Piezoelectric triggering mechanism
First Claim
1. A piezoelectric triggering mechanism, comprising:
- a pneumatic tire structure characterized by a crown having a tread portion for making contact with a ground surface; and
a piezoelectric element configured to crack or break upon being subjected to a sufficient amount of mechanical force, said piezoelectric element generating a burst of electromagnetic energy upon cracking or breaking; and
a modulation circuit coupled to said piezoelectric element and configured to receive electromagnetic energy from said piezoelectric element and to radiate a triggering signal therefrom when the energy level output by the piezoelectric element exceeds normal levels characteristic of mere deformation of the piezoelectric elementwherein said piezoelectric element is integrated at a select location relative to said pneumatic tire structure such that excess deflection of said pneumatic tire structure results in the cracking or breaking of said piezoelectric element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A piezoelectric triggering mechanism (10) includes a piezoelectric element (12), such as the transducer of a SAW device, that is configured to crack or break upon being subjected to excessive levels of mechanical force or other triggering mechanisms, thus generating a burst of electromagnetic energy. The large impulse of energy can then be conditioned (14) through resonant circuits or antennas and modulated (16) with an identification pattern through appropriate structures (such as SAW electrodes) to send a breakage indication signal to a remote receiver (18). Piezoelectric elements (12) may be integrated with a pneumatic tire structure to provide indication upon pressure loss or tire failure. Piezoelectric elements (12) may also be integrated with safety support features of some tire structures to provide indication of tire operation in a run-flat mode of operation. Related aspects of the present piezoelectric triggering technology employ a piezoelectric element (12) in a trigger detection method, which may involve detection of such occurrences as breach of security via opening of a sealed access structure or breakage of a glass panel, deployment of an airbag, loss of pressure or excess deflection in a tire, presence of smoke in a given location, and other rupture and sensor applications.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A piezoelectric triggering mechanism, comprising:
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a pneumatic tire structure characterized by a crown having a tread portion for making contact with a ground surface; and a piezoelectric element configured to crack or break upon being subjected to a sufficient amount of mechanical force, said piezoelectric element generating a burst of electromagnetic energy upon cracking or breaking; and a modulation circuit coupled to said piezoelectric element and configured to receive electromagnetic energy from said piezoelectric element and to radiate a triggering signal therefrom when the energy level output by the piezoelectric element exceeds normal levels characteristic of mere deformation of the piezoelectric element wherein said piezoelectric element is integrated at a select location relative to said pneumatic tire structure such that excess deflection of said pneumatic tire structure results in the cracking or breaking of said piezoelectric element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18)
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14. A method of detecting a triggered event, comprising the steps of:
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providing a piezoelectric element configured to crack or break upon being subjected to a sufficient amount of mechanical force, said piezoelectric element configured to generate a burst of electromagnetic breaking; providing a modulation element coupled to said piezoelectric element and configured to receive the burst of electromagnetic energy and to radiate a breakage indication signal therefrom when the energy level output by the piezoelectric element exceeds normal levels characteristic of mere deformation of the piezoelectric element; providing a remote receiver for detecting transmission of the breakage indication signal when the piezoelectric element cracks or breaks; and locating the piezoelectric element at a select location relative to a pneumatic tire structure such that excess deflection of the pneumatic tire structure results in the cracking or breaking of said piezoelectric element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification