Tire Uniformity Dispersion Optimization via Angular Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire manufacturing methods often result in non-uniformities, leading to vibrations and discomfort during vehicle operation, as they primarily focus on optimizing the mean value of tire uniformity parameters while ignoring dispersion, which affects ride comfort and tire quality.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology that optimize both the mean and dispersion of tire uniformity parameters by analyzing and adjusting the angular locations of process elements such as material components and manufacturing techniques during tire construction, using test tires to determine optimized relative positions that reduce both mean and dispersion values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional tire building methods are used to manufacture tires, then manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but tire uniformity is poor leading to vibrations and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and characterizing uniformity parameters (mass, geometric, stiffness) during the tire building process before final assembly. This allows identification and correction of non-uniformities early in the manufacturing process, improving tire uniformity without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where uniformity measurements are continuously monitored and fed back into the manufacturing process. The system uses measured data to adjust and optimize the tire building process in real-time, enabling precise control of uniformity parameters while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If only mean value optimization is applied to tire uniformity parameters, then the average tire quality improves, but dispersion variation is ignored leading to inconsistent quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optimization approach by simultaneously optimizing both the mean value and dispersion of uniformity parameters. Instead of focusing solely on average quality improvement, the system adjusts process parameters to control the variability and consistency of uniformity characteristics, ensuring reliable quality across the entire tire population.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to quality optimization by incorporating dispersion analysis alongside mean value optimization. This two-dimensional approach (mean and dispersion) provides a more comprehensive view of uniformity, enabling simultaneous improvement of average quality and consistency without compromising either aspect.
3Manufacturing precision
If angular placement of process elements is adjusted to offset non-uniformities, then mean uniformity value is reduced, but dispersion remains high affecting ride comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the angular placement parameters of process elements (such as bead ring positioning and textile ply alignment) to simultaneously control both mean uniformity and dispersion. By carefully adjusting these angular parameters, the system reduces the magnitude of uniformity vectors while also minimizing the scattered variation around the mean, thereby reducing vibrations and improving ride comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes asymmetric angular placement strategies where process elements are positioned at specific non-standard angles to create offsetting effects. This asymmetric arrangement allows the non-uniformities from different process steps to counterbalance each other, reducing both the mean uniformity value and the dispersion, leading to improved tire balance and reduced vibrations.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A system and related method for improving tire uniformity includes providing at least one set of test tires constructed with one or more process elements provided at known relative angular locations. At least one uniformity parameter, such as radial or lateral run-out, balance, mass variation, radial lateral or tangential force variation, is measured for at least one harmonic of interest for each test tire. Respective rectangular coordinates are determined for each measured uniformity parameter and harmonic of interest for each tire. A form of the determined rectangular coordinates (e.g., the rectangular coordinates themselves and/or the log of the residuals squared) is analyzed for each tire to identify optimized relative angular locations for each process element that reduce dispersion (or dispersion and mean) of the measured uniformity parameter. New tires are built with the one or more process elements positioned in the identified optimized relative angular locations.