Bicycle Tyre Damping Insert for Road Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bicycle tires, particularly road bike tires, are stiff and uncomfortable due to the overlapping carcass structure below the tread, which limits their ability to adapt to the road surface, resulting in reduced riding comfort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a highly elastic cushioning rubber insert between the tread and the tire carcass, with two superimposed carcass plies that extend to the lateral edge areas of the tread, providing elasticity and improved adaptability, along with a cut-resistant fiber layer for puncture protection, while maintaining reduced rolling resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the carcass is arranged to overlap below the tread with 3 layers, then puncture protection and structural strength are improved, but the tire feels stiff and uncomfortable with reduced adaptability to road surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture protectionVSAvoidadaptability to road surface
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tire structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the carcass plies are separated by a cushioning rubber insert below the tread, creating independent layers that can deform separately. This segmentation allows the carcass to maintain structural integrity while adapting to road surface variations, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cushioning rubber insert is introduced as an intermediary element between the carcass plies and the tread. This intermediary layer absorbs shocks and allows the carcass to better conform to the road surface, improving adaptability while maintaining the protective function of the multi-layer carcass structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cushioning rubber insert is placed between the tread and tire carcass, then riding comfort and adaptability are improved, but rolling resistance may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to road surfaceVSAvoidrolling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning rubber insert is designed with specific material parameters (thickness of 0.3-1 mm, rebound value of 70-80) that optimize the balance between comfort and rolling resistance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the insert provides adequate cushioning without creating excessive deformation that would increase energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the two carcass plies have individual parallel reinforcements at angles, then the tire carcass rigidity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarcass rigidityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcements are applied locally at specific angles (30-60 degrees) in the carcass plies where structural support is most needed, rather than uniformly throughout the entire tire. This localized approach achieves the required rigidity while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to uniform reinforcement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 new tire construction significantly enhances riding comfort and puncture protection while maintaining low rolling resistance, optimizing the tire's ability to adapt to road surfaces and providing optimal driving experience.

Implementation Method 1

a cushioning rubber insert made of highly elastic caoutchouc is placed between the tread and the tire carcass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The special thickness of the material of the dampening rubber insert significantly improves the riding comfort

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the damping rubber insert consists of a highly elastic rubber with a rebound material value between 70 and 80

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic energy storage: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP3174738B1Bicycle tyre
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3174738B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a bicycle tyre with high riding comfort. A damping rubber insert (3) made from a highly elastic rubber is arranged between the tyre tread (2) and the tyre carcass. Said damping rubber insert (3) has a material thickness of between 0.2 and 2mm, and the carcass insert ends (10) extend to a maximum of the lateral edge areas of the tyre tread (2).