Pneumatic Tire Shoulder Rib Protrusion Stone Catch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires with closed slits in the shoulder rib are prone to stone catch due to recessed areas that trap stones, compromising traction and durability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating protrusions within the shoulder main groove that extend into the closed slits, which elastically deform upon ground contact to dislodge stones, with acute-angled or star-shaped tips to intensively apply force for effective stone discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closed slits are formed in the shoulder rib to improve traction performance, then traction performance is improved, but stone catch occurs easily due to recessed areas
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of leaving the closed slit as a simple recess, the invention inverts the approach by forming a protrusion that extends into the closed slit from the shoulder main groove. This protrusion transforms the harmful recessed area into a functional stone-discharging structure that actively prevents stone catch while maintaining the closed slit configuration for traction improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of the recessed closed slit (which traps stones) into a beneficial function by using the same recessed space to accommodate a protrusion. The protrusion utilizes the closed slit's geometry to create an elastic deformation mechanism that discharges stones, transforming the stone-trapping recess into a stone-ejecting structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protrusions extend into closed slits to discharge stones, then stone catch is prevented, but cornering rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by forming protrusions only in specific locations where closed slits exist in the shoulder rib, rather than modifying the entire shoulder rib structure. The protrusions are localized to the intersection areas of circumferential and lateral grooves, providing stone discharge functionality only where needed while preserving the overall cornering rigidity of the shoulder rib.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the protrusion (size, shape, position) to optimize the balance between stone discharge capability and cornering rigidity. By carefully controlling the protrusion dimensions and its extension into the closed slit, the design achieves effective stone prevention while maintaining sufficient structural strength for cornering 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 solution effectively prevents stone catch and maintains traction performance by ensuring stones are discharged during ground contact, even after the shoulder rib is worn, without compromising cornering rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusion extending from the shoulder main groove into the closed slit elastically deforms at the time of ground contact. Accordingly, a stone caught in the closed slit can be securely discharged.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire includes a plurality of main grooves each extending in a tire circumferential direction, and a shoulder rib formed by a shoulder main groove included in the main grooves. The shoulder rib is formed in an outer part of the pneumatic tire in a tire width direction. The shoulder rib includes a closed slit that communicates with the shoulder main groove and ends in the shoulder rib. The shoulder main groove includes a protrusion that extends into the closed slit.