Light load-carrying winter tire with low noise and high wet grabbing performance

Abstract

The invention discloses a low-noise and high-wet-grip light-duty winter tire which comprises shoulder blocks located on the edges of the two sides of a tire tread in the width direction of the tire and a middle block connected with the shoulder blocks on the two sides. In the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder blocks comprise a first shoulder block and a second shoulder block which are spliced with each other, and the middle blocks comprise a first middle block and a second middle block which are spliced with each other; the first middle block and the second middle block are each provided with a first zigzag steel sheet. The first shoulder block is provided with a second zigzag steel sheet; the second shoulder block is provided with a third zigzag steel sheet; a shoulder transverse groove is formed between the first shoulder block and the second shoulder block; a first middle transverse groove and a second middle transverse groove are formed in the two opposite sides, spliced with the first middle block, of the second middle block. In the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder transverse grooves and the third zigzag steel sheets are alternately arranged, and the first middle transverse grooves and the second middle transverse grooves are alternately arranged. The tire used in light winter has the advantages of high wet grip performance and low noise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of tires, and in particular to a light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance. Background Art

[0002] In winter, it is very important to equip light-duty vehicles with suitable tires. Such tires must not only have good load-bearing capacity to support the weight of the vehicle and the cargo load, but also need to adapt to complex and changeable weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice and other harsh environments. This requires taking into account good handling performance to ensure driving safety on icy and snowy roads.

[0003] Existing winter tires can only take into account one or two of the following properties, such as:

[0004] Chinese invention patent CN105829139A discloses a tread belt including a pattern block and fine grooves on the pattern block, the tread belt includes a plurality of pattern blocks, each pattern block includes a contact surface, the contact surface is designed to contact the ground when the tire is running, the contact surface has a plurality of sipes and a plurality of fine grooves shallower than the sipes. Each pattern block includes at least one side surface, the side surface contains a covering material having a greater elastic modulus than the rubber material forming the pattern block, such a design is to improve the braking and driving performance of the tire, without taking into account the tire noise.

[0005] Chinese invention patent CN104999863A discloses a wetland tire with high operational stability, wherein a plurality of circumferential main grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the tire and a plurality of pattern grooves extending in the width direction of the tire are provided on the tread, wherein the circumferential main grooves and the pattern grooves define a plurality of pattern blocks, wherein the pattern blocks are shaped like a trapezoid, and the contour lines at which the pattern blocks are located at 20% and 40% of the depth of the circumferential main grooves are respectively referred to as the first contour line and the second contour line, and the top surface area of ​​all pattern blocks on the tread is referred to as the actual ground contact area of ​​the tire, and the ratio S1 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the pattern blocks under the first contour line to the area of ​​the tread, the ratio S2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the pattern blocks under the second contour line to the area of ​​the tread, and the ratio S3 of the actual ground contact area to the area of ​​the tread have a relationship of 1.07≤S1 / S2≤1.42 and 1.09≤S2 / S3≤1.56. The driving performance, braking performance and cornering performance on wet and icy roads are enhanced, and the tire noise is not taken into account.

[0006] The pattern design of winter tires is usually deeper and more complex, aiming to increase the contact area with the ground and improve grip, but this complex pattern design may also cause more air flow and vibration during driving, thereby increasing noise.

[0007] Therefore, developing a light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance has become one of the urgent issues to be solved in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to design a light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance.

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance, comprising a tread, and circumferential grooves and transverse grooves extending in the tire width direction arranged on the tread, the circumferential grooves and the transverse grooves dividing the tread into a plurality of pattern blocks, the pattern blocks comprising shoulder blocks located at both side edges of the tread along the tire width direction and middle blocks interconnected with the shoulder blocks on both sides, along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder blocks comprising a first shoulder block and a second shoulder block spliced ​​to each other, and the middle blocks comprising a first middle block and a second middle block spliced ​​to each other; wherein:

[0010] The first middle block and the second middle block are both configured with a first zigzag steel sheet;

[0011] The first shoulder block is provided with a second zigzag steel sheet;

[0012] The second shoulder block is provided with a third zigzag steel sheet;

[0013] A shoulder transverse groove is provided between the first shoulder block and the second shoulder block;

[0014] The first middle transverse groove and the second middle transverse groove are formed on opposite sides of the second middle block and the first middle block;

[0015] Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder lateral grooves and the third zigzag steel sheets are arranged alternately, and the first middle lateral grooves and the second middle lateral grooves are arranged alternately.

[0016] Furthermore, along the width direction of the tire, the circumferential grooves include a central circumferential groove distributed in the center of the tread and outer circumferential grooves located on both sides of the central circumferential groove;

[0017] The width ratio of the outer circumferential groove to the central circumferential groove satisfies the relationship: 0.95<G2 / G1<1.35.

[0018] Furthermore, the central circumferential groove and the outer circumferential groove are both in a zig-zag Z shape.

[0019] Furthermore, the groove wall angles of the central circumferential groove and the outer circumferential groove are both denoted as a, and a satisfies the relationship: 10°<a<22°.

[0020] Furthermore, the bending angle of the central circumferential groove is denoted as α1, which satisfies the relationship: 120°≤α1≤175°;

[0021] The bending angle of the outer circumferential groove is α2, which satisfies the relationship: 125°≤α2≤175°, and α1<α2.

[0022] Furthermore, the width from the pattern center of the tread to the pattern cut-off position is recorded as K, where:

[0023] G1 / K satisfies the relationship: 0.07<G1 / K<0.13;

[0024] G2 / K satisfies the relationship: 0.08<G2 / K<0.15.

[0025] Furthermore, the first intermediate transverse groove includes mutually spliced ​​steel sheets and a transverse groove with a gradually varying depth. The depth of the steel sheet perpendicular to the tread is denoted as h3, and the depth of the outer circumferential groove is denoted as h7. Then, h3 / h7 satisfies the relationship: 0.35<h3 / h7<0.6;

[0026] The angle between the gradually varying depth transverse groove and the horizontal direction is α4, and α4 satisfies the relationship: 8°≤α4≤20°;

[0027] The second middle lateral groove includes two sections of lateral grooves connected to each other. The depths of the two sections of lateral grooves along the tire width direction are respectively denoted as h4 and h5. Then h4 / h5 satisfies the relationship: 0.4<h4 / h5<0.7.

[0028] Furthermore, the width of the first middle transverse groove is denoted as A1, and the width of the first middle block on the circumference of the tire is denoted as A2.

[0029] The width of the second middle transverse groove is A3, the width of the second middle block on the tire circumference is A4,

[0030] The ratio of A1 / A2 is the same as that of A3 / A4, and A1 / A2 satisfies the relationship: 0.15<A1 / A2<0.35.

[0031] Furthermore, along the circumferential direction of the tire, the width of the first shoulder block is denoted as B2, and the width of the second shoulder block is denoted as B4;

[0032] A first outer transverse groove extends from the first shoulder block to the tread ground contact end point, and the width of the first outer transverse groove is denoted as B1;

[0033] A second outer transverse groove extends from the second shoulder block to the tread ground contact end point, and the width of the second outer transverse groove is B3;

[0034] Among them, the proportional relationship of B1 / B2 is the same as the proportional relationship of B3 / B4, and B1 / B2 satisfies the relationship: 0.12<B1 / B2<0.3; A1>B1, A2<B2, A3>B3, A4<B4.

[0035] Furthermore, along the tire width direction:

[0036] The width of the first shoulder block is B5.

[0037] Note that the width of the first middle block is A5,

[0038] Among them, B5 / A5 satisfies the relationship: 1.7<B5 / A5<2.5.

[0039] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0040] The present invention achieves the advantages of both high wet grip performance and low noise for a light load winter tire by designing tread pattern blocks and limiting their parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0042] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the pattern block disclosed in the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the groove wall angle α of the circumferential groove disclosed in the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the depth variation of the shoulder transverse groove CC disclosed in the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first middle lateral groove DD disclosed in the present invention;

[0046] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second middle lateral groove EE disclosed in the present invention;

[0047] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the bending angle α3 of the bent steel sheet disclosed in the present invention;

[0048] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the central circumferential groove and the outer circumferential groove with gradual depth changes disclosed in the present invention.

[0049] In the figure:

[0050] N1, first shoulder block; N2, second shoulder block; M1, first middle block; M2, second middle block;

[0051] S1, first zigzag steel sheet; S2, second zigzag steel sheet; S3, third zigzag steel sheet;

[0052] CC, shoulder transverse groove; DD, first middle transverse groove; EE, second middle transverse groove;

[0053] B1, first outer transverse groove; B3, second outer transverse groove;

[0054] G1, central circumferential groove; G2, outer circumferential groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the scheme of the present invention, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] The present invention aims to provide a light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance, mainly providing a pattern, which is used in rainy and snowy weather conditions in winter. It has a strong load-bearing capacity while achieving a balance between wet grip, ice and snow performance and wear performance, and takes into account lower tire noise, so as to ensure driving safety on ice and snow roads while providing users with a comfortable driving experience.

[0057] See also Figure 1 , including a tread and circumferential grooves extending along the circumferential direction of the tire and transverse grooves extending along the width direction of the tire. The circumferential grooves and the transverse grooves divide the tread into a number of pattern blocks. The pattern blocks include shoulder blocks located at the edges of both sides of the tread along the width direction of the tire and middle blocks interconnected with the shoulder blocks on both sides.

[0058] Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder block includes a first shoulder block N1 and a second shoulder block N2 which are spliced ​​to each other; a shoulder transverse groove CC is provided between the first shoulder block N1 and the second shoulder block N2.

[0059] Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the middle block includes a first middle block M1 and a second middle block M2 which are spliced ​​to each other; a first middle lateral groove DD and a second middle lateral groove EE are provided on opposite sides of the second middle block M2 spliced ​​to the first middle block M1.

[0060] The middle block and the shoulder block are equipped with zigzag steel sheets of certain angles, depths and shapes, and the depth of the zigzag steel sheet is in a certain ratio with the depth of the corresponding pattern block, and the specific ratio range is 0.6-0.9. Among them, the first middle block M1 and the second middle block M2 are both equipped with the first zigzag steel sheet S1, and there are 3 evenly distributed; the first shoulder block N1 is equipped with the second zigzag steel sheet S2, and there are 3 evenly distributed; the second shoulder block N2 is equipped with the third zigzag steel sheet S3. Please refer to Figure 6 , the bending angle of the first bending steel sheet S1 and / or the second bending steel sheet S2 and / or the third bending steel sheet S3 is recorded as α3, then α3 satisfies the relationship: 90°≤α3≤120°. It is used to ensure sufficient snow melting and drainage space, thereby improving wetland and snow performance, while also increasing heat dissipation capacity and extending tire service life.

[0061] The pattern in this embodiment is a two-in-one combination style, that is, along the circumferential direction of the tire, the first shoulder block N1 and the second shoulder block N2 are used in combination and are related to each other; along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder transverse groove CC and the third zigzag steel sheet S3 are alternately arranged; along the circumferential direction of the tire, the first middle transverse groove DD and the second middle transverse groove EE are alternately arranged. This design is used to achieve a balance between wet grip, ice and snow performance and noise.

[0062] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential grooves along the width direction of the tire include a central circumferential groove G1 distributed in the center of the tread and a pair of outer circumferential grooves G2 located on both sides of the central circumferential groove G1. The width ratio of the outer circumferential groove G2 to the central circumferential groove G1 satisfies the relationship: 0.95<G2 / G1<1.35, which is the basis for achieving a solid rigidity of the tread.

[0063] The central circumferential groove G1 and the outer circumferential groove G2 are both zig-zag zigzag Z-shaped. The unique zig-zag zigzag circumferential groove Z design is applied to the central circumferential groove G1 and a pair of outer circumferential grooves G2, which can increase the effective boundary index of the pattern block and help improve the tire's wet and ice and snow performance. Among them, the zigzag angle of the central circumferential groove G1 is α1, and the zigzag angle of the outer circumferential groove G2 is α2, which satisfies the relationship: 120°≤α1≤175°, 125°≤α2≤175°, and α1<α2.

[0064] See also Figure 2 , the groove wall angle of the central circumferential groove G1 and / or the outer circumferential groove G2 is recorded as a, then a satisfies the relationship: 10°<a<22°. A larger groove wall angle can increase the area of ​​the oblique water film, combined with the zig-zag circumferential groove Z design, further improving the tire's wet and snow performance.

[0065] The width of the first middle lateral groove DD is denoted as A1, the width of the first middle block M1 on the tire circumference is denoted as A2, the width of the second middle lateral groove EE is denoted as A3, and the width of the second middle block M2 on the tire circumference is denoted as A4, wherein the proportional relationship of A1 / A2 is the same as the proportional relationship of A3 / A4, and A1 / A2 satisfies the relationship: 0.15<A1 / A2<0.35.

[0066] Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the width of the first shoulder block is denoted as B2, and the width of the second shoulder block is denoted as B4; a first outer transverse groove extends from the first shoulder block to the ground-contacting end point of the tread, and the width of the first outer transverse groove is denoted as B1; a second outer transverse groove extends from the second shoulder block to the ground-contacting end point of the tread, and the width of the second outer transverse groove is denoted as B3; wherein the ratio of B1 / B2 is the same as the ratio of B3 / B4, and B1 / B2 satisfies the relationship: 0.12<B1 / B2<0.3; A1>B1, A2<B2, A3>B3, A4<B4.

[0067] Along the tire width direction: let the width of the first shoulder block N1 be B5, let the width of the first middle block M1 be A5, then B5 / A5 satisfies the relationship: 1.7<B5 / A5<2.5.

[0068] See also Figure 3 The shoulder transverse groove CC on the first shoulder block N1 adopts a design with gradual depth changes of h1 and h2, and h1 / h2 satisfies the relationship: 0.45

[0069] See also Figure 4 The first middle transverse groove DD on the first middle block M1 is designed by combining a steel sheet and a transverse groove with a gradually varying depth; wherein the angle between the transverse groove with a gradually varying depth and the horizontal direction is α4 and satisfies the relationship: 8°≤α4≤20°; the depth h3 of the steel sheet and the depth h7 of the outer circumferential groove G2 satisfy the relationship: 0.35<h3 / h7<0.6.

[0070] See also Figure 5 The second middle lateral groove EE includes two sections of lateral grooves that are interconnected. The depths of the two sections of lateral grooves along the tire width direction are h4 and h5 respectively. Then h4 / h5 satisfies the relationship: 0.4<h4 / h5<0.7, which can improve the handling performance while reducing the tire noise.

[0071] See also Figure 7 ​The thickness of the crown, the depth h6 of the central circumferential groove G1, the depth h7 of the outer circumferential groove G2, the depth h8 of the first outer transverse groove B1 and the second outer transverse groove B3 at the shoulder inflection point, the gradual change ratio of their depths satisfies the relationship: 0.92<h7 / h6<0.97; 0.88<h8 / h7<0.80. The gradual change design of the crown thickness is conducive to the discharge of wet and slippery road water from the middle of the crown to both sides, that is, it is conducive to driving on wet and slippery roads, and it can also reduce the weight of the tire and save costs.

[0072] As a light-duty winter tire, it has lower tire noise, which can give the product a greater advantage in the market. The width from the center of the pattern to the end of the pattern along the tread is recorded as K. The outer circumferential groove G2 and the central circumferential groove G1 are proportional to the pattern surface width K. The specific proportional relationship is: 0.07<G1 / K<0.13, 0.08<G2 / K<0.15. At the same time, the groove wall angle a of the central circumferential groove G1 and / or the outer circumferential groove G2 can help accelerate the airflow and reduce the air pump effect to reduce noise.

[0073] Taking mainstream competitor A as a reference, this comprehensive light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance was evaluated. The evaluation results are as follows:

[0074]

[0075]

[0076] It can be seen that the light heavy-load winter tire provided by the present embodiment has better performance than competitor A in all aspects. It has a strong load-bearing capacity while achieving a balance between wet grip, ice and snow performance, and wear performance. It not only ensures driving safety on ice and snow roads, but also takes into account lower tire noise, and can provide users with a comfortable driving experience.

[0077] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance, comprising a tread, and circumferential grooves extending along the circumferential direction of the tire and transverse grooves extending along the width direction of the tire arranged on the tread, wherein the circumferential grooves and the transverse grooves divide the tread into a plurality of pattern blocks, wherein the pattern blocks comprise shoulder blocks located at both side edges of the tread along the width direction of the tire and intermediate blocks interconnected with the shoulder blocks on both sides, characterized in that: Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder block includes a first shoulder block (N1) and a second shoulder block (N2) spliced ​​to each other, and the middle block includes a first middle block (M1) and a second middle block (M2) spliced ​​to each other; wherein: The first middle block (M1) and the second middle block (M2) are both provided with a first zigzag steel sheet (S1); The first shoulder block (N1) is provided with a second meandering steel sheet (S2); The second shoulder block (N2) is provided with a third meandering steel sheet (S3); A shoulder transverse groove (CC) is provided between the first shoulder block (N1) and the second shoulder block (N2); The second middle block (M2) and the first middle block (M1) are provided with a first middle transverse groove (DD) and a second middle transverse groove (EE) on opposite sides of the second middle block (M2) and the first middle block (M1); Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder lateral grooves (CC) and the third zigzag steel sheets (S3) are arranged alternately, and the first middle lateral grooves (DD) and the second middle lateral grooves (EE) are arranged alternately.

2. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the width direction of the tire, the circumferential grooves include a central circumferential groove (G1) distributed in the center of the tread and outer circumferential grooves (G2) located on both sides of the central circumferential groove (G1); The width ratio of the outer circumferential groove (G2) to the central circumferential groove (G1) satisfies the relationship: 0.95<G2 / G1<1.

35.

3. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The central circumferential groove (G1) and the outer circumferential groove (G2) are both in a zig-zag Z shape.

4. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The groove wall angles of the central circumferential groove (G1) and the outer circumferential groove (G2) are both denoted as a, and a satisfies the relationship: 10°<a<22°.

5. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bending angle of the central circumferential groove (G1) is α1, which satisfies the relationship: 120°≤α1≤175°; The bending angle of the outer circumferential groove (G2) is denoted as α2, which satisfies the relationship: 125°≤α2≤175°, and α1<α2.

6. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The width from the pattern center to the pattern cut-off position along the tread is denoted as K, where: G1 / K satisfies the relationship: 0.07<G1 / K<0.13; G2 / K satisfies the relationship: 0.08<G2 / K<0.

15.

7. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first middle transverse groove (DD) includes mutually connected steel sheets and a transverse groove with a gradually varying depth. The depth of the steel sheet perpendicular to the tread is denoted as h3, and the depth of the outer circumferential groove (G2) is denoted as h7. Then, h3 / h7 satisfies the relationship: 0.35<h3 / h7<0.6; The angle between the gradually varying depth transverse groove and the horizontal direction is α4, and α4 satisfies the relationship: 8°≤α4≤20°; The second middle lateral groove (EE) includes two sections of lateral grooves connected to each other. The depths of the two sections of lateral grooves along the tire width direction are respectively denoted as h4 and h5. Then h4 / h5 satisfies the relationship: 0.4<h4 / h5<0.

7.

8. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: The width of the first middle lateral groove (DD) is denoted as A1, the width of the first middle block (M1) on the tire circumference is denoted as A2, The width of the second middle lateral groove (EE) is A3, the width of the second middle block (M2) on the tire circumference is A4, The ratio of A1 / A2 is the same as the ratio of A3 / A4, and A1 / A2 satisfies the relationship: 0.15<A1 / A2<0.

35.

9. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the width of the first shoulder block (N1) is denoted as B2, and the width of the second shoulder block (N2) is denoted as B4; A first outer transverse groove (B1) extends from the first shoulder block (N1) to the tread ground contact end point, and the width of the first outer transverse groove (B1) is denoted as B1; A second outer transverse groove (B3) extends from the second shoulder block (N2) to the tread ground contact end point, and the width of the second outer transverse groove (B3) is denoted as B3; Among them, the proportional relationship of B1 / B2 is the same as the proportional relationship of B3 / B4, and B1 / B2 satisfies the relationship: 0.12<B1 / B2<0.3; A1>B1, A2<B2, A3>B3, A4<B4.

10. The light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that: Along the tire width: The width of the first shoulder block (N1) is B5, The width of the first middle block (M1) is A5. Among them, B5 / A5 satisfies the relationship: 1.7<B5 / A5<2.5.

Images