U.S. patent application number 09/742403 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-12 for noise damper for pneumatic tire.
Invention is credited to Aoki, Chieko, Nishikawa, Masami, Sugihara, Hideaki, Yukawa, Naoki.
Application Number | 20010007268 09/742403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27554693 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010007268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yukawa, Naoki ; et
al. |
July 12, 2001 |
Noise damper for pneumatic tire
Abstract
A tire noise damper to be disposed in an annular tire hollow
formed between a wheel rim and a pneumatic tire mounted thereon,
the damper made of a flexible material and comprising a base to be
secured to the wheel rim and at least one flap extending from the
base to be risen radially outwards from the wheel rim by
centrifugal force during running to block the annular tire hollow.
For example, the damper comprises at least one annular elastic band
to be put around the wheel rim, the annular band provided with at
least one U-cut for forming a flap, and the base is formed by the
remaining annular portion of the band. In another example, the
damper is made of a strip of the fixable material having a certain
length, the base is formed by one end portion of the strip, and the
flap is formed by the remaining portion of the strip.
Inventors: |
Yukawa, Naoki; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; Nishikawa, Masami; (Kobe-shi, JP) ;
Aoki, Chieko; (Kobe-shi, JP) ; Sugihara, Hideaki;
(Kobe-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH, STEWART, KOLASCH & BIRCH, LLP
P.O. Box 747
Falls Church
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
27554693 |
Appl. No.: |
09/742403 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
152/381.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60B 21/023 20130101;
B60B 21/12 20130101; B60C 19/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
152/381.6 |
International
Class: |
B60C 015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 1999 |
JP |
11-365465 |
Dec 22, 1999 |
JP |
11-365467 |
Dec 22, 1999 |
JP |
11-365468 |
Dec 22, 1999 |
JP |
11-365469 |
Dec 28, 1999 |
JP |
11-374870 |
Dec 28, 1999 |
JP |
11-374872 |
Claims
1. A tire noise damper to be disposed in an annular tire hollow
formed between a wheel rim and a pneumatic tire mounted thereon,
the tire noise damper made of a flexible material and comprising a
base to be secured to the wheel rim and at least one flap extending
from the base to be risen radially outwards from the wheel rim by
centrifugal force during running to block the annular tire
hollow.
2. The tire noise damper according to claim 1, which comprises at
least one annular elastic band to be put around the wheel rim, the
annular band provided with at least one U-cut comprising at least a
pair of outer longitudinal cuts extending in the circumferential
direction and a lateral cut extending therebetween, the U-cut
having two ends defined by dead ends of the outer longitudinal
cuts, whereby the flap is formed by the U-cut, and said base is
formed by the remaining annular portion of the band.
3. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, wherein said at
least one annular elastic band is a single annular elastic
band.
4. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, wherein said at
least one annular elastic band is two or more annular elastic bands
disposed side by side.
5. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, wherein said at
least one annular elastic band is two or more annular elastic bands
disposed one upon another, and the or each flap of a radially inner
band rises penetrating a radially outer band.
6. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein
the ends of the U-cut are disposed at the circumferentially same
positions, whereby a bend line drawn straight between the ends is
substantially parallel with the axial direction, and the U-cut
forms a normally rising flap.
7. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein
the ends of the U-cut are disposed at circumferentially different
positions, whereby a bend line drawn straight between the ends is
inclined at a certain angle with respect to the axial direction,
and the U-cut forms an obliquely rising flap.
8. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
wherein said at least one U-cut is a pair of U-cuts confronting
each other to rise circumferentially adjacent flaps.
9. The tire noise damper according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said at
least one U-cut is a pair of U-cuts confronting each other to rise
circumferentially adjacent flaps, and the bend line of one of the
U-cuts is substantially parallel with the bend line of the other
U-cut.
10. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
wherein said at least one U-cut is a plurality of U-cuts oriented
to the same circumferential direction.
11. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 2 to 10,
wherein the or each band is provided with U-cuts in a plurality of
circumferential rows.
12. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 2 to 11,
wherein the U-cut further comprises at least one central
longitudinal cut disposed between said outer longitudinal cuts.
13. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 2 to 11,
wherein the U-cut further comprises at least one central
longitudinal cut disposed between the outer longitudinal cuts, and
said at least one central longitudinal cut extends from the lateral
cut towards a bend line drawn straight between the dead ends of the
outer longitudinal cuts but does not extend beyond the bend
line.
14. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 2 to 11,
wherein the U-cut further comprises at least one central
longitudinal cut disposed between said outer longitudinal cuts, and
said at least one central longitudinal cut extends from the lateral
cut beyond a straight line drawn between the dead ends of the outer
longitudinal cuts to rise a spreading flap.
15. The tire noise damper according to claim 1, which comprises at
least one strip of said fixable material having a certain length,
said base is formed by one end portion of the strip, and said flap
is formed by the remaining portion of the strip.
16. The tire noise damper according to claim 15, wherein the strip
has a wide portion and a narrow portion to have a generally T-shape
the narrow portion forms the base to be fixed to the bottom of a
rim well, and the wide portion forms the flap.
17. The tire noise damper according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the
axial width Wa of the flap is in a range of from 58 to 75% of the
maximum width of the tire hollow, and the length of the flap is in
a range of 90 to 130% of the cross sectional height H of the tire
hollow.
18. The tire noise damper according to claim 15, 16 or 17, where in
said flap is provided with a plurality of longitudinal cuts each
terminated in the flap.
19. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 15 to 18,
wherein said base is provided with an adhesive agent or a pressure
sensitive adhesive double coated tape covered with a separate
sheet.
20. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 1 to 19,
wherein said flexible material is a rubber having a thickness of
from 0.5 to 3 mm.
21. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 1 to 14,
wherein the width of the or each band is not more than the bottom
width of a rim well of the wheel rim.
22. The tire noise damper according to any of claims 1 to 14,
wherein round holes for preventing stress concentration are
provided at dead ends of the cuts.
23. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
wherein said at least one U-cut is a pair of U-cuts confronting
each other to rise circumferentially adjacent flaps, and one of the
pared U-cuts consists of said outer longitudinal cuts and said
lateral cut, the other U-cut comprises said outer longitudinal cuts
and said lateral cut, and further a central longitudinal cut
disposed between the outer longitudinal cuts, the central
longitudinal cut extends from the lateral cut beyond a straight
line drawn between the dead ends of the outer longitudinal
cuts.
24. The tire noise damper according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
wherein said at least one U-cut is a pair of U-cuts confronting
each other to rise circumferentially adjacent flaps, and one of the
pared U-cuts further comprises a central longitudinal cut disposed
between the outer longitudinal cuts and extending from the lateral
cut beyond a straight line drawn between the dead ends of the outer
longitudinal cuts, and bend lines drawn straight from a dead end of
the central longitudinal cut to said dead ends of the outer
longitudinal cuts are inclined towards the lateral cut at an angle
.theta.1 with respect to the axial direction, the other U-cut
further comprises two central longitudinal cuts disposed between
the outer longitudinal cuts and extending from the lateral cut
beyond a straight line drawn between the dead ends of the outer
longitudinal cuts, and bend lines drawn straight from two dead ends
of the two central longitudinal cuts to the adjacent dead ends of
the outer longitudinal cuts are inclined towards the lateral cut at
an angle .theta.2 with respect to the axial direction, and a bend
line drawn straight from the two dead ends of the two central
longitudinal cuts is substantially parallel to the axial direction,
and the angle .theta.2 is more than the angle .theta.1.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a noise damper for
pneumatic tire which is disposed in a tire hollow and secured to a
wheel rim.
[0002] In recent years, as the mechanical noise from automobiles
especially passenger cars is greatly reduced, the tires especially
passenger car tires are strongly required to reduce their noise.
There are many factors in the tire noise, but a circumferential
resonance of the air in the annular tire hollow is a major factor.
That is, a ring of air inside the tire continuous around the rim is
excited by vibrations during running and resonates in the
circumferential direction. Usually, a resonance peak occurs in a
frequency range of from 50 to 400 Hz according to the tire
size.
[0003] In the published Japanese patent JP-B-7-14682, an assembly
of a wheel rim and a pneumatic tire mounted thereon is disclosed,
wherein a ball-like body which is made of rubber, sponge or the
like is put in the annular tire hollow to block the circumferential
continuity thereof to control resonance. Such a ball-like body is
however, liable to disturb the high-speed rotational balance of the
tire because the inner surface of the tire receives a full gravity
of the ball-like body which increases as the rotational speed
increases. Further, it has a tendency to make it difficult to mount
the tire on a wheel rim.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a noise damper which can control resonance of the tire
hollow to reduce tire noise without sacrificing the high-speed
balance and rim-mounting operation.
[0005] According to the present invention, a tire noise damper is
made of a flexible material and comprises a base to be secured to a
wheel rim and at least one flap extending from the base to be risen
radially outwards from the wheel rim by centrifugal force during
running to block the annular tire hollow.
[0006] Definitions
[0007] "Standard loaded condition" is that the tire is mounted on a
standard rim and inflated to a standard pressure, and then loaded
with 74% of a standard load.
[0008] "Normally-inflated unloaded condition" is that the tire is
mounted on the standard rim and inflated to the standard pressure,
but loaded with no tire load.
[0009] The standard rim is the "standard rim" specified in JATMA,
the "Measuring Rim" in ETRTO, the "Design Rim" in T&RA or the
like.
[0010] The standard pressure is the "maximum air pressure" in
JATMA, the "Inflation Pressure" in ETRTO, the maximum pressure
given in the "Tire Load Limits at Various Cold Inflation Pressures"
table in T&RA or the like. In case of passenger car tires,
however, 200 kPa is used as the standard pressure.
[0011] The standard load is the "maximum load capacity" in JATMA,
the "Load Capacity" in ETRTO, the maximum value given in the
above-mentioned table in T&RA or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the damper which is put
around a wheel rim on which a pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial view of the damper showing a basic
U-cut.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the ground contacting
patch of the assembly of the tire, wheel rim and damper.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the damper which is
put around a wheel rim on which a pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the damper in a state that their
flaps are risen.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a partial view of the damper showing a pair of
confronting U-cuts.
[0023] FIG. 12 shows the same part as in FIG. 11 but the flaps are
risen obliquely.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the damper which
is put around a wheel rim on which a pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention showing paired confronting basic U-cut and
three-pronged U-cut.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing the damper which
is put around a wheel rim on which a pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention showing paired confronting three-pronged U-cut
and four-pronged U-cut.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view showing the damper which
is put around a wheel rim on which a pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a partial view of the damper showing paired
confronting shred-U-cuts.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 21 is a partial view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the damper showing a
state that the flaps are risen.
[0034] FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view showing a damper according
to the present invention which is put around a wheel rim on which a
pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0035] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the damper which is
put around a wheel rim on which a pneumatic tire is mounted.
[0037] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a damper according to the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 27 shows the damper in an unassembled state.
[0039] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a damper according to the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 29 shows the damper in an unassembled state.
[0041] FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view of a tire and rim assembly
in which a damper according to the present invention is
mounted.
[0042] FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the assembly taken along the
tire equator.
[0043] FIG. 32 shows the damper in a folded state.
[0044] FIG. 33 shows the damper in an unfolded state.
[0045] FIG. 34 shows the damper in a rising state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0047] In the drawings, pneumatic tire 2 is mounted on a standard
wheel rim 3 and an annular closed tire hollow 4 is formed around
the wheel rim 3a.
[0048] According to the present invention, a noise damper 5 is made
of a relatively thin flexible material and comprises at least one
flap 7 and a base 8 secured to the wheel rim 3 before the pneumatic
tire 2 is mounted on the wheel rim 3. The noise damper 5 is
constructed so that the flap 7 is risen in the tire hollow 4 from
the base 8 towards the radially outside by centrifugal force during
running whereby the flap 7 can block off the annular hollow 4.
[0049] The pneumatic tire 2 is a tubeless tire comprising a tread
portion 2T, a pair of sidewall portions 2S and a pair of bead
portions 2B. For example, the tire 2 is a radial tire for passenger
cars.
[0050] The wheel rim 3 comprises a pair of axially spaced bead
seats 3a on which the tire bead portions 2B seat, a rim well 9
between the bead seats, and a pair of flanges 10 each extending
radially outwardly from one of the bead seats 3a so as to extend
along the axially outer surface of the bead portion 2B. For
example, the wheel rim 3 is provided around a disk 3b.
[0051] Annular Dampers
[0052] In FIGS. 1-29, each noise damper 5 is made of at least one
elastic annular band 6 which is provided with at least one U-cut
14. The elastic annular band 6 is put around the wheel rim 3
without slack. The direction of the U-cut 14 is such that the
opening of the letter "U" is towards the circumferential direction.
In other words, a pair of substantially-straight
substantially-parallel cuts 12 (hereinafter outer longitudinal cuts
12) extend in the circumferential direction, and a lateral cut 13
extends between the ends G of the two longitudinal cuts 12.
[0053] Preferably, the band 6 is made of a vulcanized rubber. For
such vulcanized rubber, diene rubbers such as natural rubber (NR),
isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene
rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR) and the
like are preferably used. Especially NR and SBR are preferably
used.
[0054] The thickness of the band 6 is set in a range of from 0.5 to
3 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm, more preferably 1 to 2 mm.
[0055] The size of the band 6 is determined such that the
circumference Lb when put around the rim is in a range of more than
1.0 but not more than 1.3 times, preferably in a range of from 1.08
to 1.16 times the original circumference La. In other words, the
elongation of the band is not more than 30%, preferably in a range
of from 8 to 16%.
[0056] The distance X from the axial edges 6e of the band 6 to the
longitudinal cuts 12 is set to be at least 2 mm, preferably more
than 3 mm, more preferably more than 5 mm.
[0057] Therefore, by the U-cut 14, the under-mentioned normal flap
or oblique flap (generically flap 7) which can be risen from the
outer surface of the wheel rim 3 towards the radially outside by
centrifugal force during running is formed.
[0058] In order to avoid stress concentration on the dead ends of
the cuts and prevent the band 6 from tearing, a circular hole 16
for dispersing stress is preferably formed at the dead ends. The
diameter (d) thereof is 2 to 6 mm, preferably 3 to 5 mm. Of course,
other round shapes such as oval and the like can be also used. Also
such holes 16 can help the flap 7 to rise.
[0059] As to the width BW of the band 6, it is preferable that the
width BW is not more than the bottom width RW of the rim well 9 so
that the band 6 can completely sink in the rim well 9 when mounting
the tire 2 on the rim 3. Therefore, the width BW is usually set to
be substantially equal to the bottom width RW, and substantially
constant in the circumferential direction. Thus the edges 6e are
substantially parallel with each other.
[0060] Annular Damper 1A
[0061] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of the damper 5, which is made
up of a single band 6. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the two
longitudinal cuts 12 have the same length, and the dead ends S of
the two longitudinal cuts 12 are at the circumferentially same
positions. Accordingly, a bend line 19 drawn straight between the
dead ends S is parallel with the tire axial direction. The lateral
cut 13 extending between the other ends G of the two longitudinal
cuts 12 is straight and parallel with tire axial direction. Thus,
the flap 7 in this example is a rectangle and rises normally, that
is, it is a rectangular normal flap.
[0062] The band 6 is provided with a plurality of U-cuts 14 at
substantially regular intervals, and all the U-cuts 14 are oriented
towards the same circumferential direction. As a result, a
plurality of normal flaps 7 are formed evenly in the
circumferential direction. In FIG. 1, the number of the flaps 7 is
six, but it can changed for example two or three or four etc.
[0063] Blockade area
[0064] The blockade area Ab by the fully risen flap 7 is must be at
least 5%, preferably more than 10%, more preferably more than 15%,
still more preferably more than 20% of the total sectional area As
of the tire hollow 4 under the normally inflated unloaded
condition. The blockade area Ab is the area of the flap 7 when
viewed in the circumferential direction. For example, in case of
FIG. 4, the blockade area Ab is Ha X Wa. To meet this condition,
the width and rising height of the flaps are determined as follows.
The height Ha (maximum rise) of the flap 7 is set in the range of
from 85 to 100% of the height H of the tire hollow 4. Further, the
axial width Wa of the flap 7 is at least 20% of the width W of the
tire hollow 4. The height H and width W of the tire hollow 4 are
measured in the ground contacting patch of the tire under the
standard loaded condition as shown in FIG. 4.
[0065] These limitations to Ab, Ha and Wa are also applied to the
following examples if not specifically mentioned.
[0066] Annular Damper 1B
[0067] FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example of the damper 5 which is
made up of two bands 6 (6A and 6B) disposed side by side in order
to increase the total blockade area. The bands 6A and 6B are each
provided with three U-cuts 14, and three normal flaps 7 rise evenly
in the circumferential direction. All the U-cuts 14 are oriented
towards the same direction, and the flaps 7n of the band 6A are
aligned with those of the band 6B. For example, the band 6A is
disposed in the rim well 9, and the band 6b is disposed in a shoal
between the rim well 9 and one of the bead seats 3a.
[0068] Annular Damper IC
[0069] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another example of the damper 5 which is
made up of two bands 6 (6A and 6B) disposed side by side. The
structure thereof is the same as that of the FIG. 5 example except
that the bands 6A and 6B are circumferentially shifted from each
other by a certain distance Y, and thereby as shown in FIG. 8 the
flaps 7 of the band 6A are not aligned with the flaps 7 of the band
6B.
[0070] Annular Damper 2
[0071] FIG. 9 shows another example of the damper 5, wherein the
band 6 which is provided with U-cuts 14 in a plurality
circumferential rows (two rows, in FIG. 9). In this example, all
the U-cuts 14 are oriented towards the same direction, and the
U-cuts 14 in one row are circumferentially shifted from the U-cuts
14 in the other row by a certain distance Y similarly to the FIG. 7
example. Thus two circumferential rows of flaps 7 can be formed and
they are risen as shown in FIG. 8.
[0072] Comparison test 1
[0073] The above-mentioned annular dampers were installed on a
15X6JJ wheel rim (RW=55 mm and Circumference=110 cm at the bottom
of the rim well) and then a 195/65R15 radial tire was mounted
thereon. The tire was inflated to 200 KPa, and the following tests
were conducted. The results are indicated in Table 1.
[0074] Noise test
[0075] The wheel or assembly of the tire, rim and damper was
mounted on a Japanese 2000cc FR passenger car and run in a noise
test course (rough asphalt road) at a speed of 60 km/hr and the
sound pressure was measured near the driver's seat to obtain the
overall noise level of 226, 240 and 253 Hz. The results are
indicated in dB as a difference from Ref. 1.
[0076] Durability test
[0077] Using a tire test drum, the wheel was rotated at a speed of
60 km/hr (tire load=500 N, pressure=200 KPa). The damper was
checked every hour for damages such as cracks at the dead ends of
the cuts. If there was no damage after 10 hours, the damper was
ranked as "A". If the band was broken, it was ranked as "B".
[0078] Tire mounting test
[0079] The difficulty of putting the damper around the wheel rim
and the difficulty of mounting the tire on the rim by hand were
evaluated. In the test results, "A" means "no difficulty", "B"
means "little hard".
1TABLE 1 Tire Ref. 1 Ref. 2 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex.
7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 BW (mm) -- 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 La
(cm) -- 102 102 102 102 120 110 95 89 84 102 102 La/Lb -- 1.08 1.08
1.08 1.08 0.92 1 1.16 1.24 1.31 1.08 1.08 Thickness (mm) -- 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 0.2 0.5 Flap/U-cut -- none Number -- 0 6 1 1 6 6 6 6 6 6
6 X (mm) -- -- 7.5 3 1 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 Ha (mm) -- --
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Ha/H (%) -- -- 91 91 91 91
91 91 91 91 91 91 Wa (mm) -- -- 40 49 53 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Wa/W
(%) -- -- 21 26 28 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 Dia. of Hole 16 (mm) -- 0 5
0 0 0 0 5 5 5 5 5 Noise (dB) 0 -0.1 -1.6 -1.1 -1.2 -0.5 -1.4 -1.6
-1.3 -1.4 -0.3 -1.3 Durability of Damper -- A A A B A A A A B A A
Damper mounting A A A A A A A A A A A A Tire mounting A A A A A A A
A A A A A Tire Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex. 14 Ex. 15 Ex. 16 Ex. 17 Ex.
18 Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Ex. 21 Ex. 22 BW (mm) 55 55 70 55 55 55 55 55 55
55 .times. 2 55 .times. 2 55 La (cm) 102 102 102 102 102 102 102
102 102 102 102 102 La/Lb 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08
1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 Thickness (mm) 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Flap/U-cut Number 6 6 6 1 2 3 4 5 8 3 .times. 2 3 .times. 2 12 X
(mm) 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7,5 Ha (mm) 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Ha/H (%) 91 91 91 91 91
91 91 91 91 91 91 91 Wa (mm) 40 40 55 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 .times.
2 40 .times. 2 10 Wa/W (%) 21 21 29 21 21 21 21 21 21 42 21 5 Dia.
of Hole 16 (mm) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Noise (dB) -1.9 -2.1 -2.1
-0.7 -0.9 -1 -1.1 -1.3 -2 -2.1 -1.6 -1.2 Durability of Damper A B A
A A A A A A A A A Damper mounting A B A A A A A A A A A A Tire
mounting A A B A A A A A A A A A In FIG. 7 and FIG. 9,
Circumferential shift Y = 15 cm Lb = 110 cm, H = 109 mm, W = 204
mm, Cross sectional area of Tire hollow = 189.8 sq. cm
[0080] Annular Damper 3A
[0081] FIGS. 10 to 13 show another example of the damper 5. In this
example, as shown in FIG. 11, the dead ends SL and SR of the two
longitudinal cuts 12 are disposed at circumferentially different
positions, and a bend line 19 drawn straight between the dead ends
SL and SR is inclined at an angle .theta. with respect to the axial
direction. The lateral cut 13 extending between the other ends G of
the two longitudinal cuts 12 is straight and inclined at the
above-mentioned angle .theta.. The angle .theta. is set in a range
of not more than 45 degrees, preferably 10 to 40 degrees, more
preferably 15 to 30 degrees. Therefore, the flap 7 rises obliquely,
and as a result, the flap 7 spread in the lateral direction as
shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Thus, the flap 7 in this example is an
oblique flap which is parallelogram.
[0082] It may be possible that all the U-cuts 14 are oriented
towards the same direction. But, it is preferable that a pair of
oppositely inclined flaps 7 are formed closely to each other in the
circumferential direction to effectively block the annular tire
hollow. In this example, therefore, a pair of U-cuts 14 are
provided such that the openings of letter "U" confront each other
(hereinafter, the "paired confronting U-cuts"). In the paired
confronting U-cuts in this example, a bend line 19 drawn straight
between the dead ends SL and SR of one of the U-cuts is parallel
with that of the other. And the circumferential distance K between
these bend lines 19 is set in a range of from 10 to 30 mm, more
preferably 10 to 20 mm.
[0083] As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the spread width SW of the
paired oppositely inclined oblique flaps becomes more than the band
width BW, and the blockade area increases. Usually, one to three
pairs of confronting U-cuts are provided on the band 6.
[0084] Annular Damper 3B
[0085] FIGS. 14 and 15 show another example of the damper 5,
wherein the band 6 is provided with paired confronting U-cuts 14.
One of the paired confronting U-cuts 14 is the U-cut 14 shown in
FIG. 3 (hereinafter "FIG. 3 type U-cut" or "basic U-cut") which
consists of the two longitudinal cuts 12 and one lateral cut 13.
The other is based on the FIG. 3 type U-cut, but another
longitudinal cut 20 is further provided between the two
longitudinal cuts 12 (hereinafter "three-pronged U-cut" or
"E-cut").
[0086] In the E-cut in this example, the central longitudinal cut
20 extends from the lateral cut 13 beyond a straight line drawn
between the dead ends S of the longitudinal cuts 12. Bend lines 19L
and 19R drawn from the dead end Sc of the central longitudinal cuts
20 to the dead ends S are inclined towards the lateral cut 13 at an
angle .theta.1 with respect to the axial direction. For the angle
.theta.9, the above-mentioned limitation to the angle .theta. can
be used. Accordingly, the flap 7 is divided into narrow parts 17L
and 17R which rise in a V-shape and function as oppositely
inclining oblique flaps as shown in FIG. 15.
[0087] As to the FIG. 3 type U-cut 14, as the dead ends S are
disposed near the dead end Sc, a wide normal flap 7 rises to cover
the space between the narrow oblique parts 17L and 17R.
[0088] Annular Damper 3C
[0089] FIGS. 16 and 17 show another example of the damper 5 similar
to the former example. In this example, the band 6 is provided with
paired confronting U-cuts 14. One of the paired confronting U-cuts
14 is the above-mentioned E-cut 14. The other is based on the E-cut
14, but another longitudinal cut 20 is further provided. Thus, two
parallel central longitudinal cuts 20 are disposed between the
outer longitudinal cuts 12 (hereinafter, four-pronged U-cut). A
bend line 19C drawn straight between the dead ends Sc of the two
central longitudinal cuts 20 is parallel with the tire axial
direction. Bend lines 19L2 and 19R2 drawn straight from the dead
ends Sc to the dead ends S of the outer longitudinal cuts 12 are
inclined towards the lateral cut 13 at an angle .theta.2 with
respect the axial direction.
[0090] The angle .theta.2 is set to be more than the angle .theta.1
of the E-cut 14. Preferably, the angle .theta.2 is in a range of
from 1.5 to 2.0 times the angle .theta.1. In this example, the
angle .theta.1 of the E-cut is set in a range of not more than 20
degrees, preferably in a range of from 5 to 20 degrees, more
preferably in a range of from 10 to 15 degrees.
[0091] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, a central normal flap 7C
rises from the four-pronged U-cut in the center of the band, and a
pair of oblique flaps 17L and 17R rise from the E-cut on both sides
of the central normal flap 7C, and further a pair of oblique flaps
17L2 and 17R2 rise from the four-pronged fork on the axially
outsides of the oblique flaps 17L and 17R. Thus, when viewed in the
circumferential direction, the flaps spread in all directions from
the rim well 9.
[0092] Comparison test 2
[0093] The above-mentioned annular dampers were installed on a
15X6JJ wheel rim (RW=55 mm and Circumference=110 cm at the bottom
of the rim well) and then a 195/65R15 radial tire was mounted
thereon. The tire was inflated to 200 KPa, and the above-mentioned
tests were conducted. The results are indicated in the following
Table 2A, 2B and 2C.
2TABLE 2A Tire Ref. 1 Ref. 2 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6
Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 BW (mm) -- 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 La (cm)
-- 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 La/Lb -- 1.08 1.08 1.08
1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 Thickness (mm) -- 1 1 1 1 1 1 I
1 1 1 Flap/U-cut Number -- 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 X (mm) -- 7.5 7.5
7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 Wa (mm) -- 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40
40 40 Ha (mm) -- 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Ha/H (%)
-- 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 .theta. (deg.) -- 0 5 10 15 20 25
30 35 40 45 Noise (dB) 0 -1 -1.3 -1.7 -2 -1.8 -1.5 -1.2 -1.2 -1.1
-1.1 Durability of Damper -- A A A A A A A A A A Damper mounting A
A A A A A A A A A B Tire mounting A A A A A A A A A A B
[0094]
3TABLE 2A Tire Ex. 10 Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex. 14 BW (mm) 55 55 55
55 55 La (cm) 102 102 102 102 102 La/Lb 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08
Thickness (mm) 1 1 1 1 1 Flap/U-cut X (mm) 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 Wa1
(mm) 20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20 .times.
2 Ha1 (mm) 99 98 97 94 70 Wa2 (mm) 25 25 25 25 25 Ha2 (mm) 100 100
100 100 100 .theta. 1 (deg.) 5 10 15 20 25 Noise (dB) -1.6 -2 -2.6
-1.8 -1.1 Durability of Damper A A A A A Damper mounting A A A A A
Tire mounting A A A A A
[0095]
4TABLE 2C Tire Ex. 15 Ex. 16 Ex. 17 Ex. 18 Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Ex. 21 Ex.
22 BW (mm) 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 La (cm) 102 102 102 102 102 102
102 102 La/Lb 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 Thickness
(mm) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Flap/U-cut X (mm) 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
7.5 Ha1 (mm) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Ha2 (mm) 99 98 97 94
97 97 97 97 Ha3 (mm) 98 94 87 77 94 91 82 77 Wa1 (mm) 20 .times. 2
20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20 .times. 2 20
.times. 2 20 .times. 2 Wa2 (mm) 10 .times. 2 10 .times. 2 10
.times. 2 10 .times. 2 10 .times. 2 10 .times. 2 10 .times. 2 10
.times. 2 Wa3 (mm) 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 .theta.1 (deg.) 5 10 15
20 15 15 15 15 .theta.2 (deg.) 10 20 30 40 20 25 35 40 Noise (dB)
-1.9 -2.3 -2.5 -1.1 -1.1 -2.8 -1.1 -1 Durability of Damper A A A A
A A A A Damper mounting A A A A A A A A Tire mounting A A A A A A A
A Lb = 110 cm, H = 110 mm, Tire hollow's sectional area = 189.8
sq.cm
[0096] Annular Damper 4A
[0097] FIGS. 18 and 19 show another example of the damper 5
wherein, similar to the above-mentioned central longitudinal cut
20, the U-cut 14 is further provided with longitudinal cuts C. This
is to absorb sound energy but not to spread the flap. (hereinafter,
"shred-U-cuts")
[0098] The shred-U-cut 14 is based on the FIG. 3 type U-cut
comprising the longitudinal cuts 12 and lateral cut 13, and
similarly to the above-mentioned E-cut and four-pronged U-cut,
additional longitudinal cuts C are provided between the outer
longitudinal cuts 12. But, differently from the above-mentioned
longitudinal cuts 20, all the longitudinal cuts C do not extend
beyond a bend line 19 drawn straight between the dead ends S of the
longitudinal cuts 12.
[0099] In this example, the dead ends of all the longitudinal cuts
C and 12 are aligned, that is, they are disposed on the bend line
drawn between the dead ends S of the outer longitudinal cuts 12.
Thus, the narrow parts 15 divided by the longitudinal cuts C do not
spread when risen, and the adjacent edges can easily contact with
each other. Accordingly, when the narrow parts 15 are vibrated by
sound pressure, due to the friction between the edges, the sound
energy is consumed to damp resonance. Further, a sound reflection
by the divided flap becomes a diffused reflection. As a result, a
standing wave becomes difficult to occur.
[0100] The width Wb of each divided part 15 is preferably set in a
range of from 1 to 13 mm, preferably 1 to 10 mm, more preferably 3
to 8 mm. Usually, the number of the divided parts 15 is set in a
range of from 5 to 10, preferably from 6 to 8.
[0101] In the example shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, paired shred-U-cuts
14 confront each other. But, as shown in FIG. 20, it is also
possible that all the shred-U-cuts 14 are oriented in the same
direction.
[0102] In case of confronting U-cuts shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the
circumferential distance K between the bend lines 19 is set in a
range of from 10 to 30 mm, preferably 10 to 20 mm.
[0103] Annular Damper 4B
[0104] FIGS. 21 and 22 show another example of the damper 5. In
this example, the band 6 is provided with paired confronting
shred-U-cuts 14. The basic U-cuts thereof made up of cuts 12, 13
and 12 are the same as the example shown in FIG. 11, thus, the
flaps 7 rise obliquely towards the opposite directions. Similar to
the above example, between the outer longitudinal cuts 12, several
additional longitudinal cuts C are provided. The dead ends of all
the longitudinal cuts C and 12 are aligned, that is, the dead ends
of the longitudinal cuts C are disposed on an inclined bend line 19
drawn straight between the dead ends SL and SR of the outer
longitudinal cuts 12. Thus, the narrow parts 15 divided by the
longitudinal cuts C are not spread when risen, and the adjacent
edges can contact each other.
[0105] Annular Damper 4C
[0106] In the example shown in FIGS. 18 to 22, the central
longitudinal cuts C extend up to the lateral cut 13, but as shown
in FIG. 23, it is also possible to terminate before the lateral cut
13. This also reduces the sound energy owing to the friction
between the edges.
[0107] Comparison test 3
[0108] The above-mentioned annular dampers were installed on a
15X6JJ wheel rim (RW=55 mm and Circumference=110 cm at the bottom
of the rim well) and then a 195/65R15 radial tire was mounted
thereon, and the tire was inflated to 200 KPa. And the
above-mentioned "Noise test", "Durability test", and "Tire mounting
test" were conducted. The test results are as follows.
5TABLE 3 Tire Ref. 1 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 BW (mm) == 55 55
55 55 55 La (cm) == 102 102 102 102 102 La/Lb == 1.08 1.08 1.08
1.08 1.08 Thickness == 1 1 1 1 1 (mm) Flap == Number 6 6 6 6 6 X
(mm) == 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 Ha (mm) == 50 50 50 50 50 Ha/H (%) ==
45 45 45 45 45 Divided part 5 .times. 8 5 .times. 8 10 .times. 4 5
.times. 8 10 .times. 4 Width .times. Length (mm) Noise (dB) 0 -0.6
-0.8 -0.9 -0.9 -1 Durability of == A A A A A Damper Damper A A A A
A A mounting Tire mounting A A A A A A
[0109] Annular Damper 5A
[0110] FIGS. 24 and 25 show another example of the damper 5 which
is composed of a plurality of bands 6 disposed one upon
another.
[0111] The damper shown is composed of a radially inner band 6A and
a radially outer band 6B disposed thereon. Each of them is the same
as the band 6 shown in FIG. 2.
[0112] The U-cuts 14 of the radially inner band 6A are aligned or
completely overlap with the U-cuts 14 of the radially outer band
6B. Therefore, the flap 7A of the radially inner band 6A rise
through the holes 17 formed by the U-cuts 14 of the radially outer
band 6B after the flaps 7B rise.
[0113] This structure can concentrate the rising flaps 7.
Therefore, this can be preferably applied to not only the normal
flaps but also oblique flaps such as shown in FIGS. 10-17.
[0114] Annular Damper 5B
[0115] FIGS. 26 and 27 shows a modification of the above
double-band damper 5, wherein the outer band 6B is
circumferentially shifted from the inner band 6A by a certain
distance Y as shown in FIG. 27 which is an exploded view of the
damper 5 in which the radially outer and inner band 6B and 6A are
displaced parallel in the axial direction. When the outer band 6B
is installed on the inner band 6A, a free end portion of each of
the radially inner flaps 7A is beforehand pulled out radially
outwardly from the hole 17 formed on the outer band 6B by the U-cut
14.
[0116] In this case, the rising height Ha can be increased without
decreasing the number of the flaps 7. This structure can be applied
to not only the normal flaps but also oblique flaps.
[0117] Annular Damper 5C
[0118] FIGS. 28 and 29 shows a further modification of the
double-band damper 5 wherein, in order to pull out the flaps 7A of
the radially inner band 6A, the radially outer band 6B is provided
with through holes 17 separate from the U-cuts 14 as shown in FIG.
29 which is an exploded view of the damper 5 in which the radially
outer and inner band 6B and 6A are displaced parallel in the axial
direction.
[0119] As another modification of the double-band damper 5, it is
also possible to overlay two or more bands (6B, 6C . . . ) on the
inner band 6A in the same manner as explained as above.
[0120] Comparison test 4
[0121] The above-mentioned annular dampers were installed on a
15X6JJ wheel rim (RW=55 mm and Circumference=110 cm at the bottom
of the rim well) and then a 195/65R15 radial tire was mounted
thereon, and the tire was inflated to 200 KPa. And the
above-mentioned "Noise test", "Durability test", and "Tire mounting
test" were conducted. The test results are as follows.
6TABLE 4 Tire Ref. 1 Ref. 2 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 No. of band 0 1
2 3 2 2 BW (mm) == 55 55 55 55 55 La (cm) == 102 102 102 102 102
La/Lb == 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 Thickness (mm) == 1 1 1 1 1 Flap
== 3 3 .times. 2 3 .times. 3 3 .times. 2 3 .times. 2 Number X (mm)
== 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 Ha (mm) == 200 200 200 200 200 Ha/H (%) ==
182 182 182 182 182 Wa (mm) == 40 40 40 40 40 Wa/W (%) == 21 21 21
21 21 Shift Y (mm) == 0 0 20 25 Noise (dB) 0 -1.4 -1.7 -1.9 -1.8
-1.8 Durability of Damper == A A A A A Damper mounting A A A A A A
Tire mounting A A A A A A Lb = 110 cm, H = 110 mm, W = 191 mm Tire
hollow's sectional area = 189.8 sq. cm Diameter of hole 16 = 5
mm
[0122] Strip Damper
[0123] FIGS. 30 to 34 show another embodiment of the present
invention, wherein unlike the above-mentioned annular bands 6, the
damper 5 is made of a strip of a flexible material having a certain
length. The strip comprises a narrow part forming the base 8
secured to the wheel rim 3, and a wide part forming a flap 7 risen
by centrifugal force during running. As a result, it has a
generally T-shape.
[0124] For the material of the damper 5, in addition to the
above-mentioned rubber materials, various plastic sheets, a kind of
paper and the like may be used. And the thickness is set in a range
of 0.5 to 3 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm, more preferably 1 to 2
mm.
[0125] In order to fix the damper 5 to the wheel rim 3, adhesive
agents, pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tapes, screws,
rivets and the like can be used. It is preferable that an adhesive
agent or a pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape is
applied to the narrow part 8 in advance which is covered with a
separate paper and the like.
[0126] In this example, the width of the narrow part 8 is not more
than the width RW of the bottom of the rim well 9, and the narrow
part 8 is fixed to the bottom of the rim well 9. The wide part 7 is
wider than the width RW and protrudes from the rim well 9. The wide
part 7 in this example is a substantially rectangle.
[0127] The width Wa of the wide part 7 is set in a range of from 58
to 75%, preferably from 65 to 75% of the width W of the tire hollow
4. The maximum rising height Ha is set in a range of from 90 to
130%, preferably from 110 to 130% of the cross sectional height H
of the tire hollow 4. The blockade area Ab is not less than 40%,
preferably not less than 50%, more preferably not less than 70% of
the total sectional area As of the tire hollow 4 under the normally
inflated unloaded condition.
[0128] At the time of mounting the tire 2 on the wheel rim 3, as
shown in FIG. 32, the wide part 7 is folded to completely sink into
the rim well 9. After the tire 2 is mounted, the wide part 7 is
unfolded by its elasticity itself as shown in FIG. 33. When
centrifugal force is applied, the wide part (flap) 7 can rise as
shown in FIG. 34.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 30, between the wide part 7 and narrow part
8, a transitional part accommodated to the rim profile thus having
a variable wide is provided not to interrupt the rising and to
increase the blockade area.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 33 by imaginary line, longitudinal cuts C
may be provided in the wide portion 7 similarly to the FIG. 23
example.
[0131] Comparison test 5
[0132] The above-mentioned annular dampers were installed on a
15X6JJ wheel rim (RW=55 mm and Circumference=110 cm at the bottom
of the rim well) and then a 195/65R15 radial tire was mounted
thereon, and the tire was inflated to 200 KPa. And the
above-mentioned "Durability test". "Tire mounting test" and the
following noise test were conducted. The test results are shown in
able 5.
[0133] Noise test
[0134] The overall noise level of 226, 240 and 253 Hz was measured
as explained above, and further sensory noise test was conducted.
In the sensory test, the test driver evaluated noise sound into
five ranks, wherein the larger the rank number, the better the
noise.
7TABLE 5 Tire Ref. 1 Ref. 2 Ref. 3 Ref. 4 Ref. 5 Ref. 6 Ex. 1 Ex. 2
Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Material rubber rubber rubber rubber rubber rubber
rubber rubber rubber Ha/H (%) 60 77 94 111 111 111 128 111 111 Wa/W
(%) 58 58 58 29 42 58 58 58 73 Ab/As (%) 41 52 64 38 55 75 87 75 96
Noise (dB) 0 -1.7 -4.8 -5.6 -0.9 -3.6 -6.4 -6.5 -6.8 -6.4 Sensory
test 3 3 3+ 3.5 3 3 4 4 4 4 Tire mounting A A A A A A A A A A H =
116 mm, W = 190 mm, Thickness of the flap = 1 mm
* * * * *