Pneumatic Tire Tread Base Thickness Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires face damage and heat dissipation issues, particularly in the tread center and shoulder areas, leading to reduced durability and service life, with existing retreading methods risking carcass damage and inadequate heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic vehicle tire design with a tread base that has increased material thickness in the center and decreasing thickness towards the sidewalls, providing enhanced protection and heat dissipation, while maintaining a constant tread cap depth and optional variable inner layer thickness for improved airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tread base material thickness is increased in the center to protect against damage, then the durability and service life of the tire is improved, but the heat dissipation in the shoulder areas is reduced due to the insulating effect of thicker rubber
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is designed with spatially varying material thickness, featuring a central region with increased thickness for enhanced protection against punctures and damage, while the shoulder areas maintain reduced thickness to ensure adequate heat dissipation. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function: the center provides mechanical protection while the shoulders manage thermal dissipation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the tread base material thickness is increased to protect the tire carcass, then the service life is extended, but the heat buildup in the shoulder area increases leading to potential carcass damage
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base implements local quality differentiation with a continuously curved profile where the material thickness varies from the center toward the sidewalls. The central region has greater thickness for protection, while the shoulder regions have reduced thickness to facilitate heat dissipation and prevent excessive heat buildup that could damage the carcass.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread base features a continuously radially outwardly curved shape in cross-section, creating a smooth transition from the thicker central region to the thinner shoulder regions. This curved geometry eliminates abrupt thickness changes and ensures optimal balance between mechanical protection and thermal management throughout the tread structure.
3Ease of repair
If retreading methods are used to restore the tread, then the tire can be reused, but there is a risk of removing too much tread material and damaging the underlying carcass
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is designed with a continuously curved profile that provides a buffer zone between the tread surface and the carcass. The varying thickness distribution, with thicker material in the center and gradual thinning toward the shoulders, creates a cushioning effect that protects the carcass during retreading operations, reducing the risk of accidental damage while allowing effective tread removal and restoration.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A pneumatic vehicle tire at least having: a tread that has an outer tread cap (1) with a profiled tread surface and an inner tread base (2), a carcass (3), a bead region with a bead core, an inner layer (4) and a sidewall is provided. According to the invention, the material thickness (d(2)) of the tread base (2) decreases from the center of the tread surface toward each of the sidewalls. Furthermore, a method for retreading a pneumatic vehicle tire is provided.