Motorcycle Tire Sidewall Thickness for Cornering Feel and Firmness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycle tires lack improved sense of firmness, ground contacting feel, and absorbency during cornering, which are crucial for stability and steering ease.
Innovation Solution
A motorcycle tire design featuring a tread portion with sidewall portions having a minimum sidewall rubber thickness of 50% or less of the minimum tire thickness, extending from the tread edges to the tire inner cavity, with a carcass extending toroidally between bead portions, and incorporating specific thickness and anti-aging agent distributions to enhance deflection and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the sidewall rubber thickness is increased to improve sense of firmness, then stability during running is improved, but the ground contacting feel and ease of steering deteriorate due to reduced sidewall flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the sidewall rubber thickness into multiple zones: a first sidewall rubber layer with greater thickness for firmness, and a second sidewall rubber layer with smaller thickness for flexibility. This localized differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirement without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall rubber is segmented into distinct layers with different thickness characteristics. The first sidewall rubber and second sidewall rubber form separate functional zones that work together, allowing the tire to simultaneously achieve firmness and ground contacting feel through the combined action of these segmented structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sidewall rubber thickness is increased to improve sense of firmness, then stability during running is improved, but the absorbency and ease of bending deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the sidewall rubber thickness into multiple zones: a first sidewall rubber layer with greater thickness for firmness, and a second sidewall rubber layer with smaller thickness for flexibility. This localized differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirement without compromising the other.
3Ease of operation
If the minimum sidewall rubber thickness is set to 50% or less of the minimum tire thickness, then ground contacting feel and absorbency are improved, but the sense of firmness may deteriorate if not properly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the thickness ratio of sidewall rubber to tire thickness within specific ranges (50% or less), and by adjusting the thickness ratio between different sidewall rubber layers. These parameter optimizations ensure the tire achieves the desired balance between ground contacting feel and sense of firmness.
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 design improves the sense of firmness, ground contacting feel, and absorbency, providing better stability and vibration suppression during cornering.
Implementation Method 1
the sidewall rubber has a minimum thickness (Ds) of 50% or less of a minimum tire thickness from a respective one of the tread edges to a tire inner cavity surface... the minimum thickness (Ds) of the sidewall rubber is from 0.3 to 1.9 mm
Data Source
AI summary
A motorcycle tire includes a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions, and a carcass extending between the bead portions in a toroidal manner. Each of the sidewall portions is provided with a sidewall rubber. In each of the sidewall portions, a minimum thickness (Ts) is 50% or less of a minimum tire thickness (Ta) from a respective one of tread edges to a tire inner cavity surface. A minimum thickness (Ds) of the sidewall rubber is from 0.3 to 1.9 mm.