Zigzag Belt Tire Load Capacity Weight Tradeoff
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire designs for high-speed, high-load applications, such as aircraft and truck tires, face challenges in balancing load capacity and weight, with zigzag belt layers improving cornering forces but failing to meet the load requirements of commercial aircraft and truck designs, and existing designs often compromise between load capacity and weight.
Innovation Solution
A radial aircraft tire design featuring a carcass with inner and outer plies, a belt package comprising narrow and wide low-angle belt layers, and a zigzag belt structure that is wider than the other belt layers, providing enhanced load-carrying capacity while maintaining reduced weight through specific cord angles and constructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If zigzag belt layers are used to improve cornering forces and eliminate cut belt edges, then the tire achieves better flexibility and cornering performance, but the load capacity becomes insufficient for commercial aircraft and truck requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different belt layer configurations - straight belt layers (which provide load capacity) and zigzag belt layers (which provide cornering forces and eliminate cut edges) - into a single composite belt package. This merging allows the tire to simultaneously achieve both heavy load capacity and improved cornering performance, resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Strength
If the belt package is designed to carry heavy loads, then the load capacity increases, but the weight of the tire increases accordingly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different belt layer configurations to different radial positions within the belt package. Straight belt layers with low cord angles are positioned to provide load capacity where needed, while zigzag belt layers are positioned to provide cornering forces and eliminate cut edges. This local differentiation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving heavy load capacity without unnecessarily increasing overall tire weight.
3Strength
If multiple belt layers with different configurations are combined, then both load capacity and cornering forces are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the belt package into distinct straight belt layers and zigzag belt layers, each with specific cord angle ranges and functional assignments. This segmentation allows for systematic design and manufacturing, where each layer can be independently optimized and assembled. The clear division of functions between layers simplifies the overall design process despite the multi-layer complexity, as each segment has a defined purpose and can be manufactured using standardized processes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a carcass (22) and a belt reinforcing structure (40), the belt reinforcing structure (40) comprising a first and a second belt layer (50,60). One or both of the first and a second belt layers (50,60) have cords arranged at an angle of 5 degrees or less with respect to the midcircumferential plane of the tire (10). The belt reinforcing structure (40) further comprises a zigzag belt reinforcing structure (70) comprising cords inclined at an angle in a range of from 5 to 30 degrees relative to the midcircumferential of the tire extending in alternation to turnaround points at lateral edges (44,45) of the zigzag belt reinforcing structure (70), wherein the axial width of the zigzag belt reinforcing structure (70) is wider than the axial width of the first and second belt layer (50,60).