Corrugated Tire Web Structure for Lightweight Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-pneumatic tire technologies face challenges in providing a lightweight, high-strength web structure that can effectively distribute loads and maintain ride comfort while being resistant to deformation and punctures.
Innovation Solution
A method of forming a web structure for non-pneumatic tires using pre-strained elongated sheets of polymeric material, which are shaped into annular webbing rings with peaks and valleys, and then interconnected to create a flexible support system between an inner and outer ring, enhancing load distribution and ride comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional molding processes are used to create spokes or webbing, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the weight of the non-pneumatic tire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using thin polymeric sheets (0.5mm to 2mm thick) to form the web structure instead of traditional bulky molded spokes. The sheets are pre-strained and formed into corrugated configurations that provide structural strength while maintaining low weight, directly resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and structural strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polymeric sheets with specific corrugated geometries and pre-straining treatments. This creates a composite structure where the material properties and geometric configuration work together to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the web structure to maintain structural integrity while significantly reducing tire weight.
2Ease of operation
If pre-strained polymeric sheets with peaks and valleys are used to form the web structure, then ride comfort and vibration reduction are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-straining the polymeric sheets before forming them into the final web structure configuration. This pre-straining process creates internal stresses that enhance the corrugated structure's ability to absorb vibrations and improve ride comfort, while the pre-forming allows for more efficient manufacturing of the complex geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by forming the polymeric sheets into corrugated configurations with peaks and valleys. This curved geometry provides mechanical advantages for vibration absorption and load distribution, improving ride comfort while the systematic formation process manages the manufacturing complexity of creating these three-dimensional structures.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the web structure is designed to be lightweight with thin polymeric sheets, then the tire becomes more fuel-efficient, but the resistance to deformation and punctures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the web structure into multiple corrugated layers with peaks and valleys that interlock. This segmented configuration distributes mechanical stresses across multiple surfaces and layers, enhancing puncture resistance and deformation resistance despite using thin polymeric sheets, thereby maintaining reliability while keeping the structure lightweight for fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat sheet to a three-dimensional corrugated structure by adding geometric complexity in the thickness dimension. This dimensional transformation creates multiple load-bearing surfaces and air pockets that enhance structural rigidity and resistance to deformation and punctures, allowing thin sheets to achieve the reliability needed for fuel-efficient design.
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 solution results in a lightweight, high-strength web structure that effectively distributes loads, reduces vibration, and maintains ride comfort by utilizing pre-strained polymeric materials with peaks and valleys, forming a flexible support system that is resistant to deformation and punctures.
Implementation Method 1
a method of making a non-pneumatic tire comprising: providing a plurality of pre-strained elongated sheets of polymeric material; stretching the elongated sheets to a predetermined tensile strength
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A web structure for a non-pneumatic tire includes a first corrugated ring having a first plurality of peaks and a first plurality of valleys. The first corrugated ring is a pre-strained, thermoplastic elastomer resin ring. The web structure further includes a second corrugated ring having a second plurality of peaks and a second plurality of valleys. The second corrugated ring is a pre-strained, thermoplastic elastomer resin ring. The second plurality of valleys are affixed to the first plurality of peaks by welding or an adhesive.