Pneumatic Tire Stud Pattern Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires with metal studs face challenges in balancing improved snow and ice performance with increased noise generation, as existing designs prioritize snow performance over noise considerations.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire design featuring a tread pattern with specific arrangements of stud holes and grooves, including circumferential and axial grooves, shoulder blocks, and repeat design units with varying pitch lengths, which disperses noise contact and enhances traction on snowy and icy surfaces by strategically placing studs and improving ground contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If studs are arranged in a conventional pattern prioritizing snow performance, then on-the-snow performance is improved, but noise performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging studs in repeat design units with different circumferential pitch lengths (first pitch length L1 and second pitch length L2 where L2 > L1). This asymmetric arrangement disrupts the regularity of stud contact with the road surface, preventing the generation of consistent noise frequencies while maintaining effective snow traction through strategic stud placement in shoulder blocks and circumferential positions.
2Reliability
If studs are densely arranged to improve traction, then on-the-ice performance is improved, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stud arrangement into distinct repeat design units along the circumferential direction, where each unit contains studs at specific positions within shoulder blocks. By dividing the tread into multiple segments with varying pitch lengths rather than a uniform dense arrangement, the patent achieves distributed traction points for ice performance while the segmentation itself creates irregular contact patterns that reduce noise generation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tread pattern is simplified for manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but noise performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal repeat design units that can be circumferentially repeated around the tire circumference. Each repeat design unit serves multiple functions: it provides stud placement for snow and ice traction, defines shoulder block structures for edge support, and contributes to noise reduction through the standardized pitch length variation. This multi-functionality allows complex noise-reducing patterns to be manufactured through simple circumferential repetition of modular units.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic tire provided with a tread pattern, wherein a tread half (T1,T2) which is one half of the tread pattern on each side of the tire equator (C) is made up of repeat design units (12) arranged circumferentially of the tire. The repeat design units have at least two different circumferential pitch lengths (L1,L2), and the repeat design units are each provided with at least one stud hole(13).