Studded Tyre Stud Geometry for Lower Road Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Studded tires cause excessive road wear due to their design, which affects both economic and environmental sustainability, while maintaining the need for effective traction and grip on icy and snowy surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A studded tire design featuring studs with a pin and base flange configuration, where the pin is made of hard metal or ceramic, and the base flange has a specific cross-sectional area and height ratio to minimize dynamic impact on the road, along with a tread structure that includes sipes and grooves to enhance grip without increasing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional studded tyre design is used, then grip on icy and snowy surfaces is improved, but road wear increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the stud, specifically the ratio between base flange cross-sectional area and pin cross-sectional area (A1/A2), and the ratio between base flange area and stud height (A1/H). By optimizing these parameters within specific ranges, the stud achieves reduced dynamic impact on the road surface while maintaining effective grip on icy and snowy surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a base flange structure that acts as a cushioning element between the pin and the road surface. The base flange distributes the impact force over a larger area and absorbs part of the dynamic impact before it reaches the road, thereby reducing road wear while maintaining grip effectiveness.
2Reliability
If stud hardness is increased to improve grip, then traction on ice is enhanced, but road wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the stud. The pin is made of hard material (hardness 50-65 HRC) to maintain grip effectiveness on ice, while the base flange is made of softer material (hardness 30-50 HRC) to reduce impact on the road surface. This local differentiation of material quality allows the stud to achieve both good traction and reduced road wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction for the stud, combining hard metal or ceramic material for the pin with softer rubber or elastomer material for the base flange. This composite structure enables the hard pin to penetrate and grip ice effectively while the softer base flange cushions the impact and reduces road wear.
3Reliability
If stud protrusion height is increased to improve grip, then traction is enhanced, but dynamic impact and road wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the stud protrusion height parameter (H) within a specific range relative to the base flange area (A1), ensuring H/A1 falls within 0.05-0.20 mm/mm. This parameter optimization allows the stud to maintain sufficient protrusion for effective ice grip while limiting the dynamic impact force transmitted to the road surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The base flange structure serves as a pre-positioned cushioning element that absorbs and distributes the dynamic impact force generated by the protruding pin during contact with the road surface. This beforehand cushioning reduces the peak impact forces that would otherwise cause excessive road wear.
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 design achieves a balance between reduced road wear and improved traction, meeting the requirements for winter driving conditions while minimizing material erosion and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
Studs are commonly used to improve grip on ice
Implementation Method 2
A studded tyre comprises a tread and multiple studs in the tread
Implementation Method 3
the base flange has a first cross-section on a plane that has a normal in the longitudinal direction of the stud, the first cross-section having a first area, and the base flange has a height in the longitudinal direction of the stud
Data Source
AI summary
A stud is for improving grip of a tyre. The stud includes a body having a base flange and a second part, the second part being joined to the base flange, and a pin protruding from the second part in the longitudinal direction (Sz) of the stud. The pin is made of hard metal or ceramic. The base flange has a first cross-section having a first area. The pin has a second cross-section having a second area. A ratio of the first area to the second area is 6.5 to 21. Moreover, the pin protrudes a first height from the second part such that a ratio of the first area to the first height is 20 to 50 mm2/mm.