Tyre Fabric Assembly With Plastic Deformation for Uniform Elongation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tires face challenges in achieving optimal flattening, which affects performance metrics like wear, grip, endurance, rolling resistance, and noise, due to difficulties in meridian flattening at the shoulder level, and existing solutions either require careful handling to prevent elastic return or result in heterogeneous elongation.

Innovation Solution

A tire assembly featuring a supporting structure with first and second wire members that allow for continuous deformation without elastic return, where the first fabric is deformable under low stress and the second wire member deforms plastically under low stress, facilitating uniform elongation and maintaining a continuous chain structure during tire manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional tire structures are used to achieve meridional flatness at the shoulders, then tire performance metrics (wear, grip, endurance, rolling resistance, noise) are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and requires careful handling to prevent elastic return

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the first structure from elastic to plastically deformable. This plastic deformability allows the structure to undergo permanent deformation during shaping without elastic return, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the desired tire flatness and performance characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plastically deformable first structure is pre-configured with specific geometric features (such as folds or pre-formed shapes) that allow it to automatically conform to the desired tire geometry during the shaping process without requiring complex post-processing or careful handling to prevent elastic rebound

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If elastic structures are used to allow deformation during tire conformation, then the tire can be shaped, but elastic return occurs requiring particular vigilance between shaping and curing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire conformationVSAvoiduniformity of blank
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from elastic to plastically deformable, which eliminates elastic return. The plastic deformation allows the first structure to permanently hold the deformed shape achieved during conformation, ensuring uniformity of the blank without requiring careful timing between shaping and curing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of deformation (which could cause non-uniformity) into a benefit by using plastically deformable material. The deformation process itself becomes beneficial because the material permanently retains the desired shape, automatically ensuring uniformity without requiring precise process control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If high stress is applied to deform the first structure during conformation, then the structure can be shaped, but the elongation becomes heterogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure deformationVSAvoiduniformity of elongation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to plastically deformable with specific mechanical properties that allow uniform deformation at low stress levels. The plastic deformability enables the structure to distribute strain evenly throughout the material during conformation, achieving homogeneous elongation without requiring high stress application

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 solution enables easier and more regular tire conformation, reducing the risk of irregular blanks and improving the tire's performance by allowing for homogeneous elongation and stress distribution, thereby enhancing flattening and overall tire performance.

Implementation Method 1

the second wire member deforms plastically under low stress, facilitating uniform elongation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3996903B1Assembly comprising a plastically deformable fabric and a supporting structure
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3996903B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3996903B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3996903B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention concerns an assembly for a tyre comprising a first fabric extending in a first general direction (G1), comprising first yarn elements, each first warp yarn element comprising first and second yarn members, a second fabric and a supporting structure, the assembly being characterised in that for any elongation of the first fabric in the first general direction (G1) less than or equal to 2×π×H/L, the second yarn element deforms plastically.