Pneumatic Tire Side Wall Segmentation for Rigidity and Appearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tire side portions with reduced wall thickness exhibit conspicuous uneven surfaces and lowered rigidity, compromising both appearance and performance.
Innovation Solution
The tire side portion is divided into first and second regions with specific ridge configurations, where first zones are inclined in one direction and second zones in another, forming closed regions that mesh in a muriform shape to enhance rigidity and conceal unevenness, with independent inner ridges to prevent local rigidity increases and stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the wall thickness of the tire side portion is reduced to satisfy weight reduction demand, then the weight of the tire is reduced, but the uneven surface becomes more conspicuous and rigidity of the tire side portion is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The tire side portion is segmented into multiple zones (first zones and second zones) arranged in a muriform pattern, with each zone defined by ridges extending in different directions. This segmentation creates a structured framework that maintains rigidity while allowing for reduced wall thickness, as the segmented zones distribute mechanical loads more effectively across the thinner structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tire side portion are given different ridge configurations - first zones have ridges extending in a first direction while second zones have ridges extending in a second direction. This local differentiation optimizes rigidity in specific areas while maintaining overall weight reduction, as each local region is tailored to its specific structural requirements.
2Weight of moving object
If the wall thickness of the tire side portion is reduced, then the weight of the tire is reduced, but the uneven surface of the tire side portion becomes more conspicuous
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the tire side portion into multiple zones creates a patterned surface structure that breaks up and conceals the appearance of unevenness. The muriform arrangement of zones with different ridge orientations creates visual complexity that masks the underlying surface irregularities, making the uneven surface less conspicuous despite reduced wall thickness.
3Shape
If ridges are formed on the tire side portions to make uneven surfaces less conspicuous, then the appearance quality is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into zones with different ridge directions creates appearance complexity that improves appearance quality, while the systematic organization of these zones in a muriform pattern prevents excessive structural complexity by providing a regular, repeatable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
By applying different ridge configurations to different local zones rather than uniform complexity across the entire tire side portion, the design achieves varied appearance quality locally while maintaining manageable overall structural complexity through regional specialization.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire has a first region including a plurality of first zones disposed adjacently to each other in a tire circumferential direction, each first zone being formed in a closed region and extending in a first extending direction; and a second region which is disposed adjacently to the first region in a tire radial direction and includes a plurality of second zones, each second zone being disposed adjacently to each other in a tire circumferential direction, being formed in a closed region and extending in a second extending direction. On an end portion of the first region disposed adjacently to the second region, valley portions are formed by the first zones disposed adjacently to each other in the tire circumferential direction. Each of the second zones has a portion disposed adjacently to the first region and configured to mate with each of the valley portions.