Tire Bead Reinforcement Using Composite Core and Metal Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance tires face challenges in balancing structural strength with handling and ride comfort, particularly under high-speed and extreme driving conditions, where existing reinforcement methods either compromise stiffness or increase rolling resistance.
Innovation Solution
A tire bead structure featuring a reinforcing layer with a core of composite material, including elongated fibers embedded in a polymeric material, wrapped with an elementary metal wire, which enhances structural strength while maintaining flexibility and reducing weight for improved rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional metal reinforcement elements are used in the bead structure, then structural strength is improved, but rolling resistance increases and ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining glass fibers (composite material) with metal wire wrapping to create a reinforcing cord that achieves both high strength and low rolling resistance. The glass fiber core provides tensile strength while the metal wrapping provides structural integrity, creating a hybrid composite structure that resolves the contradiction between strength and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from traditional solid metal reinforcement to a composite structure with specific tensile strength requirements (≥2000 daN for glass fiber, ≥1000 daN for metal wire). This parameter optimization allows achieving adequate strength with reduced weight and rolling resistance.
2Strength
If traditional metal reinforcement elements are used in the bead structure, then structural strength is improved, but handling and ride comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The composite reinforcing cord combines the high strength of glass fibers with the structural properties of metal wire, creating a material that provides adequate bead strength while being more flexible and lighter than traditional solid metal elements, thereby improving handling and ride comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials in different functional zones of the reinforcing cord: glass fibers provide tensile strength in the core, while the metal wire wrapping provides structural integrity and flexibility on the outer layer. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both strength and comfort characteristics.
3Strength
If reinforcement is increased to withstand high-speed stresses, then structural strength is improved, but tire weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio. The glass fiber core provides exceptional tensile strength with low density, while the metal wire wrapping adds minimal weight for structural integrity. This composite approach allows withstanding high-speed lateral stresses without significantly increasing tire weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes material parameters by selecting glass fibers with tensile strength ≥2000 daN and metal wire with tensile strength ≥1000 daN, creating a lightweight reinforcement system that meets high-speed performance requirements without excessive weight gain.
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 solution provides a tire with increased structural strength, improved handling, and enhanced ride comfort, along with reduced rolling resistance, making it suitable for high-speed applications without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a core including at least one first elongated element comprising at least one composite material, said composite material including a plurality of elongated fibers embedded in a polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
said core being wrapped with at least one second elongated element comprising at least one metal wire
Data Source
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AI summary
Tire (100) comprising: - a pair of bead structures (103), said bead structure comprising at least one bead core (102), - a carcass structure having a substantially toroidal shape, comprising at least one carcass ply (101) extending between said bead structures and having end portions associated with said bead cores; - at least one reinforcing layer (110) laterally applied with respect to at least one end portion of said at least one carcass ply; - a belt structure (106) applied in a radially outer position with respect to said carcass structure; - a tread band (109) applied in a radially outer position with respect to said belt structure; - a pair of sidewalls (108) applied laterally on opposite sides with respect to said carcass structure; wherein said at least one reinforcing layer comprises at least one first reinforcing cord comprising a core including at least one first elongated element comprising at least one composite material, said composite material including a plurality of elongated fibers embedded in a polymeric material, said core being wrapped with at least one second elongated element comprising at least one elementary metal wire. Preferably, said tire is a high performance (HP) or ultra high performance (UHP) tire, or a tire suitable for being employed in sporting contests such as track motor races, or a tire suitable for Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV).