Modular Tyre Liner Shearing Mechanism for Puncture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tyre liners face inefficiencies in puncture resistance, particularly against resilient foreign bodies like thorns and road debris, leading to material wastage and performance degradation due to reliance on barrier principles and denser materials, and alternative solutions like tyre goo/slime are not comprehensive.
Innovation Solution
A modular tyre liner comprising interlocking pieces that create a shear-type action, generating a standing wave and two adjacent shearing boundaries to prevent foreign bodies from penetrating, with an arched cross-section for enhanced resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a denser liner material is used to improve puncture resistance, then puncture resistance is improved, but tyre performance characteristics are hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is divided into multiple discrete segments that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the liner to maintain puncture resistance through the collective action of segments while preserving tyre performance by allowing individual segments to flex and move without restricting overall tyre functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner transitions from a static, rigid barrier to a dynamic system where segments can move relative to each other. This dynamic capability enables the liner to adapt to tyre deformation and movement, maintaining puncture protection while avoiding the performance degradation associated with dense, rigid materials.
2Reliability
If a barrier principle is used for puncture resistance, then puncture prevention is achieved, but resilient foreign bodies can still penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic movement of segments creates a non-static barrier that resilient foreign bodies cannot easily penetrate. The segments can shift and adjust during tyre deformation, preventing foreign bodies from finding consistent gaps or weaknesses in the barrier, thereby addressing the limitation of static barrier principles against resilient objects.
3Reliability
If excessive length is used for the liner, then coverage is ensured, but material wastage occurs due to cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is pre-divided into modular segments that can be selectively assembled to match the specific tyre size and coverage requirements. This eliminates the need to cut a single excessive-length liner, as only the necessary number and type of segments are assembled, thereby preventing material wastage while ensuring adequate coverage.
4Ease of operation
If the liner is made as a single piece, then installation is simple, but no shearing action is created for puncture resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is segmented into multiple pieces that mechanically interlock through simple connection mechanisms. This segmentation enables the creation of shearing boundaries between segments that provide puncture resistance, while the interlocking design maintains ease of installation by allowing segments to be assembled in a straightforward sequence without complex procedures.
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 modular design provides superior puncture resistance by shearing foreign bodies and resisting egress, reducing material wastage and enhancing tyre performance without relying solely on denser materials or additional sealing agents.
Implementation Method 1
As such, as the tyre rolls, a standing wave is created at the bottom of the tyre where adjacent pieces move with respect to each other.
Implementation Method 2
Such creates a travelling shearing boundary between adjacent pieces which, on account of the relative movement, either prevents a foreign body from penetrating past the shearing boundary, or if it does, the foreign body is sheared by the scissor-type action across the shearing boundary
Implementation Method 3
Furthermore, the overlaying of the pieces provides an arched cross-section lamination which we found has bounce-back resilience which further resists against the egress of foreign bodies.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a piece for a modular tyre liner, the piece being planar and generally rectangular and cut to define: a key head and a key hole, the key head configured for insertion into an associated key hole of an adjacent piece for engagement in use to form a mechanical interlock with the adjacent piece and wherein the key head and a key hole are configured for allowing movement of the piece with respect to the adjacent piece along the length of the liner in use.