Tire Decorative Trim Microprojections for Brightness Gradation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The decorative trim portions on tires with minute projections have limited variation due to uniform low brightness, restricting design options.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring multiple pattern regions with varying protrusion heights and pitches, where first and second projections have different heights and the same pitch, and third projections have lower heights, creating distinct brightness levels and gradation effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If projections are formed on decorative trim portions to control light reflection, then brightness is reduced and decorative effect is improved, but design variation is limited due to uniform brightness across the entire region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the decorative trim portion into multiple pattern regions (first, second, third pattern regions) where projections are formed with different protrusion heights. This creates local variations in light reflection characteristics, resulting in different brightness levels (first low-brightness region, second low-brightness region, third low-brightness region) within the overall decorative area. By applying different projection heights to different regions, the patent achieves both brightness control and design variation, resolving the contradiction between uniform brightness and design versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pattern regions with different projection heights are formed, then design variation is increased, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the protrusion height parameter of projections across different pattern regions to achieve diverse decorative effects. By changing this single geometric parameter (protrusion height) while maintaining other parameters (pitch, arrangement pattern) consistent, the patent creates multiple brightness levels and visual effects without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process. This approach increases design variation while keeping manufacturing complexity manageable, as it involves parameter adjustment rather than process complexity.
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
Increases design options for decorative trim portions by achieving phased brightness changes and maintaining durability through controlled light reflection, inhibiting appearance variations when viewed from different angles.
Implementation Method 1
Light irradiated onto the first pattern region is attenuated by being repeatedly reflected by mutually facing side surfaces of the first projections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tire includes a first pattern region in which are formed plural first projections, the first projections protruding at a protrusion height of from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm from a base surface of a decorative trim portion, and a pitch between each of the first projections being of from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and a second pattern region in which are formed plural second projections, the second projections protruding at a protrusion height of from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm from the base surface of the decorative trim portion, and a pitch between each of the second projections being of from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. The pitches between each of the first projections and the pitches between each of the second projections are the same, while the protrusion height of the first projections and the protrusion height of the second projections are different from each other.