Polymer Tire Stud With Foldable Anchors for Tread Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire studs, both metal and polymeric, face challenges with stud retention in the tire tread, limiting their durability and effectiveness on icy surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A tire stud design featuring a stud body made of polymer with foldable anchoring elements that extend axially outward, improving retention in the tire tread and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metal or polymeric studs are used, then the stud body provides basic traction function, but the stud retention in the tire tread is insufficient, limiting durability
Solution Approach 1:
The stud body is divided into distinct functional zones: a top portion for insertion, an intermediate portion with first foldable anchoring elements for lateral retention, and a bottom portion with second foldable anchoring elements for deeper engagement. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific retention function, significantly improving overall stud retention and durability in the tire tread.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring elements are designed to be foldable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust during the insertion and retention process. The foldable nature enables the elements to engage with the tire tread material effectively, providing adaptive retention that improves both reliability and duration of action.
2Weight of moving object
If polymeric material is used for the stud body, then weight is reduced compared to metal, but the stud retention and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stud body utilizes polymeric material combined with integrated foldable anchoring elements, creating a composite structure that maintains the weight advantages of polymer while achieving metal-level retention through the multi-zone anchoring system. The polymer material provides lightweight construction while the foldable anchoring elements provide the necessary mechanical engagement.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple stud designs are used, then manufacturing is easier, but the stud retention in the tread portion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stud body and the foldable anchoring elements are integrated into a single unified component, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. This merging of functions allows the complex retention features to be manufactured as one piece, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior stud retention through the multi-zone anchoring system.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
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AI summary
A tire stud (1) for use in a tire is disclosed having a stud body (3) comprising or consisting of at least one polymer and a pin (2), wherein the stud body (3) comprises a radially outer top portion (PT), an intermediate portion (PI) and a radially inward bottom portion (PB), the outer portion (PT) being radially adjacent the intermediate portion (PI) and the intermediate portion (PI) being adjacent to the inward bottom portion (PB), and wherein, in the radially inward bottom portion (PB), the tire stud (1) further comprises at least one foldable or bendable anchoring element (4a, 4b, 4c) attached to the stud body (3), said anchoring element (4a, 4b, 4c) extending away from the stud body (3).