Tire Sidewall Decorative Body for Sparkling Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire decorative techniques fail to improve visibility while attempting to make convex and concave portions on tire sidewalls inconspicuous, and often result in difficulties with dirt accumulation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A decorative body with inclined surfaces that reflect light randomly, creating a sparkling effect by varying the orientations and angles of solid shapes, ensuring a higher proportion of surface area with smallest angles of inclination to enhance light reflection and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If convex and concave portions are formed at the outer surfaces of the sidewall portions with mirror surfaces and rough surfaces, then the external appearance of the tire improves, but the visibility of the tire itself is not improved and dirt accumulation becomes difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal appearanceVSAvoiddirt removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative body is divided into multiple independent solid shapes (first solid shape pairs, second solid shape pairs, third solid shape pairs) with different orientations and configurations. This segmentation allows light to reflect in multiple directions simultaneously, creating enhanced visibility while the smooth outer surfaces prevent dirt accumulation by eliminating crevices where dirt could trap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangements of solid shapes with varying orientations (first solid shape pairs with opposite vector directions, second solid shape pairs with different orientation angles, third solid shape pairs with random orientations). This asymmetric configuration creates dynamic light reflection patterns that improve tire visibility while maintaining smooth surfaces that resist dirt accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Shape

If decorative bodies with annular aggregates of polygonal pyramids are provided at the sidewall portions, then convex and concave portions become inconspicuous, but the visibility of the tire itself is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface uniformityVSAvoidlight reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different local qualities to different regions of the decorative body. Each solid shape pair has specific orientation characteristics (opposite directions for first pairs, different angles for second pairs, random orientations for third pairs) that create varied light reflection properties in different local areas, collectively enhancing overall tire visibility while maintaining surface uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional pattern arrangements to three-dimensional solid shapes with varying heights, orientations, and spatial configurations. This dimensional enhancement creates dynamic light reflection from multiple angles and depths, significantly improving tire visibility beyond what flat decorative patterns can achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If pattern elements with directivity are disposed in rows with varied placement orientation, then it appears that convex and concave portions arise three-dimensionally, but the visibility of the tire itself is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional appearanceVSAvoidlight reflectance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates dynamic light reflection by arranging solid shapes with varying orientations and configurations. As the tire rotates or as viewing angles change, different solid shapes present different reflective surfaces to the observer, creating a dynamic sparkling effect that continuously changes and enhances tire visibility, unlike static pattern elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent varies multiple parameters of the solid shapes including orientation angles, spatial positions, and configurations across different pairs (first, second, third solid shape pairs). This parameter variation creates diverse light reflection characteristics that enhance visibility while maintaining the three-dimensional appearance needed to conceal surface imperfections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 decorative body enhances tire visibility and presents a high-class feel through a sparkling appearance, improving the tire's external appearance while maintaining ease of design and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

at several inclined surfaces that are apart from one another among the plural inclined surfaces, light that is illuminated onto the tire can be reflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3725558B1Decorative body
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3725558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3725558B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3725558B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A decorative body includes a first set through a fourth set that are a first solid shape pair at which initial points of respective vectors of a pair of reflecting pieces that are adjacent to one another are adjacent to one another and the respective vectors face in opposite directions, a second solid shape pair at which terminal points of a pair of respective vector of reflecting pieces that are adjacent to one another are adjacent to one another and the respective vectors face in opposite directions, a first solid shape group that is an aggregate in which three or more reflecting pieces at which the orientations of the vectors face in a same direction are continuous, and a third solid shape pair that is a pair formed from two reflecting pieces that do not belong to any of these. When a tire side portion is seen in plan view, all conditions, which are a first condition that satisfies total surface area of the third solid shape pair > total surface area of the first solid shape pair, a second condition that satisfies total surface area of the third solid shape pair > total surface area of the second solid shape pair, and a third condition that satisfies total surface area of the third solid shape pair > total surface area of the first solid shape group, are satisfied.