A method and system for measuring a load on a tire while the vehicle traveling that include a microprocessor, a tire pressure sensor that is fixed to the tire, and an electromechanical sensor that is fixed to a point on the tire. The electromechanical sensor generates a beginning signal when the point begins to be part of the flat tire contact patch of the tire with the ground, and an ending signal when this point ceases to be part of the patch. The microprocessor calculates the patch contact time period, calculates the flat tire contact patch length from the radius of the tire and the ratio between the patch contact time period and the complete tire rotation period, and calculates the load on the tire from the tire pressure as measured by the pressure sensor and the length of the flat tire contact patch.

Systems and methods for smart wheel implementations are disclosed. In some embodiments, a smart wheel system includes: a first plurality of modules attached to a circumferential surface of a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the first plurality of modules includes: at least one energy harvesting (EH) module comprising at least one EH component configured to convert a force acting on the at least one EH device into at least one electrical signals; and at least one electronic module, wherein the at least one EH module and the at least one electronic module are each electrically coupled to an electrical interface coupled to the wheel.

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 plurality of energy harvesting components configured to be coupled to a rotatable component in a ring formation along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein each of the plurality of energy harvesting components includes: a substrate configured to be attached to a surface of the rotatable component; a piezoelectric component coupled to a surface of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform in response to a mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component as the rotatable component rotates and generate an electric signal; and an interconnect coupled to the piezoelectric components and configured to conduct the electric signal from the piezoelectric components to a device coupled to the rotatable component.

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.

The present invention relates to a vehicle tyre comprising a piezoelectric device, wherein the piezoelectric device comprises a layer of a piezoelectric polymer having first and second opposing sides, and a first and a second layer of conductive rubber provided adjacent to the first and second opposing sides of the layer of piezoelectric polymer.

Provided is an apparatus for generating direct current using continuous polarization change of piezoelectric materials. For example, a piezoelectric direct current generator includes a first electrode, a polarized piezoelectric material layer disposed on a first surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on a surface opposite to the first electrode and coupled to move along the piezoelectric material layer while pressing the piezoelectric material layer.

A tire module and cover for attachment to a pneumatic tire for vehicles is disclosed. The tire module has a device for measuring and/or monitoring the air pressure in the tire, a transmitter, a mechanical-electrical transducer, and an accumulator for electrical energy storage. The cover includes a flange which extends outwardly away from the tire module and has an underside for attachment to the inner side of the tire, said flange forming the edge of the interior space of the cover. The inner height of the cover may be less than or equal to the height of the tire module measured from the underside to the top side thereof. The flange has an inwardly directed projection which engages beneath the tire module. The underside of the tire module is higher up in the region of the flange projection as compared to a central underside region.

A tire device includes a vibration power generating element, a signal processing unit, and a transmitter. The vibration power generating element is arranged inside a tire and outputs a voltage corresponding to a time variation of a vibration generated in a tread of the tire. The signal processing unit is disposed inside the tire and performs signal processing on the voltage outputted from the vibration power generating element. The transmitter is arranged inside the tire and sends data subjected to the signal processing in the signal processing unit to a device provided outside the tire. The signal processing unit and the transmitter are driven by power generated in the vibration power generating element.

A conductive terminal structure for a piezoelectric device used as part of a tire mountable apparatus is provided. Unlike known electrical connection structures which include a plurality of conductive terminals that are all exposed through a single insulating layer of the piezoelectric device, such as a top layer of the piezoelectric device, the electrical connection structure can be arranged in a one up, one down configuration. In this configuration, at least one conductive terminal is exposed through a top insulating layer of the piezoelectric device. In addition, at least one conductive terminal of a piezoelectric component is exposed through a bottom insulating layer of the piezoelectric device. The electrical connection structure can be used in combination with a connector assembly design to preserve the integrity of the electrical connection between the electrical and mechanical connection structure and a printed circuit board.

An apparatus and method for monitoring parameters of a tire using a piezoelectric device is provided. The piezoelectric device is mounted as part of a tire mountable apparatus with a circumferential orientation in a tire such that that the direction defined by length of the piezoelectric device is generally aligned with the direction of rotation of the tire. This can lead to increased coupling of the piezoelectric device to changing circumferential tire shape as the piezoelectric device enters and exits the contact patch of the tire while at the same time reducing the coupling of the piezoelectric device to changing lateral tire shape. Contact patch entry and exit times from piezoelectric signals generated by the piezoelectric device can be more readily identified, leading to increased accuracy of tire parameters determined from the contact patch entry and exit times, such as tire revolution count, tire speed, and contact patch angle.