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, the device comprising a first, second, third, fourth, and fifth layer, the third layer being optional. The invention also relates to the uses of the device.

[0002] Sensors play an increasingly important role in today's automotive industry. Not only can they help monitor material properties during the manufacturing or use of various car parts, but they also offer the ability to detect forces that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to detect. It is often necessary to install the sensors at various locations in the car to measure changes in material properties or applied forces directly on site. The size of the sensors can also play a role, and should be as small as possible to avoid additional problems when installing the sensor.

[0003] Furthermore, sensors can often only be used with a power source. Connecting the power source and mounting the power source in a suitable location further complicates the installation of a sensor in a designated location.

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

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

[0006] US2004164558A1 discloses an energy harvesting solution involving a generally non-conductive tire structure provided with at least one defined conductivity path through which static electricity accumulating in the tire structure during tire rotation can be conducted to ground. Such a conductivity path consists of a section of conductive material that may be partially surrounded by additional insulating material to limit the flow of electrical charge to ground.

[0007] One object underlying the invention is to provide a device that enables the measurement of mechanical forces in a tire during 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 particularly sensitive. Furthermore, a further object underlying the invention was to provide a device for charging an energy source in a tire or wheel.

[0008] In general, this object is achieved according to the invention by a device, characterized in that the device comprises the following layers a first layer comprising a first electrode material, a further layer comprising a first intermediate material, a further layer comprising a second intermediate material, and a further layer comprising a second electrode material, wherein the first intermediate material and the second intermediate material are different. Preferably, the device also comprises means for measuring the voltage between the first and the fifth layer comprising a second electrode material or between the layer comprising a first intermediate material and the layer comprising a second intermediate material.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, the expression "the four [...] layers are arranged one above the other in the above order" means that the first layer is applied directly to the second layer, the second directly to the fourth layer, and the fourth directly to the fifth layer, with no further layers between these four. This applies in particular to the four specific embodiments of the present invention described below.

[0010] Within the context of the present invention, the term "fifth layer" is to be understood merely as a nomenclature for this layer and not to imply 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 can contain four layers, wherein the four layers are composed of a first, second, fourth, and fifth layer. In this sense, within the context of the present invention as a whole, the first layer can also be referred to as the upper 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 lower layer. This applies in particular to the four specific embodiments of the present invention described below.

[0011] All advantages of the above general solution to the problem are described below by specific embodiments and apply mutatis mutandis to the above general embodiment.

[0012] According to claim 1, this object is achieved by a tire comprising a device, wherein the device comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, wherein the third layer is optional, wherein 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, 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 in the above order, the second and / or fourth layer comprises at least one filler in addition to the second intermediate material, the second and fourth layers being dielectrically conductive, and the layers are arranged one above the other in the order specified above by letters a), b), d) and e) and there are no further layers between them.

[0013] Surprisingly, it was discovered within the scope of the present invention that, upon friction between two different intermediate materials with the above-described dielectric conductivities in the second and fourth layers, sufficient electrons are transferred per area to produce a sufficiently large voltage upon separation of these two intermediate materials rubbed against each other. The resulting voltage can then be utilized to generate an electrical signal. This electrical signal can be used to measure or even quantify the force generated by the original 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 through contact and in particular through friction. The presence of the first and second intermediate layers, i.e.the second and fourth layer of a device according to the invention, results in greater voltages and current flows and thus also greater power in power generation or a more sensitive measuring device in measuring than in comparable devices not according to the invention in which only an intermediate layer is present between the two electrode materials.

[0014] A device as described above is preferred, wherein the device is suitable for measuring a mechanical force and / or is suitable for generating an electrical voltage and for electrically charging a battery and / or accumulator attached to a wheel comprising the tire or attached to the tire, wherein the tire is preferably a tire according to the invention as described below.

[0015] Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, a third layer can optionally be present 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 one another in a first state and come into contact with one another 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, when the third layer is present between the second and fourth layers of a device according to the invention, as described above or as described above as preferred, more electrons can be transferred between the second and fourth layers to generate an electrical potential between the second and fourth layers after their contact has been broken. The electrons that have transferred in the second state can then be kept separate by 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 away from each other after contact. The presence of a third layer can increase the voltage difference.

[0016] It was also shown that the presence of fillers in the second and / or fourth layer could further increase the voltage or electrical power generated in a device according to the invention both with and without a third layer and therefore also enable even more sensitive measurement of forces on the device according to the invention.

[0017] The tension 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 comprises a voltmeter for measuring the tension between the second and fourth layers or between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention.

[0018] 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 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, wherein 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 according to 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.

[0019] Such a device has in particular the advantages described below when incorporated in a tire according to the invention as described below.

[0020] A device as described above is preferred, characterized in that for measuring 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 ε of 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 ε of greater than 1.01 F m -1< and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material, wherein 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 one another in a first state of the device by means of the third layer and the third layer is designed such that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with one another in a second state of the device.

[0021] A device as described above is preferred, 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 ε of 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 ε of greater than 1.01 F m -1<, and e) the fifth layer consists of a second electrode material, wherein 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 one another in a first state of the device by means of the third layer and the third layer is designed such that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with one another in a second state of the device.

[0022] Particularly preferred is a device as described above, 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 ε of 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 ε of greater than 1.01 F m -1<, and e) the fifth layer consists of a second electrode material, wherein 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 one another in a first state of the device by means of the third layer and the third layer is designed such that the second and fourth layers can come into contact with one another 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 action of a mechanical force on the device according to the invention. It is also particularly preferred if the device according to the invention is subsequently transferred into a third state in the second state as soon as the above-described mechanical force no longer acts on 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 fourth or between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the term "mechanical force" preferably encompasses any external influence on a device according to the invention that causes the device according to the invention to be converted from the first state to the second state. The mechanical force described above should preferably act perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the five layers of the device according to the invention.

[0025] It is particularly preferred if the device according to the invention comprises a transmitting unit that converts the voltage generated between the first and fifth layers of the device according to the invention into an electromagnetic signal, which can then be received by a receiving unit at a different location in a space-saving manner. It is advantageous if the signal contains information on the voltage level in order to be able to quantify the voltage and thus the applied mechanical force.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Particularly preferred electrode materials are selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, silver and carbon-based materials.

[0028] The electrode materials are particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, carbon fiber, and rubber mixtures with a specific conductivity at 20°C of more than 1 S cm -1 . Such rubber mixtures are, in particular, rubber mixtures with a carbon black content of more than 20 phr carbon black, more preferably more than 50 phr carbon black, and most preferably more than 80 phr carbon black. In the context of the present invention, carbon-based materials are preferably graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon black. The first and fifth layers do not have to have the same dimensions as the second and fourth layers and can, in particular, be smaller. It is also conceivable for the first and fifth layers to have a fabric-like structure and thus not to 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 task of the electrode material of the first and fifth layer of a device according to the invention is mainly to guarantee the rapid transport of electrons and can therefore be designed in any way as long as this function is fulfilled.

[0029] Within the scope of the present invention, any materials which have a dielectric conductivity ε of greater than 1.01 F·m -1< can be used as the first or second intermediate material. Within the scope of the present invention, the intermediate material only has the task of absorbing or releasing electrons from the other intermediate material and thus generating a correspondingly oppositely polarized charge in the adjacent electrode material. The oppositely polarized charge generated in the electrode material generates a voltage between the first and the fifth layer of the device according to the invention. Surprisingly, it was found within the scope of the present invention that intermediate materials with a dielectric conductivity ε of greater than 1.01 F·m -1< are sufficient to generate a sufficiently large voltage which can be used to measure the mechanical force.

[0030] 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 intermediate material and the second intermediate material. A lower conductivity of the insulating material than 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.

[0031] Particularly large mechanical forces can also generate particularly large voltages in the device according to the invention, which can be used not only to measure the mechanical force, but also to charge a power storage device or to drive an electrically operated device.

[0032] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the device comprises a third layer and the second and fourth layers are separated from one another 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 one another in a second state of the device.

[0033] 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 one another in order to achieve maximum electrical performance, 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 one another. In a device according to the invention, a voltage and a current flow can also be generated if the fourth and second layers are permanently in 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 such a tire. For the reasons stated above, a third layer is only optimal for a device according to the invention.

[0034] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the device additionally comprises means for measuring the voltage between the first and the fifth layer of the device and / or comprises a transmitting unit which is suitable for generating an electromagnetic signal from the voltage between the first and the fifth layer of the device, and / or additionally enables means for contacting the first and the second electrode material with the means for measuring the voltage or with the transmitting unit.

[0035] It is preferred that the device according to the invention comprises means for converting the generated electrical voltage into an RF signal, wherein the voltage level can also be read from the RF signal. This allows the control and / or regulating unit that evaluates the signal to be mounted in the same location as the device according to the invention.

[0036] In the context of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, the electrical conductivity values ​​always refer to values ​​measured under standard conditions, i.e., in particular, at 20°C and atmospheric pressure. Electrical conductivity can be measured, for example, using the ASTM E1004-17 standard.

[0037] 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 amount in the range from 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range from 5 wt.% to 25 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 10 wt.% to 20 wt.%, very particularly preferably in the range from 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 an even greater electrical output, which in the case of silica means that only silica is present as a filler.

[0038] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the at least one filler, in the case of carbon black, is preferably present in a total amount in the range from 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range from 5 wt.% to 25 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 10 wt.% to 20 wt.%, very particularly preferably in the range from 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 an even greater electrical output, wherein in the case of carbon black this means that only silica is present as a filler.

[0039] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the at least one filler in the second and / or fourth layer is present in a total amount in the range from 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range from 1 wt.% to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 1 wt.% to 10 wt.%, very particularly preferably in the range from 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.

[0040] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the third layer comprises an insulating material which has an electrical conductivity at 20°C of less than 10 -1< S·cm -1<, preferably of less than 10 -3< S·cm -1<, particularly preferably less than 10 -6< S·cm -1<.

[0041] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that the above-described insulating materials, 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.

[0042] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein each of the five layers has a transverse extension 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.

[0043] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that a particularly extensive contact between the layers enables a faster induction of voltage between the first and the fifth layer of electrons between the respective layers.

[0044] 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 border 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 according to the invention described below.

[0045] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein each of the five layers has a transverse extension 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 area of ​​the entire area of ​​said longitudinal surface of the second layer, preferably at least 80%, are in contact with the area of ​​said longitudinal surface of the fourth layer and at least 50% of the area of ​​the entire area of ​​said longitudinal surface of the fourth layer, preferably at least 80%, are in contact with the area of ​​said longitudinal surface of the second layer.

[0046] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that in the second state of the device according to the invention, a particularly large number of electrons per longitudinal area can be transferred between the second and fourth layers.

[0047] A device as described above 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<, very particularly preferably greater than 10 F·m -1<, and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth 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<, very particularly preferably greater than 10 F·m -1<.

[0048] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that the above-described first and second intermediate materials 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 enables particularly small acting mechanical forces to be measured with a device according to the invention.

[0049] Particularly preferably, the dielectric conductivity of one of the first or second intermediate materials described above is not greater than 100 F·m -1< , most preferably not greater than 50 F·m -1< .

[0050] In the context of the present invention, the dielectric conductivity er of an intermediate material is also called relative permittivity er and is measured at 20 °C and a frequency of 50 Hz. The measurement can be performed, for example, with a commercially available RLC measuring device using a method known to those skilled in the art.

[0051] The determination of the dielectric conductivity is preferably carried out as follows using a commercially available RLC measuring device: The loss factor Tan δ is displayed directly as "DF-Dissipation Factor", while it must be calculated using the measurement results of the plate capacitor filled with dielectric material or, preferably, it must be calculated using the measurement results of a device according to the invention.

[0052] When measuring capacitance, it must be taken into account that at the input of the parallel-plate capacitor bridge, in addition to the desired capacitance of the electrodes, the capacitance of the supply line and the sample capacitor housing are also measured. The resulting capacitance CF is independent of frequency and must be taken into account, i.e., subtracted, during the evaluation.

[0053] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as 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, particularly preferably at least 60 nC / J, measured at 20°C and at 35% relative humidity.

[0054] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention 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 in terms of the specific triboelectric affinity and can thus transfer a particularly large number of electrons upon contact of the second layer with the fourth layer of the device according to the invention in the second state.

[0055] Within the scope of the present invention, it was 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] Within the scope of the present invention, it was also discovered that lateral forces in tires can be measured sufficiently well 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 an equal area of ​​1 cm x 2 cm. The intermediate material sample and the reference sample were electrostatically neutralized with a "7006 AC GEN4 Ionizing Bar" from Exair. The intermediate material samples were then placed on top of each other at one end of the reference sample, with an area of ​​1 cm x 2 cm.Subsequently, the sample materials were pressed edge to edge with a surface area of ​​1 cm² using a force of 0.1 N. While applying this force, the intermediate material sample was pulled from one end of the reference sample to the other end of the reference sample, traveling a distance of 1 cm. The resulting voltage between the intermediate material sample and the reference was measured after sufficiently separating the intermediate material sample and the reference sample using an AlphaLab Surface DC Voltmeter SVM2 from AlphaLab Inc. and attaching the intermediate material sample to a corresponding copper contact with an identical surface area of ​​1 cm x 1 cm. The inverse of the voltage value thus determined between the two contacts yields the specific triboelectric affinity of the intermediate material under investigation, as described above.

[0058] The specific triboelectric affinity of the first and second intermediate materials should preferably not exceed 150 nC / J, more preferably not exceed 100 nC / J.

[0059] 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 a mixture is present in the support border, 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.

[0060] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the third layer consists of a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises a gas and particles consisting of the insulating material or consists 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.

[0061] Air, nitrogen, or argon are preferred as the gas, but air is especially preferred. The particles can be round, cord-like, or have other shapes. They are preferably cord-like, like wool, with a length of 1 mm to 10 cm and a maximum thickness of 1 mm.

[0062] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the third layer has or consists of a liquid as insulation material having a viscosity at 20°C in the range from 0.1 mPa·s to 10 6< mPa·s, preferably with a viscosity at 20°C in the range from 1 mPa·s to 10 000 mPa·s, particularly preferably with a viscosity at 20°C in the range from 1 mPa·s to 100 mPa·s. The third layer preferably consists of the liquid described above.

[0063] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that liquids with the above-described viscosities and, in particular, with the above-described conductivities of the third layer are particularly well-suited as a third layer in a device according to the invention. However, the third layer should be laterally bounded by another material so that the above-described liquid remains in place. This additional material should be non-conductive with the above-described conductivities, since it would connect both the second and fourth layers, thereby bounding the above-described liquid.

[0064] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the third layer comprises as insulation material a compound with a compression modulus in the range of 1 to 30 GPa, preferably with a compression modulus in the range of 5 to 10 GPa.

[0065] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that compounds with the above-described compression moduli and, in particular, with the above-described conductivities of the third layer are particularly well suited as a third layer in a device according to the invention. In particular, for use in tires or technical rubber articles such as conveyor belts, hoses, and drive belts, but especially for tires.

[0066] A device as described above or as described above as preferred is preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises a solid material or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, aluminum, polyamide, a mica, glass, polyacrylates, quartz, lead, silk, cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferably, the first intermediate material comprises or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyamide, a mica, glass, polyacrylates, quartz, silk, poly(organo)siloxanes, cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0067] Also preferred is a device as described above, or as described above as particularly preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer is nylon or aluminum. However, glass and cellulose are also preferred, as they advantageously have a dielectric conductivity of over 2 F m -1 .

[0068] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as being particularly 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 terephthalates, 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 terephthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers and mixtures thereof, wherein the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubber.

[0069] In the context of the present invention, the term "epichlorohydrin rubber" encompasses all polymers comprising epichlorohydrin as a monomer unit, in particular polymerized epichlorohydrin, block copolymers partially prepared from epichlorohydrin and terpolymers partially prepared from epichlorohydrin, in particular the terpolymer prepared from epichlorohydrin, epoxy ether (ie ethylene oxide) and allyl glycidyl ether, namely GECO.

[0070] In the context of the present invention, the above abbreviations refer to rubbers known to the rubber expert, where in particular ENR stands for epoxidized natural rubber, ESBR for emulsion-polymerized SBR, SSBR for solution-polymerized SBR and PDMS for poly(dimethyl)siloxane.

[0071] Also preferred is a device as described above or as described above as being particularly 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 said second intermediate materials particularly preferably additionally comprises graphite, silica or carbon black. Particularly preferred is a device as described above or as described above as being 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 said second intermediate materials particularly preferably additionally comprises graphite.However, natural or synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or Teflon are also preferred as the second intermediate material of the fourth layer, since they advantageously have a dielectric conductivity of more than 2 F m -1<, with the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber being preferred as natural or synthetic rubber.

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

[0073] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that the stabilizing sleeve holds the layers in place and provides mechanical stability to the device. It may 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 shell may consist primarily or entirely of one of the following compounds: a resin, amber, wood, paper, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyamide, polyacrylates, natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalates, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers, and mixtures thereof. However, the stabilizing shell preferably 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 comprises poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS, or consists mainly or entirely of poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS.

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

[0077] Preferred is a device 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 from 0.1 µm to 500 µm, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 100 µm, particularly preferably in the range from 1 to 50 µm, most preferably in the range from 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. The said surface of the second and / or fourth layer is, in the context of the present invention, always the surface of the second and / or fourth layer facing the third layer. Such a device according to the invention has a greater electrical output.

[0078] Preferred is a device as described above or as described above as 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 from 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.

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

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

[0081] An advantage of the above-described aspect of the present invention is that the above dimensions 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 preferably characterized in 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, wherein 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 one another 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 one another 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 extension 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 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, 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 as insulation 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 is made of nylon or aluminum,the second intermediate material of the fourth layer consists of a mixture of solid polydimethylsiloxane and solid particles of graphite, and 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 100 mm and 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 according to the invention 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 as described above as preferred and 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 pneumatic vehicle tire, very particularly preferably a pneumatic vehicle tire for commercial vehicles or passenger cars, in particular very particularly preferably a pneumatic vehicle tire for passenger cars.

[0086] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the device is mounted in the tread of the tire and the center axis of the device runs in the axial direction or in the circumferential direction of the tire.

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

[0088] In the context of the present invention, the central axis of a device according to the invention preferably runs through the geometric center of the first or third layer of the device according to the invention and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the device according to the invention.

[0089] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, 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, wherein 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 order, and the second and / or fourth layer comprises at least one filler in addition to the intermediate material. Preferably, the device also comprises means for measuring the voltage between the first and fifth layers or the second and fourth layers 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 generating an electrical voltage. Also preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the device is suitable for electrically charging a battery and / or accumulator attached to a wheel comprising the tire or attached to the tire.

[0091] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the at least one filler of the second and / or fourth layer is carbon black and / or silica, wherein the at least one filler in the case of silica is preferably present in a total amount in the range from 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range from 5 wt.% to 25 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 10 wt.% to 20 wt.%, very particularly preferably in the range from 13 wt.% to 17 wt.%, in each case based on the total mass of the second and / or fourth layer of the device.

[0092] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the at least one filler in the second and / or fourth layer is present in a total amount in the range from 0.1 wt.% to 50 wt.%, preferably in the range from 1 wt.% to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range from 1 wt.% to 10 wt.%, very particularly preferably in the range from 3 wt.% to 7 wt.%, in each case based on the total mass of the second and / or fourth layer of the device.

[0093] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as 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 ε r of greater than 1.01 F·m -1<, preferably greater than 1.1 F·m -1<.

[0094] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as 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] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises a solid material 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 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, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers and mixtures thereof and further optionally poly(organo)siloxanes, wherein the rubbers NR, ENR, BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR and epichlorohydrin rubber are preferred as natural or synthetic rubber.

[0096] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer comprises a solid material 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 a solid material or consists mainly of a solid material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polyester, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyethylene terephthalates, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride and mixtures thereof and further optionally poly(organo)siloxanes.

[0097] A tire 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 comprises poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS, or consists mainly or entirely of poly(organo)siloxanes, preferably PDMS.

[0098] Preferred is a tire 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 from 0.1 µm to 500 µm, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 100 µm, particularly preferably in the range from 1 to 50 µm, most preferably in the range from 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

[0099] Preferred is a tire as described above or as described above as preferred, wherein the second and / or fourth layer has a layer thickness in the range from 10 to 1000 µm, preferably in the range from 30 to 500 µm or from 30 to 300 µm, particularly preferably in the range from 70 to 160 µm or from 101 to 160 µm, most particularly preferably in the range from 110 to 130 µm.

[0100] Particularly preferred is a tire 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.

[0101] Preferred is a tire as described above as preferred or as described above as particularly 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.

[0102] A tire as described above as preferred or as described above as particularly preferred is preferred, wherein the third layer a support border consisting of a vulcanized rubber or a thermoset and a mixture is present in the support border, 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, or as the insulating material is a liquid with a viscosity at 20 °C in the range of 0.1 mPa·s to 10 6< mPa·s, wherein the viscosity was measured by means of a rotational viscometer according to DIN EN ISO 3219.

[0103] Preferred is a tire as described above as preferred or as described above as particularly preferred, wherein the device is mounted in the tread of the tire and / or the center axis of the device runs in the radial direction, in the axial direction or in the circumferential direction of the tire, preferably in the axial direction or in the circumferential direction of the tire, particularly preferably in the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0104] The advantageous aspects of a device according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force or of a tire or technical rubber article according to the invention described above also apply to all aspects of one of the uses of a device described below, and the advantageous aspects of one of the uses of a device according to the invention described below apply accordingly to all aspects of a device according to the invention for measuring a mechanical force or of a tire or technical rubber article according to the invention.

[0105] The invention also relates to a use of a device as described above or as described above as preferred 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.

[0106] The invention also relates to the use of a device as described above or as described above as preferred 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. Thus, the force acting on the device according to the invention is converted into charge stored in the energy storage device.

[0107] Further advantageous aspects of the present invention are set out below in a second embodiment as aspects, wherein the numbers in the brackets refer to the reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. A 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 ε 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 ε 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) are separated from one another in a first state of the device (6) by means of the third layer (3), and the third layer (3) is designed such thatthat 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 one of the preceding aspects, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer (2) has a dielectric conductivity ε r of greater than 1.1 F m -1< and / or the second intermediate material of the fourth layer (4) has a dielectric conductivity ε r of greater than 1.1 F m -1<. 4. Device according to one 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 at 35% relative humidity. 5. Device according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the third layer (3) consists of a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises a gas and particles consisting of the insulation material (9), or has a liquid as the insulation material (9) with a viscosity at 20°C in the range from 0.1 mPa s to 10 6< mPa s. 6. Device according to one 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, a mica, glass, polyacrylates, quartz, lead, silk, 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 terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polychlorobutadiene, polyacrilonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, poly(organo)siloxanes, Teflon, polyimides, vulcanized rubber particles, fillers, and mixtures thereof, with the rubbers BR, SBR, SSBR, PDMS, ESBR, and epichlorohydrin rubber being preferred as natural or synthetic rubber. 7. Device according to one of the preceding aspects, wherein the device (6) additionally comprises a stabilizing sleeve (7) for increasing the mechanical stability of the device (6), which encloses the entirety of the five layers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). 8. Tire (24) or technical rubber article comprising a device (6) according to one of the preceding aspects and means (13) for measuring the tension between the first and fifth layers (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 center 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 one 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 one of aspects 1 to 7 for generating an electrical voltage between the first and fifth layers (1, 5) of the device (6). Character description:

[0108] Figure 1: Cross-section of a schematically illustrated device according to the invention in a first state before application of a mechanical force, wherein the sectional 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 application of a mechanical force, wherein the sectional 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 application of a mechanical force, wherein the sectional 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 sectional 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 performance of a device according to the invention.

[0109] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 6 according to the invention comprising five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, a tension meter 13 and a stabilization sleeve 7 in one embodiment. Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view of the device 6 according to the invention, wherein the sectional 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 extension 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 extension 17 of the various layers (only the longitudinal extension 17 of the first layer 1 is shown in 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. Fig. 1 schematically shown that the third layer 3 as described above comprises a compressible compound 9 with a compression modulus and as an example of an insulating material. Fig. 1 The device 6 shown is in a first state, wherein no external mechanical force acts on 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.

[0110] Fig. 2shows a schematic representation of a device 6 according to the invention comprising five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, a tension meter 13 and a stabilization sleeve 7 in a further embodiment. Shown in Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the device 6 according to the invention, wherein the sectional 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 extension of the five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 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 It is schematically shown 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 the Figure 2 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 one another. The contact between the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 in the second state of the device 6 according to the invention enables electrons 11 to be transferred from the second layer 2 to the fourth layer 4 and thus the fourth layer 4 can be enriched with additional negative charges 11 in the form of transferred electrons. This does not yet enable the creation of an electrical voltage between the first and fifth layers, which only occurs when the second layer 2 and the fourth layer 4 are moved away from one another.

[0111] Fig. 3shows a schematic representation of a device 6 according to the invention comprising five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, a tension meter 13 and a stabilization sleeve 7 in a further embodiment. Shown in Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of the device 6 according to the invention, wherein the sectional 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 extension of the five layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 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. 3 The longitudinal surfaces 22 of the third layer 3 are also shown schematically. Fig. 3 schematically shown in cross-section that the third layer 3 comprises a compressible compound 9 with a compression modulus as described above. Fig. 3The device 6 shown 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 the electrons under the first, second, fourth and fifth layers 1, 2, 4, 5 is different compared to the first state.

[0112] In this third state, the third layer 3 separates the second layer 2 from the fourth layer 4, the second layer 2 comprising fewer electrons, i.e. missing negative charges 10, compared to the first state of the device 6 according to the invention. The fourth layer 4 now additionally comprises the transferred electrons 11 compared to the first state of the device 6 according to the invention. In order to compensate for 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 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 second layer 2 remains the same in terms of amount.

[0113] This flow of electrons is reversed as soon as the fourth layer 4 and second layer 2 approach each other until they touch, thus returning to the second state as in Figure 2 The device 6 according to the invention can thus now be converted from the second to the third state or from the third to the second state as often as desired by applying a mechanical force, and thus the electrons can always be shifted alternately from the fifth layer 5 to the first layer 1 or vice versa, as described above.

[0114] Fig. 4shows a schematic representation 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 in a cross-sectional view, wherein the sectional plane of the cross section runs 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, those mechanical forces which 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, 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, 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 in the tread 25 parallel to the radial direction 16 of the tire 6 according to the invention, particularly strong mechanical forces act on the device 6 according to the invention whenever the device 6 according to the invention is in the part of the tread 25 that represents the so-called footprint of the tire 6 according to the invention.

[0115] Fig. 5shows 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, an oscillating wheel 30 with piston 31 and a stabilizing casing 7 with polycarbonate stamp 34 and polycarbonate base 35. The stabilizing casing 7 additionally comprises a border 38 made of polycarbonate with holes. The holes in the border 38 serve to ensure trouble-free escape and filling of the interior of the border 38 with air during the rotation of the oscillating wheel 30. Due to the rotation of the oscillating wheel 30, the upper part 32 of the measuring device 29 with the stamp 34 and the first and second layers 1, 2 is moved up and down. The rotation took place, unless otherwise stated, at a frequency of 5 Hz, i.e. 5 revolutions per second. In this case, a contact surface 33, which is connected to the first and second electrode layers 1, 5, i.e.An 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 V 0 = VL / (RS + RL ) as well as the associated open-circuit current. The circuit of the oscilloscope 39 is shown in FIG. Figure 5 with the voltage source VL and the resistors RS and RL, wherein the contacts to the indicated circuit are respectively connected to the first layer 1 and to the fifth layer 5 of the device 1 according to the invention. Experimental examples: Measurement methods:

[0116] 1. Surface roughness R a The results were determined according to the method DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. 2. Electrical measurement under open-circuit conditions The values ​​for the open-circuit voltage and open-circuit current were measured using the oscilloscope "Rigol Oscilloscope DS 4014" using the Figure 5The measurements were taken using the measuring device shown, but without a third layer, with the oscillating wheel rotating at a frequency of 5 Hz. The diameter of the oscillating wheel was 4 cm, and the maximum distance between the second and fourth layers during rotation was 2.5 cm and the minimum distance was 0 cm. The oscilloscope had the following settings: Attentuation ratio: 10:1 Input resistance: 10 MΩ ± 2% Input capacitance: 13 pF ± 3pF Maximum input CAT II 300 VAC Compensation range: 6pF - 24pF.

[0117] By rotating the oscillating wheel, the second and fourth layers were periodically pressed together, with no third layer or stability shell present. Thus, measurable voltages between the electrodes, i.e., between the first and fifth layers, were measured, and corresponding open-circuit current flows were determined from these. These measurable open-circuit voltages and the open-circuit currents determined from them were recorded by the oscilloscope in the form of periodic peaks, with the period of the peaks corresponding to the rotational frequency of the oscillating wheel. The values ​​recorded in Tables 2 to 4 for the open-circuit voltage and open-circuit current each correspond to the value of the difference between the maximum and the minimum of the measured peaks. Corresponding experiments in which a device according to the invention as described above was used without a third layer, i.e.,where the second and fourth layers were in continuous contact and only the force acting on the second and fourth layers was changed, showed the same trends as the experimental results shown below. Production:

[0118] Table 1: Compositions of the second and fourth layers used in the device according to the invention: material Crowd 2nd layer 3rd layer 4th layer 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

[0119] The second layer of PDMS and the fourth layer of GECO were produced using a conventional manufacturing process known in the art, which included the steps of mixing, rolling, and vulcanizing the respective rubber mixtures according to Table 1 for the second and fourth layers. The mixing of the respective rubber mixtures was carried out after adding the components to a Banbury mixer at 70 °C with a rotor speed of 60 rpm for 8 minutes. Rolling was carried out using a two-roll mill for 10 minutes, resulting in a layer thickness of 120 µm in the final vulcanized layer (with the exception of the fourth layer in Experiments E7 and E8 in Table 4). Vulcanization was carried out in a rectangular mold at the usual temperature of 120 °C for 10 minutes. The layers produced in this way had a length of 100 mm and a height of 30 mm.

[0120] For the roughened surfaces of the fourth layers of Examples E5 and E6, a sandblasted mold segment was used in the vulcanization mold during their vulcanization. Sandblasting of the corresponding mold segment was carried out in such a way that a surface roughness Ra of 5 µm was achieved on the side facing the second layer according to the method DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. Measurement results: Filler content:

[0121] Table 2: Experimental data of the device according to the invention with varying filler contents: 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 layer PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS 3rd layer Air Air Air Air Air 4th layer GECO GECO GECO GECO GECO 5th layer copper copper copper copper copper Thickness / transverse extension of the 2nd and 4th layer µm 120 120 120 120 120 Filler type in the 4th layer (GECO) ---- Silica 1< Silica 1< Soot 2< Soot 2< Filler weight fraction in the 4th layer based on the total weight of the fourth layer phr 0 10 40 5 15 Results Open circuit voltage measured from peak-to-peak V 125 185 63 153 97 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

[0122] Table 2 shows that optimal performance can be achieved with filler contents of 5 to 40 phr. This demonstrates that contents 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, provide good performance. Particularly high performance was achieved in the range of 1 wt.% to 10 wt.% (cf. Experiments E0 without filler, E1 with 10 phr of silica, and E3 with 5 phr of carbon black). Surface roughness Ra :

[0123] Table 3: Experimental data of the device according to the invention with varying surface roughness 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 layer PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS PDMS 3rd layer Air Air Air Air Air 4th layer 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 layer µm 120 120 120 120 120 Filler weight share in the 4th layer based on the weight of GECO phr 0 10 10 5 5 Surface roughness 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

[0124] Table 3 shows that optimal performance can be achieved with surface roughnesses Ra in the range of 0.1 to 5 µm. This also applies to the surface roughnesses Ra of the second layer and to the range of 5 µm to 100 µm, especially for the range of 0.3 to 3 µm, as shown in Table 3. Layer thicknesses of the fourth layer:

[0125] Table 4: Experimental data of the device according to the invention with varying Characteristic Unit Exp. V0 Exp. E7 Exp. E8 Materials used in the layers of the device 1st shift copper copper copper 2nd layer PDMS PDMS PDMS 3rd layer Air Air Air 4th layer GECO GECO GECO 5th layer copper copper copper Filler type in the 4th layer ---- ---- ---- Thickness / transverse extension of the 2nd layer µm 120 60 250 Thickness / transverse extent of the 4th layer µm 120 120 120 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 The second layer Table 4 shows that optimum performance can be achieved with layer thicknesses in the range of 60 to 250 µm, especially with a layer thickness of 120 µm. This 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. List of reference symbols:

[0126] 1First layer / top layer 2Second layer / upper middle layer 3Third layer / insulating layer 4Fourth layer / lower middle layer 5Fifth layer / lower layer 6Device; device for measuring a mechanical force 7Stabilization sleeve 8Contacts between the electrode materials and the means for measuring the voltage 9Insulating material; compressible connection 10Missing negative charges 11Additional negative charges; transferred electrons 12Applied mechanical force 13Means for measuring the voltage between the first and fifth layers of the device; voltmeter 14Axis of rotation; axial direction 15 circumferential direction 16 radial direction 17 longitudinal extension 18 transverse extension 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 thePerformance of a device according to the invention 30 Oscillating wheel for moving the first layer (i.e., copper electrode) and second layer (i.e., first intermediate layer) of the device according to the invention up and down 31 Piston for connecting the oscillating 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 stamp 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 oscillating wheel 38 Polycarbonate border with holes for escaping and filling the interior of the border 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, 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 or five layers according to the above sequence are arranged one on top of another, - the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) comprises at least one filler in addition to the intermediate material, - wherein the second and fourth layers are dielectrically conductive, and - the layers are superposed in the sequence indicated above by letters a), b), d) and e) and there are no further layers between them.

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 either of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filler in the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) is carbon black and / or silica, wherein the total amount of the at least one filler in the case of silica is preferably in the range from 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight, preferably in the range from 5% by weight to 25% by weight, particularly preferably in the range from 10% by weight to 20% by weight, very particularly preferably in the range from 13% by weight to 17% by weight, in each case as a proportion of the total mass of the second and / or fourth layer of the device (6).

4. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the total amount of the at least one filler in the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) is 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 as a proportion of the total mass of the second and / or fourth layer of the device (6).

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, fillers 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 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.

9. 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 0.1 µm to 500 µm, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 100 µm, particularly preferably in the range from 1 to 50 µm, very particularly preferably in the range from 1 to 5 µm, measured according to DIN EN ISO 4288:1998.

10. Tyre according to any of the preceding claims, the second and / or fourth layer (2, 4) having a layer thickness in the range of 10 to 1000 µm, preferably in the range from 30 to 500 µm or 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.

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

12. Tyre according to Claim 11, 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.

13. Tyre according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the third layer (3) - comprises a support border consisting of a vulcanized rubber or a thermoset and there is a mixture present in the support border, the mixture comprising one or more gases and / or particles consisting of an insulation material, wherein the support border preferably has a thickness of 0 to 200 µm and / or a maximum electrical conductivity of 10 µS / m, or - the insulation material is a fluid with a viscosity in the range from 0.1 mPa·s to 106 mPa·s at 20°C, the viscosity having been measured by means of a rotary viscometer in accordance with DIN EN ISO 3219.

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