Composite Shear Band with Alternating Dynamic Shear Moduli
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shear bands in tires face challenges in achieving a balance between low rolling resistance, stiffness, toughness, and low hysteresis, often requiring compromises that result in undesirable properties such as increased mass or reduced endurance when constructed from a single material.
Innovation Solution
A composite shear band is constructed using layers with different dynamic shear moduli, arranged in an alternating manner, where one layer has a lower dynamic shear modulus and the other a higher one, with specific hysteresis properties to achieve improved rolling resistance and physical properties not attainable with a single material layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shear band is constructed from a single material, then the construction is simple, but it cannot achieve a balance between low rolling resistance, stiffness, toughness, and low hysteresis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by constructing the shear band from multiple layers with different dynamic shear moduli. Specifically, it uses at least two layers: a first layer with a first dynamic shear modulus and a second layer with a second dynamic shear modulus, where the ratio of the second to first dynamic shear modulus is at least 3. This composite structure enables the shear band to achieve a balance of stiffness, toughness, and low hysteresis that cannot be obtained with a single material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the shear band into multiple discrete layers, each with distinct material properties. The shear band is segmented into a first layer and a second layer (and optionally additional layers), where each layer has a different dynamic shear modulus. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specific properties to the overall performance of the shear band.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single material is used for the shear band, then manufacturing is simpler, but rolling resistance cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with layers having different dynamic shear moduli to optimize rolling resistance. The specific configuration of layers with modulus ratios of at least 3 allows the shear band to reduce hysteresis losses during deformation, thereby reducing rolling resistance while maintaining structural integrity.
3Weight of moving object
If the shear band is made thinner to reduce mass, then weight is reduced, but endurance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to achieve a thinner overall shear band design while maintaining or improving endurance. The multi-layer construction with different dynamic shear moduli provides enhanced structural efficiency, allowing the shear band to maintain its load-bearing capacity and durability at reduced thickness compared to single-material designs.
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 composite shear band achieves a desirable balance of stiffness, toughness, and low hysteresis, reducing rolling resistance and allowing for a thinner design without compromising endurance, while maintaining an acceptable dynamic shear modulus for tire applications.
Implementation Method 1
the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant length of the membranes
Implementation Method 2
The layer(s) having a first dynamic shear modulus may comprise at least one material having a hysteresis of less than about 0.2 at strains between about 15 percent and about 30 percent
Data Source
AI summary
An improved shear band for use in non-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and other technologies is provided. The shear band is constructed as a composite of layers that are combined in a specific manner. Each layer is constructed from one or more materials having certain selected physical properties. The layers are combined a specific manner to create a composite having physical properties and performance characteristics desirably outperforming that of the individual materials forming the layers. When used in tire construction, improvements in rolling resistance can also be obtained.