Rotary TENG based pressure sensor

Abstract

Maintaining optimal tire pressure is critical for ensuring vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, tire lifespan, and handling performance. Traditional Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), while widely adopted, typically depend on battery-powered electronic sensors placed inside the tires (direct TPMS) or on ABS systems and wheel speed sensors (indirect TPMS). These methods face challenges such as sensor battery depletion, system complexity, cost of integration, and sensitivity to vehicle dynamics. Addressing these limitations, this thesis proposes a novel passive TPMS based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator technology, which operates without external power sources. The designed system utilizes a rotary TENG comprising a rotor-stator configuration. The rotor is embedded with PTFE-based flexible flaps, while the stator includes conductive electrodes over Kapton film. As the wheel rotates, contact-separation motion between the rotor flaps and stator surface induces triboelectric charges, producing a measurable alternating electrical signal. Importantly, the rotational speed (RPM) of the wheel is influenced by changes in tire pressure due to variations in the rolling radius.