Patent Publication Number: US-11641053-B2

Title: Reader system for tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to tires. More particularly, the invention relates to the monitoring of tire pressure and tire identification. Specifically, the invention is directed to a reader system for a tire that includes a sensor which transmits tire pressure data and tire identification information by radio frequency. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pneumatic tires have been widely employed. Such tires include a pair of beads that are mounted on a wheel or rim. Each one of pair of sidewalls extends from a respective bead to a ground-engaging tread. A carcass, which is made of one or more plies, toroidally extends between the beads to reinforce the sidewalls and the tread. An innerliner is formed on the inside surface of the carcass. The wheel cooperates with the innerliner to define an interior or tire cavity that is inflated with air. 
     It has been desirable to provide such pneumatic tires with an electronic device that enables information about the tire to be transmitted to an external device for tracking of certain parameters and identification of the tire during its lifetime. One such electronic device is a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, sometimes referred to as an RFID tag. 
     Most RFID tags include an integrated circuit for storing and processing information and an antenna for receiving and transmitting a signal to an external reader using a radio frequency. The antenna is electronically connected to the integrated circuit and typically is carried on a substrate with the integrated circuit, such as a circuit board. 
     In addition, it is desirable to monitor certain parameters, such as the pressure in the tire cavity, the temperature in the tire cavity and/or the temperature in the tread or another tire component, and to transmit data for those parameters to an external reader that can record and/or display the data. To this end, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) have been developed. Due to power and communication requirements of TPMS sensors, TPMS units have been separate from RFID tags. 
     Accurate and consistent reading of data from RFID tags and TPMS sensors may be difficult, particularly in certain vehicle operating conditions. For example, high vehicle speeds, such as speeds up to 200 miles per hour (mph), result in high rotational speeds for the tire. Such high rotational speeds make it difficult for a reader to consistently and accurately receive data from an RFID tag and/or a TMPS sensor. 
     As a result, there is a need in the art for a reader system that accurately and consistently reads data from a tire with a sensor which transmits tire pressure data and tire identification information by radio frequency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a reader system for a tire with an integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) and tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor, in which the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor is mounted on the tire, includes at least one antenna that is external to the tire. The at least one antenna is mounted on a vehicle on which the tire is mounted and is in a location proximate the tire. The at least one antenna is in electronic communication with the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor. A reader is mounted on the vehicle and is also in electronic communication with the at least one antenna. The at least one antenna relays a signal from the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor to the reader. A display device is in electronic communication with the reader to receive and display data from the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor. 
     Definitions 
     “Axial” and “axially” mean lines or directions that are parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Axially inward” and “axially inwardly” refer to an axial direction that is toward the axial center of the tire. 
     “Axially outward” and “axially outwardly” refer to an axial direction that is away from the axial center of the tire. 
     “Circumferential” means lines or directions extending along the perimeter of the surface of the annular tread perpendicular to the axial direction. 
     “Inboard” refers to the axial inner surface of the tire as mounted on the vehicle. 
     “Innerliner” means the layer or layers of elastomer or other material that form the inside surface of a tubeless tire and that contain the inflating fluid within the tire. 
     “Outboard” refers to the axial outer surface of the tire as mounted on a vehicle. 
     “Radial” and “radially” mean lines or directions that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Radially inward” and “radially inwardly” refer to a radial direction that is toward the central axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “Radially outward” and “radially outwardly” refer to a radial direction that is away from the central axis of rotation of the tire. 
     “RFID” means radio frequency identification. 
     “TPMS” means a tire pressure monitoring system. 
    
    
     
       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 a side view of a vehicle including a first exemplary embodiment of a reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of a tire shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor; 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom view of the sensor shown in  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an exemplary antenna of the reader system shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an exemplary reader of the reader system shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an exemplary display device of the reader system shown in  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of a vehicle including a second exemplary embodiment of a reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor. 
     
    
    
     Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A first exemplary embodiment of a reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor is shown in  FIGS.  1  through  7    and is indicated generally at  10 . The reader system  10  is installed on a vehicle  8 , and reads a signal from an integrated RFID and TMPS sensor  32  that is mounted on a pneumatic tire  12 . The reader system  10  may be employed in conjunction with one tire  12  and its associated RFID and TPMS sensor  32 , or with multiple tires and their respective RFID and TPMS sensors. Reference herein shall be made to the reader system  10  being employed in conjunction with one tire  12  and its associated RFID and TPMS sensor  32 , with the understanding that the system may be employed with multiple tires and their respective RFID and TPMS sensors. 
     With particular reference to  FIG.  2   , the tire  12  includes a pair of bead areas  14  and a respective bead core  16  embedded in each bead area. A respective sidewall  18  extends radially outward from each bead area  14  to a ground-contacting tread  20 . The tire  12  is reinforced by a carcass  22  that toroidally extends from one of the bead areas  12  to the other one of the bead areas. The carcass  20  includes at least one ply  24  that preferably winds around each bead core  16 . A belt reinforcement package  26  is disposed between the carcass  22  and the tread  20 . An innerliner  28  is formed on the inside surface of the carcass  22 . A tire cavity  30  is disposed inwardly of the innerliner  28 . When the tire  12  is mounted on a wheel  31  ( FIG.  1   ) of a vehicle, as known in the art, the innerliner  28  cooperates with the wheel to render the tire cavity  30  airtight. The integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  is mounted on the innerliner  28  in a lower sidewall area  33 , just above the bead area  14 . In this manner, the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  is disposed in the tire cavity  30 . 
     The integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and its attachment to the tire  12  is described in greater detail in an application being filed concurrently with the instant application, which is titled “Tire with an Integrated RFID and TPMS Sensor” and is owned by the same assignee as the current application, The Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Company. That application is incorporated herewith in its entirety. For the purpose of convenience and an understanding of the device that the reader system  10  reads, a brief summary of the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  follows. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , an exemplary embodiment of the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  includes an RFID tag  34 , which in turn includes an integrated circuit  36 . The integrated circuit  36  is carried on a printed circuit board  38  and processes and stores data for the tire  12 . More particularly, the integrated circuit  36  includes electronic memory capacity for storing identification (ID) information for each tire  12 , known as tire ID information. The integrated circuit  36  also modulates and demodulates a radio frequency signal for communication with an external reader  44  ( FIG.  1   ) through an antenna  40 . A TPMS sensor  42  is mounted on the RFID tag  34 , and thus is in electronic communication with the integrated circuit  36  and the antenna  40 . The TPMS sensor  42  includes a pressure sensor that measures the pressure in the tire cavity  30 , and may also include one or more temperature sensors which measures the temperature within the tire cavity  30  and/or another component of the tire  12 . Other sensors may also be mounted on the RFID tag  34 , such as a stress sensor, a strain sensor, vibration sensor, accelerometer, and the like. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1   , the reader system  10  includes at least one antenna  46  that is in electronic communication with the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and is external to the tire  12 . Preferably, only one antenna  46  is included in the reader system  10 . Optionally, the reader system  10  may also include a second antenna  48  that is in electronic communication with the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and is external to the tire  12 . Reference herein shall be made to two antennas  46  and  48  for the purpose of convenience, with the understanding that the reader system  10  may employ one antenna or more than two antennas. The external antennas  46  and  48  communicate with the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and with the reader  44 . In this manner, the external antennas  46  and  48  boost and relay the signal from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  to the reader  44 , and also relay a signal from the reader to the RFID and TPMS sensor. 
     The two antennas  46  and  48  are mounted on the vehicle  8  separate from the tire  12 , while being in close proximity to the tire. Preferred mounting locations for the antennas  46  and  48  include a wheel well  50  of the vehicle  8  proximate the tire  12 , or on the frame of the vehicle proximate the tire. Reference herein will be made to the antennas  46  and  48  being mounted on the frame of the vehicle  8  proximate the tire  12  for convenience. To provide clearance for other components of the vehicle  8  and/or the tire  12 , each antenna  46  and  48  preferably includes a maximum thickness that is under about one-quarter (0.25) of an inch. For optimum reading of the signal from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  at high vehicle speeds, when two antennas  46  and  48  are employed, they are spaced apart from one another at a predetermined angle, indicated at  52 . The angle  52  preferably is between about sixty (60) and about one hundred and twenty (120) degrees, and more preferably is about ninety (90) degrees. The antennas  46  and  48  may read the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  through the tire sidewall  18  and/or the tread  20 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  5   , each antenna  46  and  48  includes a conductor element  54 , which relays signals from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  to the reader  44 , and from the reader to the RFID and TPMS sensor. Each antenna  46  and  48  also includes a base plate  56  that carries the conductor element  54  and enables the antenna to be mounted to the vehicle  8 . For example, openings  58  may be formed in the base plate  56  to receive mechanical fasteners  60  that secure each antenna  46  and  48  to the frame of the vehicle  8  or to a wall  62  of the wheel well  50 . Different structural configurations for each antenna  46  and  48  may be employed without affecting the overall concept or operation of the invention. 
     Optionally, the first antennal  46  may include a communication protocol or signal that is different from the communication protocol or signal of the second antenna  48 . By employing different protocols or signals from each antenna  46  and  48 , the data received from the antennas may be processed more efficiently and accurately, particularly at high vehicle speeds. Each antenna  46  and  48  may be independently powered, or may be powered by the reader  44 , as will be described in detail below. 
     For communication with the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 , the external antennas  46  and  48  each employ wireless communication. More particularly, the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  is a passive unit that sends and receives signals using a radio frequency, and preferably an ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency. Thus, the electronic communication between each antenna  46  and  48  and the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  preferably is at a UFH radio frequency. In addition, the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  may include an energy harvester, which captures and thus harvests power from an electronic field of the UHF radio frequency transmitted by each antenna  46  and  48 . Optionally, the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  may be pre-charged at a specific frequency using the antennas  46  and  48 , which is turned off to enable the antennas to read the RFID and TPMS sensor. In addition, the energy harvester may alternatively capture and thus harvest optical energy, thermal energy and/or vibrational energy to power the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 . 
     As described above, the antennas  46  and  48  relay the signal from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  to the reader  44 , and thus is in electronic communication with the reader. The connection between each antenna  46  and  48  to the reader  44  is through a connection means  64 . The connection means  64  may be a wire or cable, thus providing a hard-wired connection, or a wireless connection using radio waves. Preferably, when each antenna  46  and  48  is powered by the reader  44 , the connection means  64  includes a wire or cable to facilitate efficient power and signal transmission. The communication means  64  also relays signals from the reader to the antennas  46  and  48 , for transmission from the reader to the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  6   , the reader  44  preferably includes a housing  66 . Mounting means  68 , such as brackets to engage or receive the housing to enable the reader to be secured to and mounted on the vehicle  8 . Preferably, the reader  44  is disposed on the vehicle  8  in a protected location to preserve the integrity of the reader. The reader  44  may include multiple antenna connection ports  70  to receive the connection means  64 , such as wires or cables, from each antenna  46  and  48 . The reader  44  may also include device connection ports  72  to enable the reader to connect to an external programming device, such as a computer, as well as to a controlled area network (CAN bus) of the vehicle  8 , and/or to a display device  74 . Alternatively, the reader  44  may connect to each antenna  46  and  48 , the external programming device, and/or the display device  74  using respective wireless connections. The reader  44  includes internal storage capability to receive and store data from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  through each antenna  46  and  48 . Such storage preferably is non-volatile, retaining data when there is no power to the reader  44 . Using the device connection ports  72  or a wireless connection, the reader  44  may also send or transmit data from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 , received through each antenna  46  and  48 , to a computer, the vehicle CAN bus and/or the display device  74 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  7   , the reader system  10  also preferably includes the display device  74 . The display device  74  is in electronic communication with the reader  44 , and may be directly or indirectly connected to the reader. A direct connection between the display device  74  and the reader  44  is through a connection means  76 . The connection means  76  may be a wire or cable, thus providing a hard-wired connection, or a wireless connection using radio waves. An indirect connection between the display device  74  and the reader  44  includes electronically connecting the display device and the reader to the vehicle CAN bus, thereby providing communication between the display device and the reader through the CAN bus. 
     The connection and communication between the reader  44  and the display device  74  enables the display device to receive and display the data that is gathered by the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 , and which is transmitted to the reader through each antenna  46  and  48 . The display device  74  thus includes a display screen  78  to present the data from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 . The display screen  78  may be an interactive screen that enables a user to configure and/or scroll through data as desired. In addition, the display device  74  may include a processor to run computer application software to organize and store data from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 . 
     The connection means  76  also enable communication from the display device  74  to the reader  44 , so that a user may actuate and/or control the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  using the display device. For such actuation, the display device  74  transmits or sends a control signal to the reader  44 , which communicates the control signal to the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  through each antenna  46  and  48 . The display device  74  may be disposed within the vehicle  8 , or may be remote from the vehicle. To enable the display device  74  to be disposed within the vehicle  8 , the display device may include mounting means  80 , such as a bracket, to engage or receive the display device and secure it to a structure of the vehicle. 
     The reader  44  and/or the display device  74  may also be equipped with an antenna to wirelessly transmit selected data from the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  to a remote processor, such as a processor in a cloud-based server. The data from the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32  may thus be stored and analyzed remotely, and/or displayed on remote devices, such as televisions and/or mobile phones. 
     Turning to  FIG.  8   , a second exemplary embodiment of a reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor is indicated generally at  90 . The second embodiment reader system  90  is similar in structure and function to the first embodiment reader system  10 , with the primary exception being that the second embodiment reader system includes one antenna  92  that is in electronic communication with the integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  32 . The antenna  92  is external to the tire  12  and communicates with the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and with the reader  44 . In this manner, the external antenna  92  boosts and relays the signal from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  to the reader  44 , and also relays a signal from the reader to the RFID and TPMS sensor. The antenna  92  is mounted on the vehicle  8  separate from the tire  12 , while being in close proximity to the tire. Preferred mounting locations for the antenna  92  include a wheel well  50  of the vehicle  8  proximate the tire  12 , or on the frame of the vehicle proximate the tire. To provide clearance for other components of the vehicle  8  and/or the tire  12 , the antenna  92  preferably includes a maximum thickness that is under about one-quarter (0.25) of an inch. The antenna  92  may read the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  through the tire sidewall  18  and/or the tread  20 . 
     In this manner, the reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor of the present invention  10 ,  90  includes at least one antenna  46 ,  48  and  92  disposed externally to the tire  12  to send and receive signals from the tire-mounted RFID and TPMS sensor  32 . The antennas  46 ,  48  and  92  are in close proximity to the tire  12  and provide communication between the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and the vehicle-mounted reader  44 . The reader  44  communicates with a display device  74  to display data from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32  and enable actuation of the RFID and TPMS sensor. This structure enables the reader system  10 ,  90  to accurately and consistently read data from the RFID and TPMS sensor  32 , particularly when the vehicle  8  operates at high speeds, such as up to about 200 mph. Of course, the reader system  10 ,  90  may be employed on vehicles  8  operating at any speed. 
     The present invention also includes a method of using a reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  10 ,  90 . The method includes steps in accordance with the description that is presented above and shown in  FIGS.  1  through  8   . 
     It is to be understood that the structure of the above-described reader system for a tire with an integrated RFID and TPMS sensor  10 ,  90  may be altered or rearranged, or components known to those skilled in the art omitted or added, without affecting the overall concept or operation of the invention. For example, any number of antennas  46 ,  48  and  92  may be employed for each reader system  10 ,  90 , and any of the described alternatives or options may be used or not used, without affecting the overall concept or operation of the invention. 
     The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Potential modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this description. It is to be understood that all such modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, or the equivalents thereof.