Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Self-Supplied Tyre Sensing Applications

This paper describes the results of a study aiming at powering tyre pressure monitoring systems with tyre deformation during motion by exploiting flexible piezoelectric transducers. For this purpose, an energy harvesting system composed of a commercial macro fiber composite piezoelectric transducer and a dedicated micropower management circuit was developed and tested in realistic conditions. Measurements performed inside tyres with the support a drum test machine and a custom wireless telemetry circuit show power levels in the order of 2 mW at 40 km/h and sustainable operation of a commercial Bluetooth tyre pressure and temperature sensor. The miniature power management circuitry is implemented in a standard PCB technology in a 3 cm2 area, and has a thickness of few mm.