Two-Part RFID Stud and Antenna Label for Tire Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID systems for tires are costly and inefficient due to their single-part construction, which limits their adaptability to different tire models and sizes, and struggle with the dynamic environment of tires, making them difficult to design for effective communication.
Innovation Solution
A two-part RFID system comprising a stud with reactive strap technology and a label with an antenna, where the stud can be inserted into or applied to the tire, allowing for adaptable RFID tag characteristics by altering the relative positioning of the antenna and stud, enabling near field communication and long-range performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-part RFID label is used, then the RFID system can be manufactured as a single integrated component, but it increases costs and the volume of parts necessary for tagging different tire models and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID system is divided into two separate parts: a reusable stud containing the RFID tag and antenna, and a tire-specific label. The stud can be detached and reused across different tire models and sizes, while the label is customized for specific tire applications. This segmentation allows the expensive RFID components to be shared while maintaining adaptability to different tire characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The stud containing the RFID tag and antenna is designed as a universal component that can be used across multiple tire models and sizes. By separating the RFID functionality from the tire-specific label, the same stud can serve multiple purposes and be reused throughout the supply chain for different tire applications, reducing the need for multiple specialized RFID tags.
2Device complexity
If a single-part RFID label is used, then the construction is simplified, but it increases costs and the volume of parts necessary if there is a desire to tag tires having differing characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the RFID tag and antenna into a reusable stud that can be shared across multiple tires, from the tire-specific label. This reduces the total volume of RFID components needed, as one stud can serve multiple tire models and sizes throughout the supply chain, rather than requiring a unique RFID label for each tire variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The label is designed to be tire-specific and can be discarded or removed when the tire reaches end-of-life or changes application. The RFID stud is recovered and reused for tagging other tires in the supply chain. This recovery and reuse approach significantly reduces the total quantity of RFID materials consumed compared to single-part disposable labels.
3Length of stationary object
If an RFID system is designed for long-distance communication, then inventorying finished tires is improved, but the system must be robust enough to withstand heat and pressure during production
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the RFID functionality into a robust stud that can withstand production conditions, and a communication interface via label that provides long-distance capability. The stud's protective housing ensures reliability during manufacturing, while the antenna design in the label enables long-range communication for inventory tracking without requiring the entire assembly to be overly robust.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts its robustness requirements based on the operational phase. During production and installation, the stud provides the necessary robustness to withstand heat and pressure. Once installed, the system transitions to prioritizing communication range for inventory tracking. The modular design allows optimization for each phase without compromising the other.
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
This solution allows for cost-effective and adaptable RFID tagging across diverse tire characteristics, providing robust tracking and traceability throughout the supply chain, from production to vehicle ownership, while maintaining performance under varying tire stresses.
Implementation Method 1
An RFID chip receives and sends signals generated by an antenna
Implementation Method 2
the stud may provide near field communication or be associated with and coupled to an antenna structure
Data Source
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Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for use with tires include a stud comprising reactive strap technology including an RFID chip and conductor. The stud is configured so as to be connected to a tire and to provide near field communication. The stud also may be coupled to an antenna structure to provide a far field RFID tag. The stud may unintentionally move with respect to the antenna structure during use, so the antenna structure may be configured to accommodate such movement without a change in the tuning of the RFID tag. A multi-antenna label may be provided to allow for selective coupling of the stud to a particular antenna, with differently configured tires being coupled to different antennas of the same type of multi-antenna label, which allows for the same label configuration to be used with a wider variety of tires.