Graduated stiffness for electrical connections in tires
First Claim
1. A method of creating a fatigue-resistant electrical connection in a tire patch, comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrical conductor having at least one end configured for connection to an electrical circuit;
providing an electrical circuit including at least one connection point;
connecting the at least one end of the electrical conductor to the at least one connection point; and
encasing the electrical conductor and the electrical circuit in a stress reducing material so as to provide a transition zone wherein strain applied to the electrical conductor varies as a function of distance from the at least one connection point, whereby the stress reducing material distributes strain applied to the electrical conductor and forms the tire patch.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A strain-resistant electrical connection and a method of making the same is provided. A wire or other conductive lead is connected to a circuit in a manner that makes the connection more resistant to mechanical stresses such as movement or rotation of the lead relative to the circuit. A material is configured around the lead and near the point of connection to the circuit so as to create a region of decreasing flexibility or graduated stiffness near the point of connection. In certain embodiments, the lead may also be coiled or otherwise shaped to provide additional ability to withstand mechanical stresses. In other embodiments, additional elements may be provided to assist in controlling the stiffness near the connection point.
31 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method of creating a fatigue-resistant electrical connection in a tire patch, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrical conductor having at least one end configured for connection to an electrical circuit; providing an electrical circuit including at least one connection point; connecting the at least one end of the electrical conductor to the at least one connection point; and encasing the electrical conductor and the electrical circuit in a stress reducing material so as to provide a transition zone wherein strain applied to the electrical conductor varies as a function of distance from the at least one connection point, whereby the stress reducing material distributes strain applied to the electrical conductor and forms the tire patch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of creating a strain-resistant electrical connection to an electrical circuit in a tire patch, comprising:
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providing a resilient material capable of distributing mechanical forces; providing an electrical circuit mounted on a support, the electrical circuit having at least one connection point; positioning an electrical conductor proximate to the at least one connection point, the electrical conductor having a first end and a second end; connecting the first end of the electrical conductor to the connection point of the electrical circuit in a manner that fixes the position of the first end relative to the support; and attaching the resilient material to the support and the electrical conductor, whereby the resilient material provides a transition zone for the electrical conductor such that the mobility of the electrical conductor decreases along a direction from the second end of the electrical conductor towards the point of connection of the first end to the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A durable connection for an electrical circuit in a tire patch, comprising:
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a substrate supporting at least a portion of an electrical circuit; a conductor having at least one connecting portion attached to said electrical circuit; and a resilient material positioned proximate said connecting portion and surrounding at least part of said conductor, said resilient material attached to said substrate and configured for gradually restricting the mobility of said conductor proximate the connecting portion and in a direction moving along said conductor and towards said electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A tire patch comprising:
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an electrical circuit; a substrate carrying said electrical circuit, said substrate having a recessed portion; an electrical conductor having a predetermined length, said electrical conductor being connected to said electrical circuit at a position that is located at least partially within said recessed portion of said substrate; and a strain distributing material encasing said electrical circuit and said electrical conductor, whereby the strain distributing material distributes strain of said electrical conductor so as to reduce strain induced damage to said electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for providing a durable electrical connection, comprising:
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providing an electrical conductor having at least one end configured for connecting to an electrical circuit; providing an electrical circuit carried by a substrate; connecting the at least one portion of the electrical conductor to the electrical circuit; encasing the electrical conductor and the electrical circuit in a strain distributing material, and creating a zone in the strain distributing material that reduces the strain upon the electrical conductor proximate to the position where the electrical conductor is attached to the electrical circuit. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification