Tyre-Type Device Buckling Carrier Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tires face challenges in achieving optimal flattening, leading to issues with rolling resistance, grip, wear, and noise, due to their large meridian curvature and high mass, which limits their endurance and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic tire device with a radially outer and inner structure connected by independent load-bearing elements that buckle under compression and tense outside the contact area, optimizing the distribution of these elements to increase meridian radii of curvature and reduce mass, resulting in improved flattening and pressure homogenization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a conventional tire with large meridional curvature is used, then the tire structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the meridional flatness is poor leading to high rolling resistance and reduced endurance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeridional flatnessVSAvoidendurance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tire structure is segmented into discrete load-bearing elements (spokes, struts, or beams) spaced at intervals around the tire circumference, replacing the continuous sidewall structure of conventional tires. These segmented elements provide load-bearing capacity while reducing overall mass and improving meridional flatness, directly addressing the endurance and shape contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The load-bearing elements are strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide localized stiffness where needed for meridional flatness while maintaining flexibility in other regions. The elements have optimized cross-sectional properties and spacing to achieve the desired balance between shape control and endurance performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If the tire mass is reduced to improve endurance, then the rolling resistance decreases, but the load-bearing capacity and structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire massVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tire employs thin-walled load-bearing elements with optimized cross-sectional geometry that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. These elements maintain structural integrity and load-bearing capacity while minimizing mass, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The load-bearing elements are constructed from composite materials or multi-layer structures that combine high strength properties with low density, enabling mass reduction without compromising load-bearing capacity. The composite structure allows tailoring of mechanical properties to optimize both weight and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If the load-bearing elements are spaced further apart to reduce mass, then the tire weight decreases, but the pressure distribution homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire massVSAvoidpressure distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The load-bearing elements are positioned to provide slightly more than the minimum required support at critical locations, ensuring pressure homogeneity is maintained even with reduced element density. This partial excess action compensates for the reduced number of elements and maintains performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The spacing, cross-sectional area, and material properties of the load-bearing elements are optimized as design parameters to achieve the desired balance between mass reduction and pressure distribution homogeneity. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains pressure uniformity with fewer elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design enhances tread flattening, wear life, grip, and vibration comfort while reducing rolling resistance, contributing to lower fuel consumption and increased safety and endurance.

Implementation Method 1

the n load-bearing elements, connected to the portion of the radially external structure of revolution in contact with the ground, are subjected to buckling in compression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuckling:

Implementation Method 2

an external radially rotating structure whose axis of revolution is the axis of rotation of the pneumatic-type device and intended to come into contact with a ground via a tread comprising at least one elastomeric material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3247575B1Tyre-type device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3247575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3247575B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a tyre-type device for equipping a vehicle, with an improved flattening of the tread thereof compared to a standard tyre. The tyre-type device (1) comprises a radially outer revolution structure (2) which comes into contact with the ground and comprises a peripheral reinforcing ply (22), a radially inner revolution structure (3) which is coaxial to the radially outer revolution structure and used to provide the connection to an assembly means (4), an inner annular space (5) radially defined by the two revolution structures, and a carrier structure (6) at last partially connecting the two revolution structures and consisting of a plurality of carrier elements (7), pairwise independent, subjected to buckling under compression in the area of contact (A) with the ground. According to the invention, the smallest characteristic dimension E of the section S of any carrier element (7) is at the most equal to 0.02 times the average radial height H of the inner annular space (5), and the surface density D of the carrier elements (7) per surface unit of the radially outer revolution structure, expressed in 1/m2, is at least equal to Z/(A*∑Fr/n), where Z is the nominal radial load, expressed in N, A is the ground contact surface, expressed in m2, and ∑Fr/n is the breaking strength in average traction of the n carrier elements subjected to buckling under compression, expressed in N.