Pneumatic Tyre Sidewall Marking Durability via Replaceable Label
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire designs suffer from loss of original information and design effect due to damage or wear of colored markings over the tire's life, leading to a loss of legibility and recognition of manufacturer information and branding.
Innovation Solution
A colored label is applied to the tire sidewall, reproducing all characters and decorative elements in an optically identical form and arrangement, which adheres to the surface structure and can be easily replaced if damaged, using a thermally activated adhesive and transfer film method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If colored markings are applied directly to the tire sidewall surface, then the tire can be decorated and information can be displayed, but the markings become damaged or unsightly over time leading to loss of legibility and recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a colored label that reproduces all characters and design elements in an optically identical form and arrangement on the tire sidewall. This copy approach allows the original molded surface structure to remain intact while providing replaceable colored information layers that can be renewed if damaged, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and long-term durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the tire sidewall into two functional components: the permanent molded surface structure containing characters and design elements, and the removable colored label that provides visual information. This segmentation allows the durable structural element to remain while the colored information layer can be replaced if damaged, maintaining both ease of manufacture and reliability
2Loss of information
If colored markings are applied to the tire sidewall, then the tire can be decorated and branded, but the markings are lost when damaged or worn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the colored label to be removed and replaced when damaged or worn. The label can be discarded when no longer functional, and a new label can be applied to recover the visual information and branding. This approach maintains information retention while acknowledging the limited lifespan of the colored marking layer
Solution Approach 2:
The colored label creates an optical copy of the characters and design elements on the tire sidewall. This copy preserves all information in an optically identical form, ensuring that even if the original colored marking is lost, the information can be recovered through label replacement without losing any textual or design data
3Reliability
If a colored label is applied to cover the surface element, then the visibility and durability of markings are improved, but the complexity of the tire structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin, flexible colored label that conforms to the tire sidewall surface. This thin-film approach provides improved visibility and durability without adding significant structural complexity, as the label simply adheres to the existing surface geometry rather than requiring complex integrated structures
Solution Approach 2:
The colored label acts as an intermediary layer between the tire sidewall surface and the external environment. This intermediate element provides the colored information and protection while maintaining a simple two-component system (tire + label) that does not significantly increase overall structural complexity
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
The solution ensures durable and long-lasting visibility of tire markings, maintaining recognition and legibility even with partial or complete label removal, and can be easily reapplied, thus extending the tire's aesthetic and informational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
using a thermally activated adhesive and transfer film method
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3b
AI summary
Vehicle tires with a tread and at least one sidewall (1b), on the surface of which at least one symbol is formed as a character (2) or design element, possibly in a delimited surface element (6), which symbol has a structure or surface finish that differs from the structure or surface finish of the surrounding surface areas or which is designed as a surface depression or elevation compared to the surrounding surface areas. A colored label (7, 7') is affixed to at least one symbol or to a surface element (6, 6') containing at least one symbol, wherein a label covering a symbol covers it congruently, and wherein a label (7, 7') covering a surface element (6, 6') reproduces all symbols formed in the surface element (6) in an optically identical design and arrangement.