Segmented Tire Load-Bearing Structure for Tread Flattening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires face challenges in achieving optimal flattening, particularly at the axial ends of the tread, which affects performance metrics like rolling resistance, grip, wear, and noise, due to their inherent design characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic-type tire design featuring a radially outer and radially inner structure with a load-bearing structure composed of independent, wired elements connected by radially outer and inner fabrics, forming a sandwich structure, and reinforced by a carcass reinforcement in the sidewalls to enhance structural integrity and pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional tire design with small meridian curvature at the shoulders is used, then the tire structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the tread flattening is difficult to obtain and performance metrics like rolling resistance and grip are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is divided into multiple independent load-bearing elements (steel belts arranged in a lattice pattern) that are spaced apart from each other. These segmented elements allow the tread to flatten independently at the shoulders while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between achieving tread flattening and maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire combines multiple materials with different properties: steel belts for load-bearing and structural rigidity, elastomeric material for flexibility and contact with ground, and a lattice arrangement providing both strength and flexibility. This composite structure enables the tread to achieve proper flattening while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If the load-bearing structure uses closely spaced or interconnected elements, then structural strength is improved, but the buckling behavior in compression is reduced and tread flattening is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing structure is segmented into discrete, spaced-apart steel belt elements rather than continuous or closely spaced structures. This segmentation allows each element to buckle independently under compression, enabling the tread to flatten properly while maintaining overall load-bearing capacity through the distributed lattice structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spacing parameter of the load-bearing elements to an optimal distance that allows buckling behavior. The steel belts are positioned at specific intervals that enable compression-induced buckling for tread flattening while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the distributed lattice arrangement.
3Strength
If the average surface density of load-bearing elements is increased, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but the natural vibration frequencies decrease and vibrational comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing elements are segmented and distributed in a lattice pattern rather than forming a dense continuous structure. This segmentation creates multiple independent vibration modes and maintains higher natural vibration frequencies while still providing sufficient load-bearing capacity through the distributed arrangement of steel belts.
Solution Approach 2:
The density of load-bearing elements is optimized locally rather than uniformly throughout the tire. The lattice structure provides sufficient density for load-bearing where needed while maintaining lower overall density to preserve natural vibration frequencies and vibrational comfort.
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 design improves tread flattening, leading to better wear life, grip, and reduced rolling resistance, while also enhancing vibrational and acoustic comfort by increasing natural vibration frequencies and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting elements positioned in the contact area being subjected to buckling in compression and therefore not contributing to the bearing of the applied load
Implementation Method 2
a space inner annular having a height H, mean radial and radially delimited by the radially inner face of the radially outer structure of revolution and by the radially outer face of the radially inner structure of revolution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Tyre type device (1), intended to equip a vehicle, comprising a radially outer revolution structure (2) intended to make contact with a ground, a radially inner revolution structure (3), coaxial with the radially outer revolution structure (2) and intended to be connected to a mounting means (4), a support structure (6) made up of identical support elements (61) extending outside the contact area (A) with the ground and in compression in the contact area (A), and two sidewalls (9), the support elements (61) are wired and are respectively connected to the radially inner face (23) of the radially outer revolution structure (2) by a radially outer fabric (71) and the radially outer face (33) of the radially inner revolution structure (3) by a radially inner fabric (72), and moreover the tyre type device (1) comprises a carcass reinforcement (10, 11) extending radially in each sidewall (9) and axially at least partially in the radially outer revolution structure (2) and at least partially in the radially inner revolution structure (3).