Vehicle Tyre Conductor Track for Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle tires lack an infrastructure to connect tire pressure monitoring systems with other sensors, preventing integration and communication between various sensor modules.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electrically conductive conductor tracks around the tire's circumference for energy supply and signal transmission, allowing individual sensors to connect to a central tire module with a battery, transmitting unit, and various sensors for property monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional vehicle tires are used without conductor tracks, then the tire structure remains simple, but sensors cannot be connected to a central unit for integrated monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor connectivityVSAvoidtire structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor track serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection between sensors and central unit, supplies power to sensor elements, and enables integrated monitoring of multiple tire properties. This multi-functional approach increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor track is integrated within the tire structure by placing it between the inner layer and the first carcass ply, nesting the electrical infrastructure within the existing tire layers. This allows sensor connectivity to be added without significantly altering the overall tire structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If conductor tracks are arranged on the inside of the tire, then sensor connection becomes simple and flexible, but the tire manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor installationVSAvoidtire assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor track is pre-positioned between the inner layer and the first carcass ply during tire manufacturing, before sensors are installed. This preliminary arrangement of the electrical infrastructure simplifies subsequent sensor installation and connection operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor track acts as an intermediary element that facilitates connection between sensors and the central unit. By providing a pre-established electrical pathway, it mediates the connection process and simplifies sensor installation without requiring complex routing during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single conductor track is used for both power supply and signal transmission, then the infrastructure remains simple, but signal interference and transmission errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor track configurationVSAvoidsignal transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical infrastructure is segmented into separate conductor tracks: one dedicated to power supply and another dedicated to signal transmission. This segmentation prevents electrical interference between power and signal lines, improving signal transmission reliability while maintaining relatively simple infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the tire monitoring system are assigned different electrical functions: the power supply conductor track provides energy to sensor elements, while the signal transmission conductor track carries data to the central unit. This functional differentiation ensures reliable operation by preventing interference

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

Enables simple and secure connection and data transmission between sensors and a central unit, facilitating comprehensive tire property monitoring, including pressure, temperature, deformation, wear, and defect detection.

Implementation Method 1

the conductor track consists of an electrically conductive fluid material, the fluid material forming a conductor track in the dried state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3496959B1Vehicle tyre
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3496959B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

To provide a vehicle tyre in which an infrastructure is provided for connecting individual sensors to one another or to a central device, it is suggested that at least one electrically conductive conductor track (2) is arranged in the peripheral direction of the vehicle tyre and so as to circle around said vehicle tyre, wherein a tyre module (3) having a central function is arranged in a first position on said conductor track (2) and, in at least one second position on the conductor track (2), at least one sensor (4, 5) is arranged for detecting tyre properties.