Achievement of Stable Power Supply Over Wide Speed Range by Advancing “Tire Internal Power Generation Technology” ～Accelerating Efforts for Practical Application in Collaboration With Kansai University～
Oct. 11. 2023
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. in collaboration with Professor Hiroshi Tani of Kansai University, is developing a technology that can generate electric power from the rotation of a tire by attaching a power generating device (energy harvester*1) inside a tire to harness the static electricity that is generated within a tire during rotation. By combining two types of power generating devices, we have succeeded in generating stable electric power over a wide speed range and confirmed the operation of TPMS*2 that is installed in the tire. We will continue to support driver safety by further accelerating the development of Tire Internal Power Generation Technology to enable stable operation of various digital tools.
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| Two types of power generating devices installed in the tire |
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| Power generation mechanism |
In our development so far, we have succeeded in generating power at low speeds by utilizing the tension caused by changes in tire strain (power generating device A) *3. In the current development, we have succeeded in generating a considerable amount of power even at high speeds by effectively arranging a power generating device that utilizes the centrifugal force caused by changes in acceleration (power generating device B). By connecting two types of friction power generating devices with different power generation mechanisms in parallel, stable power can be obtained over a wide speed range, and experiments with actual vehicles have confirmed the stable activation of TPMS in low and high speed ranges.
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| Image of power generation by power generating devices |
The Sumitomo Rubber Group is actively engaged in wide-ranging research and development as part of our SMART TYRE CONCEPT, a forward-thinking concept for the development of new technologies for tires and peripheral services, through which we aim to better respond to the needs of CASE, MaaS and other major new innovations that are already transforming the automotive industry.
We believe that this Tire Internal Power Generation Technology is a solution to the most critical problem in tire sensing, which is the battery life of the sensor device, and that its realization will greatly advance the practical application of tire sensing.
This achievement was made possible by a grant from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
The Sumitomo Rubber Group will continue working to provide our own unique value as we strive to contribute to the realization of a safer Mobility Society for greater overall peace of mind, all based on our concept slogan of “Tires—Connecting with Vehicles, Connecting with People, Connecting with Society.”
※1 Energy harvesting is a technology that captures, collects and harnesses ambient energy, which is a catchall term for light, vibration, heat and other forms of energy that are present in minute quantities all around us. Ambient energy usually goes to waste if not harvested.
※2 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
※3 Power generation of at least 800 μW was confirmed at 50 km/h (tire speed).