Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Electronic Component Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of electronic components, such as RFID, into pneumatic tires on the sidewall poses challenges due to deformation and heat generation during travel, which can lead to communication failures and damage, while embedding them inside the tire may cause interference with metal wheels and reduce tire life.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic tire design featuring a protective layer with higher rigidity and lower heat generation than the sidewall, positioned between the carcass and the inner liner, to secure the electronic component and prevent damage and communication failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic component is disposed on the sidewall portion to suppress communication failure, then communication performance is improved, but deformation during traveling increases which may cause damage to the electronic component or reduction in tire life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidresistance to deformation damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall structure is segmented into multiple layers: the original sidewall and an additional protective layer. This segmentation allows the electronic component to be positioned in a dedicated protective zone that isolates it from deformation stresses while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protective layer is provided beforehand in the sidewall structure to cushion and absorb deformation stresses before they reach the electronic component. This protective layer acts as a buffer that prevents direct transmission of mechanical stresses during tire traveling.

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

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the electronic component is disposed inside the tire (bead portion) to prevent falling off, then durability is improved, but electromagnetic wave interference with metal wheel occurs causing communication failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire durabilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer serves as an intermediary between the metal wheel and the electronic component. It provides electromagnetic shielding to prevent interference while mechanically connecting the component to the tire structure, eliminating the need for internal placement near the bead portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the electronic component is adhered to the tire surface after vulcanization, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the electronic component easily falls off during traveling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidattachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer is merged with the sidewall structure through vulcanization bonding, creating an integrated assembly that maintains both ease of manufacture and high attachment reliability. The electronic component is then securely attached within this integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively suppresses deformation and heat-related issues, ensuring reliable communication performance and tire durability by controlling the difference in rigidity and heat generation between the protective layer and the sidewall.

Implementation Method 1

the protective layer has higher rigidity and lower heat generation compared to the sidewall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRigidity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the protective layer has higher rigidity and lower heat generation compared to the sidewall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat generation: Viscous Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3677450B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3677450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677450B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3677450B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Provided is a tire manufacturing feature in which, even when an electronic component is disposed on a side wall portion in order to secure sufficient communication performance, damage to the tire or to the electronic component is avoided. A pneumatic tire in which an electronic component is disposed in the interior thereof, wherein a protective layer for reinforcing a side wall is provided at a position on the inside of a carcass and on the outside of an inner liner with respect to the tire axial direction, the protective layer has higher rigidity and lower heat generating properties than the side wall, and the electronic component is disposed between the carcass and the protective layer.