Retread Tire Buttress Dimples for Tread Separation Durability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Retread tires often suffer damage due to heat generated during driving, leading to separation of the recapped tread from the base tire.

Innovation Solution

The retread tire features a recapped tread with a first buttress surface that includes a plurality of dimples, each with a maximum diameter of 2 to 5 mm and a maximum depth of 1 to 3 mm, which reduces rubber volume, suppresses heat generation, and enhances heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the recapped tread is adhered to the base tire with sufficient rubber volume, then the adhesion strength is improved, but heat generation increases causing separation damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating dimples at specific locations on the buttress surface rather than uniformly modifying the entire surface. The dimples are concentrated in the heat-prone buttress region while maintaining full rubber coverage in the tread center area, allowing localized heat management without compromising overall adhesion strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dimpled surface creates a porous-like structure on the buttress surface that facilitates heat dissipation. The cavities formed by dimples allow heat to escape from the rubber layer, reducing temperature buildup while the surrounding rubber material maintains adhesion functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Temperature

If dimples are made larger or deeper, then heat dissipation is improved, but structural integrity and adhesion are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the dimple dimensions to specific ranges: depth of 1-3mm and diameter of 2-5mm. These parameter specifications balance heat dissipation effectiveness with structural integrity, ensuring dimples are large enough to dissipate heat but small enough to maintain adhesion strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by applying dimpling only to the buttress surface rather than the entire tread surface. This localized approach provides sufficient heat dissipation where most needed (at the heat-prone buttress region) while preserving structural integrity in other critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This configuration improves the durability of separation between the recapped tread and the base tire by reducing heat-related damage and preventing cracking, while maintaining excellent heat dissipation properties.

Implementation Method 1

which reduces rubber volume, suppresses heat generation, and enhances heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat generation suppression through volume reduction:

Implementation Method 2

which reduces rubber volume, suppresses heat generation, and enhances heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation:

Data Source

PatentUS12304248B2Retread tire

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A retread tire includes a base tire, and a recapped tread adhered to the base tire. The recapped tread includes a first tread edge, and a first buttress surface extending inwardly from the first tread edge in the tire radial direction. The first buttress surface is provided with a plurality of dimples. Each of the plurality of dimples has a maximum diameter in a range from 2 to 5 mm and a maximum depth in a range from 1 to 3 mm.