Method for incorporating an annular antenna and electronics into a tire

• US 7,736,454 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Inventors: Girard, Jean-Claude Lucien, Rex, William Allen, Hart, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): FISCHER, JUSTIN R
• Application Number:
  US11/821,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20070246151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 152/152.1, 152/152, 152/110.1, 152/115, 152/394.1, 152/395, 152/398, 152/407, 152/414, 152/416, 156/417, 156/121, 156/123
• US Class Current: 156/110.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0077 Directly attaching monitoring devices to tyres before or after vulcanization, e.g. microchips
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/0061 Accessories, details or auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for pre-cure application of an antenna assembly to a tire comprises the method steps: forming within a rigid core defining an interior surface of the tire a core recess complementarily configured to the antenna assembly; positioning the antenna assembly within the core recess; building an uncured carcass of the tire around the rigid core entrapping the antenna assembly within the core recess; cross-bonding the antenna assembly to the inner surface of the tire during a cure cycle; and removing the cured tire and assembly from the rigid core.

Claims

1. A method for pre-cure assembly of an annular antenna assembly and a tire comprising the steps:

forming within a rigid core defining an interior surface of the tire a core recess complementarily configured to the antenna assembly;

positioning the antenna assembly within the core recess;

building an uncured carcass of the tire around the rigid core entrapping the antenna assembly within the core recess;

cross-bonding the antenna assembly to the inner surface of the tire during a cure cycle;

separating the cured tire and antenna assembly from the rigid core.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of sizing the antenna assembly to protrude a distance beyond an outward surface of the rigid core while positioned within the core recess.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of assembling the antenna assembly on the rigid core.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of pre-assembling the antenna assembly prior to positioning the antenna assembly within the core recess.

5. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of forming a socket within a portion of the core recess configured to receive a sensor housing component of the antenna assembly.