Annular Tire Insert for Sidewall Rigidity at Low Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires face challenges in maintaining lateral stiffness and traction at reduced pressures, leading to increased risk of tire wear, fatigue, and instability, especially during lateral loading forces such as cornering or impact, without compromising steering responsiveness.
Innovation Solution
An annular member is integrated into the tire, contacting a significant portion of the interior surface to provide outward pressure, enhancing lateral stability and traction while allowing for lower internal pressures, and is designed to fit accurately with the tire and rim profiles to ensure uniform pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If reduced internal pressure is used in the tire, then traction and comfort are improved, but lateral stiffness and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an annular member as an intermediary element between the tire's internal pressure system and the sidewalls. This member provides lateral support and stiffness to the tire structure without requiring high internal pressure, thereby maintaining traction and comfort while preventing lateral instability. The annular member acts as a mediator that decouples the relationship between internal pressure and lateral stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the tire by adding an annular member with specific geometric characteristics (cross-sectional shape, thickness, material properties). This structural parameter change enables the tire to maintain lateral stiffness at reduced pressure levels, resolving the contradiction between low-pressure operation and lateral stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high internal pressure is used in the tire, then lateral stiffness and stability are improved, but traction decreases and vibration transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member serves as an intermediary that provides lateral support independently of high internal pressure. By distributing lateral loads through this member, the tire can maintain stability without relying on high pressure, thereby preserving traction and reducing vibration transmission to the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of the annular member changes the mechanical parameter distribution within the tire, allowing lateral stiffness to be achieved through structural design rather than pressure alone. This enables operation at lower pressures with improved traction and reduced vibration.
3Reliability
If traditional inserts are used to protect the rim, then rim protection is improved, but lateral support to the sidewall is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rim protection like traditional inserts while also providing lateral support to the sidewalls. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making a single component serve both protective and structural support roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of rim protection and lateral support into a single integrated annular member structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate components and enables the system to achieve both rim protection and sidewall lateral support concurrently.
4Reliability
If pinch puncture preventing devices are used to displace the bladder, then pinch puncture prevention is improved, but lateral support to the sidewall is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member provides both pinch puncture prevention and lateral support functions simultaneously. By positioning and designing the member to interact with both the bladder and sidewalls, it prevents pinch punctures during deflation while also providing necessary lateral support during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines pinch puncture prevention and lateral support functions into a single annular member structure, eliminating the need for separate devices and achieving both protective and structural benefits concurrently.
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
The annular member maintains sidewall rigidity and traction at lower pressures, reducing tire wear and instability, and prevents pinch punctures by providing a continuous, uniform outward force, thus enhancing the tire's performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an annular member adapted to contact at least 10% of an interior surface of the pneumatic tire and provide an outward pressure thereagainst
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for a pneumatic tire including an annular member adapted to contact at least 10% of an interior surface of the pneumatic tire and provide an outward pressure thereagainst.