Toyo Tires has won the prize of "Award for Technical Development" in co-operation with Honda R&D Co., Ltd. This was commended by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.
The 59th award ceremony took place in Pacifico Yokohama.
The prize is awarded to individual members or associate developers who have developed new products or new technologies useful in the advancement of automotive technologies.
Theme
Research on Optimisation of Viscoelastic Properties of Tyre Tread Rubber to Reduce Rolling Resistance and Decrease Braking Distance
Awardees
Emiko Mogi (Honda R&D Co., Ltd.) Researcher
Tetusya Mizone (Honda R&D Co., Ltd.) Senior Researcher
Koji Nishitani (Honda R&D Co., Ltd.) Senior Researcher
Hiroyuki Hase (Honda R&D Co., Ltd.) Senior Researcher
Tamotsu Mizutani (Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.)
O.E.Tire Development Project Manager
Reasons for the award
The tyre tread shrinks upon contact with the ground. Energy is lost through this constant repetition of shrinkage and expansion. Materials that minimise energy loss improve fuel efficiency but hinder braking power, and the opposite is true for materials that increase this energy loss. Trying to find the best mix of materials to increase both functions was a challenge, until recent research taught us that the way a tyre's tread is "used" differs between cruising and braking. During braking, significant burden is placed on the outside of the tyre tread. By applying materials that increase energy loss to this specific part of the tyre, we were able to increase stopping power. Through the combination of these materials, together with an optimisation of the tyre's cross-sectional structure and better pressure distribution at the contact patch, we were also able to improve fuel efficiency by 1.5% *
*Measured using the 10-15 test cycle of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
These technologies have been applied to the TRANPATH A20 (215/60 R17 96H). This tyre has been on the Honda Crossroad (2.0L model) since 2007 as original equipment.
