Autonomous Vehicle Tire Hexagonal Tread Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle tires face challenges in achieving high mileage, reduced noise, uniform wear, and good all-weather performance in urban environments, particularly in terms of traction and hydroplaning resistance.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring a large outer diameter with a narrow tread width and hexagonally-shaped tread elements, including sipes and non-continuous circumferential grooves, which reduces rolling resistance, enhances traction, and promotes uniform wear, while eliminating the need for continuous grooves to prevent hydroplaning and aquaplaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous circumferential grooves are added to prevent hydroplaning, then water evacuation improves, but rolling resistance increases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circumferential groove into non-continuous segments rather than using a continuous groove. The tread includes a plurality of non-continuous circumferential grooves that are interrupted by hexagonally-shaped tread elements, allowing water evacuation while maintaining smaller footprint and reducing rolling resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different groove configurations to different regions of the tread. The non-continuous circumferential grooves are positioned specifically to evacuate water from high-risk areas while leaving other regions with continuous contact for traction and low rolling resistance
2Force
If tread width is increased to improve traction, then grip improves, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is segmented into hexagonally-shaped tread elements that provide multiple contact patches around the circumference, improving traction through distributed contact while maintaining a narrow overall tread width to minimize rolling resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on tread width for traction to using circumferential distribution of hexagonal elements, effectively moving the solution from a two-dimensional (width-based) approach to a three-dimensional (circumferential + width) approach
3Loss of energy
If larger outer diameter is used to reduce rolling resistance, then energy efficiency improves, but vehicle compatibility constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the tire including the outer diameter to be at least four times larger than the tread width, the hexagonal element geometry, and the groove configuration to achieve reduced rolling resistance while maintaining compatibility with autonomous vehicle platforms
4Stability of the object's composition
If hexagonally-shaped tread elements are used to promote uniform wear, then wear distribution improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hexagonally-shaped tread elements with six-sided geometry that provides asymmetric contact patterns, promoting uniform wear distribution across the tread while the repetitive hexagonal pattern maintains manufacturing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A tire for an autonomous vehicle includes a pair of sidewalls that extend to a ground-engaging tread. The tread includes a plurality of hexagonally-shaped tread elements, and the tire includes an outer diameter that is at least four times larger than a width of the tread. Selected hexagonally-shaped tread elements may be formed with features to increase traction on icy roads.