Tire Groove Vortex Flow for Heat Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire technologies face challenges in suppressing temperature increase during travel without increasing weight, as reinforcing members used to reduce deformation do not effectively address temperature issues and may compromise resource efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The tire design incorporates a second circumferential direction groove with specific bent portions and a larger opening groove width, generating vortex flows that enhance heat conductivity, thereby reducing temperature increase without the need for reinforcing members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a reinforcing member is used in the belt layer to suppress deformation, then the deformation is suppressed, but the weight increases and temperature increase is not suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation suppressionVSAvoidtire weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical reinforcing member system with a thermal management system using coolant passages. Instead of adding mechanical strength through heavy reinforcement, the invention uses fluid circulation to actively manage heat and indirectly control deformation, thereby reducing weight while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces coolant passages that circulate fluid (water or air) through the tire structure. This hydraulic/pneumatic system actively removes heat from high-temperature regions, preventing thermal degradation and deformation without requiring additional mechanical reinforcement, thus avoiding weight increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a reinforcing member is used in the belt layer to suppress deformation, then the deformation is suppressed, but the temperature increase is not suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation suppressionVSAvoidtire temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces coolant passages that circulate fluid (water or air) through the tire structure. This hydraulic/pneumatic system actively removes heat from high-temperature regions, preventing thermal degradation and deformation without requiring additional mechanical reinforcement, thus avoiding weight increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant circulating through the passages may undergo phase transitions (such as evaporation of water or phase change of refrigerant) to absorb and remove heat from the tire structure, effectively controlling temperature rise while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If a reinforcing member is used to improve tire durability, then the durability is improved, but the resource saving is compromised due to weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire durabilityVSAvoidtire weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical reinforcing member system with a thermal management system using coolant passages. Instead of adding mechanical strength through heavy reinforcement, the invention uses fluid circulation to actively manage heat and indirectly control deformation, thereby reducing weight while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This design effectively suppresses temperature rise during travel by improving heat conductivity through vortex flow generation, maintaining tire durability and avoiding weight increases.

Implementation Method 1

the second circumferential direction groove includes a plurality of bent portions bent with respect to a tire circumferential direction... generating vortex flows that enhance heat conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP3505368B1tire

Publication Date: 2020.09.30 BRIDGESTONE CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3

AI summary

At least one first circumferential direction groove (13) is formed on a tread portion (10), the first circumferential direction groove (13) including a plurality of bent portions (17, 18) so as to be extended in a zigzag manner in a tire circumferential direction. At least one lateral groove (30) communicated with the first circumferential direction groove (13) and extended in a tire width direction is formed. The bent portion (17, 18) is bent at an angle between 12 degrees and 41 degrees against a tire circumferential direction. A groove width of the first circumferential direction groove (13) is set in a range between 13 mm and 19 mm. The first lateral groove (30) includes an arc-shaped curve portion. A groove depth of the first lateral groove (30) is smaller than a groove depth of the first circumferential direction groove (13). A groove width of the first lateral groove (30) is smaller than a groove width of the first circumferential direction groove (13). The first lateral groove (30) includes a groove having one groove wall and another groove wall facing each other not to be contacted with each other when the tread portion (10) is contacted with the ground.