Inductive coupling of pulses from piezoelectric device
First Claim
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1. A method for supplying signals to an electronics module, comprising the steps of:
- providing an electronics module;
providing a motion sensitive piezoelectric element having output terminals;
providing a transmitter inductor having input terminals;
coupling the output terminals of the motion sensitive piezoelectric element to the input terminals of the transmitter inductor;
positioning the transmitter inductor proximate the electronics module, andcoupling a conversion circuit between the piezoelectric element and the transmitter inductor, wherein the conversion circuit is configured to convert pulses from the piezoelectric element into narrow width, high energy, pulses for application to the transmitter inductor;
whereby signals may be supplied by inductive coupling to the electronics module from the motion sensitive piezoelectric element.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methodology for inductively coupling tire rotations related signals to a tire electronics module associated with a tire are provided. The tire electronics module is configured to receive the tire rotation related signals through inductive transmission from a signal transmission module that includes at least a piezoelectric element and a transmitter inductor. The signal transmitter module and the tire electronics module may be physically separated from each other and may be separately or collectively encased in a protective coating.
31 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for supplying signals to an electronics module, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electronics module; providing a motion sensitive piezoelectric element having output terminals; providing a transmitter inductor having input terminals; coupling the output terminals of the motion sensitive piezoelectric element to the input terminals of the transmitter inductor; positioning the transmitter inductor proximate the electronics module, and coupling a conversion circuit between the piezoelectric element and the transmitter inductor, wherein the conversion circuit is configured to convert pulses from the piezoelectric element into narrow width, high energy, pulses for application to the transmitter inductor; whereby signals may be supplied by inductive coupling to the electronics module from the motion sensitive piezoelectric element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A tire electronics system, comprising:
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a tire electronics module including an electronics circuit coupled to a receiver inductor for signal transfer thereto; and a signal transmitter module including a piezoelectric element coupled to a transmitter inductor for signal transfer therefrom, the signal transmitter module comprising a conversion circuit between the piezoelectric element and the transmitter inductor, wherein the conversion circuit is configured to convert pulses from the piezoelectric element into narrow width, high energy, pulses for application to the transmitter inductor; wherein said tire electronics module and said signal transmitter module are positioned such that signals may be transferred inductively from the transmitter inductor of the signal transmitter module to the receiver inductor of the tire electronics module. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tire electronics system, comprising:
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a tire; a tire electronics module including an electronics circuit coupled to a receiver inductor for signal transfer thereto; and a signal transmitter module including a piezoelectric element coupled to a transmitter inductor for signal transfer therefrom, wherein said tire electronics module and said signal transmitter module are associated with said tire and positioned with respect to each other and said tire so that, upon rotation of said tire, signals may be produced by said piezoelectric element and transferred inductively from the transmitter inductor of the signal transmitter module to the receiver inductor of the tire electronics module; wherein the tire electronics module further includes a battery for supplying operating power to the electronics circuit within the tire electronics module and the electronics circuit is further configured to harvest energy from pulses generated by the piezoelectric element and received by the receiver inductor to recharge the battery. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification