Vehicle Tire Electronic Integration for Sensor Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic vehicle tires face challenges in integrating semiconductor components, electrical conductor tracks, and electronic structures in a simple and cost-effective manner, while also addressing issues of electrostatic discharge and sensor device detachment and battery replacement.

Innovation Solution

The integration of multiple layers within the tire's base material with conductor tracks, semiconductor components, and electronic circuits, along with conductive fillers like carbon black and insulating layers, enables compact electrical connections and data acquisition, eliminating the risk of component detachment and providing mechanical, thermal, and chemical protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If silicon dioxide is used to reduce rolling resistance, then fuel consumption is reduced, but electrical conductivity of the tire decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling resistanceVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tire is divided into multiple functional layers with distinct compositions. The tread layer contains silicon dioxide for low rolling resistance, while separate conductive layers with carbon black are positioned at the bead and surface to ensure electrical conductivity. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tire employs composite material structures where different rubber compounds with varying filler contents are combined. The tread uses silicate-enriched compound for fuel efficiency, while conductive rubber compounds containing carbon black are used in specific zones to maintain electrostatic discharge capability, creating a multi-material system that balances both requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conductive elements are placed on the surface of the tire, then electrostatic charges can be discharged, but the conductive elements are vulnerable to damage during assembly and disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic discharge capabilityVSAvoiddamage risk to conductive elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive elements are nested within the tire structure rather than placed on the surface. Conductive layers are embedded between tread layers or integrated into the bead structure, protecting them from external damage while maintaining their electrostatic discharge function through the tire material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive elements are pre-protected by embedding them within robust tire structures during manufacturing. The surrounding rubber and reinforcement layers act as protective cushions that prevent damage during subsequent handling, assembly, and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of information

If sensor devices are mounted on or in the tire, then data can be collected for safety monitoring, but the sensor device may become detached and move uncontrolled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidsensor device stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device is merged with the tire structure by integrating it into the bead area or mounting it on the rim. This integration ensures the sensor moves with the tire during rotation and remains securely positioned, eliminating detachment risks while maintaining data collection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical mounting methods with potential magnetic or electronic integration systems. Sensors can be magnetically attached to the rim or electrically integrated into the tire's conductive network, providing more reliable fixation than traditional mechanical adhesives or clips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of information

If multiple layers with conductor tracks and electronic circuits are integrated into the tire, then data acquisition is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition capabilityVSAvoidintegration of electronic structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tire structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the base material provides mechanical support and protection, while also serving as the substrate for embedding conductor tracks and electronic circuits. The conductive layers serve both structural reinforcement and electrical signal transmission purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for efficient data collection from the tire without additional components, reducing the risk of damage and extending service life, while maintaining electrical conductivity and withstanding varying temperatures and deformations.

Implementation Method 1

the electrical conductivity of the pneumatic vehicle tire decreases, which has the negative effect, for example, that electrostatic charges can no longer be optimally discharged. Since the electrostatic charges are conducted away from the motor vehicle essentially via the vehicle's pneumatic tires

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

Silicate, chemically speaking silicon dioxide (Sio 2) and also known as 'silica' or 'silicic acid', stabilizes the network of connections between the individual substances in a rubber compound. Compared to the conventional two-node (sulfur and carbon) structure, a three-node (sulfur, carbon and silica) structure formed in this way increases the strength of the rubber compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

DE 10 2007 011 906 A1 proposes mounting a sensor device in the interior of the pneumatic vehicle tire, namely on the valve stem introduced into the rim, which has both a battery and an electronic processing unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3287304B1Vehicle pneumatic tyre, method for electronic equipment of such a pneumatic tyre for a vehicle and method for using the data determined for the pneumatic tyre
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3287304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287304B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3287304B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vehicle pneumatic tire (1) is presented with a tread surface (3) having a profile (2) along its circumferential surface, which transitions on both sides into a sidewall (4, 5), wherein the lower end of the sidewalls (4, 5), which is inserted airtight into a rim of a vehicle wheel formed thereby, has a tire bead (6, 7) each, in which, according to the invention, at least one suitable conductor track (8, 9) and/or at least one semiconductor component (10) and/or at least one electronic circuit (11) is integrated into the base material of the vehicle tire (1) for the purpose of detecting parameters.The invention further relates to a method for the electronic equipment of a vehicle pneumatic tire, characterized in that at least one semiconductor component (10) and/or at least one conductor track (8, 9) and/or at least one electronic circuit (11) is introduced into or applied to the vehicle tire blank before its completion by a vulcanization process.Furthermore, a method for using the signals originating from a vehicle pneumatic tire is specified, which consists in transmitting the signals detected by the at least one semiconductor device (10) by means of radio signals (15) to an evaluation unit (16) of the motor vehicle (17) equipped with the vehicle pneumatic tires (1) and using them for information collection, for statistical evaluations, for recording the service life of the vehicle pneumatic tire (1) or for other electronic evaluation systems of the motor vehicle (17).