Zigzag Belt Structure for Tire Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zigzag belt layers in tires, while improving durability by eliminating cut belt edges, result in excessive overlapping layers at the shoulder area, leading to increased weight and potential durability issues.
Innovation Solution
The zigzag belt structure is formed with alternating windings of varying amplitudes and orientations, with each winding extending in a circumferential direction, and the belt edges are radiused to minimize overlap and optimize weight distribution, using steel or aramid cords for reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zigzag belt layers are used to eliminate cut belt edges, then belt edge durability is improved, but the number of overlapping layers at the shoulder area increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The belt structure is segmented into multiple distinct layers: a first belt layer with first belt edges, a second belt layer with second belt edges, and a zigzag belt layer with third and fourth belt edges. This segmentation allows each layer to serve specific functions and positions the belt edges at different locations, preventing excessive overlapping at any single shoulder area while maintaining durable belt edges throughout the tire structure.
2Reliability
If zigzag belt layers are used to eliminate cut belt edges, then belt edge durability is improved, but tire weight increases due to excess layers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different belt configurations to different regions of the tire. The first and second belt layers provide foundational reinforcement, while the zigzag belt layer provides enhanced edge durability in specific areas. The belt edges are positioned at different circumferential locations, creating local optimization where durability is enhanced at the belt edges without adding excessive weight through uniform layering across the entire shoulder area.
3Strength
If multiple overlapping layers are placed at the shoulder area, then structural reinforcement is increased, but manufacturing complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The belt structure is divided into separate layers (first belt layer, second belt layer, and zigzag belt layer) with clearly defined edges positioned at different circumferential locations. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each layer to be positioned and secured independently, reducing the alignment precision requirements compared to attempting to stack multiple layers with identical edge positions. The structural reinforcement is achieved through the combined effect of these segmented layers rather than through complex overlapping at a single location.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic tire is described. The tire (10) comprises a tread (25), a carcass (31) and a belt structure (40) interposed between the carcass (31) and the tread (25), the belt structure (40) comprising a pair of working belts (41, 42) with the angle of the working belts ranging of from 15 to 30 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire. The belt structure (40) further comprises a zigzag belt structure (39) located radially inward of the working belts (41, 42), wherein the zigzag belt structure (39) is formed of at least two layers of cords interwoven together from a strip (43, 51, 52, 53, 54) of rubber reinforced with one or more cords, wherein the strip is layed up in a first zigzag winding extending between a first lateral belt edge (44) and a second lateral belt edge (45) in an at least substantially zigzag or sine wavelength having a first amplitude (W1) in a first direction followed by a second amplitude (W2) in the opposite direction of the first amplitude (W1), and wherein the strip (41, 51, 52, 53, 54) is layed up in a second zigzag winding extending between the first lateral belt edge (44) and the second lateral belt edge (45) in an at least substantially zigzag or sine wavelength having a first amplitude (W2) followed by a second amplitude (W1) in the opposite direction of the first amplitude (W2).