RF Transponder with Electromagnetic Coupling for Tire Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radio frequency transponders used in highly extensible products like tires face mechanical fragility under stress and high manufacturing costs due to complex antenna geometry and manual assembly processes, limiting communication performance and durability.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency transponder design featuring a primary antenna electromagnetically coupled with a single-strand helical spring radiating antenna, eliminating mechanical connections and allowing standard industrial processes for manufacturing, with the primary antenna embedded in a rigid insulating material for improved durability and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coil springs are used to form a radiating dipole antenna with mechanical connections to a printed circuit, then communication performance is improved, but mechanical fragility increases under stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical durabilityVSAvoidantenna structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (coil springs physically attached to printed circuit) with an electromagnetic coupling system (primary antenna electromagnetically coupled to radiating antenna). This eliminates rigid mechanical joints that create stress concentration points, allowing the transponder to withstand thermo-mechanical stresses in highly extensible products like tires while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the antenna system into two separate components: a primary antenna electrically connected to the electronic chip, and a radiating antenna (single-strand helical spring) that is mechanically independent. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately and eliminates the need for mechanical connections between them, improving mechanical durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If coil springs are mechanically connected to printed circuit for antenna formation, then communication performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical assembly process (anchoring three-dimensional coil springs in flat notches and electrically connecting to tracks) with an electromagnetic coupling approach. The primary antenna and radiating antenna are positioned near each other to enable inductive or capacitive coupling, eliminating the need for delicate manual operations and specialized connection processes, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the primary antenna and radiating antenna, enabling energy and signal transfer without physical contact. This intermediary approach allows standard industrial manufacturing processes to be used instead of delicate manual assembly, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining communication performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If rigid parts of transponder are connected to elastomeric materials, then securing to tire is achieved, but specific adhesion promoters are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidadhesion process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the elastomeric material itself as a flexible mounting medium that can conform to the tire surface and accommodate deformations. The radiating antenna (helical spring) and electronic components are embedded or mounted on this flexible substrate, which provides both mechanical support and adhesion to the elastomeric tire material, eliminating the need for specific adhesion promoters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enhances communication performance by optimizing inductive coupling and reduces manufacturing costs through simplified assembly, while improving mechanical resilience to thermo-mechanical stresses.

Implementation Method 1

the primary antenna is electromagnetically coupled with the radiating antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a radiating antenna communicating with a radiofrequency reader, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a primary antenna electrically connected to the electronic chip, in that the primary antenna is electromagnetically coupled with the radiating antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3304748B1Radiofrequency transponder for a tyre
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3304748B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3304748B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3304748B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Radiofrequency transponder (1, 5) corresponding to the assembly, without electromechanical connection, of a radiating antenna (10) and an electronic part (20, 30). The radiating antenna (10) is a single-strand coil spring forming a dipole antenna. The electronic part (20, 30) is composed of an electronic chip (22, 32) and a primary antenna (24, 34), electromagnetically coupled to the radiating antenna (10), encapsulated in a rigid and electrically insulating mass (29, 39).