Pneumatic Tire Bead Reinforcement Using 3D Fabric Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires face separation issues in the bead region due to disparate elastic moduli of adjacent components, leading to flexure and heat buildup, particularly in high-performance and runflat tires, which can result in structural separation under stress.
Innovation Solution
A radial pneumatic tire design incorporating a three-dimensional fabric reinforcing structure with a flipper layer that acts as a strain-relieving buffer between the carcass ply and the bead, utilizing polyaramide and rayon yarns to stabilize the tire and reduce differential strains, along with a belt structure and open weave tape for enhanced durability and weight reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional ply reinforcement with stiff materials (nylon, polyester, rayon, metal) is used, then the strength and stiffness of the tire structure is improved, but the separation between adjacent components with disparate elastic moduli worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A flipper component is introduced as an intermediary element between the bead and the ply turnup. This flipper acts as a buffer zone that reduces the direct contact and stress concentration between the stiff bead filler and the flexible ply, thereby preventing separation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire structure employs composite material construction with the flipper made of fabric or textile material having intermediate mechanical properties between the bead and ply. This composite approach creates a gradient of stiffness that reduces stress concentration and prevents separation at material interfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bead region is reinforced to reduce flexure, then the structural stability is improved, but the heat buildup from cyclical flexure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper serves as a stress-distributing intermediary that reduces localized flexure in the bead region. By distributing the cyclical stress over a larger area and reducing peak deformations, the flipper decreases hysteresis heating while maintaining overall structural stability during tire operation.
3Reliability
If a flipper is used as a spacer to reduce strain disparities, then the separation resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a spacer to maintain separation between the bead and ply, serves as a stress-distributing buffer to reduce strain disparities, and provides structural reinforcement to the bead region. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flipper combines several protective and structural functions into a single integrated component. Rather than using separate elements for spacing, stress distribution, and reinforcement, the flipper merges these functions into one fabric or textile structure that accomplishes all objectives simultaneously.
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 three-dimensional fabric structure effectively absorbs shear strain, reduces the risk of separation, and enhances tire durability by distributing stress evenly, while offering weight reduction and improved mechanical properties, thus addressing the separation issues and heat buildup in the bead region.
Implementation Method 1
a reinforcing structure including at least one layer of a three dimensional fabric including a frame structure of fabric and open cells defined by the frame structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic tire (10) is disclosed comprising a carcass (22) having at least one reinforced ply (14), and a reinforcing structure (400, 500, 610, 620, 630, 640, 710, 720, 730, 740, 810, 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930) providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain. A tread (12) is disposed radially outward of the carcass (22) and a belt structure (16) is disposed radially between the carcass (22) and the tread (12). The reinforcing structure (400, 500, 610, 620, 630, 640, 710, 720, 730, 740, 810, 820, 830, 840, 910, 920, 930) comprises at least one layer of a three dimensional fabric (420,520,613,623,633,643,713,723,733,743,813,823,833,843,913,923, 933) including or defining a frame structure of fabric and open cells (410, 510, 611, 621, 631, 641, 711, 721, 731, 741, 811, 821, 831, 841, 911, 921, 931) defined by the frame structure.