Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Elevation Layout for Lower Drag and Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle pneumatic tires with sidewall projections suffer from aerodynamic inefficiencies and increased rolling resistance due to the design and arrangement of projections, which compromise flexibility and cushioning near the tread area.
Innovation Solution
The sidewalls feature elevations with a circular, conical shape, varying in diameter and distribution, covering a smaller area in the radially outer section to minimize rubber volume and promote airflow, while maintaining robustness and flexibility, with a uniform arrangement forming an arrow-shaped pattern to indicate rolling direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If parallelogram-shaped projections are formed on the sidewall to increase robustness, then sidewall stability is improved, but flexibility and cushioning near the tread area deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different projection designs to different regions of the sidewall. The radially outer subsection (away from tread) has projections covering 7-20% area for stability, while the radially inner subsection (near tread) has projections covering 25-40% area for enhanced cushioning. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its properties for its specific functional requirements.
2Strength
If projections are formed on the sidewall to enhance robustness, then protective effect is improved, but aerodynamic airflow performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that projections should be circular in plan view rather than angular shapes like parallelograms. Circular projections create smoother airflow paths around the sidewall, reducing turbulence and aerodynamic drag while maintaining the protective function of the projections.
3Strength
If rubber material volume in raised areas is increased to improve robustness, then protective effect is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates rubber volume distribution by controlling projection area coverage differently in outer and inner subsections. The outer subsection has lower coverage (7-20%) reducing rubber volume and rolling resistance, while the inner subsection has higher coverage (25-40%) providing enhanced cushioning where needed during tread contact.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Vehicle pneumatic tires with sidewalls (8) with at least one circumferential section (10) designed as a circular ring section with a radial width (b1) of 20.00 mm to 120.00 mm and with a base level (14), wherein a plurality of elevations (9) with a height (h1) of up to 1.00 mm relative to the base level (14) of the circumferential section (10) is formed on the circumferential section (10).The elevations (9) are circular in plan view and conical in the direction of their height (h2), they have a diameter (d) of 2.00 mm to 6.50 mm at the base level (14) and are arranged regularly, whereby, when the circumferential section (10) is divided centrally into a radially outer and a radially inner subsection (15a, 15b), the elevations (9) in the radially outer subsection (15a) cover a total of 7% to 20% of the area of this subsection (15a) and in the radially inner subsection (15b) cover a total of 25% to 40% of the area of this subsection (15b).