Pneumatic Tire Band Layer Modulus for Durability and Ride Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pneumatic tires face challenges in achieving both high-speed durability and ride comfort simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The pneumatic tire design includes a band layer with band cords arranged in the tire circumferential direction, having a 2% modulus of 4500 to 9000 N/mm², and sidewall and bead portions with specific elastic moduli, incorporating aramid fibers to enhance durability and comfort by controlling tread expansion and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the band layer uses conventional band cords, then the tire structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the high-speed durability and ride comfort cannot be achieved simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-speed durabilityVSAvoidband cord modulus control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by specifying a precise modulus range (4500-9000 N/mm²) for the band cord to simultaneously achieve high-speed durability and ride comfort. This quantitative parameter control transforms the band layer's mechanical properties to resolve the contradiction between reliability and performance balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining the band layer with specific modulus characteristics with other tire components (carcass layer, sidewall rubber with complex elastic modulus 3.0-4.5 MPa, bead apex rubber with complex elastic modulus 20-80 MPa). This multi-layer composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of high-speed durability and ride comfort through synergistic material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the band cord modulus is increased to improve high-speed durability, then the tread expansion is reduced, but the ride comfort may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-speed durabilityVSAvoidride comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the band cord modulus within a specific range (4500-9000 N/mm²). This parameter optimization ensures that the tread expansion is sufficiently controlled for high-speed durability while maintaining flexibility for ride comfort, avoiding the trade-off that would result from using excessively high or low modulus values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the mechanical properties of various tire layers: the band layer has high modulus (4500-9000 N/mm²) for durability, while the sidewall rubber has lower complex elastic modulus (3.0-4.5 MPa) for comfort. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows each region to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the band cord modulus is decreased to improve ride comfort, then the tread expansion increases, but the high-speed durability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveride comfortVSAvoidhigh-speed durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing a minimum modulus threshold (4500 N/mm²) for the band cord. This parameter setting ensures that even when optimizing for ride comfort, the tread expansion remains controlled enough to maintain high-speed durability, preventing the deterioration that would occur with lower modulus values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If the sidewall rubber complex elastic modulus is increased to improve steering stability, then the ride comfort is improved, but the flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering stabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by specifying an optimal range for the sidewall rubber's complex elastic modulus (3.0-4.5 MPa). This parameter optimization balances steering stability and flexibility, ensuring that the sidewall is stiff enough for stable steering response but flexible enough to absorb road irregularities for comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent differentiates the mechanical properties of the sidewall rubber from other tire components. The sidewall rubber's complex elastic modulus (3.0-4.5 MPa) is specifically optimized for its dual function of providing steering stability while maintaining flexibility, distinguishing it from the band layer's higher modulus requirement for durability.

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

This design effectively improves high-speed durability and ride comfort by inhibiting tread expansion while maintaining flexibility, achieving a well-balanced performance in both aspects.

Implementation Method 1

A 2% modulus of the band cord is 4500 to 9000 N/mm²... in which the band layer contains the band cord arranged in the tire circumferential direction... effectively improves high-speed durability and ride comfort by inhibiting tread expansion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

each sidewall portion has a sidewall rubber disposed outward of the carcass layer in a tire axial direction, and a complex elastic modulus E*1 of the sidewall rubber is 3.0 to 4.5 MPa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 3

the pair of bead portions have bead apex rubbers each disposed outward of the corresponding bead core in the tire radial direction, and a complex elastic modulus E*2 of each bead apex rubber is 20 to 80 MPa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3888943B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3888943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3888943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3888943B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a pneumatic tire in which achievement of both high-speed durability and ride comfort can be easily realized. A pneumatic tire 1 includes: a tread portion 2; a pair of sidewall portions 3; a pair of bead portions 4 in each of which a bead core 5 is embedded; a carcass layer 6 extending between the pair of bead portions 4 so as to straddle each bead core 5; a belt layer 7 disposed outward of the carcass layer 6 in a tire radial direction; and a band layer 9 disposed outward of the belt layer 7 in the tire radial direction. The band layer 9 includes a band cord arranged in a tire circumferential direction. A 2% modulus of the band cord is 4500 to 9000 N/mm2.