Tire Sidewall Protrusions 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 and scratch resistance without increasing mass, as larger fins for better aerodynamic effects can compromise scratch resistance, while smaller fins fail to generate sufficient turbulent flow for fuel economy improvement.
Innovation Solution
The tire design incorporates protrusion portions on the tire side surface, extending along the tire side surface in a single arc or straight shape, with specific dimensions and angles to enhance both 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 effects and fuel economy performance, then turbulent flow generation and fuel economy performance are improved, but the mass of the fins and entire tire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the dimensions of the protrusion portions (length L1 between 1.0-6.0 times the height H, thickness T1 between 0.5-3.0 mm) to achieve optimal aerodynamic effects while limiting mass increase. This quantitative parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between improving fuel economy and controlling tire mass.
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 and improve fuel economy performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges (length L1 ≥ 1.0 times height H, thickness T1 ≥ 0.5 mm) to ensure that even reduced-size protrusion portions can generate sufficient turbulent flow for fuel economy improvement, while keeping the tire mass controlled.
3Weight of moving object
If the thickness of the tire side portion is made thinner to suppress mass increase, then mass is reduced, but scratch resistance is easily deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing localized reinforcement through protrusion portions with controlled thickness (T1 ≥ 0.5 mm) at critical locations on the tire side surface. This localized structural enhancement improves scratch resistance at the protrusion portions without requiring the entire tire side portion to be thicker, thus controlling overall mass.
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 design achieves compatible improvements in fuel economy and scratch resistance by optimizing the size, shape, and placement of protrusion portions on the tire side surface, balancing mass and aerodynamic effects.
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, whereby fuel economy performance may be improved
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire includes protrusion portions projecting from and extending along a tire side portion, the protrusion portions being disposed on an outer side in a tire radial direction in an placement region that is a region from a position of 15% to a position of 85% of a tire cross-sectional height from a reference position on an inner side in the tire radial direction of the tire cross-sectional height, and including a first extending portion extending along the tire side portion in a single arc shape or a single straight shape, the first extending portion having a length within a range of no less than 1.0 and no more 6.0 times a height in the tire radial direction of the placement region, and the tire side portion having a thickness at a tire maximum width position within from 2 mm to 9 mm.