Pneumatic Tyre Shoulder Base Elevations for Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires with asymmetrical tread profiles face stress-related issues in the outer shoulder area, leading to rubber wear and exposure of belt ply edges, which can result in the belt ply edges coming free, especially under heavy stress conditions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of base elevations in the transverse grooves of the outer shoulder area, radially outside the belt ply edge, which locally reduce the groove depth by 40% to 60% and connect the groove flanks, stabilizing and strengthening the tire shoulder to prevent rubber wear and belt ply edge exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tread in the outer shoulder area has deep transverse grooves for water evacuation, then water drainage performance is improved, but the rubber material becomes vulnerable to rubbing off and belt ply edges are exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating base elevations at specific locations within the transverse grooves of the outer shoulder area. These base elevations are positioned radially outside the edge section of the widest belt ply, providing localized reinforcement only where the stress and wear are most critical, while maintaining the deep groove structure for water evacuation in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The base elevations serve as a preventive measure by being formed in advance within the transverse grooves. They create a protective structure that prevents the harmful effect of rubber rubbing off and belt ply edge exposure before these damages can occur during tire operation under heavy stress conditions.
2Productivity
If the transverse groove depth is increased for better water evacuation, then water drainage is improved, but stress peaks increase leading to rubber wear
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than reducing the overall groove depth, the patent applies local quality by maintaining deep transverse grooves for water evacuation while adding localized base elevations in specific regions. This creates zones of different groove depths within the same groove structure, preserving water drainage performance while providing stress distribution in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The base elevations act as an intermediary structure within the transverse grooves. They serve as a mediating element that allows the deep groove structure to maintain its water evacuation function while simultaneously providing stress distribution and reducing stress peaks in the outer shoulder area where heavy stresses occur.
3Ease of operation
If the outer shoulder area is designed for handling performance, then cornering stability is improved, but the risk of belt ply edges coming free increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning base elevations specifically in the outer shoulder area transverse grooves, radially outside the edge section of the widest belt ply. This localized reinforcement provides additional protection exactly where the belt ply edges are most vulnerable during heavy stress handling operations, without affecting the overall handling performance characteristics of the tire.
Solution Approach 2:
The base elevations provide beforehand cushioning by being pre-formed structural elements that protect the belt ply edges from the harmful effects of heavy stress conditions. They are positioned in advance to prevent the rubber from rubbing off and the belt ply edges from coming free, allowing the tire to maintain its handling performance without the risk of structural failure.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The tire has a tread that is provided with different profile structures in tread halves. The tire is mounted at a vehicle, where a tire outer shoulder area (A) is provided at an outer side of the vehicle. The tread includes profile elements in the shoulder area, where the elements comprise transverse slots (11, 12) passing over a contact area of the tire. A base raised portion (18) is formed in the shoulder area outside of the contact area in the slots and interconnects transverse slot flanks. The portion is radially positioned outside of an edge section of a broadest bracing ply.