Split-Ring Resonator Sensors for Tire Wear Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional vehicle sensors, such as tire pressure monitoring systems, fail to provide the necessary fidelity for high-performance or fully autonomous driving applications, particularly in detecting rapid component wear and environmental changes, and lack the ability to monitor vehicle state without human intervention.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating split-ring resonators made from 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth within vehicle components, which respond to electromagnetic stimuli to detect changes in material deformation and wear by shifting resonance frequencies, allowing for real-time monitoring of tire stiction and other physical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional sensors are used for vehicle monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient for detecting rapid component wear and environmental changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection fidelityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical and electronic sensors with electromagnetic resonance-based sensing. Split-ring resonators and carbonaceous materials respond to physical changes (deformation, wear, temperature) through shifts in their electromagnetic resonance frequencies, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensor assemblies while achieving superior measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes changes in electromagnetic resonance frequency as a direct indicator of physical parameter changes in vehicle components. By monitoring frequency shifts of resonators embedded in tires and structural members, the system detects wear, deformation, and environmental changes with high precision without requiring complex sensor electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If traditional tire pressure monitoring systems are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to detect rapid component wear and provide real-time monitoring without human intervention is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcomponent wear detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resonant sensors are passively embedded within vehicle components and automatically detect changes in their environment. The split-ring resonators and carbonaceous materials inherently respond to physical changes through frequency shifts, requiring no active power supply or complex processing, thereby enabling reliable automated monitoring of component wear and conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If embedded sensors are incorporated into vehicle components, then measurement precision and real-time detection capability are improved, but manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical characteristic detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor integration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensing function directly into the vehicle component material structure. Split-ring resonators and carbonaceous sensing materials are integrated into tires, structural members, and other components during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate sensor installation steps and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise detection of tire wear and environmental changes, enhancing vehicle safety and maneuverability by providing accurate, real-time data on tire conditions and stiction levels, even in demanding driving scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

split-ring resonators made from 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth within vehicle components, which respond to electromagnetic stimuli to detect changes in material deformation and wear by shifting resonance frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20230018475A1Sensors incorporated into elasteromic components to detect physical characteristic changes

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 LYTEN INC

AI summary

A disclosed vehicle component may include at least one split-ring resonator, which may be embedded within a material. The split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. The split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, the split-ring resonator may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.