Adjustable Pneumatic Tyre with Spokewise Force Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pneumatic tires lack adjustable properties to effectively manage vibrations and rolling resistance across various road and off-road conditions, leading to inefficient damping and rigidity issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating controlled force devices or absorbers between the wheel rim and tire tread/side-walls, arranged in a spokewise configuration with spherical joints, which can include magnetorheological fluids or electrical control, to adjust force transmission and absorption characteristics dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional pneumatic tyre with overpressure is used, then the tyre structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the damping is very low and rigidity cannot be directed to different desirable directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre structure simplicityVSAvoiddamping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tyre is segmented into multiple independent chambers instead of a single toroidal chamber. Each chamber can be independently controlled with its own pressure and damping characteristics, allowing different regions of the tyre to have different rigidity and damping properties tailored to specific driving conditions and directional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tyre incorporates dynamically adjustable pressure control systems that can modify the pressure in each chamber in real-time based on driving conditions. This allows the tyre to transition between different rigidity states and damping characteristics, enabling active adaptation to varying road conditions, vehicle loads, and driving maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If a traditional pneumatic tyre with overpressure is used, then the tyre structure is simple, but the rigidity cannot be directed to different desirable directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre structure simplicityVSAvoiddirectional rigidity control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different chambers or regions of the tyre are assigned different pressure levels and rigidity characteristics based on their specific functional requirements. For example, the lateral chambers may be pressurized to provide rigidity for cornering stability, while the longitudinal chambers may have different pressure settings for acceleration and braking performance, allowing directional rigidity control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-chamber tyre structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both structural support and active damping, enables directional rigidity control, and can adapt to various driving conditions. The same chamber system that provides basic tyre function also enables advanced suspension-like characteristics and active ride quality management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If tyre pressure is increased to improve rigidity, then the tyre becomes more rigid for better handling, but the damping capability decreases and rolling resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre rigidityVSAvoidrolling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation into multiple chambers allows the tyre to achieve rigidity in specific directions or regions without uniformly increasing pressure throughout the entire tyre. By selectively pressurizing only the chambers that need to provide structural support for handling, the tyre maintains necessary rigidity while keeping other chambers at lower pressures to minimize energy loss and rolling resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances tire dynamics with adjustable properties, reducing rolling resistance and improving vehicle chassis control across diverse conditions by synchronizing absorption frequencies with vehicle kinematics, thereby enhancing vehicle stability and handling.

Implementation Method 1

a controlled force device/force devices of a type of a controlled absorber or a controlled force actuator for a change of force transmission between the rim and the tyre

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectControlled absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

which can include magnetorheological fluids or electrical control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetorheological effect: Magnetorheological Fluid

Data Source

PatentEP3022068B1A tyre with adjustable properties
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 CVUT V PRAZE FAKULTA STROJNI
  • EP3022068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3022068B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3022068B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns the pneumatic tyre with adjustable inner whole-space properties, especially for motor vehicles, consisting of a wheel rim and a tyre comprising a tyre tread and side-walls, wherein inside the tyre between the rim (4) and the tread (2) and/or the side-walls (3) of the tyre (I) there is/there are force device/s for force transmission change between the rim and the tyre, comprising a coherent annular force device or individual force devices (51 - 56) separated one from another and arranged in a spokewise way around the entire tyre (1) circumference.