Zigzag Cut Protector Belt for Heavy-Duty Tire Puncture Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy-duty tire carcasses, such as those for trucks, buses, and aircraft, are prone to damage from punctures caused by sharp objects due to insufficient stiffness of traditional cut protector belts, leading to premature scrapping.

Innovation Solution

A tire design featuring a radially outward zigzag cut protector belt formed by winding a monofilament cord in a zigzag manner, providing increased lateral bending stiffness and resistance to penetration, with a non-round cross-sectional shape such as obround or rectangular, and optionally combined with a cushion gum layer and auxiliary belt layers for enhanced protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional cut protector belts are used, then the tire structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the belt stiffness is insufficient allowing sharp objects to move the belt and pierce the carcass

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebelt stiffnessVSAvoidbelt structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by using a non-round cross-sectional shape for the monofilament cord (such as obround, rectangular, or triangular) instead of a conventional round shape. This asymmetric geometry increases the lateral bending stiffness of the cut protector belt, preventing sharp objects from easily moving the belt aside and piercing the carcass, while maintaining a relatively simple single-layer zigzag belt structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional characteristic of the monofilament cord by transitioning from a round cross-section to a non-round cross-section (obround, rectangular, or triangular). This dimensional change in the cord geometry directly increases the belt's resistance to lateral bending and sharp object penetration without adding structural layers or complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the cut protector belt is made stiffer to prevent punctures, then puncture resistance improves, but the belt becomes less flexible and more difficult to install and conform to the tire shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture resistanceVSAvoidbelt flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different properties at different locations: the monofilament cord has a non-round cross-section that provides high lateral bending stiffness and puncture resistance where needed, while the zigzag belt structure allows for flexibility and conformability during installation. The cushion gum layer also provides localized cushioning at the interface between the belt and carcass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a single layer belt structure is used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the belt lacks sufficient protection against severe punctures and carcass damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarcass protectionVSAvoidbelt layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the monofilament cord with the cushion gum layer to create a composite belt structure. The monofilament cord provides high tensile strength and puncture resistance, while the cushion gum layer provides flexibility and shock absorption, creating a composite system that offers enhanced carcass protection without requiring multiple complex belt layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3895910B1Tire with cut protector belt structure
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO
  • EP3895910B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3895910B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3895910B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A tire (10) having a cut protector belt (100) located radially outward of a main belt structure (40) is disclosed. The cut protector belt (100) is a zigzag belt structure (66) formed by winding a monofilament cord (120) from a first lateral edge to a second lateral edge in a zigzag manner to form an integrally formed dual (two) layer of cords or s formed by helically winding a monofilament cord (120) formed of nylon. The cross-sectional shape of the monofilament cord (120) is not round and/or has a flat surface.