Method and assembly of sensor ready tires
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a tire having a sensor and antenna incorporated therein, the method comprising the steps:
- a. forming an antenna wire into a predetermined shape having first and second free ends;
b. creating a transponder splice region between the first and second free antenna ends;
c. incorporating transponder splice region identification indicia;
d. curing the antenna wire into a tire during a tire manufacturing procedure;
e. locating the transponder splice region by means of the identification indicia; and
f. splicing the antenna wire ends to a sensor in a post-cure procedure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for post-cure application of electronics to a tire includes the steps: forming an antenna wire into a predetermined shape having first and second free ends; creating a transponder splice region between the first and second free antenna ends, incorporating transponder splice region identification indicia; curing the antenna wire into a tire during a tire manufacturing procedure; locating the transponder splice region by means of the transponder splice region identification indicia; and splicing the antenna wire ends to a sensor in a post-cure procedure. The transponder splice region identification indicia may include sandwiching a junction box or the overlapped ends of the antenna wire or wires between layers of select material that will not bond to the tire inner liner or antenna cover compounds and incorporating an air pocket in the sandwiched region. Alternatively, or in conjunction with the air pocket, a unique cover layer differentiated by color or other discernible means may be utilized to seal and cover the transponder splice region.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a tire having a sensor and antenna incorporated therein, the method comprising the steps:
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a. forming an antenna wire into a predetermined shape having first and second free ends; b. creating a transponder splice region between the first and second free antenna ends; c. incorporating transponder splice region identification indicia; d. curing the antenna wire into a tire during a tire manufacturing procedure; e. locating the transponder splice region by means of the identification indicia; and f. splicing the antenna wire ends to a sensor in a post-cure procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sensor-ready tire assembly comprising:
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a. an antenna wire formed into a predetermined shape and having first and second free ends, the free ends being positioned in an opposed orientation to form a transponder splice region; b. a tire having the antenna wire cured therein; c. transponder splice region identification indicia means marking the transponder splice region for post-cure location identification. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A tire assembly including at least one sensor and an communication antenna incorporated therein, the assembly being formed by a process comprising the steps:
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a. forming an antenna wire into a predetermined shape having first and second free ends; b. creating a transponder splice region between first and second free antenna ends; c. incorporating transponder splice region identification indicia; d. curing the antenna wire into a tire during a tire manufacturing procedure; e. locating the transponder splice region by means of the transponder splice region identification indicia; and f. splicing the antenna wire ends to a sensor in a post-cure procedure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification