Pneumatic Tire Transparent Globule Reflective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic tires with retroreflective paint struggle to provide sufficient recognition accuracy for collision avoidance systems, especially in rainy conditions, as the estimation of distance between vehicles using camera-based systems is less accurate compared to tail lamps.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire with a reflective layer featuring transparent globules that reflect incident light with a higher amount of non-retroreflected light, distributed in a specific angle range to enhance visibility and recognition, combined with an opaque reflective film and a protective layer, positioned on the tire surface and lug grooves to improve image recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a retroreflective paint is applied to the tire surface to improve visibility, then the recognition rate of the tire as a feature point improves, but the recognition rate remains insufficient compared to tail lamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the reflective layer by using transparent globules with specific refractive indices (1.4-1.6) and controlled sizes (5-50 μm). This transforms the reflection pattern from conventional retroreflection to a controlled non-retroreflected light pattern with specific angle characteristics (2.0-2.5 degrees), thereby improving recognition accuracy for collision avoidance systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite reflective layer combining transparent globules (resin or glass) with opaque rubber matrix. This composite structure enables both the transparency needed for light transmission and the opacity needed for reflection, achieving optimal recognition rates while maintaining tire surface integrity
2Illumination intensity
If conventional retroreflective materials are used on the tire, then the tire surface provides some light reflection, but the estimation accuracy of distance between vehicles decreases in rainy weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the reflective layer with specific local characteristics - transparent globules are distributed at controlled densities (50-200 per cm²) in specific regions of the tire tread. This local optimization ensures that the reflective properties are enhanced precisely where needed for camera-based distance estimation, while maintaining overall tire performance
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using conventional retroreflective materials that reflect light back toward the source, the patent inverts the approach by using transparent globules that refract and reflect light at specific angles (2.0-2.5 degrees from incident light path). This inverted optical approach creates a more recognizable pattern for collision avoidance cameras, especially in rainy 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 enhanced reflective layer design significantly improves the estimation accuracy of the distance between vehicles in collision avoidance systems, providing better recognition rates even in adverse weather conditions, such as rain, compared to conventional tires.
Implementation Method 1
each of the transparent globules is configured to reflect incident light incident thereinto from outside, at an interface with the outside thereof, and to emit the light to the outside of the transparent globule as reflected light
Implementation Method 2
The transparent globules A are each configured to cause the reflected light to include more amount of non-retroreflected light than retroreflected light, the non-retroreflected light being farther away from an optical path of the incident light according to a distance from the transparent globule A being increased
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a pneumatic tire with a surface provided with a reflective layer that reflects light, the reflective layer including a transparent globule group composed of transparent globules. At least some of the transparent globules are each configured to reflect incident light incident into the transparent globule from outside, at an interface with the outside of the transparent globule, and to emit the light to the outside of the transparent globule as reflected light. The transparent globules are each configured to cause the reflected light to include more amount of non-retroreflected light than retroreflected light, the non-retroreflected light moving further away from an optical path of the incident light according to a distance from the transparent globules, being increased. The transparent globules each have an optical path of the non-retroreflected light with an angle difference of from 2.0 degrees to 2.5 degrees from the optical path of the incident light.