Analysis of patent technical solutions and directions for improving low-pressure tire constructions

Abstract

Improving the cross-country ability of wheeled vehicles, which is one of the main tasks of modern transport engineering, is largely determined by the design of tires. In this regard, modern trends in improving the design of tires of automotive equipment are of interest, using the example of patenting technical solutions. The article is devoted to patent studies of technical solutions for the design of low-pressure tires of wheeled vehicles. The goal is to analyze the technical solutions of low-pressure tire designs and identify the dominant areas of improvement. As a result, it has been found that the patent solutions mainly consider the dimensions and shapes of the cross section of the tire, the configurations and dimensions of the tread pattern, the air pressure indicators in the tire, the material and the number of cord layers, and the quality of rubber. The information provided indicates that the majority (71 %) of the declared technical solutions are aimed at improving the tread elements of low-pressure wide-profile tires and only about one third (29 %) at improving the shape and internal structure. Despite the fact that the load capacity indicator is one of the main characteristics of truck tires, the number of patents for it is very small. The technical solutions, in terms of the characteristics of the rubber composition used in the production of tires, are mainly aimed at reducing hysteresis losses and heat resistance, increasing strength, reducing raw materials of petroleum origin, improving wear resistance and adhesion to wet, icy and snow-covered road surfaces. A significant part of technical patent solutions for optimizing the design of wide-profile low and ultra-low pressure tires indicate that they largely pursue marketing goals.