Contoured Protective Piece for Retreaded Air Maintenance Tire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Normal air diffusion leads to tire pressure reduction over time, resulting in reduced fuel economy, tire life, and vehicle handling performance, and existing Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems rely on driver intervention for re-inflation.
Innovation Solution
A retreaded air maintenance tire system with a contoured piece made from heat-insulating or foamed materials, incorporating a compression actuator and pump assembly that maintains air pressure through a bladder within the tire casing, allowing for automatic air regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bladder is inflated within the tire casing during retreading to secure the tread, then the tread can be properly bonded to the casing, but the bladder may contact and be damaged by the air maintenance structure or may cause localized forces that damage the structure
Solution Approach 1:
A contoured protective piece is positioned between the bladder and the air maintenance structure during the retreading process. This intermediary component prevents direct contact between the inflated bladder and the air maintenance structure, eliminating the risk of damage to either the bladder or the structure while allowing the retreading to proceed normally
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the air maintenance structure remains attached to the inside of the tire during retreading, then the structure is preserved for continued air maintenance functionality, but the structure may be damaged by the inflated bladder or localized forces
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured protective piece is installed on the air maintenance structure before the retreading process begins. This protective covering acts as a cushion that absorbs and distributes the localized forces exerted by the inflated bladder, preventing damage to the air maintenance structure while allowing it to remain attached to the tire interior during retreading
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 system automatically maintains tire pressure, enhancing fuel efficiency, tire longevity, and vehicle performance by preventing pressure loss, thus reducing the need for frequent driver intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The contoured piece is constructed from a heat insulating material
Implementation Method 2
The bladder is inflated within an internal cavity of the tire casing and around the contoured piece whereby the bladder does not contact the structure. The bladder provides heat for securing the retread element to the tire casing
Data Source
AI summary
A method in accordance with the present invention retreads an air maintenance tire. The method comprises the steps of: grinding remaining tread material from a tire casing for a worn air-maintenance tire; temporarily securing a contoured piece around a structure secured to the inner surface of the tire casing; placing a tread on the tire casing; inflating a bladder within an internal cavity of the tire casing and around the contoured piece whereby the bladder does not contact the structure; securing the tread to the tire casing; deflating the bladder; separating the tire casing and tread secured to the tire casing from the bladder; and removing the contoured piece from the tire casing.