Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Protrusion Damage Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic tires for rough-road running lack sufficient external damage resistance, particularly in regions prone to external forces, despite protrusions providing traction on muddy terrain.
Innovation Solution
The tire design includes an annular first protrusion and a plurality of second protrusions with radial projection portions, strategically positioned to enhance external damage resistance and traction, with the second protrusions having a connection portion and radial projection portions that project outward in the tire-radial direction, and a third protrusion in the gap portion between them, providing uniform rigidity and effective mud discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If protrusions are provided in the buttress portion adjacent to the ground-contact end of the tread portion, then traction performance on muddy terrain is improved, but external damage resistance in the tire-maximum-width region is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are segmented into two distinct types: first protrusions positioned in the buttress portion for traction, and second protrusions positioned in the tire-maximum-width region for damage protection. This segmentation allows each type to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sidewall are given different local qualities through selective protrusion placement. The buttress portion receives first protrusions for traction enhancement, while the tire-maximum-width region receives second protrusions for damage resistance, creating locally optimized protection and performance characteristics.
2Reliability
If protrusions are added to improve external damage resistance in the tire-maximum-width region, then protection is enhanced, but traction performance on muddy terrain may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two previously separate solutions into a single integrated protrusion system. Both first protrusions (for traction) and second protrusions (for damage resistance) coexist on the sidewall, combining the benefits of traction enhancement and damage protection in one unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall protrusion system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both first protrusions that provide traction on muddy terrain and second protrusions that provide damage resistance in the maximum-width region, allowing the same component structure to serve multiple protective and performance functions.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the sidewall structure is reinforced to prevent cracks, then durability is improved, but flexibility and comfort may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed with preliminary action principles, where the second protrusions are positioned in advance in the tire-maximum-width region that is most susceptible to external damage. This preemptive placement prevents cracks before they occur, enhancing durability without requiring excessive reinforcement that would reduce flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire includes a sidewall portion having an outer wall surface that is provided with a first protrusion extending to have an annular shape in a tire-circumferential direction, and a plurality of second protrusions disposed at intervals in the tire-circumferential direction. The first protrusion is provided, in a tire-radial direction, in a region having a range of 80% of a length H from a tire-maximum-width position to a tire-outermost-diameter point in the tire-radial direction with the tire-maximum-width position as the center. The second protrusion is provided with a connection portion that extends in the tire-circumferential direction and is connected to the first protrusion on the outer side in the tire-radial direction, and a pair of radial projection portions that projects outward in the tire-radial direction from both end portions of the connection portion in the tire-circumferential direction and is disposed at an interval in the tire-circumferential direction.