Tire Traction Strap Structure for Lightweight All-Surface Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire chains are heavy, difficult to handle, and lack sufficient traction force, especially on dry surfaces, posing safety risks and requiring frequent mounting and dismounting based on weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight tire device with thin line structures encircling the tire's sidewalls, connected by cross members with straps and traction components featuring raised structures and studs, designed for easy installation and use on various surfaces, including snow, ice, and bare roads, with adjustable patterns and materials like nylon and polyester for enhanced traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If metal tire chains are used, then sufficient traction force is achieved, but the device becomes heavy and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal studs embedded in rubber traction components, creating a composite structure that provides the traction force of metal with the lightweight and flexible properties of rubber. This resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties to simultaneously achieve both high force and low weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies metal studs only at specific contact points where traction is needed, rather than making the entire chain from metal. The rubber portions provide structural support and flexibility while the localized metal studs provide the necessary gripping force, optimizing the weight-to-traction ratio.
2Force
If metal tire chains are used, then sufficient traction force is achieved, but the device complexity and difficulty of mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible rubber straps instead of rigid metal links, allowing the traction device to conform to the tire contour and be more easily mounted. The flexibility of the rubber material simplifies the mounting process while the embedded metal studs maintain the necessary traction force.
3Weight of moving object
If textile belt is used, then light-weight and ease of handling is achieved, but insufficient traction force is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines rubber material with embedded metal studs, creating a composite traction component that provides both the lightweight property of non-metal materials and the high traction force of metal. This resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent concentrates metal studs at the contact surfaces where traction is generated, while the bulk of the structure uses lighter rubber material. This localized application of metal provides sufficient traction force while maintaining overall light weight.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tire chains are mounted and dismounted frequently, then adaptability to weather conditions is improved, but loss of time and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rubber construction allows the traction device to be quickly adjusted and mounted without the complex fastening procedures required by rigid metal chains. The elasticity and conformability of rubber enable faster installation while maintaining adaptability to different tire sizes and weather conditions.
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 device provides improved traction, durability, and ease of use across different road conditions, maintaining performance on bare roads and outperforming cable chains on snow and ice, while being lightweight and easy to handle, with minimal weight difference between passenger and light truck models.
Implementation Method 1
One or more traction components (11) are attached to at least the surface side of the strap (19) to increase the traction between the tire (12) and the surface (13)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for increasing traction, and, in particular, to a device to be fitted on a tire or wheel for increasing, enhancing, or improving, the traction, or friction, between the tire or wheel and a surface that the tire or wheel is in contact with. The device includes two or more line structures configured for encircling along two sidewalls of the tire, respectively. The device further includes a plurality of cross members configured for contacting a tread portion of the tire, the cross members connecting the line structures together. At least one cross member includes a strap with one or more traction components which include a plurality of raised structures arranged on a surface side of the traction components. Some raised structures are fitted with stud while others not. A strap suitable for use in the device is also provided.