Pneumatic Tire Tread Profile for Light-Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatic tires fail to generate sufficient cornering power and stability under light-load conditions, particularly when the load on tires is 1 kN or less, leading to vehicle deviation issues during braking and driving.
Innovation Solution
The tire features a tread surface with a profile of varying curvature radii, a specific contour range, and varying hardness in the tire width direction, ensuring a flattened shape and increased contact area, enhancing cornering power and stability under light-load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tread surface profile is flattened to increase contact area under light-load conditions, then cornering power is enhanced, but the tire structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tread surface profile is designed using multiple arcs with different curvature radii (R1, R2, R3) to create a flattened shape that increases contact area under light-load conditions. The center portion arc (R1) has a larger curvature radius than the shoulder portion arcs (R2, R3), creating the necessary flattening effect while maintaining a continuous smooth profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies specific parameter ranges to achieve the flattened profile: K1 (contour range ratio) is set to 0.45≤K1<0.65, and K2 (curvature radius ratio) is set to 1.8≤K2. These parameter constraints ensure the tread surface achieves the optimal flattened shape for light-load conditions without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If the tire is designed for light-load conditions (1 kN or less), then cornering power is sufficient, but the tire performance under other load conditions may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tread surface profile is designed with different curvature radii for different regions: the center portion (R1) has a larger curvature radius to flatten the contact patch under light-load, while the shoulder portions (R2, R3) have smaller curvature radii to maintain proper contact under heavier loads. This local differentiation allows the tire to perform well across various load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread surface profile dynamically adapts to different load conditions through its multi-arc geometry. Under light-load conditions, the flattened center portion engages the road surface to maximize contact area. Under heavier loads, the tire deformation naturally brings the shoulder portions into contact, maintaining versatility across operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire in which K1, as derived from a contour range L1 and a developed tread width TDW by formula (1) below, satisfies 0.6≦K1≦0.9, and K2, as derived from a curvature radius TR1 of the center portion arc and a external tire diameter OD by formula (2) below, satisfies 2.0<K2. K1=L1/(TDW×0.5) (1)K2=TR1/OD (2).