Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Dimples for Heat Dissipation and Mold Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

The processing of molds for pneumatic tires with irrational center angles is challenging due to increased errors and complexity in controlling the pitch between elements, making it difficult to achieve efficient heat dissipation and durability.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic tire design featuring a large number of recessed or projecting elements on the side surfaces arranged at equal pitches, with a rational center angle, promoting a large surface area and turbulent flow for enhanced heat release, while simplifying the mold processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If elements are arranged at irrational center angles to maximize heat dissipation surface area, then heat release efficiency is improved, but mold processing complexity and error accumulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat release efficiencyVSAvoidmold processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of center angle from irrational numbers to specific rational numbers (60, 72, 75, 80, 90, 100, 120, 144, 150, 160, 180, or 200 elements per rotation). This parameter change maintains heat dissipation effectiveness while enabling precise mold processing without error accumulation, as rational numbers can be exactly represented in machining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different center angle values to different regions or configurations of the tire sidewall elements. By selecting appropriate rational center angles based on specific design requirements, the patent optimizes both heat dissipation performance and manufacturing feasibility for different application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If elements are arranged at irrational center angles, then heat dissipation surface area is maximized, but manufacturing precision and error control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation surface areaVSAvoidpitch control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the center angle parameter from irrational to rational values, which can be precisely controlled during machining. This ensures that the pitch between elements can be accurately manufactured and repeated without cumulative errors, while still providing sufficient heat dissipation surface area through the optimized number of elements (60-200 per rotation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If a large number of elements are arranged on sidewalls to promote heat release, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but mold machining difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidmold machining ease
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects rational center angles that correspond to common machining divisions (e.g., 60, 72, 90, 120, 180, 200 elements), which align with standard machining practices and tool capabilities. This makes it easier to manufacture molds with the required number of elements while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the tire sidewall into a specific number of discrete elements (60-200 per rotation) arranged at rational angular intervals. This segmentation approach allows each element to be independently formed in the mold using standard machining operations, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to irrational angle arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design achieves improved durability and ease of mold processing by creating a large surface area for heat dissipation and turbulent flow, allowing for longer tire life and reduced heat-related breakage in punctured states.

Implementation Method 1

In the tire, the dimples generate turbulent flow. The large surface area and the turbulent flow promote release of heat from each sidewall to the atmosphere.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

The large surface area promotes release of heat from the tire to the atmosphere.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat release: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2754570B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2754570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2754570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2754570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide a pneumatic tire 2 for which processing of a mold is easy and which is excellent in durability. [Solution] A tire 2 has a large number of dimples 62 on sidewalls 8 thereof. These dimples 62 are divided into dimples 62 of a first row I and dimples 62 of a second row II. The number of the dimples 62 per one row is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25, 30, 32, 36, 40, 48, 5060, 72, 75, 80, 90, 100, 120, 144, 150, 160, 180, 200, 225, 240, 300, 360, 375, 400, 450, 480, 500, 600, or 720. Preferably, the number of the dimples 62 of the second row II is equal to the number of the dimples 62 of the first row I.