Tire Tread Resonator Layout for Shallow Groove Noise Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires with deep circumferential main grooves have high tread rubber thickness, leading to increased noise and rolling resistance, which is undesirable for reducing tire weight and improving fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with shallow circumferential main grooves and resonators in intermediate land portions, where the groove depths of the main grooves are 50% or less of their widths, and the resonator's auxiliary groove width is 80% or less of the main groove depth, to disperse air flow and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the groove depths of circumferential main grooves are made shallower to reduce tire weight and rolling resistance, then noise tends to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the intermediate land portion into multiple segments by forming resonators with auxiliary grooves. These segmented structures create multiple resonance chambers that work together to suppress noise across different frequency ranges, allowing shallow main grooves to maintain low noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonators are designed to utilize mechanical vibration and resonance effects. The auxiliary grooves within resonators create resonant chambers that generate controlled vibrations to counteract noise from the shallow main grooves, transforming the noise problem into a controlled vibration phenomenon that can be managed through precise geometric design.
2Loss of energy
If the groove depths of circumferential main grooves are made shallower to reduce tire weight, then rolling resistance decreases but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating resonators with specific geometric properties in the intermediate land portions, while keeping the main grooves shallow. The auxiliary grooves within resonators have carefully controlled dimensions (width ≤ 80% of main groove depth) to create localized resonance effects that suppress noise without increasing overall tread rubber thickness or rolling resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonators act as intermediary structures between the shallow main grooves and the intermediate land portions. They mediate the noise generation process by creating resonance chambers that absorb and redistribute acoustic energy, preventing direct noise transmission from the shallow grooves while maintaining the low rolling resistance benefits.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If resonators are formed in intermediate land portions with auxiliary grooves, then noise is suppressed but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonators are segmented into multiple auxiliary grooves within each resonator structure. This segmentation allows the noise suppression function to be distributed across multiple smaller elements rather than requiring a single complex structure, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls complexity by establishing specific parameter relationships: auxiliary groove width is limited to 80% or less of main groove depth, and resonators are positioned at specific intervals in intermediate land portions. These parameter constraints provide design guidelines that simplify the implementation process while ensuring noise suppression performance.
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 design effectively suppresses noise and reduces rolling resistance while maintaining tire rigidity, meeting the demands for lighter and more efficient tires for electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator is formed in an intermediate land portion partitioned between the first circumferential main groove and the second circumferential main groove, the resonator includes an auxiliary groove whose both ends terminate within the intermediate land portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tire includes a first circumferential main groove 11 and a second circumferential main groove 12 in a tread surface 1. A resonator 21 is formed in an intermediate land portion 20 partitioned between the first circumferential main groove and the second circumferential main groove. The resonator has an auxiliary groove 211 whose both ends terminate within the intermediate land portion. The groove depths D1 of the first and second circumferential main grooves are 50% or less of the groove widths W2 of the first and second circumferential main grooves, respectively. The groove width W3 of the auxiliary groove of the resonator is 80% or less of the groove depth D1 of the first circumferential main groove.