Tire Construction With Pressure-Adaptive Tread For Tow Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle tires wear out rapidly when towed on pavement, necessitating a separate set of tires for on-road use, which is costly and inconvenient due to the need for frequent tire changes.
Innovation Solution
A tire construction featuring a tread with a durable, wear-resistant center pavement bar and less durable lugs, designed to contact the surface only at different inflation pressures, minimizing wear during towing and off-road use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If off-road vehicle tires are used for towing on pavement, then the vehicle can be transported to desired locations, but the tires wear out rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into distinct regions with different properties: a center pavement bar with higher durometer (more wear-resistant) and side lugs with lower durometer (softer). This local differentiation allows the center bar to resist pavement wear during towing while the softer lugs maintain off-road traction capabilities, resolving the contradiction between pavement durability and off-road performance
Solution Approach 2:
The tread pattern is segmented into functionally distinct elements - the center pavement bar and the surrounding lugs - that contact the surface at different times and under different conditions. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function, with the center bar handling pavement contact during towing and the lugs handling off-road contact
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a separate set of tires is provided for pavement use, then tire wear is minimized, but expense and inconvenience increase due to frequent tire changes
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is designed to perform multiple functions with a single tread configuration - it can be used for both off-road driving and pavement towing without requiring tire changes. The multi-functional tread design eliminates the need for separate tire sets, reducing both the complexity of tire management and the associated expenses
Solution Approach 2:
The tire's contact characteristics are dynamically adjusted through inflation pressure changes. When inflated to higher pressure, the tire profile changes to allow the center pavement bar to contact the surface during towing. When pressure is reduced, the lugs become more prominent for off-road use. This dynamic adaptation allows a single tire to optimize its performance for different operating conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A tire for positioning a vehicle on a surface includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a tread extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The tread includes a first pavement bar and a first plurality of lugs disposed between the first sidewall and the first pavement bar and a second plurality of lugs disposed between the second sidewall and the first pavement bar. The tread includes a first lateral shape at a first inflation pressure so that the first pavement bar touches the surface without the first plurality of lugs or the second plurality of lugs contacting the surface. The tread comprises a second lateral shape at a second pressure less than the first pressure so that the first plurality of lugs, the first pavement bar and the second pavement bar contact the surface.