JP6037180B2 - Tire, vehicle equipped with the same, and traffic control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle that travels on land such as a motorcycle, a motor vehicle of three or more wheels, a vehicle that travels on a track such as a monorail or a luggage carrier in a factory, a tire used for a vehicle such as an aircraft, and a vehicle equipped with the tire. , and about the traffic control system.

  The performance required for tires varies, and in recent years, there is a tendency for both improvement in grip strength and reduction in fuel consumption. In order to meet such demands, each tire manufacturer has improved the structure of the tire, improved the tread pattern, developed a rubber material for the tire, etc., and as a result, the performance of the tire has been gradually improved. However, since improvement in grip strength and reduction in fuel consumption are contradictory, it is difficult to obtain significant improvements in the above improvements and developments.

  On the other hand, in response to the above requirements, a small compressor capable of adjusting the air pressure to each tire mounted on the vehicle by utilizing the fact that the rolling resistance is reduced when the air pressure is increased and the gripping force is improved when the air pressure is lowered. It is known to attach an attached electronic valve and change the air pressure of each tire according to various road surface conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a tire is also known in which an elastomer that expands and contracts by applying an electric field is attached to an inner peripheral surface by utilizing the fact that the performance of the tire changes when the rigidity of the tire itself is changed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .) In this tire, by applying an electric field to the elastomer, the tire stretches in the radial direction and the rigidity of the tire increases. Therefore, the tire characteristics can be changed according to the running state such as the vehicle speed and the presence of a curve, and the road surface condition. .

JP 2013-28338 A JP 2008-87512 A

  Here, the grip force of the tire is determined by the force of the tread rubber of the tire by the force based on the adhesion friction generated when the surface of the tread member (tread rubber) of the tire and the road surface are in close contact with each other and the external force received from the road surface or the vehicle. The resultant force of various forces includes, for example, a force based on hysteresis loss friction generated by deformation of each block near the ground surface. In particular, it is said that the hysteresis loss friction has a great influence on the grip force of the tire, and in particular, the high frequency hysteresis loss friction has a great influence on the wet grip force and the like.

  When adjusting the pneumatic pressure of each tire with an electronic valve with a small compressor as described above, or when adjusting the rigidity of each tire with an elastomer that expands and contracts with an electric field applied to the inner peripheral surface, the rolling resistance of the tire changes. However, the characteristics of the contact surface of the tread member of the tire cannot be changed.

  Four-wheel tires have been developed that change the viscoelasticity of the rubber on the outside and inside to try to achieve both grip and resistance to cornering loads. In addition, by changing the rubber quality of the tire center and both shoulders in a two-wheeled tire, we are trying to achieve both wear resistance and fuel efficiency when going straight and a grip when cornering. However, since the grip during braking or acceleration cannot be maximized, wear resistance and fuel consumption must be sacrificed.

The present invention was made in view of such circumstances, a tire capable of adjusting the hysteresis loss in the vicinity of the ground contact surface of the tread member, a vehicle fitted with this, and to provide a traffic control system With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
The tire according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field or a magnetic field.

  In the first aspect, by applying an electric field or a magnetic field to the grounding surface side of the tread member, the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer forming the grounding surface of the tread member are changed, and hysteresis loss near the grounding surface of the tread member is reduced. Can be adjusted.

The tire according to the second aspect of the present invention is arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction so as to be spaced from each other, and an electric field is formed on the grounding surface side of the tread member. further comprising a pair of magnetic poles for applying a pair of electrodes or magnetic field to be applied to.

According to the second aspect, the pair of electrodes or magnetic poles are arranged in the tread member in which the ground contact surface is formed or in the tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction. There is no need to provide it on a member different from the tire. Further, since the tire constituent member on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member is disposed at a position close to the tread member, an electric field or a magnetic field can be efficiently applied to the grounding surface side of the tread member.

  In the tire according to the third aspect of the present invention, each of the electrodes is provided in the tread member or an elastomer member positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and spirally formed in the tire circumferential direction. It is an extended wire.

  More specifically, the tire according to the third aspect includes a tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field, and the inside of the tread member or the inside of the tread member in the tire radial direction. A pair of electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and apply an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member, and the pair of electrodes is provided with a potential difference by a power source. An electric field is applied to the grounding surface side of the tread member, and the pair of electrodes are provided in the tread member or an elastomer member positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and a tire. It is a wire extending in a spiral shape in the circumferential direction.

  According to the third aspect, in the state of the unvulcanized tire, the wire is arranged to extend in a spiral shape in the tire circumferential direction on the elastomer member arranged in the tread member or on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member. By doing so, each electrode can be disposed so as to extend in a spiral shape in the tire after vulcanization. Alternatively, a tread member used for molding an unvulcanized tire is formed by winding a ribbon-like elastomer having a wire in the circumferential direction, or an elastomer disposed inside the tread member in the tire radial direction in the unvulcanized tire The member can be molded so that each electrode can be arranged to extend helically within the vulcanized tire. For this reason, each electrode can be efficiently arranged in the tire. In addition, since the electrode is disposed inside the tire, there is an advantage that the electrode is hardly worn or damaged.

In the third aspect, when the electrode is a magnetic pole member, the tire includes a tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of a magnetic field, and the tread member or the tread member. A pair of magnetic pole members that apply a magnetic field to the grounding surface side of the tread member and are disposed at intervals in a tire constituent member that is located on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tire, and at least of the pair of magnetic pole members One is made of an electromagnet, and the pair of magnetic pole members are provided in the tread member or an elastomer member positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and extend in the tire circumferential direction so as to be along each other. Yes.
Furthermore, in the third aspect, a plurality of blocks that are continuous in the tire circumferential direction are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tread member, and the pair of electrodes or the pair of magnetic poles are provided inside each of the plurality of blocks. A member may be provided.

  In the tire according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, each of the electrodes is provided in the tread member or in an elastomer member disposed on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and one side portion of the tire To the other side part through the tread part.

  According to the fourth aspect, in the state of the unvulcanized tire, on the elastomer member disposed in the tread member or on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, the other side through the tread portion from one side portion of the tire. By arranging a plurality of wires extending in the part, each electrode can be arranged in the vulcanized tire so as to extend from one side part of the tire through the tread part to the other side part. Or, for example, when the tire has a carcass member in which a plurality of reinforcing materials extending from one side portion of the tire to the other side portion through the tread portion is disposed, at least a part of the reinforcing material is an electrode wire. By doing so, each electrode can be arranged in the vulcanized tire so as to extend from one side portion of the tire to the other side portion through the tread portion. For this reason, each electrode can be efficiently arranged in the tire. In addition, since the electrode is disposed inside the tire, there is an advantage that the electrode is hardly worn or damaged.

In the tire according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the plurality of electrodes is disposed in a groove of a tread pattern formed in the tread portion.
According to the fifth aspect, since the electrode can be formed in the groove of the tread pattern by vapor deposition or the like, the electrode can be formed in the tire after vulcanization, and each electrode is arranged efficiently. be able to. Further, since the inside of the groove of the tread pattern is not grounded to the road surface, there is an advantage that the electrode is hardly worn or damaged. Furthermore, it is easy to confirm whether or not the electrode is broken and to perform maintenance.

In the tire according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the electrodes not disposed in the groove is disposed in the block portion of the tread pattern.
According to the sixth aspect, since at least a part of the electrode is disposed in the block that generates the hysteresis loss, it is possible to adjust the hysteresis loss more reliably.

The tire according to a seventh aspect of the present invention further includes a low dielectric constant member that is disposed between the plurality of electrodes and that has a dielectric constant of ½ or less with respect to the elastomer that constitutes the tread member.
According to the seventh aspect, since the low dielectric constant member having a dielectric constant lower than that of the tread member elastomer is disposed between the electrodes, the electric field is the shortest distance between the electrodes. Rather than passing through the inside, it passes through the elastomer whose characteristics change due to the application of the electric field of the tread member having a high dielectric constant, and the electric field can be applied more efficiently to the elastomer of the tread member. .

In the tire according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a flat portion facing the grounding surface of the tread member is formed on a side surface extending along the axis of the wire.
According to the eighth aspect, the electric flux density generated from the flat portion on the side surface of the wire tends to be higher than the electric flux density generated from the other side surface of the wire, and this flat portion faces the grounding surface of the tread member. Therefore, an electric field can be efficiently applied to the grounding surface side of the tread member.

  In a tire according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the elastomer member is a carcass member, a belt member disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction from the carcass member, or disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction from the carcass member. Ribbon-shaped members wound spirally in the direction, and each electrode is a part of a plurality of wires embedded in the carcass member so as to be substantially parallel to each other, and substantially parallel to each other in the belt member It is a wire rod embedded in a part of a plurality of wire rods embedded in the above or in the ribbon-like member.

  According to the ninth aspect, the wire forming each electrode is part of a plurality of wires embedded in the carcass member so as to be substantially parallel to each other, and the plurality of wires embedded in the belt member so as to be substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, there is no need to increase the number of tire components in order to provide the electrodes, and the overall rigidity of the tire and the balance between the components can be examined. Tire design efforts can be reduced, and an increase in manufacturing cost and tire weight due to an increase in new components can be prevented or suppressed.

  The tire according to the tenth aspect of the present invention further includes a power generation element or a storage element that is fixed to a side portion or a tread portion of the tire and applies a potential or a current to each electrode or magnetic pole.

  According to the tenth aspect, since potential and current are applied to each electrode or magnetic pole from the power generation element or power storage element fixed to the side part or tread part of the tire, in order to apply potential or current to each electrode or self There is no need to provide a configuration for applying a potential or current to each electrode or magnetic pole from the outside of the tire, or the configuration can be simplified.

Also, the first, the second or the fourth aspect, the tread a plurality of blocks are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the member, each said pair of electrodes or the pair of magnetic pole members inside the tire radial direction of each block May be arranged.

  A vehicle according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a vehicle on which the tire is mounted, and includes control means for controlling a potential and a current applied to each electrode or magnetic pole according to a traveling state or behavior of the vehicle. Have.

  According to the eleventh aspect, the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer that forms the ground contact surface of the tread member change according to the traveling state or behavior of the vehicle, and the contact of the tread member that greatly affects the grip force and rolling resistance of the tire. Since the hysteresis loss near the ground can be adjusted, it is possible to achieve a high level of both improvement in gripping force and reduction in fuel consumption.

  A traffic control system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention receives road surface conditions, weather conditions, traffic conditions, vehicle running conditions, or vehicle behavior, and detection results from the detection means. Then, traffic control for transmitting a control signal for the potential or current amount supplied to each electrode or magnetic pole according to the detection result to the vehicle control means according to claim 11 existing in a predetermined range where the detection result is obtained. Means.

  According to the twelfth aspect, since the characteristics of the tread portion of the vehicle tire existing in the predetermined range can be changed according to the detection result of the detection means, for example, the predetermined range according to the weather condition It is possible to forcibly change the characteristics of the tread portion of the vehicle tire existing in the vehicle.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an unvulcanized tread member having a pair of electrodes or a pair of magnetic pole members arranged to extend in a spiral shape, the pair of electrodes or the pair of electrodes The method includes a step of winding a ribbon-shaped unvulcanized rubber in which the magnetic pole members are spaced apart from each other in a spiral shape.

  The tire manufacturing method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the belt member in an unvulcanized state on the outer peripheral surface of an unvulcanized cylindrical member having at least an inner liner member and a carcass member. A step of molding an unvulcanized tire by disposing the unvulcanized tread member produced by the production method, and a step of applying pressure and heat to the unvulcanized tire in a vulcanization mold. Have

  According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the hysteresis loss in the vicinity of the contact surface of the tread member of the tire.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the tread member of the unvulcanized state used for the said tire. It is sectional drawing of the tread member of the unvulcanized state used for the said tire. It is principal part sectional drawing of the tire which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of a control device which controls a tire of a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram of the traffic control device which controls the tire of a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the tread member of the unvulcanized state used for the tire which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd ribbon-like rubber used for the tire which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the tire which concerns on the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a principal part top view of the tire which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a principal part top view of the tire which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment.

A tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, this tire has an inner liner member IN, a carcass member CA, a belt member 20, a bead member 30, a side member 40, etc., such as a motorcycle, a vehicle such as a three or more wheel vehicle, a monorail or a factory. It is a tire used for a vehicle or the like that travels on a track such as an inner luggage carrier. In addition, it is also possible to provide another tire structural member according to the specification of a tire, and it is also possible to omit any tire structural member among the above. As shown in FIG. 1, the tire includes a tread portion 1 that contacts a road surface, a pair of tire width direction bead portions 2 that are provided on both sides of the tire width direction and are attached to a wheel rim (not shown), A pair of side portions 3 in the tire width direction extending from the bead portions 2 toward the outer side in the tire radial direction is provided. Both ends in the width direction of the tread portion 1 are also called shoulder portions. A plurality of vertical grooves 1a and a plurality of horizontal grooves are formed on the outer surface of the tread portion 1, and a plurality of blocks 1c are formed by each groove, and a tread pattern is formed by each groove and each block 1c.

  In the case of molding this tire, for example, when each tire component is in an unvulcanized state, the inner liner member IN is molded into a cylindrical shape on a molding drum, and the carcass member CA is wound around the outer peripheral surface side thereof. A pair of bead members 30 are mounted on the outer peripheral surface side of the member CA, and a pair of side members 40 are wound. The cylindrical member is formed into a donut shape, and is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member after being formed into a donut shape. An unvulcanized tire is formed by winding the two belt members 20 and the tread member 10. Then, by molding the unvulcanized tire by applying pressure and heat in a vulcanization mold, a tire as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unvulcanized tread member 10 is formed in a tubular shape by winding a ribbon-shaped unvulcanized rubber. Also, the first ribbon-shaped rubber 11 that is wound on the outermost side and is formed with the grooves 1a, 1b and the blocks 1c after vulcanization and becomes a grounding surface, and the inner peripheral surface of the first ribbon-shaped rubber 11 A second ribbon-like rubber 12 wound around the second ribbon-like rubber 12, and a third ribbon-like rubber 13 wound around the inner peripheral surface of the second ribbon-like rubber 12. The first ribbon-like rubber is made of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by applying an electric field or a magnetic field. The second ribbon-like rubber includes a pair of electrodes 12a and 12b in the tire width direction, a low dielectric constant member 12c disposed between the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b, a pair of electrodes 12a and 12b, and a low dielectric constant member 12c. And an unvulcanized rubber portion 12d for connecting the two. In this embodiment, the unvulcanized rubber portion 12d is made of a material that constitutes a conventional tread rubber portion such as natural rubber. Like the first ribbon-like rubber 11, the unvulcanized rubber portion 12d is made of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics change due to an electric field or a magnetic field. It is also possible to form. The electrodes 12a and 12b are made of a metal wire, and are insulated from each other by an unvulcanized rubber portion 12d. The low dielectric constant member 12c is made of a flexible material such as rubber, plastic, or other polymer material having a dielectric constant of ½ or less of the elastomer of the first ribbon-like rubber 11. When the low dielectric constant member 12c is made of a rubber material, it may be an unvulcanized rubber or a vulcanized rubber. Similarly to the low dielectric constant member 12c, the third ribbon rubber 13 is made of rubber having a dielectric constant of 1/2 or less with respect to the elastomer of the first ribbon rubber 11.

  After the two belt members 20 are wound around the cylindrical member formed into the donut shape, the third, second, and first ribbon-like rubbers 11 are sequentially wound around the outer peripheral surface of the belt member 20. Thus, the tread member 10 can be formed. Both ends of the second ribbon-like rubber 12 of the tread member 10 extend inward in the tire radial direction, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, after winding the tread member 10 around the cylindrical member after being formed into the donut shape, passing both ends of the second ribbon-shaped rubber 12 between the constituent members of the cylindrical member, and Alternatively, by inserting the component member, the cylindrical member is extended inward in the radial direction. However, both ends of the second ribbon-shaped rubber 12 are arranged between the side member 40 and the bead member 30 and the like. It is also possible to extend outward in the direction.

Known elastomers can be used as the elastomer whose viscoelastic properties are changed by applying the electric field or magnetic field. For example, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline, polyphenylene, etc. disclosed in JP-A-2005-111245 can be used, and polyurethane disclosed in JP-A-7-240544 can also be used. It is also possible to use silicon rubber disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-41530. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-155918, it comprises a conductive polymer, a cation component and an anion component. It is also possible to use a conductive polymer structure containing a hydrophilic ionic liquid, and it is also possible to use a liquid crystal elastomer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-191117. Polymer material in which particles and reinforcing materials are dispersed and fibers and particles are oriented by a magnetic field It is also possible, inside Dispersed fibers or particles or reinforcement by other electric field or magnetic field is also possible to use a polymer which alignment is used.
Such an elastomer whose viscoelasticity is changed by an electric or magnetic field is dielectric like a capacitor, so that it can be polarized by providing a potential difference, and the circuit can be cut and the polarization can be self-maintained without current flowing. . In this case, the polarization disappears due to a short circuit and the original characteristics of the material are exhibited. On the other hand, although not explained so far, conversely, if a material whose storage elastic modulus decreases due to polarization and loss elastic modulus increases is used, loss tangent increases, so the grip increases and the rolling resistance increases due to the effect. . Which material to use depends on the balance of demands according to safety, grip and fuel-saving applications.

  When an unvulcanized tire having such a tread member is molded in a vulcanization mold, the grooves 1a and 1b and the blocks 1c are formed in the first ribbon-shaped rubber 11, and the tire diameter of each block 1c. A pair of electrodes 12a and 12b and a low dielectric constant member 12c disposed between the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b are disposed inside the direction. Thereby, a pair of electrode 12a, 12b and the low dielectric constant member 12c are arrange | positioned helically in the tire peripheral direction.

  In the present embodiment, the second ribbon-shaped rubber 12 is wound inside the tread member 10, and the electrodes 12 a and 12 b are arranged inside the tread member 10. On the other hand, the second ribbon-shaped rubber 12 is wound between the tread member 10 and the belt member 20, and each electrode 12 a is placed inside the ribbon-shaped rubber 12 spirally wound on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member 10. 12b can also be arranged (see FIG. 9). It is also possible to provide the ribbon-like rubber 12 as a part of the belt member 20.

  In the present embodiment, both ends of the second ribbon-like rubber 12 are disposed between the pair of side portions 3 on the radial inner side of the tread portion 1 of the vulcanized tire. Each bead portion 2 of the tire is mounted on a rim portion of a vehicle wheel, and the tire is used by being filled with air of a predetermined pressure. At this time, the pair of electrodes 12 a and 12 b are connected to the power source 60. The power supply 60 may be provided on the wheel or may be provided on the vehicle. When the power source 60 is provided in a wheel or a vehicle, both ends of the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b are connected to the rotary joint, and a potential is applied from the power source 60 to the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b via the rotary joint. On the other hand, a power generation element or a power storage element is attached to the side part 3 or the tread part 1 of the tire, and both ends of the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b are connected to the power generation element or the power storage element. , 12b can be applied with a potential. When the power generation element is mounted, the power generation element is composed of a piezoelectric element or the like, and power is generated by repeated deformation of the tire.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle is provided with a control device 50 that is connected to a power source 60 and controls the potential supplied to the electrodes 12 a and 12 b according to the running state or behavior of the vehicle. The control device 50 is composed of a known computer, and also includes a detection unit 51 that detects the running state or behavior of the vehicle, a control table that associates a range of values detected by the detection unit 51 with potentials, and a control program. And a storage unit 52 that stores. The detection unit 51 may be a vehicle running speed meter, a vehicle steering angle meter, or an accelerometer that is installed in the vehicle and detects acceleration in each direction of the vehicle or tire. The road surface state detecting means for detecting the temperature and the state of the road surface, the thermometer for detecting the temperature outside the vehicle 60, the weight meter for detecting the weight of the vehicle, In addition, it is possible to use detection means for detecting the running state and behavior of the vehicle, and one or more of the above can be used. The control device 50 operates according to the control program, and the control device 50 operates the power supply 60 according to the detection result of the detection unit 51. Thereby, the electric potential according to the detection result of the detection part 51 is supplied from the power supply 60 to a pair of electrode 12a, 12b. At this time, the control device 50 refers to the control table, and thereby, a potential corresponding to the detection result of the detection unit 51 is supplied.

  For example, when the detection unit 51 detects that the traveling speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined value and the steering angle is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the potential difference applied to the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b is increased. Thereby, the electric flux density which passes each block part 11c becomes high, and the hysteresis loss of the said elastomer which comprises each block 11c becomes small. In particular, high-frequency hysteresis loss (a value such as a damping coefficient, a storage elastic modulus, a loss elastic modulus, a loss tangent) of the elastomer constituting each block 11c becomes small. As a result, the rolling resistance of the tire is reduced, and fuel-saving driving can be performed. On the other hand, when the detection unit 51 detects that the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined value and the steering angle exceeds the predetermined value, the potential difference applied to the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b is reduced or made zero. Thereby, the electric flux density which passes each block part 11c becomes low or disappears, and the hysteresis loss of the said elastomer which comprises each block 11c becomes large. In particular, high-frequency hysteresis loss (a value such as a damping coefficient, a storage elastic modulus, a loss elastic modulus, a loss tangent) of the elastomer constituting each block 11c increases. The high-frequency hysteresis loss has a great influence on the grip force of the tire, particularly the wet grip force, and therefore the tire grip force, particularly the wet grip force, is increased.

  Therefore, since the rolling resistance can be reduced by changing the material properties in a short time with less potential than the conventional method of increasing the rigidity to support the car, the hysteresis loss of the tread rubber itself that has been limited so far in order to save fuel It is also possible to increase the wet grip force of the tire more than before, so in addition to reducing the contact area by increasing the rigidity of the tire case and improving energy loss due to tire deformation, the friction frequency characteristics on the tread surface itself By adjusting this, it is possible to expand the range that achieves both improved fuel efficiency during steady driving and improved grip during emergency and sports driving.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrodes 12 a are provided in the above-mentioned vehicle or a control center away from the vehicle, and each electrode 12 a according to the traveling state of the vehicle, the behavior of the vehicle, the road surface state, the weather state, the traffic state, etc. , 12b can be provided with a traffic control device 70 for transmitting a control signal for controlling the potential supplied to the vehicle control means 50. The traffic control device 70 is composed of a known computer, and also includes a status detection unit 71 that detects a road surface condition and a weather condition, and a traffic in which a range or content of a value detected by the status detection unit 71 is associated with a potential. The storage unit 72 stores a control table and a traffic control program. The situation detection unit 71 may receive weather condition information from a weather observation prediction group such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, and estimates the road condition from the obtained weather information and the quality of the road surface of the corresponding place. It may be installed on the road surface of the corresponding place and directly measure or observe the road surface condition, or it may receive traffic information from an organization that collects and manages the traffic condition information. The traffic information of the road may be estimated based on a sensor or a camera installed on the road, or the detection unit 51 may be used, and one or more of the above may be used. . The traffic control device 70 operates according to a traffic control program, and the traffic control device 70 transmits a control signal for controlling the potential supplied to each electrode 12a, 12b to the control means 50 of the vehicle. Thereby, the electric potential according to the detection result of the condition detection part 71 is supplied to the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b from the power supply 60. At this time, the traffic control device 70 refers to the traffic control table, and thereby, a potential corresponding to the detection result of the traffic detection unit 71 is supplied. Further, the control signal can be transmitted not only to one vehicle but also to the vehicle control means 50 existing in a predetermined range. This makes it possible to forcibly increase the tire grip force of each vehicle during snowfall.

Further, each vehicle has position information detection means for detecting the position information of the vehicle, and the control device 50 of each vehicle has a control result of power feeding to the electrodes 12a and 12b and a detection unit that is the basis of the control. It is also possible to configure so that the detection result 51 is transmitted to the traffic control device 71 together with the control and the vehicle position information at the time of detection. In this case, the traffic control device 71 stores the control result and detection result information received from each vehicle in association with the position information of the vehicle at the time of the control and detection. By using such data, it becomes possible to estimate the skill of the driving vehicle and the safety of the vehicle.
Further, the control device 50 detects when each vehicle has an automatic driving means for driving the vehicle at a constant speed on an expressway or the like, and a semi-automatic driving means for causing the vehicle to perform an avoidance operation when a danger approaches. You may comprise so that the electric potential supplied to each electrode 12a, 12b according to the control signal from the part 51 or the traffic control apparatus 71 may be controlled.

Thus, according to this embodiment, by applying an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member 10, the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer forming the grounding surface of the tread member 10 are changed, and the grounding surface of the tread member 10 is changed. The hysteresis loss in the vicinity can be adjusted.
For example, in normal constant speed running, an electric field can be applied to reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency. During emergency braking, rapid acceleration, or during rain or snow, the electric field can be cut off to maximize the grip. It can also be used to control the traction of each tire when turning.

  In addition, since the plurality of electrodes 12a and 12b are arranged in the tread member 10 in which the ground contact surface is formed or in the tire constituent member located inside the tread member 10 in the tire radial direction, the electrodes 12a and 12b are arranged. Is not required to be provided on a member different from the tire. For this reason, the structure around the tire can be simplified. Further, since the tire constituent member on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member 10 is disposed at a position close to the tread member 10, an electric field or a magnetic field can be efficiently applied to the ground contact surface side of the tread member 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, in the state of an unvulcanized tire, a spiral shape in the tire circumferential direction in or on the elastomer member disposed inside the tread member 10 or inside the tread member 10 in the tire radial direction. By arranging the wire so as to extend in a straight line, the electrodes 12a and 12b can be arranged to extend in a spiral shape in the vulcanized tire. For this reason, the tire containing electrode 12a, 12b can be manufactured, without changing the manufacturing method of a tire significantly. Further, by winding a ribbon-shaped elastomer having a wire in the circumferential direction, a tread member 10 used for molding an unvulcanized tire or an elastomer member disposed inside the tread member 10 in the tire radial direction in the unvulcanized tire is molded. Thus, the electrodes 12a and 12b can be arranged so as to extend in a spiral shape in the vulcanized tire. For this reason, each electrode 12a, 12b can be efficiently arrange | positioned in a tire. Moreover, since the electrodes 12a and 12b are disposed inside the tire, there is an advantage that the electrodes 12a and 12b are less likely to be worn or damaged.

  Further, since the low dielectric constant member 12c having a dielectric constant lower than that of the elastomer of the tread member 10 is disposed between the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b, the low dielectric constant member whose electric field is the shortest distance between the electrodes. It passes through the elastomer of the tread member 10 having a high dielectric constant rather than passing through the inside of the 12c, and an electric field can be applied to the elastomer of the tread member 10 more efficiently.

  Further, when a potential is applied to each of the electrodes 12a and 12b from the power generation element or the storage element fixed to the side portion 3 or the tread portion 1 of the tire, the outside of the tire is used to apply the potential to each of the electrodes 12a and 12b. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a configuration for applying a potential to each electrode, or the configuration can be simplified.

As the power generation element, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-87512, for example, an elastomer that is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the tread portion of the tire and generates power by repeated deformation of the tire can be used. The power generated by the element may be directly supplied to each electrode, and the electricity generated by the power generation element is stored in a storage element such as a secondary battery or a capacitor, and is supplied from the storage element to each electrode. It may be configured.
In this case, the power generation amount and power generation pattern by the elastomer affixed to the inner peripheral surface of the tread portion are used as a sensor for knowing the usage status of the tire, and the power generation amount and power generation pattern by the elastomer are detected by the detection unit 51. It is also possible to control the anti-brake locking system and the traction control system based on the power generation amount and power generation pattern by the elastomer.

  Further, as the power source 60, the power receiving unit of the non-contact power feeding system is fixed to the tire, while the power transmitting unit of the non-contact power feeding system is fixed to the vicinity of the tire in the vehicle, for example, a tire house, an axle, a hub, or a wheel. It is also possible to configure so that a potential is applied to each of the electrodes 12a and 12b. In this case, electricity is supplied to the power transmission unit from a vehicle battery or an in-wheel motor. Further, the non-contact power feeding system can be configured using a known method such as an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic field resonance method, a radio wave method, or the like. For example, in the case of the electromagnetic induction method or the electromagnetic resonance method, a circuit having a coil is formed in the power receiving unit, and the potential difference between the electrodes 12a and 12b is caused by the electrodes 12a and 12b contacting different positions of the circuit. Is formed. When the in-wheel motor is configured to be supplied with electricity, the in-hole motor is built in the wheel hub near the tire and has a large amount of power generation. Therefore, a potential difference is provided between the electrodes 12a and 12b. It can be fully utilized. In order to store electricity generated by the in-wheel motor, a storage element can be provided on the power transmission unit side or the power reception unit side.

  In addition, the potential difference supplied to each electrode 12a, 12b is controlled according to the running state or behavior of the vehicle, thereby changing the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer that forms the ground contact surface of the tread member 10, and the grip force and rolling force of the tire. Since the hysteresis loss in the vicinity of the contact surface of the tread member that greatly affects the resistance can be adjusted, it is possible to achieve both improvement in grip force and reduction in fuel consumption at a high level.

  In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to provide flat portions 12e and 12f facing the grounding surface of the tread member 10 on the side surfaces extending along the axis of the wire constituting each electrode 12a and 12b. It is. The plane portions 12e and 12f of the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b have an angle of less than 180 ° with each other, and preferably have an angle of less than 170 °. In this case, the electric flux density generated from the flat portions 12e and 12f on the side surface of the wire tends to be higher than the electric flux density generated from the other side surface of the wire, and the flat portions 12e and 12f serve as the grounding surface of the tread member 10. Therefore, the electric field can be efficiently applied to the grounding surface side of the tread member 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the second ribbon-shaped rubber 12 is made up of a second ribbon-shaped rubber 14, a fourth ribbon-shaped rubber 15, and a fifth ribbon-shaped rubber 16. Substitution is also possible. In this case, the second ribbon-like rubber 14 is composed of the electrodes 14a, 14b and the unvulcanized rubber portion 14c similar to the electrodes 12a, 12b and the unvulcanized rubber portion 12d of the second ribbon-like rubber of the first embodiment. Have In this case, it is preferable that the unvulcanized rubber portion 14c is made of the same material as that of the low dielectric constant member 12c of the second ribbon-like rubber of the first embodiment. The fourth ribbon rubber 15 is made of the same material as the low dielectric constant member 12c of the second ribbon rubber of the first embodiment, and the fifth ribbon rubber 16 is the second ribbon of the first embodiment. It is made of the same material as the unvulcanized rubber portion 12 d of the rubber 12 and the first ribbon rubber 11. The fourth ribbon-shaped rubber 15 and the fifth ribbon-shaped rubber 16 are wound so as to be alternately arranged in the tire width direction, and the fourth ribbon-shaped rubber 15 is wound in the tire width direction with respect to the pair of electrodes 14a and 14b. Located in the center. Even when configured in this manner, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the second ribbon-like rubber 12 can be replaced with the second ribbon-like rubber 17 shown in FIG. In this case, the second ribbon-like rubber 17 has electrodes 17a and 17b similar to the electrodes 12a and 12b of the second ribbon-like rubber of the first embodiment. Moreover, it has the low dielectric constant member 17c holding the electrode 17a and the electrode 17b. The low dielectric constant member 17c has a cross-sectional shape in which the center portion in the tire width direction protrudes in the tire radial direction with respect to the electrodes 17a and 17b, and the thickness in the tire radial direction at positions corresponding to the electrodes 17a and 17b is small. For this reason, the low dielectric constant member 17c exists thinly or does not exist on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the electrodes 17a and 17b. Even in this configuration, a low dielectric constant member is disposed between the electrodes 17a and 17b, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the state of an unvulcanized tire, on the elastomer member disposed in the tread member 10 or on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member 10, the other side portion 3 passes through the tread portion 1 from one side portion 3 of the tire. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of electrodes so as to extend from one side part 3 of the tire through the tread part 1 to the other side part 3 in the tire after vulcanization by arranging a plurality of wires extending in is there. Even in this case, by applying an electric field to the contact surface side of the tread member 10, the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer forming the contact surface of the tread member 10 are changed, and the hysteresis loss near the contact surface of the tread member 10 is adjusted. be able to.

Further, when the tire has a carcass member or a belt member in which a plurality of reinforcing members extending from the one side portion 3 of the tire to the other side portion 3 through the tread portion 1 are disposed, at least a part of the reinforcing material is included. By using a wire for an electrode, a plurality of electrodes can be arranged to extend from one side portion 3 of the tire to the other side portion 3 through the tread portion 1 in the vulcanized tire. For this reason, each electrode can be efficiently arranged in the tire. In addition, since the electrode is disposed inside the tire, there is an advantage that the electrode is hardly worn or damaged.
Furthermore, the wire disposed in the strip member spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the belt member or the carcass member in the tire circumferential direction is used as an electrode, and a plurality of electrodes are used in the tire circumferential direction within the vulcanized tire. It is also possible to arrange so as to extend.

  In the present embodiment, an electric field is applied to the grounding surface side of the tread member 10. For example, one magnetic pole member is disposed at the position of the wire forming one electrode in each of the above embodiments. However, it is possible to apply a magnetic field to the grounding surface side of the tread member 10 by arranging the other magnetic pole member at the position of the wire forming the other electrode. At least one of the magnetic pole members is made of an electromagnet. Even in this case, it is possible to adjust the hysteresis loss near the ground contact surface of the tread member 10 by changing the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer forming the ground contact surface of the tread member 10.

  In the present embodiment, when only the vertical groove 1a is formed on the ground contact surface of the tread portion 1 and the block 1c is continuous in the tire circumferential direction, the pair of electrodes 12a and 12b may be disposed in the block 1c. Is possible.

A tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
In this embodiment, the configuration of the tread member is changed with respect to the first embodiment, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Omit.

  The tread member 10 according to the second embodiment is entirely made of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by applying an electric field or a magnetic field. Alternatively, the portion on the ground contact surface side is made of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by applying an electric field or a magnetic field. The molding method and vulcanization molding method of the unvulcanized tire are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, in the tire after vulcanization molding, one electrode 1d is formed on the bottom surface of each vertical groove 1a and each horizontal groove 1b, and the other electrode 1e is formed at the center of each block 1c. One electrode 1d can be formed by evaporating metal on the bottom surface of each vertical groove 1a and each horizontal groove 1b. The other electrode 1e can be formed by embedding a metal member in the center of each block 1c. Each electrode 1d, 1e is connected to a power supply via the electric wire which penetrates between each tire structural member and the inside of each tire structural member similarly to 1st Embodiment. On the other hand, when the tire rolls on the rail, a power source may be provided on the rail side, and a potential may be applied to one of the electrodes by contact with the rail.

  Even in this case, by applying an electric field to the contact surface side of the tread member 10, the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer forming the contact surface of the tread member 10 are changed, and the hysteresis loss near the contact surface of the tread member 10 is adjusted. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 11, one electrode 1f is formed by vapor deposition on the bottom surface of some vertical grooves 1a among the plurality of vertical grooves 1a, and the other electrode 1g is deposited by vapor deposition on the bottom surface of the remaining vertical grooves 1a. It is also possible to form. Alternatively, it is possible to form one electrode by vapor deposition on the bottom surface of some of the horizontal grooves 1b among the plurality of horizontal grooves 1b and to form the other electrode by vapor deposition on the bottom surface of the remaining horizontal grooves 1b. Even in this case, by applying an electric field to the contact surface side of the tread member 10, the viscoelastic characteristics of the elastomer forming the contact surface of the tread member 10 are changed, and the hysteresis loss near the contact surface of the tread member 10 is adjusted. be able to.

In the first and second embodiments, the tread member 10 is formed by winding a ribbon-like rubber. On the other hand, it is also possible to form the whole tread member 10 or a part of the tread member 10 with a belt-like member having a width equivalent to that of the tread portion 1.
Further, the configurations of the first and second embodiments can be used for aircraft tires, and even in this case, the same effects as described above can be achieved.
Further, the configuration of the first embodiment can be used for a slick tire, and even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  In the first and second embodiments, the detection means such as an accelerometer that detects sudden braking of the vehicle and the electric field or magnetic field applied by the control means 50 according to the detection result of the detection means are maximized, or It is also possible to control the power supply so that it becomes zero. Thereby, at the time of emergency sudden braking, the maximum grip can be exhibited by applying an electric field or magnetic field intensively to the tread portion of the tire or by setting the electric field or magnetic field applied to the tread portion to zero. Furthermore, it is possible to control so that an electric field or a magnetic field is applied intensively only to a grounded range in the tread portion. In this case, it is not necessary to apply an electric field or a magnetic field to the entire tire, and the power supply is increased. This is advantageous in terms of operation response time.

  In addition, each electrode or each magnetic pole can be configured so that the strength of the electric field or magnetic field applied to the shoulder portions at both ends in the tire width direction in the tread portion of the tire can be adjusted. For example, an electric field can be applied to the center side of the tread portion in the tire width direction by a first electrode pair, and an electric field can be applied to the end side of the tread portion in the tire width direction by a second electrode pair. . The grip is sufficient for cornering when dry in general driving, so the reduction in contact area due to block rigidity and shear strength are important for handling performance, but since the friction coefficient is small on ice, the lateral force is small and the strength is sufficient. Although there is a demand for increasing the friction coefficient at low temperatures, the above configuration can increase the hysteresis friction by controlling the electric field of the shoulder portion according to the situation. As a result, for example, good handling can be enjoyed on the road to the ski resort, and a good grip can be exhibited even on a snowy icy road near the ski resort.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tread part 2 Bead part 3 Side part 10 Tread member 12a Electrode 12b Electrode 12c Low dielectric constant member 20 Belt member 30 Bead member 40 Side member

Claims (13)

A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field;
A pair of electrodes for applying an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction and spaced apart from each other;
The pair of electrodes is provided with a potential difference by a power source, thereby applying an electric field to the ground surface side of the tread member,
The pair of electrodes, respectively, with is provided in the elastomeric member located in the tire radial direction inner side in or the tread elements of the tread member, Ri wire der extending helically in the tire circumferential direction,
A plurality of blocks that are continuous in the tire circumferential direction are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the tread member,
TIRES have internal to the pair of electrodes provided in each of said plurality of blocks. A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics change by application of a magnetic field;
A pair of magnetic pole members for applying a magnetic field to the grounding surface side of the tread member, arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction and spaced apart from each other,
At least one of the pair of magnetic pole members is made of an electromagnet,
Each of the pair of magnetic pole members is provided in the tread member or an elastomer member located on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and extends in the tire circumferential direction so as to be along each other ,
A plurality of blocks that are continuous in the tire circumferential direction are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the tread member,
A tire in which the pair of magnetic pole members are provided inside each of the plurality of blocks . A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field;
A pair of electrodes for applying an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction and spaced apart from each other;
A tire in which at least one of the pair of electrodes is disposed in a groove of a tread pattern formed in a tread portion. The tire according to claim 3 , wherein at least a part of the other electrode not disposed in the groove is disposed in the block portion of the tread pattern. A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field;
A plurality of electrodes that are arranged at intervals in the tread member or in the tire constituent member located on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member and apply an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member;
A tire further comprising a low dielectric constant member disposed between the plurality of electrodes and having a dielectric constant of ½ or less with respect to the elastomer constituting the tread member. Each electrode or each magnetic pole member is a wire,
The tire according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a flat portion facing the ground contact surface of the tread member is formed on a side surface extending along the axis of the wire. A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field;
A pair of electrodes for applying an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction and spaced apart from each other;
The pair of electrodes is provided with a potential difference by a power source, thereby applying an electric field to the ground surface side of the tread member,
Each of the pair of electrodes is provided in the tread member or in the elastomer member positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and is a wire extending in a spiral shape in the tire circumferential direction,
Each of the electrodes is a wire, and the side surface extending along the axis of the wire has a flat portion facing the grounding surface of the tread member. A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics change by application of a magnetic field;
A pair of magnetic pole members for applying a magnetic field to the grounding surface side of the tread member, arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction and spaced apart from each other,
At least one of the pair of magnetic pole members is made of an electromagnet,
  Each of the pair of magnetic pole members is provided in the tread member or an elastomer member located on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and extends in the tire circumferential direction so as to be along each other,
Each of the magnetic pole members is a wire, and on a side surface extending along the axis of the wire, a flat portion facing the grounding surface of the tread member is formed. A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field;
A pair of electrodes for applying an electric field to the grounding surface side of the tread member arranged in the tread member or a tire constituent member located inside the tread member in the tire radial direction and spaced apart from each other;
The pair of electrodes is provided with a potential difference by a power source, thereby applying an electric field to the ground surface side of the tread member,
Each of the pair of electrodes is provided in the tread member or in the elastomer member positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction of the tread member, and is a wire extending in a spiral shape in the tire circumferential direction,
The elastomer member is a carcass member, a belt member disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction from the carcass member, or a ribbon-shaped member disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction from the carcass member and wound in a spiral shape in the tire circumferential direction. Each of the electrodes is a part of a plurality of wires embedded in the carcass member so as to be substantially parallel to each other, a part of a plurality of wires embedded in the belt member so as to be substantially parallel to each other, or buried wire der filter ear in the ribbon-like member.   The power generating element, the power storage element, or the power receiving unit of the non-contact power feeding system that is fixed to the side part or the tread part of the tire and connected to each electrode or each magnetic pole and applies a potential or current to each electrode or each magnetic pole. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A tread member in which a ground contact surface is formed of an elastomer whose viscoelastic characteristics are changed by application of an electric field;
A pair of electrodes for applying an electric field to the ground surface side of the tread member;
The pair of electrodes is provided with a potential difference by a power source, thereby applying an electric field to the ground surface side of the tread member,
One of the pair of electrodes is a tire embedded in each of a plurality of block portions formed on the grounding surface side of the tread member. A vehicle equipped with the tire according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
A vehicle having control means for controlling a potential and a current amount supplied to each electrode or magnetic pole in accordance with a traveling state or behavior of the vehicle. Detection means for detecting road surface conditions, weather conditions, traffic conditions, vehicle running conditions, or vehicle behavior;
13. The vehicle control means according to claim 12 , which receives a detection result from the detection means and exists in a predetermined range where the detection result is obtained, and supplies a potential or current to each electrode or magnetic pole according to the detection result. A traffic control system comprising a traffic control means for transmitting a quantity control signal.

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