Vehicle Tire Belt Segmentation for Rolling Resistance and Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires with monofilament belt layers face challenges in maintaining cornering force and passing the plunger test while reducing rolling resistance, often resulting in a conflict between improving rolling resistance and lateral force stiffness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a third belt layer with steel monofilaments arranged at an angle of 50° to 90° to the circumferential direction as a locking layer, which enhances the tire's ability to prevent penetration during the plunger test and improves lateral force stiffness, while also offering additional material and weight savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a belt package with two monofilament belt layers is used to reduce rolling resistance, then material and weight are saved and rolling resistance is reduced, but lateral force stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The belt package is segmented into three distinct belt layers, each with specific functions: the first two belt layers (with 12-45° angles) provide rolling resistance reduction through monofilament construction, while the third belt layer (with 50-90° angles) specifically addresses lateral force stiffness and plunger test requirements. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a new dimension to the belt package structure by introducing a third belt layer with a fundamentally different orientation (50-90° angles versus the traditional 12-45° angles of the first two layers). This dimensional change in angle orientation enables the third layer to provide lateral reinforcement that complements rather than conflicts with the rolling resistance optimization of the first two layers.
2Loss of energy
If a belt package with two monofilament belt layers is used, then rolling resistance is reduced, but the tire fails or barely passes the plunger test
Solution Approach 1:
The belt package is segmented into three distinct belt layers, each with specific functions: the first two belt layers (with 12-45° angles) provide rolling resistance reduction through monofilament construction, while the third belt layer (with 50-90° angles) specifically addresses lateral force stiffness and plunger test requirements. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a new dimension to the belt package structure by introducing a third belt layer with a fundamentally different orientation (50-90° angles versus the traditional 12-45° angles of the first two layers). This dimensional change in angle orientation enables the third layer to provide lateral reinforcement that complements rather than conflicts with the rolling resistance optimization of the first two layers.
3Strength
If the third belt layer is added with strength members forming an angle between 50° and 90° with the circumferential direction, then lateral force stiffness and plunger test performance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third belt layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral reinforcement to improve cornering force, acts as a barrier layer to prevent penetration during the plunger test, and maintains compatibility with the monofilament construction of the first two layers. This multi-functionality justifies the additional complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single structural addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the third belt layer to fall within 50-90° (specifically 60° in the embodiment), which is fundamentally different from the 12-45° angle range of the first two layers. This parameter change optimizes the third layer for lateral reinforcement and plunger test performance while the monofilament construction methodology remains consistent with the first two layers, reducing the type of complexity increase.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to car pneumatic tyres of radial construction comprising a belt assembly (2), which has a first and a second belt ply (9, 10), wherein the first and the second belt plies (9, 10) are made of steel monofilaments (12) embedded in rubber material, substantially parallel and spaced apart from one another, and wherein the monofilaments (12) of the first belt ply (9) cross the monofilaments (12) of the second belt ply (10), wherein the belt assembly (2) has a third belt ply (11) functioning as a blocking ply, and the reinforcements (14) thereof enclose an angle between 50° and 90° to the circumferential direction (UR) of the vehicle pneumatic tyre.