ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATION WITHIN A VEHICLE TIRE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for installation within a tire for a vehicle comprising:
- a flexible arm having first and second ends, wherein said first end is configured to be coupled to one of a rim upon which said tire is mounted and an inside tread surface of said tire, and said second end is configured to be in contact with the other of said rim and said inside tread surface; and
a power generating element coupled to said flexible arm for generating electrical energy, wherein said flexible arm deforms in response to a variability of distance between said rim and said inside tread surface during rolling movement of said tire and said power generating element generates said electrical energy in response to deformation of said flexible arm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for installation within a tire for a vehicle includes a flexible arm and a power generating element coupled to the flexible arm for generating electrical energy. One end of the flexible arm is coupled to a rim of the tire. The opposing end of the flexible arm is configured to be in contact with the inside tread surface of the tire. The flexible arm is capable of deformation in response to a variability of distance between the rim and the inside tread surface during rolling movement of the tire, and the power generating element generates the electrical energy in response to deformation of the flexible arm. The apparatus may be combined with a tire pressure sensor module as a system so as to provide electrical energy for powering the tire pressure sensor module.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for installation within a tire for a vehicle comprising:
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a flexible arm having first and second ends, wherein said first end is configured to be coupled to one of a rim upon which said tire is mounted and an inside tread surface of said tire, and said second end is configured to be in contact with the other of said rim and said inside tread surface; and a power generating element coupled to said flexible arm for generating electrical energy, wherein said flexible arm deforms in response to a variability of distance between said rim and said inside tread surface during rolling movement of said tire and said power generating element generates said electrical energy in response to deformation of said flexible arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for installation inside a tire of a vehicle comprising:
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a tire pressure sensor module for monitoring an air pressure in said tire; and a power generation apparatus comprising; a flexible arm haying first and second ends, said first end being coupled to one of a rim upon which said tire is mounted and an inside tread surface of said tire, said second end being in contact with the other of said rim and said inside tread surface; and a power generating element coupled to said flexible arm for generating electrical energy, said power generating element being in electrical communication with said tire pressure sensor module, wherein said flexible arm deforms in response to a variability of distance between said rim and said inside tread surface during rolling movement of said tire, said power generating element generates said electrical energy in response to deformation of said flexible arm, and said power generating element provides said electrical energy to said tire pressure sensor module. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for generating electrical energy within a tire of a vehicle comprising:
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coupling an apparatus to a rim upon which said tire is mounted, said apparatus including a flexible arm and a power generating element coupled to said flexible arm, said flexible arm having first and second ends, wherein said coupling mechanically couples said first end of said flexible arm to said rim and said second end of said flexible arm is in contact with an inside tread surface of said tire; and rotating said tire on a surface, wherein said flexible arm deforms in response to a variability of distance between said rim and said inside tread surface during rolling movement of said tire and said power generating element generates said electrical energy in response to deformation of said flexible arm. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification