Tire Tread Base Segmentation for Rolling Resistance and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires face a conflict between reducing rolling resistance and maintaining good handling, as optimizing one property often compromises the other.
Innovation Solution
The tread base is designed with a central segment having a high elastic modulus for improved handling and cornering stiffness, while the lateral segments use a rubber compound with a lower dynamic elastic modulus and hysteresis to minimize rolling resistance, with specific ranges for dynamic elastic modulus and loss factor to balance both factors effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the tread base is made from a rubber compound optimized with respect to hysteresis to reduce rolling resistance, then rolling resistance is reduced, but handling (road handling) is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is divided into multiple zones along the axial width, with each zone having different rubber compound properties. The central zone has higher hysteresis for handling, while lateral zones have lower hysteresis for reduced rolling resistance, resolving the contradiction by spatial segmentation of functional requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the tread base are assigned different rubber compound characteristics tailored to their specific functional requirements. The central zone uses compounds optimized for handling with higher hysteresis, while lateral zones use compounds optimized for rolling resistance with lower hysteresis, achieving local optimization of both contradictory properties
2Loss of energy
If the tread base is configured to be softer in the middle and harder in the lateral zones with outer segments having higher hysteresis, then rolling resistance is improved, but tire handling is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is segmented into central and lateral zones with distinct compound properties. The central zone maintains higher hardness and hysteresis for cornering stiffness, while lateral zones are softer with lower hysteresis for rolling resistance reduction, resolving the strength-hysteresis contradiction through spatial segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Each zone of the tread base is assigned specific rubber compound properties matching its functional role. The central zone has higher elasticity and hysteresis for strength and handling, while lateral zones have lower properties for energy efficiency, achieving local quality optimization that resolves the contradiction between strength and hysteresis
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
This configuration achieves reduced rolling resistance without impairing handling, as demonstrated by FEM calculations and tire tests, ensuring both low rolling resistance and good cornering stiffness.
Implementation Method 1
the two lateral segments comprise a rubber compound that has lower hysteresis than the central segment of the tread base
Implementation Method 2
the rubber compound of this segment has a high elastic modulus and accordingly a high hardness/stiffness. This supports the cornering stiffness
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic vehicle tire having a radial carcass, an at least single-layer belt and a tread that is composed of two layers, a tread cap and a tread base, which are made from different rubber mixtures, in a radial direction, the tread base having a central portion and two lateral portions that extend at least in a radially outward direction from an axial perspective. The two lateral portions are made from a rubber mixture that has a lower dynamic modulus of elasticity E′ at 55° C. in accordance with DIN 53513 (measured at an extension of 8%) and a lower hysteresis than the central portion of the tread base for a lower rolling resistance without worsening the handling behavior of the vehicle tire.