METHOD FOR INSTALLING A MOUNTING FOR AN ELECTRONIC TIRE MODULE

Abstract

A method is provided for installing a mounting against a wall of a tire. The mounting is formed of an elastomeric material and holds an electronic module. The method includes steps of: providing a mould that includes a mould cavity, placing an unvulcanized mounting in the mould cavity, and vulcanizing the unvulcanized mounting simultaneously with vulcanizing other components of the tire.

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A method for installing a mounting, which is formed of an elastomeric material and which holds an electronic module, against a wall of a tire, the method comprising steps of: providing a mould that includes a mould cavity therein; placing an unvulcanized mounting in the mould cavity; vulcanizing the unvulcanized mounting simultaneously with vulcanizing other components of the tire.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of: placing in the mould cavity a counter-shape having a profile corresponding to a profile of the unvulcanized mounting.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the counter-shape is placed in the mould cavity in a removable manner.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the unvulcanized mounting is shaped directly in the counter-shape.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the unvulcanized mounting is partially cured before being placed in the mould cavity.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the unvulcanized mounting is pre-formed before being placed in the mould cavity.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the unvulcanized mounting is shaped by injection of an elastomeric composition.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the unvulcanized mounting is formed of: an assembly of partially cured elements, at least one electronic module, and an elastomeric composition.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] All the details of application are given in the following description, supplemented by FIGS. 1 and 2, provided solely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a mould having a counter-shape for moulding a patch simultaneously with the tire for which it is intended; and

[0032] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a variant embodiment of the mould of FIG. 1 for moulding a patch simultaneously with the tire for which it is intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In the present document, the expression “unvulcanized mounting” is taken to mean a mounting or patch formed from an elastomeric composition, designed for insertion into a mould cavity specifically arranged in the tire mould. The unvulcanized mounting and/or the mould cavity, or any other intermediate element, are preferably designed with the shapes and sizes which the patch is to have when it is formed.

[0034] The principle according to the invention is that of installing the mounting or patch in the tire finishing mould before the tire is vulcanized.

[0035] There are two feasible methods, namely methods with and without a removable mould element.

Moulding in a Cavity without a Removable Mould Element

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, a mould 1 according to the invention has a cavity 2 formed in its inner wall. A suitable counter-shape 3 is housed in the cavity 2. An electronic module 11 is placed in the mounting 10, preferably before the tire is moulded and vulcanized. In a preferred embodiment, the counter-shape 3 is applied in the cavity 4. This counter-shape 3 is configured with a profile 4 which corresponds to (or is the reverse of) the profile of the patch 10. One or more vent holes 5 are advantageously provided. In the illustrated example, the vent holes 5 link the mounting 10 to be moulded to the mould 1.

[0037] FIG. 1 also shows a portion of tire 12 into which the patch is to be integrated. In a conventional way, the tire is retained, on the side opposite the patch 10, by a membrane 13 and the inner portion of the mould 1.

Moulding in a Cavity Containing a Removable Mould Element

[0038] According to this embodiment, a removable mould element or counter-shape 3 is provided in the cavity 2 of the mould 1. The removable mould element has the advantage of allowing the positioning of the components of the patch 10 outside the tire mould 1, thus facilitating the necessary manipulation.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a variant embodiment in which magnets 15 and 16 are provided between the counter-shape 3 and the mould 1. In the illustrated example, a magnet 16 is arranged at the back of the counter-shape 3, and a second magnet 15, of opposite polarity, is arranged against the corresponding wall of the mould 1. These magnets facilitate the positioning of the counter-shape 3 in the mould 1. In a variant, a single magnet 15 or 16 is provided. Additionally, a sealing gasket 14 seals the free area between the counter-shape 3 and the mould cavity 2.

Specific Features of the Patch

[0040] Regardless of the variant of mould used, the elements used to shape the patch 10 may be pre-formed (by stamping, for example) before they are positioned, or may be formed by the injection of an elastomeric composition.

[0041] The shaping may also be carried out by the assembly of partially cured elements, at least one electronic module, and/or an elastomeric composition.

[0042] According to the function of the electronic module or modules 11 inserted into the patch 10, the latter, and therefore the impression or cavity 2 in the tire mould 1, may be located in any area of the mould. For example, if the electronic module 11 is designed to carry out a localized measurement function or a function relating to a power generation system, the position is determined on the basis of the physical parameters concerned. By way of example, a patch 10 may be provided in a tread pattern element for the measurement of grip or forces, or at the equator for piezoelectric power generation system.

[0043] In the case of a system without a measurement function, such as a stand-alone mounting, or an autonomous function of the RFID data transmission type, the position of the patch 10 is determined with the aim of achieving a satisfactory compromise between the mechanical stresses on the tire during use, on the one hand, and ease of access to the mould, on the other hand.

REFERENCE NUMERALS EMPLOYED IN THE FIGURES

[0044] 1 Mould [0045] 2 Cavity [0046] 3 Counter-shape [0047] 4 Moulding profile of the mounting [0048] 5 Vent hole [0049] 10 Mounting (or “Patch”) [0050] 11 Electronic module [0051] 12 Tire [0052] 13 Membrane [0053] 14 Sealing gasket [0054] 15 Counter-shape magnet [0055] 16 Counter-shape magnet