Tire Sidewall Protrusion Layout for Fuel Economy and Scratch Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic tires face a challenge in achieving both improved fuel economy performance and scratch resistance without increasing mass or compromising aerodynamic effects, as larger fins for better fuel economy can lead to increased mass and reduced scratch resistance, while smaller fins fail to generate sufficient turbulent flow for aerodynamic benefits.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire design featuring protrusion portions on the tire side surface with specific inclinations and heights, including multiple extending portions and bend portions, maintains a thickness within a certain range to balance scratch resistance and fuel economy performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the size of the fins is increased to improve aerodynamic effect and fuel economy performance, then turbulent flow generation is enhanced, but the mass of the fins and entire tire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the thickness of the tire side portion within the range of 2-9mm and optimizing the fin dimensions (length 10-30mm, thickness 0.5-2mm). This allows the fins to generate sufficient turbulent flow for improved fuel economy while keeping the mass increase minimal through optimized geometric parameters.
2Weight of moving object
If the size of the fins is reduced to suppress mass increase, then the mass of the tire is reduced, but it becomes difficult to sufficiently generate turbulent flow for aerodynamic effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing specific parameter ranges: fin length of 10-30mm and fin thickness of 0.5-2mm. These optimized parameters enable the fins to maintain low mass while still generating effective turbulent flow for aerodynamic benefits and fuel economy improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing fins only on specific regions of the tire side portion rather than covering the entire surface. The fins are positioned and dimensioned to generate sufficient turbulent flow in critical areas without the mass penalty of full-surface coverage.
3Weight of moving object
If the thickness of the tire side portion is made thinner to suppress mass increase while providing large fins, then mass is reduced, but scratch resistance is easily deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing the tire side portion thickness within the optimal range of 2-9mm. This parameter optimization ensures the tire side portion is thin enough to minimize mass increase but thick enough to maintain adequate scratch resistance and structural integrity.
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 design effectively enhances both scratch resistance and fuel economy performance by generating turbulent flow while minimizing mass increase, thus achieving a compatible improvement in both aspects.
Implementation Method 1
by providing the fins on the tire side portion, turbulent flow is generated when the tire is rotating, an increase in air resistance is suppressed, and rolling resistance is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire includes protrusion portions formed on, extending along, and projecting from at least one tire side portion, the protrusion portions including at least one bend portion at a position where a direction in which the protrusion portion extends changes, and also including extending portions defined by the bend portion. Where the extending portion disposed on an outermost side in the radial direction among the extending portions is taken to be a first extending portion, a highest extending portion that is the extending portion in which an average extending portion height that is an average height from the tire side portion of each extending portion is highest is any one of the extending portions other than the first extending portion. The tire side portion has a thickness at a tire maximum width position within a range of no less than 2 mm and no more than 9 mm.