Sumitomo introduces tire wear detection technology based on energy harvester

Sumitomo Rubber Industries is collaborating with Professor Hiroshi Tanii from Kansai University in Japan to develop an innovative energy-harvesting device that uses the rotation of a tire to generate electricity, which can then be used to power peripheral sensors installed in and around the tire, eliminating the need for batteries. The tire manufacturer has successfully developed methods to measure tire wear and contact patch using these energy-harvesting devices.

This achievement enables the calculation of the tire's contact patch length and rotation cycle in addition to the device's voltage levels, based on the voltage waveform data obtained from each energy harvester as the tire rotates during contact with the road. The results of these calculations can be extrapolated to estimate the level of tire wear.

Sumitomo has also developed a method to measure the tire's contact area with the road, which involves installing multiple miniature energy harvesters within each tire to obtain contact area data in the width direction. In addition to enabling the use of these new technologies in various applications to address tire-related issues, they will provide valuable data that can be used in the development of tires in the future.