Pneumatic Tire Bead Lip Structure for Lower Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires with high load capacity and durability in the commercial van sector face challenges with increased rolling resistance, comfort issues, and higher material costs due to reinforcing elements in the bead area.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a property-modifying rubber strip into the sidewall adjacent to the bead lip, which provides increased rigidity and support, reducing the need for additional reinforcing fabric strips and optimizing rolling resistance properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcing elements such as fabric strips are added to the bead area to increase load capacity and durability, then bead strength and durability are improved, but rolling resistance increases and material costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by integrating a rubber strip with modified properties (different stiffness, hysteresis, or other characteristics) into specific regions of the sidewall adjacent to the bead lip. This allows localized reinforcement exactly where mechanical support is needed during mounting and operation, while the rest of the tire structure maintains its original properties for optimal rolling resistance and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the base sidewall rubber with an integrated rubber strip that has different material properties. This composite structure creates a gradient of stiffness and mechanical characteristics, providing enhanced bead support through the property-modifying strip while maintaining overall tire performance and minimizing rolling resistance penalties associated with uniform reinforcement.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If thicker padding and stiffer materials are used in the bead area to improve durability, then bead resilience is improved, but material costs and tire weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by placing property-modifying rubber strips only in specific sidewall regions adjacent to the bead lip where durability enhancement is most beneficial. This localized approach provides targeted reinforcement without the need for throughout-thickness padding or uniform stiffening of the entire tire structure, thereby minimizing additional weight while maximizing bead area durability.
3Force
If more complex constructions with multiple reinforcing elements are implemented, then load capacity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the reinforcing rubber strip directly into the sidewall structure during the tire manufacturing process, rather than adding separate fabric strips or discrete reinforcement components. This integration combines the reinforcement function with the existing sidewall construction, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced load capacity and bead support.
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 enhances bead durability and resilience while reducing rolling resistance and material costs, making the tire suitable for applications with increased load capacity without compromising comfort or durability.
Implementation Method 1
the rubber strip can have increased rigidity compared to the adjacent material of the side wall and thus have a particularly high supporting effect in the bead area
Implementation Method 2
the rubber strip can also have an equal, higher or in particular lower hysteresis than that of the adjacent areas of the side wall and thus improve the rolling resistance of the pneumatic vehicle tire
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire (10) with a tread (1), two sidewalls (6) and two bead areas (5), wherein the vehicle pneumatic tire (10) is suitable for mounting on a rim (11) with a curved rim flange area (12) and wherein an axially external bead lip (9) projecting over the circumference of at least one sidewall (6) is formed, which has a bead lip surface (13) which is intended for bearing on the curved rim flange area (12), wherein the sidewall (6) has a property-modifying rubber strip (30) integrated into the sidewall (6) adjacent to the bead lip (9).