Bridge patch for electromechanical transducer elements in tire assemblies

• US 20060006728A1
• Filed: 07/09/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Sinnett, Jay C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,353,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/5.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre

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.

Claims

1. A tire assembly, comprising:

a tire having an inner liner;

a first pad and a second pad attached to said inner liner of said tire and separated from one another by a predetermined distance;

a bridge member having at least two ends, at least one end attached to said first pad, the other end attached to said second pad, said bridge member being separated from contact with said tire; and

an electromechanical transducer element attached to said bridge member and configured for converting mechanical energy from said tire into electrical energy, wherein said bridge member is configured with said first and second pads so as to control the mechanical energy imparted to said electromechanical transducer element as a result of the deformation of said inner liner during operation of said tire.

2. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a third pad attached to the inner liner of said tire and located between said first pad and said second pad; and

at least one connecting element attaching said third pad to said bridge member.

3. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ends of said bridge member are cylindrically-shaped in order to reduce stress concentrations during operation of said tire.

4. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an electrical circuit located upon said bridge member and electrically connected to said electromechanical transducer element.

5. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said electrical circuit and said electromechanical transducer are located between said bridge member and said inner liner.

6. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first pad and said second pad are arch-shaped.

7. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bridge member has at least one support rail located thereon for increasing the stiffness of said bridge member.

8. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bridge member is arched towards said inner liner of said tire between said first pad and said second pad.

9. The tire assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bridge member is arched away from said inner liner of said tire between said first pad and said second pad.

10. A bridge patch assembly for use with a tire having an inner liner, comprising:

at least one pad configured for placement upon the inner liner of the tire;

a bridge member attached to the pad and configured to be separated from contact with the tire when said at least one pad is attached to the tire; and

an electromechanical transducer element located upon said bridge member and configured for converting mechanical energy from deformation of the tire into electrical energy.

11. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said at least one pad comprises a single pad to which said bridge member is attached.

12. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

a tire having an inner liner;

wherein said single pad is attached to said inner liner so as form a chamber having an interior space defined by said bridge member, said single pad, and said inner liner of said tire.

13. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 12, wherein said interior space is fluidly sealed.

14. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 12, wherein said single pad defines an aperture that provides fluid communication to said interior space.

15. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said bridge member is substantially flat.

16. The bridge patch is set forth in claim 10, wherein said bridge member is arch-shaped.

17. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 10, wherein

said at least one pad further comprises a first pad, a second pad, and a third pad, where said second pad is located substantially between said first pad and said third pad;

said bridge member being attached to said first pad and said second pad;

at least one connecting element attaching said second pad to said bridge member so as to further constrain the movement of said bridge member during use of the bridge patch with the tire.

18. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said bridge member further comprises at least one end that is cylindrically-shaped and is attached to said at least one pad.

19. The bridge patch as set forth in claim 10, wherein said bridge member has at least one support rail located thereon for increasing the stiffness of said bridge member.

20. A method of obtaining a desired stress-strain relationship on an electromechanical transducer element, comprising the steps of:

providing a tire having a pair of pads located on the inner liner of the tire;

bridging the pads with a badge member such that the bridge member is separated from contact with the inner liner of the tire; and

attaching an electromechanical transducer element to the bridge member.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of sizing the thickness of the bridge member in order to provide the desired stress-strain relationship on the electromechanical transducer element during tire operation.

22. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of sizing the width of the bridge member in order to provide the desired stress-strain relationship on the electromechanical transducer element during tire operation.

23. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of spacing the bridge member from the inner liner of the tire in order to provide the desired stress-strain relationship on the electromechanical transducer element during tire operation.

24. The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of selecting a material for said bridge member such that said material has a modulus of elasticity that contributes to creating the desired stress-strain relationship on the electromechanical transducer element during tire operation.