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Integrated self-powered tire revolution counter
| Details |
Inventors: Tyndall, Patrick A.; O'Brien, George Phillips; Tedrow, Timothy R.;
Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. (CH)
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Hung
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning PA
A self-powered tire revolution counter includes a motion sensitive power generation mechanism, a power conditioner, a pulse detector, a microcontroller, and, optionally, a radio frequency (RF) transmitting device. In one exemplary embodiment, the power generation mechanism corresponds to a piezoelectric patch that, during movement, provides both operating electrical power and pulsed signals indicative of tire rotation. The power conditioner receives a generator signal from the power generation mechanism and produces a conditioned output voltage that can be used to power associated electronic devices, including the microcontroller. The pulse detector receives the generator signal and produces a detection signal whenever the generator signal meets a predetermined condition. The microcontroller is programmed to determine current and lifetime-accumulated values of selected pulse indications in the detection signal that meet predetermined criteria. Data corresponding to tire environment related parameters such as temperature, pressure, tire deflection, and/or vehicle speed may be stored in the microcontroller at times during tire rotation as power is supplied from the power generation mechanism through the power conditioner. Additional data may be supplied to the microcontroller directly from an external source and read from the microcontroller either by direct electrical contact or via selective RF transmission. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION In view of the recognized features encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present subject matter, an improved system and method for counting tire revolutions has been developed.
Piezoelectric technology is utilized to convert mechanical strains associated with tire flexure to electric charge that is then utilized to operate associated electronics, such as a microcontroller and/or RF transmitter.
The piezoelectric output signal is also analyzed in accordance with the disclosed technology to determine a revolution count for the associated tire.
Various features and aspects of the subject tire electronics system and power generating device offer a plurality of advantages.
The disclosed technology provides for a self-powered tire revolution counter that is an integral component of a given tire.
As such, the ability to maintain a substantially accurate lifetime revolution count for a tire is facilitated since the same revolution counter can be utilized regardless of whether the tire is moved to a different wheel position or different vehicle, or if the tire has been recapped after an initial period of usage.
Yet another advantage of certain embodiments of the present subject matter is that an integrated tire revolution counter is provided with self-powering features.
A piezoelectric power generation component can provide a self-powered electronics system that is not dependent on replacement of batteries.
Although batteries and battery-operated devices may still be incorporated with aspects of the present subject matter, many complications regarding tire electronics that are solely powered by batteries are obviated in accordance with the disclosed technology.
The disclosed piezoelectric technology provides additional advantages over still further known methods for providing power including the possibility of employing the disclosed piezoelectric devices to supply charge to associated batteries.
One particular aspect of certain embodiments of the present technology relates to methodology for analyzing signals generated by the piezoelectric structure to accurately count tire rotations
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