Tire Tread Reinforcing Layer Segmented Cord Strip Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tread reinforcing bands with a mesh-like structure suffer from large variations in mass distribution, leading to potential deterioration in tread uniformity and cornering performance due to overlapping cord strips.

Innovation Solution

A tire design featuring a tread reinforcing layer with rubber-coated cord strips folded alternately toward opposite directions, forming inclined segments connected by edge segments, which eliminates intersections and maintains uniformity while enhancing cornering performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a mesh-like structure with intersecting cord strips is used to increase torsional rigidity and improve cornering performance, then cornering performance is improved, but mass distribution variation increases and tread uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsional rigidity of shoulder partsVSAvoiduniformity of tread portion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cord strip is segmented into multiple inclined segments that are spaced apart in the tire circumferential direction, eliminating intersections and creating a more uniform mass distribution while maintaining structural integrity for cornering performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cord strip is arranged to extend in the tire axial direction rather than forming intersecting patterns in the circumferential plane, transitioning from a 2D mesh structure to a 3D arranged structure that avoids mass concentration at intersection points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If cord strips are arranged to intersect in a mesh-like pattern to enhance cornering ability, then cornering ability is enhanced, but mass concentration at intersections occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecornering forceVSAvoidmass distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The intersecting portions that cause mass concentration are removed from the structure, replacing the mesh-like intersection pattern with spaced-apart inclined segments that maintain force generation capability without mass concentration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cord strip configuration is optimized locally by spacing segments apart in the circumferential direction, creating uniform mass distribution in critical areas while maintaining overall cornering force through the inclined segment arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3521061B1tire
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3521061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3521061B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3521061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tire 1 is provided with a tread reinforcing layer 7 comprising a reinforcing part 8 formed from a wound rubber-coated cord strip 9. The reinforcing part 8 is composed of inclined segments 13 extending between a first edge 8e and a second edge 8i of the reinforcing part 8, and first edge segments 14 and second edge segments 15 alternately connecting the inclined segments 13. All the inclined segments 13 are separated from each other in the tire circumferential direction and inclined in the same direction with respect to the tire circumferential direction.