Post-Cure Run-Flat Insert for Tire Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional run-flat tires face challenges in durability, manufacturing complexity, and increased costs due to inefficient support structures that often compromise ride behavior and accelerate tire wear.
Innovation Solution
A post-cure run-flat tire design featuring cylindrical inserts secured to the inner liner with adhesive material, providing 360-degree support without the need for conventional sidewall-stabilizing reinforcement inserts, and optionally incorporating foam or air within the inserts for enhanced durability, while also serving as a noise reduction mechanism through Helmholtz resonator design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sidewall-stabilizing reinforcement inserts are used, then run-flat support is provided, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is pre-cured as a separate component before being installed in the tire, allowing it to be manufactured independently with optimized processes and then attached to the inner liner, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining run-flat support functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The run-flat support function is separated from the main tire structure by using a distinct, removable insert component that can be manufactured and quality-tested independently, then installed as a separate assembly step
2Reliability
If toroidal insert extends across rim portion, then run-flat support is provided, but heat escape is blocked accelerating tire wear
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is positioned specifically in the sidewall region between the inner liner and body ply, providing run-flat support only where needed in the sidewall area, while leaving the rim portion and tread area open for heat dissipation, thus preventing accelerated tire wear
3Reliability
If multiple attachment points are used to secure device to rim, then run-flat support is provided, but device complexity and manufacturing processes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is completely removed from the rim attachment requirement, being secured solely to the inner liner through adhesive bonding, thereby eliminating the need for rim brackets, welds, or multiple attachment points and significantly reducing device 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 solution enhances run-flat performance by maintaining tire integrity at zero inflation pressure without additional reinforcement, reduces manufacturing complexity, and minimizes tire cavity noise, thereby improving durability and ride quality while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the cylindrical sidewall having an exterior surface that is secured to the radially inner surface of an inner liner by an adhesive material
Implementation Method 2
optionally incorporating foam or air within the inserts for enhanced durability
Implementation Method 3
serving as a noise reduction mechanism through Helmholtz resonator design
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle tire is disclosed with a pair of post-cure run-flat inserts, each of the pair of post-cure run-flat inserts is disposed within a tire cavity between a shoulder region and a respective upper sidewall region of the tire. The tire further includes a cylindrical sidewall defining an interior cylindrical cavity, each of the cylindrical sidewall and the interior cylindrical cavity extending 360 degrees about a rotational axis of the tire, the cylindrical sidewall having an exterior surface contacting a radially inner surface of an inner liner between the shoulder region and the respective upper sidewall region during a normal inflation condition of the tire.