MXPA99010020A - Patch for preparing an interior lining of a tire, for fast union of an electronic verification device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, such that an electronic verification device can be connected to the prepared area of the inner lining, the patch is characterized in that it comprises: a cover, a layer of uncured rubber and a layer of curing material, disposed between the cover and the uncured rubber layer, the layer of curing material prevents the uncured rubber layer from cured on the cover at the places where the curing material is placed

Description

PATCH FOR PREPARING AN INNER LINK OF A PNEUMOTIC, FOR FAST UNION OF AN ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention is generally related to tires and more particularly to a device for preparing the inner lining of a tire, so that it can receive an electronic verification device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a patch that is used to prepare the inner lining of a tire, such that the prepared area can securely receive a verification device. BACKGROUND INFORMATION It is desired in the art to verify tire conditions while they are installed and in use in a particular vehicle. It is particularly convenient to measure wear, internal temperature and internal pressure. Other convenient measures may be the number of rotations that have occurred in a given time. These measurements of preference are capable of being performed while the tire is in use, without having to remove the tire from the vehicle or otherwise interrupt the use of the vehicle to take the measurements.

It is particularly convenient to verify the conditions and statistics on large truck tires for off-road use, because tires for off-road use are expensive and subject to more arduous conditions than passenger car tires. Typical Tires for off-road use on large trucks and other vehicles must also be maintained regularly to maximize the efficiency of the vehicle. Numerous types of these verification devices are known in the art. One type of known verification device uses a passive integrated circuit embedded within the body of the tire that is activated by a radio frequency transmission that energizes the circuit by inductive magnetic coupling. Other prior art devices used to verify tire conditions include self-energized circuits that are placed external to the tire, such as in the valve stem. Other active self-energizing programmable electronic devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,065, 5,573,610, 5,562,787, and 5,573,611 that were granted to the assignee of the present application. A common problem with each of these verification devices is the problem of connecting the verification device to a tire. The connection problem is difficult when the verification device is connected to the inner surface of the tire, the outer surface of the tire or is embedded within the body of the tire. The connection problem is difficult because the forces in the electronic device are significant and numerous. The tires are not only subject to rotational forces when the vehicle is in motion but are also subjected to various impact forces when the tire contacts bumps or irregularities in the surface. The connection of the verification device to the tire must be sufficiently strong and secure, to maintain the position of the verification device with respect to the tire, while experiencing all these forces, at the same time also protecting the verification device against damage resulting from these forces. Another problem with the connection of a verification device with a tire is that the tire must be balanced with respect to its rotational axis so that it performs efficiently. The verification device itself already adds weight to the tire by requiring the tire to be compensated. In this way, it is convenient to minimize the weight of the connection, so that additional compensation weights do not have to be added to the tire. In this way it is convenient to provide a connection that is strong and secure, while it is small and lightweight. Another problem experienced with connecting a verification device to a tire is that the surface on which the verification device is anchored is often not stable. The tires are designed to flex and stretch to accept various pressures and forces. The connection of the verification device to the tire must allow or tolerate the movement and stretching of the tire surface where the verification device is connected. This adjustment must last for the entire life of the tire and operate over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. An additional problem experienced in connecting a verification device to a tire is that the tires are manufactured in automated assembly lines. The connection method must be capable of engineering relatively easily in existing automated tire assembly lines, to be useful. As such, the method of connecting the verification device to the tire can not include any manual stages or stages that require precise component handling.

Another problem with connecting a verification device with a tire is that the inner lining of a tire does not bond or stick easily with an adhesive. The material used to manufacture the inner liners is chosen to create a good fluid-impermeable barrier, which traps the air in the tire. The material however is not selected because it is conducive to adhesion. In this way there have been problems in the art for connecting the relatively heavy verification device to the inner liner, so as to securely anchor the verification device, without destroying the inner liner. Although roughing the inner lining to create a textured surface, it is effective with select interior linings, the inner linings on many tires can not be rough because they are too thin. In this way it is desired in the art to provide a patch used to prepare the inner lining of a tire, such that a verification device can be connected quickly, safely and easily to the prepared area. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of the tire, such that a verification device can easily adhere to the inner liner, in a way that allows the device of verification connect in a safe way through the useful life of the tire. Another object of the present invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire wherein the patch can be easily manufactured and can be connected to green tires in an existing automated tire assembly line. A further object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire that does not damage the function of the inner liner when the patch adheres to the inner liner. Another object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire to accept the adhesion or adhesion of an electronic verification device where the patch adds little weight to the tire. A further object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, to accept the adhesion of an electronic verification device that allows the stretching and movement of the inner lining, when the tire is in use. Another object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, to accept the adhesion of an electronic verification device, wherein the patch can be connected to the inner lining of the tire in a variety of locations. A further object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, to accept the adhesion of an electronic verification device, wherein the patch can be easily adapted to work with verification devices of different sizes. Another object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire to accept the adhesion of an electronic verification device having layers that can be separated from each other after the patch has been subjected to a curing process. raw tire. Another object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, to accept the adhesion of an electronic verification device that textures a selected area of the inner liner, when at least a portion of the patch is removed from the inner liner. A further object of the invention is to provide a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, to accept the adhesion of an electronic verification device that achieves the stated objectives in a simple, effective and economical manner, which solves the problems and satisfies the existing needs in the technique. These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by a patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire such that an electronic verification device can be connected to the prepared area of the inner liner, the patch includes a cover, a rubber layer uncured; and a layer of curing material disposed between the cover and the uncured rubber layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best way in which the applicants contemplate applying the principles of the invention, are set out in the following description and are illustrated in the drawings and are indicated in a particular and distinctive manner and set forth in the appended claims. Figure 1 is a sectional view of a tire having an electronic verification device connected to the inner lining of the tire; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a patch used to prepare the inner liner by the method of the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the patch of Figure 2 used to prepare the inner liner by the method of the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a patch used to prepare the inner liner by the method of the present invention; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second patch mode of Figure 4, used to prepare the inner liner by the method of the present invention; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional exploded view of a selected area of a green tire and the patch, just before being applied to the tire; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the bladder used during curing of the green tire, which pushes the patch against the inner liner; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the patch in the process of being removed from the inner lining of the tire, after the tire has been cured; Figure 9 is a plan view of the area of the inner lining that has been treated by the patch; the view is taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing an inner liner that was treated with the second patch mode of the present invention; Figure 11 is a view showing the connection of the verification device directly to the treated area of the inner liner; and Figure 12 is a view of the verification device having a connection patch connected to the treated portion of the inner liner. Similar numbers refer to similar parts through the specification. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An encapsulated electronic verification device 10 is connected to the inner liner 12 of a cured tire 14 as illustrated in Figure 1. The tire 14 can be a tire for off-highway use, a radial tire for truck and bus, or any of a variety of tires known in the specialty. The device 10 is connected to a prepared area 16 of the inner liner 12 which increases or maximizes adhesion between the device 10 and the inner liner 12. The prepared area 16 is created by using the method and apparatus of the present invention. According to one of the objects of the present invention, an anchor patch 20 is described which is used to create the prepared area 16 in the inner liner 12. The anchor patch 20 includes a cover 22 and an uncured rubber layer 24. The cover 22 is preferably in the form of a cured rubber layer 22. The cover 22 can also be manufactured from other flexible materials known in the art such as synthetics and metals. For example, a layer of mylar, plastic, metal foil, metal screen or polyurethane may be used to form the cover 22. A layer of curing material such as curing paper 26 or curing cloth 26 is disposed between the cover 22 and layer 24 to prevent cured rubber 24 from curing in cured rubber 22 when tire 14 is cured. The patch 20 may further include a release cover 28 connected to the uncured rubber 24 to prevent the uncured rubber 24 from becoming soiled and adhering to articles before use. The release cover 28 is preferably made from polyethylene, so that it can be easily released from the uncured rubber layer 24. The uncured rubber layer 24 is preferably a dual curing rubber that can be cured either with heat or appropriate chemicals. Instead of a dual cured rubber, the uncured rubber layer 24 can simply be a thermoset rubber or a chemical cured rubber. The layer 24 may also be a natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber or combinations thereof. Other rubbers can also be employed without departing from the concepts of the present invention. The anchor patch 20 can be manufactured in numerous sizes and thicknesses, depending on the size of the tire 14 and the inner liner 12 and the size and weight of the encapsulated electronic verification device 10. In one embodiment, the patch 20 is approximately 10.16 x 10.16 cm (4 x 4"), with the cured rubber 22 having a thickness of about .071 cm (.028"), the curing paper layer 26 which is .0127 cm (.005") thick, the uncured rubber layer 24 which is about .0508 cm (.012") thick and cover 28 having a thickness of .0127 cm (.005"). The approximate total thickness of patch 20 in this manner is .127 cm (.05"). These dimensions are given for the purpose of describing an example of the invention, contemplating other dimensions. As can be seen in Figure 2, the cover 22 is preferably reinforced with a plurality of fibers or cords 30 that can be manufactured from nylon, polyester, aramid or other fibers that can be used to reinforce the rubber. The reinforcing cords 30 can be arranged linearly or can be arranged in a mesh. The cover 22 can be manufactured essentially from any type of conventional rubber. The curing paper layer or curing cloth 26 is preferably treated with silicone. Only one side of curing paper 26 is coated with the silicone and is adjacent to the uncured rubber layer 24. The silicone allows the cover 22 and the curing material 26 to be easily removed from the uncured rubber layer 24, as will be described below. The curing material 26 does not extend fully to the edges of the cover 22 such that there is direct contact between the cover 22 and the layer 24 as indicated by the number 32. The direct contact with respect to the peripheries of the cover 22 and the layer 24, prevents the patch 20 from peeling off due to the adhesive properties of the uncured rubber 24. It is preferred that the cover 22 and the layer 24 be connected to each other as in rotationally around these peripheries. A connection 32 only on one edge of the layers 22 and 24 also functions to maintain the position of the layers 22, 24 and 26. A second embodiment of the anchor patch of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and is indicated generally by the number 40. The patch 40 includes substantially the same cured rubber cover 22, curing material 26 and release cover 28, as in the first patch mode 20. According to another objective of the present invention, the second patch mode 40 includes an uncured rubber frame 42, disposed between the release cover 28 and the layer of curing material 26. The frame 42 forms an opening 44 which allows the curing material 26 to contact the surface on which the patch 40 is placed after the release cover 28 is removed. The overall dimensions of the patch 40 can be substantially similar to the patch 20 and the cover 22 and the frame 42 are connected as is indicated by the number 32, to maintain the integrity of the patch 40 when it is not in use. The patches 20 and 40 are used substantially in the same manner to create the prepared area 16 of the inner liner 12, so that the electronic verification device 10 can be connected to the prepared area 16. As such, the method for using the patches 20 and 40 will primarily be described with respect to the patch 20 with only the unique results of the use of the patch 40 that are described in detail. The first step of creating the prepared area 16 in the inner liner 12 is to provide the patch 20 having the construction described above. The patch 20 is connected to a selected area of the inner liner 12 in a green tire 50. The selected area is the area where the electronic verification device 10 is preferably located. Although not required, it is often preferred to locate the verification device 10 adjacent the rim ring 52 of the tire 14. As such, the selected area is located adjacent the rim ring 52 in the green tire 50. After the area is chosen in the green tire 50, the release cover 28 is removed as illustrated in Figure 6 by the arrow 54. The release cover 28 can be easily peeled wards away from the patch 20. Once the release cover 28 is removed, the patch 20 is removed. place in the selected area of the inner liner 12 and stick by the natural adhesion of the uncured rubber layer 24. In some situations, it may be convenient to sew the patch 20 to the inner liner 12, to maintain a secure connection between the patch and the inner lining. The sewing can be done manually or automatically. The raw tire 50 is then cured by a known curing process. When the green tire 50 is cured, an inflatable bladder 56 is placed inside the green tire 50 and inflated to create an outwardly directed force in the green tire 50 to maintain its correct shape. The interior of the green tire 50 is coated with a release agent to prevent the bladder 56 from adhering or one to the green tire 50. The bladder 56 thus presses the patch 20 against the inner liner 12, while it heals the green tire 50. The curing process of the green tire 50 cures the layer 24 of the inner liner 12. The layer 24 does not adhere to the cover 22 due to the presence of curing material 26. After the tire in 50 is cured to form the tire 12, the cover 22 and the curing material 26 are removed from the layer 24 (now cured) as illustrated in Figure 8, to form an anchoring layer or prepared area 16. The stage Removal may occur at any time after the raw tire 50 has cured. The cover 22 prevents the prepared area 16 from becoming soiled by being coated with the release agent employed during the curing process. Removal of the cover 22 and the layer 26 leaves the anchoring layer 24 (now cured) deposited in the selected area of the inner liner 12, where the encapsulated verification device 10 will be connected. As illustrated in Figure 9, the removal of the cured material 26 from the layer 24 (now cured) leaves a textured area 58, where the curing material 26 contacts the layer 24. Both the layer 24 (now cured) and the textured area 58 where the curing material 26 contacts the layer 24. Both the layer 24 (now cured), and the textured area 58 are good surfaces for adhering the verification device 10 because they have convenient adhesive properties. The layer 24 having the textured area 58 thus forms the prepared area 16 where the device 10 can be connected to the inner liner 12. A direct connection between the encapsulated verification device 10 and the prepared area 16 is illustrated in Figure 11, in FIG. where the adhesive is used to directly attach the verification device 10 to the prepared area 16. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 10 is connected to the prepared area 16 with a connection patch 60 as illustrated in Figure 12. The connection patch 60 includes a cured rubber layer 62 connected to an uncured rubber layer 64. The device 10 can be connected to layer 62 by convenient attachment or attachment means, such as an adhesive. The connection patch 60 can then adhere to the prepared area 16 by applying an activating fluid in each layer 24 and 64 and then by pressing the layers 24 and 64 together to allow the activating fluid to cure the layers 24 and 64 together. The bond between the layers 24 and 64 creates a secure and strong connection between the device 10 and the inner liner 12. The layers 24 and 64 can also be cured together, using heat and pressure. In such embodiment, a heated bladder can be used to press layer 64 against layer 24, while supplying a convenient amount of heat to cure the two layers together.

When the second patch mode 40 is employed during the tire curing process, the prepared area 68 appears as illustrated in Figure 10. As explained above with respect to the uncured rubber layer 42, the frame 42 is deposited. on the inner liner 12 during the curing process. The opening 44 allows the curing material 26 to directly contact the inner liner 12 during the curing process. When the cover 22 and the curing material are removed, the test material 26 texturizes a portion 70 of the frame 42 and the portion 72 of the inner liner 12 that was exposed to the material 26. The prepared area 68 in this manner includes a frame 42 , a textured portion of the rubber 70 and a textured portion of the inner liner 72. The verification device 10 may be attached to the prepared area 68 by the two methods described above or by the other methods known in the art. Accordingly, the improved patch for preparing an inner lining of a tire for the rapid attachment of an electronic verification device is simplified, provides an effective, safe, economical and efficient device, which achieves all the enumerated objectives, allows to eliminate difficulties encountered with previous devices and solves problems and obtains new results in the technique.

In the previous description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and comprehension, but unnecessary limitations should not be implied beyond the requirement of the previous technique, because these terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be widely considered. . Still further, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the patch is made to prepare an inner lining of a tire for the rapid bonding of an electronic verification device, the characteristics of the construction and the new results. and advantageous tools obtained; The new and useful structures, devices, elements, assemblies, parts and combinations and methods are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS l.- A patch for preparing the inner lining of a tire, in such a way that an electronic verification device can be connected to the prepared area of the inner lining, the patch is characterized in that it comprises: a cover; a layer of uncured rubber; and a layer of curing material, disposed between the cover and the uncured rubber layer.
2. 2. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises reinforcing members arranged in the cover.
3. 3. The patch according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover is made from cured rubber and the reinforcing members are a plurality of substantially parallel fibers.
4. 4. The patch according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcing members are in the form of a mesh.
5. 5. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is manufactured from a flexible metal.
6. 6. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is manufactured from a flexible synthetic material.
7. 7. - The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a detachment cover connected to the uncured rubber layer.
8. 8. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one side of the layer of curing material is treated with silicone.
9. 9. The patch according to claim 8, characterized in that the side of the cured material that is treated with silicone is arranged adjacent to the uncured rubber layer.
10. 10. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is connected to the uncured rubber layer on at least one edge of the cover.
11. 11. The patch according to claim 10, characterized in that the cover is connected to the uncured rubber layer on each of the edges of the cover.
12. 12. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the uncured rubber layer is in the shape of a frame.
13. 13. The patch according to claim 1, characterized in that the uncured rubber layer is a dual curing rubber that can be cured with either heat or appropriate chemicals.
14. 14. A patch and a raw tire in combination, the combination is characterized in that it comprises: a green tire having an inner lining; and a patch having an uncured rubber layer adhered to the inner liner, a cover and a layer of curing material disposed between the uncured rubber layer and the cover.
15. 15. The patch according to claim 14, characterized in that the cover is connected to the uncured rubber layer on at least one edge of the cover.
16. 16. The patch according to claim 14, characterized in that the uncured rubber layer is in the shape of a frame.
17. 17. The patch according to claim 16, characterized in that the layer of curing material directly contacts the inner lining through the uncured rubber frame.
18. 18. The patch according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one side of the curing material is treated with silicone.
19. 19. The patch according to claim 18, characterized in that the side of the curing material that is treated with silicone is adjacent to the uncured rubber layer.
20. 20. The patch according to claim 14, characterized in that the uncured rubber layer is a dual curing rubber that can be cured with either heat or appropriate chemicals.