Instrumented Tyre Functional Object Suspension in Soft Elastomer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching functional objects to tires, such as sensors and electronic circuits, face challenges in withstanding mechanical stresses and maintaining integrity throughout the tire's service life, especially due to harsh environmental conditions like physical stresses, impacts, and temperature changes, while also being cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a functional object suspended in a soft, highly deformable substance with a Shore A hardness of less than 5 and a dynamic shear modulus of less than 50,000 Pa, which absorbs mechanical stresses and is compatible with tire materials, potentially using elastomer gels or polymeric colloidal solutions, and optionally encased in a rubbery material for additional protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a functional object is attached to a tyre wall using conventional methods, then the object can be secured in place, but the object is exposed to mechanical stresses and may fail during the tyre's service life
Solution Approach 1:
A soft substance acts as an intermediary between the functional object and the tyre wall, absorbing mechanical stresses and preventing them from being transmitted to the functional object. This mediator layer protects the object while maintaining its secure attachment to the tyre.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft substance is placed around the functional object before attachment to the tyre, creating a protective cushion that absorbs mechanical stresses beforehand. This pre-cushioning prevents stress transmission to the functional object during tyre operation.
2Reliability
If a functional object is mechanically reinforced for incorporation into a tyre, then the object's protection against mechanical stresses is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mechanically reinforcing the functional object itself, a soft substance intermediary is used to absorb stresses. This approach protects the object without requiring expensive mechanical reinforcement, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
3Strength
If a rigid or semi-rigid material is used to encapsulate the functional object, then the object is protected from deformation, but the material may not be compatible with tyre materials or transmit pressure accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The soft substance changes its physical parameters (viscoelastic properties) to match the tyre materials, ensuring compatibility. This allows the functional object to be protected from deformation while maintaining material compatibility and accurate pressure transmission throughout the tyre's service 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
This solution effectively protects the functional object from mechanical stresses, reducing the need for extensive reinforcement and lowering costs, while maintaining functionality and integrity throughout the tire's life, even in severe conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a soft substance of very high deformability... practically all the stresses that the wall of the tyre sustains are absorbed by this soft substance and are not transmitted to the functional object
Implementation Method 2
The soft substance may consist of a material chosen from the group of thermoplastic elastomer gels, thermosetting elastomer gels, and polymeric colloidal solutions
Data Source
AI summary
A member for attachment to tire includes a functional object in suspension in a soft substance of very high deformability.