Transponder Insertion in Rubber Sleeves for Tire Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating radio-frequency electronic devices, such as transponders, into rubber sleeves for smart pneumatic tires face challenges in ensuring precise positioning and stability, particularly when subjected to cyclical deformations, and are not economically efficient.

Innovation Solution

A processing unit and method that involves a conveyor system to precisely place transponders between two rubber strips, which are then pressed and vulcanized together to form a sleeve, ensuring efficient signal transmission and protection, using a pressure roller and cutting device to create the sleeve around the transponder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If transponders are glued onto the surface of pneumatic tyres, then the design is simple and applicable to existing tyres, but the transponder may detach following cyclical deformations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidtransponder stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transponder is inserted inside a rubber sleeve that is integrated into the tyre structure, nesting the electronic device within a protective enclosure rather than attaching it to the surface. This resolves the contradiction by providing both integration simplicity and deformation resistance through the nested configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A rubber sleeve with elastic properties is used to enclose the transponder, allowing the sleeve to deform elastically with the tyre during cyclical deformations while maintaining the transponder's position and protection. This flexible shell approach resolves the detachment issue while keeping the design simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If transponders are integrated within the tyre structure by inserting into rubber sleeves, then the transponder is protected and signal transmission is efficient, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransponder protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber sleeve is prepared in advance with the transponder inserted before the sleeve is integrated into the tyre structure. This preliminary assembly simplifies the overall manufacturing process by pre-positioning the transponder correctly, reducing the complexity of subsequent integration steps while maintaining protection and signal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rubber sleeve acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the integration process by providing a pre-formed enclosure for the transponder. This mediator element makes the overall manufacturing process more manageable by separating the transponder preparation from the tyre assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If two rubber belts are pressed and cut to form rubber sleeves, then the transponder can be enclosed, but the positioning precision and manufacturing efficiency need improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransponder positioning precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A pressing device with rollers is used to replace manual or less precise pressing methods, applying controlled force to bond the rubber belts and position the transponder accurately. This mechanical substitution improves positioning precision while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through automated or semi-automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing device allows control of pressure, temperature, and time parameters during the rubber belt bonding process, enabling optimization of both positioning precision and manufacturing efficiency by adjusting these parameters according to specific production requirements.

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 method allows for precise and economical insertion of transponders into rubber sleeves, ensuring efficient radio-frequency signal transmission and protection, while being easy to manufacture and maintain stability during tire deformations.

Implementation Method 1

such a rubber sleeve has the function of both allowing the radio frequency signals to be emitted and received more efficiently, exploiting the dielectric properties of the rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric properties: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

press therebetween the two rubber belts by means of at least one pair of cooperating rollers, wherebetween the two rubber belts are passed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3756870B1Processing method and working device for inserting electronic devices that are suitable for communicating in radio frequency into respective rubber sleeves
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 BRIDGESTONE EURO NV SA
  • EP3756870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3756870B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3756870B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method and processing unit (8) for inserting electronic devices (1) into respective rubber sleeves (5). The following steps are provided: advancing a first rubber belt (10) arranged horizontally along an insertion path by means of a conveyor (9); placing the electronic devices (1) upon an upper surface of the first rubber belt (10); placing upon the upper surface of the first rubber belt (10) and above each electronics device (1) a second rubber belt (14) that completely covers the electronic devices (1); cutting the two rubber belts (10, 14) in performing a perimeter cut around each electronic device (1); and causing a pressure roller (15) to roll over the second rubber belt (14) in order to press the second rubber belt (14) against the first rubber belt (10) and causing the pressure roller (15) to complete a forward stroke in one direction and a return stroke in the opposite direction.