Tire Module Cover Flange Projection for Piezoelectric Transducer Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of mechanical-electrical transducers in tire modules decreases over time, leading to reduced energy storage and longer intervals between measurement and transmission processes, which is detrimental to continuous tire pressure monitoring and safety.

Innovation Solution

The cover flange has an inwardly directed projection that engages beneath the tire module, creating a stable coupling with the tire, allowing for consistent mechanical preload and preventing a decrease in transducer efficiency, using adhesive bonding or vulcanization for attachment, and employing an elastomeric cover that can stretch and maintain return force without creeping or aging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mechanical-electrical transducer is disposed directly on the inner side of the tire to enable continuous monitoring, then the tire pressure monitoring function is achieved, but the efficiency of the transducer decreases over time leading to reduced energy storage and longer intervals between measurement processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous tire pressure monitoringVSAvoidenergy storage in accumulator

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

An elastomeric cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the tire module and the tire. This cover maintains mechanical preload on the transducer through its elastic properties, ensuring consistent coupling and efficient energy generation over time without direct contact between the rigid tire module and the tire

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric cover's material parameters (elasticity, hardness) are selected to provide optimal mechanical preload. The cover's elastic modulus and thickness are designed to maintain sufficient contact pressure on the transducer while accommodating tire deformations, thereby preserving transducer efficiency throughout the tire's service life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the cover is made elastomeric to provide mechanical preload and tight coupling, then the transducer efficiency is maintained, but the cover and tire module must be precisely matched in dimensions creating manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransducer efficiency stabilityVSAvoiddimensional matching of cover and tire module

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed with differentiated local properties: the central region provides mechanical preload on the transducer, while the flange region provides attachment to the tire. This local differentiation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If the tire module protrudes slightly out of the cover to ensure mechanical preload after fastening, then tight coupling is achieved, but the assembly precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical preload on transducerVSAvoidassembly alignment of cover and tire module

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric cover is designed to be deformable under mounting conditions. During installation, the cover can be compressed or stretched to accommodate slight misalignments, and then maintains the required mechanical preload on the transducer through its elastic recovery. This dynamic behavior compensates for assembly tolerances without requiring high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 arrangement maintains the efficiency of the mechanical-electrical transducer, ensuring continuous and frequent tire pressure monitoring by providing a stable connection that prevents energy storage degradation and supports long-term operation.

Implementation Method 1

the mechanical-electrical transducer comprises a bendable piezoelectric element, which is located on a thin, flexible metal disk as the carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

employing an elastomeric cover that can stretch and maintain return force without creeping or aging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10179485B2Tire module with piezoelectric transducer

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 HUF BAOLONG ELECTRONICS BRETTEN GMBH

AI summary

A tire module and cover for attachment to a pneumatic tire for vehicles is disclosed. The tire module has a device for measuring and/or monitoring the air pressure in the tire, a transmitter, a mechanical-electrical transducer, and an accumulator for electrical energy storage. The cover includes a flange which extends outwardly away from the tire module and has an underside for attachment to the inner side of the tire, said flange forming the edge of the interior space of the cover. The inner height of the cover may be less than or equal to the height of the tire module measured from the underside to the top side thereof. The flange has an inwardly directed projection which engages beneath the tire module. The underside of the tire module is higher up in the region of the flange projection as compared to a central underside region.