Raised-Recessed Racing Tire Tread for Rapid Self-Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing racing tyres require external heating devices to achieve optimal performance, which are expensive and energy-consuming, or take too long to reach operating temperature without such devices.
Innovation Solution
Designing tyres with recessed and raised portions on the tread surface that create localized overpressures when rolling, allowing the tyre to heat up rapidly through contact with the ground, eliminating the need for external heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external heating devices are used to raise tyre temperature, then optimal performance is achieved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tyre heats itself through its own structure during normal operation. The undulating tread pattern with raised and recessed portions creates localized overpressures that generate heat through deformation, eliminating the need for external heating devices and reducing energy consumption while maintaining optimal tyre temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The undulating tread pattern creates mechanical deformation and vibration as the tyre rolls. The raised portions experience cyclic compression and relaxation, generating heat through mechanical work and internal friction, which raises the tyre temperature to optimal levels without external energy input
2Temperature
If external heating devices are used to raise tyre temperature, then optimal performance is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tyre structure itself performs the heating function through its undulating tread pattern. The raised and recessed portions create localized overpressures during rolling that generate heat, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex external heating equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the tread surface by introducing undulating patterns with specific raised and recessed portions. This structural parameter change enables the tyre to generate heat through deformation, replacing the need for external heating devices with a passive structural solution
3Use of energy by stationary object
If no heating device is used, then cost and energy consumption are reduced, but time to reach operating temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The undulating tread pattern creates mechanical deformation and vibration during rolling, generating heat rapidly through internal friction and mechanical work. This allows the tyre to reach operating temperature quickly without external heating, minimizing the time loss while maintaining zero energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The tyre structure is pre-configured with undulating patterns that are designed to generate heat automatically upon contact with the road. The raised portions are positioned and sized to create localized overpressures that immediately generate heat when the tyre starts rolling, eliminating the need for pre-heating
4Temperature
If uniform pressure is applied across the tread surface, then simplicity is maintained, but tyre warming efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread surface is designed with localized variations in pressure distribution through raised and recessed portions. The raised portions experience higher localized pressures that generate more heat, while recessed portions experience lower pressures. This local differentiation in pressure quality enables efficient self-heating without requiring complex external systems
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 tyre heats up quickly and achieves optimal performance efficiently and economically, without the use of external heating devices, enhancing grip and performance during races.
Implementation Method 1
the radial and tangential deformations imposed on the raised portions are greater than those imposed on the tread surface of a tyre of the prior art
Implementation Method 2
By imposing relatively high levels of deformation, overpressures are created locally on the raised portions, thereby warming up the tyre according to the invention
Data Source
AI summary
A tire for use on an asphalted surface comprises a tread surface (16) comprising a continuously-smooth part (20). The or each continuously-smooth part (20) comprises a plurality of recessed portions (26) and a plurality of raised portions (28). The recessed portions (26) and the raised portions (28) are arranged in such a way that, when the continuously-smooth part (20) rolls along a surface, the mean top-of-raised-portion pressure exerted on average by that surface on the tops (32) of the raised portions (28) is strictly greater than the mean bottom-of-recessed-portion pressure exerted on average by that surface on the bottoms (30) of the recessed portions (26).