Tire tread

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tire tread. A tire tread includes a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire. The plurality of circumferential grooves define circumferentially extending shoulder ribs. The shoulder ribs have a plurality of shoulder elements. Each shoulder element is defined by two lateral shoulder grooves. Each shoulder element has an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove. Each of the axially outer shoulder elements has a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire that exhibits excellent snow performance while maintaining other performance characteristics. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in addition to circumferential main grooves and lateral grooves, the tread of a pneumatic tire may also have circumferential and lateral slits on the tread surface in order to exhibit advantageous functional characteristics (e.g., snow traction, noise generation, rolling resistance, dry traction, durability, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first tire tread according to the present invention includes a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire. The plurality of circumferential grooves define circumferentially extending shoulder ribs. Each of the shoulder ribs has a plurality of shoulder elements. Each shoulder element is defined by two lateral shoulder grooves. Each shoulder element has an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove. Each of the axially outer shoulder elements has a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element.

[0004] In another aspect of the first tire tread, each of the outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0005] In yet another aspect of the first tire tread, each of the axially inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

[0006] In a further aspect of the first tire tread, each of the inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0007] In yet another aspect of the first tire tread, the axial width of the circumferential grooves narrows as the circumferential grooves extend radially inward.

[0008] A second tire tread according to the present invention includes a plurality of circumferential grooves. Each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire. The plurality of circumferential grooves define two circumferentially extending shoulder ribs. Each of the shoulder ribs has a plurality of shoulder elements. Each shoulder element is defined by two lateral shoulder grooves. Each shoulder element has an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove. Each of the axially outer shoulder elements has a pair of outer lateral S-shaped grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element.

[0009] According to another aspect of the second tire tread, each of the outer lateral S-shaped grooves has a straight circumferential slit that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0010] According to yet another aspect of the second tire tread, each of the axial inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped grooves that extend axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

[0011] According to still another aspect of the second tire tread, each inner lateral S-shaped blind groove has a straight circumferential slit that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the second tire tread, the axial width of the circumferential groove narrows as the circumferential groove extends radially inward.

[0013] A third tread for a tire according to the present invention includes a plurality of circumferential grooves. Each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extends in the circumferential direction of the tire. The plurality of circumferential grooves define a circumferentially extending shoulder rib. The shoulder rib has a plurality of shoulder elements. Each shoulder element is defined by two lateral shoulder grooves. Each shoulder element has an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axial inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove. Each of the axially outer shoulder elements has a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves that extend axially away from the inner shoulder element. One of the axial inner shoulder elements defines two spaced-apart L-shaped grooves that extend axially and circumferentially. The L-shaped grooves have a straight portion that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0014] According to another aspect of the third tread, each S-shaped blind groove has a straight portion that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of the third tread, each of the outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0016] According to still another aspect of the third tread, the other of the axial inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves that extend axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the third tread, the inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves have straight circumferential slits that extend circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0018] According to still another aspect of the third tread, the axial width of the circumferential groove narrows as the circumferential groove extends radially inward.

[0019] The present invention includes the following technical solutions:

[0020] 1. A tire tread, comprising:

[0021] A plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire,

[0022] The plurality of circumferential grooves define circumferentially extending shoulder ribs, the shoulder ribs having a plurality of shoulder elements, each shoulder element defined by two lateral shoulder grooves, each shoulder element having an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove, each of the axially outer shoulder elements having a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element.

[0023] 2. The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein each of the outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0024] 3. The tire tread according to claim 2, wherein each of the axially inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

[0025] 4. The tire tread according to claim 3, wherein each inner lateral S-shaped blind groove has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0026] 5. The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the axial width of the circumferential groove narrows as the circumferential groove extends radially inward.

[0027] 6. A tire tread comprising:

[0028] A plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire,

[0029] The plurality of circumferential grooves define two circumferentially extending shoulder ribs, each of the shoulder ribs having a plurality of shoulder elements, each shoulder element defined by two lateral shoulder grooves, each shoulder element having an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove, each of the axially outer shoulder elements having a pair of outer lateral S-shaped grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element.

[0030] 7. The tire tread according to claim 6, wherein each of the outer lateral S-shaped grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0031] 8. The tire tread according to claim 7, wherein each of the axially inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped grooves extending axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

[0032] 9. The tread of a tire according to embodiment 8, wherein each inner lateral S-shaped blind groove has a straight circumferential slit that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0033] 10. The tread of a tire according to embodiment 9, wherein the axial width of the circumferential groove narrows as the circumferential groove extends radially inward.

[0034] 11. A tread for a tire, the tread comprising:

[0035] a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the tire; and

[0036] the plurality of circumferential grooves define a circumferentially extending shoulder rib, the shoulder rib having a plurality of shoulder elements, each shoulder element being defined by two lateral shoulder grooves, each shoulder element having an outer circumferential shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent inner circumferential shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove, each of the outer circumferential shoulder elements having a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves that extend axially away from the inner circumferential shoulder element, one of the inner circumferential shoulder elements defining two spaced-apart L-shaped grooves that extend axially and circumferentially, the L-shaped grooves having a straight portion that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0037] 12. The tread according to embodiment 11, wherein each S-shaped blind groove has a straight portion that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0038] 13. The tread according to embodiment 12, wherein each of the outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit that extends circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0039] 14. The tread according to embodiment 13, wherein the other of the inner circumferential shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves that extend axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

[0040] 15. The tread according to embodiment 14, wherein the inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves have straight circumferential slits that extend circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

[0041] 16. The tread according to embodiment 15, wherein the axial width of the circumferential groove narrows as the circumferential groove extends radially inward. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] A more complete understanding of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be readily apparent, as the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 Schematically shows an enlarged orthographic front view of an exemplary tire tread according to the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tire tread of

[0045] Figure 3 Schematically shows an enlarged orthographic front view of another exemplary tire tread according to the present invention; and

[0046] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tire tread of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Examples of the present invention may be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals throughout Figures 1-4 designate corresponding and / or identical elements.

[0048] As Figures 1-2 shown in Figure 1 , an exemplary non-pneumatic or pneumatic tire 1 (hereinafter may be simply referred to as "tire") according to the present invention may be a tire mounted on a vehicle in the indicated direction. When the tire 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the right side of the tire in Figure 1 may be set as the outer side, and the left side in

[0049] The tread 2 of the tire 1 may have a pair of shoulder grooves 3, 4 and a pair of intermediate grooves 5, 6 ( Figure 1 and Figure 3 ). The shoulder grooves 3, 4 may be positioned on each side of the tire equator C and closest to any footprint edge Te, which extends continuously in the circumferential direction. The shoulder grooves 3, 4 and the intermediate grooves 5, 6 may extend circumferentially and linearly in a substantially straight line with a substantially constant groove width.

[0050] The grooves 3, 4, 5, 6 may define five circumferentially extending ribs: a center rib 11, a pair of intermediate ribs 13, 15 and a pair of shoulder ribs 17, 19. Each rib 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 may be spaced from an axially adjacent rib by circumferentially continuous grooves 3, 4, 5, 6.

[0051] The tread elements 131 of the first intermediate rib 13 (separated by the lateral intermediate groove 133) may define a circumferential array of spaced-apart angled lateral blind grooves 132 that extend from the first shoulder groove 3 and toward the first intermediate groove 5. The continuous center rib 11 may have a circumferential array consisting of alternating lateral straight grooves 111 and lateral S-shaped grooves 112, where the lateral straight grooves 111 and the lateral S-shaped grooves 112 extend from the first intermediate groove 5 to the second intermediate groove 6. The tread elements 151 of the second intermediate rib 15 (separated by the lateral intermediate groove 153) may define a circumferential array of spaced-apart angled lateral blind grooves 152 that extend toward the second intermediate groove 6 and toward the second shoulder groove 4.

[0052] The first shoulder rib 17 may include a plurality of axially outer shoulder elements 171 and corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder elements 172. The axially outer shoulder elements 171 and the axially inner shoulder elements 172 may be axially separated by the circumferential groove 177. The outer shoulder elements 171 may extend axially outward to and beyond the tread edge Te and may be circumferentially separated by the lateral shoulder groove 173. Each of the axially outer shoulder elements 171 may have a pair of angled lateral S-shaped blind grooves 178 that extend axially away from the inner shoulder element 172. Any or all of the S-shaped blind grooves 178 may have a straight circumferential slit 179 that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 173.

[0053] Each of the axially inner shoulder elements 172 (also circumferentially separated by the lateral shoulder groove 173) may define two spaced-apart angled lateral S-shaped blind grooves 174 that extend axially outward from the first shoulder groove 3. Each of the S-shaped blind grooves 174 may have a straight circumferential slit 175 that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 173.

[0054] The second shoulder rib 19 may include a plurality of axially outer shoulder elements 191 and corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder elements 192. The axially outer shoulder elements 191 and the axially inner shoulder elements 192 may be axially separated by the circumferential groove 197. The outer shoulder elements 191 may extend axially outward to and beyond the tread edge Te and may be circumferentially separated by the lateral shoulder groove 193. Each of the axially outer shoulder elements 191 may have a pair of angled lateral S-shaped blind grooves 198 that extend axially away from the inner shoulder element 192. Any or all of the S-shaped blind grooves 198 may have a straight circumferential slit (not shown) that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 193, the straight circumferential slit being similar to the circumferential slit 179 of the first shoulder rib 17.

[0055] Each of the axial inner shoulder elements 192 (also circumferentially separated by the lateral shoulder grooves 193) may define two spaced-apart angled lateral S-shaped blind grooves 194 that extend axially outwardly from the second shoulder groove 4. Each of the S-shaped blind grooves 194 may have a straight circumferential slit 195 that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 193.

[0056] As Figures 3-4 shown, another example non-pneumatic or pneumatic tire 1 (hereinafter may be simply referred to as "tire") according to the present invention may be a tire mounted on a vehicle in the indicated direction. When the tire 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the right side of the tire 1 in Figure 3 may be set as the outer side, and the left side in Figure 3 is the inner side. The tire 1 may be asymmetric about the tire equator C. For example, the tire 1 may be used for a passenger vehicle.

[0057] As in Figures 1-2 shown, the axial outer shoulder element 171 of Figures 3-4 may have a pair of angled lateral S-shaped blind grooves 178 that extend axially away from the inner shoulder element 172. Any or all of the S-shaped blind grooves may form an L-shaped slit 278, and the L-shaped slit has a straight portion that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 173. Each of the axial inner shoulder elements 172 (also circumferentially separated by the lateral shoulder grooves 173) may define two spaced-apart L-shaped grooves 279 that extend axially and circumferentially. Each of the L-shaped grooves 278 may have a straight portion that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 173.

[0058] Again, as in Figures 1-2 shown, the axial outer shoulder element 191 of Figures 3-4 may have a pair of angled lateral S-shaped blind grooves 198 that extend axially away from the inner shoulder element 192. Any or all of the S-shaped blind grooves may form an L-shaped slit 298, and the L-shaped slit 298 has a straight portion that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 193. Each of the axial inner shoulder elements 192 (also circumferentially separated by the lateral shoulder grooves 193) may define two spaced-apart L-shaped grooves 299 that extend axially and circumferentially. Each of the L-shaped grooves 298 may have a straight portion that extends circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves 173.

[0059] So far, the tire according to the present invention has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications of the examples can also be applied. Given the above teachings, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Therefore, it will be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically and exemplarily described herein.

Claims

1. A tire tread, which comprises: a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire, the plurality of circumferential grooves defining circumferentially extending shoulder ribs, the shoulder ribs having a plurality of shoulder elements, each shoulder element being defined by two lateral shoulder grooves, each shoulder element having an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove, each of the axially outer shoulder elements having a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element; wherein one or more of the S-shaped blind grooves have a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into one of the lateral shoulder grooves; the circumferential grooves have a straight portion connected to a V-shaped portion and extend from a first circumferential end of the shoulder element to a second circumferential end.

2. The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein, each of the outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

3. The tire tread according to claim 2, wherein, each of the axially inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

4. The tire tread according to claim 3, wherein, each inner lateral S-shaped blind groove has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

5. The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein, the axial width of the circumferential grooves narrows as the circumferential grooves extend radially inward.

6. A tire tread, which comprises: a plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire, the plurality of circumferential grooves defining two circumferentially extending shoulder ribs, each of the shoulder ribs having a plurality of shoulder elements, each shoulder element being defined by two lateral shoulder grooves, each shoulder element having an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a Y-shaped circumferential groove, each of the axially outer shoulder elements having a pair of outer lateral S-shaped grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element, wherein the Y-shaped circumferential groove extends from a first circumferential end of the shoulder element to a second circumferential end.

7. The tire tread according to claim 6, wherein, each of the outer lateral S-shaped grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

8. The tire tread according to claim 7, wherein, each of the axially inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped grooves extending axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

9. The tire tread according to claim 8, wherein, each inner lateral S-shaped blind groove has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

10. The tire tread according to claim 9, wherein, the axial width of the circumferential grooves narrows as the circumferential grooves extend radially inward.

11. A tread for a tire, the tread comprises: A plurality of circumferential grooves, each of the plurality of circumferential grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the tire; And The plurality of circumferential grooves define a circumferentially extending shoulder rib having a plurality of shoulder elements, each shoulder element defined by two lateral shoulder grooves, each shoulder element having an axially outer shoulder element and a corresponding axially adjacent axially inner shoulder element separated by a circumferential groove, each of the axially outer shoulder elements having a pair of angled outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially away from the inner shoulder element, one of the axially inner shoulder elements defining two spaced-apart L-shaped grooves extending axially and circumferentially, the L-shaped grooves having a straight portion extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove; the circumferential groove having a straight portion connected to a V-shaped portion and extending from a first circumferential end to a second circumferential end of the shoulder element.

12. The tread according to claim 11, Wherein, Each S-shaped blind groove has a straight portion extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

13. The tread according to claim 12, Wherein, Each of the outer lateral S-shaped blind grooves has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

14. The tread according to claim 13, Wherein, The other of the axially inner shoulder elements has two spaced-apart inner lateral S-shaped blind grooves extending axially outward from one of the circumferential grooves.

15. The tread according to claim 14, Wherein, The inner lateral S-shaped blind groove has a straight circumferential slit extending circumferentially into the lateral shoulder groove.

16. The tread according to claim 15, Wherein, The axial width of the circumferential groove narrows as the circumferential groove extends radially inward.

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