SMART TAG ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING ON AN OBJECT TO BE TRACKED
A smart tag assembly is designed for mounting on an object to be tracked. The smart tag assembly comprises a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data, and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader. The laminate comprises an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate, and laminated between an outside label cover and backing. A low-profile tag carrier defines a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding the RFID laminate.
1 . A smart tag assembly designed for mounting on an object to be tracked, said smart tag assembly comprising:
a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader, said laminate comprising an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate and laminated between an outside label cover and backing; and
a low-profile tag carrier defining a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding said RFID laminate.
2 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said tag carrier is constructed of a generally flexible elastomeric material.
3 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said elastomeric material comprises a natural rubber.
4 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 3 , wherein said natural rubber has a hardness of between about 50-80 durometer.
5 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said tag carrier is substantially disk shaped.
6 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said tag carrier comprises an inwardly extending peripheral lip surrounding said recessed pocket and adapted for retaining and protecting said RFID laminate.
7 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said peripheral lip comprises a plurality of equally-spaced arcuate sections defining respective chamfered top edges.
8 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said tag carrier comprises a continuous rounded outside peripheral edge.
9 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said tag carrier has a height dimension less than 0.25 inches and an outside diameter less than 2.0 inches.
10 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of tag carrier is textured to a depth ranging from about 0.00100 and 0.00600.
11 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an inside surface of said recessed pocket is textured to a depth ranging from about 0.00100 and 0.00600.
12 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , wherein an exposed surface of said label cover comprises at least one part identification code.
13 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , and comprising a spacer attached to a bottom surface of said tag carrier, and adapted for spacing said RFID laminate from the object.
14 . The smart tag assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said RFID laminate further comprises at least one spacer ring surrounding said RFID inlay and substrate, and laminated between said outside label cover and backing.
15 . In combination with a pneumatic vehicle tire adapted for mounting on a wheel hub, a smart tag assembly affixed to said vehicle tire and comprising:
a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader, said laminate comprising an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate and laminated between an outside label cover and backing; and
a low-profile tag carrier defining a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding said RFID laminate.
16 . The combination according to claim 15 , and comprising indicia located on an exposed surface of said label cover and applicable for orienting said smart tag assembly relative to a center of the wheel hub.
17 . The combination according to claim 15 , wherein said tag carrier is substantially disk shaped.
18 . The combination according to claim 17 , wherein said tag carrier comprises an inwardly extending peripheral lip surrounding said recessed pocket and adapted for retaining and protecting said RFID laminate.
19 . The combination assembly according to claim 18 , wherein said peripheral lip comprises a plurality of equally-spaced arcuate sections defining respective chamfered top edges.
20 . In combination with a metal vehicle part, an RFID tag assembly affixed to said vehicle part and comprising:
a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader, said laminate comprising an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate and laminated between an outside label cover and backing;
a low-profile tag carrier defining a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding said RFID laminate; and
a spacer attached to a bottom surface of said tag carrier, and spacing said RFID laminate from said metal vehicle part.