Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for protecting tire electronics from electrical discharge damage during a tire inspection procedure. Aspects of different embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate to various techniques for providing protection from high-voltage discharge for tire electronics devices. Exemplary techniques disclosed correspond to methodologies for preventing contact with a high-voltage source, controlling conditions produced by contact with high-voltage sources, or nullifying effects of contact with high-voltage sources.

Abstract: A bridge patch for use with a tire is provided. The bridge patch modifies the magnitude, orientation, or both of the mechanical forces, and particularly the stress-strain relationship, imparted by the inner liner of a tire in order to obtain the desired stress-strain relationship for operating an electromechanical transducer element attached to the bridge patch. The bridge patch includes at least one pad configured for attachment to the inner liner of the tire, and a bridge member attached to the pad and separated from contact with the tire. In certain embodiments, bridge patch includes a bridge member that is arch-shaped and is connected to two pads, one each located on the ends of the bridge member.

Abstract: A strain-resistant electrical connection and a method of making the same is provided. A wire or other conductive lead is connected to a circuit in a manner that makes the connection more resistant to mechanical stresses such as movement or rotation of the lead relative to the circuit. A material is configured around the lead and near the point of connection to the circuit so as to create a region of decreasing flexibility or graduated stiffness near the point of connection. In certain embodiments, the lead may also be coiled or otherwise shaped to provide additional ability to withstand mechanical stresses. In other embodiments, additional elements may be provided to assist in controlling the stiffness near the connection point.

Abstract: A strain-resistant electrical connection and a method of making the same is provided. A wire or other conductive lead is connected to a circuit in a manner that makes the connection more resistant to mechanical stresses such as movement or rotation of the lead relative to the circuit. A material is configured around the lead and near the point of connection to the circuit so as to create a region of decreasing flexibility or graduated stiffness near the point of connection. In certain embodiments, the lead may also be coiled or otherwise shaped to provide additional ability to withstand mechanical stresses.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for mounting electrical and electronic components and devices for integration with a pneumatic tire includes a specially configured mounting patch for mounting at least one electronic device supported by a substrate. The mounting patch is preferably adapted for positioning on the inner liner of a pneumatic tire and is configured to decouple any mounted electronic device from tire related phenomena including mechanical stress, vibration, heat, and other adverse effects generated from rotational operation of the tire. Exemplary mounting patches include circular or rectangular platforms for supporting various electronic components and circular, rectangular or cross-shaped pillars coupling the base of the mounting patch to electronic device supporting platform. Selected of the electronic devices may be encapsulated by a potting material to facilitate effective attachment of the electronic devices to the tire patch.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for monitoring physical parameters in a given environment, such as in a tire or wheel assembly, includes an improved interface between sensor components. The sensor assembly includes a piezoelectric substrate on which resonator elements, such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators are provided. The resonators are configured to produce electrical output at predetermined resonator frequency ranges that can be monitored to determined such information as pressure and temperature to which such devices are subjected. A projection is formed on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate, which selectively interfaces with a recessed surface area in a flexible lid casing component. The lid casing component and a rigid base casing component combine to form an enclosed package for the sensor assembly. An antenna may be coupled to the sensor assembly to facilitate receipt and/or transmission of communicated signals.

Abstract: A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or more piezoelectric devices configured to generate electric charge therein upon being subjected to mechanical strains associated with flexure of tire or wheel components. The piezoelectric device may be incorporated in a variety of tire structures and in many different locations. In pneumatic tire structures, the piezoelectric device and related electronics may be embedded in crown or sidewall locations among such selected components as the exterior tread portion, first and second steel belts of a belt package, carcass, cap ply portion, inner liner, zone base, etc. The piezoelectric device with optional rubber casing may also be attached to such locations as the inner liner and tire exterior. Piezoelectric devices may also be integrated with a tire and safety support combination that is configured to operate in an extended mobility mode when the tire structure loses air pressure.

Abstract: An improved electronics assembly for integration with a tire structure includes an acoustic wave device such as a SAW sensor connected as a feedback element in an active amplifier and further coupled to an antenna element, thus forming an active transmitter configuration. Such a circuit configuration provides for the ability to actively transmit a combination of information from integrated tire electronics to a remote receiver location. The combination of information corresponds to the physical parameters sensed by the acoustic wave device as well as digital data superimposed on the RF signal emitted by the acoustic wave device by selectively switching the amplifier on and off. Optional integrated power sources configure the electronics assembly for operation as an actively transmitting device.

Abstract: A method of making a mounting patch for mounting an electronic assembly in the inner liner or a pneumatic tire includes the steps of providing a power source, embedding the power source into a quantity of uncured rubber, and curing the uncured rubber by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the uncured rubber such that the power source is secured in the rubber. The provided power source may correspond to one or more batteries. Additional components that may be incorporated with the mounting assembly may include at least one conductive element, which may also be embedded into the quantity of uncured rubber. An antenna may be configured with undulations to allow longitudinal stretching of the antenna and then also embedded into the quantity of uncured rubber. A preferably non-conductive adhesive layer may be applied to selected portion of the power source, conductive element, and/or the antenna before the step of embedding in the uncured rubber.

Abstract: A modular electronic assembly for integration with a pneumatic tire includes a mounting patch, a power source, and at least one electronic device supported by a substrate. The mounting patch is preferably adapted for positioning on the inner liner of a pneumatic tire, and the power source is at least partially embedded in the mounting patch. Such embedded positioning of the battery results in an overall structure with a lower center of gravity than previous tire electronics assemblies, thus having increased mechanical stability and survivability in a tire environment. Electronic device(s) supported on the substrate may receive power from the power source, which in some embodiments corresponds to one or more batteries. The substrate supporting the at least one electronic device may be attached to the mounting patch by a variety of fashions.