Pneumatic Tyre Tread Segmentation for Rolling Resistance and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic vehicle tires face a conflict between reducing rolling resistance and maintaining good handling properties, particularly high skew stiffness, which is not adequately addressed by current designs.
Innovation Solution
The shoulder sections are made of a rubber mixture with rebound elasticity at least equal to that of the central section, and a stiffer dynamic modulus of elasticity, with extensions from the central section allowing for a balanced design that reduces rolling resistance while enhancing handling properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the shoulder sections are made of a rubber mixture with lower dynamic modulus of elasticity than the central section, then rolling resistance is reduced, but handling properties and skew stiffness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into central section and shoulder sections with different rubber mixture properties. The central section uses a stiffer rubber mixture for handling, while shoulder sections use a softer rubber mixture for reduced rolling resistance, allowing each zone to optimize its function independently
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread are assigned different rubber mixture compositions with specific dynamic modulus of elasticity values. The central section has higher E' for stiffness, while shoulder sections have lower E' for flexibility, creating local optimization of mechanical properties throughout the tread structure
2Ease of operation
If the central section is made stiffer to improve handling properties, then skew stiffness increases, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into central section and shoulder sections with different rubber mixture properties. The central section uses a stiffer rubber mixture for handling, while shoulder sections use a softer rubber mixture for reduced rolling resistance, allowing each zone to optimize its function independently
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread are assigned different rubber mixture compositions with specific dynamic modulus of elasticity values. The central section has higher E' for stiffness, while shoulder sections have lower E' for flexibility, creating local optimization of mechanical properties throughout the tread structure
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 achieves a special deformation behavior during rolling, particularly improving handling properties and maintaining low rolling resistance, effectively solving the conflict between these objectives.
Implementation Method 1
the shoulder sections consist of a rubber mixture whose rebound elasticity (at 70 °C, according to DIN 53512) at least corresponds to the rebound elasticity of the rubber mixture in the central section
Implementation Method 2
a stiffer dynamic modulus of elasticity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tyre for passenger cars, vans or the like, having a radial carcase (3), a multi-ply belt (2) and a profiled tread (1) that, as viewed in the axial direction, has a central portion (10) and two shoulder portions (11). The shoulder portions (11) consist of a rubber mixture that has a lower dynamic modulus of elasticity E' (at 55°C and 8% elongation according to DIN 53513) than the central portion (10). The central portion (10) has extensions (12) at the base thereof, running laterally substantially parallel to the tread substructure and radially inside and across the width of the shoulder portions (11).