Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Dimples for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires with dimples on side surfaces face challenges in maintaining durability due to weight increase and limited processable regions, which restrict the arrangement of dimples, leading to inadequate heat release and potential damage near the bead apex during punctured states.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire design featuring one or two rows of dimples along the circumferential direction within a specific processable region on the side surface, with dimples having a plane shape of either a circle or a rectangle, arranged to optimize surface area and turbulent flow generation, while avoiding the marking area to minimize weight and promote heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If dimples are arranged along the circumferential direction with a large ratio of long side to short side to reduce weight, then the volume of land is reduced and weight increase is suppressed, but the length of short sides becomes insufficient to generate sufficient turbulent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of dimples by specifying that the ratio of long side to short side should be between 1.0 and 3.0, and the short side length should be 7mm or more. This parameter optimization allows the dimples to generate sufficient turbulent flow while minimizing the volume of land and suppressing tire weight increase.
2Reliability
If dimples are arranged in the vicinity of the inner end of the sidewall to protect the bead apex, then damage to the bead apex is suppressed, but the processible region width becomes insufficient to arrange dimples with sufficiently large short sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by arranging dimples with specific geometric characteristics (large short side length) in the specific region where they are most needed - near the inner end of the sidewall where bead apex damage occurs. This localized arrangement optimizes both protection and heat release within the constrained processible region.
3Temperature
If the surface area of sidewall is increased to promote heat release, then temperature rise is suppressed, but the tire weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by creating turbulent flow through specifically designed dimples on the sidewall. This turbulent flow enhances convective heat transfer from the tire surface to the atmosphere, allowing effective heat release without increasing the physical surface area or adding weight to the tire.
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 tire achieves enhanced durability by maximizing surface area and turbulent flow, reducing heat-related damage and weight, allowing for extended running in a punctured state with improved ride comfort and reduced rolling resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The dimples generate turbulent flow. The large surface area and the turbulent flow promote release of heat from the sidewall to the atmosphere.
Implementation Method 2
The surface area of the tire having the fins is large. The large surface area promotes release of heat from the tire to the atmosphere.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire 2 has a marking on each sidewall 8 thereof. A large number of dimples 62 are formed in a region between the marking and a rim protector 34. These dimples 62 are arranged along a circumferential direction. These dimples 62 form a row. The row includes: (1) dimples each having a plane shape of a circle; or (2) dimples in each of which a plane shape is substantially a rectangle, and a ratio of a length in the circumferential direction to a width in a radial direction is equal to or greater than 1.0 and equal to or less than 3.0.