Tire Shoulder Recess Structure for Lower Drag and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tires face a challenge in reducing air resistance while maintaining the stability of the tire shoulder, as previous designs that reduce air resistance often compromise the structural integrity of the tire shoulder.
Innovation Solution
The tire shoulder incorporates identically shaped spherical surface segment recesses arranged in rows, with reinforcing elements and support structures that maintain stability and reduce air resistance by optimizing material distribution and shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cutouts are made in the tire shoulder to reduce air resistance, then air resistance is reduced, but the stability of the tire shoulder is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The tire shoulder is divided into multiple functional layers: a smooth tire shoulder for aerodynamics, a reinforcing element for structural stability, and a support structure with recesses for optimized material distribution. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without compromising overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire shoulder employs a composite structure combining different material configurations: the smooth tire shoulder material, the reinforcing element material, and the support structure material. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of aerodynamic efficiency and structural integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If material is removed from the tire shoulder to reduce weight, then rolling resistance is reduced, but the stability of the tire shoulder is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Material is selectively removed only in specific regions where it is not critically needed for structural integrity. The support structure contains recesses that remove material locally to reduce weight, while the reinforcing element and smooth tire shoulder maintain full material presence in critical load-bearing and aerodynamic zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire shoulder is segmented into regions with different material densities: the smooth tire shoulder maintains full thickness for aerodynamics, the support structure has selective material removal through recesses for weight reduction, and the reinforcing element provides targeted reinforcement. This segmentation enables optimized weight distribution.
3Weight of moving object
If the smooth tire shoulder is made with less material to reduce weight, then rolling resistance is reduced, but protection from abrasion is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The tire shoulder uses a composite structure where the smooth tire shoulder is combined with a reinforcing element and support structure. This composite design allows the smooth tire shoulder to be made thinner for weight reduction while the reinforcing element and support structure provide the necessary abrasion resistance and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcement and protection are applied locally where abrasion and structural demands are highest. The reinforcing element and support structure are positioned specifically in regions requiring enhanced durability, allowing the smooth tire shoulder to be minimized in weight-critical areas while maintaining overall reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Tread (1) for a vehicle tire (2), comprising a tread surface (3) and a tire shoulder (4), wherein the tire shoulder (4) has a number of identically shaped recesses (5) arranged in a series parallel to the tread surface (3), wherein the recesses (5) have the shape of a spherical surface segment, wherein the tire shoulder (4) has a reinforcing element (6) and a support structure (7) supporting the reinforcing element (6), wherein the recesses (5) are formed in the support structure (7) and a maximum depth of the recesses (5) is less than or equal to a height of the support structure (7).