Tyre Bead RFID Label Placement for Stacked Tyre Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID-based identification systems for tyres are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple temporary labels, shielding issues, and manual operation, which leads to time wastage and potential damage to RFID devices during handling.

Innovation Solution

A tyre with integrated permanent RFID devices and removable temporary RFID devices positioned on the bead core, allowing efficient reading from a distance using a single antenna, even when stacked, and reducing the need for multiple labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If an identification label with a temporary RFID device is applied on the tread of the tyre, then the reading distance is increased, but the RFID device can be shielded or destroyed by metal clamps during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading distanceVSAvoidintegrity of RFID device
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temporary identification label with RFID device is extracted from the tread area and repositioned to the bead core area, removing it from the zone where metal clamps contact the tyre during forklift handling, thus preventing shielding and physical damage while maintaining readable access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If two identification labels are applied on the tread at 90° to each other, then the RFID devices are protected from shielding by clamps, but the costs are doubled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of identification labels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The identification label is moved from the two-dimensional tread surface to the bead core area, utilizing a different spatial dimension and location that is not interfered with by lateral clamping operations, allowing a single label to suffice without requiring redundant labels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If the forklift operator manually reads each tyre's RFID device, then accurate identification is achieved, but time is wasted and manual intervention is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidhandling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated identification where the RFID reader on the forklift automatically reads the temporary RFID devices on the tyres without requiring the operator to manually approach and read each tyre, allowing simultaneous reading of multiple tyres and eliminating manual intervention time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If the antenna of the reader is moved around the stack of tyres, then all temporary RFID devices can be read, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading coverageVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The identification labels are pre-positioned on the bead core area where they will be naturally visible to the reader antenna during normal forklift operation, eliminating the need for subsequent manual repositioning or movement of the antenna to access different faces of the tyre stack

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient, automated, and cost-effective identification of stacked tyres with reduced risk of damage, enhancing reading distance and reducing manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

so-called 'smart' tyres were developed, which are provided with RFID devices (wherein RFID stands for 'Radio Frequency Identification' - typically transponders), which allow items of information, such as the identification, the features and the story of the tyre, to be communicated from a distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4323176B1Tyre provided with a temporary identification label
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 BRIDGESTONE EURO NV SA
  • EP4323176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4323176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4323176B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tyre (2) having : a toroidal carcass (8), which has a central cavity (6) and consists of at least one body ply (9), which is partially folded onto itself and, hence, laterally has two turn-ups, each having an edge of the body ply (9) resting against an intermediate portion of the body ply (9); two annular beads (10), each surrounded by the body ply (9) and having a bead core and a bead filler (12); and an identification label (19), which is fixed in a removable manner by means of gluing, is arranged in the area of an annular bead (10) and supports a temporary RFID device (20), which can be read from a distance.