US 12,459,311 B2
Devices and methods for overloading protection of piezoelectric material mounted on wheels
Ryan Griswold, San Jose, CA (US); and Vibhu Vivek, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to TDK CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by TDK CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Oct. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/973,820.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/273,907, filed on Oct. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0133090 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. B60C 23/04 (2006.01); B60C 23/06 (2006.01); G01L 17/00 (2006.01); H10N 30/30 (2023.01); G01M 1/22 (2006.01)
CPC B60C 23/0486 (2013.01) [B60C 23/064 (2013.01); G01L 17/00 (2013.01); H10N 30/30 (2023.02); H10N 30/302 (2023.02); G01M 1/225 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor module mountable to a rim of a wheel, the sensor module comprising:
a first set of one or more piezoelectric sensors;
a first elastic support with the first set of one or more piezoelectric sensors coupled thereon, wherein the first set of one or more piezoelectric sensors are coupled to a first surface of the first elastic support; and
a base onto which the first elastic support is coupled, the base configured to mount to the rim of the wheel,
wherein the first elastic support extends from the base in an arc shape such that a second surface of the first elastic support contacts an inner surface of a tire while the sensor module and the tire are mounted to the rim of the wheel, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, and
wherein the first elastic support is configured to transfer mechanical strain from the tire to the set of piezoelectric sensors, the mechanical strain caused by deformation of the tire during operation of the wheel.