Tire Sidewall Insert Anchor for Secure Mounting and Low Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire sidewall designs face issues with color fading, mechanical deterioration, and complex manufacturing due to chemical migration and deformation, while existing inserts cause mechanical behavior changes and require complex rim adaptations.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with anchoring means featuring a recess and protuberance in the sidewall, allowing for secure attachment of a sidewall insert without disrupting aerodynamics or increasing rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a coloured rubber composition is used in the sidewall to personalize the design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the coloured composition deteriorates over time due to chemical migration, deformation, and mechanical rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall insert is separated from the main tire structure as an independent removable component. This segmentation allows the decorative element to be easily replaced when deteriorated, while the main tire structure remains intact. The insert can be mounted and dismounted without affecting the tire's structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall insert acts as an intermediary element between the tire and the visual customization requirement. Instead of incorporating color directly into the tire rubber, the insert serves as a mediator that provides aesthetic personalization while being easily replaceable and not affecting the tire's structural components.
2Shape
If a decorative ring is mounted between the bead and the rim, then the sidewall design is personalized, but the mechanical behavior of the tire and vehicle is modified
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall insert is positioned specifically in the radially outer segment of the sidewall, away from the bead area. This local placement allows aesthetic customization without interfering with the critical mechanical connection between the tire bead and the rim, preserving the tire's structural integrity and mechanical behavior.
3Shape
If a lining element is positioned in the radially inner segment of the sidewall, then the sidewall design is enhanced, but the element deforms and detaches due to high deflection during tire operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall insert is positioned in the radially outer segment of the sidewall, where deflection is lower compared to the radially inner segment. This strategic placement reduces the mechanical stress and deformation experienced by the insert during tire operation, preventing detachment while maintaining aesthetic enhancement.
4Shape
If an insert is mounted on an inflated tire, then the sidewall design is personalized, but the geometry mismatch between insert and recess causes mounting difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring means incorporates a recess with specific dimensional relationships (depth at least equal to twice the width) that allows the insert to be mounted dynamically. The recess geometry enables the insert to be pressed into place during inflation, accommodating the changing geometry of the tire as it inflates, and ensures proper locking once mounted.
5Reliability
If the recess depth is increased to improve insert attachment, then the insert locking is enhanced, but the aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recess depth is optimized to a specific parameter range (at least equal to twice the width but not excessive) that balances insert attachment reliability with aerodynamic performance. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient locking strength while minimizing the protrusion into the airflow path, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire (1) having at least one sidewall (3), intended to interact with a sidewall insert (9) by way of an anchor (6), and aims to personalize the design of the sidewall. The anchor (6), has a recess (7) formed in an axially outer sidewall layer (30), with a protuberance (8), which is raised in relation to the recess bottom (71) and extends from the recess bottom (71) to the vicinity of the axially outer sidewall face (31), and the protuberance (8) is constituted by a stepped arrangement of a first narrow portion (81) having a minimum width Lpmin and a second wide portion (82) having a maximum width Lpmax, such that the difference Lpmax−Lpmin is at least equal to 1 mm and at most equal to 4 mm.