Tire RFID Tag Adhesive Embedding for Position Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

During tire manufacturing, electronic devices like RFID tags can shift position or fall off, and air bubbles may form around them during vulcanization, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and integration.

Innovation Solution

Embedding an RFID tag with an adhesive in the tire, specifically between the inner liner and sidewall compound, ensuring it is encapsulated and affixed during tire carcass construction, allowing the adhesive to crosslink with the tire layers during vulcanization for secure integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electronic device is embedded in a tire during manufacturing, then the device can transmit tire identification data, but the device may shift position or fall off during the manufacturing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice position stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied to the electronic device before embedding it in the tire carcass, creating a preliminary bond that prevents shifting during subsequent manufacturing steps including vulcanization. This preliminary action ensures the device remains in the correct position throughout the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive undergoes a parameter change from a flexible, non-crosslinked state during application to a rigid, crosslinked state during vulcanization. This transformation increases the bond strength and anchors the device permanently to the tire structure, resolving the position stability issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an electronic device is embedded in a tire during vulcanization, then the device is integrated into the tire structure, but air bubbles may form around the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidembedding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied in advance to the electronic device, creating a bonding layer that prevents air bubbles from forming around the device during vulcanization. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex precision embedding techniques while ensuring reliable device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive acts as an intermediary substance between the electronic device and the tire carcass, allowing the device to be securely integrated into the tire structure without direct contact that would cause air bubbles. The adhesive layer mediates the interface, preventing bubble formation while ensuring reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If an adhesive is used to affix the RFID tag to the tire, then the tag is securely bonded to the tire components, but the adhesive must be compatible with the vulcanization process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidadhesive compatibility with vulcanization
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is designed to undergo a parameter change during vulcanization, transitioning from a flexible, uncured state that allows easy application to a rigid, crosslinked state that provides strong bonding. This parameter change enables the adhesive to be compatible with the high-temperature vulcanization process while achieving the required bond strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive is formulated as a composite material containing rubber particles and other components that enable it to bond with tire components and withstand the vulcanization process. This composite structure provides both the necessary adhesion strength and compatibility with the tire manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides a strong and durable bond between the RFID tag and the tire components, preventing shifting and air bubble formation, ensuring reliable data transmission and improved manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the adhesive to crosslink with the tire layers during vulcanization for secure integration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3206895B1Tire having embedded electronic device affixed with adhesive
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC
  • EP3206895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3206895B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A tire includes a circumferential tread, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of bead portions. Each bead portion includes a bead and a bead filler. The tire further includes at least one body ply extending from bead portion to bead portion. The body ply includes a pair of turn up portions radially outside of a respective bead portion. An electronic device is embedded in the tire. The electronic device is encapsulated in a curable adhesive including at least one of natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, and butadiene rubber.