Piezoelectric Triggering Mechanism for Tire Failure Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piezoelectric devices in tire and wheel assemblies are typically not designed to withstand high levels of strain, which can lead to cracking or breaking, hindering their functionality and requiring replacement, while existing solutions lack a reliable self-powered triggering mechanism for event detection.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric triggering mechanism that intentionally cracks or breaks upon mechanical stress, generating a large electromagnetic energy impulse, which is conditioned and transmitted wirelessly, eliminating the need for mechanical components and battery power, and allowing for reliable signaling in various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If piezoelectric devices are subjected to high levels of strain for triggering, then a large energy impulse signal is generated, but the piezoelectric materials crack or break destroying functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is divided into multiple segments or layers that can fracture independently. When triggered, the element breaks into segments that generate the large energy impulse signal through piezoelectric charge separation, while the segmented structure allows controlled failure without complete destruction of the device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of piezoelectric material cracking under high strain into a beneficial triggering mechanism. The crack or breakage that would normally destroy the device is instead harnessed to generate a large energy impulse signal for event detection, transforming structural failure into a useful signaling function.
2Reliability
If piezoelectric elements are designed to withstand high strain without breaking, then structural integrity is maintained, but the ability to generate large energy impulse signals for triggering is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric triggering element is designed as a disposable component that is intentionally meant to fail after a single use. The element is configured to break under high strain to generate the triggering signal, and after breakage, the device serves its purpose. This accepts limited structural integrity in exchange for reliable high-energy signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from continuous operation with maintained structural integrity to single-use operation where structural failure is the intended outcome. The piezoelectric element is designed with specific mechanical properties that allow it to withstand normal operational strains but fracture under triggering conditions, generating the required energy impulse signal.
3Device complexity
If mechanical elements are used to damage the piezoelectric element for triggering, then the triggering mechanism is simple, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical triggering elements (such as impactors or breakable links) with a piezoelectric-based triggering mechanism. The piezoelectric element itself serves as both the sensor and the triggering component, eliminating the need for separate mechanical elements. This substitution reduces overall device complexity while improving reliability through the inherent piezoelectric response to mechanical stress.
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 mechanism provides a robust, self-powered signaling system capable of indicating events like tire pressure loss or failure, with a clear and distinct signal that minimizes confusion with deformation signals, suitable for diverse applications including tire monitoring, airbag deployment, and security systems.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectric elements may be configured to break upon the occurrence of certain events, resulting in the generation of a relatively large energy impulse signal
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric triggering mechanism (10) includes a piezoelectric element (12), such as the transducer of a SAW device, that is configured to crack or break upon being subjected to excessive levels of mechanical force or other triggering mechanisms, thus generating a burst of electromagnetic energy. The large impulse of energy can then be conditioned (14) through resonant circuits or antennas and modulated (16) with an identification pattern through appropriate structures (such as SAW electrodes) to send a breakage indication signal to a remote receiver (18). Piezoelectric elements (12) may be integrated with a pneumatic tire structure to provide indication upon pressure loss or tire failure. Piezoelectric elements (12) may also be integrated with safety support features of some tire structures to provide indication of tire operation in a run-flat mode of operation. Related aspects of the present piezoelectric triggering technology employ a piezoelectric element (12) in a trigger detection method, which may involve detection of such occurrences as breach of security via opening of a sealed access structure or breakage of a glass panel, deployment of an airbag, loss of pressure or excess deflection in a tire, presence of smoke in a given location, and other rupture and sensor applications.