The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.

Tsuyoshi Uehara

Atsushi Tanno

Masatoshi Kuwajima

Akira Kuramori

Takue Tsuji

Mitsuo Ikeda

An RFID module comprising a transponder covered with a 0.2 to 2 mm thick rubber sheet containing 100 parts by weight of a diene-based rubber, less than 30 parts by weight of carbon black and 5 to 55 parts by weight of silica, having a relative permittivity of 7 or less and having a dynamic modulus of elasticity (E') of 2 to 12 MPa, which can extend a communication distance with a required installation location and is superior in the durability at the time of being embedded in the tire.

Rubber-covered RFID module, and pneumatic tire having the it is embedded

A method of and an apparatus for determining tire shapes are provided which enable both an apparatus weight reduction and a determination accuracy improvement. The apparatus of the present invention includes: a portable base member; a non-contact displacement gage held on the base member so as to be freely movable along a predetermined scanning direction; a weight supported on the base member so as to be movable along the scanning direction; and means for symmetrically driving the displacement gage and weight while synchronizing them with each other. Using this apparatus, the method includes: setting the base member in proximity to a tire tread portion so that the displacement gage will scan the tread portion; allowing the displacement gage and weight to symmetrically move along the scanning direction while synchronizing them with each other; and determining the shape of the tread portion, based on an output from the displacement gage.

Method of and apparatus for determining tire shapes

A tire/wheel assembly includes a wheel having a rim, a pneumatic tire fitted to the rim of the wheel and a run-flat support member, the pneumatic tire having a tread surface and a hollow space, the tread surface having circumferential grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the tire, the run-flat support member being disposed in the hollow space of the pneumatic tire and having an annular shell and elastic rings, the annular shell comprising a support surface formed radially outward having a convexly curved surface portion with an annular apical line or face and two leg portions formed radially inward, the elastic rings supporting the two leg portions on the rim. The apical line or apical face of the convexly curved surface portion is offset in a direction of a center axis of rotation of the wheel so as not to be located in a position corresponding to the circumferential grooves when viewed from a radial direction of the wheel.

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Hiratsuka, Japan

Tsuyoshi Uehara