ADAPTIVE TIRES TRACTION CONTROL

Abstract

An adaptive tire traction control system for motor vehicle tires for grip enhancement and rolling friction reduction. The tire surface area is radially divided into multiple zones, in the three zones configuration the tire is composed of an outer shoulder, centre and inner shoulder. The outer shoulder is equipped with a plurality of studs to increase the traction when vehicle is on icy or muddy surfaces. The centre part is made of low friction rubbers for the normal operation to increase fuel economy and lengthen the tires life, and reduced rolling noise. The inner shoulder is equipped with high grip rubber to provide better grip in case of emergency braking. In one embodiment, the tilting mechanism of the tire traction system can be connected to the anti-lock braking system (ABS). In case of emergency braking, the inner shoulder with high grip rubber is brought in contact with the ground to provide more grips.

Claims

1. An adaptive tire traction system for vehicle, the adaptive tire comprises: a toroid shell enclosing an air filled chamber or any other 3D structure material, solid, liquid or gas that helps maintain the tire shell shape and desired performance and having a radial surface; and a plurality of stud on the radial surface; characterized in that wherein the radial surface of toroid shell further comprise: an outer shoulder of radial surface includes the plurality of stud fixed to hard rubber at desired distance, wherein the outer shoulder engage the road surface when the tire is tilted outward to the desired angle; a central radial surface includes low friction rubber with gripping grooves or a flat surface for normal operation, wherein the low friction rubber provide normal grip on the road; an inner shoulder of radial surface includes high grip rubber, wherein the high grip rubber increase the grip on the road surface when the tire is tilted inward to the desired angle; wherein a tilt angles is calibrated to allow contact of single radial surface at a time; and wherein the inward tilting can be linked to a ABS system of the vehicle or a dedicated slip detection system.

2. The adaptive tire traction system for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer shoulder of radial surface with studs engage to road when tilted outward for snowy, ice and mud conditions,

3. The adaptive tire traction system for vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central radial surface with low friction rubber remain engaged in normal running condition.

4. The adaptive tire traction system for vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner shoulder of radial surface with high grip rubber engage to road when tilted inward for increasing traction for emergency braking or slippery roads.

5. The adaptive tire traction system for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tire tilting mechanisms connected to the ABS system or any other automatic activation mechanism of the vehicle to automatically tilt the tire at required angle for increased grip.

6. The adaptive tire traction system for vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tilt mechanism is achieved using hydraulic piston or any other mean to tilt the wheel to desired angles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 composite tire with low friction rubber belt at the centre, high grip rubber belt on the inner shoulder, and metallic studs belt on the tire outer shoulder. The tire is shown in the three operating positions;

[0031] FIG. 2 sketch is one example on how the adaptive traction system can be incorporated with the double wishbone suspension system with the hydraulic piston replacing the upper wishbone, used for wheel tilting.

[0032] FIG. 3 Outward tilted wheel installed on a double wishbone suspension with metal studs shoulder engaging the ground.

[0033] FIG. 4 straight positioned wheel installed on a double wishbone suspension with low friction rubber belt engaging the ground.

[0034] FIG. 5 Inward tilted wheel installed on a double wishbone suspension with high grip rubber shoulder engaging the ground.

[0035] FIG. 6 An alternative tire profile compatible with the invention with polygon like profile instead of a curved profile, with multiple faces where each face has a different rubber composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0036] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0037] The embodiments herein achieve this by providing a system to achieve adaptive traction control by using a curved composite tire, where-by the tires shoulders are constructed differently than the central part of the tires. The wheel is attached to a tilting mechanism for the inward and outward tilting of the tire as per the required traction.

[0038] The FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent each position of tire traction in different scenarios and the functioning of different contour. The present invention proposes the use of a curved, polygonal or any composite tire profile, where by the tires shoulders are constructed differently than the central part of the tires.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows the use of all the profiles with respect to different use. In FIG. 1(a), the wheel (101) is tilted inward allowing the high grip rubber to engage the road during emergency breaking and slippery roads. In FIG. 1(b) The wheel (101) is kept in the vertical position for the low friction rubber to engage the road and reduce friction when running on paved surfaces. The external shoulder can be made of hard rubber with metal studs that can provide enhanced grip on icy, snowy or muddy roads. In FIG. 1(c) The wheel (101) is tilted inward allowing the metal studs to engage the road on icy and snowy road. In another possible arrangement the outer shoulder with metal studs can be replaced with a surface profile suitable for mud with deep groves.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the wheel (101) attached to the spindle (102), where the wheel (101) is equipped with required profile type tire. The spindle (102) is connected to the suspension system of the vehicle with the help of lower ball joint (106) and upper ball joint (112). The lower ball joint (106) is connected to the lower wish bone (107). The lower wish bone other end is connected to car frame (108) and in mid-section is attached to spring and damper (109). The upper ball joint (112) is connected to hydraulic piston arm (111) which is connected to hydraulic piston (110). The hydraulic piston (110) is connected to car frame (108).

[0041] FIG. 3 show the front view of the wheel (101) in the outward tilted position, allowing the studded belt to engage the road. The hydraulic piston (110) attached to car frame (108) is actuated to expand by external means. The hydraulic piston arm (111) connected to the piston starts to move away from the body frame and pushs the upper ball joint (112) outward. As the upper ball joint (112) move from its central position in an outward direction, it forces the wheel (101) attached to spindle (102) to tilt outward. The outer radial surface (103) is engaged with the ground to provide traction on icy, snowy or muddy roads. The outer radial surface (103) is equipped with studs on a rubber belt at proper distance and structure to provide necessary grip as well as proper traction when engaged with the ground. The studs are none movable and fixed to the profile of the wheel (101). So there is no requirement of manual implementation during icy condition. The studs can be made of metal or any other material able to achieve the designer intent.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the front view of the wheel (101) when kept vertical. The central radial surface (104) is of low friction rubber. The low friction rubber covering the central belt can be provided with grooved texture to provide necessary grip and reduced rolling noise and friction during normal operation. Due to the low friction rubber, the friction of the central radial surface with the ground is reduced, allowing longer life of wheel (101), less wear and tear, and better fuel economy or battery saving for electric cars. The wheel (101) works as a normal tire when it is in the vertical position. The wheel (101) remains in the normal position until the user requires extra grip or when slipping is detected.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the front view of the wheel (101) when tilted inward. The hydraulic piston (110) attached to car frame (108) is actuated to tilt the wheel by external means. The hydraulic piston arm (111) connected to the hydraulic piston start to move inward toward the body frame and pulls the upper ball joint (112) inward. As the upper ball joint (112) moves from its central position to inward direction, it forces the wheel (101) attached to spindle (102) to tilt inward. The inner radial surface composed of high grip rubber (105) is engaged with the ground to provide traction in case of emergency braking or when extra grip is required. The activation of this setting can be connected to the anti-lock braking (ABS) system or any other automatic activation system.

[0044] FIG. 6 instead of a curved profile the tire can have a polygonal profile with multiple faces constructed of different materials and rubber similar to the curved profile tire described in FIGS. 1-5. Having polygonal faces allows the increase of the tire contact area with the ground if needed. In another possible alteration some of the faces can be made curved while others flat.

[0045] In enhanced breaking mode the tilting mechanism response time needs to be very rapid. It can be linked to the car ABS system or it could be triggered by a dedicated tires slip detection system. The proposed system can be operated in conjunction with the ABS system to provide safety for the driver and passengers.

[0046] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.