Tire RFID Rubber Encapsulation for Stable Curing Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire technologies face challenges in securely integrating RFID or electronic communication modules during the curing process, as the radio devices can move within the rubber layer, leading to exposure or sinking into the inner liner, which can cause damage and affect the tire's durability.

Innovation Solution

A tire design where the RFID or electronic communication module is surrounded by a rubber layer with a specified T50 cure time of 1.5 to 3.5 minutes at 160°C, ensuring the module remains enclosed and positioned correctly during curing, using a composition of diene-based rubber, fillers, and a cure package, with a thickness of 0.4 to 3 mm, to prevent movement and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the radio device is integrated into the tire during curing, then the tire gains electronic communication functionality, but the radio device can move within the rubber layer causing exposure or sinking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic communication functionalityVSAvoiddevice positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radio device is positioned and surrounded by the rubber layer before the curing process begins. The rubber layer is prepared in advance with the device embedded, and then the entire assembly is cured as one unit, preventing movement during the curing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A rubber layer with thickness of 0.4 to 3 mm surrounds the radio device, providing a flexible protective shell that maintains the device's position within the tire structure during curing and operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the radio device is attached to the innerliner with adhesive, then the device is secured to the tire structure, but the adhesive may fail under curing conditions affecting durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice attachment securityVSAvoidadhesive bond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The radio device and rubber layer are cured together as a single integrated unit. The curing process simultaneously vulcanizes the rubber layer and bonds it to the innerliner, creating a unified structure where the device cannot separate from either component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution combines the radio device, rubber layer, and innerliner into a composite structure that is cured together. This creates multiple bonding interfaces simultaneously, distributing the attachment strength across the entire assembly rather than relying on a single adhesive bond

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the rubber layer is made thicker to prevent device movement, then device positioning stability improves, but the curing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice positioning stabilityVSAvoidcuring time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber layer is formulated with specific compositional parameters including 100 parts diene-based rubber, at least one filler, and a cure package, achieving a T50 cure time of 1.5 to 3.5 minutes at 160°C. This optimized composition provides the necessary thickness of 0.4 to 3 mm for device stability while maintaining rapid curing characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively secures the electronic communication module within the tire, reducing the risk of damage during the curing process and enhancing the module's integration by maintaining its position and preventing exposure or sinking into the inner liner, thus improving the tire's durability and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the rubber layer has a T50 cure time at 160° C. of about 1.5 to about 3.5 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization:

Data Source

PatentUS20240286439A1Tire With RFID Surrounded By A Rubber Layer And Related Methods
Publication Date: 2024.08.29 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a tire having an electronic communication module including a radio device where the radio device is surrounded by a rubber layer having a specified T50 cure time at 160° C. Also disclosed are related methods for curing a tire with an electronic communication module including a radio device surrounded by a rubber layer having a specified T50 cure time at 160° C.