A method, system and computer software product for fast meshing of complex tire patterns

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of tire simulation design, and particularly to a method, a system and a computer software product for quickly dividing a complex tire tread grid. The method includes: dividing a planar graph of the tire tread into grids, and dividing the tread area into quadrilateral or triangular elements; drawing contour curves according to the tire tread contour, including the tread curve, the bottom curve of the tread groove and the bottom curve of the tread; generating node and element information of the planar graph, and projecting the planar nodes onto the tread curve to construct three-dimensional node coordinates; projecting the tread nodes into the interior of the tread, and generating internal nodes by using the intersection points of the node normal vectors and the contour curves; finally generating a three-dimensional element structure, thereby forming a three-dimensional grid division. Compared with the traditional method, the present invention does not rely on three-dimensional modeling, can significantly improve the grid division efficiency, reduce the calculation cost, and is applicable to the accurate simulation analysis of complex tire treads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of tire simulation design, and particularly to a method, a system, and a computer software product for quickly dividing the complex pattern grid of a tire. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of tire performance requirements, especially the increasing demands in aspects such as driving safety, durability, and comfort, finite element analysis (FEA) has become a key tool for evaluating tire designs. The complex pattern design of tires has an important impact on performance such as grip, wear resistance, and noise control. Therefore, when accurately analyzing various tire performances, the characteristics of their complex patterns need to be fully considered. However, traditional mesh generation methods face challenges such as complex modeling, long time consumption, and dependence on third-party commercial software when dealing with the complex patterns of tires.

[0003] In the prior art, usually, a three-dimensional model of the tire pattern is first generated by a three-dimensional geometric modeling software, and then it is meshed with the help of a third-party mesh generation software (such as HyperMesh, etc.). For example, in the Chinese invention patent application (publication number: CN116796604A, publication date: September 22, 2023) applied by the applicant, a certain thickness of the tread is taken in the radial direction of the intercept tread pattern (this thickness can be defined independently according to requirements), and after meshing, it is ensured that the node coordinates on the adjacent surfaces of the tread array with this thickness are exactly the same. This method not only requires a large amount of computing resources and professional software support, but also may take 8 to 20 hours in actual applications, resulting in a significant increase in costs and time consumption. Therefore, this division method relying on three-dimensional modeling has a bottleneck of low efficiency in industrial applications and is difficult to meet the requirements of rapid iterative design and performance evaluation.

[0004] To solve these problems, the current technical research mainly focuses on two aspects: one is to improve the mesh generation efficiency through optimization algorithms; the other is to develop alternative simplified methods to reduce the dependence on three-dimensional modeling. However, most of these methods cannot balance high precision and low cost, and still have difficulty meeting the application requirements of tire patterns in high-precision simulation analysis. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method for dividing the complex pattern grid of a tire that does not rely on three-dimensional modeling, is easy to operate, and is efficient, so as to reduce the calculation cost, improve the division efficiency, and accelerate the design feedback. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a method for rapid division of complex tire tread patterns based on planar unfolding projection. This method directly divides the two-dimensional planar graph of the tire tread pattern into grids, and then projects the planar grid nodes and elements onto the three-dimensional tread curve of the tire, thereby constructing a three-dimensional grid structure. Compared with traditional methods, the present invention does not rely on three-dimensional geometric modeling software, and the entire division process only takes about 1 hour to complete, greatly improving the grid division efficiency and reducing the design and analysis costs. In addition, the planar grid division and projection scheme adopted by this method can accurately capture the geometric features of the tire tread pattern, enabling it to maintain high precision in finite element simulation.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A method for rapid division of complex tire tread patterns, the method comprising the following steps:

[0008] 1) Divide the planar graph of the tire intercept or all tread patterns into grids, dividing the tread pattern into quadrilateral or triangular elements, and constructing a planar coordinate system with the x-axis and y-axis;

[0009] 2) Draw contour curves. According to the design parameters of the tire tread contour, generate the tread contour curve, the bottom curve of the tread groove, and the bottom curve of the tread pattern, and add smoothly transitional curves between different curves;

[0010] 3) Generate the node and element information of the planar grid of the tread pattern, define the node coordinates as (xi, yi), and the element includes triangular or quadrilateral grids;

[0011] 4) Unfold the nodes and elements of the planar grid of the tread pattern onto the tread curve, and define the projected coordinates of the nodes on the tread curve;

[0012] 5) Project the nodes inward into the tread pattern, and generate internal projection points according to the intersection points of the normal line and the contour curve;

[0013] 6) Form a three-dimensional element structure and generate the final three-dimensional grid division.

[0014] Preferably, the contour curve drawing in step 2) includes drawing smooth curves according to different tread depths to form a bottom contour line of the tread pattern with a gradually changing depth, so as to increase the grid density and optimize the simulation accuracy; name each curve in sequence according to the height removal position as C a , a = 0~ n-1 where n is the number of curves, C 0 is the crown curve, C n-1is the bottom curve of the pattern, and the curve needs to be positioned according to the actual position with the center point of the tire as the origin.

[0015] Preferably, the generation of node and element information in step 3) includes defining node numbers and element numbers to ensure that the nodes of triangular and quadrilateral meshes have unique identifiers and the node positions are traceable.

[0016] Preferably, the coordinate system of the nodes in step 4) has the center of the tire as the origin, the radial direction as z coordinate, the wheel axle direction as y coordinate, and the direction perpendicular to these two directions as x axis. The circumferential angle of the tire occupied by the pattern is θ (as shown in Figure 3 ) ， starting from the left end of the tread curve, and the curve length is equal to x i The node corresponding to the point N i of x coordinate and y coordinate are denoted as x ri , y ri , the projection point of node N i on the tread curve is T c0i of x , y, z The coordinate values are respectively:

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020] The projected element M i has the same composition node numbers as E i .

[0021] Preferably, in step 5), the nodes T c0i on the tread curve are projected into the pattern interior, where i is the node number. For the nodes inside the pattern block, calculate the normal line of the pattern contour corresponding to their positions, denoted as n i , calculate the intersection point of this normal line n i with other contours C v , denoted asT cvi , where v = 1 to n is the internal curve number, i is the node number. If the normal line and the contour line C v have no intersection points, the intersection point coordinates will be set to be the same as C v-1 .

[0022] Preferably, in step 6), the starting projection curve of the specified unit M i is C b , where b = 0 to n-1 , indicating that a three-dimensional unit is formed below the C b curve. The three-dimensional unit S fg， where f represents the layer number, corresponding to the starting contour line, g represents the unit number, and the corresponding nodes are ([[]] T cfm , T cfk , T cfp , T c(f+1)m , T c(f+1)k , T c(f+1)p ) or ([[]] T cfm , T cfk , T cfp , T cfd , T c(f+1)m , T c(f+1)k , T c(f+1)p , T c(f+1)d ), where f = 0 to n - 1, thus forming a three-dimensional unit..

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a system for quickly dividing the complex pattern grid of a tire. The system implements the method described above and includes the following modules:

[0024] A data input module for receiving the tire pattern plan view and its contour parameters;

[0025] A processing module for performing mesh generation and three-dimensional node generation on the planar graph of the tire tread pattern, including contour curve drawing, node and element information generation, node unfolding projection, and internal projection generation;

[0026] A storage module for storing the generated node and element data, including node planar coordinates and projection coordinates;

[0027] An output module for outputting three-dimensional mesh data and providing a structured file for finite element simulation analysis.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a computer device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the method.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instruction is stored, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method is implemented.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method is implemented.

[0031] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention directly performs mesh generation on the two-dimensional planar graph of the tire tread pattern, and then projects the planar mesh nodes and elements onto the three-dimensional tread curve of the tire, thereby constructing a three-dimensional mesh structure. Compared with the traditional method, the present invention does not rely on three-dimensional geometric modeling software, and the entire mesh generation process only takes about 1 hour to complete, greatly improving the mesh generation efficiency and reducing the design and analysis costs. In addition, the planar mesh generation and projection scheme adopted by the present method can accurately capture the geometric features of the tire tread pattern, enabling it to maintain high accuracy in finite element simulation. The specific beneficial effects are as follows:

[0032] 1) Improve mesh generation efficiency: The present invention directly performs mesh generation on the two-dimensional planar graph of the complex tread pattern, and then projects the planar mesh onto the three-dimensional tread curve, eliminating the three-dimensional geometric modeling step of the tread pattern in the traditional method. This method significantly reduces the mesh generation time, and the entire process can be completed within 1 hour, shortening the time by about 4 times compared with the traditional method, and greatly improving the work efficiency.

[0033] 2) Reduce calculation costs: The present invention does not need to rely on third-party three-dimensional modeling software, and realizes mesh generation through its own methods and systems, greatly reducing the dependence on expensive software and the usage costs, and reducing the enterprise's expenses in computing resources and commercial software licenses.

[0034] 3) Applicable to complex tread patterns: The method of the present invention is based on planar grid division and unfolding projection, which can accurately capture and reproduce complex tire tread patterns. Through multi-level contour curve design, it supports hierarchical projection processing of tread patterns with different depths, thereby forming a high-precision three-dimensional grid structure that conforms to the actual geometric characteristics of tire treads.

[0035] 4) Optimize simulation accuracy: By increasing the node density control between the tread curve and the bottom curve of the tread groove, the grid division has sufficient resolution at different depths, can better represent the geometric details of the tire tread, and improves the accuracy of the simulation results, making it suitable for high-precision finite element analysis of tire performance.

[0036] 5) Simple operation and easy integration: The present invention provides a simplified division process that does not require complex three-dimensional modeling and adjustment, and the operation is more convenient. In addition, through systematic module design, this method is easy to integrate into the existing finite element analysis workflow, facilitating engineers to quickly perform tread grid division and performance evaluation.

[0037] 6) Automatable processing: The method and system of the present invention are designed with standardized input, processing, and output modules, enabling the entire grid division process to be completed automatically, reducing manual intervention, improving production efficiency and consistency, and being applicable to industrial scenarios that require rapid iterative design and performance evaluation.

[0038] In summary, the present invention provides an efficient and low-cost method and system for tire complex tread grid division, which can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of tread grid division and is suitable for rapid iteration in tire design and performance analysis. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of tread intercept grid division and coordinate system;

[0040] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of tread contour line;

[0041] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of three-dimensional tread coordinate system;

[0042] Figure 4 It is the tread grid division of the embodiment;

[0043] Figure 5 It is the tread contour of the embodiment;

[0044] Figure 6 It is a node projection diagram;

[0045] Figure 7 It is the generated three-dimensional tread grid diagram. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] Combined with the embodiments of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0047] The present invention proposes a method for quickly dividing the complex pattern grid of a tire based on plane unfolding projection. This method directly divides the two-dimensional plane drawing of the tire pattern, and then projects the plane grid nodes and elements onto the three-dimensional tread curve of the tire, thereby constructing a three-dimensional grid structure. The specific steps are as follows:

[0048] The first step: Divide the plane drawing of the tire intercept or all patterns into quadrilaterals or triangles. The width direction of the pattern is x axis, and the length direction of the pattern is y axis. Take the leftmost end of the pattern width as the x axis origin, with the right direction as the positive direction, and take the bottommost position of the pattern as the y axis origin, with the upward direction as the positive direction, as shown in Figure 1 .

[0049] The second step: Draw the contour curve. According to the designed tire tread contour, draw the tread contour curve. Since the tire tread pattern has patterns with different depths, it is necessary to draw a smooth curve passing through the bottom of the pattern groove according to different pattern depths. According to the position of the bottom of the deepest pattern groove, draw a smooth bottom curve of the pattern. To increase the grid density, smooth curves can be arbitrarily added between the tread curve, the bottom curve of the pattern groove, and the bottom curve of the pattern. Name each curve in sequence according to the height position as C a , a = 0 to n-1 , where n is the number of curves, C 0 is the crown curve, C n-1 is the bottom curve of the pattern. The curve needs to be positioned according to the actual position, with the center point of the tire as the origin, as shown in Figure 2 .

[0050] The third step: Generate the node and element information of the pattern plane grid. The node N i plane coordinates are ( x i , y i ), and the unit E j is composed of nodes ( N m, N k , N p ) or ( N m , N k , N p , N d ) respectively correspond to a triangular grid and a quadrilateral grid, where m , k , p and d are both node numbers.

[0051] Step 4: Expand the nodes and elements of the pattern plane grid to the tread curve. The coordinate system of the nodes has the center of the tire as the origin, the radial direction as the z coordinate, the wheel axle direction as the y coordinate, and the direction perpendicular to these two directions as the x axis. The circumferential angle of the tire occupied by the pattern is θ (as shown in Figure 3 ). ， Starting from the left end of the tread curve, the curve length is equal to x i of the node N i of the x coordinate and y coordinate are denoted as x ri , y ri , then the projection point N i of the node T c0i on the tread curve x , y, z coordinate value x ti , y ti ，z ti are respectively:

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055] The composed node numbers of the projected element M i are the same as those of E i .

[0056] Step 5: Project the nodes on the tread curve T c0i towards the inside of the tread pattern, where i is the node number. For the nodes inside the tread blocks, calculate the normal of the tread pattern contour corresponding to their positions, denoted as n i , and calculate the intersection points of this normal n i with other contours C v , denoted as T cvi , where v = 1 to n is the internal curve number, i is the node number. If the normal has no intersection with the contour line C v , then set the intersection point coordinates to be the same as C v-1 .

[0057] Step 6: Form three-dimensional elements. Specify the starting projection curve M i of the element C b , where b = 0~ n-1 , indicating that three-dimensional elements are formed below the C b curve. The three-dimensional element S fg， where f represents the layer number, corresponding to the starting contour line, g represents the element number, and the corresponding nodes are ([[]]END]] T cfm , T cfk , T cfp , T c(f+1)m , T c(f+1)k , T c(f+1)p ) or ([[]]END]] T cfm , T cfk , T cfp , T cfd , T c(f+1)m , T c(f+1)k , T c(f+1)p , T c(f+1)d ), where f = 0~n -1, thus forming a three-dimensional unit.

[0058] Through the above steps, the three-dimensional mesh generation of the complex tire tread is completed, and the node set T cvi , the element set S i is obtained. The entire calculation process of generating the mesh does not require the establishment of a three-dimensional model, and the whole process only takes about 1 hour, greatly shortening the mesh generation time.

[0059] The following takes a common tire tread as a specific example. This embodiment is an intercept:

[0060] The first step: Mesh the plan view of the tire intercept or the entire tread, divided into quadrilaterals or triangles, where the width direction of the tread is x the axis, and the length direction of the tread is y the axis. Take the leftmost end of the tread width as the x origin of the axis, with the right direction as the positive direction, and take the bottom position of the tread as the y origin of the axis, with the upward direction as the positive direction, as Figure 4 shown.

[0061] The second step: Draw the contour curve. According to the designed tire tread contour, draw the tread contour curve. Since the tire tread pattern has patterns with different depths, it is necessary to draw a smooth curve passing through the bottom of the pattern groove according to different pattern depths. According to the position where the deepest pattern groove bottom is located, draw a smooth pattern bottom curve. To increase the mesh density, smooth curves can be arbitrarily added between the tread curve, the pattern groove bottom curve, and the pattern bottom curve. Name the 5 curves successively according to the height position as C i , i = 0~ n , where n=4 , C 0 is the crown curve, C 4 is the pattern bottom curve, and position the curve according to the actual position. The highest contour point position is 400mm, with the center point of the tire as the origin, as Figure 5 shown.

[0062] The third step: Generate the node (as shown in Table 1) and element information (as shown in Table 2) of the pattern plan view mesh.

[0063] Table 1 Coordinates of the plane pattern mesh nodes

[0064]

[0065] Table 2 Plane pattern element information

[0066]

[0067] Node N i The plane coordinates are ( x i , y i ), and the element E j is composed of the nodes ( N m , N k , N p ), or ( N m , N k , N p , N d ), corresponding to triangular meshes and quadrilateral meshes respectively, where m , k , p and d are all node numbers. For example, the node N 1 has plane coordinates ( x 1 = 10.457295 , y 1 = -84.078747), and the node composition of the element E 1 is ( N 1 , N 2 , N 3 ), and the node composition of the element E 4 is ( N 6 , N 5 , N 7 , N 2 ).

[0068] Step 4: Expand the nodes and elements of the pattern plane mesh to the tread curve. The coordinate system of the nodes takes the tire center as the origin, the radial direction as the z coordinate, the wheel axis direction as the y coordinate, and the direction perpendicular to these two directions as the x axis. The circumferential angle of the tire occupied by the pattern is θ = 10° (as shown in Figure 3 ). Taking node N15 as an example, Node N 15 The planar coordinates of x 15 = 30.5, y 15 = 0) on the tread curve corresponding to the node T c015 of x The coordinates are from the left end of the tread curve, and the curve length is equal to x 15 =30.5 The points corresponding to the points of x coordinates and y coordinates are denoted as x r15 =-70.6 , y r15 =398.5 Then the projection point T c015 of x , y, z The coordinate values are respectively:

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072] The projected element M i has the same composition node numbers as E i , that is M 1 The composition node numbers of N TC01 , N TC02 , N TC03 ) are the same as the E 1 of N 1 , N 2 , N 3 ) numbers.

[0073] Step 5: Taking the node T c015 as an example, project the node T c015 on the tread curve into the pattern interior, where iis the node number. For the nodes inside the pattern block, calculate the normal line of the pattern contour corresponding to their positions, denoted as n 15 , calculate this normal line n 15 and the intersections with other contours C v , denoted as T cvi , where v = 1 to n is the internal curve number,[[]] i is the node number. As shown in Figure 6 , obtain T c115 , T c215 , T c315 , T c415 coordinates.[[]]

[0074] Step 6: Form three-dimensional elements. Taking M 1 as an example, specify the starting projection curve M 1 of the element C 1 , indicating that three-dimensional elements are formed below the C 1 curve. The nodes corresponding to the three-dimensional element S 11 are ([[]] T c11 , T c12 , T c13 , T c21 , T c22 , T c23 ). The nodes corresponding to the three-dimensional element S 21 are ([[]] T c21 , T c22 , T c23 , T c31 , T c32 , T c33 ). The nodes corresponding to the three-dimensional element S 31 are ([[]] T c31 , T c32 , T ​​​​​c33 , T c41 , T c42 , T c43 ). Thus, three-dimensional units are formed, such as Figure 7 as shown.

[0075] Through the above steps, the three-dimensional mesh generation of the complex tire tread pattern is completed, and the node set T cvi , and the element set S vi are obtained. The entire calculation process of generating the mesh does not require the establishment of a three-dimensional model, and the whole process only takes about 45 minutes, greatly shortening the mesh generation time.

[0076] The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention. Through the above description of the disclosed embodiments, those skilled in the art can implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to these embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel points disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for fast meshing of complex tire patterns, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: 1) Mesh the plane diagram of the tire intercept or the entire pattern, divide the pattern into quadrilateral or triangular units, and construct a plane coordinate system with the x-axis and y-axis; 2) Draw the tread profile curve, generate the tread curve, groove bottom curve and pattern bottom curve according to the design parameters of the tire tread profile, and add smooth transition curves between different curves; 3) Generate the node and unit information of the pattern plane mesh, and convert the node N i The coordinates are defined as (xi, yi), and the unit E j By node ( N m , N k , N p )or( N m , N k , N p , N d ) is composed of nodes ( N m , N k , N p ) corresponds to a triangle, and the node ( N m , N k , N p , N d ) quadrilateral mesh, where m , k , p and d All are node numbers; 4) Expand the nodes and elements of the pattern plane mesh to the tread curve and define the node projection coordinates on the tread curve: The node coordinate system takes the tire center as the origin and the radial direction as z Coordinates, the wheel axis direction is y Coordinates, and the directions perpendicular to these two directions are x Axis; Starting from the left end of the tread curve, the curve length is equal to x i Node N i of x Coordinates and y Coordinates are marked as x ri , y ri , then the node N i The corresponding projection point on the tread curve T c0i of x , y, z Coordinate value x ti , y ti ，z ti They are: Projected unit M i The node numbers of E i same; 5) Project the node into the pattern and generate the internal projection point according to the intersection of the normal line and the contour curve: The projection point on the tread curve T c0i Projection into the pattern, where i is the node number; for the node inside the pattern block, calculate the normal of the pattern contour corresponding to its location, recorded as n i , calculate this normal n i With other contours C v The intersection of T cvi ,in v=1~n Number the inner curve if the normal line is the same as the contour line C v If there is no intersection, the intersection coordinates will be set to C v-1 same; 6) Form a three-dimensional unit structure and generate the final three-dimensional mesh division: Specify unit M i The starting projection curve C b ,in b =0~ n-1 , indicating that from C b Below the curve, a three-dimensional unit is formed, where n is the number of curves; 3D unit S fg ,in f represents the layer number, corresponding to the starting contour line, g represents the unit number, and the corresponding node is ( T cfm , T cfk , T cfp , T c(f+1)m , T c(f+1)k , T c(f+1)p )or( T cfm , T cfk , T cfp , T cfd , T c(f+1)m , T c(f+1)k , T c(f+1)p , T c(f+1)d ),in f =0~ n -1, thus forming a three-dimensional unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The tread curve drawing in step 2) includes drawing smooth curves according to different pattern depths to form the bottom contour line of the tread pattern with gradual depth to increase the grid density and optimize the simulation accuracy; each curve is named according to the height position. C a , a=0~ n-1 ,in n is the number of curves, C 0 is the crown curve, C n-1 It is the bottom curve of the tread. The curve needs to be positioned according to the actual position, with the center of the tire as the origin.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The generation of node and unit information in step 3) includes defining node numbers and unit numbers to ensure that the nodes of the triangular and quadrilateral meshes have unique identifiers and the node positions are traceable.

4. A system for fast meshing of complex tire patterns, characterized in that: The system implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 3, and comprises the following modules: a data input module for receiving a tire tread plane diagram and its contour parameters; a processing module for performing meshing and three-dimensional node generation of the tire tread plane diagram, including tread curve drawing, node and unit information generation, node expansion projection and internal projection generation; a storage module for storing the generated node and unit data, including node plane coordinates and projection coordinates; The output module is used to output three-dimensional mesh data and provide structured files for finite element simulation analysis.

5. A computer device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored in the memory, characterized in that: The processor executes the computer program to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is implemented.

7. A computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions, characterized in that When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is implemented.

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