Pneumatic Tire Transponder Embedding for Low-Temperature Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic tires embedded with RFID transponders face challenges such as heat buildup leading to transponder damage, degradation of rolling resistance, and communication interference from tire components, particularly in low-temperature environments.

Innovation Solution

The pneumatic tire design embeds a transponder on the outer side of the carcass layer with specific rubber properties and a covering layer to manage heat buildup and radio wave transmission, ensuring durability and communication performance while minimizing rolling resistance degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transponder is disposed on an inner side in a tire width direction of a carcass layer, then the transponder is protected by the tire structure, but radio waves are blocked by tire components (metal members such as carcass or reinforcement) during communication, degrading communication performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransponder protectionVSAvoidcommunication performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional placement approach by positioning the transponder on the outer side of the carcass layer rather than the inner side. This inversion places the transponder in a location free from metal component interference, allowing radio waves to pass through without blockage while the transponder remains protected within the tire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific zone outside the carcass layer where metal components are absent, providing a radio wave transmission-friendly environment for the transponder. This localized approach maintains metal reinforcement in critical structural areas while excluding it from the transponder communication zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the heat build-up of the rubber member in the periphery of the transponder is high, then the transponder is protected from damage due to tire deformation in low-temperature environments, but the rolling resistance of the tire degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransponder durabilityVSAvoidrolling resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the tan δ value of the rubber member at -20°C to be within 0.05 to 0.80. This parameter optimization balances heat generation (for transponder protection) against energy loss (rolling resistance), achieving both transponder durability and fuel efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the rubber composition properties in the periphery of the transponder from other tire regions. The rubber member surrounding the transponder is specifically formulated with controlled tan δ characteristics to generate appropriate heat, while other tire regions maintain their original rolling resistance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the tan δ of the rubber member at -20°C is high, then heat build-up increases protecting the transponder from damage due to tire deformation, but rolling resistance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransponder durabilityVSAvoidrolling resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

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

This configuration maintains transponder durability and communication efficiency while preventing rolling resistance degradation, even in low-temperature conditions, by optimizing rubber properties and placement to avoid heat-induced brittleness and wave interference.

Implementation Method 1

the heat build-up of the rubber member in the periphery of the transponder is low during travel in a low-temperature environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat build-up: Viscous Heating

Implementation Method 2

radio waves are blocked by a tire component (for example, a metal member such as a carcass or reinforcement made of steel) during communication with the transponder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio wave blocking: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20230083074A1Pneumatic tire

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a pneumatic tire. A transponder is embedded on an outer side in a tire width direction of a carcass layer, and the tan δout (−20° C.) at −20° C. of a rubber member having the largest storage modulus at 20° C. of rubber members located on the outer side in the tire width direction of the transponder is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.7. Further, the transponder is embedded on the outer side in the tire width direction of the carcass layer, and the tan δin (−20° C.) at −20° C. of a rubber member having the largest storage modulus at 20° C. of rubber members located on an inner side in the tire width direction of the transponder is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.7.