Tyre Sidewall Insert Anchoring for Secure Low-Drag Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire sidewall designs face issues with color degradation, mechanical degradation, complex manufacturing, and poor attachment of decorative inserts, which can lead to deformation, detachment, and aerodynamic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with anchoring means featuring a recess and protrusion in the sidewall, allowing for secure attachment of decorative inserts without protruding significantly, maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and preventing detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a colored rubber compound is used in the sidewall to personalize the design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the colored compound gradually discolors over time due to chemical migration and mechanical degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall is divided into two distinct segments: a base rubber compound and a separate colored insert. This segmentation isolates the colored portion from harmful chemical interactions with adjacent compounds while allowing aesthetic personalization. The insert is physically separated from the main sidewall material, preventing chemical migration that causes discoloration.
Solution Approach 2:
An anchoring means consisting of a recess with protrusion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the sidewall and the colored insert. This intermediary mechanism secures the insert without requiring direct chemical bonding or mechanical means that could degrade the colored compound, thus maintaining both appearance and stability.
2Strength
If mechanical means are used to mount the tire onto the rim, then the tire is securely attached, but the mounting process degrades the colored rubber compound through rubbing and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The colored insert is extracted from the main sidewall compound and positioned in a separate location that is not subjected to mounting friction. By placing the insert in the axially outer portion of the sidewall, away from the bead area where mounting friction occurs, the colored portion is protected from mechanical degradation during tire installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring means with recess and protrusion is pre-formed in the sidewall before the colored insert is installed. This preliminary preparation allows the insert to be securely mounted without requiring subsequent mechanical fastening operations that could cause rubbing and degradation of the colored compound.
3Shape
If a decorative ring is mounted between the tire bead and the rim to personalize the sidewall, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the tire's mechanical behavior and vehicle performance are altered
Solution Approach 1:
Personalization is achieved through a localized colored insert in the axially outer sidewall portion, rather than a ring structure that would affect the entire bead area. This local approach maintains aesthetic customization while preserving the uniform mechanical properties and structural integrity of the tire's critical mounting region.
4Shape
If a lining element covers a significant portion of the sidewall to personalize the design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the element is susceptible to deformation and detachment during tire rolling due to high flex area positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The colored insert is positioned in the axially outer portion of the sidewall, a location that experiences lower flexing during tire operation compared to the radially inner portion. This strategic positioning reduces mechanical stress on the insert, preventing deformation and detachment while maintaining aesthetic personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring means incorporates a recess with protrusion that conforms to the curved geometry of the sidewall. This curved anchoring structure better accommodates the flexible nature of the sidewall during rolling, maintaining secure attachment of the insert through the flexing cycles of tire operation.
5Shape
If an insert is attached using a recessed attachment mechanism near the tread, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but easy mounting is prevented due to geometry mismatch between insert and recess under different inflation pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring means is designed with a recess and protrusion geometry that accommodates variations in tire inflation pressure and rim width. The protrusion fits within the recess with sufficient clearance to allow for dimensional changes during inflation, enabling easy mounting while maintaining secure attachment across different operating conditions.
6Reliability
If a protrusion is used to retain the sidewall insert, then the attachment strength is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases due to significant protrusion from the sidewall surface
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion extends only partially from the recess bottom toward the axially outer face, providing sufficient anchoring strength through the recess walls and bottom while minimizing the protrusion height. This partial extension achieves the necessary retention force without creating significant aerodynamic disruption, balancing attachment strength with aerodynamic efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The subject matter of the present invention is a tyre (1) comprising at least one sidewall (3) intended to cooperate with a sidewall insert (9) via an anchoring means (6), and aims to customize the design of said tyre sidewall. According to the invention, the anchoring means (6), which includes a recess (7) formed in an axially outer sidewall layer (30), comprises a protrusion (8) that projects relative to the bottom of the recess (71) and extends from the bottom of the recess (71) to the vicinity of the axially outer face of the sidewall (31), said protrusion (8) having, in any mid-plane (YZ), a minimum width Lpmin in the vicinity of the bottom of the recess (71) so as to ensure the anchoring of the sidewall insert (9) intended to cooperate with the anchoring means (6).