Asymmetric Tire Crown Reinforcement for Wheel Offset Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger vehicle tire designs struggle to modify wheel offset without altering the wheel or using spacers, as different tire designs or brands may require varying wheel offsets to achieve desired vehicle behavior.
Innovation Solution
The tire design is modified by altering the crown to shift the center of mass of vertical forces between the tire and the road, using asymmetric beads and reinforcing structures with specific radial and axial positioning of reinforcing elements to achieve lateral shifts equivalent to those obtained with spacers, without changing the wheel or using spacers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wheel offset is changed to modify vehicle behavior, then the vehicle stability and driver feedback are improved, but the wheel design must be changed or spacers must be used which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an asymmetric crown reinforcement structure where the second reinforcing ply has asymmetric axial ends relative to the median plane. The first axial end is positioned at a different distance from the median plane than the second axial end, creating an asymmetric force distribution that shifts the center of mass of vertical forces laterally. This asymmetric design enables offset adjustment without modifying the symmetric wheel structure or adding spacers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the asymmetric reinforcement specifically in the crown region rather than modifying the entire wheel assembly. The asymmetric ply placement and varying hooping reinforcement densities are localized to specific regions of the crown, allowing precise control over force distribution and center of mass position without affecting other parts of the tire-wheel system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different tire designs or brands are mounted on the vehicle, then tire selection flexibility is improved, but the wheel offset required to achieve desired vehicle behavior varies which reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric crown reinforcement structure serves multiple functions: it provides the primary structural reinforcement of the tire crown while simultaneously acting as an offset adjustment mechanism. By controlling the asymmetry parameters (distance differences of axial ends from median plane, hooping reinforcement ratios), the same tire design can accommodate different wheel offsets and be adapted to different vehicle platforms without requiring wheel modifications or spacers.
3Ease of operation
If spacers are used to change wheel offset, then the offset adjustment is achieved, but additional components are required which increases device complexity and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the offset adjustment function with the existing crown reinforcement structure. The asymmetric ply placement and hooping reinforcement elements that provide structural support also create the lateral shift in center of mass. This integration eliminates the need for separate spacers or offset adjustment components, achieving both structural integrity and offset control within a single unified design.
Data Source
AI summary
Tire formed of two halves separated by a median plane, comprising a crown comprising a crown reinforcement comprising a first reinforcing ply (80) and a second reinforcing ply (90) having two axial ends, which is situated radially on the outside of the first reinforcing ply and surmounted by a hooping reinforcement (100) made up of circumferentially orientated reinforcing elements, in which tire the absolute value of the difference D between the distance D1 of the first axial end (92) from the median plane and the distance D2 of the second axial end (93) from the median plane is greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm (4 mm≤|D|=|D1−D2|≤10 mm).