Pneumatic Tire Rib Arc Geometry for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic tires with high block rigidity in high-performance vehicles experience ground contact load concentration at land portion edges, making it difficult to achieve effective cornering performance.
Innovation Solution
The tire features circumferential direction main grooves with arc-shaped faces at the land portion edges, where the outer arc has a smaller radius of curvature than the inner arc, reducing the volume of the tire's outer edge and dispersing ground contact load during cornering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If land portions are set with high rigidity to improve cornering performance, then cornering performance is improved, but ground contact load concentrates at edges of the land portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating arc-shaped faces at specific locations (edges of land portions) rather than uniformly modifying the entire land portion. The arc-shaped faces have different radii of curvature at different positions, with the outer side having a smaller radius than the inner side, allowing localized load distribution optimization while maintaining overall land portion rigidity for cornering performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by forming arc-shaped faces at the edges of land portions instead of sharp corners or flat surfaces. The arc-shaped configuration with varying radii of curvature (smaller at outer side, larger at inner side) smoothly distributes ground contact loads, preventing concentration at edges while preserving the rigidity needed for effective cornering
2Ease of operation
If block rigidity is increased to improve handling, then handling performance is improved, but it becomes difficult to make the high block rigidity function effectively during braking
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped faces are specifically positioned at the edges of land portions where load concentration occurs during braking, while the central portions of the land portions maintain high rigidity for handling. This localized modification allows the block rigidity to function effectively during braking by distributing loads at critical edge areas
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped configuration with varying radii of curvature allows the land portions to maintain rigidity for handling while the curved edges distribute braking loads more evenly. The smoother transition at edges prevents stress concentration that would otherwise compromise braking effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A tread section is formed with plural circumferential direction main grooves extending around a tire circumferential direction, and is formed with a first rib and a second rib between the plural circumferential direction main grooves. The first rib and the second rib are formed with first arc shaped faces that have arc shapes about centers within the ribs. The first rib and the second rib are also formed with second arc shaped faces that are respectively formed continuously to the first arc shaped faces, and that are have smaller radius of curvature than the first arc shaped faces.