Bead-Reinforced Pneumatic Tire Shape for Low High-Speed Rolling Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pneumatic tires do not adequately reduce rolling resistance during high-speed running and lack sufficient durability.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic tire design featuring a bead reinforcing layer outside the carcass, with specific tire shape parameters (1963.4 ≦ Dt² × π / Wt ≦ 2827.4 and (V + 1.5 × 10⁷) / Wt ≦ 2.88 × 10⁵) and optimized rubber compositions to enhance durability and reduce rolling resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional rubber composition formulation is used to reduce rolling resistance, then fuel efficiency is improved, but rolling resistance during high-speed running is not sufficiently reduced and durability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the tire's geometric parameters (outer diameter Dt, cross-sectional width Wt, and virtual volume V) to satisfy specific mathematical relationships. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing the tire shape parameters to reduce rolling resistance during high-speed running while maintaining durability, moving beyond conventional rubber composition formulation alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the carcass layer with a bead reinforcing layer having different material properties. The bead reinforcing layer is positioned on the outer side of the carcass in the tire axial direction, creating a composite structure that simultaneously improves fuel efficiency and durability through the synergistic effects of different materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a bead reinforcing layer is added outside the carcass, then durability is improved, but tire structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidtire structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tire structure into distinct functional layers: the carcass layer and the bead reinforcing layer positioned outside it. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, improving durability while keeping the structural complexity manageable through clear functional division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dimensionality change by positioning the bead reinforcing layer on the outer side of the carcass in the tire axial direction, rather than only in the radial direction. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions optimizes the reinforcement effect while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Use of energy by moving object

If tire shape parameters are optimized to reduce rolling resistance, then fuel efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling resistanceVSAvoidtire shape accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges and relationships (Dt, Wt, V satisfying the given formulas) that provide a manufacturing window. By specifying ranges rather than exact values, the patent balances fuel efficiency improvement with manufacturability, reducing the stringency of precision requirements while still achieving the desired performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4190597B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4190597B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4190597B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4190597B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A pneumatic tire is provided which has sufficiently reduced rolling resistance during high-speed running and which has excellent durability. The pneumatic tire has a bead portion, carcass and tread, wherein: a bead-reinforcing layer that reinforces the bead portion from outside of the carcass is provided outside of the carcass in the tire axis direction; and the pneumatic tire satisfies (formula1) and (formula 2) below, where Wt (mm) is the cross-sectional width of the tire when the tire installed on a standardized rim and the internal pressure is 250 kPa, Dt (mm) is the outer diameter, and the virtual volume V(mm3) is the volume of the space occupied by the tire. 1600≦Dt2×π/4/Wt≦2827.4 V+1.5×107/Wt≦2.88×105