Patent Description:
A tire is formed by combining a large number of components such as a tread and sidewalls. Some of these components are obtained by shaping a sheet-shaped member into a predetermined shape.

In forming such a component, a sheet-shaped member S is wound on a drum D as shown in <FIG>, and both ends of the sheet-shaped member S are joined together. Accordingly, the sheet-shaped member S is processed into a tube shape. The component formed using the sheet-shaped member S includes a joint portion.

In order to manage data regarding manufacturing management, customer information, running history, etc., of tires, incorporation of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags into tires has been proposed. Various studies have been conducted for the technology to incorporate an RFID tag into a tire (for example, <CIT>).

The above-described joint portion is usually formed by overlapping both ends of the sheet-shaped member S. The joint portion is heavier than the other portions.

A tire includes a plurality of joint portions. If these joint portions are unevenly arranged, the uniformity of the tire is decreased.

An RFID tag has a certain weight. Therefore, when placing the RFID tag, it is necessary to consider the position of the RFID tag and the positions of the joint portions.

Some tire components are components including a steel cord (hereinafter, metal reinforcing components). If the RFID tag is placed near the joint portion of a metal reinforcing component, reading of data recorded in the RFID tag, etc., may be disturbed. When placing the RFID tag, it is also necessary to consider the influence of the RFID tag on readability.

A tire according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT> Al. Further tires of related art are known from <CIT>and <CIT>.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a tire that can achieve improvement of readability of an RFID tag while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity.

A tire according to the present invention includes: a plurality of joined components each having a joint portion at a predetermined position in a circumferential direction; and an RFID tag. The plurality of joined components include an inner liner forming an inner surface of the tire, and at least one metal reinforcing component including a steel cord. The joint portion of the inner liner, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, and the RFID tag are placed so as to be dispersed in the circumferential direction. Positions of the joint portions of the joined components and a position of the RFID tag are represented by angles about a rotation axis of the tire, and when the position of the joint portion of the inner liner is defined as <NUM> degrees, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and the RFID tag is located in a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees or a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

According to the present invention, a tire that can achieve improvement of readability of an RFID tag while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity, is obtained.

A tire of the present invention is fitted on a rim. The interior of the tire is filled with air to adjust the internal pressure of the tire. The tire fitted on the rim is also referred to as tire-rim assembly. The tire-rim assembly includes the rim and the tire fitted on the rim.

In the present invention, a state where a tire is fitted on a standardized rim, the internal pressure of the tire is adjusted to a standardized internal pressure, and no load is applied to the tire is referred to as standardized state.

In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions and angles of each component of the tire are measured in the standardized state.

The dimensions and angles of each component in a meridian cross-section of the tire, which cannot be measured in a state where the tire is fitted on the standardized rim, are measured in a cross-section of the tire obtained by cutting the tire along a plane including the rotation axis of the tire. In this measurement, the tire is set such that the distance between right and left beads is made equal to the distance between the beads in the tire that is fitted on the standardized rim.

The standardized rim means a rim specified in a standard on which the tire is based. The "standard rim" in the JATMA standard, the "Design Rim" in the TRA standard, and the "Measuring Rim" in the ETRTO standard are standardized rims.

The standardized internal pressure means an internal pressure specified in the standard on which the tire is based. The "highest air pressure" in the JATMA standard, the "maximum value" recited in the "TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES" in the TRA standard, and the "INFLATION PRESSURE" in the ETRTO standard are standardized internal pressures.

A standardized load means a load specified in the standard on which the tire is based. The "maximum load capacity" in the JATMA standard, the "maximum value" recited in the "TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES" in the TRA standard, and the "LOAD CAPACITY" in the ETRTO standard are standardized loads.

In the present invention, a rubber composition refers to a composition that is obtained by mixing a base rubber and chemicals in a kneading machine such as a Banbury mixer and that contains the uncrosslinked base rubber. A crosslinked rubber refers to a crosslinked product, of the rubber composition, obtained by pressurizing and heating the rubber composition. The crosslinked rubber contains a crosslinked product of the base rubber. The crosslinked rubber is also referred to as vulcanized rubber, and the rubber composition is also referred to as unvulcanized rubber.

In the present invention, a green tire is an uncrosslinked tire. The green tire is also referred to as raw cover. A tire is obtained by heating and pressurizing the green tire in a mold. The tire is a crosslinked molded product of the green tire.

In the present invention, a tread portion of the tire is a portion of the tire that comes into contact with a road surface. A bead portion is a portion of the tire that is fitted to a rim. A sidewall portion is a portion of the tire that extends between the tread portion and the bead portion. The tire includes a tread portion, a pair of bead portions, and a pair of sidewall portions as portions thereof.

In the present invention, a complex elastic modulus of a component formed from a crosslinked rubber, of the components included in the tire, is measured according to the standards of JIS K6394. The measurement conditions are as follows.

In this measurement, a test piece (a length of <NUM> × a width of <NUM> × a thickness of <NUM>) is sampled from the tire. The length direction of the test piece is caused to coincide with the circumferential direction of the tire. When a test piece cannot be sampled from the tire, a test piece is sampled from a sheet-shaped crosslinked rubber (hereinafter, also referred to as rubber sheet) obtained by pressurizing and heating a rubber composition, which is used for forming the component to be measured, at a temperature of <NUM> for <NUM> minutes.

In the present invention, the complex elastic modulus is represented as a complex elastic modulus at <NUM>.

A tire according to an aspect of the present invention is a tire including: a plurality of joined components each having a joint portion at a predetermined position in a circumferential direction; and an RFID tag, wherein the plurality of joined components include an inner liner forming an inner surface of the tire, and at least one metal reinforcing component including a steel cord, the joint portion of the inner liner, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, and the RFID tag are placed so as to be dispersed in the circumferential direction, positions of the joint portions of the joined components and a position of the RFID tag are represented by angles about a rotation axis of the tire, and when the position of the joint portion of the inner liner is defined as <NUM> degrees, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and the RFID tag is located in a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees or a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

By forming the tire as described above, a decrease in uniformity due to the placement of the RFID tag is effectively suppressed. Since the RFID tag is placed at a position distant from the position of the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, the readability of the RFID tag is improved.

The tire can improve the readability of the RFID tag while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity.

Preferably, in the tire described in [Configuration <NUM>] above, a range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees is divided into four zones consisting of a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, and a fourth zone, in increments of <NUM> degrees about the rotation axis of the tire, (<NUM>) when the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in the second zone, the RFID tag is located in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and (<NUM>) when the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in the third zone, the RFID tag is located in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

By forming the tire as described above, the RFID tag is placed sufficiently away from the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component. The tire can achieve improvement of the readability of the RFID tag.

Preferably, the tire described in [Configuration <NUM>] or [Configuration <NUM>] above includes a carcass ply as the metal reinforcing component.

The tire can suppress the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity in consideration of the position of the joint portion of the carcass ply, and can improve the readability of the RFID tag.

Preferably, the tire described in any one of [Configuration <NUM>] to [Configuration <NUM>] above includes a steel reinforcing layer as the metal reinforcing component.

The tire can suppress the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity in consideration of the position of the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer, and can improve the readability of the RFID tag.

Preferably, in the tire described in any one of [Configuration <NUM>] to [Configuration <NUM>] above, the RFID tag is located radially inward of a maximum width position of the tire.

The tire can improve the readability of the RFID tag while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity in consideration of suppressing occurrence of damage to the RFID tag itself and damage due to the presence of the RFID tag.

Preferably, the tire described in any one of [Configuration <NUM>] to [Configuration <NUM>] above further includes: a pair of beads; a carcass extending on and between the pair of beads; a pair of sidewalls each located axially outward of the carcass; and a pair of chafers each located radially inward of the sidewall and configured to come into contact with a rim, each of the beads includes a core, an inner apex located radially outward of the core, and an outer apex located radially outward of the inner apex, the carcass includes a carcass ply, the carcass ply includes a ply body extending between the pair of beads, and a pair of turned-up portions each connected to the ply body and turned up at the bead, the RFID tag is in contact with the outer apex on a radially outer side of an end of the turned-up portion, and the RFID tag is located between an outer end of the outer apex and an outer end of the chafer in a radial direction.

<FIG> shows a tire <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tire <NUM> is mounted to a vehicle such as a truck and a bus. The tire <NUM> is also referred to as heavy duty tire. In <FIG>, for convenience of description, the state of the interior of the partially cut-away tire <NUM> is shown.

<FIG> shows a cross-section taken along a line II-II in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a part of a cross-section (hereinafter, meridian cross-section) of the tire <NUM> along a plane including the rotation axis of the tire <NUM>. In <FIG>, the right-left direction is the axial direction of the tire <NUM>, and the up-down direction is the radial direction of the tire <NUM>. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> is the circumferential direction of the tire <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a part of the cross-section shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a bead portion of the tire <NUM>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the tire <NUM> is fitted on a rim R (standardized rim).

In <FIG>, an alternate long and short dash line CL extending in the radial direction represents the equator plane of the tire <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, a solid line BBL extending in the axial direction is a bead base line. The bead base line BBL is a line that defines the rim diameter (see JATMA or the like) of the rim R.

The tire <NUM> includes a tread <NUM>, a pair of sidewalls <NUM>, a pair of chafers <NUM>, a pair of beads <NUM>, a carcass <NUM>, a belt <NUM>, a pair of cushion layers <NUM>, a strip layer <NUM>, a pair of steel reinforcing layers <NUM>, a pair of interlayer strips <NUM>, an inner liner <NUM>, and a tag member <NUM>.

The tread <NUM> is located radially outward of the carcass <NUM>. The tread <NUM> comes into contact with a road surface at a tread surface <NUM> thereof. Grooves <NUM> are formed on the tread <NUM>.

The tread <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> and a cap portion <NUM> located radially outward of the base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber that has low heat generation properties. The cap portion <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber for which wear resistance and grip performance are taken into consideration. The cap portion <NUM> includes the tread surface <NUM>. The tread <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord (that is, a sheet-shaped member formed from a rubber composition).

In <FIG>, a position indicated by reference character PC corresponds to an equator. The equator PC is the point of intersection of the tread surface <NUM> and the equator plane CL. In the case where the groove <NUM> is located on the equator plane CL as in the tire <NUM>, the equator PC is specified on the basis of a virtual tread surface obtained on the assumption that the groove <NUM> is not present thereon.

The distance in the radial direction, from the bead base line BBL to the equator PC, obtained in the tire <NUM> in the standardized state is the cross-sectional height (see JATMA or the like) of the tire <NUM>.

Each sidewall <NUM> is connected to an end of the tread <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> is located radially inward of the tread <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> is located axially outward of the carcass <NUM>. A position indicated by reference character PS is an inner end of the sidewall <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber for which cut resistance is taken into consideration. The complex elastic modulus of the sidewall <NUM> is not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa. The sidewall <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord.

A position indicated by reference character PW is an axially outer end (hereinafter, outer end PW) of the tire <NUM>. In the case where decorations such as patterns and letters are present on the outer surface of the tire <NUM>, the outer end PW is specified on the basis of a virtual outer surface obtained on the assumption that the decorations are not present thereon. The tire <NUM> has a maximum width at the outer end PW. The outer end PW is also referred to as maximum width position.

The distance in the axial direction from a first maximum width position PW to a second maximum width position PW in the tire <NUM> in the standardized state is the cross-sectional width (see JATMA or the like) of the tire <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a length indicated by reference character H is the distance in the radial direction from the bead base line BBL to the maximum width position PW. The distance H in the radial direction is also referred to as radial height of the maximum width position PW.

In the tire <NUM> in the standardized state, the ratio of the radial height H of the maximum width position PW to the cross-sectional height is not less than <NUM> and not greater than <NUM>.

Each chafer <NUM> is located radially inward of the sidewall <NUM>. The chafer <NUM> comes into contact with the rim R. A position indicated by reference character PB is an outer end of the chafer <NUM>.

The chafer <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber for which wear resistance is taken into consideration. The complex elastic modulus of the chafer <NUM> is not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa. The chafer <NUM> is harder than the sidewall <NUM>. The chafer <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord.

In <FIG>, a length indicated by reference character R1 is the distance in the radial direction from the bead base line BBL to the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>. The distance R1 in the radial direction is also referred to as radial height of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a length indicated by reference character K2 is the distance in the radial direction from the bead base line BBL to the inner end PS of the sidewall <NUM>. The distance K2 in the radial direction is also referred to as radial height of the inner end PS of the sidewall <NUM>.

In the tire <NUM>, from the viewpoint of being able to ensure a sufficient joint region between the sidewall <NUM> and the chafer <NUM>, the ratio (R1/K2) of the radial height R1 of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> to the radial height K2 of the inner end PS of the sidewall <NUM> is preferably not less than <NUM>. From the viewpoint of ensuring the placement space for the tag member <NUM> described later, the ratio (R1/K2) is preferably not greater than <NUM>.

Each bead <NUM> is located axially inward of the chafer <NUM>. The bead <NUM> is located radially inward of the sidewall <NUM>. The bead <NUM> has a ring shape. The bead <NUM> includes a core <NUM> and an apex <NUM>.

The core <NUM> extends in the circumferential direction. The core <NUM> includes a wire made of steel and wound in the circumferential direction. The apex <NUM> is located radially outward of the core <NUM>. The apex <NUM> extends radially outward from the core <NUM>. The apex <NUM> is tapered outward. An outer end PA of the apex <NUM> is located radially inward of the maximum width position PW. The outer end PA of the apex <NUM> is located radially outward of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>.

The apex <NUM> includes an inner apex <NUM> and an outer apex <NUM>. The inner apex <NUM> is located radially outward of the core <NUM>. The outer apex <NUM> is located radially outward of the inner apex <NUM>.

The inner apex <NUM> is tapered outward. The inner apex <NUM> is formed from a hard crosslinked rubber. The complex elastic modulus of the inner apex <NUM> is not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa.

The outer apex <NUM> is thick around an outer end PU of the inner apex <NUM>. The outer apex <NUM> is tapered inward and tapered outward from the thick portion thereof.

An inner end PG1 of the outer apex <NUM> is located near the core <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a length indicated by reference character L1 is the distance in the radial direction from the bead base line BBL to an outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM>. The distance L1 in the radial direction is also referred to as radial height of the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM>. The outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> is also the outer end PA of the apex <NUM>. The distance L1 in the radial direction is also referred to as radial height of the bead <NUM>.

The outer apex <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The outer apex <NUM> is more flexible than the inner apex <NUM>. The complex elastic modulus of the outer apex <NUM> is not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa.

In the tire <NUM>, from the viewpoint of well-balancing the stiffness of the bead portion and the bending of the tire <NUM>, the ratio (L1/H) of the radial height L1 of the bead <NUM> to the radial height H of the maximum width position PW is adjusted in the range of not less than <NUM> and not greater than <NUM>.

In the tire <NUM>, from the viewpoint of ensuring the placement space for the tag member <NUM> described later, the ratio (L1/R1) of the radial height L1 of the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> to the radial height R1 of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> is preferably not less than <NUM>. From the viewpoint of being able to suppress the influence of the outer apex <NUM> on the bending of the tire <NUM>, the ratio (L1/R1) is preferably not greater than <NUM>.

The apex <NUM> of the tire <NUM> further includes an edge strip <NUM>.

The edge strip <NUM> is located axially outward of the outer apex <NUM> and forms a part of the outer surface of the apex <NUM>. The edge strip <NUM> is located between the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> and the inner end PG1 of the outer apex <NUM> in the radial direction.

The edge strip <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The edge strip <NUM> is more flexible than the chafer <NUM> and is harder than the outer apex <NUM>. The complex elastic modulus of the edge strip <NUM> is not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa.

The carcass <NUM> is located inward of the tread <NUM>, the pair of sidewalls <NUM>, and the pair of chafers <NUM>. The carcass <NUM> extends on and between the pair of beads <NUM>. The carcass <NUM> of the tire <NUM> has a radial structure.

The carcass <NUM> includes at least one carcass ply <NUM>. The carcass <NUM> of the tire <NUM> is composed of one carcass ply <NUM>. The carcass ply <NUM> is turned up around each bead <NUM>.

The carcass ply <NUM> includes a ply body <NUM> and a pair of turned-up portions <NUM>. The ply body <NUM> extends between the pair of beads <NUM>, that is, between a first bead <NUM> and a second bead <NUM> (not shown). Each turned-up portion <NUM> is connected to the ply body <NUM> and turned up around the bead <NUM>. The turned-up portion <NUM> of the tire <NUM> is turned up around the bead <NUM> from the inner side toward the outer side in the axial direction. The bead <NUM> is interposed between the ply body <NUM> and the turned-up portion <NUM>. An end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> is located radially inward of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>. The end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> overlaps the edge strip <NUM> in the axial direction.

The carcass ply <NUM> includes a large number of carcass cords aligned with each other, which are not shown. These carcass cords are covered with a topping rubber. Each carcass cord intersects the equator plane CL. The material of the carcass cords is steel. The carcass cords are steel cords. The carcass ply <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including a large number of steel cords aligned with each other.

In <FIG>, a length indicated by reference character N is the distance in the radial direction from the bead base line BBL to the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM>. The distance N in the radial direction is also referred to as radial height of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM>.

In the tire <NUM>, the ratio (N/H) of the radial height N of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> to the radial height H of the maximum width position PW is not less than <NUM> and not greater than <NUM>.

The belt <NUM> is located between the tread <NUM> and the carcass <NUM> in the radial direction. The belt <NUM> includes four belt plies <NUM>. The four belt plies <NUM> are a first belt ply 52A, a second belt ply 52B, a third belt ply 52C, and a fourth belt ply 52D. These belt plies <NUM> are aligned in the radial direction.

In the tire <NUM>, among the four belt plies <NUM>, the first belt ply 52A is located on the innermost side in the radial direction, the second belt ply 52B has a largest width, and the fourth belt ply 52D has a smallest width.

Each belt ply <NUM> includes a large number of belt cords aligned with each other, which are not shown. Each belt cord is tilted relative to the equator plane CL. The material of the belt cords is steel. The belt cords are steel cords. The belt ply <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including a large number of steel cords aligned with each other.

Each cushion layer <NUM> is located between the belt <NUM> and the carcass <NUM> at the end of the belt <NUM>. The cushion layer <NUM> is formed from a flexible crosslinked rubber. The cushion layer <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord.

The strip layer <NUM> is located between the carcass <NUM> and the belt <NUM> on the radially inner side of the tread <NUM>. In the axial direction, the strip layer <NUM> is located between a first cushion layer <NUM> and a second cushion layer <NUM>. The strip layer <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The strip layer <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord.

Each steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is located in the bead portion. The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is located between the bead <NUM> and the chafer <NUM>. The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is located between the carcass <NUM> and the chafer <NUM>. The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is turned up around the bead <NUM>. The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is placed so as to wrap a radially inner portion of the bead <NUM> from the radially inner side of the turned-up portion <NUM>. An inner end <NUM> and an outer end 20f of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> are located between the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> and the core <NUM> in the radial direction.

The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> includes a large number of filler cords aligned with each other, which are not shown. The material of the filler cords is steel. The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> includes steel cords. In the steel reinforcing layer <NUM>, the steel cords are covered with a topping rubber. The steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including a large number of steel cords aligned with each other.

The outer end 20f of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is located between the turned-up portion <NUM> and the chafer <NUM> in the axial direction. The outer end 20f is located radially inward of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM>. The inner end <NUM> is located between the inner liner <NUM> and the ply body <NUM> in the axial direction. It is sufficient that the position in the radial direction of the inner end <NUM> substantially coincides with that of the outer end 20f, and the inner end <NUM> may be located radially outward of the outer end 20f or may be located radially inward of the outer end 20f.

Each interlayer strip <NUM> is located between the chafer <NUM> and the apex <NUM> in the axial direction. The interlayer strip <NUM> covers the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> and the outer end 20f of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM>. The end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> is interposed between the interlayer strip <NUM> and the edge strip <NUM>. The outer end 20f of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> is interposed between the interlayer strip <NUM> and the chafer <NUM>.

The interlayer strip <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The interlayer strip <NUM> is harder than the sidewall <NUM> and is more flexible than the chafer <NUM>. The complex elastic modulus of the interlayer strip <NUM> is not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa. The interlayer strip <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord.

The inner liner <NUM> is located inward of the carcass <NUM>. The inner liner <NUM> is joined to the inner surface of the carcass <NUM> via an insulation (not shown) formed from a crosslinked rubber. The inner liner <NUM> forms an inner surface of the tire <NUM>. The inner liner <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber that has an excellent air blocking property. The inner liner <NUM> serves to maintain the internal pressure of the tire <NUM>. The inner liner <NUM> is formed using a sheet-shaped member including no cord.

The tag member <NUM> is located axially outward of the bead <NUM>. In the tire <NUM>, the tag member <NUM> is provided only on the side of a first sidewall <NUM>. The tag member <NUM> may be provided on each of the side of the first sidewall <NUM> and the side of a second sidewall <NUM>. From the viewpoint of reducing the risk of damage, the tag member <NUM> is preferably provided on the side of the first sidewall <NUM> out of the pair of sidewalls <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of the tag member <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V in <FIG>.

The tag member <NUM> has a plate shape. The tag member <NUM> is long in a length direction thereof and short in a width direction thereof. As shown in <FIG>, in the tire <NUM>, the tag member <NUM> is placed such that a first end <NUM> in the width direction thereof is located on the radially outer side in the tire <NUM> and a second end 26u in the width direction thereof is located on the radially inner side in the tire <NUM>. In the tire <NUM>, the first end <NUM> is also referred to as outer end, and the second end 26u is also referred to as inner end.

The tag member <NUM> includes an RFID tag <NUM>. In <FIG>, for convenience of description, the RFID tag <NUM> is shown by a solid line, but the entirety thereof is covered with a protector <NUM>. The tag member <NUM> includes the RFID tag <NUM> and the protector <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> is located at the center of the tag member <NUM>. The protector <NUM> is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The protector <NUM> has stiffness substantially equal to the stiffness of the outer apex <NUM>. In the tire <NUM>, formation of a good communication environment is considered, and a crosslinked rubber having high electrical resistance is used for the protector <NUM>. The protector <NUM> is formed from a rubber that has high insulation properties.

Although not described in detail, the RFID tag <NUM> is a small and lightweight electronic component that includes: a semiconductor chip <NUM> obtained by making a transmitter/receiver circuit, a control circuit, a memory, etc., into a chip; and an antenna <NUM>. Upon receiving interrogation radio waves, the RFID tag <NUM> uses the radio waves as electrical energy and transmits various data in the memory as response radio waves. The RFID tag <NUM> is a type of passive radio frequency identification transponder.

The tag member <NUM> is a plate-shaped member in which the RFID tag <NUM> is covered with a crosslinked rubber. From the viewpoint of reducing the risk of damage to the RFID tag <NUM> and forming a good communication environment, the thickness of the tag member <NUM> in the tire <NUM> is preferably not less than <NUM> and not greater than <NUM>. The thickness of the tag member <NUM> in the tire <NUM> is represented as the maximum thickness of the tag member <NUM> at the semiconductor chip <NUM> of the RFID tag <NUM>.

A length TL of the tag member <NUM> before being embedded in the tire <NUM> is not less than <NUM> and not greater than <NUM>. A width TW thereof is not less than <NUM> and not greater than <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a position indicated by reference character TU is a radially inner end of the RFID tag <NUM> (specifically, the semiconductor chip <NUM>). A position indicated by reference character TS is a radially outer end of the semiconductor chip <NUM>, that is, a radially outer end of the RFID tag <NUM>.

In the present invention, the case where the inner end TU of the RFID tag <NUM> in the tire <NUM> is located radially outward of a position serving as a reference (hereinafter, reference position) is the case where the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially outward of the reference position. The case where the outer end TS of the RFID tag <NUM> in the tire <NUM> is located radially inward of the reference position is the case where the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially inward of the reference position.

In the tire <NUM>, the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially inward of the maximum width position PW. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in the meridian cross-section of the tire <NUM>, the tag member <NUM> including the RFID tag <NUM> is placed as follows.

The tag member <NUM> is in contact with the apex <NUM> on the radially outer side of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> is located between the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> and the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> in the radial direction. The outer end TS of the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially inward of the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM>. The inner end TU of the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially outward of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>.

The outer end <NUM> of the tag member <NUM> is located radially inward of the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM>. The inner end 26u of the tag member <NUM> is located radially outward of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>. Between the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> and the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>, the tag member <NUM> is interposed between the outer apex <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM>.

The tire <NUM> can suppress concentration of strain on the RFID tag <NUM>. The risk of damage to the RFID tag <NUM> can be reduced. The influence of the provision of the RFID tag <NUM> on the durability of the tire <NUM> is also suppressed.

The outer apex <NUM> is located between the carcass ply <NUM> and the RFID tag <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> is placed so as to be spaced apart from the carcass ply <NUM> including the carcass cords which are metal components. Radio waves are less likely to be disturbed, so that a good communication environment is formed between the RFID tag <NUM> and a communication device (not shown). Writing of data to the RFID tag <NUM> and reading of data recorded in the RFID tag <NUM> are accurately performed.

The tire <NUM> can achieve improvement of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> and reduction of the risk of damage to the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing influence on durability. From this viewpoint, the RFID tag <NUM> is preferably located radially inward of the maximum width position PW. Specifically, preferably, the tag member <NUM> is in contact with the apex <NUM> on the radially outer side of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM>, and the RFID tag <NUM> is located between the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> and the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> in the radial direction. In this case, more preferably, the outer end TS of the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially inward of the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM>, and the inner end TU of the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially outward of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>. Further preferably, the outer end <NUM> of the tag member <NUM> is located radially inward of the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM>, and the inner end 26u of the tag member <NUM> is located radially outward of the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>. Particularly preferably, between the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> and the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM>, the tag member <NUM> is interposed between the outer apex <NUM> and the sidewall <NUM>.

Although not described in detail, the tire <NUM> described above is obtained by pressurizing and heating a green tire in a mold. The green tire is formed by combining a large number of components such as a tread and sidewalls. These components include components each formed using a sheet-shaped member. For such a component, a sheet-shaped member is processed into a tubular shape by winding the sheet-shaped member on a drum and joining both ends of the sheet-shaped member together. The components each formed using a sheet-shaped member include joint portions. In the present invention, a component having a joint portion is also referred to as joined component.

<FIG> show examples of a joint portion SJ of a joined component. As for the form of the joint portion SJ, there are three types, for example.

A joint portion SJa shown in <FIG> is formed by butting a first end Se1 and a second end Se2 of a sheet-shaped member S together. The first end Se1 and the second end Se2 are formed by surfaces perpendicular to the length direction of the sheet-shaped member S, and thus a position J of the joint portion SJa is represented by the position of a joint surface formed by butting the first end Se1 and the second end Se2 together.

In the joint portion SJa shown in <FIG>, when the tire <NUM> expands, the joint portion SJa may be stretched and become lighter than the other portions.

A joint portion SJb shown in <FIG> is formed by overlapping the first end Se1 and the second end Se2 of the sheet-shaped member S. In this case, the center position of the length from the first end Se1 to the second end Se2 is specified as a position J of the joint portion SJb. The joint portion SJb shown in <FIG> is heavier than the other portions.

Similar to the joint portion SJa shown in <FIG>, a joint portion SJc shown in <FIG> is also formed by butting the first end Se1 and the second end Se2 of the sheet-shaped member S together. However, the first end Se1 and the second end Se2 are formed by slopes inclined relative to the length direction of the sheet-shaped member S, and thus, as shown in <FIG>, the center position of the length from the first end to the second end of a joint surface formed by butting the first end Se1 and the second end Se2 together is specified as a position J of the joint portion SJc.

In the joint portion SJc shown in <FIG>, when the tire <NUM> expands, the joint portion SJc may be stretched and become lighter than the other portions.

<FIG> and <FIG> each show the inner surface of the tire <NUM> viewed from the bead portion side. In each of <FIG> and <FIG>, the position J of the joint portion SJ specified in the inner liner <NUM> is shown as an example of the joint portion SJ.

<FIG> shows the case where the position J of the joint portion SJ is along the radial direction and the axial direction. In this case, the position in the circumferential direction of the joint portion SJ is represented by the position in the circumferential direction of a line representing the position J.

<FIG> shows the case where the position J of the joint portion SJ is inclined relative to the radial direction. In this case, the position in the circumferential direction of the joint portion SJ is represented by the position in the circumferential direction of the point of intersection (position indicated by reference character PJ in <FIG>) of the equator plane CL and a line representing the position J.

As described above, the inner liner <NUM> serves to maintain the internal pressure of the tire <NUM>. In the inner liner <NUM>, from the viewpoint of preventing air leakage at the joint portion, both ends of a sheet-shaped member are sufficiently overlapped. In the inner liner <NUM>, a joint portion SJ of the same type as shown in <FIG> is formed.

In addition to the inner liner <NUM>, for example, the tread <NUM>, the sidewalls <NUM>, the carcass ply <NUM> of the carcass <NUM>, the belt plies <NUM> of the belt <NUM>, the cushion layers <NUM>, and the steel reinforcing layers <NUM> are joined components.

The tire <NUM> includes a plurality of joined components each having a joint portion. Among the plurality of joined components, the carcass ply <NUM>, the belt plies <NUM>, and the steel reinforcing layers <NUM> include steel cords. In the present invention, a joined component including a steel cord is also referred to as metal reinforcing component. The carcass ply <NUM>, the belt plies <NUM>, and the steel reinforcing layers <NUM> are metal reinforcing components.

In <FIG>, a position indicated by a solid line Ji is the position of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM>. A position indicated by a solid line Jc is the position of the joint portion of the carcass ply <NUM>. A position indicated by reference character Js is the position of the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM>.

In the tire <NUM>, the joint portion of the carcass ply <NUM> and the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> are placed at the same position in the circumferential direction. The joint portion of the carcass ply <NUM> and the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> may be placed at different positions in the circumferential direction.

In the tire <NUM>, joint portions whose number is equal to the number of joined components exist. If the joint portions are unevenly arranged in the circumferential direction, the uniformity of the tire <NUM> is decreased. Therefore, in consideration of the influence on uniformity, all the joint portions are placed at predetermined positions in the circumferential direction.

If the RFID tag <NUM> is located near the joint portion of any metal reinforcing component, the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> is decreased. To ensure the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> while maintaining good uniformity, it is necessary to place the RFID tag <NUM> at an appropriate position relative to the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component.

As described above, the belt <NUM> is one of the metal reinforcing components. In the tire <NUM>, the belt <NUM> is located radially outward of the maximum width position PW. Since the RFID tag <NUM> is located radially inward of the maximum width position PW, the influence of the joint portion of each belt ply <NUM> included in the belt <NUM>, on the readability of the RFID tag <NUM>, is small. Therefore, when setting the positions of the joint portions of the joined components in consideration of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM>, the position of the joint portion of any metal reinforcing component located radially inward of the maximum width position PW is taken into consideration, and the position of the joint portion of any metal reinforcing component located radially outward of the maximum width position PW is not taken into consideration.

The tire <NUM> includes the carcass ply <NUM>, the belt plies <NUM>, and the steel reinforcing layers <NUM> as the metal reinforcing components. Among the carcass ply <NUM>, the belt plies <NUM>, and the steel reinforcing layers <NUM>, the carcass ply <NUM> and the steel reinforcing layers <NUM> are the metal reinforcing components located radially inward of the maximum width position PW, and the belt plies <NUM> are the metal reinforcing components located radially outward of the maximum width position PW.

The plurality of joined components of the tire <NUM> include the inner liner <NUM> and at least one metal reinforcing component. The joint portion of the inner liner <NUM>, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, and the RFID tag <NUM> are not placed at the same position in the circumferential direction. In other words, the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM>, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, and the RFID tag <NUM> are placed so as to be dispersed in the circumferential direction.

In the tire <NUM>, the influence of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM>, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, and the RFID tag <NUM> on the uniformity is suppressed.

<FIG> is a side view of the tire <NUM>. The positions in the circumferential direction of the joint portion of each joined component and the RFID tag <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. For convenience of description, the RFID tag <NUM>, a position Ji of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM>, a position Jc of the joint portion of the carcass ply <NUM>, and a position Js of the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> which do not appear on the outer surface of the tire <NUM> are indicated by solid lines.

The RFID tag <NUM> has a length in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the position of the RFID tag <NUM> is represented by the position of the center of the RFID tag <NUM> in the circumferential direction.

In the present invention, the positions of the joint portions of the joined components and the position of the RFID tag <NUM> are represented by angles about the rotation axis of the tire <NUM>. The position Ji of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM> is defined as <NUM> degrees, and the position of the joint portion of each joined component is represented as a position relative to the position Ji of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the position of the joint portion of the carcass ply <NUM> and the position of the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM> are both <NUM> degrees, but the joint portion of the carcass ply <NUM> and the joint portion of the steel reinforcing layer <NUM>, that is, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees. In <FIG>, the position of the RFID tag <NUM> is <NUM> degrees, but the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees or the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

In other words, in the tire <NUM>, when the position of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM> is defined as <NUM> degrees, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees or the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

In the tire <NUM>, in particular, a decrease in uniformity due to the placement of the RFID tag <NUM> is effectively suppressed. Since the RFID tag <NUM> is placed at a position distant from the position of the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> is improved.

The tire <NUM> can improve the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag <NUM> on uniformity.

As described above, in the tire <NUM>, from the viewpoint of being able to achieve improvement of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> and reduction of the risk of damage to the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing influence on durability, the RFID tag <NUM> is preferably placed radially inward of the maximum width position PW. More preferably, the tag member <NUM> is in contact with the apex <NUM> on the radially outer side of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM>, and the RFID tag <NUM> is placed between the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> and the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> in the radial direction. This placement of the RFID tag <NUM> in the meridian cross-section of the tire <NUM> can contribute to further improvement of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM>.

Therefore, from the viewpoint of being able to achieve further improvement of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag <NUM> on uniformity, in the tire <NUM> in which the tag member <NUM> is in contact with the apex <NUM> on the radially outer side of the end PF of the turned-up portion <NUM> and the RFID tag <NUM> is located between the outer end PG2 of the outer apex <NUM> and the outer end PB of the chafer <NUM> in the radial direction, when the position of the joint portion of the inner liner <NUM> is defined as <NUM> degrees, preferably, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees or the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

In the present invention, the range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees is divided into four zones consisting of a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, and a fourth zone, in increments of <NUM> degrees about the rotation axis of the tire <NUM>. The zone from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees is the first zone, the zone from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees is the second zone, the zone from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees is the third zone, and the zone from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees is the fourth zone. When a joint portion (or the RFID tag <NUM>) is located at any boundary between zones, it is interpreted as being located in the respective zones. The position of a joint portion being <NUM> degrees represents that the joint portion is located in both the first zone and the second zone.

In <FIG>, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in the third zone in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and the RFID tag <NUM> is located in the first zone, specifically, in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

Accordingly, the RFID tag <NUM> is placed sufficiently away from the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component. The tire <NUM> can achieve improvement of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM>. From this viewpoint, when the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in the third zone, the RFID tag <NUM> is preferably located in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees. From the same viewpoint, when the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in the second zone, the RFID tag <NUM> is preferably located in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

As described above, in the tire <NUM>, the RFID tag <NUM> can be placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

From the viewpoint of being able to improve the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag <NUM> on uniformity, the RFID tag <NUM> is preferably placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and more preferably placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

When the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, or when the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is further preferably located in the third zone.

As described above, in the tire <NUM>, the RFID tag <NUM> can be placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees. In this case as well, from the viewpoint of being able to improve the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag <NUM> on uniformity, the RFID tag <NUM> is preferably placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and more preferably placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

When the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, or when the RFID tag <NUM> is placed in the range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is further preferably located in the second zone.

As is obvious from the above description, according to the present invention, the tire <NUM> that can achieve improvement of the readability of the RFID tag <NUM> while suppressing the influence of the RFID tag <NUM> on uniformity, is obtained. The present invention exhibits a remarkable effect in a heavy duty tire mounted to a vehicle such as a truck and a bus.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail by means of an example, etc., but the present invention is not limited to the example, but only to the appended claims.

Heavy duty tires (tire size = <NUM>/80R22. <NUM>) having the basic structure shown in <FIG> and having specifications shown in Table <NUM> below were obtained.

When the position of the joint portion of the inner liner was defined as <NUM> degrees, the positions of the joint portions of the carcass ply and the steel reinforcing layers were set to <NUM> degrees.

In Example <NUM>, the RFID tag was placed at a position of <NUM> degrees.

Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> were set in the same manner as Example <NUM>, except that the position in the circumferential direction of the RFID tag was set as shown in Table <NUM> below.

A test tire was fitted onto a rim (size = <NUM>×<NUM>) and inflated with air to adjust the internal pressure of the tire to a standardized internal pressure. The reception intensity of radio waves emitted from the RFID tag was measured using a reading device. The reception intensity is ranked in order of higher reception intensity. The ranking is shown in Table <NUM> below. The smaller the value is, the better the readability of the RFID tag is.

A test tire was fitted onto a rim (size = <NUM>×<NUM>) and inflated with air to adjust the internal pressure of the tire to a standardized internal pressure. The test tire was mounted to a balance tester, and dynamic balance was measured. Based on the measured values, the dynamic balance was ranked in order of smaller dynamic balance. The ranking is shown in Table <NUM> below. The smaller the value is, the better the uniformity is.

As shown in Table <NUM>, it is confirmed that, in Example <NUM>, the influence of the RFID tag on uniformity is suppressed and the readability of the RFID tag is improved. From the evaluation results, advantages of the present invention are clear.

Claim 1:
A tire (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of joined components each having a joint portion at a predetermined position in a circumferential direction; and
an RFID tag (<NUM>), wherein
the plurality of joined components include an inner liner (<NUM>) forming an inner surface of the tire (<NUM>), and at least one metal reinforcing component including a steel cord,
the joint portion of the inner liner (<NUM>), the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component, and the RFID tag (<NUM>) are placed so as to be dispersed in the circumferential direction,
positions (Ji, Jc, Js) of the joint portions of the joined components and a position of the RFID tag (<NUM>) are represented by angles about a rotation axis of the tire (<NUM>), and the tire is characterized in that
when the position (Ji) of the joint portion of the inner liner (<NUM>) is defined as <NUM> degrees, the joint portion of the metal reinforcing component is located in a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and the RFID tag (<NUM>) is located in a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees or a range of not less than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.