Method for mounting electronic device and antenna in tire

• US 8,237,553 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Wilson, Paul B., Koch, Russell W., Trew, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/187,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20110271520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.33, 340/442, 340/443, 340/444, 340/445, 340/446, 340/447, 731/465, 731/46
• US Class Current: 340/426.33
• 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: B60C 23/0433 Radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

The invention provides a monitoring device and tire combination wherein an antenna is mounted to the tire in a location spaced from the monitoring device. In one embodiment, the antenna may be mounted to the tire sidewall outside the body cords of the tire. The antenna may be mounted on the outer surface of the sidewall or embedded within the body of the sidewall. The antenna is connected to the monitoring device with a connector. The connector may be electrically coupled to the monitoring device or may be connected to the monitoring device with a plug and socket connection. When the antenna is outside the body cord, the connector may extend from the antenna through the bead filler, over the top of the turn up, or under the bead ring.

Claims

1. A method of locating an antenna and electrical device with respect to a tire sidewall of a vehicle tire;

the method comprising the steps;

providing a tire sidewall with at least one body cord, a bead ring, a bead filler, and a body cord turn up disposed in the sidewall;

the sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface;

mounting an electronic device to the inner surface of the sidewall;

mounting an antenna to the tire sidewall in a location spaced from the electronic device such that a portion of at least one of the body cord, bead filler, and body cord turn up is disposed intermediate the antenna and the electronic device;

providing a connector in the tire sidewall with the connector providing an electrical connection between the antenna and the monitoring device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locating the connector above the body cord turn up.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locating the connector through the bead filler.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locating the connector under the bead ring.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of embedding the antenna within the sidewall.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locating the antenna on the outer surface of the sidewall.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming an electrical connection between the connector and the electronic device with electrical coupling to provide electrical communication between the antenna and the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of locating the connector above the body cord turn up.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of locating the connector through the bead filler.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of locating the connector under the bead ring.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming an electrical connection between the connector and the electronic device with the connector is connected to the monitoring device with a detachable plug and socket connection to provide electrical communication between the antenna and the monitoring device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of locating the connector above the body cord turn up.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of locating the connector through the bead filler.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of locating the connector under the bead ring.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of mounting a patch to the inner surface of the sidewall and mounting the monitoring device to the patch.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of embedding the antenna within the tire sidewall.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of locating the antenna adjacent the outer surface of the sidewall.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning the antenna and the electronic device with respect to the tire sidewall such that portions of at least two of the body cord, bead filler, and body cord turn up are disposed intermediate the antenna and the electronic device.