Spiked Tire Acoustic Damping Layer for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic vehicle tires with spikes generate significant rolling noise due to the hard metal pins hitting the ground, and existing solutions have not effectively reduced this noise to the level of winter tires without spikes, despite increasing the number of spikes in the tread.

Innovation Solution

An acoustic damping layer with maximum absorption in the range of 300 Hz to 500 Hz is integrated inside the tire, specifically tailored to the excitation spectrum generated by the spikes, using thermoplastic or elastomeric foam, such as polyurethane foam, with a design that matches the tire contact area and includes elevations or depressions on the interior-facing side to dampen vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the number of spikes in the tread is increased to improve power transmission on icy ground, then the power transmission is improved, but the rolling noise generated by the spikes hitting the ground increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidrolling noise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An acoustic damping layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the spike-generated vibrations and the tire interior. This layer absorbs and dampens the vibrations caused by spikes hitting the ground, preventing their transmission into the vehicle interior while maintaining the spike configuration needed for power transmission on icy surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic damping layer is specifically designed with maximum absorption characteristics in the 300-500 Hz frequency range, which corresponds to the dominant frequencies generated by spikes at typical vehicle speeds (e.g., 80 km/h). This targeted parameter optimization allows effective noise reduction without compromising the spike arrangement for traction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional foam layers are used for sound absorption, then some noise reduction is achieved, but the rolling noise is not reduced to the level of winter tires without spikes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling noiseVSAvoidnoise reduction effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic damping layer is specifically engineered with maximum absorption in the 300-500 Hz frequency range, which targets the dominant frequencies generated by spikes at typical vehicle speeds (e.g., 80 km/h). This targeted frequency optimization distinguishes it from conventional foam layers and achieves superior noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The damping layer is positioned and dimensioned to specifically address the noise generation zone. It has a width of 30%-100% of the tire contact area and thickness of 5%-20% of its width, with elevations or depressions on the interior-facing side to enhance damping of spike-induced vibrations locally where they are generated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 acoustic damping layer significantly reduces both objectively measurable and subjectively perceptible rolling noise by dampening the vibrations caused by the spikes, improving noise reduction in spiked tires.

Implementation Method 1

the acoustic damping layer has its maximum degree of absorption in the range from 300 Hz to 500 Hz

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

The vibrations excited by the spikes are dampened and their transmission into the vehicle interior is impeded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the acoustic damping layer consists of a thermoplastic or elastomeric foam, preferably polyurethane foam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam damping: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP3341224B1Tubeless pneumatic vehicle tire
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3341224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Tubeless pneumatic vehicle tire comprising a tread (1) that has a plurality of spikes (5), further comprising sidewalls (3), bead regions (2) and an airtight inner ply (4) that forms the inner face (4a) facing the interior of the pneumatic vehicle tire, a noise damping ply (6, 6', 6") being circumferentially mounted in the area of the inner face (4a) lying opposite the tread (1). The noise damping ply (6) has a maximum degree of absorption in the range of 300 to 500 Hz.