Battery-and wire-less tire pressure measurement systems (TPMS) sensor

This paper focuses on the design and development of a tire pressure measurement systems (TPMS) sensor powered by on-the-go piezoelectric energy harvesting. The prime research motivation was to achieve replacement of a limited capacity power source such as a battery with an on-the-go power generation method in order to enhance TPMS lifespan and simplify the design, with the former having greater priority. Very low cost and highly flexible piezoceramic (PZT) bender elements are used to generate power inside the automobile wheel assembly thereby replacing the battery and eliminating the need for a motion sensing mechanism and/or circuitry since PZT harvesters only produce power during wheel rotation. A fully operational sensor configuration which proves the feasibility of PZT based energy harvesting as a substitute for a permanent power source is discussed in detail.