Flexible Strain Gauges for Real-Time Tire Deflection Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire technologies lack effective real-time monitoring capabilities for tire shape and strain changes, which hinders vehicle safety, controllability, and efficiency, as they cannot accurately measure slip ratio, road conditions, and detect tire separation or burst in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
Integration of flexible strain gauges, such as soft capacitive or resistive sensors, within the tire body to sense deflections and strain, transmitting data to a control system for real-time monitoring and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flexible strain gauges are integrated within the tire body to enable real-time monitoring of tire shape and strain, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible strain gauges are nested within the tire body structure, with sensors positioned between the tread and the tire body, or embedded within the tire layers. This nesting approach enables real-time monitoring of tire strain and shape while maintaining the tire's structural integrity and avoiding excessive external complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible strain gauges and thin-film sensors are used to conform to the curved surface of the tire interior. These flexible sensing elements can accurately measure strain across the tire's surface without rigid structures, enabling precise measurement while keeping the sensor system adaptable to tire deformation
2Measurement precision
If multiple flexible strain gauges are positioned along the inside surface of the tire body to sense tire deflections and strain, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tire monitoring system is divided into multiple independent sensing zones, with strain gauges positioned at specific locations (e.g., circumferential and radial positions) to measure different aspects of tire deformation. This segmentation allows each sensor to be manufactured and positioned independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible strain gauges are designed to serve multiple functions: measuring radial strain, circumferential strain, and tire deflection simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate sensors needed, thereby simplifying manufacturing and installation while providing comprehensive tire condition monitoring
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
Enables enhanced vehicle stability, fuel efficiency, and safety by providing real-time tire condition feedback, improving controllability and diagnosing potential tire degradation, especially beneficial for heavy-duty and specialized vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flexible strain gauge positioned along the inside surface of the tire body, wherein at least one flexible strain gauge is positioned to sense tire deflections and strain
Implementation Method 2
The flexible strain gauges here termed Flexible Electronic Sensors (FES) may each be a soft capacitive sensor
Implementation Method 3
a soft resistive sensor or a combination of soft capacitive and resistive sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tire sensing includes providing a tire comprising (a) a tire body having an outer wall for contact with a surface and opposite side walls, and an inside surface and (b) at least one flexible strain gauge positioned along the inside surface of the tire body, wherein the at least one flexible strain gauge is positioned to sense tire deflections or strain. The method further includes sensing tire data indicate of the tire deflections using the at least one flexible strain gauge and communicating the tire data to a data acquisition system, control system, or computer system. The flexible strain gauge(s) may be soft dielectric capacitive sensors, soft resistive sensors, or soft capacitive/resistive sensors.