Elastomer Piezoelectric Composite for Flexible Tire Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric devices used in tires face challenges in combining effective piezoelectric properties with mechanical properties suitable for tire integration, particularly in terms of resistance to deformation and elongation, limiting their application in monitoring tire wear and impact detection.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a piezoelectric composite layer sandwiched between two conductive composite layers, where each layer is based on a rubber composition with diene elastomer, crosslinking system, and either piezoelectric inorganic fillers or conductive fillers, co-crosslinked to enhance cohesion and mechanical flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piezoelectric composites are used in rigid thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer matrices, then piezoelectric performance is maximized, but mechanical flexibility and resistance to deformation are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the matrix material parameter from rigid thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer to elastomer, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties while maintaining piezoelectric functionality. This parameter change enables the composite to exhibit both piezoelectric performance and elastic flexibility, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining piezoelectric particles with elastomer matrix, forming a new material with integrated properties. The composite structure allows the piezoelectric phase to maintain its functional performance while the elastomer phase provides flexibility and deformability, simultaneously achieving both contradictory requirements.
2Reliability
If piezoelectric composites are used in rigid polymer matrices, then electroactivity is maximized, but range of deformation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the matrix material parameter from rigid polymer to elastomer, fundamentally altering the deformation characteristics. This parameter change enables the composite to undergo large elastic deformations while maintaining piezoelectric electroactivity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and shape flexibility.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional batteries are used in tyres, then energy storage is provided, but device life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the piezoelectric composite generates electrical energy directly from mechanical deformations experienced during normal tire operation. This self-charging capability eliminates the need for external recharging or replacement, providing unlimited device life while maintaining energy storage functionality through the piezoelectric effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional battery system with a piezoelectric energy harvesting system that converts mechanical energy from tire deformation into electrical energy. This substitution transforms the energy storage approach from passive battery storage to active mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion, extending device operational life.
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 device exhibits enhanced flexibility, elasticity, and electric charge generation, enabling effective tire wear monitoring and impact detection while maintaining piezoelectric functionality, outperforming thermosetting or thermoplastic matrices in terms of mechanical resilience and electric output.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectricity develops in materials such as crystals, certain semi-crystalline polymers and piezoelectric ceramics. This physical phenomenon corresponds to the appearance of an electrical polarization induced by an external mechanical deformation.
Implementation Method 2
the diene elastomer of the layer P being co-crosslinked with the diene elastomer of each layer E
Implementation Method 3
each layer E is a rubber composition based: on at least 50 phr of diene elastomer, on a crosslinking system, on conductive fillers
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric device comprises at least one piezoelectric composite layer P inserted between two conductive composite layers E, each layer E forming an electrode, characterized in that: the layer P is a rubber composition containing more than 50 parts by weight per hundred parts by weight rubber, phr, of diene elastomer, a cross-linking system and at least 5 vol. %, in relation to the total volume of the rubber composition, of piezoelectric inorganic charges; and each layer E is a rubber composition containing at least 50 phr of diene elastomer, a cross-linking system, and conductive charges. A method for producing the device and a tire comprising the device are also disclosed.