Capacitive Tire Sensor Patch for Direct Strain and Bending Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire sensors using accelerometers provide inaccurate and time-consuming calculations for tire parameters due to noise, especially when estimating road and tire conditions, and there is a need for a more comprehensive sensor system that can measure strain and bending of whole tire areas.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive tire sensor module with detector patches containing variable capacitors adhered to the tire's tread or sidewall, coupled with an electronics unit to estimate tire parameters based on electrostatic capacity, providing real-time information on strain and bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If accelerometers are used to measure tire parameters, then the sensor structure is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and time-consuming calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical accelerometer-based measurement system with a capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensor detects changes in capacitance caused by tire deformation, directly measuring strain and bending without the noise and computational complexity of accelerometer-based indirect estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from acceleration (requiring complex calculations) to capacitance (directly related to physical deformation). By measuring capacitance changes as the tire deforms, the system directly obtains strain and bending information with higher precision and less computational overhead.
2Device complexity
If accelerometers are used for indirect estimation, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time increases due to time-consuming calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the computational estimation process with direct capacitive measurement. Instead of calculating tire parameters from accelerometer data, the capacitive sensor directly measures deformation through capacitance changes, eliminating time-consuming calculations while maintaining simple device architecture.
3Device complexity
If accelerometers are used to estimate road and tire conditions, then the sensor type is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates under operating loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places capacitive sensor patches at specific locations on the tire (tread and sidewall) where deformation directly reflects operating conditions. This localized capacitive measurement provides accurate information about road conditions and tire state under various loading scenarios, overcoming the limitations of single-point accelerometer measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The capacitive tire sensor module offers more accurate and efficient estimation of tire parameters, reducing response lag in suspension systems and enhancing vehicle safety by providing comprehensive tire data.
Implementation Method 1
a detector patch with one or more capacitors, each of which has an electrostatic capacity that is variable due to at least deformation of each capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a vehicle tire includes a tread portion, a sidewall portion, and a sensor module for estimating one or more parameters of the tire. The sensor module includes a detector patch that includes one or more capacitors, each of which has an electrostatic capacity that is variable due to at least deformation of each capacitor. The sensor module also includes an electronics unit connected to each capacitor and configured to control the sensor module. The detector patch is adhered to an inside of at least one of the tread portion or the sidewall portion. At least one of the capacitors is located on the inside of the at least one of the tread portion or the sidewall portion. The electronics unit is configured to estimate at least one of the parameters based on the electrostatic capacity of each capacitor.