Tyre Crown Reinforcement Decoupling Shear Stress

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy-duty tires face endurance and wear issues due to shear stresses and increased operating temperatures, leading to cracks and reduced performance, especially under high-speed and long-distance conditions.

Innovation Solution

A tire design with a radial carcass reinforcement featuring a crown reinforcement structure that includes at least two working crown layers with a rubber mixture layer between them, a layer of circumferential reinforcing elements, and a tread, where the rubber mixture layer has a modulus of elasticity greater than 9 MPa and a tan(δ) max value less than 0.100, decoupling the working layers to distribute shear stresses and reduce rolling resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a layer of rubber mixture is introduced between the ends of the working crown layers to create decoupling, then shear stresses are limited and endurance is improved, but rolling resistance increases due to higher tan(δ) values

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveenduranceVSAvoidrolling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the elastic modulus (greater than 9 MPa) and tan(δ) (less than 0.100) of the rubber mixture layer. This optimization allows the layer to provide sufficient decoupling for endurance while minimizing energy loss from hysteresis, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining rubber mixtures with specific viscoelastic properties (controlled modulus and tan(δ)) between the working crown layers. This composite structure provides both the mechanical decoupling needed for endurance and the low hysteresis required for reduced rolling resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If circumferential reinforcing elements are added to increase load capacity, then tire strength is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the crown reinforcement into distinct functional layers: working crown layers for strength, a rubber mixture layer for stress distribution, and circumferential reinforcing elements for additional load capacity. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential reinforcing elements serve multiple functions: they provide additional load capacity, maintain tire shape under heavy loads, and work in conjunction with the crossed plies to distribute stresses. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single structural feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the rubber mixture layer has high cohesion to maintain layer integrity, then layer stability is improved, but rolling resistance increases due to higher hysteresis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer cohesionVSAvoidhysteresis
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely controlling the viscoelastic parameters of the rubber mixture layer. By setting the elastic modulus greater than 9 MPa and tan(δ) less than 0.100, the layer achieves sufficient cohesion for structural stability while maintaining low hysteresis for reduced energy loss during cyclic deformation.

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 endurance and wear resistance while improving rolling resistance, contributing to lower fuel consumption by maintaining satisfactory cohesion and reducing shear stresses between the tire's layers.

Implementation Method 1

the modulus of elasticity under tension at 10% elongation of the layer C being greater than 9 MPa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the maximum value of tan(δ), denoted tan(δ) max, of layer C being less than 0.100

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentEP2788201B1Tyre comprising a layer of circumferential reinforcing elements
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP2788201B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2788201B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2788201B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a tyre (1) comprising a crown reinforcement (4) formed by at least two working crown layers (41, 43) of reinforcing elements, a layer C of rubber mix being disposed between at least the ends of the at least two working crown layers (41, 43) and the crown reinforcement (4) comprising at least one layer (42) of circumferential reinforcing elements. According to the invention, the tensile modulus at 10% elongation of layer C is greater than 9 MPa and the maximum value of tan(δ), denoted tan(δ)max, of layer C is less than 0.100.