PNEUMATIC TYRE EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSPONDER
20220055426 · 2022-02-24
Assignee
Inventors
- Marco PEDRINELLI (Roma, IT)
- Emiliano SABETTI (Roma, IT)
- Mauro MIRABILE (Roma, IT)
- Emanuele ROSA (Roma, IT)
- Robin ARENDS (Roma, IT)
- Cristiano Pomposini (Roma, IT)
Cpc classification
B60C15/0018
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29D30/0662
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
G06K19/07764
PHYSICS
B60C2015/061
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60C2015/0614
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60C2015/009
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B29D2030/0083
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60C15/0036
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60C15/0054
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60C23/0447
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60C15/0603
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
Pneumatic tyre having a toroidal carcass, which has a body ply that is partially folded onto itself and therefore having two lateral flaps; two annular beads, each of which is surrounded by the body ply and has a bead core and a bead filler; an annular tread; a pair of sidewalls; a pair of abrasion gum strips; an innerliner which is impermeable to air and is arranged within the body ply; and a transponder which is arranged between the body ply and the innerliner at a flap of the body ply and is arranged at a distance of less than 7 mm from an edge of the body ply.
Claims
1) A pneumatic tyre (1) comprising: a toroidal carcass (2), which comprises at least one body ply (3) that is partially folded onto itself and therefore having two lateral flaps, within each of which an edge (19) of the body ply (3) rests against an intermediate portion of the body ply (3) itself; two annular beads (4), each of which is surrounded by the body ply (3) and has a bead core (5) and a bead filler (6); an annular tread (7); a tread belt (8) comprising at least one body ply (9); a pair of sidewalls (11) arranged externally to the body ply (3) between the tread (7) and the beads (4); a pair of abrasion gum strips (12) arranged externally to the body ply (3), radially more to the inside of the sidewalls (11), and at the beads (4); an innerliner (10) which is impermeable to air and arranged within the body ply (3); and a transponder (13) which is arranged in contact with the body ply (3) at a flap of the body ply (3); wherein the transponder (13) is arranged between the body ply (3) and the innerliner (10) and therefore the transponder (13) is laterally bordering and in direct contact with the body ply (3) on the external side and is laterally bordering and in direct contact with the innerliner (10) on the inner side; and wherein each end of the transponder (13) is arranged at a distance (D1, D2) of less than 7 mm from an edge (19) of the body ply (3).
2) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein: a first radial distance (D1) of less than 7 mm is provided between a radially external end of the transponder (13) and the edge (19) of the body ply (3); and a second radial distance (D2) of less than 7 mm is provided between a radially inner end of the transponder (13) and the edge (19) of the body ply (3).
3) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein a third radial distance (D3) greater than 10 mm is provided between a radially internal end of the transponder (13) and an edge (20) of the bead filler (6).
4) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein a fourth radial distance (D4) greater than 10 mm is provided between a radially external end of the transponder (13) and an edge (21) of the tread belt (8).
5) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein: the toroidal carcass (2) comprises: a main body ply (3a) partially folded onto itself and therefore having two lateral flaps, within each of which an edge of the tread belt (8) rests against an intermediate portion of the main body ply (3a) itself; and an additional body ply (3b) which overlaps the main body ply (3a); and the transponder (13) is arranged at a distance (D1, D2) of less than 7 mm from an edge (19) of the body ply (3).
6) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 5, wherein a fifth radial distance (D5) of between 25 mm and 60 mm is provided between the radially inner end of the transponder (13) and an edge (22) of the additional body ply (3b).
7) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 5, wherein the additional body ply (3b) is arranged more externally to the main body ply (3a) and the transponder (13) is arranged between the main body ply (3a) and the innerliner (10).
8) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 5, wherein the additional body ply (3b) is arranged more internally than the main body ply (3a) and the transponder (13) is arranged between the additional body ply (3b) and the innerliner (10).
9) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 5, wherein a third radial distance (D5) of between 25 mm and 60 mm is provided between the radially inner end of the transponder (13) and an edge (22) of the additional body ply (3b).
10) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transponder (13) is inserted within a sleeve (17) comprising two strips (18) of rubber overlapping and pressed one against the other.
11) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 10, wherein the two strips (18) of rubber of the sleeve (17) are 1-2 mm larger than the transponder (13).
12) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 10, wherein a thickness (T) of the sleeve (17) is between 0.6 and 2 mm.
13) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein a larger dimension of the transponder (13) is arranged circumferentially.
14) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transponder (13) has a rectilinear form and therefore, within the pneumatic tyre (1), it does not follow the circular progression of all of the other components of the pneumatic tyre (1).
15) The pneumatic tyre (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transponder (13) is arranged within a zone wherein the sidewall (11) is present and the abrasion gum strip (12) is absent.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention is now described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate several non-limiting exemplary embodiments, wherein:
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] In
[0027] On the opposite sides of the carcass 2, two annular beads 4 are arranged, each of which is surrounded by the body ply 3 (i.e., it is surrounded by the flaps of the body ply 3), and has a bead core 5 which is reinforced with a number of windings of a metallic wire and a bead filler 6.
[0028] The carcass 2 supports an annular tread 7; a tread belt 8, comprising two tread plies 9, is interposed between the carcass 2 and the tread 7. Each tread ply 9 comprises a number of cords (not shown), which are embedded within a rubber belt. They are arranged alongside one another with a given pitch and form an angle of inclination that is determined with an equatorial plane of the pneumatic tyre 1.
[0029] Arranged within the body ply 3 is an innerliner 10, which is airtight, constitutes an inner lining and has the function of retaining the air within the pneumatic tyre 1 in order to maintain the inflation pressure of the same pneumatic tyre 1 over time.
[0030] The body ply 3 supports a pair of sidewalls 11 arranged externally to the body ply 3, between the tread 7 and the beads 4.
[0031] Finally, the body ply 3 supports a pair of abrasion gum strips 12 arranged externally below the sidewalls 11 and at the beads 4.
[0032] According to what is shown in
[0033] A transponder 13, i.e., an electronic device (normally passive, i.e., without an electrical power supply thereof) which is capable of memorizing information and capable of communicating by radio frequency, is integrated (embedded) within the interior of the pneumatic tyre 1, in particular at a sidewall 11 (for example, the external sidewall 11, i.e., the sidewall facing the exterior of the vehicle once the pneumatic tyre 1 has been mounted on the rim). In other words, the transponder 13 is a “smart label” of small dimensions which is integrated within the pneumatic tyre 1 and is suitable for responding to the remote polling by specific fixed or portable devices, called readers (or else polling devices); a reader is capable of reading and/or modifying the information contained within the transponder 13 i.e., polling whilst communicating with the transponder itself 13 in radio frequency. Accordingly, the transponder 13 is a part of a wireless reading and/or writing system that operates according to so-called RFID technology (“Radio-Frequency IDentification”).
[0034] According to what is shown in
[0035] In use, the antenna 15 receives an electromagnetic signal that, by electromagnetic induction, induces a difference in electrical potential in the antenna 15, which generates the circulation of an electrical current in the electronic circuit 14 to supply power to the electronic circuit 14 itself; the electronic circuit 14, thus activated, transmits the data contained within the memory thereof by means of the antenna 15 and, where appropriate, also modifies the data contained within the memory thereof.
[0036] According to what is shown in
[0037] According to a different embodiment (not shown), the support 16 is absent and the function thereof is performed by the strips 18 of rubber of the sleeve 17.
[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the thickness T of the sleeve 17 (containing the transponder 13 within it) is overall between 0.6 and 2 mm, the width W of the sleeve 17 is about 8-12 mm, and the length L of the sleeve 17 is about 60-80 mm.
[0039] The transponder 13 is arranged circumferentially, i.e., it is arranged along a circumference centered upon the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tyre (i.e., a larger—longitudinal—dimension of the transponder 13 is arranged circumferentially); it is important to emphasize that the transponder 13 (contained within the sleeve 17) has a parallelepiped rectangular form, and therefore, within the pneumatic tyre 1, it does not follow the circular progression of all of the other components of the pneumatic tyre 1 (as schematically shown in
[0040] According to what is shown in
[0041] According to the embodiment shown in
[0042] According to the embodiment shown in
[0043] According to the embodiment shown in
[0044] In summary, the transponder 13 (contained within the sleeve 17) is arranged in proximity to the edge 19 of the body ply 3 (i.e., it is arranged at a radial distance D1 and/or D2, not greater than 7 mm from the edge 19 of the body ply 3) if:
[0045] 1. the transponder 13 (contained within the sleeve 17) is radially at the same level as the edge 19 of the body ply 3 (as illustrated in
[0046] 2. the transponder 13 is arranged below the edge 19 of the body ply 3, in such a way that only the radially external end of the transponder 13 is located at the radial distance D1, not greater than 7 mm from the edge 19 of the body ply 3 (as shown in
[0047] 3. the transponder 13 is arranged above the edge 19 of the body ply 3, in such a way that only the radially inner end of the transponder 13 is located at the radial distance D2, not greater than 7 mm from the edge 19 of the body ply 3 (as shown in
[0048] According to a preferred embodiment shown in
[0049] According to a preferred embodiment shown in
[0050] The transponder 13 (contained within the sleeve 17) is arranged between the body ply 3 and the innerliner 10, and therefore the transponder 13 is laterally (i.e., axially, or parallel to the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tyre 1) bordering (in direct contact) the body ply 3 on the external side and is laterally bordering (in direct contact) the innerliner 10 on the inner side. In other words, an external surface of the transponder 13 rests directly against (or touches) the body ply 3 and an inner surface of the transponder 13 rests directly against (or touches) the innerliner 10. The transponder 13 (contained within the sleeve 17) is arranged more to the inside of the flap of the body ply 3, and is therefore laterally (i.e., axially, or parallel to the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tyre 1) bordering the body ply 3 on one side (externally) and the innerliner 10 on the opposite side (internally); in other words, the transponder 13 is in contact externally with a corresponding portion of the body ply 3 and is in contact internally with a corresponding portion of the innerliner 10.
[0051] The transponder 13 is arranged at the flap of the body ply 3 and, therefore, in proximity to the transponder 13 it is “doubled”, i.e., it is bent over upon itself, thereby forming a double layer.
[0052] According to a possible embodiment, the transponder 13 is arranged within an area wherein the sidewall 11 is present and where the abrasion gum strip 12 is absent, i.e., to the side of the transponder 13 (and more externally with respect to the transponder 13) the sidewall 11 is present and the abrasion gum strip 12 is absent. According to a different embodiment, the transponder 13 is arranged within an area wherein the abrasion gum strip 12 is present, i.e., to the side of the transponder 13 (and more externally with respect to the transponder 13) both the abrasion gum strip 12 and the sidewall 11 are present.
[0053] As mentioned hereinbefore, the transponder 13 is arranged circumferentially and has a parallelepiped rectangular form, and within the pneumatic tyre 1 it does not follow the circular progression of all of the other components of the pneumatic tyre 1; as a result, as shown in
[0054] In the embodiment shown in
[0055] In the embodiment shown in
[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in
[0057] Also in the embodiment shown in
[0058] Also in the embodiment shown in
[0059] In the embodiment shown in
[0060] In the embodiment shown in
[0061] In any case, the transponder 13 is always located more internally to both of the body plies 3a and 3b and is in direct contact with the innermost body plies 3a or 3b (which in the embodiment shown in
[0062] According to a preferred embodiment shown in
[0063] It is important to emphasize that the body ply 3 could be provided with local reinforcing elements that are applied to limited portions of the body ply 3 (or else of the main body ply 3a); for example, the body ply 3 (or else of the main body ply 3a) could be provided with fabric reinforcement, which is applied in proximity to the beads 4 and/or with a calendered “squeegee”, which is also applied in proximity to the beads 4. In this case, such reinforcing elements become an integral part of the body ply 3 (or else of the main body ply 3a) and, therefore, the transponder 13 can be arranged in contact with the body ply 3 (or else with the main body ply 3a) also at such reinforcing elements.
[0064] The pneumatic tyre 1 can be of the “standard” type or else of the “non-standard” type; for example, the pneumatic tyre 1 could be of the “run-flat” type, of the “sponge” type (i.e., provided internally with a spongy body having an acoustic effect), or of the “sealant” type (i.e., provided with a sealing agent which is capable of closing any holes).
[0065] The embodiments described herein may be combined without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0066] The pneumatic tyre 1 described above has many advantages.
[0067] First and foremost, in the aforementioned pneumatic tyre 1 the position of the transponder 13 makes it possible to minimize the stresses and deformations to which the transponder 13 is subjected (both during the construction of the pneumatic tyre 1 and during the use of the pneumatic tyre 1) and, at the same time, makes it possible to minimize disturbances and interference with the radio frequency communications of transponder 13 (in this way, the transponder 13 can be read at a distance of over 3 meters if the pneumatic tyre 1 is not mounted on a metallic rim and at a distance of over 2 meters if the pneumatic tyre 1 is mounted on a metallic rim).
[0068] Furthermore, in the pneumatic tyre 1 described above the presence of the transponder 13 (which is nevertheless a “foreign object” immersed within the pneumatic tyre 1) does not have a negative impact upon the performance and the durability (or upon the operating life) of the pneumatic tyre 1 itself.
[0069] The transponder 13 is very well protected from the outside insofar as it is located more internally with respect to the body ply 3 (or both of the body plies 3a and 3b). Furthermore, local deformations to the body ply 3 (or both of the body plies 3a and 3b) are avoided and the risk of trapping air within the body ply 3 (or within both of the body plies 3a and 3b) is completely avoided at the transponder 13, because the space for housing the transponder 13 is located externally with respect to the body ply 3 (or both of the body plies 3a and 3b) by means of a bulge towards the inside of the innerliner 10.
[0070] Finally, the construction of the pneumatic tyre 1 described above is simple insofar as the transponder 1 can easily be made to adhere to the body ply 3 (or to the main body ply 3a or to the additional body ply 3b) when the body ply 3 (or the main body ply 3a or the additional body ply 3b) is still completely flat (i.e., before winding the body ply 3—or the main body ply 3a or the additional body ply 3b—around the molding drum) or else the transponder 1 can easily be made to adhere to the innerliner 10 prior to mounting the innerliner 10 itself.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES
[0071] 1 pneumatic tyre [0072] 2 carcass [0073] 3 body ply [0074] 4 beads [0075] 5 bead core [0076] 6 bead filler [0077] 7 tread [0078] 8 tread belt [0079] 9 tread plies [0080] 10 innerliner [0081] 11 sidewalls [0082] 12 abrasion gum strips [0083] 13 transponder [0084] 14 electronic circuit [0085] 15 antenna [0086] 16 support [0087] 17 sleeve [0088] 18 strips [0089] 19 edge [0090] 20 edge [0091] 21 edge [0092] 22 edge [0093] H height [0094] L length [0095] W width [0096] T thickness [0097] D1 distance [0098] D2 distance [0099] D3 distance [0100] D4 distance [0101] D5 distance