Run-Flat Tire Side Reinforcing Rubber Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Run-flat tires face challenges in reducing weight while maintaining durability and ride comfort, as increased mass leads to deteriorated fuel efficiency and ride quality.
Innovation Solution
A run-flat tire design featuring recesses on the inner surface of the side reinforcing rubber, with the number of recesses correlated to the pattern elements on the tread portion, balances weight reduction with maintaining rigidity and uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the volume of side reinforcing rubber is reduced to decrease tire mass, then fuel efficiency and ride comfort are improved, but the rigidity of the side reinforcing rubber may be enormously decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The side reinforcing rubber is segmented by providing recesses at specific positions, dividing the continuous rubber structure into multiple sections. This segmentation reduces the overall volume and mass of the side reinforcing rubber while maintaining structural integrity through the patterned distribution of material.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are strategically positioned at specific locations on the inner surface of the side reinforcing rubber, creating local variations in material distribution. This local quality approach allows weight reduction in specific areas while preserving rigidity in critical regions, optimizing the balance between mass reduction and structural strength.
2Weight of moving object
If the number of recesses in the side reinforcing rubber is increased to reduce weight, then tire mass is decreased, but the uniformity of the tire may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are arranged in a periodic pattern that corresponds to the pitch pattern of the tread portion, with the total number of recesses being 0.70 to 1.30 times the total number of pattern elements. This periodic arrangement ensures uniform distribution of weight reduction while maintaining tire uniformity and preventing excessive vibration or noise.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the volume of side reinforcing rubber is reduced to improve fuel efficiency, then energy consumption is decreased, but the run-flat durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are positioned at specific locations on the inner surface of the side reinforcing rubber, creating local variations in material distribution. This allows weight reduction in non-critical areas while preserving the structural integrity and run-flat durability in load-bearing regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic arrangement of recesses in correlation with the tread pattern ensures that weight reduction is distributed uniformly, preventing stress concentration that could compromise run-flat durability while achieving fuel efficiency improvements.
Data Source
AI summary
A run-flat tire capable of reducing weight and enhancing its uniformity. The run-flat tire 1 provides a toroidal carcass 6 extending from a tread portion 2 to the bead core of each bead portion 4 through each of sidewall portions 3 and a pair of side reinforcing rubbers 9 arranged inside the carcass 6 and extending along the sidewall portions 3 in the tire radial direction inwardly and outwardly. In the outer surface of the tread portion 2, pattern elements are arranged, thereby forming a pitch pattern. Each of the side reinforcing rubber 9 provides with recesses 11 circumferentially spaced on the inner surface of side reinforcing rubber facing the tire cavity. The total number (n) of recesses 11 on each of the side reinforcing rubber 9 is 0.70 to 1.30 times the total number of pattern elements.