Pneumatic Tire Annular Structure for Rolling Resistance Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires face challenges in reducing rolling resistance, which affects fuel consumption and steering stability, as existing methods primarily focus on material improvements rather than structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire design featuring a cylindrical annular structure made from metal, with a rubber layer along its circumference and a carcass portion including fibers, where the annular structure is positioned inward in the radial direction and has a specific rigidity parameter to maintain eccentric deformation and ensure ground contact area, reducing viscoelastic energy loss and rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a silica-compounded rubber is used for the tread, then the rolling resistance is reduced, but the structural design potential is not fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The tire structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: an inner annular structure layer, a middle rubber layer, and an outer tread layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function, enabling structural innovation to reduce rolling resistance without compromising overall tire performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining the annular structure (providing structural support and eccentric deformation control) with the rubber layer (providing cushioning and ground contact). This composite approach allows the structural design itself to contribute to rolling resistance reduction, complementing material-based solutions like silica-compounded rubber
2Stability of the object's composition
If the annular structure is positioned farther inward in the radial direction, then the eccentric deformation is maintained, but the ground contact area may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the position conflict by introducing dimensional relationships between layers. The annular structure is positioned inward in the radial direction, while the rubber layer extends outward to ensure adequate ground contact area. This dimensional arrangement allows both eccentric deformation maintenance and sufficient ground contact to coexist
3Stress or pressure
If the outer side of the rubber layer and the outer side of the annular structure have the same form, then the pressure distribution is uniform, but the structural flexibility is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the tire structure have different properties optimized for their local functions. The annular structure has a form optimized for maintaining eccentric deformation and uniform pressure distribution, while the rubber layer has the flexibility needed for structural adaptation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between pressure uniformity and structural flexibility
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 tire achieves reduced rolling resistance, enhanced cornering power, and improved steering stability while maintaining riding comfort, with the annular structure's rigidity parameter and parallel forms of the rubber and annular structure in cross-sections ensuring uniform pressure distribution and suppressing localized deformation.
Implementation Method 1
maintain eccentric deformation and ensure ground contact area, reducing viscoelastic energy loss and rolling resistance
Implementation Method 2
reducing viscoelastic energy loss and rolling resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire 1 including a cylindrical annular structure 10; a rubber layer 11 that will become a tread portion, provided along a circumferential direction of the annular structure 10, on an outer side 10so of the annular structure 10; and a carcass portion 12 including fibers covered with rubber, provided on both sides 2S in a direction parallel to a center axis (Y-axis) of a cylindrical structure 2 including the annular structure 10 and the rubber layer 11. In a meridian cross-sectional view of the structure 2, an outer side 11so of the rubber layer 11 and the outer side 10so of the annular structure 10 have the same form.