Pneumatic Tire Buttress Block Step Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic tires lack sufficient external injury resistance on punishing roads due to limited upraised height of buttress blocks, which exposes the sidewall to external damage.
Innovation Solution
The tire design includes a connecting portion within the buttress area where the buttress block has its largest upraised height, reducing exposure and enhancing protection by positioning this feature closer to the outer surface, along with an annular rib and staggered lug grooves for balanced traction and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upraised height of the buttress block is increased to improve protection effect, then external injury resistance is improved, but the complexity of the tire structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tire structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: shoulder blocks in the shoulder area and buttress blocks in the buttress area, with further segmentation of the buttress block into an upper portion and a lower portion. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the buttress block are given different upraised heights to perform different functions. The lower portion has a larger upraised height than the upper portion, creating a step structure. This local quality differentiation ensures that the lower portion provides maximum protection by contacting hazards first, while the upper portion maintains structural integrity and traction capabilities.
2Reliability
If the connecting portion is positioned closer to the outer surface to enhance protection, then external injury resistance is improved, but the traction capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is strategically positioned at a specific location on the inner side of the 50% position of the buttress block length, creating a step structure. This local structural differentiation allows the lower portion to provide protection while the upper portion and connecting portion maintain traction capability by remaining engaged with the road surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The step structure created by the connecting portion introduces a vertical dimension variation in the buttress block configuration. This dimensional change allows the tire to interact with external hazards at different vertical levels, with the lower portion contacting hazards first while maintaining overall traction through the multi-level structure.
3Reliability
If the step structure is introduced to improve protection effect, then external injury resistance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buttress block is divided into distinct segments (upper portion and lower portion) with clearly defined boundaries at the step structure. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes where each segment can be formed with controlled dimensions, making the step structure achievable through conventional tire manufacturing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire has paired bead portions, paired sidewall portions, a tread portion, a plurality of lug grooves extending from a shoulder area of the tread portion to reach a buttress area of the sidewall portion, and a block defined by the plurality of lug grooves. The block includes a shoulder block provided in the shoulder area and a buttress block provided in the buttress area. At least some of the plurality of lug grooves end at a connecting portion connecting the paired buttress blocks, the connecting portion is provided on an inner side in the tire diametrical direction of position that are 50% of length in the tire diametrical direction of the buttress block from upper end position of the buttress block. A step or a protrusion where the buttress block has a largest upraised height is provided in the tire diametrical position of the connecting portion.