Pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system, and electronic-device housing apparatus

• US 20070169865A1
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Hiromitsu, Kokubu, Takao, Hada, Hiromasa
• Granted Patent: US 7,325,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 152/152.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

Abstract

A pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system according to the present invention includes: an electronic-device housing apparatus 30, which houses the electronic device, and which includes an engaging convex portion 32 that is convex; and an electronic-device housing apparatus support 12, which is provided on an inner surface of the pneumatic tire, and which includes an engaging concave portion that is concave. First pullout suppression means which suppresses pullout of the engaging convex portion from the engaging concave portion is provided on at least a part of a surface of the engaging convex portion, and second pullout suppression means which engages with the first pullout suppression means is provided on at least a part of a surface of the engaging concave portion. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system, a pneumatic tire, and an electronic-device housing apparatus, which are capable of securely fixing the pneumatic-tire-use electronic device, and also capable of suppressing breakage of a fixing portion for fixing a pneumatic-tire-use electronic device.

Claims

1. A pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system for fixing an electronic device to be mounted on a pneumatic tire, the pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system comprising:

an electronic-device housing apparatus, which houses the electronic device, and which includes an engaging convex portion that is convex; and

an electronic-device housing apparatus support, which is provided on an inner surface of the pneumatic tire, and which includes an engaging concave portion that is concave, wherein;

at least a part of a surface of the engaging convex portion includes a first zigzag region formed in a zigzag;

at least a part of a surface of the engaging concave portion includes a second zigzag region formed in a zigzag, and the second zigzag region engaging with the first zigzag region; and

the first zigzag region forms;

a sloping portion tapering in a direction in which the engaging convex portion is inserted into the engaging concave portion; and

a pullout suppression portion continuing to the sloping portion and being at an acute angle to a direction in which the engaging convex portion is pulled out from the engaging concave portion.

3. The pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system according to claim 1, wherein:

the engaging convex portion includes a first insertion hole;

the engaging concave portion includes a second insertion hole communicating with the first insertion hole,

the pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system further comprising a lock pin to be inserted into the first and second insertion holes which have been made to communicate with each other.

4. The pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic-device housing apparatus support is a rubber body provided inside the pneumatic tire inward of an inner liner of the pneumatic tire.

5. The pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic-device housing apparatus support is provided on the pneumatic tire in steps of molding and vulcanizing the pneumatic tire.

13. The pneumatic-tire-use electronic-device fixing system according to claim 1, wherein:

the first zigzag region and the second zigzag region engage with each other by having the engaging convex portion press-fitted into the engaging concave portion,

2. (canceled)

6. A pneumatic tire comprising an electronic-device housing apparatus support which supports an electronic device housing apparatus having an engaging convex portion that is convex, wherein:

the electronic-device housing apparatus support is provided on an inner surface of the pneumatic tire, and includes an engaging concave portion that is concave;

at least a part of a surface of the engaging concave portion includes a zigzag region formed in a zigzag, the zigzag region engaging with the engaging convex portion; and

the zigzag region forms;

a sloping portion tapering in a direction in which the engaging convex portion is inserted into the engaging concave portion; and

a pullout suppression portion continuing to the sloping portion,

and being at an acute angle to a direction in which the engaging convex portion is pulled out from the engaging concave portion.

8. The pneumatic tire according to claim 6, wherein the electronic-device housing apparatus support is a rubber body provided inside the pneumatic tire inward of an inner liner of the pneumatic tire.

9. The pneumatic tire according to claim 6, wherein the electronic-device housing apparatus support is provided on the pneumatic tire in steps of molding and vulcanizing the pneumatic tire.

14. The pneumatic tire according to claim 6, wherein:

at least a part of the surface of the engaging convex portion is formed in a zigzag; and

the zigzag region and the engaging convex portion engage with each other by having the engaging convex portion press-fitted into the engaging concave portion.

7. (canceled)

10. An electronic-device housing apparatus, which is supported by an electronic-device housing apparatus support including an engaging concave portion provided on a pneumatic tire, and which houses an electronic device to be mounted on the pneumatic tire, the electronic-device housing apparatus comprising an engaging convex portion that is convex, wherein:

at least a part of a surface of the engaging convex portion includes a zigzag region formed in a zigzag; and

the zigzag region forms;

a sloping portion tapering in a direction in which the engaging convex portion is inserted into the engaging concave portion; and

a pullout suppression portion continuing to the sloping portion and

being at an acute angle to a direction in which the engaging convex portion is pulled out from the engaging concave portion.

12. The electronic device housing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

the engaging convex portion includes a first insertion hole;

the engaging concave portion includes a second insertion hole communicating with the first insertion hole; and

the electronic-device housing apparatus is fixed by a lock pin inserted into the first and second insertion holes which have been made to communicate with each other.

11. (canceled)