Flat Tire Transponder Antenna Embedding Without Air Pockets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for arranging transponders on vehicle tires face disadvantages such as air pockets, damage to tire components, and suboptimal signal transmission due to the lack of a durable and efficient integration of transponders with tire components.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a thin metal plate, specifically brass or brass alloy, is used to create flat antennas that are easily integrated into tire components, with an adhesion promoter ensuring a strong connection and precise manufacturing processes like punching, laser cutting, or water jet cutting to achieve high-strength connections and optimal antenna shapes for improved signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional transponder arrangement methods are used, then transponders can be installed on tires, but air pockets form between the transponder and tire components leading to poor bonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding qualityVSAvoidair pockets
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin metal plate (thickness < 1 mm) as the antenna structure, which is flexible enough to conform to the tire component surface without creating air pockets. This thin film approach allows the transponder to bond directly to the tire component, eliminating the bonding reliability issues caused by air pockets in conventional arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional transponder integration methods are used, then transponders can be placed on tires, but tire components may be damaged during installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidtire component integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thin metal plate antenna (< 1 mm thickness) is sufficiently flexible to be installed without rigid support structures that could damage tire components. The flexibility allows the transponder to be integrated during tire production without compromising the structural integrity of the tire components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If thick metal plates are used for antennas, then structural strength is improved, but the transponder cannot be easily connected to tire components and may cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna strengthVSAvoidconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a metal plate thickness of less than 1 mm, which provides sufficient structural strength for the antenna while maintaining the flexibility needed for easy connection to tire components. This thin film approach eliminates the need for complex connection mechanisms required by thicker, rigid antenna structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If conventional antenna structures are used, then transponders can function, but signal transmission quality is suboptimal due to poor positioning between tire components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission qualityVSAvoidpositioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thin metal plate antenna can be easily positioned and bonded between tire components (such as between the apex and tire core) due to its flexibility and thin profile. This simple positioning approach achieves optimal signal transmission quality without requiring complex positioning mechanisms or multiple adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Manufacturing precision

If complex manufacturing processes are used for flat antennas, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna precisionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a metal plate thickness parameter of less than 1 mm, which simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining sufficient precision for the application. This parameter optimization allows for high-speed production methods such as punching, laser cutting, or water jet cutting to be used effectively, achieving both precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for easy and durable arrangement of transponders within tire components, preventing air pockets and damage, while ensuring high signal quality and ease of manufacturing, thus enhancing the overall performance and reliability of tire transponders.

Implementation Method 1

the bonding agent creates an optimal bond between the tire components and the transponder. This prevents air pockets between the transponder and the adjacent tire components.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the antenna is formed by laser beam cutting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

the antenna is formed by water jet cutting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic erosion: Jet Erosion

Implementation Method 4

the flat antenna is inductively connected to the transponder chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3740387B1Method for producing a transponder for a vehicle tyre
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3740387B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3740387B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

In order to improve the arrangement of transponders in a vehicle tyre, a method having the following steps is proposed: a) providing a thin metal plate, b) producing at least one flat antenna (2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14), wherein the flat antenna (2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14) is formed out of the metal plate, c) connecting the flat antenna (2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14) to a transponder chip (15), wherein the transponder (1) is formed from flat antenna (2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14) and transponder chip (15), d) producing a vehicle tyre, wherein the transponder (1) with the flat antenna (2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14) is applied to a tyre component (16) during the production of a green tyre, wherein the transponder (1) is embedded between two tyre components, e) completing the vehicle tyre by means of further steps.