Resin takes pressure off tyre monitoring system

Electrolube is supplying Schrader Electronics with a highly innovative potting resin for use in its multipatented Smart Valve remote tyre pressure monitoring system.

Electrolube is supplying Schrader Electronics with a highly innovative potting resin for use in its multipatented Smart Valve remote tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Using RF to inform a vehicle's operator of tyre pressures, Smart Valve is the first device of its kind and is set to become a standard safety feature in new vehicles worldwide.

Electrolube has been working with Northern Ireland-based Schrader for over ten years, developing resins suitable for potting the sensitive electronics developed for use in TPMS devices.

The new remote device uses an RF signal to regularly transmit data from valve-mounted pressure sensors to an onboard central receiver and to the car's instrument panel.

In an application that involves RF, the potting resin used is vital, as its electrical characteristics must not affect a circuit and change the frequency of the signals.

This is one of the key criteria that Electrolube has worked towards overcoming.

Developing the resin presented Electrolube with a unique set of challenges, with requirements including protecting the circuit from vibration, temperature extremes and adverse conditions.

The resin's cure time also needs to be very quick in order to facilitate high volume production requirements for the mass market: with 64 million automobiles produced worldwide annually, the potential scale of production is huge.

The potting compound also has to cope with extremely demanding thermal cycling tests on the sensor - it has to be flexible enough to prevent damage to ferrites, but of sufficiently high modulus to restrain the long-life battery, which is guaranteed for ten years or 150,000 miles.

Incorrect tyre pressure affects the balance of a vehicle, not only influencing its performance but also increasing the possibility of an accident.

Smart Valve detects tyre deflation automatically and ensures that a driver is constantly aware of tyre pressure, eliminating the need for frequent manual checking.

It consists of one pressure sensor, or transmitter, on each tyre valve and one detector in each wheel well.

The sensors can detect changes in pressure of as little as 1% and weigh only 34g (25% more than standard tyre valves).

Founded 14 years ago, Schrader's parent company invented the original tyre valve, and the company is the market leader in the TPMS field.

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