Textured Pneumatic Tyre Sidewall Aerodynamic Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires contribute significantly to aerodynamic resistance and fuel consumption due to dirt accumulation on their sidewalls, which degrades their aerodynamic performance and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A tire with a textured sidewall design featuring a contrasting texture with protuberances or hollow elements, covering at least 20% of the sidewall surface above the zone of maximum width, reduces dirt adhesion and promotes quicker air flow detachment, thereby minimizing aerodynamic drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sidewall is made smooth and continuous, then the manufacturing is easier and the appearance is cleaner, but the aerodynamic resistance increases due to dirt accumulation and the airflow disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall is equipped with a texture comprising a plurality of protuberances or hollow elements, creating a micro-porous surface structure. This texture covers at least 20% of the sidewall surface and has a mean pitch between 0.05 and 0.35 mm, allowing it to reduce dirt adhesion while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through injection molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The texture is applied locally to specific zones of the sidewall rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The texture is arranged above the zone of maximum width and covers critical areas where dirt accumulation most affects aerodynamics, while other areas maintain their conventional smooth appearance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sidewall texture covers a large surface area, then the dirt adhesion is reduced and aerodynamic performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The texture is segmented into multiple discrete elements (protuberances or hollow elements) arranged in a pattern with specific pitch intervals. This segmentation allows the complex aerodynamic function to be achieved through simple, repeatable geometric units that are easy to manufacture using standard injection molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The texture parameters (mean pitch between 0.05 and 0.35 mm, coverage area of at least 20%, positioning above the zone of maximum width) are optimized to achieve the best balance between aerodynamic performance and manufacturing simplicity. These parameter ranges enable effective dirt reduction while remaining compatible with conventional tire manufacturing capabilities.
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 textured sidewall design effectively reduces dirt adhesion and sludge accumulation, preserving aerodynamic qualities and reducing fuel consumption by minimizing air flow disturbances and turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
The tire comprising at least one texture on at least one sidewall, said texture comprising a plurality of protuberances or hollow elements integral with said sidewall, the texture being arranged on the sidewall of the tire above the zone of maximum width of the tire
Implementation Method 2
The arrangement of textures reducing the adhesion of dirt at the level of the zone of the sidewall located between the zone of maximum width of the tire and the tread reduces the creation of disturbances in the air flows. These disturbances increase aerodynamic drag. Indeed, the streams of air circulating along the flank detach more quickly from the wall and the transition from the laminar regime to the turbulent regime occurs at a lower speed.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~3
Figure 4~9
AI summary
Pneumatic tyre (1) made of rubbery material comprising a tread (2), sidewalls (3) and shoulders (6) providing a transition zone between the sidewalls and the tread, and a zone (5) of maximum width of the sidewall, the tyre comprising at least one texture (4) arranged along at least one of the sidewalls, the texture (4) comprising a plurality of protruding or recessed elements formed as an integral part of the sidewall, the texture (4) having a substantially annular shape and being applied to an area covering at least 40% of the surface area of the sidewall lying between the zone (5) of maximum width and the tread (2).