Abstract: According to one aspect, an electric toothbrush may include a handle, a brush head, a rechargeable battery, an electric motor, and a pair of electrical contacts. The handle may have a first end region and a second end region defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the handle defining a volume from the first end region to the second end region. The brush head may include bristles, the brush head releasably securable to the first end region of the handle. The rechargeable battery may be in the volume. The electric motor may be at least partially disposed in the volume, the electric motor in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery, the electric motor in mechanical communication with the brush head. The pair of electrical contacts may be in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery, and the pair of electrical contacts axially and radially spaced from one another, relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tire and membrane system includes a tire, an electronics package, and a membrane body attached to the electronics package. A width of the membrane body is less than 120% of a width of a tread of the tire. A length of the membrane body is less than 50% of a circumference of the tire. A bottom surface of the membrane body is configured to lie flat against an inner surface of the tire. The membrane body is not attached to the tire.

Abstract: A tire and membrane system includes a tire, an electronics package, and a membrane body attached to the electronics package. A width of the membrane body is less than 120% of a width of a tread of the tire. A length of the membrane body is less than 50% of a circumference of the tire. A bottom surface of the membrane body is configured to lie flat against an inner surface of the tire. The membrane body is not attached to the tire.

Abstract: A tire and securing element assembly includes a tire inflated at a first pressure and a securing element. The securing element is an inflatable hoop inflated at a second pressure at least 10% greater than the first pressure. The securing element abuts an inner surface of the tire across 30-90% of a tread width. The securing element has a cross sectional area between about 0.4 and 47.0 cm2.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread. The embodiments also include an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition.

Abstract: A radar-based-sensing system for a tire includes a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus, and each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.

Abstract: A radar-based-sensing system for a tire includes a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus, and each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.

Abstract: A radar-based-sensing system for a tire includes a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition. Certain embodiments also relate to tires or tire retreads containing the electronic communication module. In addition, certain embodiments relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rubber coating for an electronic communication module, the coating comprising 100 phr of at least one diene-based elastomer, and at least one nano-sized inorganic material having a dielectric constant of at least 9 and a loss tangent of less than 0.1, wherein the coating when cured has a dielectric constant of at least 4.5 and a loss tangent of less than 0.01. Also disclosed are an electronic communication module comprising a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by the rubber coating (i.e., a rubber composition of specified composition), tires or tire retreads incorporating the electronic communication module, and methods for increasing the dielectric constant of a rubber coating without increasing its loss tangent.

Abstract: A tire includes a plurality of tire components defining a plurality of layers. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is disposed between at least two of the plurality of layers. The RFID tag is in contact with each of the at least two layers and is configured to transmit a response signal in response to receiving a request signal. When no air is in a region surrounding the RFID tag, a first response signal is emitted from the tire at a first frequency and first power. However, when air is in the region surrounding the RFID tag, a second response signal is emitted from the tire at the first frequency and a second power different from the first power.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an object within a tire includes a ply having a first side for mounting against an innerliner of the tire and a pedestal extending upwards from a second side of the ply. The pedestal has a recessed planar top surface, with an elongated front cavity, an elongated rear cavity, and a substantially cylindrical central cavity disposed therein. The substantially cylindrical cavity is defined by an internal sidewall. The internal sidewall includes mating structure selected from the group consisting of threads and a plurality of downwardly extending slots.

Abstract: A tire and securing element assembly includes a tire inflated at a first pressure and a securing element. The securing element is an inflatable hoop inflated at a second pressure at least 10% greater than the first pressure. The securing element abuts an inner surface of the tire across 30-90% of a tread width. The securing element has a cross sectional area between about 0.4 and 47.0 cm2.

Abstract: An inflatable electronics band for use in a tire features an annular, flexible, inflatable, tubular body configured to contact an inner portion of a tire opposite the tread surface, such as an innerliner. The inflatable electronics band further features an inflation valve, disposed on the tubular body. The tubular body is configured to inflate to a pressure at least 10% greater than the recommended tire inflation pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rubber coating for an electronic communication module, the coating comprising 100 phr of at least one diene-based elastomer, and at least one nano-sized inorganic material having a dielectric constant of at least 9 and a loss tangent of less than 0.1, wherein the coating when cured has a dielectric constant of at least 4.5 and a loss tangent of less than 0.01. Also disclosed are an electronic communication module comprising a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by the rubber coating (i.e., a rubber composition of specified composition), tires or tire retreads incorporating the electronic communication module, and methods for increasing the dielectric constant of a rubber coating without increasing its loss tangent.

Abstract: A tire or tire tread features a helical, metallic RFID tag antenna, configured to provide an operable frequency response between 900 and 930 MHz upon receiving 100 electromagnetic waves having a power between 12 and 24 dBm. The helical, metallic RFID tag antenna is disposed within the at least one tread feature and has a wear rate commensurate with a wear rate of the at least one tread feature. The response(s) from the helical, metallic RFID tag antenna are used to track tread wear.

Abstract: Electrical system may be configured to operate inside a tire mounted to a wheel. Electrical system may include a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices including a gas flow energy receiver mechanically coupled to at least one base. Each gas flow energy receiver may be operatively coupled to at least one generator. Generator may be configured to convert gas flow energy to electrical energy. Generator may be configured to direct the electrical energy to an electrical output. The electrical system may include a support feature. The support feature may be configured to mount the at least one base of the plurality of MEMS devices to one or more of an inner surface of the tire or an inner surface of the wheel. The plurality of MEMS devices may be mounted effective to place the gas flow energy receivers in a gas flow space of the tire mounted to the wheel.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition. Certain embodiments also relate to tires or tire retreads containing the electronic communication module. In addition, certain embodiments relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition. Certain embodiments also relate to tires or tire retreads containing the electronic communication module. In addition, certain embodiments relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread.