Patent Application
20220024260
The present invention relates to a small-diameter pneumatic tire having improved load-carrying capacity.
Conventionally, a pneumatic tire with a reduced diameter while increasing the load-carrying capacity (maximum load capacity) is known (see to Patent Literature 1.). According to the pneumatic tire, the space of a small vehicle can be saved and a wide riding space can be secured.
In the pneumatic tire, carcass cords made of organic fibers are used.
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-138435
In recent years, a new small shuttle buses have been proposed with an emphasis on the transportation of people and goods within city. Such a small shuttle bus has a total length of about 5 meters and a total width of about 2 meters, and the total vehicle weight is assumed to exceed 3 tons. For the pneumatic tire mounted on such a small shuttle bus, space saving is required while providing necessary load-carrying capacity.
When such a high load-carrying capacity is required, it is conceivable to use steel for the carcass cord, but the weight of the pneumatic tire increases and the rolling resistance deteriorates compared with the case where the carcass cord made of organic fiber is used.
In addition, since the bending rigidity of the carcass is increased when steel is used for the carcass cord, especially when the tire size is small, the folded part of the carcass folded back through the bead core is not close to the bead core, and manufacturing failure is easily caused.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire that can avoid deterioration of rolling resistance and occurrence of manufacturing failure while achieving high load-carrying capacity and space saving.
One aspect of the present invention is a pneumatic tire (pneumatic tire 10) having an annular carcass (carcass 40) forming a tire skeleton and mounted on a vehicle (vehicle 1). An outer diameter of the pneumatic tire is 350 mm or more and 600 mm or less, as RW is defined by a rim width of a rim wheel assembled to the pneumatic tire and SW is defined by a tire width of the pneumatic tire, the relation of 0.78≤RW/SW≤0.99 is satisfied. The carcass has a carcass cord disposed along a tire width direction, the carcass cord is formed of a filament (filaments FL1, FL2) of steel, an outer diameter of the carcass cord is 0.7 mm or less, and a distance between the adjacent carcass cords is 4.0 mm or less.
Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same functions and configurations are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.
A predetermined number of pneumatic tire 10 are mounted on a vehicle 1 according to a wheel configuration. Specifically, in the vehicle 1, the pneumatic tire 10 assembled to a rim wheel 100 is mounted in a predetermined position.
The vehicle 1 belongs to a new small shuttle bus with an emphasis on transportation of people and goods in the city. In this embodiment, the new small shuttle bus is assumed to be a vehicle having a total length of 4 meters to 7 meters, a total width of about 2 meters, and a total vehicle weight of about 3 tons. However, the size and the gross vehicle weight are not necessarily limited to the range, and may be slightly out of the range.
The small shuttle bus is not necessarily limited to transportation of people, but may be used for transportation of goods, a mobile store, a mobile office, etc.
In addition, small shuttle buses have a relatively low travel speed range (maximum speed: 70 km/h or less, average speed: about 50 km/h) because they are focused on transporting people and goods within the city. Therefore, hydroplaning countermeasures need not be emphasized.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle having an automatic driving function (assume Level 4 or higher), but the automatic driving function is not essential and the vehicle 1 may not be an electric vehicle.
If the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, an in-wheel motor (unillustrated) is preferably used as a power unit. The in-wheel motor may be provided with the whole unit in the inner space of the rim wheel 100 or a part of the unit in the inner space of the rim wheel 100.
If an in-wheel motor is used, the vehicle 1 preferably has an independent steering function in which each wheel can steer independently. This makes it possible to turn and move in the lateral direction on the spot and eliminates the need for a power transmission mechanism, thereby improving the space efficiency of the vehicle 1.
Thus, in the vehicle 1, high space efficiency is required. For this reason, the pneumatic tire 10 preferably has a small diameter as small as possible.
On the other hand, a high load-carrying capacity (maximum load capacity) is required because it is mounted on the vehicle 1 having a gross vehicle weight corresponding to a vehicle size and an application.
In order to satisfy such requirements, the pneumatic tire 10 has a load-carrying capacity corresponding to the total vehicle weight of the vehicle 1 while reducing the tire outer diameter OD (not shown in
If the vehicle 1 has an in-wheel motor and an independent steering function, the pneumatic tire 10 is preferably low in aspect ratio from the viewpoint of improving responsiveness, and the rim diameter RD (not shown in
The pneumatic tire 10 has a relatively small diameter while being wide. Specifically, the rim diameter RD of the rim wheel 100 is preferably 12 inches or more and 17.5 inches or less. However, the rim diameter RD may be 10 inches or more and 22 inches or less if it satisfies another numerical range.
As shown in
The tire width SW of the pneumatic tire 10 is preferably 125 mm or more and 255 mm or less. As shown in
The aspect ratio of the pneumatic tire 10 is preferably 35% or more and 75% or less. The Aspect ratio is calculated using expression 1.
Aspect ratio (%)=tire section height H/tire width SW (section width)×100 (Expression 1)
The tire outer diameter OD of the pneumatic tire 10 is 350 mm or more and 600 mm or less. The tire outer diameter OD is preferably 500 mm or less.
When the tire outer diameter OD is such a size and the rim width RW is defined by the rim width of the rim wheel 100 assembled to the pneumatic tire 10 is, the pneumatic tire 10 satisfies the relationship of (Expression 2) and (Expression 3).
0.78≤RW/SW≤0.99 (Expression 2)
0.56≤RD/OD≤0.75 (Expression 3)
The pneumatic tire 10 preferably satisfies 0.78≤RW/SW≤0.98, and more preferably 0.78≤RW/SW≤0.95. The pneumatic tire 10 preferably satisfies 0.56≤RD/OD≤0.72, and more preferably 0.56≤RD/OD≤0.71.
The pneumatic tire 10 satisfying such a relationship can ensure an air volume necessary for supporting the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle 1 while having a small diameter. Specifically, an air volume of 20,000 cm3 or more is required in consideration of load bearing performance. In addition, in order to save space, it is required to be 80,000 cm3 or less.
If the above relationship is satisfied, the rim width RW is not particularly limited, but is preferably as wide as possible from the viewpoint of securing the air volume. For example, the rim width may be 3.8 to 7.8 J.
Also, from the viewpoint of securing the air volume, it is preferable that the ratio of the rim diameter RD to the tire outer diameter OD is small, that is, the aspect ratio is high. However, as described above, it is preferable that the aspect ratio is low from the viewpoint of responsiveness, and it is preferable that the rim diameter RD is large in consideration of the housing space such as the in-wheel motor, so that the aspect ratio and the rim diameter RD have a trade-off relationship between the air volume and the responsiveness as well as the housing space such as the in-wheel motor.
One example of a suitable size for the pneumatic tire 10 is 205/40 R 15. The suitable rim width is approximately 7.5 J. Other examples of suitable sizes include 215/45 R 12. In this case, the suitable rim width is approximately 7.0 J.
In addition, although not particularly limited, a set internal pressure (normal pressure) of the pneumatic tire 10 is assumed to be 400 to 1,100 kPa, more realistically 500-900 kPa. The normal internal pressure is, for example, the air pressure corresponding to the maximum load capacity in the YearBook of JATMA (Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association) in Japan, ETRTO in Europe, TRA in the United States, and other tire standards in each country.
In addition, the load to be borne by the pneumatic tire 10 is assumed to be 500 to 1,500 kgf, and practically, about 900 kgf.
As shown in
The tread 20 is a portion in contact with the road surface. On the tread 20, a pattern (unillustrated) corresponding to the use environment of the pneumatic tire 10 and the type of vehicle to be mounted is formed.
The tire side portion 30 is continuous with the tread 20 and positioned inside the tire radial direction of the tread 20. The tire side portion 30 is an area from the tire width direction outer end of the tread 20 to the upper end of the bead portion 60. The tire side portion 30 is sometimes referred to as a sidewall.
The carcass 40 is an annular member that forms a tire skeleton of the pneumatic tire 10. The carcass 40 has a radial structure in which a carcass cord 40a (not shown in
The belt layer 50 is provided inside the tire radial direction of the tread 20. The belt layer 50 comprises a core belt 51 and a sheath belt 52.
The core belt 51 is provided from one shoulder portion 26 of the tread 20 to the other shoulder portion 27 of the tread 20. The shoulder portion 26 is an area outside the tire width direction than a circumferential main groove 21, and the shoulder portion 27 is an area outside the tire width direction than a circumferential main groove 22. That is, the shoulder portion 26 and the shoulder portion 27 are areas outside the tire width direction than the circumferential main groove formed at the outermost tire width direction.
The core belt 51 is a belt formed by rubber coating a belt cord 51a (not shown in
The bead portion 60 continues to tire side portion 30 and is positioned inside in tire radial direction of tire side portion 30. The bead portion 60 is locked to a rim wheel 100 and has an annular bead core 61. The carcass 40 is folded back to the outside of the tire width direction via a bead core 61.
The bead core 61 is formed by twisting a plurality of bead wires 61a (in
The width of the bead core 61 along the tire width direction is preferably 5 mm or more and 30 mm or less. The height of the bead core 61 along the tire radial direction is preferably 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. Further, the number (number of lines in cross section) of the bead wires 61a forming the bead core 61 is preferably 15 to 60.
A folded end portion 41 of the carcass 40 folded in the bead portion 60 is provided so as to be wound along the bead core 61. The folded end portion 41 is in contact with the tire radial direction outer end of the bead core 61. Specifically, at the folded end portion 41 of the carcass 40, the carcass cord 40a is wound around the outer end in the tire radial direction of the bead core 61.
The bead portion 60 may be provided with a bead filler outside the tire radial direction of the bead core, or may be provided with a chafer for preventing the carcass 40 or the like folded by the bead portion 60 from being rubbed and worn by the rim wheel 100.
Next, the configuration of the carcass 40 will be described.
Specifically, the plurality of carcass cords 40a disposed along the tire width direction are covered with a rubber material.
The carcass cord 40a is formed by twisting a metal filament. Specifically, the carcass cord 40a is formed of a steel filament.
The carcass cord 40a has an outer diameter smaller than that of a general carcass cord so as to easily follow the shape of the bead portion 60 of the pneumatic tire 10 having a small diameter. Specifically, the outer diameter of the carcass cord 40a is 0.7 mm or less. The outer diameter of the carcass cord 40a is preferably 0.6 mm or less.
The outer diameters of the filaments FL1 and FL2 forming the carcass cord 40a are preferably 0.2 mm or less.
In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the filament FL1 is 0.15 mm and the outer diameter of the filament FL2 is 0.175 mm.
The distance G (see
The distance G is more preferably 3.5 mm or less, and more preferably 3.0 mm or less. The distance G is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1.0 mm or more, and more preferably 1.5 mm or more. The distance G is a distance between adjacent carcass cords 40a immediately below the tire equatorial line CL (see
Next, the configuration of the belt layer 50 will be described. As described above, the belt layer 50 comprises the core belt 51 and the sheath belt 52.
As shown in
As shown in
The sheath belt 52 is a tape-like belt having a width of about 1 cm, and is spirally wound around the core belt 51 along the tire circumferential direction. Specifically, the sheath belt 52 is spirally wound around the core belt 51 along the tire circumferential direction at a predetermined distance equal to or greater than the width of the sheath belt 52.
The sheath belt 52 covers the tire radial direction outer surface of the core belt 51 and the tire radial direction inner surface of the core belt 51 by being wound around a plurality of laps in the tire circumferential direction so as not to overlap the adjacent sheath belt 52.
A longitudinal end (unillustrated) of the sheath belt 52 having a tape shape is wound around the core belt 51 so as not to be positioned in the shoulder portions 26, 27 and the center region (immediately below the tire equatorial line).
As shown in
In this embodiment, the belt layer 50 comprises only the core belt 51 and the sheath belt 52. As noted above, the belt layer 50 provides similar functionality to the crossing belt layer, but in this embodiment, no additional belts, such as a reinforcing belt, are provided in addition to the core belt 51 and the sheath belt 52.
The number of driving of the belt cords 51a in the core belt 51 is preferably 15/50 mm or more and 30/50 mm or less. The number of cords in the sheath belt 52 is preferably 10/50 mm or more and 25/50 mm or less. The number of the belt cords 51a to be driven is preferably larger (that is, dense) than the number of cords to be driven in the sheath belt 52.
The angle between the belt cord 51a and the tire width direction is preferably not less than 20 degrees and not more than 60 degrees. The angle formed by the cord of the sheath belt 52 with the tire width direction is preferably 50 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. The angle formed by the cord of the sheath belt 52 with the tire width direction is preferably larger than the angle formed by the belt cord 51a with the tire width direction.
The number of turns of the sheath belt 52 in the tire circumferential direction is preferably 3 times or more and 6 times or less in consideration of securing performance and productivity.
Next, the function and effects of the pneumatic tire 10 will be described.
Specifically, the horizontal axis of the graph shown in
As shown in
An example of a suitable size for the pneumatic tire 10 described above, 215/45 R 12, is included in area A1. As described above, the area A1 corresponds to 0.78≤RW/SW≤0.99, and 0.56≤RD/OD≤0.75. Such an area A1 is positioned as an area of the tire for the new small shuttle bus with an emphasis on transportation of people, goods and the like in the city, as in the aforementioned vehicle 1.
The RD/OD in the area of the tire for the new small shuttle bus is not significantly different from, and some overlap with, the RD/OD in the area of the tire for the passenger cars or light trucks. On the other hand, the RW/SW in the area of the tire for the new small shuttle bus is higher than the RW/SW in the area of the tire for passenger cars or light trucks.
As described above, the outer diameter OD of the pneumatic tire 10 is 350 mm or more and 600 mm or less. Therefore, the diameter is sufficiently small in comparison with the size of the vehicle 1, and can contribute to space saving of the vehicle 1.
Further, according to the pneumatic tire 10 having the size included in the area A1, since the relationship of 0.78≤RW/SW≤0.99 is satisfied, a wide rim width RW with respect to the tire width SW can be configured, that is, a wide tire can be configured, and it is easy to secure an air volume necessary for exhibiting high load capacity. If the rim width RW becomes too wide, the tire width SW also widens and space efficiency decreases, and the bead portion 60 tends to come off the rim wheel 100.
Further, according to the pneumatic tire 10 having the size included in the area A1, since the relationship of 0.56≤RD/OD≤0.75 is satisfied, the rim diameter RD with respect to the tire outer diameter OD is large, and it is easy to secure a housing space for an in-wheel motor or the like. When the rim diameter RD becomes too small, the diameter size of the disc brake or the drum brake becomes small. Therefore, the contact area of the effective brake becomes small, and it becomes difficult to secure the required braking performance.
That is, according to the pneumatic tire 10, when it is mounted on the new small shuttle bus or the like, it is possible to achieve a high space efficiency while having a higher load-carrying capacity.
The rim diameter RD of the pneumatic tire 10 is preferably 12 inches or more and 17.5 inches or less. Thus, a necessary and sufficient air volume and a housing space for an in-wheel motor can be secured while maintaining a small diameter. Also, braking performance and traction performance can be secured.
The tire width SW of the pneumatic tire 10 is preferably 125 mm or more and 255 mm or less. The aspect ratio of the pneumatic tire 10 is preferably 35% or more and 75% or less. Thus, a necessary and sufficient air volume and a housing space for an in-wheel motor can be secured.
Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the carcass cord 40a is formed of the filament FL1 and the filament FL2 made of steel.
Since the carcass cord 40a is formed of a steel filament in this manner, durability can be secured while having load-carrying capacity.
Since the filament FL1 and the filament FL2 are thinner than tire (e.g. small diameter tire 225/80 R 17.5 for trucks and buses) of a similar size, the carcass cord 40a easily follows the shape of the small-diameter bead portion 60 even when the steel filament is used. In particular, even when the radius of curvature of the folded portion of the carcass 40 at the bead core 61 is small, the carcass 40 is easily folded back to the outside of the tire width direction via the bead core 61, so that it is effective in preventing manufacturing failure.
Furthermore, since the distance G between the adjacent carcass cords 40a is set to 4.0 mm or less while using such thin steel filaments, even if the pneumatic tire 10 assembled to the rim wheel 100 is filled with air (gas), the carcass cords 40a can be prevented from being in a state of floating on the outer surface of the bead portion 60 (side irregularity).
Further, since the constant distance G is secured, the weight increase of the carcass 40 can be suppressed even when the filament made of steel is used, so that the deterioration of rolling resistance can also be suppressed.
That is, according to the pneumatic tire 10, while achieving load-carrying capacity and space saving, deterioration of rolling resistance and occurrence of manufacturing failure can be avoided.
In this embodiment, the outer diameters of the filaments FL1 and FL2 are 0.2 mm or less. Therefore, the carcass 40 can more easily follow the shape of the small-diameter bead portion 60, and the weight increase can be suppressed. Thus, the deterioration of rolling resistance and the occurrence of manufacturing failure can be more surely avoided.
In the present embodiment, at the folded end portion 41 of the carcass 40, the carcass 40, specifically, the carcass cord 40a is wound around the outer end in the tire radial direction of the bead core 61. Therefore, a state in which the carcass cord 40a floats on the outer surface of the bead portion 60 (side irregularity) can be more reliably prevented. Further, crack propagation at the end of the carcass cord 40a can be suppressed.
Although the contents of the present invention have been described above with reference to the examples, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the carcass cord 40a is formed by twisting the filaments FL1 and FL2 (see
As shown in
That is, the carcass cord may be formed by a single (type) filament or may be formed by a plurality of filaments.
As in the above embodiment, the outer diameters of the filament FL1, the filament FL2 and the filament FL3 are preferably 0.2 mm or less. The outer diameters of the filament FL1, the filament FL2 and the filament FL3 are more preferably 0.175 mm or less, more preferably 0.150 mm or less.
In the above-described embodiment, the pneumatic tire 10 satisfies the relationship 0.56≤RD/OD≤0.75, but the relationship may not always be satisfied.
In the above-described embodiment, the carcass cord 40a is wound around the outer end in the tire radial direction of the bead core 61, but such a configuration is not necessarily required.
Further, although the belt layer 50 comprising the core belt 51 and the sheath belt 52 was used in the above-described embodiment, the belt layer 50 may have the following shape.
Like the pneumatic tire 10A and the pneumatic tire 10B, the configuration of the belt layer and the shape of the folded end portion 41 of the carcass 40 may be appropriately changed in accordance with the characteristics of the vehicle 1.
While embodiments of the invention have been described as above, it should not be understood that the statements and drawings which form part of this disclosure are intended to limit the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-233858 | Dec 2018 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2019/048998 | 12/13/2019 | WO | 00 |
