Tire Power Generation Assembly With Segmented Contact Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire assemblies with integrated power generation bodies face inefficiencies in power generation due to local electromotive forces cancelling each other out when the contact surfaces exceed the ground contact length, leading to reduced overall voltage output.

Innovation Solution

A tire assembly with an elastic body disposed inside the tire, biasing a power generation body composed of insulating films with opposite charges, ensuring the true contact area changes efficiently in response to pressure, and the elastic body straddles the ground contact patch to enhance power generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the length of the contact surfaces of the power generation body exceeds the ground contact length of the tire, then the power generation body can cover the entire ground contact area, but local electromotive forces cancel each other out resulting in reduced overall voltage output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact surface area of power generation bodyVSAvoidoverall voltage output

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The power generation body is divided into multiple independent power generation units arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire. Each unit has its own contact surfaces that change true contact area independently during tire rotation, preventing cancellation of electromotive forces while collectively generating higher power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power generation body is designed to dynamically change its true contact area with the elastic body during tire rotation. The contact surfaces are configured to make and break contact in a controlled manner, optimizing the timing and area of contact to maximize electromotive force generation while avoiding cancellation effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the power generation body is pressed firmly against the inner surface of the tire to ensure consistent contact, then contact reliability improves, but the ability to change true contact area in response to road surface impact is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact reliabilityVSAvoidpower generation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body provides localized biasing force to the power generation body at specific contact points, ensuring reliable contact where needed while allowing other areas to dynamically adjust true contact area in response to road surface impact, thus maintaining both contact reliability and power generation capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes changes in pressure and contact area as dynamic parameters. The elastic body modulates the contact pressure between the power generation body and tire inner surface, allowing the true contact area to vary in response to road surface conditions while maintaining sufficient contact for reliable power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple power generation units are arranged to cover the entire ground contact patch, then power generation opportunity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation opportunityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power generation body is segmented into multiple independent power generation units, each capable of generating electromotive force independently. This segmentation allows the system to utilize multiple contact events during tire rotation, increasing overall power generation opportunity while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration promotes efficient power generation by utilizing road surface impact, preventing cancellation of local electromotive forces, and optimizing the contact area to enhance charging efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The first insulating film and the second insulating film are configured such that one of the films is positively charged and the other of the films is negatively charged due to the true contact area changing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectric effect: Triboelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The elastic body biases the power generation body toward the inner surface of the tire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12558927B2Elastic and power generation body assembly for a tire

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A tire assembly includes a tire for mounting on a vehicle, an elastic body disposed on an inner side of the tire, and a power generation body disposed between an inner surface of the tire and the elastic body. The power generation body includes a first member and a second member. The first member has a first insulating film forming a first surface. The second member has a second insulating film forming a second surface that faces the first surface and contacts the first surface. The elastic body biases the power generation body toward the inner surface of the tire.