Tire Noise Reduction via Elastic Fixing Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire noise reduction technologies face challenges in firmly attaching sound-absorbing foams to the inner side of tires without interfering with the manufacturing process, and in maintaining attachment under high-temperature heat or external forces, while also dealing with reduced internal spaces due to low aspect ratios.
Innovation Solution
A noise-reducing apparatus using a fixing structure with extendable fixing bands made of materials like EVA or synthetic resin, which attach and press sound-absorbing foam to the inner liner of the tire, ensuring contact and stability through a combination of attaching and pressing portions, and can be integrated using a bonding or vulcanization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealant layer is used to attach the acoustic absorbent to the inner side of the tire, then the acoustic absorbent can be initially attached, but the sound-absorbing foam can be separated from the inner side of the tire due to high-temperature heat or external force generated while a vehicle is in motion
Solution Approach 1:
A fixing band made of heat-resistant material (EVA, polyolefin, or polyurethane) is introduced as an intermediary component between the sound-absorbing foam and the inner liner. This fixing band remains stable at high temperatures during vulcanization and vehicle operation, preventing the sound-absorbing foam from separating while the sealant layer provides initial attachment.
2Ease of manufacture
If a sealant layer is used to attach the acoustic absorbent, then attachment can be achieved, but there are difficulties in the process of applying a sealant to a green tire manufactured through a tire forming process and in separating the green tire from a vulcanizing mold after vulcanizing
Solution Approach 1:
The sound-absorbing foam is temporarily attached to the inner liner using a sealant layer before vulcanization. The fixing band is then added to maintain this attachment through the vulcanization process and subsequent tire manufacturing steps, enabling easy separation from the mold without sealant interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is divided into two functional segments: a sealant layer for initial attachment and a fixing band for maintaining attachment during high-temperature processing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the manufacturing process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If spherical acoustic absorbent is inserted in a tire cavity without fixing, then heat generation is prevented, but the spherical shape may be deformed or unbalance may be caused when the tire is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing band is made of flexible, extendable material that can conform to the inner liner surface and maintain contact with the sound-absorbing foam during tire rotation and deformation, preventing both heat generation and shape deformation while allowing natural tire flexing.
4Device complexity
If spherical acoustic absorbent is inserted in a tire cavity without fixing, then no fixing structure is needed, but other parts in the tire may be damaged and the internal spaces of tires are decreased due to a low aspect ratio of tires
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing band provides a thin, flexible fixing structure that occupies minimal space within the tire cavity while effectively preventing the sound-absorbing foam from damaging other tire parts, making it suitable for low aspect ratio tires with limited internal space.
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 solution effectively reduces tire noise by firmly attaching sound-absorbing foam circumferentially around the tire, improving manufacturing efficiency, preventing separation, and maintaining balance without damaging the tire or using environmentally harmful adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fixing bands made of an extendable material and having an attaching portion fixed to the inner side of the tire and a pressing portion bringing and keeping the sound-absorbing foam in contact with the inner liner
Implementation Method 2
noise can be generated by a tire in motion due to air being repeatedly compressed and expanded in the tire, which is in turn due to vibrations being generated by the tread of the tire
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology generally relates to apparatuses for reducing or cancelling noise generated by a tire in motion, and more particularly to a noise-reducing apparatus including a sound-absorbing foam and a fixing structure for attaching and fixing the sound-absorbing foam to a tire. In one aspect, the noise-reducing apparatus for a tire includes a sound-absorbing foam configured to reduce noise generated by the tire by absorbing sound generated by the tire in motion when attached to an inner liner of a tire. The noise-reducing apparatus additionally includes a plurality of fixing bands configured to fix the sound-absorbing foam to an inner side of the tire. Each of the fixing bands has an attaching portion configured to be fixed to the inner side of the tire and has a pressing portion configured to bring and keep the sound-absorbing foam in contact with the inner liner. The pressing portion is configured to apply an elastic force on the sound-absorbing foam by extending and contracting. The disclosed technology also relates to a tire having the noise-reducing apparatus and a method of integrating the noise-reducing apparatus to a tire.