TYRE COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR MEASURING A MECHANICAL FORCE AND THE USE OF THE DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tire comprising a device, wherein the device comprises a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth layer, the third layer being optional. The invention relates to the uses of the tire.

[0002] Sensors play an increasingly important role in today's automotive industry. They not only help monitor the material properties during the manufacturing or use of various car parts, but also offer the possibility of detecting forces that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to perceive. It is often necessary to install the sensors at various locations within the vehicle to measure changes in material properties or acting forces directly on site. The size of the sensors can also be a factor; they should be as small as possible to avoid causing additional problems during installation.

[0003] Furthermore, sensors often require a power source for operation. Connecting and positioning the power source in a suitable location further complicates the installation of a sensor at the intended site.

[0004] US2017234745A1 discloses a flexible sensor for monitoring operating parameters, including pressure and temperature, of a flexible structure, such as a tire. This sensor has electrodes and an active area made of flexible materials.

[0005] US2015222204A1 describes a system for generating electricity for an electrical subassembly of a motor vehicle and may include at least one reversed electrical wetting energy harvesting element coupled to a tire of the motor vehicle.

[0006] One objective of the invention is to provide a device that makes it possible to measure mechanical forces in a tire while driving, such as lateral forces or braking forces. In particular, this should preferably be achieved without the use of an additional power source, and the device should be especially sensitive. Furthermore, another objective of the invention was to provide a device for charging an energy source in a tire or wheel.

[0007] In general, this problem is solved according to the invention by a device comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, wherein the third layer is optional, wherein the second or fourth layer has a surface with a surface roughness Ra, wherein a) the first layer comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer has a dielectric conductivity ε r of greater than 1.01 F m -1<, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer has a dielectric conductivity ε r of greater than 1.01 F m -1<, characterized in that the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the four or five layers are arranged one above the other according to the above sequence and the surface of the second or fourth layer has a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.1 µm to 500 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

[0008] Within the scope of the present invention, the expression "the four [...] layers are arranged one above the other in the preceding order" means that the first layer is applied directly to the second layer, the second directly to the fourth, and the fourth directly to the fifth layer, with no further layers present between these four layers. This applies in particular to the four specific embodiments of the present invention described below.

[0009] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "fifth layer" is to be understood merely as a nomenclature for this layer and not as implying that four further layers must be present in addition to this fifth layer. The same applies to the second, third, and fourth layers. Accordingly, for example, a device according to the invention may contain four layers, comprising a first, second, fourth, and fifth layer. In this sense, within the scope of the entire present invention, the first layer may also be referred to as the top layer, the second layer as the upper middle layer, the third layer as the insulating layer, the fourth layer as the lower middle layer, and the fifth layer as the bottom layer. This applies in particular to the four specific embodiments of the present invention described below.

[0010] All the advantages of the above general solution to the problem are described below by means of specific embodiments and apply mutatis mutandis to the above general embodiment.

[0011] In a first embodiment, this problem is specifically solved according to the invention by a device for measuring a mechanical force, comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, wherein the third layer is optional, characterized in that a) the first layer comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material, c) the third layer comprises an insulating material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material, and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material, where the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the four or five layers are arranged on top of each other in the above sequence, and the surface of the second or fourth layer has a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.1 µm to 500 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

[0012] Surprisingly, it was discovered within the scope of the present invention that when two different intermediate materials with the dielectric conductivities described above are rubbed, enough electrons per unit area are transferred in the second and fourth layers to generate a sufficiently large voltage when these two rubbed intermediate materials are separated. The resulting voltage can then be used to generate an electrical signal. This electrical signal can be used to measure or even quantify the force generated by the initial friction. Within the scope of the present invention, the second and fourth layers of a device according to the invention comprise the respective intermediate materials, which can be charged by contact and, in particular, by friction. The presence of the first and second intermediate layers, i.e.,The second and fourth layers of a device according to the invention result in higher voltages and current flows, and thus also higher power outputs in current generation or a more sensitive measuring device in measurement, than in comparable, non-inventive devices in which only an intermediate layer is present between the two electrode materials.

[0013] A device as described above is preferred, wherein the device is suitable for measuring a mechanical force and / or for generating an electrical voltage, and for electrically charging a battery and / or accumulator attached to a wheel encompassing the tire or attached to the tire, wherein the tire is preferably a tire according to the invention as described below.

[0014] Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, a third layer can optionally be provided between the second and fourth layers, which is designed such that the second and fourth layers of a device according to the invention can be separated from each other in a first state and come into contact with each other in a second state. The second state of a device according to the invention can be triggered by a force acting perpendicular to the layers, which causes contact between the second and fourth layers of a device according to the invention.It is therefore a crucial contribution of the present invention to have recognized that, in the presence of a third layer between the second and fourth layers of a device according to the invention, as described above or as preferably described above, more electrons can be transferred between the second and fourth layers in order to generate an electrical voltage between the second and fourth layers after their contact is broken. Subsequently, the electrons transferred in the second state can be kept separate by means of a transition to a third state of the device according to the invention. The transferred electrons lead to a charge difference between the second and fourth layers and thus consequently also between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention.The voltage difference between the first and fifth layers is induced by the transferred electrons, while the fourth and second layers move apart again after contact. The presence of a third layer can increase this voltage difference.

[0015] It could be shown that by roughening the surface of the second and / or fourth layer facing the third layer, the voltage or electrical power generated in a device according to the invention could be further increased, and therefore even more sensitive measurement of forces on the device according to the invention could be achieved.

[0016] The voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention can be measured using a voltmeter. The device according to the invention therefore preferably also includes a voltmeter for measuring the voltage between the second and fourth layers or between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention.

[0017] However, a device as described above or as described above as preferred is also preferred, a device for measuring a mechanical force comprising an upper layer, an upper middle layer, a lower middle layer and a lower middle layer and no third layer, characterized in that the upper layer comprises a first electrode material, the upper middle layer comprises a first intermediate material, the lower middle layer comprises a second intermediate material, and the lower layer comprises a second electrode material. where the first intermediate material of the upper middle layer and the second intermediate material of the lower middle layer are different, the four layers are arranged one above the other in the above order, and the upper middle layer and / or the lower middle layer comprises at least one filler in addition to the second intermediate material.

[0018] Such a device has, in particular, the advantages described below when it is installed in a tire according to the invention as described below.

[0019] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the surface of the second and / or fourth layer has a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.5 to 100 µm, preferably 1 to 50 µm, particularly preferably 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

[0020] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, characterized in that it is used to measure a mechanical force, comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, characterized in that a) the first layer comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, c) the third layer comprises an insulating material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material. where the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the five layers are arranged on top of each other, the second and fourth layers are separated from each other in a first state of the device by means of the third layer, and the third layer is designed so that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with each other in a second state of the device.

[0021] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferably characterized in that a) the first layer consists of a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, c) the third layer comprises an insulating material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, and e) the fifth layer consists of a second electrode material. where the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the five layers are arranged on top of each other, the second and fourth layers are separated from each other in a first state of the device by means of the third layer, and the third layer is designed so that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with each other in a second state of the device.

[0022] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is particularly preferred, characterized in that a) the first layer consists of a first electrode material, b) the second layer consists of a first intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, c) the third layer comprises an insulating material, d) the fourth layer consists of a second intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, and e) the fifth layer consists of a second electrode material. where the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the five layers are arranged on top of each other, the second and fourth layers are separated from each other in a first state of the device by means of the third layer, and the third layer is designed so that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with each other in a second state of the device.

[0023] Within the scope of the present invention, it is preferred that the transition of the device from the first state to the second state is triggered by the application of a mechanical force to the device according to the invention. It is also particularly preferred if the device according to the invention is subsequently transitioned into a third state in the second state as soon as the aforementioned mechanical force no longer acts upon the device according to the invention. The third state of the device according to the invention differs from the first state of the device according to the invention in that an electrical voltage can be measured between the second and the fourth or between the first and the fifth layer of the device according to the invention.

[0024] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "mechanical force" preferably encompasses any external influence on a device according to the invention which causes the device according to the invention to be transformed from the first state to the second state. The mechanical force described above should preferably act perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the five layers of the device according to the invention.

[0025] A device according to the invention is preferably as described above, or as described above as preferred, if the five layers are arranged one above the other in the order specified above by letters a), b), c), d) and e) and no further layers are present between them.

[0026] It is particularly preferred if the device according to the invention comprises a transmitting unit which converts the generated voltage between the first and the fifth layer of the device according to the invention into an electromagnetic signal, which can then be received by a receiving unit at another location in a space-saving manner. It is advantageous if the signal contains information about the voltage level in order to quantify the voltage and thus the applied mechanical force.

[0027] Within the scope of the present invention, any material known in the prior art that is used in an electrode in the prior art can be used for the first and second electrode materials of the device according to the invention. Preferably, both electrode materials consist of the same material, in particular the same metal. Within the scope of the present invention, preferred electrode materials are selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, silver, iron oxide, and carbon-based materials.

[0028] Particularly preferred are the electrode materials selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, silver and carbon-based materials.

[0029] Particularly preferred are the electrode materials selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, carbon fiber, and rubber compounds with a specific conductivity at 20°C of more than 1 S·cm. Such rubber compounds are particularly preferably rubber compounds with a carbon black content of more than 20 phr, more preferably more than 50 phr, and most preferably more than 80 phr. Within the scope of the present invention, carbon-based materials preferably include graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon black. The first and fifth layers need not have the same dimensions as the second and fourth layers and may, in particular, be smaller. It is also conceivable that the first and fifth layers have a woven structure and thus do not form continuous layers. It is also possible for the first and fifth layers to consist of one or more separate wires and / or fibers.The main task of the electrode material of the first and fifth layers of a device according to the invention is to guarantee the rapid transport of electrons and can therefore be designed in any way, as long as this function is fulfilled.

[0030] Within the scope of the present invention, any material with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹ can be used as the first or second intermediate material. The sole purpose of the intermediate material within the scope of the present invention is to accept or release electrons from the other intermediate material, thereby generating a corresponding opposite charge in the adjacent electrode material. This opposite charge generates a voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention. Surprisingly, it has been found within the scope of the present invention that intermediate materials with a dielectric conductivity greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹ are sufficient to generate a sufficiently high voltage that can be used to measure the mechanical force.

[0031] It is also advantageous if the insulating material of the third layer of a device according to the invention preferably has a lower conductivity at 20°C than the conductivity of the first and second intermediate materials. A lower conductivity of the insulating material than that of the first and second intermediate materials would already be sufficient to generate, at least briefly, a voltage between the second and fourth layers or the first and fifth layers, which can be used to generate an electrical signal.

[0032] Particularly large mechanical forces can also generate particularly large stresses in the device according to the invention, which can be used not only to measure the mechanical force, but also to charge an energy storage device or to drive an electrically operated device.

[0033] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the device comprises a third layer and the second and fourth layers are separated from each other in a first state of the device by means of the third layer, wherein the third layer is designed such that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with each other in a second state of the device.

[0034] As described above, it is advantageous to have a third layer in a device according to the invention, which ensures that the second and fourth layers are completely separated from each other in order to achieve maximum electrical power, i.e., the product of measured voltage and current flow, of the device according to the invention. However, it is also possible to achieve a current flow and thus a voltage between the second and fourth layers of the device according to the invention, and thus also between the first and fifth layers, without the second and fourth layers being completely separated from each other. In a device according to the invention, a voltage and a current flow can also be generated if the fourth and second layers remain in constant contact and only the force acting on them is varied.Such a preferred embodiment of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use in a vehicle tire, since a third layer as described above or below is difficult to implement in this context. For the reasons stated above, a third layer is only optimal for a device according to the invention.

[0035] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein the device additionally includes means for measuring the voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device and / or includes a transmitting unit which is suitable for generating an electromagnetic signal from the voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device, and / or additionally enables means for contacting the first and second electrode material with the means for measuring the voltage or with the transmitting unit.

[0036] Preferably, the device according to the invention includes means for converting the generated electrical voltage into an RF signal, from which the voltage level can also be read. This allows the control and / or regulating unit that evaluates the signal not to have to be located in the same place as the device according to the invention.

[0037] Within the scope of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the values ​​for electrical conductivity always refer to values ​​measured under standard conditions, i.e., in particular at 20°C and atmospheric pressure. Electrical conductivity can be determined, for example, according to the standard ASTM E1004-17.

[0038] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the second and / or fourth layer comprises at least one filler in addition to the second intermediate material, wherein the at least one filler is preferably carbon black and / or silica in the second layer and / or carbon black and / or silica in the fourth layer.

[0039] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein the at least one filler, in the case of silica, is preferably present in a total quantity in the range of 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, more preferably in the range of 5 wt.% to 25 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range of 10 wt.% to 20 wt.%, and most preferably in the range of 13 wt.% to 17 wt.%, in each case based on the total mass of the second and / or fourth layer of the device. Such a device generates even greater electrical power.

[0040] A preferred device is one as described above, wherein the at least one filler is present in the second and / or fourth layer in a total quantity in the range of 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range of 1 wt.% to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range of 1 wt.% to 10 wt.%, and most preferably in the range of 3 wt.% to 7 wt.%, in each case based on the total mass of the second and / or fourth layer of the device. Such a device generates even greater electrical power.

[0041] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein the third layer comprises an insulating material which has an electrical conductivity of less than 10⁻¹ < S·cm⁻¹ < at 20°C, preferably less than 10⁻³ < S·cm⁻¹ < , particularly preferably less than 10⁻⁶ < S·cm⁻¹ < .

[0042] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that the insulating materials described above, due to their low electrical conductivity, keep the electrons transferred in the second state of the device according to the invention separated for a particularly long time.

[0043] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein each of the five layers has a transverse extent and two longitudinal surfaces, wherein the entire surface of a longitudinal surface of the second layer is in contact with the surface of a longitudinal surface of the first layer and / or the entire surface of a longitudinal surface of the fourth layer is in contact with the surface of a longitudinal surface of the fifth layer.

[0044] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that a particularly comprehensive contact between the layers enables a faster induction of voltage between the first and fifth layers of electrons between the respective layers.

[0045] Within the scope of the present invention, it is preferred if the transverse extent of a layer of a device according to the invention runs parallel to the smallest extent of the layer and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal surfaces of the layers of a device according to the invention. It is particularly preferred if the longitudinal surfaces of the layers of a device according to the invention are the surfaces of the layers of the device according to the invention that each adjoin the adjacent layer of the device according to the invention. This applies to all devices according to the invention described above as well as to all devices described below.

[0046] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein each of the five layers has a transverse extent and two longitudinal surfaces, wherein in the first state of the device the entire surface of the first longitudinal surface of the third layer is in contact with the entire surface of a longitudinal surface of the second layer and / or the entire surface of the second longitudinal surface of the third layer is in contact with the entire surface of a longitudinal surface of the fourth layer and wherein in the second state of the device according to the invention, at least 50% of the total area of ​​said longitudinal surface of the second layer, preferably at least 80%, is in contact with the surface of said longitudinal surface of the fourth layer, and at least 50% of the total area of ​​said longitudinal surface of the fourth layer, preferably at least 80%, is in contact with the surface of said longitudinal surface of the second layer.

[0047] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that in the second state of the device according to the invention, a particularly large number of electrons per longitudinal surface can be transferred between the second and the fourth layer.

[0048] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer has a dielectric conductivity ε r of greater than 1.1 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 1.5 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 2 F·m -1<, particularly preferably greater than 5 F·m -1<, and most preferably greater than 10 F·m -1<, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer has a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.1 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 1.5 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 2 F·m -1<, particularly preferably greater than 5 F·m -1<, and most preferably greater than 10 F·m -1<.

[0049] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that the first and second intermediate materials described above can accommodate a particularly large number of electrons and thus generate particularly high voltage differences between the first and fifth layers of a device according to the invention. This makes it possible to measure particularly small acting mechanical forces with a device according to the invention.

[0050] Particularly preferred is the dielectric conductivity of one of the first or second intermediate materials described above not greater than 100 F·m -1< , and most preferably not greater than 50 F·m -1< .

[0051] Within the scope of the present invention, the dielectric conductivity er of an intermediate material, also called relative permittivity er, is measured at 20 °C and a frequency of 50 Hz. The measurement can be carried out, for example, with a commercially available RLC measuring instrument according to a method known to those skilled in the art.

[0052] Preferably, the determination of the dielectric conductivity is carried out as follows using a commercially available RLC measuring device: The loss factor Tan δ is displayed directly as "DF-Dissipation Factor", whereas it must be calculated using the measurement results of the plate capacitor filled with dielectric material, or preferably using the measurement results of a device according to the invention.

[0053] When measuring capacitance, it must be taken into account that, in addition to the capacitance of the electrodes being measured, the capacitance of the connecting leads and the sample capacitor housing is also measured at the input of the bridge of the parallel-plate capacitor. The resulting false capacitance CF is independent of the frequency and must be considered during the evaluation, i.e., subtracted.

[0054] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the difference between the specific triboelectric affinity of the first intermediate material of the second layer and the specific triboelectric affinity of the second intermediate material of the fourth layer is at least 20 nC / J, preferably at least 40 nC / J, and particularly preferably at least 60 nC / J, measured at 20°C and at 35% relative humidity.

[0055] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that the first and second intermediate materials not only have a sufficiently large permittivity as described above, but also have a sufficiently large difference with respect to the specific triboelectric affinity and can therefore transfer a particularly large number of electrons when the second layer comes into contact with the fourth layer of the device according to the invention in the second state.

[0056] Within the scope of the present invention, it has been found that such forces in the tire, which act along the radial direction, can be measured sufficiently well with a difference of 20 nC / J.

[0057] Within the scope of the present invention, it was also found that such forces in the tire, which act along the direction of rotation, can be measured sufficiently well with a difference of 40 nC / J.

[0058] Within the scope of the present invention, it was also found that lateral forces in the tire can be measured with sufficient accuracy with a difference of 60 nC / J. The measurement of the specific triboelectric affinity of an intermediate material was carried out within the scope of the previous invention at atmospheric pressure and 22°C. A sample consisting of an intermediate material with an area of ​​1 cm x 1 cm, hereinafter referred to as the intermediate material sample, and a reference sample made of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber with an area of ​​1 cm x 2 cm were provided. The reference sample was attached to a copper contact with the same area of ​​1 cm x 2 cm, covering its entire surface. The intermediate material sample and the reference sample were electrostatically neutralized using an "Exair 7006 AC GEN4 Ionizing Bar". Subsequently, the intermediate material sample was placed on top of the reference sample with an area of ​​1 cm x 2 cm, covering its entire surface.The sample materials, with a combined surface area of ​​1 cm², were then pressed edge-to-edge with a force of 0.1 N. While this force was applied, the intermediate material sample was pulled from one end of the reference sample to the other, covering a distance of 1 cm. After sufficient separation of the intermediate and reference samples, the resulting voltage between them was measured using an AlphaLab Surface DC Voltmeter SVM2 from AlphaLab Inc. and the intermediate material sample was placed on a corresponding copper contact with an area of ​​1 cm x 1 cm. The reciprocal of the voltage value measured between the two contacts yields the specific triboelectric affinity of the intermediate material as described above.

[0059] The specific triboelectric affinity of the first and second intermediate materials should preferably not exceed 150 nC / J, and particularly preferably not exceed 100 nC / J.

[0060] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the third layer comprises a support border consisting of a vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber or a thermoset and the support border contains a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises one or more gases and / or particles consisting of an insulating material, wherein the support border preferably has a thickness of 0 to 200 µm and / or an electrical conductivity of at most 10 µS / m.

[0061] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the third layer consisting of a mixture comprising a gas and particles consisting of the insulating material, or consisting of a gas and particles consisting of the insulating material, wherein the insulating material is preferably selected from the group consisting of wool, a resin, amber, wood, paper and polycarbonate.

[0062] Air, nitrogen, or argon are preferred as the gas, but air is particularly suitable. The particles can be round, cord-like, or in another shape. Preferably, they are cord-like, similar to wool, with a longitudinal extent of 1 mm to 10 cm and a thickness of no more than 1 mm.

[0063] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein the third layer, as an insulating material, comprises or consists of a liquid with a viscosity at 20 °C in the range of 0.1 mPa·s to 10⁶ mPa·s, preferably with a viscosity at 20 °C in the range of 1 mPa·s to 10,000 mPa·s, and particularly preferably with a viscosity at 20 °C in the range of 1 mPa·s to 100 mPa·s. Preferably, the third layer consists of the liquid described above.

[0064] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that liquids with the viscosities described above, and in particular with the conductivities of the third layer described above, are especially well suited as the third layer in a device according to the invention. However, the third layer should be laterally bounded by another material in such a way that the liquid described above remains in place. This other material should be non-conductive with the conductivities described above, since it would connect the second and fourth layers while simultaneously binding the liquid described above.

[0065] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the third layer comprises a compound with a bulk modulus in the range of 1 to 30 GPa as an insulating material, preferably with a bulk modulus in the range of 5 to 10 GPa.

[0066] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that, in combination with the compression modules described above and, in particular, with the conductivities of the third layer described above, it is especially well suited as a third layer in a device according to the invention. This is particularly true for use in tires or technical rubber articles such as conveyor belts, hoses, and drive belts, but especially for tires.

[0067] A preferred device is one as described above, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, aluminum, polyamide, mica, glass, polyacrylates, quartz, lead, silk, cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred is the first intermediate material comprising or consisting mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, mica, glass, polyacrylates, quartz, silk, poly(organo)siloxanes, cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0068] A device as described above, or as described above as particularly preferred, is also preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer is nylon or aluminum. However, glass and cellulose are also preferred, since they advantageously have a dielectric conductivity of more than 2 F·m⁻¹.

[0069] A device as described above, or as described above as particularly preferred, is preferred, wherein the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises a solid material or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers and mixtures thereof.Particularly preferably, the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of acetate silk, natural or synthetic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers and mixtures thereof, wherein the rubbers BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ISBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubbers.

[0070] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "epichlorohydrin rubber" includes all polymers comprising epichlorohydrin as a monomer unit, in particular polymerized epichlorohydrin, block copolymer partially prepared from epichlorohydrin and terpolymers partially prepared from epichlorohydrin, in particular the terpolymer prepared from epichlorohydrin, epoxy ether (i.e. ethylene oxide) and allyl glycidyl ether, namely GECO.

[0071] A device as described above, or as described above as particularly preferred, is also preferred, wherein the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises natural or synthetic rubber, poly(organo)siloxanes, vulcanized rubber particles with surface-modified fluorocarbon chains, and mixtures thereof, wherein each of the aforementioned second intermediate materials particularly preferably additionally comprises graphite, silica, or carbon black. A device as described above, or as described above as particularly preferred, is also particularly preferred, wherein the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises polyisoprene, poly(dimethyl)siloxanes, vulcanized rubber particles with surface-modified fluorocarbon chains, and mixtures thereof, wherein each of the aforementioned second intermediate materials particularly preferably additionally comprises graphite.However, natural or synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or Teflon are also preferred as a second intermediate material of the fourth layer, since they advantageously have a dielectric conductivity of over 2 F·m -1<, wherein the rubbers BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ISBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubbers.

[0072] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the device additionally comprises a stabilizing shell to increase the mechanical stability of the device, which encloses all five layers.

[0073] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that the stabilizing shell holds the layers in place and provides mechanical stability to the device. It can also extend partially between the fourth and second layers of a device according to the invention to assist in the expansion of the third layer after the application of mechanical force.

[0074] The stabilizing layer can consist mainly or entirely of one of the following compounds: a resin, amber, wood, paper, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyamide, polyacrylates, natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, however, the stabilizing layer consists of a resin, amber, wood, paper, or polycarbonate.

[0075] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein the second intermediate material of the fourth layer epichlorohydrin rubber comprises or consists mainly or entirely of epichlorohydrin rubber and / or the first intermediate material of the second layer poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS, comprises or consists mainly or entirely of poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS.

[0076] Such a device according to the invention has a higher electrical power output.

[0077] A device as described above, or as described above as preferred, is preferred, wherein the surface of the second and / or fourth layer has a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.1 µm to 500 µm, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 100 µm, particularly preferably in the range of 1 to 50 µm, and most preferably in the range of 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. Within the scope of the present invention, said surface of the second and / or fourth layer is always the surface of the second and / or fourth layer facing the third layer. Such a device according to the invention has a higher electrical power output.

[0078] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the second and / or fourth layer has a layer thickness, hereinafter also referred to as the transverse extent of a layer, in the range of 10 to 1000 µm, preferably in the range of 30 to 300 µm, particularly preferably in the range of 70 to 160 µm or from 101 to 160 µm, most preferably in the range of 110 to 130 µm.

[0079] Such a device according to the invention has a higher electrical power output.

[0080] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein each of the five layers has a longitudinal extent perpendicular to the transverse extent and the longitudinal extent of each of the five layers is in the range of 0.1 to 1000 mm, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 100 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm, and / or the transverse extent of each of the five layers is in the range of 0.01 to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 0.01 to 1 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 mm.

[0081] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that the dimensions given above are particularly well suited for measuring a mechanical force in tires or technical rubber articles such as conveyor belts, hoses and drive belts, but especially for tires.

[0082] A device as described above is particularly preferred in that it is characterized by the fact that a) the first layer consists of a first electrode material, b) the second layer consists of a first intermediate material, c) the third layer comprises an insulating material, d) the fourth layer consists of a second intermediate material, and e) the fifth layer consists of a second electrode material, where the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the five layers are arranged one above the other, the second and fourth layers are separated from each other in a first state of the device by means of the third layer, the third layer is designed such that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with each other in a second state of the device, the insulating material of the third layer has an electrical conductivity of less than 10⁻³ S·cm⁻¹ at 20°C, each of the five layers has a transverse extent and two longitudinal surfaces, wherein the entire area of ​​a longitudinal surface of the second layer is in contact with the area of ​​a longitudinal surface of the first layer and the entire area of ​​a longitudinal surface of the fourth layer is in contact with the area of ​​a longitudinal surface of the fifth layer.In the first state of the device, the entire surface of the first longitudinal surface of the third layer is in contact with the surface of a longitudinal surface of the second layer, and the entire surface of the second longitudinal surface of the third layer is in contact with the surface of a longitudinal surface of the fourth layer. The third layer, acting as an insulating material, is a liquid with a viscosity at 20 °C in the range of 1 mPa·s to 100 mPa·s. The first intermediate material of the second layer consists of nylon or aluminum. The second intermediate material of the fourth layer consists of a mixture of solid polydimethylsiloxane and solid graphite particles. Each of the five layers has a longitudinal extent perpendicular to its transverse extent, and the longitudinal extent of each of the five layers is in the range of 0.1 to 100 mm, while the transverse extent of each of the five layers is in the range of 0.01 to 1 mm.

[0083] The advantageous aspects of a device according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force described above also apply to all aspects of a tire or technical rubber article described below, and the advantageous aspects of tires or technical rubber articles discussed below apply accordingly to all aspects of a device according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force.

[0084] The invention also relates to a tire or a technical rubber article comprising a device as described above, or preferably as described above, and optionally means for measuring the tension between the first and fifth layers of the device or between the second and fourth layers of the device. Technical rubber articles are preferably conveyor belts, hoses, and drive belts.

[0085] A tire according to the invention is preferably a pneumatic tire, particularly preferably a vehicle pneumatic tire, most preferably a vehicle pneumatic tire for commercial vehicles or passenger cars, and most preferably a vehicle pneumatic tire for passenger cars.

[0086] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the device is mounted in the tread of the tire and the central axis of the device runs in the axial direction or in the direction of rotation of the tire.

[0087] An advantage of the aspect of the present invention described above is that braking or acceleration forces in the rotational direction and lateral forces in the axial direction can be measured while driving.

[0088] Within the scope of the present invention, the central axis of a device according to the invention preferably runs through the geometric center of the third layer of the device according to the invention and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the third layer, wherein the longitudinal extent of the third layer preferably runs exactly midway between the two longitudinal surfaces of the third layer of the device according to the invention.

[0089] A tire is preferably one as described above, or as described above as preferred, comprising a device, wherein the device comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, wherein the third layer is optional, characterized in that a) the first layer comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material, and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material. where The first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the four or five layers are arranged one above the other according to the preceding sequence, and the surface of the second or fourth layer has a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.1 µm to 500 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. Preferably, the device comprises means for measuring the stress between the first and the fifth layer or between the second and fourth layer of the device.

[0090] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the device is suitable for measuring a mechanical force and / or for generating an electrical voltage, and for electrically charging a battery and / or accumulator attached to or surrounding a wheel or tire.

[0091] A tire is preferably as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the surface of the second and / or fourth layer has a surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.5 to 100 µm, preferably 1 to 50 µm, particularly preferably 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

[0092] A tire is preferably as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the second and / or fourth layer has a layer thickness in the range of 10 to 1000 µm, preferably in the range of 30 to 300 µm, particularly preferably in the range of 70 to 160 µm or from 101 to 160 µm, most preferably in the range of 110 to 130 µm.

[0093] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer has a dielectric conductivity ε r of greater than 1.01 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 1.1 F·m -1<, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer has a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.01 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 1.1 F·m -1< .

[0094] A tire as described above or as described above is preferred, wherein the difference between the specific triboelectric affinity of the first intermediate material of the second layer and the specific triboelectric affinity of the second intermediate material of the fourth layer is at least 20 nC / J, measured at 20°C and at 35% relative humidity.

[0095] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein The first intermediate material of the second layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, mica, glass, quartz, silk, poly(organo)siloxanes, cellulose and mixtures thereof, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of acetate silk, natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, vulcanized rubber particles and mixtures thereof, wherein the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubbers.

[0096] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, mica, glass, quartz, silk, poly(organo)siloxanes, cellulose and mixtures thereof, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of acetate silk, natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, vulcanized rubber particles and mixtures thereof, wherein the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubbers.

[0097] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, poly(organo)siloxanes, cellulose and mixtures thereof, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of acetate silk, natural or synthetic rubber, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride and mixtures thereof, wherein the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubbers.

[0098] A tire is preferably as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the second and / or fourth layer comprises at least one filler in addition to the second intermediate material.

[0099] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the at least one filler the second layer is soot and / or silica, and / or the fourth layer is soot and / or silica.

[0100] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the at least one filler in the second shift and / or in the fourth shift or in an amount in the range of 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range of 1 wt.% to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range of 1 wt.% to 10 wt.%, most preferably in the range of 3 wt.% to 7 wt.%, in each case based on the total mass of the first or fifth layer of the device.

[0101] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the second intermediate material of the fourth layer comprises epichlorohydrin rubber or consists mainly or entirely of epichlorohydrin rubber and / or the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS, or consists mainly or entirely of poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS.

[0102] A tire is preferably as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the device comprises a third layer between the second and fourth layers and the third layer comprises an insulating material.

[0103] A tire is preferably as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the third layer comprises an insulating material which has a specific electrical conductivity of less than 10 -1< S·cm -1< at 20°C.

[0104] A tire as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the device is mounted in the tread of the tire and / or the central axis of the device runs in the radial direction, in the axial direction or in the direction of rotation of the tire, preferably in the axial direction or in the direction of rotation of the tire, particularly preferably in the direction of rotation of the tire.

[0105] The advantageous aspects of a device according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force or a tire or technical rubber article according to the invention, as described above, also apply to all aspects of any of the uses of a device described below, and the advantageous aspects of any of the uses of a device according to the invention, as discussed below, apply accordingly to all aspects of a device according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force or a tire or technical rubber article according to the invention.

[0106] The invention also relates to the use of a device as described above or as preferably described above for measuring a mechanical force along the transverse extent of the third layer of the device according to the invention or along the central axis of the device according to the invention.

[0107] The invention also relates to the use of a device as described above, or as preferably described above, for generating an electrical voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device or between the second and fourth layers of the device, wherein the voltage is preferably used to charge an energy storage device, such as a battery or other accumulator, on the wheel or tire. In this case, the force acting on the device according to the invention is converted into charge stored in the energy storage device.

[0108] The invention also relates to a use of a device as described above or as preferably described above. for generating an electrical voltage, preferably in the tire, and / or for measuring a mechanical force along the direction of rotation or the axial direction in a tire.

[0109] Further advantageous aspects of the present invention are listed below as aspects, the numbers in parentheses referring to the reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Device for measuring a mechanical force (12), comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), characterized in that a) the first layer (1) comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer (2) comprises a first intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, c) the third layer (3) comprises an insulating material (9), d) the fourth layer (4) comprises a second intermediate material with a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.01 F·m⁻¹, and e) the fifth layer (5) comprises a second electrode material, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) are different, the five layers are arranged one above the other, the second and fourth layers (2,4) in a first state of the device (6) are separated from each other by means of the third layer (3), and the third layer (3) is designed such that the second and fourth layers (2, 4) can come into contact with each other in a second state of the device (6). 2. Device according to aspect 1, wherein the insulating material (9) of the third layer (3) has an electrical conductivity of less than 10⁻¹ S·cm⁻¹ at 20°C. 3. Device according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) has a dielectric conductivity εr of greater than 1.1 F·m⁻¹ and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) has a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.1 F·m⁻¹. 4. Device according to any of the preceding aspects,wherein the difference between the specific triboelectric affinity of the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) and the specific triboelectric affinity of the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) is at least 20 nC / J, measured at 20°C and 35% relative humidity. 5. Device according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the third layer (3) consists of a mixture comprising a gas and particles consisting of the insulating material (9), or the insulating material (9) being a liquid having a viscosity at 20°C in the range of 0.1 mPa·s to 10⁶ < mPa·s. 6. Device according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) comprises a solid material or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, aluminum, polyamide, mica, glass, polyacrylates, quartz, lead, silk,Cellulose and mixtures thereof, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of acetate silk, natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers and mixtures thereof, wherein the rubbers BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ISBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubber. 7. Device according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein device (6) further comprises a stabilizing shell (7) to increase the mechanical stability of the device (6), which comprises the entirety of the five layers (1, 2, 3, 4,5) encloses. 8. Tire (24) or technical rubber article comprising a device (6) according to any of the preceding aspects and means (13) for measuring the voltage between the first and the fifth layer (1, 5) of the device (6). 9. Tire according to aspect 8, wherein the device (6) is mounted in the tread (25) of the tire (24) and the central axis (19) of the device (6) extends in the axial direction (14) or in the circumferential direction (15) of the tire (6). 10. Use of a device according to any of aspects 1 to 7 for measuring a mechanical force (12) along the transverse extent (18) of the third layer (3) of the device (6). 11. Use of a device according to any of aspects 1 to 7 for generating an electrical voltage between the first and the fifth layer (1, 5) of the device (6). Character description:

[0110] Figure 1: Cross-section of a schematically illustrated device according to the invention in a first state before the application of a mechanical force, wherein the cutting plane of the cross-section runs parallel to the central axis of the device; Figure 2: Cross-section of a schematically illustrated device according to the invention in a second state during the application of a mechanical force, wherein the cutting plane of the cross-section runs parallel to the central axis of the device; Figure 3: Cross-section of a schematically illustrated device according to the invention in a third state after the application of a mechanical force, wherein the cutting plane of the cross-section runs parallel to the central axis of the device; Figure 4: Cross-section of a schematically illustrated tire according to the invention, wherein the cutting plane of the cross-section runs perpendicular to the axial direction of the tire;Figure 5: A schematic representation of a measuring device for determining the electrical power of a device according to the invention.

[0111] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 6 according to the invention comprising five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, a voltage meter 13 and a stabilizing shell 7 in one embodiment. The diagram shows... Fig. 1 A cross-sectional view of the device 6 according to the invention, wherein the section plane of the cross-section runs parallel to the central axis 19 of the device 6. The central axis 19 of the device 6 runs parallel to the transverse extent 18 of the various layers and through the geometric center point 23 of the third layer 3 of a device 6 according to the invention, as well as perpendicular to the longitudinal extent 17 of the various layers (only the longitudinal extent 17 of the first layer 1 is shown). Figure 1 ). In Fig. 1The longitudinal surfaces 20 of the fourth layer 4 and the longitudinal surfaces 21 of the fifth layer 5 are also shown schematically in cross-section. Furthermore, in Fig. 1 The diagram schematically shows that the third layer 3, as described above, comprises a compressible compound 9 with a bulk modulus and, as an example of an insulating material. The in Fig. 1 The illustrated device 6 is in a first state in which no external mechanical force acts upon the device 6 according to the invention. In this first state, the third layer 3 separates the second layer 2 from the fourth layer 4. Since there is no contact between the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 in the first state of the device 6 according to the invention, no electrons can be transferred between the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4.

[0112] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 6 according to the invention comprising five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, a voltage meter 13 and a stabilizing shell 7 in a further embodiment. The diagram shows... Fig. 2 A cross-sectional view of the device 6 according to the invention, wherein the section plane of the cross-section runs parallel to the central axis 19 of the device 6. The central axis 19 of the device 6 runs parallel to the transverse extent of the five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent 17 of the five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, as well as through the geometric center point 23 of the third layer 3 of a device 6 according to the invention. Fig. 2 The schematic representation shows that the third layer 3 is compressed because a mechanical force 12 acts on the device 6 according to the invention. Fig. 2 The device 6 shown is therefore in the second state, which follows the first state in time, wherein in Figure 2 In the illustrated example, the mechanical force 12 acts on the device 6 according to the invention from above and from below. In this second state, the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 are in contact with each other. The contact between the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 in the second state of the device 6 according to the invention allows electrons 11 to be transferred from the second layer 2 to the fourth layer 4, thus enriching the fourth layer 4 with additional negative charges 11 in the form of transferred electrons. This does not yet allow an electrical voltage to arise between the first and fifth layers, which only occurs when the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 are separated.

[0113] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 6 according to the invention comprising five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, a voltage meter 13 and a stabilizing shell 7 in a further embodiment. The diagram shows... Fig. 3 A cross-sectional view of the device 6 according to the invention, wherein the section plane of the cross-section runs parallel to the central axis 23 of the device 6. The central axis 23 of the device 6 runs parallel to the transverse extent of the five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, as well as through the geometric center 23 of the third layer 3 of a device 6 according to the invention. Fig. 3 The longitudinal surfaces 22 of the third layer 3 are also shown schematically. Furthermore, in Fig. 3 schematically shown in cross-section, the third layer 3 comprises a compressible compound 9 with a bulk modulus as described above. The in Fig. 3The illustrated device 6 is in a third state, which differs from the first state of a device 6 according to the invention only in that the distribution of electrons under the first, second, fourth and fifth layers 1, 2, 4, 5 is different compared to the first state.

[0114] In this third state, the third layer 3 separates the second layer 2 from the fourth layer 4, with the second layer 2 containing fewer electrons, i.e., fewer negative charges 10, compared to the first state of the device 6 according to the invention. The fourth layer 4 now additionally contains the transferred electrons 11 compared to the first state of the device 6 according to the invention. To balance this electrical charge difference, electrons can now flow from the fifth layer 5 into the first layer 1. The further the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 move away from each other, the higher the voltage between the fifth layer 5 and the first layer 1. The charge distribution between the fourth layer 4 and the second layer 2 remains constant in magnitude.

[0115] This flow of electrons is reversed as soon as the fourth layer 4 and the second layer 2 approach each other again until they touch, thus returning to the second state as in Figure 2 The device 6 according to the invention can thus be transferred from the second to the third state or from the third to the second state any number of times by applying a mechanical force, and thus the electrons can always be moved alternately from the fifth layer 5 to the first layer 1 or vice versa, as described above.

[0116] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a tire 24 according to the invention, comprising three devices 6 according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force according to a further embodiment, wherein the section plane of the cross-section is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 14 of the tire 24. The three devices 6 according to the invention are arranged in the tread 25 or on the inner liner 28 of the tire 24 according to the invention, wherein the central axis 19 of one device 6 according to the invention runs parallel to the direction of rotation 15 or parallel to the radial direction 16 of the tire 24 according to the invention. Depending on the direction in which the central axis 19 of a device 6 according to the invention runs in the tread 25 of a tire 24 according to the invention, mechanical forces that run parallel to the central axis 19 of the device 6 according to the invention can be measured particularly well.If the central axis 19 of the device 6 according to the invention runs parallel to the direction of rotation 15, then the braking and acceleration forces during driving with a tire 6 according to the invention can be measured particularly well. If the central axis 19 of the device 6 according to the invention runs parallel to the axis of rotation 14, then the lateral forces that arise when cornering with a tire 6 according to the invention can be measured particularly well. If the central axis 19 of a device 6 according to the invention runs parallel to the radial direction 16 of the tire 6 according to the invention in the tread 25, then particularly strong mechanical forces act on the device 6 according to the invention whenever the device 6 according to the invention is located in the part of the tread 25 that represents the so-called footprint of the tire 6 according to the invention.

[0117] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a measuring device 29 for determining the performance of a device 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment, wherein the measuring device comprises a device 1 according to the invention, a vibrating wheel 30 with piston 31, and a stabilizing shell 7 with a polycarbonate plunger 34 and a polycarbonate base 35. The stabilizing shell 7 additionally includes a polycarbonate surround 38 with holes. The holes in the surround 38 allow air to escape and fill the interior of the surround 38 during the rotation of the vibrating wheel 30. The rotation of the vibrating wheel 30 moves the upper part 32 of the measuring device 29 with the plunger 34 and the first and second layers 1, 2 up and down. Unless otherwise specified, the rotation occurred at a frequency of 5 Hz, i.e., 5 revolutions per second. This allowed for the measurement of the first and second electrode layers 1, 5, i.e.,The oscilloscope 39, connected to the first and fifth layers 1, 5 of the device 6 according to the invention, determines the open-circuit voltage generated between the first and second electrode layers 1, 5 using the formula V0 = VL / (RS + RL) and the corresponding open-circuit current. The circuit of the oscilloscope 39 is in . Figure 5 schematically represented with the voltage source VL and the resistors RS and RL, wherein the contacts to the indicated circuit are connected to the first layer 1 and the fifth layer 5 of the device 1 according to the invention. Experimental examples: Measurement methods:

[0118] 1. Surface roughness Ra The results were determined in accordance with the method DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. 2. Electrical measurement under open-circuit conditions The values ​​for open-circuit voltage and open-circuit current were measured using the "Rigol Oscilloscope DS 4014" oscilloscope and the parameters specified in Figure 5The measuring device shown was used with a oscillator wheel rotation frequency of 5 Hz. The oscillator wheel had a diameter of 4 cm, and the maximum distance between the second and fourth layers during one rotation was 2.5 cm, with a minimum distance of 0 cm. The oscilloscope was set to the following parameters: Attenuation ratio: 10:1; Input resistance: 10 MΩ ± 2%; Input capacitance: 13 pF ± 3 pF; Maximum input CAT II 300 VAC; Compensation range: 6 pF - 24 pF. The rotation of the oscillator wheel periodically pressed the second and fourth layers together and then separated them again. This allowed for the measurement of voltages between the electrodes, i.e., between the first and fifth layers, and from these, the corresponding open-circuit currents were determined.These measurable open-circuit voltages and the resulting open-circuit currents were recorded by the oscilloscope as periodic peaks, the period of which corresponded to the rotational frequency of the oscillating wheel. The values ​​for open-circuit voltage and open-circuit current recorded in Tables 2 to 4 each correspond to the difference between the maximum and minimum of the measured peaks. Corresponding tests, in which a device according to the invention as described above was used without a third layer, i.e., in which the second and fourth layers were in continuous contact, and only the force acting on the second and fourth layers was changed, yielded the same trends as the test results shown below. Production:

[0119] Table 1: Compositions of the second and fourth layers used in the device according to the invention: material Crowd 2nd shift 3rd layer 4th shift GECO phr --- --- 100 PDMS phr 100 --- --- filler phr --- --- See Table 2 ZnO phr --- --- 3 Stearic acid phr --- --- 2 TMTD phr --- --- 2,5 MBTS phr --- --- 1 Dicumyl peroxide phr 0,2 --- --- sulfur phr --- --- 1 Air % by weight --- 100 --- *GECO = Terpolymer of epichlorohydrin, ethylene oxide, and allyl glycidyl ether; ** PDMS = Polydimethylsiloxane

[0120] The production of the second layer of PDMS and the fourth layer of GECO was carried out according to a conventional, state-of-the-art manufacturing process, which comprised the steps of mixing, rolling, and vulcanizing the respective rubber compounds listed in Table 1 for the second and fourth layers. Mixing of the respective rubber compounds was performed in a Banbury mixer at 70 °C with a rotor speed of 60 rpm for 8 minutes after adding the components. Rolling was carried out using a two-roll mill for 10 minutes, resulting in a layer thickness of 120 µm in the fully vulcanized layer (with the exception of the fourth layer in experiments E7 and E8 in Table 4). Vulcanization was performed in a rectangular vulcanization mold at the standard temperature of 120 °C for 10 minutes. The resulting layers had a length of 100 mm and a height of 30 mm.

[0121] For the roughened surfaces of the fourth layers in examples E5 and E6, a sandblasted mold segment was used in the vulcanization mold during vulcanization. The sandblasting on the corresponding mold segment was carried out in such a way that surface roughness Ra of 5 µm was achieved on the side facing the third layer, according to method DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. Measurement results: Filler content:

[0122] Table 2: Experimental data of the device according to the invention with varying filler proportions: Characteristic Unit Exp. V0 Exp. E1 Exp. E2 Exp. E3 Exp. E4 Materials used in the layers of a device according to the invention 1st shift copper copper copper copper copper 2nd shift PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS 3rd layer Air Air Air Air Air 4th shift GECO GECO GECO GECO GECO 5th layer copper copper copper copper copper Thickness / transverse extent of the 2nd and 4th layers µm 120 120 120 120 120 Filler type in the 4th layer (GECO) --- Silica 1< Silica 1< Soot 2< Soot 2< Filler weight percentage in the 4th layer relative to the total weight of the fourth layer phr 0 10 40 5 15 Surface roughness Ra of the 4th layer µm 0,3 0,3 0,3 0,3 0,3 Results Open circuit voltage V 125 185 63 153 97 measured from peak-to-peak No-load current measured from peak-to-peak µA 11 24 9 18 20 1< Ultrasil 7000GR, Surface area - 175 m 2< / g 2< Conductive Carbon Black (CCB), Printex XE2, Particle size, < 30 nm, surface area 950 m 2< / g

[0123] Table 2 shows that optimal performance can be achieved with filler proportions of 5 to 40 phr. This demonstrates that proportions of 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, based on the total mass of the second intermediate layer (i.e., the fourth layer) of a device according to the invention, yield good performance. Particularly high performance was achieved in the range of 1 wt.% to 10 wt.% (see experiments E0 without filler, E1 with 10 phr silica, and E3 with 5 phr carbon black). Surface roughness Ra:

[0124] Table 3: Experimental data of the device according to the invention with varying surface roughnesses Characteristic Unit Exp. V0 Exp. E1 Exp. E5 Exp. E3 Exp. E6 Materials used in the layers of a device according to the invention 1st shift copper copper copper copper copper 2nd shift PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS 3rd layer Air Air Air Air Air 4th shift GECO GECO GECO GECO GECO 5th layer copper copper copper copper copper Filler type in the 4th layer (GECO) --- Silica 1< Silica 1< Soot 2< Soot 2< Thickness / transverse extent of the 2nd and 4th layers µm 120 120 120 120 120 Filler weight phr 0 10 10 5 5 Part in the 4th layer, based on the weight of GECO Surface roughness with R a of the 4th layer µm 0,3 0,3 3 0,3 3 Results Open circuit voltage measured from peak-to-peak V 125 185 181 153 237 No-load current measured from peak-to-peak µA 11 24 35 18 38 1< Ultrasil 7000GR, Surface area - 175 m 2< / g 2< Conductive Carbon Black (CCB), Printex XE2, Particle size, < 30 nm, surface area 950 m 2< / g

[0125] Table 3 shows that optimal performance can be achieved with surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.1 to 5 µm. This also applies to the surface roughness Ra of the second layer and to the range of 5 µm to 100 µm, especially, as shown in Table 3, to the range of 0.3 to 3 µm. Layer thicknesses of the fourth layer:

[0126] Table 4: Experimental data of the device according to the invention with varying thickness of the second layer Characteristic Unit Exp. V0 Exp. E7 Exp. E8 Materials used in the layers of the device 1st shift copper copper copper 2nd shift PDMS PDMS PDMS 3rd layer Air Air Air 4th shift GECO GECO GECO 5th layer copper copper copper Filler type in the 4th layer --- --- --- Thickness / transverse extent of the 2nd layer µm 120 60 250 Thickness / transverse extent of the 4th layer µm 120 120 120 Surface roughness Ra of the 4th layer µm 0,3 0,3 0,3 Results Open circuit voltage measured from peak-to-peak V 125 61 63 No-load current measured from peak-to-peak µA 11 5 5

[0127] Table 4 shows that optimal performance can be achieved with layer thicknesses in the range of 60 to 250 µm, particularly with a layer thickness of 120 µm. This also applies to the layer thickness of the fourth layer. The layer thickness corresponds to the transverse extent of a layer of a device according to the invention. Reference symbol list:

[0128] 1. First layer 2. Second layer 3. Third layer 4. Fourth layer 5. Fifth layer 6. Device 7. Stabilizing shell 8. Contacts between the electrode materials and the means for measuring the voltage 9. Insulating material; compressible connection 10. Missing negative charges 11. Additional negative charges; transferred electrons 12. Acting mechanical force 13. Means for measuring the voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device; voltmeter 14. Axis of rotation; axial direction 15 Direction of rotation 16 Radial direction 17 Longitudinal extent 18 Transverse extent 19 Central axis of the device 20 Longitudinal surfaces of the fourth layer 21 Longitudinal surfaces of the fifth layer 22 Longitudinal surfaces of the third layer 23 Geometric center of the third layer 24 Tire 25 Tread 26 Belt 27 Carcass 28 Inner liner 29 Measuring device for determining the performance of a device according to the invention 30 Oscillating wheel for the up and down movement of the first layer (i.e.copper electrode) and second layer (i.e., first intermediate layer) of the device according to the invention 31 Piston for connecting the vibrating wheel to the upper part of the measuring device 32 Upper part of the measuring device comprising the first and second layers of the device according to the invention 33 Lower part of the measuring device comprising the fourth and fifth layers of the device according to the invention 34 Polycarbonate plunger 35 Polycarbonate base for attaching the fourth and fifth layers of the device according to the invention 36 Distance between the surfaces of the first and second intermediate layers 37 Diameter of the vibrating wheel 38 Polycarbonate surround with holes for escape and filling the interior of the surround with air 39 Oscilloscope.

Claims

1. Tyre comprising a device (6), said device (6) comprising a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), the third layer (3) being optional, and the second or fourth layer (2, 4) having a surface having a surface roughness Ra, where a) the first layer (1) comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer (2) comprises a first intermediate material, d) the fourth layer (4) comprises a second intermediate material and e) the fifth layer (5) comprises a second electrode material, where - the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) has a dielectric conductivity εr of greater than 1.01 F·m-1 and / or - the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) has a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.01 F·m-1, characterized in that - the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) are different, - the four layers (1, 2, 4, 5) or five layers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) are arranged one above another according to the above sequence and - the surface of the second or fourth layer (2, 4) has a surface roughness Ra in the range from 0.1 µm to 500 µm, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

2. Tyre according to Claim 1, wherein the device (6) - comprises means (13) for measuring the voltage between the first and fifth layers (1, 5) or the second and fourth layers (2, 4) of the device (6) and / or - is suitable for generating an electrical voltage and for electrically charging a battery and / or accumulator attached to a wheel comprising the tyre or attached to the tyre.

3. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) has a surface roughness Ra in the range from 0.5 to 100 µm, preferably 1 to 50 µm, particularly preferably 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

4. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) has a layer thickness in the range of 10 to 1000 µm, preferably in the range from 30 to 300 µm, particularly preferably in the range from 70 to 160 µm or from 101 to 160 µm, very particularly preferably in the range from 110 to 130 µm.

5. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) has a dielectric conductivity εr of greater than 1.11 F·m-1 and / or - the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) has a dielectric conductivity er of greater than 1.11 F·m-1.

6. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the specific triboelectric affinity of the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) and the specific triboelectric affinity of the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) is at least 20 nC / J, measured at 20°C and at 35% relative air humidity.

7. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) comprises a solid material or consists primarily of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, a mica, glass, quartz, silk, poly(organo)siloxanes, cellulose and mixtures thereof, and / or - the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) comprises a solid material or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of acetate silk, natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylchloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, vulcanized rubber particles and their mixtures, wherein the natural or synthetic rubbers are preferably the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber.

8. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) comprises at least one filler in addition to the second intermediate material.

9. Tyre according to Claim 8, wherein the at least one filler - in the second layer (2) is carbon black and / or silica, and / or - in the fourth layer (4) is carbon black and / or silica.

10. Tyre according to either of Claims 8 and 9, wherein the at least one filler is present - in the second layer (2) and / or - in the fourth layer (4) or in an amount in the range from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight, preferably in the range from 1% by weight to 20% by weight, particularly preferably in the range from 1% by weight to 10% by weight, very particularly preferably in the range from 3% by weight to 7% by weight, in each case based on the total mass of the first or fifth layer (1, 5) of the device (6).

11. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) - comprises epichlorohydrin rubber, preferably GECO, or - consists mainly or entirely of epichlorohydrin rubber, preferably GECO, and / or the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) - comprises poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS, or - consists primarily or entirely of poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS.

12. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (6) comprises a third layer (3) between the second and fourth (2, 4) layer and the third layer (3) comprises an insulation material.

13. Tyre according to Claim 12, wherein the third layer (3) includes an insulation material which, at 20°C, has a specific electrical conductivity of less than 10-1 S·cm-1.

14. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - the device (6) is mounted in the tread (25) of the tyre (24) and / or - the centre axis of the device (19) extends in radial direction (16), in axial direction (14) or in circumferential direction (15) of the tyre (24), preferably in axial direction (14) or in circumferential direction (15) of the tyre (24), particularly preferably in circumferential direction (15) of the tyre (24).

15. Use of a tyre as defined in any of Claims 1 to 14 - to measure a mechanical force (12) along the circumferential direction (15) or the axial direction (14) in a tyre (24) and / or - to generate an electrical voltage, preferably in the tyre (24).