Antenna connection for integrated rfid tag and tpms sensor

Abstract

An integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor includes a radio frequency identification tag. The radio frequency identification tag includes an integrated circuit, and a printed circuit board carries the integrated circuit. A tire pressure monitoring system sensor is mounted on the radio frequency identification tag. An antenna includes at least one coil antenna wire. The antenna wire is formed in a helical shape and is electrically connected to the integrated circuit. A first end of the antenna wire is mounted to the printed circuit board. A mechanical interlock between the first end of the antenna wire and the printed circuit board includes features that secure the first end of the antenna wire to the printed circuit board.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor comprising:
 a radio frequency identification tag, the radio frequency identification tag including an integrated circuit;   a printed circuit board carrying the integrated circuit;   a tire pressure monitoring system sensor being mounted on the radio frequency identification tag;   an antenna including at least one coil antenna wire, the at least one antenna wire being formed in a helical shape and being electrically connected to the integrated circuit;   the at least one antenna wire including a first end that is mounted to the printed circuit board; and   a mechanical interlock between the first end of the antenna wire and the printed circuit board, the mechanical interlock including features securing the first end of the antenna wire to the printed circuit board.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the features include a straight slot formed in the printed circuit board, and wherein the first end of the antenna wire is formed with a straight terminus that seats in the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 2 , wherein the slot does not extend through an entire thickness of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the features include a circular slot formed in the printed circuit board, and wherein the first end of the antenna wire is formed with a circular terminus that seats in the slot. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the slot does not extend through an entire thickness of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the circular terminus is formed by bending one pitch of the first end of the antenna wire to an angle that is about ninety degrees relative to a remainder of antenna pitches. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the features include a straight slot formed in the printed circuit board, the slot extending through a thickness of the printed circuit board and being positioned to create an insert between a top edge of the printed circuit board and the slot that is less than an inside diameter of the antenna wire, wherein the first end of the antenna wire engages the insert. 
     
     
         8 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 7 , wherein a recess is formed in the printed circuit board near the straight slot and does not extend through the thickness of the printed circuit board, and wherein the first end of the antenna wire includes a terminus that seats in the recess. 
     
     
         9 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the features include:
 a first slot formed in the printed circuit board, the first slot extending through a thickness of the printed circuit board;   a second slot formed in the printed circuit board parallel to the first slot, the second slot extending through the thickness of the printed circuit board; and   wherein the first and second slots are positioned to create an insert between them that is less than an inside diameter of the antenna wire, and the first end of the antenna wire engages the insert.   
     
     
         10 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the first slot and the second slot are formed with equal lengths. 
     
     
         11 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the second slot is formed with a length that is longer than a length of the first slot. 
     
     
         12 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the first slot includes a first slot semi-circular cross section and the second slot includes a second slot semi-circular cross section. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 11 , wherein the first slot includes a first slot straight cross section and the second slot includes a second slot straight cross section. 
     
     
         14 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 11 , wherein a recess is formed in the printed circuit board near the first slot and does not extend through the thickness of the printed circuit board, and wherein the first end of the antenna wire includes a terminus that seats in the recess. 
     
     
         15 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the features include:
 a first slot formed in the printed circuit board and extending through a thickness of the printed circuit board;   a first opening formed in the printed circuit board in parallel alignment with the first slot and extending through the thickness of the printed circuit board, wherein a distance between the first slot and the first opening matches a pitch of the antenna wire;   a second slot formed in the printed circuit board and extending through the thickness of the printed circuit board;   a second opening formed in the printed circuit board in parallel alignment with the second slot and extending through the thickness of the printed circuit board;   a third opening formed in the printed circuit board in parallel alignment with the second slot and the second opening extending through the thickness of the printed circuit board;   wherein a distance between the second slot and the second opening matches the pitch of the antenna wire, and a distance between the second opening and the third opening matches the pitch of the antenna wire; and   wherein the first end of the antenna wire winds through the first slot, the second slot, the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening.   
     
     
         16 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 15 , wherein a recess is formed in the printed circuit board parallel to and near the first opening and does not extend through the thickness of the printed circuit board, and the first end of the antenna wire includes a terminus that seats in the recess. 
     
     
         17 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the features include:
 a first opening formed in the printed circuit board and extending through a thickness of the printed circuit board;   a second opening formed in the printed circuit board in parallel alignment with the first opening and extending through the thickness of the printed circuit board, and wherein a distance between the first opening and the second opening matches a pitch of the antenna wire; and   wherein the first end of the antenna wire winds through the first opening, over a top edge of the printed circuit board, and through the second opening.   
     
     
         18 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 17 , wherein a recess is formed in the printed circuit board parallel to and near the second opening and does not extend through the thickness of the printed circuit board, and the first end of the antenna wire includes a terminus that seats in the recess. 
     
     
         19 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a solder pad formed on the printed circuit board, wherein the first end of the antenna is mounted to the solder pad with solder. 
     
     
         20 . The integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a pneumatic tire, the integrated radio frequency identification tag and tire pressure monitoring system sensor being mounted to the pneumatic tire.