A pump (1) for housing within a tyre, the pump (1) comprising: a fluid chamber comprising an inlet (4) operatively connectable to the environment and an outlet (6) operatively connectable to a tyre cavity; wherein the fluid chamber is compressible and is configurable to expel air into a tyre cavity via the outlet during compression of the fluid chamber and draw air in from the environment via the inlet during expansion of the fluid chamber; an actuation member configurable to extend through the tread of a tyre for contacting a road surface during use; the actuation member comprising a plate (18) configured to compress the fluid chamber; wherein the actuation member is configured to move between a first position, in which the fluid chamber is expanded, and a second position, in which the fluid chamber is compressed by the plate (18); and the pump (1) is configurable such that, in use, a part of the actuation member is in fluid communication with the tyre cavity and fluid pressure contributes to a first force on the actuation member towards the second position; the pump (1) further comprising: a return (12) arranged to urge the actuation member towards the first position; wherein the fluid chamber and/or return (12) are configured to contribute to a second force acting on the actuation member towards the first position.

Provided is a tire assembly includes a tire, a power generating body disposed inside the tire, and an electronic device that receives supply of power that is output from the power generating body. The power generating body includes a first insulating film, a second insulating film, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first insulating film has a first surface. The second insulating film has a second surface. The first and second electrodes have conductivity. The power generating body is configured such that a true area of contact between the first surface and the second surface changes according to deformation of the tire.

The present invention provides a tire pressure regulation system for use in a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle to continuously maintain a predetermined optimum pressure by automatically inflating or deflating the tire as needed. The system employs one or more actuators, an air pump pneumatically coupled to the tire and a motion reversal device coupling the actuator and the piston of the pump. The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction. The springs are attached to the handle of the piston at one end and the body of the pump at the other end to provide the appropriate tension to maintain the optimum pressure in the tire. When the tire pressure is low the pump piston is pulled out. The piston pumps air into the tire when the pulled out pump piston is pressed against the road while the vehicle is in motion. A separate rod coupling the piston handle and a valve in the tire is also provided to deflate the tire when the tire pressure is higher than a predetermined high pressure value.

Provided is a tire assembly includes a tire, a power generating body disposed inside the tire, and an electronic device that receives supply of power that is output from the power generating body. The power generating body includes a first insulating film, a second insulating film, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first insulating film has a first surface. The second insulating film has a second surface. The first and second electrodes have conductivity. The power generating body is configured such that a true area of contact between the first surface and the second surface changes according to deformation of the tire.

The present invention provides a tire pressure regulation system for use in a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle to continuously maintain a predetermined optimum pressure by automatically inflating or deflating the tire as needed. The system employs one or more actuators, an air pump pneumatically coupled to the tire and a motion reversal device coupling the actuator and the piston of the pump. The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction. The springs are attached to the handle of the piston at one end and the body of the pump at the other end to provide the appropriate tension to maintain the optimum pressure in the tire. When the tire pressure is low the pump piston is pulled out. The piston pumps air into the tire when the pulled out pump piston is pressed against the road while the vehicle is in motion. A separate rod coupling the piston handle and a valve in the tire is also provided to deflate the tire when the tire pressure is higher than a predetermined high pressure value.

Air-motion powered devices may be used to automatically maintain a target tire inflation pressure or to equip vehicle wheels with additional functionality. One illustrative device embodiment is an air compressor that attaches to the wheel of a vehicle, moving with the wheel as the wheel rotates. An action member extends from the compressor body to be acted upon by air through which the vehicle moves, the air causing motion of the action member relative to the compressor body to power the air compressor. Another illustrative device embodiment is an energy harvester that attaches to the wheel of a vehicle to move with the wheel as the wheel rotates. An action member attached to the base of the energy harvester is acted upon by air through which the vehicle moves, causing motion of the action member relative to the base to generate electrical power for sensors, lights, or other transducers.

Air-motion powered devices may be used to automatically maintain a target tire inflation pressure or to equip vehicle wheels with additional functionality. One illustrative device embodiment is an air compressor that attaches to the wheel of a vehicle, moving with the wheel as the wheel rotates. An action member extends from the compressor body to be acted upon by air through which the vehicle moves, the air causing motion of the action member relative to the compressor body to power the air compressor. Another illustrative device embodiment is an energy harvester that attaches to the wheel of a vehicle to move with the wheel as the wheel rotates. An action member attached to the base of the energy harvester is acted upon by air through which the vehicle moves, causing motion of the action member relative to the base to generate electrical power for sensors, lights, or other transducers.

A self-inflating pumping mechanism for tires or tubes is provided. Two arc-shaped lever arms connected through a hinge enclose a lumen/collapsible cavity below the hinge. The design provides great mechanical leverage, which is generated by the lever arms and exerted directly onto the lumen. This translates into higher pumping pressures, lower activation loads, better ride quality and lower energy consumption. The design has a lumen that is mechanically isolated from the inner tube or air pressure in the main cavity of the inner tube, avoiding the need to reinforce the lumen against the pressure of the tire. The lever arms and hinge carry the load directly above the lumen and transfer the load directly to the tire

Air-motion powered devices may be attached to vehicle wheels to harvest energy from the air through which the vehicle passes. One illustrative energy harvester embodiment includes a body that attaches to a wheel of a vehicle to move with the wheel as the wheel rotates. An action member attached to the body is acted upon by air through which the vehicle moves, causing the action member to move relative to the body. The motion of the action member optionally drives a generator to generate electrical power. An illustrative method embodiment which may be implemented by a wheel-attached energy harvester includes: receiving with the action member an aerodynamic force from air through which the vehicle moves; deriving from the aerodynamic force motion of the action member relative to the body; and converting said motion into electrical power. The electrical power may be supplied to sensors, lights, or motors.

Air-drag powered devices are provided for automatically maintaining a target inflation pressure or for equipping vehicle wheels with additional functionality. One illustrative device embodiment is an air compressor that attaches to the wheel of a vehicle to turn with the wheel as the vehicle moves. A drag member extends from the body of the air compressor to alternately present opposing surfaces to the air through which the vehicle passes. The air drag on the member thus creates an alternating drag force that powers the air compressor. Another illustrative device embodiment is an energy harvester that attaches to the wheel of a vehicle to turn with the wheel as the vehicle moves. A drag member attached to the base of the energy harvester presents alternating surfaces to the air through which the vehicle passes to derive a reciprocating motion suitable for generating electricity usable for powering wheel-mounted sensors or lights.