Tire Rim Flange Sensor Cavity for Protected Energy Harvesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire manufacturing processes do not effectively integrate sensors to collect real-time data on tire conditions and communicate them to vehicle systems, such as stability and braking systems, due to challenges in sensor protection and energy harvesting during dynamic tire operations.

Innovation Solution

Integrating sensor devices at the rim flange transition area of the tire, where they are concealed and protected by the rim flange, and utilizing piezoelectric components to harvest energy from dynamic tire forces for data collection and communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are integrated at the rim flange transition area, then sensor protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor cavity is formed in the tire carcass at the rim flange transition area during the tire manufacturing process, before the sensor is installed. This preliminary preparation provides a protected housing for the sensor and simplifies subsequent installation by providing a pre-defined mounting location with integrated protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If piezoelectric components are used to harvest energy from dynamic tire forces, then energy harvesting capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy harvestingVSAvoidsensor integration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor cavity is formed during tire manufacturing with predetermined geometric features including a flat bottom surface and lateral walls. This preliminary structuring provides a stable, precisely-defined mounting environment for the piezoelectric sensor, ensuring consistent orientation and contact force transmission from the tire dynamics to the energy harvesting component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity is specifically positioned at the rim flange transition area where dynamic forces are concentrated and predictable. This location provides optimal local conditions for piezoelectric energy harvesting, with the cavity structure ensuring that local force variations are effectively transmitted to the sensor while isolating it from other tire components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides reliable real-time data collection and transmission to vehicle systems, enhancing vehicle control and monitoring capabilities while efficiently harnessing energy from tire dynamics.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing piezoelectric components to harvest energy from dynamic tire forces for data collection and communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260061785A1System and methods for integrating sensors at a rim flange transition area of a tire by cavity formation

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO

AI summary

Disclosed are various embodiments for integrating sensors in a sensor indentation at a rim flange transition area of a tire. The sensor indentation can be formed in an outboard side a chafer of a tire. The sensor indentation can be configured to receive a sensor device relative to a location where the chafer forms a seal with a rim flange of a wheel.