TIRE COMPRISING A RADIOFREQUENCY TRANSPONDER

Abstract

A tire fitted with a transponder comprises: a crown comprising a crown reinforcement having an axial end at each of its edges, connected at each of its axial ends by a sidewall to a bead having an interior end; a carcass reinforcement layer formed of parallel reinforcers, which is anchored in each bead around a bead wire to form a main part and a turn-up; the transponder comprising a core defining a first axis, a first cover filament helically twisted around the core and an electrical insulation device; and the first cover filament comprising at least two conductive filamentary elements galvanically connected to an electronic chip comprising a radiofrequency transmission-reception component. The thickness of elastomeric compound separating the outer cover filament, located radially outermost with respect to the first axis, and the reinforcements is greater than 0.5 millimeters.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A tire casing (100) in a shape of a torus around a reference axis equipped with a passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter), the tire casing comprising: a crown block (82) comprising a crown reinforcement (86) having an axial end (861) at each of its edges and a tread (89), joined at each of its axial ends (821) to a bead (84) having an inner end (841), located axially and radially on an inside of the bead (84) with respect to the reference axis, via a sidewall (83); a carcass reinforcement, comprising at least one carcass reinforcement layer formed of mutually parallel reinforcing elements, defining a reinforcement direction, and which are inserted between two skim layers of elastomeric compound, the at least one carcass reinforcement layer being anchored in each of the beads (84) by being turned up around an annular bead wire (85) to form a main part of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (87), extending from one bead wire (85) to the other and situated radially on an inside with respect to the crown block (82), and a turn-up of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (88) in each of the beads (84); a second layer of elastomer compound (93) forming an exterior surface of the tire casing (100) in a region of the bead (84), the second layer of elastomer compound (93) being intended to come into contact with a rim; a third layer of elastomer compound (94) situated radially on an outside in contact with the second layer of elastomer compound (93) forming an exterior surface of the sidewall (83); and the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter), comprising a main core (1012) defining a first longitudinal axis (1030), a first primary cover filament (1013a) wound in turns around the main core (1012) defining a winding diameter D and an electrical insulation device disposed radially on an outside of the first primary cover filament (1013a) with respect to the first longitudinal axis (1030), the first primary cover filament (1013a) comprising at least two conductive filamentary elements (1003a, 1003b), the diameter of which is between 0.05 and 0.15 millimeters, galvanically connected to at least one electronic chip (1002) comprising a radiofrequency transmission-reception component (1004), and the main core (1012) having a stiffness lower than a maximum stiffness of the first primary cover filament (1013a, 1013b), wherein the electrical insulation device has a mean relative dielectric permittivity less than or equal to 10 over a thickness greater than or equal to one sixth of the winding diameter D of the first primary cover filament (1013a), wherein the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter), in its longitudinal direction, is located in line with at least two reinforcing elements of the main part of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (87), wherein the passive radiofrequency transponder is located axially on an outside of the inner end (841) of the bead (84) and radially between the radially outermost end (851) of the bead wire (85) and the axial end (861) of the crown reinforcement (86), and wherein the thickness of elastomer compound separating the outer cover filament (10113a, 1013b, 1024, 1025) of the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter), located radially outermost with respect to the first longitudinal axis (1030), and the reinforcement elements is greater than 0.5 millimeters.

17. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein the outer cover filament (1013a, 1013b, 1024, 1025) of the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter) is covered with an adhesion promoter (1020) promoting adhesion between the outer cover filament (1013a, 1013b, 1024, 1025) and the elastomer compounds adjacent to the outer cover filament (1013a, 1013b, 1024, 1025).

18. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein the tire casing (100) further comprises at least one fourth layer of elastomeric compound (92) located axially on an outside of the main part of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (87) and axially on an inside of the second (93) and/or third (94) layer of elastomeric compound.

19. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein, with the tire casing (100) further comprising at least one airtight layer of elastomer compound (90) situated furthest toward an inside of the tire casing (100), the tire casing (100) further comprises at least a fifth layer of elastomer compound (96) axially on an inside of the main part of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (87).

20. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein the tire casing (100) further comprises at least one reinforcement layer (97) which is formed of reinforcing elements inserted between two skim layers of rubber compound.

21. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein, with the reinforcing elements of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (87) being metallic, the first longitudinal axis (1030) of the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter) forms an angle of at least 45 degrees with the direction of reinforcement of the at least one carcass reinforcement layer (87).

22. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein, with the first primary cover filament (1013a) comprising a non-stretch tertiary core (1014), arranged collinearly with the at least two conductive filamentary elements (1003a, 1003b) and with the at least one electronic chip (1002), and at least one tertiary cover filament (1015) wound in turns around the tertiary core (1014), the at least two conductive filamentary elements (1003a, 1003b) and the at least one electronic chip (1002), the tertiary core (1014) has a stiffness greater than a maximum stiffness of each conductive filamentary element (1003a, 1003b).

23. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein, with one of the conductive filamentary elements (1003a, 1003b) being galvanically connected to the end of a third conductive filamentary element (1003c), the other end of which is galvanically connected to the at least one electronic chip (1002) in order to form a closed loop, the parts of the conductive filamentary elements (1003a, 1003b, 1003c) forming the loop and the at least one electronic chip (1002) are electrically insulated.

24. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein the electrical insulation device of the passive radiofrequency transponder comprises at least one secondary cover filament (1024, 1025) wound in turns around a secondary core (1021), the main core (1012) and the first primary cover filament (1013a), the secondary core (1021) being collinear with the main core (1012).

25. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein a length L of helical twisting of the first primary cover filament (1013a) of the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1bis, 1ter) along the first main axis (1030) is between 30 and 80 millimeters.

26. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein a diameter of the conductive filamentary elements (1003a, 1003b, 1003c) is between 0.08 and 0.11 millimeters.

27. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1ter) is situated at an interface defined by at least a surface of a layer of elastomer compound (91, 92, 93, 94, 96) of the tire casing (100).

28. The tire casing according to claim 27, wherein, with the interface being defined by another layer of elastomer compound (91, 92, 93, 94, 96) or a reinforcement layer (97), the passive radiofrequency transponder (1, 1ter) is situated at a distance of at least 5 millimeters from the ends of the layers (91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97) at the interface.

29. The tire casing according to claim 16, wherein the passive radiofrequency transponder (1bis) is situated on an inside of a layer of elastomer compound (91, 92, 93, 94, 96) of the tire casing (100).

30. The tire casing according to claim 29, wherein the first longitudinal axis (1030) of a radiating antenna of the passive radiofrequency transponder (1bis) is perpendicular to the thickness of the layer of elastomer compound (91, 92, 93, 94, 96).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] The invention will be better understood by means of the following detailed description. These applications are given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, throughout which the same reference numerals denote identical parts, and in which:

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the electronic part of a radiofrequency transponder according to the invention;

[0076] FIG. 1b is shows a sectional view of the electronic part of the radiofrequency transponder of FIG. 1 at the level of the electronic chip;

[0077] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the electronic part of the radiofrequency transponder according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0078] FIG. 3 is an example of the helical winding of the electronic part of the radiofrequency transponder according to the invention;

[0079] FIG. 4 is an example of helical winding according to another embodiment of the electronic part of the radiofrequency transponder according to the invention;

[0080] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a passive radiofrequency transponder in a first embodiment of the electrical insulation device according to the invention;

[0081] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a passive radiofrequency transponder in a second embodiment of the electrical insulation device according to the invention;

[0082] FIG. 7 is a view in meridian section of a tyre casing of the prior art;

[0083] FIG. 8 is a view in meridian section of the bead and the sidewall of a tyre casing according to the invention when the passive radiofrequency transponder is located at the level of the outer region of the tyre casing;

[0084] FIG. 9 is a view in meridian section of the bead and the sidewall of a tyre casing according to the invention when the passive radiofrequency transponder is located at the level of the interior region of the tyre casing;

[0085] FIG. 10 is a view in meridian section of a tyre casing comprising two layers of carcass reinforcement;

[0086] FIG. 11 is a view in meridian section of a tyre casing comprising a sidewall insert for running in extended mode and equipped with a passive radiofrequency transponder; and

[0087] FIG. 12 is a view in meridian section of the bead and of a sidewall of a tyre casing according to the invention when the passive radiofrequency transponder is located in the interior region of the tyre casing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0088] Below, the terms “tyre” and “pneumatic tyre” are employed equivalently and refer to any type of pneumatic or non-pneumatic tyre (inflated or non-inflated tyre).

[0089] In FIG. 1, a chip 1002 is connected to two conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b which define the first longitudinal axis of the passive radiofrequency transponder. To this end, the chip 1002 comprises two grooves 1005a and 1005b into which are respectively inserted the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b which each extend from one side of the chip 1002 to form a half-wave dipole antenna. The chip 1002 also includes a radiofrequency transmission-reception component 1004.

[0090] FIG. 1bis shows a detailed sectional view of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder of FIG. 1. The chip 1002 includes a radiofrequency transmission-reception component 1004. The conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b are connected to the radiofrequency transmission-reception component 1004 via connection terminals 1004a and 1004b, respectively, arranged in the grooves 1005a and 1005b, respectively. Galvanic connection can be encouraged by means of a soldered or brazed joint 1009. To make the galvanic connection robust at the grooves 1005a and 1005b, it is possible to deposit an adhesive 1008 in the grooves 1005a and 1005b and on the parts of the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b at these grooves 1005a and 1005b. It is also possible to encapsulate the chip 1002 with a protective material 1007, such as an epoxy-type resin for example, to protect this chip 1002 both mechanically and chemically.

[0091] FIG. 2 shows the electronic part of a passive radiofrequency transponder according to the invention in a second optional embodiment in which the chip 1002 is connected to a closed loop in order to match the impedance of the half-wave dipole antenna formed by the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b to that of the electronic chip 1002. This loop is obtained by connecting to one another a portion of a conductive filamentary element, in this example the element 1003a, and a third conductive filamentary element 1003c. The other end of the third conductive filamentary element 1003c is connected to the chip 1002 at the groove 1005a. In fact, industrially, it is possible to use a single conductive filamentary element 1003b of larger dimension so that it has a sufficient length to constitute both an antenna strand a quarter wavelength in length and the filamentary element 1003c. In addition, it is also possible to use an electrical connection chip 1002bis (not shown) in order to galvanically connect the first end of the third filamentary element 1003c to the conductive filamentary element 1003a. In this context, the length of the second conductive filamentary element 1003a comprises, on the one hand, an antenna strand a quarter wavelength in length and part of the loop between the two chips 1002 and 1002bis. This clever technique makes the industrial manufacture of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder robust and productive. The closed loop in this case consisting of a part of the conductive filamentary element 1003a between the chips 1002 and 1002bis, the filamentary element 1003c and the second connection chip 1002bis, being adjusted to match the electrical impedance of the half-wave dipole antenna formed by the conductive filamentary element 1003b and the other part of the conductive filamentary element 1003a to that of the electronic chip 1002. The electronic chip 1002 and the closed loop are covered with an electrically insulating protective material such as an epoxy-type resin for example, making it possible to protect the loop mechanically and chemically while ensuring stability of the electrical environment of the system. This protection ensures stability of operation of the closed loop and may consist of the superposition of a resin providing mechanical and chemical protection and a second insulating resin such as DELO AD 465.

[0092] FIG. 3 shows the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder according to a first embodiment. First of all, a main core 1012 is formed, and this may be an extensible filament made of natural or synthetic rubber such as polyurethane or elastane, or a non-extensible filament with a diameter D.sub.1002 of less than 2 millimetres. In this example, it is a 940 HT polyacrylate filament which is nylon with a solid diameter of 0.5 millimetres. This main core 1012 is encircled by a first primary cover filament 1013a and, in this example, by a second primary cover filament 1013b. This primary cover filament 1013a comprises the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder. This electronic part comprises at least the conductive filamentary elements 1003a, 1003b, and the electronic chip 1002. The conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b are in this case metal, multi-filament or single-strand filaments with a diameter of less than 0.15 millimetres, preferably less than 0.11 millimetres. In this case it is a single-filament steel wire covered with a brass layer which allows the conduction of electrical charges on the surface and which can be soldered to the electronic chip 1002 by means of a braze in the case of the e-tread method. The winding of the first primary cover filament 1013a is carried out by wrapping the first primary cover filament 1013a around the main core 1012 making it possible to obtain a winding diameter D of the first primary cover filament 1013a of between 0.5 millimetres and 1.0 millimeter with a helix pitch varying from 0.8 to 3 millimetres. Thus, a half-wave dipole antenna is formed, the axis of the helix of which represents the first longitudinal axis 1030 of the passive radiofrequency transponder. Naturally, other methods of helically winding the primary cover filament 1013a may also be used to helically wind the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder, such as twisting for example. A second primary cover filament 1013b is helically wound around the main core 1012 and the first primary cover filament 1013a. Its function is to make the assembly formed by the main core 1012 and the primary cover filament 1013a comprising the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder mechanically integral. Thus, the geometry of the helical winding 1010 of the first primary cover filament 1013a is preserved. The winding of this second primary cover filament 1013b, which is generally a textile filament, is preferentially the opposite of that of the first primary cover filament 1013a, so as to balance the stresses, in particular torsional stresses, that they can generate in the system thus designed. The second primary cover filament 1013b is optional in our case since the conductive filamentary element 1013a is here made of steel which, due to its helical winding, will deform plastically. Thus, the geometry of the helical winding 1010 of the first primary cover filament 1013a is fixed by this plasticity of the material.

[0093] FIG. 4 shows helical winding 1010 of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder according to a preferred embodiment. This time, before the first primary cover filament 1013a is helically wound, it is reinforced by means of a tertiary core 1014. To be specific, during a step in preparation for helical winding, the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder is combined with a tertiary core 1014 in order to reduce the thermomechanical stresses passing through the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b, in particular in the areas where they are connected to the electronic chip 1002. To this end, the electronic part is arranged collinearly with a tertiary core 1014 to which it is integral. This integral connection is in this case produced by means of a textile tertiary cover filament 1015 helically wound around the tertiary core 1014 and the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder. Naturally, it is possible to balance out the stresses of this primary cover filament 1013a by means of a second tertiary cover filament wound in the opposite direction to the first tertiary cover filament 1015. Moreover, this double winding guarantees better cohesion between the tertiary core 1014 and the electronic part of the radiofrequency transponder. The presence of this tertiary core 1014 ensures a reduction in the stresses passing through the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b of the electronic part by multiplying the paths that the forces can take. It also makes handling of the primary cover filament 1013a robust, in particular handling by automatons, which improves the productivity of the helical winding of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder. Necessarily, the tertiary core 1014 is electrically insulating so as not to impair the operation of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder. It is preferable that the tertiary core 1014 be inextensible and stiffer than the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b in order to reduce the deformations and stresses in the conductive filamentary elements 1003a and 1003b and guarantee geometric stability for the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder.

[0094] The helical winding of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder defines a first longitudinal axis 1030, a winding diameter D which is necessarily greater than or equal to the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the main core 1012 and a helix pitch P. Adjustment of these last two parameters of the helical winding makes it possible both to guarantee a deformation capacity of the helix 1010 minimizing the forces passing through the primary cover filament 1013a and to match the impedance of the half-wave dipole antenna formed by the conductive filamentary elements 1003 to that of the electronic chip 1002, which makes it possible to optimize the radiofrequency communication of the passive radiofrequency transponder.

[0095] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a passive radiofrequency transponder 1 according to a first embodiment. This radiofrequency transponder 1 is in the form of a first sub-assembly 1010 wrapped in an electrical insulation device. The sub-assembly 1010, corresponding to the helical winding of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1, is in this case formed by a first primary cover filament helically wound around a main core. The first primary cover filament comprises the conductive filamentary elements, two of which form the half-wave dipole antenna, and at least one electronic chip connected to its terminals by the conductive filamentary elements. In this example, a closed loop is created by means of a third conductive filamentary element and a connection chip according to the principle presented in FIG. 2. The length L of the helical winding 1010 of the first primary cover filament, corresponding to the electronic part, of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 is around 60 millimetres, between 30 and 80 millimetres. The helix is formed around a main core with an outside diameter of 0.5 millimetres, with a helix pitch of around 1 millimeter. This helix geometry makes it possible to match the impedance of the half-wave dipole antenna to that of the electronic chip equipped with its closed loop. The sub-assembly 1010 is positioned in the centre of the electrical insulation device owing to the dielectric homogeneity of the electrical insulation device. In this example, the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 is covered with an adhesion promoter 1020. This adhesion promoter 1020 guarantees better cohesion between the outer cover filament of the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1, which here is a first primary cover filament, and the elastomer compounds adjacent to this outer cover filament.

[0096] The electrical insulation device here consists of two masses 2001 and 2002 in an elastomer compound, the relative dielectric permittivity of which is less than 5. The thickness of the electrical insulation device radially outside the outer cover filament with respect to the main longitudinal axis 1030 is 3 millimetres, well above one-sixth of the winding diameter, here around 1 to 2 millimetres, of the helical winding of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1. This ensures a region of electrical insulation around the half-wave dipole antenna which is sufficient for good radiofrequency communication efficiency.

[0097] FIG. 6 is a partially schematic perspective view of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 according to another embodiment in which the electrical insulation device consists of textile secondary cover filaments 1024 and 1025.

[0098] The passive radiofrequency transponder 1 here consists of a helical winding 1010 of the electronic part around a main core 1012 defining a first longitudinal axis 1030. This helical winding 1010 is produced by a single primary cover filament comprising a tertiary core arranged collinearly with respect to the two conductive filamentary elements defining the half-wave dipole antenna, one end of which is connected to an electronic chip. The electrical insulation device here consists of a secondary core 2021 arranged collinearly with the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1. This secondary core 2021 is, in this instance, solid and electrically insulating with a relative dielectric permittivity of less than 10; it consists of a multi-filament polyacrylate yarn. In another variant, the secondary core 1002 could be hollow in order to make it possible to receive inside its tubular orifice the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part. Here, it is arranged parallel to the main longitudinal axis 1010. This therefore requires the presence of a secondary cover filament helically wound around the sub-assembly 1010 and the secondary core 1021 which will make the two components integral with one another, thus guaranteeing the rectilinear geometry of the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part. This first secondary cover filament 1024 is shown schematically by the solid line representing its neutral axis. In order to balance the stresses, a second secondary cover filament 1025 is wound around the two components in the opposite direction. Duplicating the secondary cover filaments guarantees better cohesion of the assembly. It also ensures a certain homogeneous thickness of electrical insulation around the electronic part of the radiofrequency transponder 1, much greater than one-sixth of the winding diameter D of the helical winding 1010 of the electronic part. In fact, a thickness of 3 to 4 millimetres of electrical insulation constitutes the threshold thickness beyond which increasing the thickness no longer affords any gain in radioelectric performance of the passive radiofrequency transponder. This threshold thickness may be obtained by a single large-diameter secondary cover filament, a multitude of winding turns of the one and the same smaller-diameter filament or a combination of several secondary cover filaments of intermediate diameter, as in this case.

[0099] Lastly, with the secondary cover filaments 1024 and 1025 being generally made of textile, such as for example polyacrylate, and being arranged radially outermost with respect to the main longitudinal axis 1030, they constitute the outer cover filaments especially if these filaments are not touching. They should thus be covered with an adhesion promoter 1020 in order to guarantee cohesion between the outer cover filaments and the elastomer compounds adjacent to these outer cover filaments. In this case, the adjacent elastomer compounds are layers of the tyre casing.

[0100] The circumferential direction of the tyre, or longitudinal direction, is the direction that corresponds to the periphery of the tyre and is defined by the direction of running of the tyre casing.

[0101] The transverse or axial direction of the tyre is parallel to the axis of rotation, or reference axis, of the tyre casing.

[0102] The radial direction is a direction which crosses the axis of revolution, or reference axis, of the tyre casing and is perpendicular thereto.

[0103] The axis of rotation of the tyre casing is the axis about which it turns in normal use.

[0104] A radial or meridian plane is a plane that contains the axis of rotation of the tyre.

[0105] The circumferential median plane, or equatorial plane, is a plane that is perpendicular to the reference axis of the tyre casing and that divides the latter into two halves.

[0106] FIG. 7 shows a meridian section of a tyre casing 100 including a crown 82 reinforced by a crown reinforcement or belt 86, two sidewalls 83 and two beads 84. The crown 82 is delimited axially by two axial ends 821 providing the connection with each sidewall 83 of the tyre casing 100. The crown reinforcement 86 extends axially as far as an axial end 861 at each of its edges. The crown reinforcement 86 is surmounted radially on the outside by a tread 89 made of an elastomeric material. Each bead 84 is reinforced with a bead wire 85. A carcass reinforcement 87 anchored in the beads 84 separates the tyre casing into two regions, which will be called inner region in the direction of the fluid cavity and outer region towards the outside of the tyre. The carcass reinforcement comprises a main part 87 which is wound around the two bead wires 85 in each bead 84. The turn-up 88 of this main part 87 of the carcass reinforcement is arranged here towards the outside of the tyre casing 100. The carcass reinforcement is, in a way known per se, made up of at least one layer reinforced with cords, for example in this instance textile cords, which is to say that these cords are arranged practically parallel to one another. The main part 87 extends from one bead 84 to the other so as to form an angle of between 80° and 90° with the circumferential median plane EP. An airtight inner liner 90 extends from one bead 84 to the other radially internally with respect to the main part of the carcass reinforcement 87.

[0107] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the tyre casing 100 in the region of the bead 84 and the sidewall 83. This figure illustrates the positioning of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 in the exterior region of the tyre casing 100 with respect to the main part of the carcass reinforcement which, in the instance depicted, is made up of a single carcass layer 87.

[0108] The bead 84 consists of the bead wire 85, around which the main part of the carcass layer 87 is wound, with a turn-up portion 88 situated in the outer region of the tyre casing 100. The turn-up 88 of the carcass layer ends with a free edge 881. A fourth layer of rubber compound 91, called bead wire filler, is situated radially externally and adjacent to the bead wire 85. It has a radially outer free edge 911 bearing on a face of the main part of the carcass layer 87 (more precisely on the outer skim of the carcass layer; there is no direct contact between the cords of the carcass layer and the electronic unit). A second fourth layer of rubber compound 92, called “reinforcing filler”, is adjacent thereto. It has two free edges. The first free edge 921 is situated radially internally and bears on the turn-up portion 88 of the carcass layer. The other free edge 922 is situated radially externally and ends on the face of the main part of the carcass layer 87. Finally, the sidewall 83 is defined by means of a third layer of elastomer compound 94 covering both the second fourth layer of elastomer compound 92 and the main part of the carcass layer 87. The sidewall defined by the external surface of the third layer of elastomer compound 94 which has a free edge 941 situated radially on the inside and ends on the turn-up portion of the carcass layer.

[0109] The airtight inner liner 90, which is adjacent to the main part of the carcass layer 87 in this configuration, is located on the inner region of the tyre casing 100. It ends with a free edge 901 adjacent to the main part of the carcass layer 87. Finally, a second layer of elastomer compound 93, referred to as the bead protector, protects the carcass layer and the radially interior ends 901, 921 and 941 of the inner liner 90, of the second fourth layer of elastomer compound 92 and of the third layer of elastomer compound 94 respectively. The outer face of this second layer of elastomer compound 93 is able to be in direct contact with the rim flange during mounting of the tyre casing 100 on the wheel. This second layer of elastomer compound 93 has three free ends forming a corner. The first free end 931 is situated in the inner region of the tyre casing 100. The second free end 932 is situated in the outer region of the tyre casing 100. Finally, the third free end 933 constitutes the interior end 841 of the bead 84.

[0110] A bead 84 and its connected sidewall 83 of this tyre casing 100 is equipped with passive radiofrequency transponders, numbered 1, possibly with suffixes, which are situated in the exterior region of the tyre casing 100. The first passive radiofrequency transponder 1 is positioned on the outer face of the fourth layer of elastomer compound or bead-wire filler 91. It is positioned at a distance of 10 millimetres from the free edge 881 of the turn-up portion 88 of the carcass layer that constitutes a mechanical singularity. This position ensures a region of mechanical stability for the radiofrequency transponder 1 that is beneficial to the mechanical endurance thereof. In addition, embedding it within the very structure of the tyre casing 100 gives it good protection against mechanical attacks coming from outside the tyre casing 100.

[0111] In general, it is preferable for the passive radiofrequency transponder to be positioned at a radial distance of between 20 to 40 millimetres from the radially outer end of the bead wire 85 in order to be in a region of the tyre casing that is mechanically stable during operation, as this ensures the physical integrity of the radiofrequency transponder. In addition, this positioning is guaranteed to be radially on the outside of the bead flange, allowing good radiocommunications performance by limiting the disturbances associated with the, often metallic, nature of the wheel.

[0112] The second radiofrequency transponder 1bis is positioned inside the third layer of elastomeric compound 94. The material similarity between the third layer of elastomeric compound 94 and the elastomeric compound defining the electrical insulation device of the passive radiofrequency transponder, or the presence of an adhesion promoter on the outer surface of the radiofrequency transponder, ensures placement of the radiofrequency transponder 1bis within the sidewall 83 during the curing process. The radiofrequency transponder 1bis is simply placed within the material via a slit in the still raw exterior face of the third layer of elastomer compound 94 during the building of the tyre casing 100. Pressurizing the green tyre body in the curing mould ensures that the radiofrequency transponder 1bis is, in the cured state, positioned as shown. This radiofrequency transponder 1bis is situated far from any free edge of any other constituent of the tyre casing 100 practically at the equator of the sidewall 83, providing the greatest radiofrequency communication distance. In particular, it is spaced apart from the free edge 932 of the bead protector, from the free edge 881 of the carcass layer turn-up 88 and from the free edges 911 and 922 of the filler rubbers. Its positioning ensures improved communications performance with an external radiofrequency reader, and especially with the specific shape for the radiating dipole antenna of the passive radiofrequency transponder. Cyclic stress loadings during running will not be disruptive owing to the helical winding and to the miniaturization of the electronic part of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis. Out of necessity, these two transponders are situated axially on the outside of the end 933 of the second layer of rubber compound 93 and therefore of the radially inner end of the bead 84. They are positioned radially between the radially outer end 851 of the bead wire 85 with respect to the reference axis of the tyre casing 100, and the axial ends 861 of the crown reinforcement 86. The orientation of the passive radiofrequency transponder is circumferential in this instance, although the only stipulation is that first longitudinal axis of the radiofrequency transponder must rest on at least two reinforcing elements of the main part of the carcass reinforcing layer 87.

[0113] FIG. 9 shows a detailed meridian section of a tyre casing 100 at the level of the bead 84 and of the sidewall 83. This FIG. 9 illustrates the position of the passive radiofrequency transponder in the inner region of the tyre casing 100 with respect to the main part of the carcass reinforcement 87.

[0114] The tyre casing 100 comprises, in particular at the inner region, an airtight inner liner 90 and a reinforcement reinforcing layer 97 interposed between the main part of the carcass layer 87 and the airtight inner liner 90. This component 97 has a radially interior free edge 971 located radially on the inside of the bead wire 85. This layer of reinforcers 97 extends from one bead 84 to the other bead 84 of the tyre casing 100.

[0115] The location of the radiofrequency transponder 1 at the interface between the airtight inner liner 90 and the layer of reinforcers 97 allows the radiofrequency transponder 1 to be mechanically stabilized. It is approximately 40 millimetres radially on the outside of the free edge 931 of the bead protector 93, which means it can be situated radially on the outside of the bead flange when the tyre casing mounted on a wheel is in operation. From a mechanical endurance point of view, this location is ideal for the passive radiofrequency transponder 1, which is protected from any external mechanical attack and from any internal thermomechanical attack. It can have any orientation provided that the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 along the first longitudinal axis rests on at least two reinforcement elements of the carcass reinforcement layer 87 and, with the component 97 being a reinforcement reinforcing layer, on several reinforcing elements of the layer of reinforcements 97. This ensures the radiofrequency transponder 1 an axial position, with respect to the thickness of the tyre casing 100, that allows robust tuning of the resonance of the radiating antenna of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 when this transponder is incorporated in the tyre casing 100. In addition, a distance of at least 0.5 millimetres must be maintained between the outer cover filament of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 and the reinforcing elements of the carcass reinforcement layer 87 or of the reinforcement reinforcing layer 97 in order to preserve the physical integrity of the radiofrequency transponder cover filaments and/or the reinforcing elements of the reinforcing layers. To this end, it is preferable to use a passive radiofrequency transponder 1 according to the embodiment of the electrical insulation device of FIG. 5.

[0116] The second location of the radiofrequency transponder 1ter according to the invention allows improved radiocommunications performance by being radially further outwards in the tyre casing 100. However, it is advisable for the first longitudinal axis, that is to say the radiating antenna, to be positioned in such a way that the radiofrequency transponder 1ter rests on at least two reinforcing elements of the carcass layer 87. Here, in this example, the first longitudinal axis is placed circumferentially. It is preferable for the passive radiofrequency transponder 1ter to be positioned at the interface defined by at least two components of the tyre casing 100. That means that the data contained in the electronic chip of the passive radiofrequency transponder cannot be falsified when this chip has been write-protected after the first writing to the memory associated with the electronic chip. Finally, the outer cover filaments of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 must be spaced away from the reinforcing elements of the layers of the tyre casing by at least 0.5 millimetres.

[0117] FIG. 10 shows a meridian section through a tyre casing 100. This tyre casing 100 usually comprises a crown, two sidewalls 83 and two beads 84. Only the radially inner part of a sidewall 83 and a bead 84 are depicted in FIG. 10. The bead 84 depicted in FIG. 10 comprises a bead wire 85 exhibiting symmetry of revolution, a main part of a first carcass layer 87 extending from the sidewall 83 towards the bead wire 85 extended by a turn-up 88 wound around the bead wire 85 and extending radially on the outside as far as an end 881. This turn-up 88 is positioned axially towards the outside of the bead 84 of the tyre casing 100. A fourth layer of elastomer compound 91, known as the filling rubber, is positioned radially on the outside relative to the bead wire 85 and axially between the main part 87 and the turn-up 88 of the first carcass layer. This filling rubber 91 extends radially on the outside as far as an end 911. It should be noted that the end 911 of the filling rubber is situated radially on the outside relative to the end 881 of the turn-up 88.

[0118] The bead 84 also comprises a second carcass layer or reinforcing layer 97 extending in the figure from the sidewall 83 as far as the bead wire 85. This second carcass layer 97 is positioned axially on the outside relative to the main part of the first carcass layer 87, to the filling rubber 91 and to the turn-up 88 of the first carcass layer. The two carcass layers (87, 97) are, as is known per se, made up of plies reinforced by what are known as “radial” cords, for example here of textile, that is to say that these cords are disposed virtually parallel to one another and extend from one bead to the other so as to form an angle of between 80° and 90° with the median circumferential plane EP of the tyre casing. An airtight inner liner 90, situated on the inside of the tyre casing, extends from one bead 84 to the other radially internally with respect to the main part of the first carcass layer 87. The bead 34 comprises a second layer of elastomer compound or cushion gum (or “protector”) 93 able to make contact with the surface of a rim. This cushion gum 93 extends radially on the outside as far as an interface with a third layer of elastomer compound 94 of which the external surface defines the sidewall 83. The cushion gum 93 and the sidewall rubber 94 constitute the exterior layer of the tyre casing. The bead 84 also comprises a second fourth layer of elastomer compound or additional filling rubber 92 arranged axially between, on the one hand, the second carcass layer 97 and, on the other hand, the cushion gum 93 and the sidewall rubber 94.

[0119] The bead 84 also comprises a passive radiofrequency transponder 1 positioned axially at the interface between the second carcass layer 97 and the additional filling rubber 92 and radially between the end 911 of the filling rubber 91 and the end 881 of the turn-up 88 of the first carcass layer 87. Here, the radiofrequency transponder 1 is positioned radially on the outside with respect to the radially outer end of the bead wire 85 at a distance of 40 millimetres. Furthermore, the outer cover filaments of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 must be spaced away from the reinforcing elements of the layers of the tyre casing by at least 0.5 millimetres.

[0120] FIG. 10 also shows the positioning of a second passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis on the inside of the third layer of elastomer compound 94 situated near the equator of the tyre casing. This second position makes it possible to improve the communications performance of a radiofrequency transponder in operation on a vehicle because this position keeps the passive radiofrequency transponder away from the electrically conducting elements of the vehicle (wheel, wheel arch).

[0121] FIG. 11 is a partial axial sectional illustration of a tyre 100 capable of running flat and fitted with a passive radiofrequency transponder according to the invention. This FIG. 11 also gives the section height SH of the tyre casing 100, i.e. the radial distance between the nominal diameter of the mounting rim of the tyre NRD and the radially outermost portion of the tread 89 of the tyre casing 100. In the context of this document, the nominal diameter of the mounting rim of the tyre is taken to be the diameter of the tyre casing as indicated by the tyre size.

[0122] The tyre casing 100 is shown in the unconstrained state, i.e. not mounted on a rim and such that the width between the two beads 84 amounts to the width of the nominal ETRTO rim.

[0123] As regards the axial direction, what is meant by “axially external” is an axial direction directed towards the exterior of the tyre and by “axially internal” what is meant is an axial direction directed towards the median plane EP of the tyre casing 100.

[0124] The tyre casing illustrated in FIG. 11 is a tyre that is capable of running flat, but it is chosen purely by way of illustration and the passive radiofrequency transponder described may be incorporated within and on the surface of any type of tyre.

[0125] The half of the tyre 100 capable of running flat has a crown 82, delimited by an axial end 821 at each of its edges, which is reinforced by a crown reinforcement or belt 86 delimited by an axial end 861 at each of its edges, a sidewall 83 and a bead 84, the bead 84 being reinforced with a bead wire 85. The crown reinforcement 86 is surmounted radially on the outside by a tread 89 made of an elastomeric compound. A carcass reinforcement made up of a single carcass layer 87 is wound around the bead wire 85 in the bead 84, the turn-up 88 of this carcass layer 87 being arranged axially towards the outside of the tyre casing 100. In a manner known per se, the carcass layer 87 is made up of at least one ply reinforced by what are known as “radial” cords, for example here of textile, that is to say that these cords are disposed virtually parallel to one another and extend from one bead to the other so as to form an angle of between 80° and 90° with the median circumferential plane EP. An airtight inner liner 90 extends from one bead to the other radially internally with respect to the carcass reinforcement 87. The bead 84 comprises a second layer of elastomer compound (or “protector”) 93 able to be in contact with the surface of a rim and ending with the end 933 that represents the radially interior end 841 of the bead 84. It also comprises a fourth layer of elastomer compound 91 extending radially externally relative to the bead wire 85.

[0126] The tyre 100 is able to run flat because of the presence of a sidewall insert 96 placed axially internally relative to the main part of the carcass reinforcement 87. This sidewall insert 96 allows the structure of the tyre to withstand the load at zero pressure. The order of magnitude of the extension modulus of a rubber for a sidewall insert is about twice the value of the modulus of a sidewall rubber or more.

[0127] The sidewall insert 96 of FIG. 11 comprises a first passive radiofrequency transponder 1 arranged at a radial distance D1 from the radially interior end 933 of the bead 84. The distance D1 must be larger than DO equal to 20 mm in order not to penalize the quality of communication between the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 and an external reader. This distance is greater than the height of a typical rim flange, which is 17.5 millimetres. Preferentially, the distance D1 is less than 50 millimetres.

[0128] The first passive radiofrequency transponder 1 is preferably placed within the semi-finished sidewall insert 96 before its incorporation within the green tyre casing 100.

[0129] In the example of FIG. 11, the sidewall insert 96 is made up of two rubber masses 961 and 962 which are axially adjacent to one another. The first passive radiofrequency transponder 1 is positioned at the interface between the two rubber masses 961 and 962.

[0130] This embodiment facilitates the precise and reproducible placement of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1 during the building of the tyre casing 100.

[0131] A second passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis is placed inside the rubber mass 962 via a slit on one of the surfaces of the rubber mass 962 that allows the passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis to be inserted into the rubber mass 962. This second embodiment makes the passive radiofrequency transponder easier to position with respect to the main part of the carcass reinforcing layer 87 as it is in contact with the rubber mass and makes the dielectric environment in the vicinity of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis more uniform, thereby improving the radiofrequency performance of said transponder, especially if the thickness of the electrical insulation device of the passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis is not at the threshold value. In addition, it is situated radially further out from the reference axis of revolution of the tyre casing 100.

[0132] FIG. 11 illustrates the region Z of the section height SH of the tyre casing 100, in which region it is preferable for the passive radiofrequency transponders 1 and 1bis to be positioned. This region Z extends from 20 to 70% of SH. The passive radiofrequency transponder 1 is placed at around 25% of SH, and the passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis at 60% of this parameter.

[0133] FIG. 12 is an axial section of a tyre casing 100 in the region of the bead 84 and of the sidewall 83. The tyre casing comprises a crown block ending in a bead 84 at each of its axial edges by way of a sidewall 83.

[0134] FIG. 12 shows a bead 84 and a sidewall 83 of a tyre, chiefly for passenger vehicles. The carcass reinforcement, made up of a single carcass layer in FIG. 12, is anchored in the bead 84 by being turned up around the bead wire 85 in order to create a main part 87 and a turn-up 88 of the carcass reinforcement. The reinforcing filaments in the carcass layer are textile filaments. The fourth layer of elastomeric compound 91 separates the main part of the carcass reinforcement 87 from the turn-up 88. The turn-up 88 of the carcass reinforcement extends radially outwards in the region of the sidewall 83 beyond the radially exterior end 911 of the fourth layer of elastomer compound 91.

[0135] The second layer of elastomer compound 93, the layer that is in contact with the rim when the tyre casing is mounted thereon, and the third layer of elastomer compound 94 that forms the exterior surface of the tyre in the region of the sidewall 83, are in direct contact with the turn-up 88. There is no other fourth layer of elastomer compound. This bead 84 comprises a first passive radiofrequency transponder 1bis embedded in the second layer of elastomer compound 93 at a position that is radially exterior in relation to the bead wire 85, in a range spanning between 20 and 40 millimetres so as to be radially on the outside of the flange of the rim J once the tyre has been mounted, so as to ensure good communication between the radiofrequency transponder and an external reader.

[0136] This FIG. 12 also shows two alternative positions 1bis a and 1bis b in which the passive radiofrequency transponder is embedded in the third layer of elastomer compound 94. As before, these last two positions are rendered possible on account of the good mechanical strength of the passive radiofrequency transponder of the invention due to its miniaturization compared to solutions of the state of the art. All these positions are inside the tyre casing, axially on the outside of the end 933 of the second layer of elastomer compound which constitutes the interior end 841 of the bead 84.

[0137] It is also possible to position its radiofrequency transponders at the interface between the second layer of elastomer compound 93 and the turn-up 88 or the third layer of elastomer compound 94 and the turn-up 88 or the main part 87 of the carcass reinforcement. It is then essential to keep the cover filaments of the radiofrequency transponder away from the reinforcing elements in order to preserve the physical integrity of the radiofrequency transponder and/or that of the tyre casing. It is also advisable to keep the radiofrequency transponder at least 5 or even 10 millimetres away from the ends 931 of the layers of elastomer compounds 93 and 94 and from the end 881 of the turn-up 88 in order to preserve the physical integrity of the tyre casing.

[0138] Of course, the orientation of the radiating dipole antenna of the passive radiofrequency transponder with respect to the direction defined by the reinforcing elements of the main part of the carcass reinforcement can be any, provided that the projection of the radiating dipole antenna intercepts at least two reinforcing elements. As a result, what is meant by the distance between the end of a layer and the passive radiofrequency transponder is the distance of each material point of the passive radiofrequency transponder in each meridian plane of the tyre casing with respect to the end of the layer in the same meridian plane. What is meant by a passive radiofrequency transponder is that this transponder is potentially equipped with an encapsulating mass. However, it is more practical to position the passive radiofrequency transponder directly so that the first longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the reinforcing elements of the main part of the carcass reinforcing layer.

[0139] Of course, if the reinforcing elements of the carcass reinforcement layer 8, and potentially the reinforcing elements of the reinforcing layers, are metallic in nature, it is necessary to guarantee an angle of at least 30 degrees, and preferably of at least 45 degrees, between the first longitudinal axis of the passive radiofrequency transponder and the direction of reinforcement defined by its reinforcement elements. In this way, the radiocommunication disturbances of the radiofrequency transponder are minimized. Ideally, in a tyre casing of the radial type with a single metallic carcass reinforcing layer, the angle between the first longitudinal axis of the radiofrequency transponder and the direction of reinforcement of the reinforcing layer is 90 degrees.