A system for detecting pressure and wear conditions of tires that includes a module positioned inside each wheel of a vehicle. The module includes sensors, a processor, a transmitter and a power source for powering the module. The output from the sensors in each wheel is fed to the processors of each wheel for data processing and the data is transmitted by the transmitter in each wheel to a receiver and data processor located outside of the wheels. The data processor is designed to analyze the received processed data from the modules, and to provide alerts based on stored information and by comparing the processed data from the first wheel with the processed data from the second wheel.

A system is provided for estimating a tread depth of a tire supporting a vehicle. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls that extend to a circumferential tread. The system includes a drive over reader, which includes a housing. At least one sensor is mounted in the housing to generate an image of the tire, which may be an image of the tire footprint or an image of the tread along a lateral line or section, and the tread depth is determined from the image. At least one piezoelectric actuator is mounted on the housing and is electrically connected to the at least one sensor to actuate the at least one sensor. A method for estimating a tread depth of a tire supporting a vehicle is also provided.

An apparatus includes a rim, a tire, and an energy harvesting component. The rim is configured to rotate and move. The tire is coupled to the rim. The tire when inflated is configured to transfer force to the rim resulting from compressive force acting on a portion of the tire making contact with a road. The energy harvesting component is positioned on the rim and configured to capture a kinetic energy in response to the compressive force acting on the portion of the tire making contact with the road as the rim rotates.

A system for detecting pressure and wear conditions of tires that includes a module positioned inside each wheel of a vehicle. The module includes sensors, a processor, a transmitter and a power source for powering the module. The output from the sensors in each wheel is fed to the processors of each wheel for data processing and the data is transmitted by the transmitter in each wheel to a receiver and data processor located outside of the wheels. The data processor is designed to analyze the received processed data from the modules, and to provide alerts based on stored information and by comparing the processed data from the first wheel with the processed data from the second wheel.

A pressure measurement device (1) comprising a housing (20) extending around an electronic card (30) provided with a pressure sensor (40); the housing (20) co-operating with a first face (31) of the electronic card (30) to define a first sealed volume (3); the housing (20) also co-operating with a second face (32) of the electronic card (30) that is opposite from the first face (31) to define a second sealed volume (4); the housing (20) including at least one first channel (24) putting the medium (5) outside the housing (20) into fluid flow communication with the first sealed volume (3); the electronic card (30) including at least one second channel (33) putting the first volume (3) into fluid flow communication with the second volume (4); and the connection between the housing (20) and the electronic card (30) being arranged to allow relative movement between the housing (20) and the electronic card.

Systems and methods for an energy harvester proximate to a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel are disclosed. In some embodiments, an energy harvester system includes: a substrate having a first surface configured to contact and interface with a surface of a wheel, and a second surface opposite the first surface; a piezoelectric component configured to produce energy in response to mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform while experiencing the mechanical strain so as to contact at least a portion of the second surface.

A device is disclosed, which includes: a charge portion with a plurality of piezoelectric elements embedded in a tire configured for a vehicle, a capacitor mechanically coupled to the tire and electrically coupled to the plurality of piezoelectric elements; a transmitter coil, mechanically coupled to the tire and electrically coupled to the capacitor through a discharge portion; wherein in response to an external radial pressure on the tire resulting from movement of the vehicle which causes a pressure on the plurality of piezoelectric elements, the plurality of piezoelectric elements produce an electrical charge on the capacitor, and wherein the discharge portion electrically connects the electrical charge on the capacitor to the transmitter coil to send electromagnetic power to the vehicle.

A first tire pressure sensor module is configured to provide information related to a pressure of a tire of a vehicle and comprises a pressure sensor configured to determine the information related to the pressure of the tire. The pressure module further includes a controller configured to selectively operate the tire pressure sensor module in an active state and in an inactive state, wherein an energy consumption of the tire pressure sensor module is lower in the inactive state than in the active state. The controller is further configured to control an output of the information related to the pressure of the tire in the active state, and operate the tire pressure sensor module in the inactive state based on determining that information related to a velocity of the tire indicates a velocity above a threshold.

A power generation device is provided. A weight may vibrate in one direction as an axial direction in response to an external vibration. A beam may be arranged in at least one side with respect to the weight in the axial direction of the weight, and vibrate together with the weight. A piezoelectric element may be mounted on the beam. A guide may include a hollow guiding a movement of the weight in the axial direction. A stopper may be included in the weight. The stopper may restrict an amount of the movement of the weight in the axial direction within a predetermined amount. A stopper wall may stop the movement of the weight in the axial direction by contacting with the stopper.

A system is provided for estimating a tread depth of a tire supporting a vehicle. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls that extend to a circumferential tread. The system includes a drive over reader, which includes a housing. At least one sensor is mounted in the housing to generate an image of the tire, which may be an image of the tire footprint or an image of the tread along a lateral line or section, and the tread depth is determined from the image. At least one piezoelectric actuator is mounted on the housing and is electrically connected to the at least one sensor to actuate the at least one sensor. A method for estimating a tread depth of a tire supporting a vehicle is also provided.