Dimpled Sidewall Patterns for Turbulent Air Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire technologies face challenges in heat generation, storage, and transfer, particularly in efficiently modifying tire heat transfer to the surrounding air, which affects operating temperatures and performance.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire with dimpled patterns etched on the sidewalls and tread, modifying air flow to turbulent at high speeds and reducing steady-state operating temperatures of the sidewalls without impacting handling, noise, vibration, or balance, by inducing air flow transition from laminar to turbulent and enhancing cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional smooth tire surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simple and handling is stable, but heat transfer to surrounding air is inefficient and sidewall temperatures are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimpled patterns (micro-cavities) on the tire sidewall surface to create a porous-like structure that modifies air flow. These dimples trap air and create turbulence, enhancing convective heat transfer from the sidewall to the surrounding air, thereby reducing sidewall temperatures without requiring complex internal cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by manipulating air flow over the tire sidewall through dimpled patterns. The dimples create pressure differentials and turbulent flow patterns that increase the effectiveness of air cooling, transforming the simple convective cooling process into a more efficient heat transfer mechanism.
2Loss of energy
If dimpled patterns are added to modify air flow, then heat transfer is improved and sidewall temperatures are reduced, but tire surface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the tire surface by introducing dimpled patterns with specific geometries (depth, diameter, spacing). These parameter changes modify the air flow characteristics and heat transfer coefficients, enabling more effective heat energy loss to the surrounding air while maintaining a relatively simple implementation approach.
3Temperature
If air flow is modified to turbulent flow at high speeds, then cooling efficiency is improved, but handling, noise, vibration, or balance may be impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The dimpled patterns are applied specifically to the sidewall regions that benefit most from cooling, rather than the entire tire surface. This localized application enhances cooling efficiency in critical areas while minimizing potential negative impacts on overall tire performance, handling, and aerodynamics.
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 dimpled pattern surface treatment effectively reduces sidewall temperatures by up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit at high speeds, improving tire performance and longevity by managing heat transfer efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
Each dimpled pattern surface treatment modifies air flow at 180 mph over the tire to turbulent flow
Implementation Method 2
modifying tire heat transfer to the surrounding air
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a pneumatic tire comprising a tread, sidewalls, a belt, and dimpled patterns, wherein each dimpled pattern is adapted to modify air flow and temperature. The tread defines the outward surface of the tire and extends in a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a lateral direction. Each sidewall extends radially inwardly along a curved path from the tread to a bead and defines a lateral surface having maximum lateral extent. The belt extends under the tread. Each dimpled pattern is a surface treatment etched from a sidewall maximum lateral extent over a belt edge and onto the tread. Each dimpled pattern surface treatment modifies air flow at 180 mph over the tire to turbulent flow, and reduces steady state operating temperatures of the sidewalls.