Abstract:
A method for affixing an electronic device having an elongate dipole antenna to a substrate surface includes: positioning picking apparatus adjacent to the electronic device, the picking apparatus having at least one antenna positioning means such as a magnet positioned adjacent the electronic device; activating the antenna positioning means; moving the opposite antenna ends into a captured relationship with the picking apparatus by means of the antenna positioning means; moving the picking apparatus to a position adjacent the substrate surface; engaging the substrate surface with the picking apparatus; and depositing the electronic device to the substrate surface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to a method for incorporating an electronic device into a supportive substrate and, more specifically, to a method for affixing an RFID tag having a dipole helically wound antenna into a tire. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   RFID tags are electronic devices increasingly used in various commercial applications as a means for identifying articles of manufacture. Typically, a tag includes an electronic transmitter for transmitting an identification signal by means of an antenna. The tag may be embedded within or otherwise attached to a product or article of manufacture and functions to communicate a unique identification signal to a remote receiver or reader. Tires are one product category in which such devices are employed. An RFID tag within a tire can identify the tire manufacturer, date of manufacturer, etc. as well as store and transmit data relating to the vehicle upon which the tire was originally mounted. 
   At ultra high frequency (UHF), a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may utilize a dipole helically wound steel wire antenna. Such a configuration presents myriad manufacturing and handling challenges in the incorporation of the RFID tag into a product such as a tire. The dipole antennas tend to nest and tangle if the tags are not kept segregated. The packaging used to transport tags may not be sufficient to contain the wildness of the antenna coil during transportation. In addition, when such a tag is removed from the package, the antenna may bow with a certain cast, thereby affecting antenna performance characteristics. 
   In order to ensure proper tag performance, the dipole antenna must be kept as straight as possible when embedding it in or on the product to which it is to be affixed. For example, in a tire application, the antenna must be maintained in a straight condition when embedded within a rubber compound that will eventually be vulcanized. The straightness of the antenna will directly influence the tag&#39;s performance since any variation will change the tuned length. The relatively small size of the tag exacerbates the challenges in achieving an acceptable handling and transport apparatus, particularly if such tags are picked from a bin or tray and incorporated into a remotely positioned product or component during manufacture. 
   Within the industry currently, manual methods are employed to handle tags. Antenna are placed by hand on gum strips and manually straightened before applying a covering strip. Such a package is commonly referred to as a “patch”. The patch is subsequently adhered to a tire surface such as the tire inner liner. Such a procedure, while being functional, is susceptible to human error and inaccuracy and, while representing an option, does not meet all of the needs of the industry. 
   Heretofore, no effective method has been attained that can safely, expediently, and in a cost effective manner incorporate an RFID tag having a dipole helically wound antenna into a tire surface. A method of the type desired within the industry should be capable of handling a tag individually and further be capable of picking a tag from a bin or tray and incorporating the tag into or on a distanced substrate during or post tire manufacture. The procedure should further function to maintain the elongation of the antenna at its designed length between the picking and placement stages of the manufacturing procedure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the invention, a method for affixing an electronic device having an elongate dipole antenna to a substrate surface includes: positioning picking apparatus adjacent to the electronic device, the picking apparatus having at least one antenna positioning means such as an electromagnet positioned adjacent the electronic device; activating the antenna positioning means; moving the opposite antenna ends into a captured relationship with the picking apparatus by means of the antenna positioning means; moving the picking apparatus to a position adjacent the substrate surface; engaging the substrate surface with the picking apparatus; and depositing the electronic device to the substrate surface. 
   Pursuant to a further aspect of the invention, the method may include moving the antenna ends against the substrate surface by means of a pushing component of the picking apparatus. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the method may provide for capturing the opposite antenna ends into picking apparatus slots by means of one or more electromagnets or permanent magnets or a vacuum system, each slot defined by opposed guide fingers and engaging the substrate surface with terminal ends of the guide fingers of each slot prior to deposition of the electronic device on the surface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the RFID handling apparatus operatively aligned with an RFID device. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the RFID handling apparatus shown with the RFID device antenna positioned within apparatus slots. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view thereof shown in partial section of the RFID handling apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  is an end elevation view of the RFID handling apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged side elevation view of a representative RFID tag. 
       FIG. 6A  is a side elevation view of the RFID handling apparatus operatively aligned with an RFID device. 
       FIG. 6B  is a sequential view thereof showing actuation of electromagnets within the RFID apparatus slots. 
       FIG. 6C  is a subsequent sequential view of the RFID antenna ends being drawing into the RFID apparatus slots. 
       FIG. 6D  is a subsequent sequential view of the RFID device and apparatus disposed against an external receiving surface. 
       FIG. 6E  is a subsequent sequential view of actuating push rods pushing antenna ends from the apparatus slots against the receiving surface. 
       FIG. 6F  is a side elevation view of the RFID device deposited on the receiving surface and withdrawn RFID handling apparatus. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the method pursuant to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , an electronic device handling apparatus  10  is shown that functions to pick and place an electronic device  36  such as an RFID tag in a desired location. RFID tags such as that depicted are of a type having a dipole helically wound steel wire antenna. Electronic transmitter and data storage  38  communicate a unique identification signal to an outside receiver by means of ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency. The antenna extends ends  40 ,  42  outward in linear fashion from the transmitter device  36  and is of a tuned length. Accordingly, it is desirable to maintain the straightness of the antenna during handling, transport, and application to a product since a compromise of the antenna configuration will directly influence tag performance. 
   The apparatus includes a support body  12  having a manipulation protrusion  14  extending there from for use in moving the body  12  from location to location. While shown in a detached illustration in  FIGS. 1-5 , the apparatus  10  is susceptible for incorporation into automated equipment including robotics. Such automated equipment (not shown) may function to relocate the body  12  pursuant to computer controlled instruction. 
   The apparatus  10  further includes dual guide components  16 ,  18 , each having spaced apart guide fingers  20 ,  22 . The guide fingers  22 ,  24  define there between a tapering slot  24  that narrows from an open wider slot end  26  inward to a narrower slot end  28 . While two slots are shown in the illustrated embodiment, more or fewer pairs of slot fingers may be employed as desired. Situated within the narrow end  28  of each slot is a magnet  30 . Magnet  30  may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. Associate switching circuitry common to the use of magnets  30  is provided to switch the magnets  30  between on and off conditions. Alternative means may be used if desired with or in place of the magnets  30 . For example, without intent to delimit the invention, a vacuum system may be used to draw antenna ends into the slots  24 . Also situated within each slot  24  respectively are push rods  32 ,  34 . Push rods  32 ,  34  are mounted through the support body  12  and reciprocally move in an axial direction within each slot  24 . Accordingly, the push rod ends within the slots  24  move reciprocally toward and away from the wider end of a respective slot  24 . 
   As discussed, an RFID tag having a dipole helically wound steel wire antenna is the target of apparatus  10 . The wire antenna ends  40 ,  42  extend from the transmitting and data storage electronics  38  in a generally co-axial arrangement. The tag  36  may be one of many tags in a bin or other storage medium. So situated, tags  36  tend to nest and tangle and may not be in a readily accessible orientation. The invention is intended to pick an individual tag  36  from such an environment and transport the picked tag to a final or intermediate destination. In the case of an RFID tag incorporated within a tire, for example, the tag may be picked and placed on green rubber components.  FIGS. 6D-6F  illustrate such a target tag receiving body  44  having a surface  46  on which the tag is intended to be deposited. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 6A-6F , operation of the tag handling apparatus  10  will be explained.  FIG. 6A  illustrates alignment of the apparatus  10  with a target tag  36 . Antenna ends  40 ,  42  of the tag  36  extend in a straight line and are aligned opposite a respective guide component  16 ,  18  and the slot  24  defined thereby. The magnets within each slot  24  are preferably electromagnets that may be switched on as seen in  FIG. 6B  to attract the ferromagnetic antenna coil ends  40 ,  42 . Permanent magnets may be employed if desired to attract the antenna coil ends  40 ,  42  into the slots  24  or a vacuum system may be used. The guide fingers,  20 ,  22  defining each tapered slot  24  are preferably composed of a non-ferromagnetic material and function to guide the antenna coil ends into the slot under influence of magnets  30 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6C , the progress of antenna coil ends  40 ,  42  within their respective slots is terminated as the antenna ends encounter the remote ends of push rods  32 ,  34  within the slots. The guide fingers  20 ,  22  defining each slot  24  are arranged and aligned to ensure desired straightness of the dipole antenna is maintained. The guides are arranged to pick the dipole antenna at the ends  40 ,  42  and the antenna coil at each end is forced to a straight co-axial position fixed by the supporting structure  12 . 
   The picking fingers  20 ,  22 , once having secured the tag, can then place the tag at a desired location on surface  46  of receiving body  44 . Relocation may be either effected manually or by using suitable conventionally available robotics or other automation techniques.  FIG. 6D  shows location of the apparatus  10  against a target surface  46 . For a tire application, the target surface  46  may be a rubber component of the tire onto which the tag is to be secured. Once placed in a suitable location, the magnet is switched off to release the antenna coil. The fingers  20 ,  22  can press the coil ( FIG. 6E ) into the receiving compound with the assistance of the internal push rods  32 ,  34 . If a permanent magnet is used within the slots  24 , push rods  32 ,  34  may mechanically overcome the magnetic attraction to cause the antenna coil ends to exit their respective slots. The apparatus is removed as shown in  FIG. 6F  and the tag may then be covered with a secondary component (not shown). If a vacuum system (not shown) is used to attract the antenna ends into their respective slots  24 , the vacuum may be removed. A force such as air pressure may thereupon be applied if desired to assist in removal of the antenna ends from the slots. 
   From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the subject invention provides an automated or assisted apparatus to handle electronic devices having dipole coil antennas. The antenna is maintained in a desired straight condition while and after placing the antenna on a target surface. A tangled or bent antenna is captured within the slots and returned to a straight orientation for placement on the target surface. The apparatus can function to pick and capture a tag despite the small size of the tag and the potential for tangling in the tag antenna. While described above as picking the electronic device by means of engaging antenna ends, the apparatus  10  may be configured to act on the circuit board portion of the electronic device such as by applying a vacuum to the center circuit board component. The electronic device may then be moved so that the antenna ends enter into slots  24  and are maintained in their intended orientation as the electronic device is moved. 
   From  FIG. 7 , the methodology for affixing an electronic device such as the RFID to a substrate surface is illustrated in block diagram form. The picking apparatus  10  is positioned opposite to the electronic device ( 48 ). The magnet(s)  30  are switched on ( 50 ) to secure the device antenna ends to the picking apparatus ( 52 ). The apparatus  10  with the electronic device is then moved to the substrate ( 54 ) or, alternatively, the substrate may be presented to the apparatus  10 . The picking apparatus engages the substrate ( 56 ) and the electromagnet(s) is switched off ( 58 ). While preferably separate electromagnets are deployed, one for each slot, more or fewer electromagnets or permanent magnets may be employed if desired and arranged within the slot  24  or, alternatively external of the slot  24 . Alternatively, a vacuum system may be deployed for positioning the antenna ends within their respective slots by pulling on the antenna ends or on the circuit board component of the device. The purpose of the magnet(s) or a vacuum system, therefore, in a broader sense, is to act as antenna positioning means and move the antenna ends  40 ,  42  into a captured relationship with the picking apparatus  10 . In a broad sense, therefore, the invention contemplates means for moving the antenna ends  40 ,  42  into their respective slots. Thereupon, the electronic device is deposited upon the substrate and a pushing apparatus component  32 ,  34  may be employed to influence the ends of the antenna onto or into the substrate  44 . See discussion above of  FIGS. 6A-6B . The apparatus  10  may be withdrawn and another cycle initiated. 
   It will be understood, therefore, that the subject method safely, expediently, and in a cost effective manner incorporates an electronic device, such as an RFID tag, having a dipole helically wound antenna into a tire surface. The method is capable of handling a tag individually and further is capable of picking a tag from a bin or tray and incorporating the tag into or on a distanced substrate during or post tire manufacture. The procedure functions to maintain the elongation of the antenna in a straight alignment and at its designed length between the picking and placement stages of the manufacturing procedure. Should the antenna be slightly bent when picked by the apparatus, the apparatus  10  will serve to straighten the antenna by drawing ends of the antenna into aligned slots within apparatus  10 . 
   Variations in the present invention are possible in light of the description of it provided herein. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes can be made in the particular embodiments described which will be within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.