Tire with electronic device having a reinforcing cord antenna

Abstract

A tire includes an electronic device, such as an RFID chip, within the body of the tire. For particular embodiments, an RFID chip is disposed within a tire belt. The RFID chip may be disposed on an inner or outer belt. A method of joining the RFID chip to a tire cord is also provided.

1 . A tire comprising:
 a first annular bead and a second annular bead,   a body ply extending between the first annular bead and the second annular bead,   a first annular belt, disposed radially upward of the body ply and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, wherein the first annular belt includes a first plurality of substantially parallel steel cords which are disposed at a first angle with respect to the tire equator;   a second annular belt disposed radially upward of the first annular belt and extending axially across a portion of the first annular belt, wherein the second annular belt includes a second plurality of substantially parallel steel cords which are disposed at a second angle with respect to the tire equator, and the first angle is not equal to the second angle;   a circumferential tread disposed radially upward of the second annular belt and extending axially across a portion of the body ply,   a first sidewall extending between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread,   a second sidewall extending between the second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread, and   a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip disposed radially within one of the first annular belt and the second annular belt, and disposed axially across a portion of the circumferential tread, wherein the RFID chip is connected to at least one steel cord.   
     
     
         2 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one steel cord of the second plurality of substantially parallel steel cords forms an antenna for the RFID chip. 
     
     
         3 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is between 0 and 20° and the second angle is between −60 and −90°. 
     
     
         4 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is between 0 and 30° and the second angle is between 1 and 5° less than the first angle. 
     
     
         5 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID chip is disposed in the middle two-thirds of the tire tread width. 
     
     
         6 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the tire further comprises a third annular belt disposed radially downward of the first annular belt and extending axially across a portion of the first annular belt. 
     
     
         7 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the RFID chip is not disposed at a belt-edge splice. 
     
     
         8 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential tread further includes at least three circumferential ribs and the RFID chip is disposed radially under one of the circumferential ribs. 
     
     
         9 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential tread further includes at least two circumferential grooves and the RFID chip is disposed an axial distance of at least 2% of the tire tread width from the circumferential groove edges. 
     
     
         10 . A tire comprising:
 a circumferential tread;   a belt with a plurality of reinforcing cords disposed in an elastomeric layer, wherein the elastomeric layer has a length, width, and height and the reinforcing cords of the plurality of reinforcing cords are evenly distributed across the width of the elastomeric layer;   an RFID chip, wherein the RFID chip is connected to a first reinforcing cord in the plurality of reinforcing cords; and   the first reinforcing cord is configured to receive or transmit RFID signals.   
     
     
         11 . The tire of  claim 10 , wherein the RFID chip is integrated with a reinforcing cord. 
     
     
         12 . The tire of  claim 10 , wherein solder joins the RFID chip to a reinforcing cord. 
     
     
         13 . The tire of  claim 10 , wherein conductive adhesive joins the RFID chip to a reinforcing cord. 
     
     
         14 . The tire of  claim 10 , wherein the RFID chip and reinforcing cord are connected via friction fit. 
     
     
         15 . A tire comprising:
 a circumferential tread;   an RFID chip;   a belt with a plurality of cords, wherein one of the cords is severed and has separated severed ends including a first severed end and a second severed end, wherein a distance between the separated severed ends is substantially equal to the length of the RFID chip, wherein the first severed end of the cord is connected to a first end of the RFID chip, and wherein the second severed end of the cord is connected to a second end of the RFID chip.   
     
     
         16 . The tire of  claim 15 , wherein the first severed end of the cord is soldered to the first end of the RFID chip, and wherein the second severed end of the cord is soldered to the second end of the RFID chip. 
     
     
         17 . The tire of  claim 15 , wherein the first severed end of the cord is glued to the first end of the RFID chip, and wherein the second severed end of the cord is glued to the second end of the RFID chip. 
     
     
         18 . The tire of  claim 15 , wherein the first severed end of the cord is connected to the first end of the RFID chip by an interference fit, and wherein the second severed end of the cord is connected to the second end of the RFID chip by an interference fit. 
     
     
         19 . The tire of  claim 15 , wherein the tire is a pneumatic tire. 
     
     
         20 . The tire of  claim 15 , wherein the tire is a non-pneumatic tire.