Robust antenna connection for an electronics component assembly in a tire

• US 7,138,955 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2003
• Issued: 11/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Smith, Cameron E., Kelly, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Tuyet
• Assistant Examiner(s): A, MINH D
• Application Number:
  US10/692,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20050088361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 343/793, 343/806, 343/895, 340/445, 156/110.01, 156/112, 156/114
• US Class Current: 343/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49175 Parallel arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them

Abstract

An electronics component assembly is provided. The assembly includes a tire along with a mounting member that may include means for securing an antenna incorporated in the tire. At least a first antenna wire is present and is incorporated in the tire and connected to the mounting member. Additionally, an integrated circuit is carried by the mounting member and is in communication with the first antenna wire. Additional embodiments are provided in which the mounting member may instead have a first retaining connection that is at least partially curved in shape.

Claims

1. An electronics component assembly in a tire comprising:

a mounting member incorporated in the tire, wherein said mounting member is a small outline package that includes means for securing an antenna thereto;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said small outline package;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said small outline package; and

an electrical circuit carried by said mounting member and in communication with said first and second antenna wires;

wherein said means for securing comprises a first and second retaining groove, said first antenna wire is at least partially retained by said first retaining groove, and said second antenna wire is at least partially retained by said second retaining groove.

2. The electronics component assembly of claim 1, wherein said small outline package has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said first and second retaining grooves are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said small outline package.

3. The electronics component assembly of claim 1, wherein said small outline package has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said first and second retaining grooves are parallel to said longitudinal axis of said small outline package.

4. The electronics component assembly of claim 1, wherein said second antenna wire is connected to said electrical circuit.

5. An electronics component assembly in a tire, comprising:

a mounting member incorporated in the tire, wherein said mounting member is a small outline package that includes means for securing an antenna thereto;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said small outline package;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said small outline package; and

an electrical circuit carried by said mounting member and in communication with said first and second antenna wires;

wherein said means for securing comprises a first and second antenna wire receiving aperture, wherein an end of said first antenna wire is hook-shaped and is received by said first antenna receiving aperture, and wherein an end of said second antenna wire is hook-shaped and is received by said second antenna receiving aperture.

6. The electronics component assembly of claim 5, wherein said first and second antenna wires are further connected to said electrical circuit by a connection selected from the group consisting of soldering, welding, and crimping.

7. The electronics component assembly of claim 5, wherein the electrical circuit includes a printed circuit board having a longitudinal axis, and wherein a length of said end of said first antenna wire is connected to said printed circuit board and is oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis, and wherein a length of said end of said second antenna wire is connected to said printed circuit board and is oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis.

8. An electronics component assembly in a tire, comprising:

a mounting member incorporated in the tire, said mounting member including means for securing an antenna thereto;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said mounting member;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said mounting member; and

an electrical circuit carried by said mounting member and in communication with said first and second antenna wires;

wherein said mounting member has a first side and a second side, said first side located opposite from said second side, and wherein said means for securing comprises a first antenna wire receiving aperture extending from said first side of said mounting member to said second side of said mounting member, and wherein an end of said first antenna wire is received in said first antenna wire receiving aperture,

wherein said means for securing further comprises a second antenna wire receiving aperture extending from said first side of said mounting member to said second side of said mounting member; and

wherein an end of said second antenna wire is received in said second antenna wire receiving aperture.

9. The electronics component assembly of claim 8, further comprising a first wire member connecting said first antenna wire and said electrical circuit.

10. The electronics component assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a second wire member connecting said second antenna wire and said electrical circuit.

11. An electronics component assembly in a tire, comprising:

a tire;

a mounting member incorporated in the tire, the mounting member having a first side and a second side, the first side opposite from the second side;

a first antenna wire securely attached to the mounting member, the first antenna wire incorporated in the tire;

a second antenna wire securely attached to the mounting member, the second antenna wire incorporated in the tire;

an integrated circuit carried by the mounting member;

a first communication connection configured for placing the first antenna wire into communication with the integrated circuit; and

a second communication connection configured for placing the second antenna wire into communication with the integrated circuit;

wherein a length of said first antenna wire extending from the tip of said first antenna wire is connected to said mounting member at a location spaced from the outer edge of said mounting member.

12. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the mounting member is a small outline package.

13. The electronics component assembly of claim 12, wherein the small outline package has a first and second retaining groove, wherein the first antenna wire is at least partially retained by the first retaining groove, and wherein the second antenna wire is at least partially retained by the second retaining groove.

14. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the mounting member is a printed circuit board.

15. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the mounting member has a longitudinal axis, wherein a length of the end of the first antenna wire is securely attached to the mounting member and is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein a length of the end of the second antenna wire is securely attached to the mounting member and is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

16. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and second antenna wires are securely attached to the mounting member by a secure attachment selected from the group consisting of soldering, welding, and crimping.

17. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the mounting member has a first antenna wire receiving aperture extending from the first side of the mounting member to the second side of the mounting member, wherein the mounting member has a second antenna wire receiving aperture extending from the first side of the mounting member to the second side of the mounting member, wherein an end of the first antenna wire is received by the first antenna wire receiving aperture, and wherein an end of the second antenna wire is received by the second antenna wire receiving aperture.

18. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the first communication connection is a first mounting member wire connected to the first antenna wire and the integrated circuit, and wherein the second communication connection is a second mounting member wire connected to the second antenna wire and the integrated circuit.

19. The electronics component assembly of claim 11, wherein the first communication connection is a first bonded connection wherein the first antenna wire is bonded to the integrated circuit;

and

wherein the second communication connection is a second bonded connection wherein the second antenna wire is bonded to the integrated circuit.

20. The electronics component assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and second bonded connections are soldered connections.

21. An electronics component assembly in a tire, comprising:

a tire;

a printed circuited board incorporated in the tire, the printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, the first side opposite from the second side, the printed circuit board having a first antenna wire receiving aperture extending from the first side of the printed circuit board to the second side of the printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board having a second antenna wire receiving aperture extending from the first side of the printed circuit board to the second side of the printed circuit board;

a first antenna wire having an end and a bend, the bend in the first antenna wire received by the first antenna wire receiving aperture, and the end of the first antenna wire extending from the first side of the printed circuit board through the first antenna wire receiving aperture and to the second side of the printed circuit board;

a second antenna wire having an end and a bend, the bend of the second antenna wire received by the second antenna wire receiving aperture, and the end of the second antenna wire extending from the first side of the printed circuit board through the second antenna wire receiving aperture and to the second side of the printed circuit board;

an integrated circuit carried by the mounting member;

a first mounting member wire connected to the first antenna wire and the integrated circuit configured for placing the first antenna wire into communication with the integrated circuit; and

a second mounting member wire connected to the second antenna wire and the integrated circuit configured for placing the second antenna wire into communication with the integrated circuit.

22. An electronics component assembly in a tire, comprising:

a mounting member incorporated in the tire and having a first and second retaining connection that are at least partially curved in shape;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said first retaining connection;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to said second retaining connection; and

an electrical circuit carried by said mounting member and in electrical communication with said first and second antenna wire;

wherein said mounting member includes a flat base and said electrical circuit is attached to said base;

said first retaining connection includes a first and third pair of fingers that are semi-circular in shape and that are attached to said base and engage said first antenna wire to connect said first antenna wire to said mounting member; and

said second retaining connection includes a second and fourth pair of fingers that are semi-circular in shape and are attached to said base and engage said second antenna wire to connect said second antenna wire to said mounting member.

23. An electronics component assembly in a tire comprising:

a mounting member attached to the tire and generally tubular in shape tire and having a first retaining connection that is at least partially tubular in shape;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire, and connected to said first retaining connection; and

an electrical circuit carried by said mounting member and in electrical communication with said first antenna wire;

wherein said mounting member has a longitudinal axis, the first retaining connection includes a first angled portion that is defined by a wall of said mounting member and is angled towards said longitudinal axis of said mounting member, and wherein said first antenna wire is connected to said mounting member through engagement with said first angled portion.

24. The electronics component assembly of claim 23, wherein said mounting member includes a first stop that is defined by said wall of said mounting member, and wherein said first antenna wire abuts against the first stop.

25. The electronics component assembly of claim 23, further comprising a first mounting member wire connected to said first antenna wire and said electrical circuit for placing said first antenna wire into electrical communication with said electrical circuit.

26. The electronics component assembly of claim 25, further comprising a cover that protects said electrical circuit and said first mounting member wire.

27. The electronics component assembly of claim 23, further comprising:

a second retaining connection that includes a second angled portion that is defined by said wall of said mounting member and that is angled towards said longitudinal axis of said mounting member, wherein said second antenna wire is connected to said mounting member through engagement with said second angled portion;

and wherein said mounting member includes a second stop that is defined by said wall of said mounting member said second antenna wire abuts against said second stop.

28. The electronics component assembly of claim 27, wherein said first and second angled portions are at an angle of 45 degrees relative to said axis of said mounting member, and wherein said first and second stops are at an angle of 90 degrees relative to said axis of said mounting member.

29. An electronics component assembly in a tire comprising:

mounting member incorporated in the tire and having a first and second retaining connections that are at least partially curved in shape;

first and second antenna wires incorporated in the tire and connected to the first and second retaining connections, respectively; and

an electrical circuit carried by said mounting member and in electrical communication with said first and second antenna wires;

wherein said mounting member defines a longitudinal axis and is generally tubular with a solid central section,

said first retaining connection includes a first angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member and that is angled towards said axis of said mounting member, said first antenna wire is connected to said mounting member through engagement with said first angled portion, and said first antenna wire abuts against an end of said solid central section; and

said second retaining connection includes a second angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member and that is angled towards said axis of the mounting member, said second antenna wire is connected to said mounting member through engagement with said second angled portion, and said second antenna wire abuts against an end of said solid central section.

30. The electronics component assembly of claim 29, further comprising:

a first mounting member wire connected to said first antenna wire and said electrical circuit for placing said first antenna wire into electrical communication with said integrated circuit; and

a second mounting member wire connected to said second antenna wire and said electrical circuit for placing said second antenna wire into electrical communication with said integrated circuit.

31. The electronics component assembly of claim 30, further comprising a cover that protects said electrical circuit, said first mounting member wire, and said second mounting member wire.

32. An electronics component assembly in a tire comprising:

a mounting member incorporated in a tire and having a first retaining connection that is at least partially curved in shape;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire, and connected to the first retaining connection;

an integrated circuit carried by the mounting member and in electrical communication with the first antenna wire;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire; and

wherein the mounting member has a second retaining connection that is at least partially curved in shape, and wherein the second antenna wire is connected to the second retaining connection;

wherein the mounting member is in the shape of a generally solid cylinder, the first retaining connection is a cylindrical cavity that has an annular recess, the second retaining connection is a cylindrical cavity that has an annular recess;

the first antenna wire has an annular projection engageable with the annular recess of the first retaining connection;

the second antenna wire has an annular projection engageable with the annular recess of the second retaining connection;

the first retaining connection is urged around the first antenna wire to help connect the first antenna wire to the mounting member; and

the second retaining connection is urged around the second antenna wire to help connect the second antenna wire to the mounting member.

33. The electronics component assembly of claim 32, further comprising:

a first mounting member wire connected to the first antenna wire and the integrated circuit for placing the first antenna wire into electrical communication with the integrated circuit;

a second mounting member wire connected to the second antenna wire and the integrated circuit for placing the second antenna wire into electrical communication with the integrated circuit; and

wherein the mounting member has a flat portion onto which the integrated circuit is mounted.

34. The electronics component assembly of claim 33, further comprising a cover that protects the integrated circuit, the first mounting member wire, and the second mounting member wire.

35. An electronics component assembly in a tire comprising:

a tire;

a mounting member incorporated in the tire and having a first retaining connection that is at least partially cylindrical in shape, and a second retaining connection that is at least partially cylindrical in shape;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to the first retaining connection;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire and connected to the second retaining connection; and

an integrated circuit carried by the mounting member and in electrical communication with the first and second antenna wires;

wherein said first antenna wire is free from contact with said integrated circuit and wherein a length of said first antenna wire is connected to said mounting member at a location spaced from the outer edge of said mounting member.

36. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, wherein:

the mounting member includes a flat base, and the integrated circuit is attached to the base;

the first retaining connection includes a first pair of fingers that are semi-circular in shape and are attached to the base and engage the first antenna wire to connect the first antenna wire to the mounting member; and

the second retaining connection includes a second pair of fingers that are semi-circular in shape and are attached to the base and engage the second antenna wire to connect the second antenna wire to the mounting member.

37. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, wherein the first antenna wire is connected to the first retaining connection and the second antenna wire is connected to the second retaining connection by a connection selected from the group consisting of mechanical fasteners, welding, and adhesion.

38. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, wherein:

the mounting member has an axis and has a solid central section;

the first retaining connection includes a first angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the first antenna wire is connected to the mounting member through engagement with the first angled portion, the first antenna wire abuts an end of the solid central section; and

the second retaining connection includes a second angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the second antenna wire is connected to the mounting member through engagement with the second angled portion, the second antenna wire abuts an end of the solid central section.

39. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, wherein:

the mounting member is in the shape of a generally solid cylinder, the first retaining connection is a cylindrical cavity that has internal threads, the second retaining connection is a cylindrical cavity that has internal threads;

the first antenna wire has external threads that are engageable with the internal threads of the first retaining connection to connect the first antenna wire to the mounting member; and

the second antenna wire has external threads that are engageable with the internal threads of the second retaining connection to connect the second antenna wire to the mounting member.

40. An electronics component assembly of claim 35, wherein:

the mounting member is in the shape of a generally solid cylinder, the first retaining connection is a cylindrical cavity that has an annular recess, the second retaining connection is a cylindrical cavity that has an annular recess;

the first antenna wire has an annular projection engageable with the annular recess of the first retaining connection;

the second antenna wire has an annular projection engageable with the annular recess of the second retaining connection;

the first retaining connection is urged around the first antenna wire to help connect the first antenna wire to the mounting member; and

the second retaining connection is urged around the second antenna wire to help connect the second antenna wire to the mounting member.

41. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, further comprising:

a first mounting member wire connected to the first antenna wire and the integrated circuit for placing the first antenna wire into electrical communication with the integrated circuit;

a second mounting member wire connected to the second antenna wire and the integrated circuit for placing the second antenna wire into electrical communication with the integrated circuit; and

wherein the mounting member has a flat portion onto which the integrated circuit is mounted.

42. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, further comprising a cover that protects the integrated circuit.

43. The electronics component assembly of claim 35, wherein:

the mounting member has an axis and is generally tubular in shape;

the first retaining connection includes a first angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the first antenna wire is connected to the mounting member through engagement with the first angled portion;

the second retaining connection includes a second angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the second antenna wire is connected to the mounting member through engagement with the second angled portion;

the mounting member includes a first stop that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the first antenna wire abuts the first stop; and

the mounting member includes a second stop that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the second antenna wire abuts the second stop.

44. The electronics component assembly of claim 43, wherein the first and second angled portions are at an angle of 45 degrees towards the axis of the mounting member, and wherein the first and second stops are at an angle of 90 degrees towards the axis of the mounting member.

45. An electronics component assembly in a tire comprising:

a tire;

a mounting member incorporated in the tire, the mounting member is generally tubular in shape with a solid central section and an axis, the mounting member has a flat portion on the solid central section, the mounting member includes a first retaining connection that has a first angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member, the mounting member includes a second retaining connection that is a second angled portion that is a portion of the wall of the mounting member that is angled towards the axis of the mounting member;

a first antenna wire incorporated in the tire, the first antenna wire is connected to the mounting member through engagement with the first angled portion of the first retaining connection;

a second antenna wire incorporated in the tire, the second antenna wire is connected to the mounting member through engagement with the second angled portion of the second retaining connection;

an integrated circuit mounted on the flat portion of the solid central section of the mounting member;

a first mounting member wire connected to the first antenna wire and the integrated circuit for placing the first antenna wire into electrical communication with the integrated circuit;

a second mounting member wire connected to the second antenna wire and the integrated circuit for placing the second antenna wire into electrical communication with the integrated circuit; and

a cover that protects the integrated circuit, the first mounting member wire, and the second mounting member wire.