UHF RFID Tag Package Antenna Segmentation for Tire Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags embedded in tires face mechanical and electrical failures due to operational stresses, which compromise the integrity of the antenna and circuit board connections during the tire's life cycle.
Innovation Solution
A UHF RFID tag package is designed with a carrier substrate, interconnection tabs, and a dipole antenna, where the integrated circuit die is securely mounted and encapsulated, ensuring electrical and mechanical integrity by extending antenna segments outward from the substrate and using a cap or cylindrical encapsulating member for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RFID tag is embedded into the tire during construction or post-cure, then the tag provides tire-specific identification data transmission capability, but the tag and its connections are subjected to operational stresses that cause mechanical and electrical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into rigid and flexible segments, with rigid portions providing structural stability and flexible portions accommodating tire deformation. This segmentation allows the antenna to maintain electrical integrity while withstanding operational stresses during tire construction and service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pre-cure encapsulation of the RFID tag components within the tire structure, creating a protective environment before the tire enters service. This beforehand cushioning protects the tag and its connections from the full force of operational stresses that will occur during tire use.
2Ease of operation
If flexible antennas are used in small UHF RFID tags, then the tags can be embedded in tire sidewalls, but the connections between antenna ends and circuit board solder leads fail under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, with rigid sections providing structural support for reliable connections to the circuit board, while flexible sections maintain the necessary adaptability for embedding in the tire sidewall and accommodating deformation during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna structure combines rigid and flexible materials in a composite construction, leveraging the strength of rigid portions for stable electrical connections and the flexibility of other portions to withstand tire operational stresses without connection failure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the RFID device is subjected to tire operational stresses, then the tag can be integrated into the tire structure, but mechanical and electrical connections between antenna and circuit board fail
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna structure is segmented into rigid portions that maintain stable electrical connections to the circuit board and flexible portions that accommodate tire deformation. This segmentation allows the RFID device to remain integrated in the tire structure while preserving connection integrity under operational stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the antenna have different mechanical properties - rigid sections at connection points ensure stable electrical contact with the circuit board, while flexible sections in other areas accommodate tire operational stresses. This local differentiation of material properties maintains both integration and connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire and RFID tag combine as an assembly to include a tire and a tag package mounted to a tire tag mounting surface. The tag package includes a carrier substrate having a die receiving surface and one or more interconnection tabs mounted to the die receiving surface. The tag package further includes a dipole antenna or other antenna configuration formed by first and second antenna members having inward ends connected to respective first and second interconnection tabs on the die receiving surface and outer antenna segments extending outward from the carrier substrate. An integrated circuit die mounts to the die receiving surface and has electrical contact(s) in contacting engagement with the interconnection tab(s). A cap member or, alternatively, a cylindrical encapsulating member, may be utilized for enclosing the integrated circuit die, the carrier substrate, and the inward ends of the first and second antenna members; the outer antenna segments of the first and second antenna members extending outward from the cap member or encapsulating member in operable position against respective portions of the tire tag mounting surface.