Tire Insert With Flow Paths For Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire technologies face challenges in balancing puncture prevention with low rolling resistance, as solid tires are heavy and have high rolling resistance, while pneumatic tires are prone to punctures.
Innovation Solution
An insert for a tubeless tire with flow paths connecting its upper and lower surfaces, allowing fluid to flow and absorb external impacts, improving ride quality and ease of mounting, while maintaining puncture resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid tire is used to prevent punctures, then puncture resistance is improved, but rolling resistance increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tire system is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inner tubeless tire structure for puncture prevention, and an outer pneumatic tire structure for low rolling resistance. The insert divides the tire into distinct zones with different functions, allowing each segment to optimize its specific performance characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire combines different material structures - a solid or semi-solid insert core providing puncture resistance, and a pneumatic rubber tire envelope providing flexibility and low rolling resistance. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both solid and pneumatic tire designs.
2Reliability
If a solid tire is used to prevent punctures, then puncture resistance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tire mass is segmented such that only the critical inner insert portion uses heavier puncture-resistant material, while the outer tire envelope remains lightweight pneumatic rubber. This localized placement of heavy materials minimizes overall weight increase while maintaining puncture protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert provides localized puncture resistance at the critical inner tire surface where puncture risks are highest, while the rest of the tire structure maintains lightweight pneumatic properties. This local quality approach concentrates protective features where needed without uniformly increasing tire weight.
3Ease of operation
If fluid circulation paths are added to the insert, then ride quality and impact absorption are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circulation channels are merged directly into the insert structure itself rather than being separate components. The insert simultaneously provides structural support, fluid circulation pathways, and impact absorption functions through an integrated design, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert serves multiple functions: structural support, fluid circulation conduit, impact absorber, and mounting interface. By making the insert multi-functional, the design avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving multiple performance benefits.
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 insert enhances impact absorption, reduces rolling resistance, and allows the tire to operate as a run-flat tire by smoothly circulating fluid, ensuring both puncture prevention and low rolling resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a flow path connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert... allowing fluid to flow and absorb external impacts
Implementation Method 2
allowing fluid to flow and absorb external impacts, improving ride quality
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an insert for a tire, capable of being fastened together with a rim and a tire, the insert including a flow path connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert.