Disclosed herein are automated systems and methods utilizing a plurality of specialized RFID tags incorporated within various tire manufacturing components (e.g., mold segments, mold container, bladder plates, tire presses, and extrusion dies) that are able to readily track tire manufacture and identify defect source(s) while concurrently being configured to the harsh processes and temperatures of tire manufacture.

A method for testing a punctured tyre's resistance to a loss in pressure includes: creating a plurality of punctures in a wall of the tyre by inserting a plurality of puncturing objects through the wall; running the tyre with the puncturing objects in the wall thereof over a given distance with a regulated inflation pressure; stopping the running of the tyre; and determining, for each puncture, a pressure loss resistance index based on an estimate of a leak rate of the puncture.

From three-dimensional numerical data of surface irregularities of a tire inner surface in a tire of a construction where a sheet member is disposed on the tire circumference, a tire inner surface image is formed for which height direction data of the surface irregularities of the tire inner surface are expressed as pixel gradation values, and the tire circumferential direction and the tire width direction on the tire inner surface correspond to either of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the image. A surface irregularity enhanced image is generated by subjecting this tire inner surface image to spatial frequency processing using a low-pass filter for the tire width direction and a band-pass filter for the tire circumferential direction. A determination is made of whether a recessed region exists which indicates a bonding defect of the end portions of the sheet member.

Apparatus and method for correcting the shape of a green tire configured so that, even if a side wall portion (S) is subjected to local crushing deformation during its temporary storage, such deformation is effectively corrected to easily improve the tire uniformity. A pressurized fluid is applied to an inner chamber of a green tire (G) having bead portions (B) held coaxially by upper and lower holders (56, 89), for setting the tread portion (T) of the green tire (G) coaxially to the bead portions (B). The side wall portions (S) is deformed outward and applied with an internal tension in the meridian direction, for correcting the shape of the green tire (G). Crushing deformation on the side wall portion (S) is thereby effectively recovered and corrected before vulcanization.

A pneumatic tire and pneumatic tire assembly are configured by a resin tire frame member. A sound-absorbing material is provided to an inner face of the tire frame member. The sound-absorbing material is capable of absorbing sound. The sound-absorbing material is thermally welded to the inner face of the tire frame member.

The invention relates to a method for producing a rubber component (1), in the case of which at least one electronic assembly (2) is embedded between a lower and an upper ply (10, 11) of a rubber material, comprising the steps: a) providing a length portion of the lower ply (10) of the rubber material, which is equipped, on the top side (100), with at least one electronic assembly (2); b) stationarily positioning the length portion of the lower ply (10); c) unrolling a length portion of the upper ply (11) of the rubber material on the top side (100) of the stationary length portion of the lower ply (10) in an unrolling direction (A), and fixedly adhesively connecting the length portions of the plies (10, 11) of the rubber material so as to embed the at least one electronic assembly (2); d) conveying out the length portion of the rubber component (1).

A corresponding device for producing the rubber components (1) is also specified.

A pneumatic tire includes at least one balance patch arranged on a tire inner surface that is a surface on the inner side of the tire, and a functional component having a communication function and arranged on the tire inner surface at a position separated at a predetermined angle θ from the balance patch in a tire circumferential direction.

A tire includes an electronic device, such as a RFID chip, within the body of the tire. For particular embodiments, a RFID chip is disposed within a tire belt. The RFID chip may be disposed on an inner or outer belt. The RFID chip is connected to at least one steel cords forming an antenna for the RFID chip. The steel cords are disposed at a first angle and second angle with respect to the tire equator. A method of joining the RFID chip to a tire cord is also provided.

A functional component in which an electronic component capable of acquiring information inside a tire is housed and which is attachable to an inner peripheral surface of the tire, the functional component including a housing having a housing part for the electronic component and a bottom surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the tire, and a tubular part extending from a peripheral edge of the bottom surface toward the inner peripheral surface.

A pneumatic tire includes, on a tire inner surface, at least one housing body made of rubber and configured to accommodate a sensor unit including a sensor for acquiring tire information. The housing body includes an opening portion through which the sensor unit is inserted, and is vulcanization-bonded to the tire inner surface.