Tire Sidewall Micro-Protrusions for Marking Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire designs fail to adequately enhance the visibility of markings by insufficient contrast between decorative and non-decorative regions, necessitating improved techniques to increase visibility.
Innovation Solution
A tire with a decorative region featuring micro-protrusions having recesses and wall portions with peak and bottom points, where the upper end surface is curved or polygonally bent, diffusing light and absorbing it at the recess, resulting in a matte-black appearance that increases contrast with adjacent non-decorative regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional smooth or simple textured surfaces are used on tire sidewalls, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the contrast with markings is insufficient and visibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall surface is segmented into numerous micro-protrusions (2-10 per sq.mm) rather than using a smooth or uniformly textured surface. Each micro-protrusion is further segmented into a recess and wall portion with peak and bottom points, creating a complex but effective structure that diffuses light to enhance marking visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-protrusions are specifically positioned in the decorative region adjacent to markings, creating a local optical effect that enhances contrast only where needed. The peak and bottom points of the wall portions are designed to create specific light diffusion patterns that improve visibility of the markings without affecting the entire tire surface
2Illumination intensity
If conventional single-peak micro-protrusions are used, then the structure is simple, but light diffusion is insufficient and the matte-black effect is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The wall portions of the micro-protrusions are designed with curved surfaces connecting peak and bottom points, rather than flat or angular surfaces. This curvature optimizes light diffusion by creating smooth transitions that scatter light more effectively, enhancing the matte-black appearance and visibility of markings
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-protrusions are designed with three-dimensional complexity, featuring peak and bottom points that create multiple surfaces for light interaction. This multi-dimensional structure diffuses light from multiple angles, achieving superior light diffusion compared to simple conical or cylindrical shapes
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 described tire design significantly enhances the visibility of markings by creating a matte-black decorative region through light diffusion and absorption, thereby improving the contrast with non-decorative areas, leading to better visibility and durability of the tire's markings.
Implementation Method 1
the light irradiated on the apex of the micro-protrusion is partly absorbed by the recess
Implementation Method 2
the reflected light is diffused by the upper end surface with the peak and bottom points
Data Source
AI summary
A tire has a visible outer surface comprising a decorative region provided with a plurality of micro-protrusions each comprising a recess and a wall portion. The wall portion surrounds the recess to form a protrusion's apex having an upper surface, and the upper surface of the wall portion comprises at least two peak points in the protruding-height direction of the micro-protrusion, at which the protruding height of the wall portion becomes local maximum.