Tire Electronics Membrane Securing Without Adhesive Bonding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire technologies face challenges in securely integrating electronics packages, such as sensors and RFIDs, without the need for cumbersome apparatuses, structures, or adhesives, while ensuring effective monitoring of tire conditions.
Innovation Solution
A tire and membrane system is introduced, featuring a membrane body with an electronics package that is not attached to the tire's innerliner, utilizing an annular hoop or electronics band to exert a force on the package for secure positioning, allowing for monitoring of tire conditions without adhesives or additional structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronics packages are bonded to the tire using adhesives or vulcanizing compounds, then the electronics package is securely attached, but the tire structure becomes more complex and requires additional chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adhesive bonding function from the tire construction process by introducing a separate, removable membrane component. The membrane is not vulcanized to the tire but instead provides temporary holding during assembly and removal afterward, eliminating the need for adhesives or vulcanizing compounds while maintaining secure attachment of the electronics package.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary component between the electronics package and the tire interior. It provides a simple mechanical interface that requires no chemical bonding, thereby reducing structural complexity while ensuring reliable positioning and attachment of the electronics package during tire assembly and operation.
2Reliability
If wheel mounts or patches are used to secure electronics packages, then the electronics are securely positioned, but the tire assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for complex wheel mounts or patches by using a simple membrane that can be easily installed and removed. The membrane's flexibility and adaptability allow it to conform to the tire interior without requiring additional assembly steps or specialized tools, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining secure electronics positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's physical parameters (flexibility, thickness, material properties) are optimized to provide secure holding of the electronics package while allowing easy installation and removal. The membrane can be made from various materials with different mechanical properties, enabling adjustment of holding strength and ease of manipulation without compromising electronics positioning reliability.
3Reliability
If a membrane with height greater than 50% of tire section height is used, then the electronics package is well-supported, but the membrane interferes with tire internal components and structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with localized support features rather than uniform thickness throughout. The membrane can have varying thickness or stiffness in different regions, providing enhanced support to the electronics package where needed while maintaining flexibility and avoiding interference with tire internal components. This localized approach ensures electronics support without compromising overall tire structural integrity.
4Reliability
If adhesives or vulcanizing compounds are used to attach the membrane to the innerliner, then the membrane is securely fixed, but the tire construction requires additional chemicals and processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely extracts the adhesive attachment function from the membrane installation process. The membrane is designed to be held in place by mechanical means (friction, tension, or attachment to the electronics package) rather than chemical bonding, eliminating the need for adhesives or vulcanizing compounds and reducing chemical usage in tire construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is designed to be self-holding through its interaction with the electronics package and tire interior geometry. The membrane's flexibility and the pressure differential within the tire provide automatic positioning and securing without requiring additional chemical treatments or bonding processes, thereby reducing chemical usage and simplifying construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire and membrane system includes a tire, an electronics package, and a membrane body attached to the electronics package. A width of the membrane body is less than 120% of a width of a tread of the tire. A length of the membrane body is less than 50% of a circumference of the tire. A bottom surface of the membrane body is configured to lie flat against an inner surface of the tire. The membrane body is not attached to the tire.