Heavy-Duty Tire RFID Placement and Rubber Composition for Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy duty tires incorporating RFID tags face challenges in balancing the impact of the tag on durability with maintaining ride comfort.

Innovation Solution

A heavy duty tire design featuring a carcass ply, reinforcing layer with helically wound belt cords, and a specific rubber composition containing butadiene rubber and carbon black, positioned to minimize the RFID tag's impact on durability while improving ride comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If an RFID tag is incorporated into the tire, then tire data management capability is improved, but durability is worsened due to the impact of the tag on tire structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire data management capabilityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the RFID tag and the tire structure. This protective layer shields the tag from mechanical stresses during tire manufacturing and usage, preventing damage to both the tag and the surrounding tire components, thereby maintaining durability while preserving data management functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer is applied locally at the RFID tag incorporation position rather than throughout the entire tire. This localized approach provides targeted protection where needed while minimizing overall structural impact, allowing the tire to maintain its general durability characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a rigid reinforcing layer is used to improve durability, then strength is improved, but ride comfort is worsened due to increased stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidride comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing layer is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid materials for strength with softer cushioning materials. This composite design allows the layer to provide necessary structural support and durability while the softer components absorb shocks and vibrations, thereby maintaining ride comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing layer exhibits spatially varying properties, with different stiffness characteristics in different regions. Areas requiring high strength have more rigid materials, while areas contacting the RFID tag incorporate softer, more compliant materials to reduce stress concentration and protect the tag

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4703153A1Heavy duty tire
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4703153A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703153A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703153A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tire 2 includes a tread 4 formed from a rubber composition containing a rubber component including a butadiene rubber and a filler including carbon black and silica. An RFID tag 64 is positioned between an end FE of a turned-up portion 62 of a carcass ply 58 and a maximum width position PW. An amount CBR of the butadiene rubber is not less than 10 parts by mass. An amount BCB of the carbon black is less than an amount BSi of the silica. The amount CBR, the amount BCB, and cord ends Ej of a reference full band BF satisfy the following relational expression. (CBR/BCB)/Ej ≥ 0.012