RFID transmitter for tires and method of manufacture

• US 7,504,947 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company)
• Inventors: Tucker, Randall L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeff
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SIGMUND N
• Application Number:
  US11/408,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/447, 731/46, 343/873, 152/152
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/0061 Accessories, details or auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0461 externally triggered, e.g. by wireless request signal, magnet or manual switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0479 Communicating with external units being not part of the vehicle, e.g. tools for diagnostic, mobile phones, electronic keys or service stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0486 comprising additional sensors in the wheel or tyre mounted monitoring device, e.g. movement sensors, microphones or earth magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 9/18 Structure or arrangement of belts or breakers, crown-reinforcing or cushioning layers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07764 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier attachable to a tire tire temperature or pressur control arrangements, see B60C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres

Abstract

An RFID device is embedded in a precise location in tires during manufacture. The RFID device can provide extensive data regarding the tire such as identification number, date of manufacture and rotational count of the tire in use. During manufacture, the RFID device is placed on the carcass, the carcass is then positioned within the band layer and is thereafter expanded into sealing engagement with the band layer.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification device (RFID) for a tire comprising:

(a) a sensor for sensing the earth'"'"'s magnetic field, said sensor using the earth'"'"'s magnetic field to obtain a count of tire rotation;

(b) a control logic selected from the group consisting of a microcontroller and PIC;

(c) a comparator circuit connecting sensor to said control logic;

(d) a radio frequency transmitter; and

(e) power means.

2. The REID device according to claim 1 wherein said control logic transmits in the range of two to four milli amps.

3. The RFID device according to claim 1 wherein said power means is a battery.

4. The RFID device according to claim 1 wherein said power means is an electromagnetic device for converting the earth'"'"'s magnetic field in to electrical energy.

5. A radio frequency identification device (RFID) for use in monitoring a tire comprising in combination

(a) a sensor for sensing the earth'"'"'s magnetic field, said sensor using the earth'"'"'s magnetic field to obtain a count of tire rotation;

(b) a microcontroller;

(c) a comparator circuit including a first connector engaged to said sensor and a second connector engaged to the said microcontroller;

(d) a potentiometer acting with said comparator to transmit comparison data to said microcontroller; and

(e) power means.

6. The RFID according to claim 5 wherein said microcontroller operates in the range of one pico amp.

7. The RFID according to claim 5 wherein said power means is a battery.

8. The RFID according to claim 5 wherein said power means is a electromagnetic device for converting vibration or road noise to electrical energy.

9. A method for positioning a radio frequency device (RFID) in each of a plurality tires during manufacture of said tires at a work station comprising the steps of

(a) positioning one of a member of the group consisting of (i) an optical scanner, (ii) a magnetic scanner and (iii) reader for said RFID at a position for viewing or scanning said work station;

(b) causing said member to denote on each tire at said work station the precise location at which said RFID device should be positioned; and

(c) affixing said RFID device on each successive tire at said location.

10. A method for positioning a Selected Targeted Device (STD) in each of a plurality of tires during manufacture comprising the steps of

(a) affixing said STD to a partially completed tire;

(b) providing a reader at a work station for scanning said STD on said partially completed tire;

(c) causing said reader to denote on said partially completed tire at said work station the precise location at which STDs should be positioned on subsequently partially completed tires; and

(d) affixing said STDs on each successive tire at said precise location.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said STD is affixed to a carcass of said tire and further including the steps of (a) scanning the affixed STD periodically or continuously throughout the manufacturing process, (b) thereafter positioning a band layer over said carcass and (c) expanding carcass into contact with the interior surface of said band layer.

12. The method of claim 11 further including the step of imparting rotational movement of said band layer relative to said carcass prior to said step of expanding said carcass.

13. A method for affixing RFID devices in tires during manufacture comprising the steps of

(a) determining a desired location on said tires for receiving said device;

(b) forming at least part of a carcass of said tire on a first rotatable drum, said carcass having an outer circumference defining a circle having a diameter;

(c) providing an affixing mechanism for affixing said device to said carcass, said mechanism overlying said drum;

(d) stopping rotation of said drum when the desired location for placement of said device is positioned to receive said device from said affixing mechanism;

(e) actuating said affixing mechanism to affix said device to said carcass or partially formed carcass at said desired location;

(f) winding strips of material on said second drum to form a band layer of said tire, said band layer defining a torus having an inner size permitting said carcass to be positioned therein;

(g) providing relative movement between said carcass and said band layer to position said carcass in said band layer; and

(h) expanding said carcass into engagement with said band layer.

14. A radio frequency identification device (RFID) for a tire comprising:

(a) a sensor for sensing the earth'"'"'s magnetic field said sensor using the earth'"'"'s magnetic field to obtain a count of tire rotation;

(b) a control logic selected from the group consisting of a microcontroller and PIC;

(c) a comparator circuit connecting said sensor to said control logic;

(d) a radio frequency transmitter; and

(e) power means of an electromagnetic device for converting the earth'"'"'s magnetic field in to electrical energy.

15. The RFID device according to claim 14 wherein said control logic transmits in the range of two to four milli amps.

16. A radio frequency identification device (RFID) for use in monitoring a tire comprising in combination

(a) a sensor for sensing the earth'"'"'s magnetic field, said sensor using the earth'"'"'s magnetic field to obtain a count of tire rotation;

(b) a microcontroller;

(c) a comparator circuit including a first connector engaged to said sensor and a second connector engaged to the said microcontroller;

(d) a potentiometer acting with said comparator to transmit comparison data to said microcontroller; and

(e) power means comprising an electromagnetic device for converting the earth'"'"'s magnetic field in to electrical energy.

17. The RFID according to claim 16 wherein said microcontroller operates in the range of one pico amp.