Composite Tire Stud Structure for Low-Wear Ice Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spikes in pneumatic vehicle tires experience increased wear and fine dust formation when used with grit on icy surfaces, particularly due to the rigid materials like aluminum and steel, which lead to reduced grip and winter performance.
Innovation Solution
The spike design incorporates a vibration-damping rubber material for the foot flange and an abrasion-resistant material for the spike body, ensuring better alignment with the tread's rubber matrix and reducing wear, with optional layered materials for enhanced damping and bedding properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional aluminum or steel spike bodies are used, then the spike provides rigid structural support and anchoring strength, but the spike experiences accelerated wear and generates fine dust when used with grit on icy surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The spike body is constructed as a composite structure with an aluminum or steel insert providing structural strength and anchoring capability, encased in a rubber body material that provides abrasion resistance and eliminates fine dust generation. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials: the metal insert ensures mechanical strength while the rubber exterior prevents wear and dust formation during operation with grit on icy surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the spike body have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The insert region requires high strength and rigidity for anchoring, so it is made of aluminum or steel. The outer surface and regions in contact with road grit require high abrasion resistance and low dust generation, so these areas are covered with rubber material. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between strength and wear resistance
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid aluminum or steel spike bodies are used, then the spike maintains structural integrity, but the fixed rigid spike cannot follow tread deflection movements creating gaps that expose the spike to abrasive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The spike body employs different material properties in different regions: the insert provides rigid structural integrity for anchoring stability, while the rubber body material provides flexibility and elasticity in the outer regions. This allows the spike to maintain structural integrity while the rubber portions can deform with the tread, preventing gap formation and exposing the spike to less abrasive wear
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters of the spike body from purely rigid (aluminum or steel) to a combination of rigid insert and elastic rubber material. This parameter change allows the spike to exhibit both structural stability and elastic deformation capability, enabling it to follow tread deflection movements while maintaining anchoring strength
3Reliability
If aluminum or steel spike bodies are used, then the spike provides durable anchoring, but the edges of the spike holes are subjected to abrasive wear causing erosion and widening gaps that facilitate ingress of sand and stones
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber-encased spike body prevents direct contact between the metal insert and abrasive road materials. The rubber material protects the edges of the spike holes from erosion and prevents gap widening, while the metal insert maintains anchoring reliability. This composite structure eliminates the harmful edge erosion effect while preserving anchoring function
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
This design significantly reduces road wear and fine dust formation while maintaining grip and ice performance, ensuring the spike's winter properties are retained throughout the tire's life.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic body material dampens impacts, thus reducing the forces exerted on stones in the road surface or on grit particles
Implementation Method 2
The elastic material properties of rubber offer further advantages. Firstly, the elastic body material dampens impacts
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a tire stud (1, 1') for anchoring in a tire stud hole of a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire, comprising a tire stud body (2, 2'), which has a base flange (4, 4'), and comprising a tire stud pin (3) of hard metal, which is anchored in an insert (5, 5') located in the tire stud body (2, 2') and an end portion (3a) of which protrudes from the tire stud body (2, 2'), wherein: the insert (5, 5') has a base part (5a, 5'a) partly forming the base flange (4, 4') and has a pin holder (5b, 5'b) that holds the tire stud pin (3); and the tire stud body (2, 2'), optionally except for the insert (5, 5'), consists of a non-metal material, which surrounds the base part (5a, 5'a) at the base flange (4, 4'). At least the lower part of the base flange (4, 4') is surrounded by a vibration-damping rubber material into the region of lateral surfaces of the base flange (4, 4'), and at least that part (7, 7'b) of the tire stud body (2, 2') that directly adjoins the end portion (3a) of the tire stud pin (3) that protrudes from the tire stud body (2, 2') consists of an abrasion- and cutting-resistant material.