Multi-diameter Tire Assembly for Fuel Efficiency and Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire systems compromise between fuel efficiency, safety, and handling performance, as they either prioritize gas mileage with narrower tires at the expense of traction and handling or enhance traction with wider tires at the cost of fuel economy, and none provide a seamless, passive method to adapt between different tire diameters for varying driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A Triple Tire Assembly (TTAssembly) comprising two small diameter wheels and one large diameter wheel, mounted coaxially on vehicle hubs, where the large diameter tire always contacts the road surface during straight driving and additional small diameter tires engage during turns or emergency stops, providing increased traction and support without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If narrower tires are used to reduce rolling resistance and improve gas mileage, then fuel efficiency is improved, but traction and handling safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tire system dynamically adapts its configuration based on driving conditions. During straight-line driving, only the large diameter tire contacts the road for minimal rolling resistance. During turns, the camber change causes small diameter tires to contact the road, increasing the footprint and traction. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fuel efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire assembly is segmented into multiple independent tires of different diameters, each serving specific functions. The large diameter tire handles straight-line rolling for efficiency, while small diameter tires provide additional contact during turns. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different conditions independently.
2Reliability
If wider tires are used to increase traction and support for safer driving, then safety is improved, but rolling resistance increases and gas mileage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses camber change during turns to dynamically activate small diameter tires, increasing the contact footprint only when needed for traction. During straight-line driving, the system reverts to the fuel-efficient configuration with only the large diameter tire contacting the road.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the tire assembly have different functions optimized for specific conditions. The large diameter tire is optimized for rolling efficiency during straight-line driving, while small diameter tires are positioned to provide localized traction enhancement during turns when camber changes occur.
3Device complexity
If a single tire assembly is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-diameter tire assembly passively adapts to different driving conditions through mechanical means. The camber change during turns automatically causes small diameter tires to contact the road, providing adaptability without electronic controls, computers, or active mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire assembly self-adjusts its contact configuration based on the vehicle's camber angle during turns. No external control systems are needed - the mechanical geometry of the assembly automatically optimizes the footprint for the current driving condition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electronic or computer-controlled mechanisms are used to change tire configuration, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tire assembly passively adapts its configuration through pure mechanical means based on the vehicle's camber angle. No electronics, computers, sensors, or active control mechanisms are required - the geometry of the assembly itself provides the adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates complex electronic control systems from the tire configuration change process. Instead, it uses simple mechanical geometry and camber-induced contact changes to achieve adaptability, removing unnecessary complexity.
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 TTAssembly enhances gas mileage by minimizing rolling resistance, improves safety by increasing traction and support, and reduces maintenance costs by eliminating the need for a spare tire and allowing for interchangeable tires, while maintaining efficient performance across different driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
narrower tires produce less rolling resistance and hence save gas
Implementation Method 2
the more tire surface area contacting the road, the more traction and support the vehicle will have
Implementation Method 3
As the vehicle enters a turn, the TTAssemblies on the front of the vehicle are tilted either left or right due to a camber change of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
In panic or emergency stops all large diameter tires in the TTAssemblies will experience deformation, see FIG. 10, due to the braking forces on the front tires and braking forces on the rear tires
Data Source
AI summary
The TTAssembly is a three tire and rim wheel assembly. The assembly consists of a large diameter center wheel with two identical smaller diameter wheels on the inboard and outboard sides respectively. The TTAssembly replaces the standard single rim single tire assemblies on a vehicle hub, maximizing gas mileage and the safety requirement of the vehicle. It also reduces maintenance costs and eliminates the need for a spare tire.