Multi-Chamber Tire Structure for Run-Flat Ride Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional run flat tires with side reinforcing rubber experience increased rigidity in the radial direction, leading to deteriorated ride comfort during normal travel.
Innovation Solution
A multi air chamber tire design featuring partition walls that divide the tire into multiple air chambers, with each chamber having specific coupling portions to maintain structural integrity and support, allowing safe travel after tire failure without compromising ride comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If side reinforcing rubber is added to create a run flat tire, then safe travel distance after tire failure is improved, but ride comfort deteriorates due to increased radial rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tire's internal cavity into multiple air chambers using partition walls. This segmentation allows the tire to maintain structural integrity and support vehicle weight even when one or more chambers are compromised, enabling safe travel after puncture without requiring rigid side reinforcing rubber that would degrade ride comfort.
2Reliability
If side reinforcing rubber is added to create a run flat tire, then safe travel distance after tire failure is improved, but tire weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partition walls to create multiple air chambers instead of adding substantial side reinforcing rubber. This segmentation approach provides run-flat capability with minimal additional weight, as the partition walls are much lighter than the solid rubber reinforcement required in conventional run-flat tires.
3Reliability
If side reinforcing rubber is added to create a run flat tire, then safe travel distance after tire failure is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements run-flat capability through segmented air chambers formed by partition walls, avoiding the need for heavy side reinforcing rubber. This reduces tire weight and consequently decreases the energy required for rotation, leading to lower fuel consumption while maintaining the ability to travel safely after tire failure.
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 multi air chamber tire enables safe travel over a certain distance after tire failure while maintaining ride comfort and reducing weight and fuel consumption, similar to conventional run flat tires.
Implementation Method 1
a first air chamber 20 is formed in a space located at a position inward of the partition walls 30 in the tire width direction, and a second air chamber 21 is formed in a space located between a partition wall of the partition walls 30 and the tire inner wall surface of the pair of sidewall portions 3
Data Source
AI summary
A multi air chamber tire 1 includes a tread portion 4, a pair of bead portions 2, a pair of sidewall portions 3, and partition walls 30 respectively provided to half portions of a tire which are defined with respect to a tire equator plane, the partition walls 30 partitioning an inner cavity of the tire to form a plurality of air chambers disposed adjacent to each other. Each of the partition walls 30 includes a first coupling portion 9a and a second coupling portion 9b coupled with a tire inner wall surface. When the tire 1 is filled with fluid, a first air chamber 20 is formed in a space inward of the partition walls 30 in a tire width direction, and a second air chamber 21 is formed in each space between a partition wall 30 and the tire inner wall surface of a sidewall portion 3.