Grip maximization system through suction-active tires
The suction-active tire system addresses the balance of tire performance on wet and dry roads by using an air pump and suction cavities to enhance frictional forces, improving grip and stability on wet surfaces while maintaining tire durability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102005024996
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2005-06-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing tires struggle to balance performance on wet and dry roads, with improvements in one feature often degrading another, particularly in terms of grip, stopping distance, slip, acceleration, and stability, despite advancements in tire rubber compounds and profiles.
A suction-active tire system utilizing a powerful air pump, connecting elements, and specially prepared suction cavities to generate negative pressure for enhanced frictional forces, creating a clean and dry road surface through air aspiration, enhancing grip and stability.
The suction-active tire system improves grip, reduces stopping distance, and stabilizes vehicles on wet roads by generating overpressure to aspirate the tire onto the road surface, ensuring better driving comfort and longer tire life.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[0001] Since the advent of cars, the tire industry has been searching for the perfect tire. However, the optimal tire—one that runs quietly, brakes well in the wet, shows minimal wear, and reduces slip—has yet to be invented. A good tire is a well-balanced tire that performs as equally well as possible on wet and dry roads.
[0002] The dilemma facing tire designers continues to reveal itself despite state-of-the-art, high-tech development centers: if they improve one feature, another automatically deteriorates. The challenge for tire developers lies in wet roads. No tire can afford to be weak here. Tire properties have improved significantly in recent times, yet aerodynamic tires can still increase tire grip on the road. A well-chosen tire tread or rubber compound alone is not enough to ensure the greatest possible grip. The technology used to date relies much more on the tire rubber compound and the tire treads (protectors). The following goals are pursued with optimizing tread pattern and tire treads: 1. Maximizing tire grip 2. Reduction in braking distance 3. Tire slip reduction 4. Faster acceleration 5. Stabilizing effect in curves, on slippery roads 6. Anti-tip and anti-skid effect 7. Downforce reduction
[0003] Method and device for grip maximization system is based on three subsystems: 1. Powerful air pump. 2. Connecting elements between the air pump and the suction points. 3. Specially manufactured suction-active tires. Powerful air pump
[0004] In a motor vehicle, a vacuum (or overpressure) is to be generated using an air pump. This vacuum (or overpressure) is transmitted via the connecting elements and hoses to the point of use (tire-road contact area). The use of the air pump must be controlled by automatic, computer-aided (e.g., with ABS-ESP connection) or by manual devices. In extreme situations, such as in motor sports or in the event of an unavoidable collision, as much of the engine power as possible should be available for the air pump. The use of an air pump may only last a few seconds but consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, the optimal energy supply to the air pump must be ensured. To achieve a higher energy density, an internal system must be designed, which is not the subject of this invention. Fasteners
[0005] The connecting elements include hoses, valves, and special rims that enable smooth, functional operation of all processes. The connecting elements connect the air pump to the intake-activated tires. The rims are provided with cavities. Negative and positive pressure are transmitted to the tires through several cavities (channels). The openings between the tires and rims should be aligned and well-adjusted. The connection points should be tight. The valves should be placed as close to the intake points as possible to reduce the reaction time of air compression. The valve opening sequence should be organized so that the intake process is optimal. The valves are firmly mounted in the rim, so they rotate with the wheel. Only the valve that passes through the lowest point of the wheel is opened. The remaining valves remain closed. Specially manufactured suction-active tires
[0006] Frictional forces are needed to move, steer, and brake a vehicle. Thanks to frictional forces, the vehicle can brake and stay on the road during turns. The car must stay on the road despite adverse weather conditions. Frictional forces therefore play a crucial role. We already know a formula from physics: Frictional force=friction constant∗weight
[0007] Our goal is to increase frictional force. Through the tire compound and tread pattern, engineers have sought to increase the friction constant and prevent aquaplaning. In addition to its general functions (transferring forces and dampening bumps), the aerodynamically active tires perform other tasks. They will solve these tasks differently using new technical processes and devices described here: 1. “Weight increase” - by sucking the tire to the road surface 2. Aquaplaning reduction and efficiency maximization - in which the pressurized air flows out of the tires shortly before the intake begins and makes the road surface dry and clean.
[0008] The tire is equipped with several intake cavities evenly distributed around the entire circumference. These intake cavities are connected to additional cavities in the rim. The entire cavity system is connected to a powerful pump, creating a negative / positive pressure in the tire tread. The rim is equipped with valves that allow intake only from below, at the contact patch with the road surface.
[0009] In contrast to a spoiler, which only pushes the vehicle to the ground during high-speed driving, the suction-activated grip maximization system works even at lower speeds. There's another advantage over a spoiler: it delivers the necessary holding forces where they're most needed. This means that the entire vehicle body isn't pushed to the ground (longer force path, harder suspension), but only the tires, which naturally make the vehicle more stable. This results in improved driving comfort. The suction forces can be adjusted while driving, ensuring optimal power transmission. Previously, only a flexible tire that hugs the asphalt could ensure power transmission. This naturally increased tire wear. The suction-activated tire allows the use of harder rubber compounds without loss of friction, thus extending tire life.
[0010] The improved active air intake tires achieve good handling even on wet roads by expelling air from the tire just before the intake point. This creates a clean and dry road surface, which is later used as an intake point (in milliseconds).
[0011] Users of the grip maximization system through suction-active tires: 1. Motor vehicles of various types (motorcycles / cars / trucks / buses, etc.) 2. Racing motorsport. 3. Airplanes.
Claims
[1] Method for grip maximization system of a vehicle tire by means of suction and discharge active tires, characterized by that an interaction of negative and positive pressure is created between the outer tread of the vehicle tire and the road surface, whereby negative and positive pressure are generated by means of an air pump and controlled by means of built-in valves. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the generated negative pressure and positive pressure are passed on to the emergency sites through special cavities in rims and tires. [3] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the generated negative pressure and positive pressure are only used at certain points on the tires. [4] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the tire is equipped with several intake cavities that are evenly distributed along the entire circumference. [5] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the suction cavities are connected to other cavities in the rim. [6] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the grip maximisation system is installed in the vehicle in such a way that it can be easily connected to other vehicle systems such as ABS and ESP. [7] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the process can be controlled both manually and computer-aided.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Vehicle tyre traction improvement, comprises reducing the pressure between the tyre andthe road surface to draw the tyre onto the road
DE10107967A1
anti-aquaplaning system for motor vehicles
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Antiskid vehicle
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