inserted and removed through the open end. The elastic nature of the cured material allows it to flex and accommodate item insertion/removal while maintaining secure attachment during tire operation. This dynamic design enables easy maintenance and replacement without requiring adhesive removal or damage to the tire.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is segmented into the enveloping member and the tire structure, with the enveloping member forming a distinct pocket-like structure with an open end. This segmentation allows items to be independently inserted and removed through the opening while the enveloping member remains permanently secured to the tire, facilitating easy maintenance without affecting the tire-integrated attachment mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the enveloping member is cured simultaneously with the innerliner, then the manufacturing process is simplified and costs are reduced, but the precision of pocket formation must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The enveloping member is positioned in its final configuration within the tire before the curing process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the pocket structure is correctly formed and oriented during curing, eliminating the need for subsequent adjustments while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through simultaneous curing of the enveloping member with the tire innerliner.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing process parameters are controlled to ensure proper formation of the enveloping member and pocket structure. By optimizing temperature, pressure, and cure time parameters during the simultaneous curing process, the system achieves both manufacturing simplicity and the necessary precision for proper pocket formation and item retention.
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 method simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, maintains tire integrity, and enables easy maintenance by allowing items to be securely attached and detached without affecting the tire's operational life.
Implementation Method 1
The enveloping member is cured simultaneously with the innerliner to secure the enveloping member to the innerliner for the operational life of the pneumatic tire
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A pneumatic tire comprising an innerliner (14) adjacent a tire cavity, and an enveloping member (112) defining a pocket (101) or a bridge for removably receiving and removably securing an item (100) to the pneumatic tire (1) is disclosed. The enveloping member (112) is at least locally co-cured with the innerliner (14) to permanently secure the enveloping member (112) to the innerliner (14). Also, method for securing an item (100) to a pneumatic tire (1) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a green tire and an enveloping member, simultaneously curing the enveloping member to an innerliner of the green tire such that at least one edge or side and at least a part of the interior of the cured enveloping member is not attached to the cured innerliner thereby forming a pocket (101) or a bridge structure, and inserting an item into the pocket (101) or under the bridge structure by moving the item (100) in a first direction through a mouth defined by the at least one unattached end or side of the cured enveloping member (112) and an adjacent portion of the cured innerliner (14).