RFID Tire Sensor Foil for Battery-Free Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle tire sensor arrangements face challenges in energy supply and integration, requiring complex setups and additional power sources, which complicates their installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A foil-shaped RFID transponder with integrated sensors, powered by electromagnetic radiation, is placed between tire components, transmitting data via radio signals to a central unit, eliminating the need for a battery and allowing for easy integration and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional sensors are equipped with their own power supply (battery), then the sensor can operate independently, but the device complexity and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor operation independenceVSAvoidpower supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system serves itself by harvesting energy from the electromagnetic radiation received during normal transponder operation. The sensor uses the same electromagnetic field that powers the transponder communication to also power its measurements, eliminating the need for separate battery power supplies while maintaining operational independence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic radiation from the transponder serves dual functions: it both communicates data and provides power to the sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated power supply components, reducing device complexity while maintaining sensor operation independence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If sensors are integrated directly onto the transponder, then the integration simplicity increases, but the mechanical stress on the transponder increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration simplicityVSAvoidtransponder durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is integrated onto a flexible carrier film that is then inserted between tire components. This flexible film structure allows the sensor to conform to the tire's mechanical movements and stresses without rigidly attaching to the transponder, maintaining integration simplicity while protecting the transponder from excessive mechanical stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is segmented into separate functional components: the transponder for communication, the sensor for measurement, and the flexible carrier film for integration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the transponder remains protected while the sensor on the flexible film handles mechanical integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the transponder is placed in the tire bead area, then the mechanical stress on the transponder is reduced, but the signal transmission quality may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransponder durabilityVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible carrier film allows the sensor and transponder assembly to be positioned in the tire bead area while maintaining signal transmission quality. The flexible film ensures proper positioning and electrical connection without rigid constraints that would interfere with electromagnetic signal propagation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible carrier film acts as an intermediary between the transponder and the tire structure. It provides mechanical support and positioning in the low-stress bead area while maintaining electrical connections and allowing electromagnetic signals to pass through without significant interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables simple and energy-efficient sensor integration in vehicle tires, facilitating data collection on tire conditions like temperature, profile depth, and load, improving maintenance scheduling and reducing mechanical stress on the transponder.

Implementation Method 1

The transponder is powered by electromagnetic radiation, and the measured data is transmitted via radio signal to a central transmitter and receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the measured data is transmitted via radio signal to a central transmitter and receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3676108B1Vehicle tire with RFID
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3676108B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3676108B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

In order to improve a vehicle tire with a sensor, it is proposed that the transponder (1) comprises at least one sensor (20, 21) for capturing physical measurement data from the vehicle tire, wherein the captured measurement data are transmitted to a transmitting and receiving unit via a radio connection.