Monitoring device and patch assembly

• US 20020124934A1
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Koch, Russell W., Przygocki, David A., Loudin, Philip B., Sears, Robert John
• Granted Patent: US 7,331,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/97
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

Abstract

A monitoring device and patch assembly and method for forming the assembly is disclosed wherein the patch includes a platform and at least a portion of the monitoring device is positioned adjacent the patch. At least a portion of the monitoring device and platform are encapsulated to connect the monitoring device to the patch.

Claims

1. A method of forming an electronic monitoring device and patch assembly that is adapted to be mounted to a pneumatic tire, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an attachment patch having a first side, a second side, and a platform extending from the first side;

(b) providing at least a portion of an electronic monitoring device; and

(c) encapsulating the at least one portion of the electronic monitoring device directly to the platform of the attachment patch to connect the at least one portion of the electronic monitoring device to the attachment patch.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

mounting an antenna to the attachment patch;

connecting the at least one portion of the electronic monitoring device to the antenna at a connection location; and

covering the connection location during step (c).

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a mold;

surrounding the monitoring device with the mold; and

filling the mold with encapsulation material.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of engaging the platform with the mold.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of suspending the at least one portion of the monitoring device from the mold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the platform has an overhang;

the method including the step of substantially surrounding the overhang with the encapsulation material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) includes the steps of:

providing a first portion of encapsulation material;

contacting the at least one portion of the monitoring device with the first portion of the encapsulation material; and

providing a second portion of encapsulation material to substantially surround the at least one portion of the monitoring device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a second portion of the monitoring device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (c) includes the steps of:

providing a first portion of encapsulation material;

contacting the second portion of the monitoring device with the first portion of the encapsulation material;

providing a second portion of encapsulation material to substantially surround the second portion of the monitoring device;

contacting the at least one portion of the monitoring device with the second portion of the encapsulation material; and

providing a third portion of encapsulation material to substantially surround the at least one portion of the monitoring device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting the attachment patch to the inner surface of a pneumatic tire.

11. A patch for mounting a monitoring device to the inside of a pneumatic tire;

comprising;

a body having a first side, a second side, and a platform extending from the first side;

at least a first portion of an electronic monitoring device; and

an encapsulation material substantially surrounding the at least first portion of the electronic monitoring device and at least a portion of the platform to connect the at least first portion of the electronic monitoring device to the patch.

12. The patch of claim 11, wherein the attachment patch is free of adhesive holding the encapsulation material to the platform.

13. The patch of claim 11, further comprising an antenna mounted to the body;

the antenna being electrically connected to the at least first portion of the electronic monitoring device.

14. The patch of claim 11, further comprising an antenna spaced from the at least first portion of the electronic monitoring device;

the encapsulation material substantially surrounding the antenna.

15. The patch of claim 11, wherein the platform includes an overhang.

16. The patch of claim 15, wherein the encapsulation material is disposed intermediate the overhang and the body.

17. The patch of claim 11, wherein the platform defines a recessed collar.

18. The patch of claim 17, further comprising an encapsulation mold;

the encapsulation mold engaging the recessed collar.

19. The patch of claim 18, wherein the platform includes an overhang;

the overhang being substantially surrounded by the encapsulation mold.

20. A patch for mounting a monitoring device to the inside of a pneumatic tire;

comprising;

a body having a first side, a second side, and a platform extending from the first side;

the platform having an overhang;

at least a first portion of an electronic monitoring device;

an encapsulation material substantially surrounding the at least first portion of the electronic monitoring device; and

the encapsulation material substantially surrounding the overhang of the platform to connect the at least first portion of the electronic monitoring device to the patch.