Light truck winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance

Abstract

The application discloses a light load winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance, which comprises shoulder blocks located at both side edges of a tire tread in the tire width direction and middle blocks connected with the shoulder blocks at both sides; the shoulder blocks comprise first shoulder blocks and second shoulder blocks spliced with each other in the circumferential direction of the tire; the middle blocks comprise first middle blocks and second middle blocks spliced with each other; the first middle blocks and the second middle blocks are provided with first zigzag steel sheets; the first shoulder blocks are provided with second zigzag steel sheets; the second shoulder blocks are provided with third zigzag steel sheets; shoulder transverse grooves are arranged between the first shoulder blocks and the second shoulder blocks; first middle transverse grooves and second middle transverse grooves are arranged at opposite sides of the spliced first middle blocks and second middle blocks; the shoulder transverse grooves and the third zigzag steel sheets are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire, and the first middle transverse grooves and the second middle transverse grooves are alternately arranged. The light winter tire has high wet grip performance and low noise.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of tire technology, in particular to a light truck winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance. BACKGROUND

[0002] In winter, especially for light truck vehicles, it is essential to be equipped with suitable tires. Such tires not only need to have good load-carrying capacity to support the weight of the vehicle and the load of the goods, but also need to adapt to complex and changeable weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, and other harsh environments, which requires good handling performance to ensure driving safety on icy and snowy road conditions.

[0003] Existing winter tires can only take into account one or two of these performances, for example:

[0004] Chinese patent CN105829139A discloses a tread band including blocks and fine grooves on the blocks, the tread band includes a plurality of blocks, each block includes a contact surface 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 block includes at least one side surface containing a covering material having a greater elastic modulus than the rubber material forming the block, such design is to improve the braking and driving performance of the tire, without considering the noise of the tire.

[0005] Chinese patent CN104999863A discloses a wet road tire with high operating stability, the tread is provided with 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, the circumferential main grooves and the pattern grooves define a plurality of blocks, the blocks are shaped like trapezoids, the top surface area of all blocks on the tread is called the actual ground contact area of the tire, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the blocks below the first contour line to the area of the tread S1, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the blocks below the second contour line to the area of the tread S2, and the ratio of the actual ground contact area to the area of the tread S3 have the relationship 1.07≤S1 / S2≤1.42 and 1.09≤S2 / S3≤1.56. The driving performance, braking performance and turning performance on wet and icy roads are enhanced, but the noise of the tire is not considered.

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

[0007] Therefore, developing a light truck winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance has become one of the problems 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 along the tire width direction and arranged on the tread. The circumferential grooves and the transverse grooves divide the tread into a plurality of pattern blocks. The pattern blocks include 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 include a first shoulder block and a second shoulder block spliced ​​together, and the middle blocks include a first middle block and a second middle block spliced ​​together.

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

[0011] The first shoulder block is configured 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] A first middle transverse groove and a second middle transverse groove are formed on opposite sides of the second middle block where the first middle block is spliced;

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

[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 recorded 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 denoted as α2, which satisfies the relationship: 125°≤α2≤175°, and α1<α2.

[0022] Furthermore, the width from the pattern center to the pattern end position along the tread 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 middle 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 denoted as h4 and h5 respectively, and 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, and the width of the second middle block on the tire circumference is A4.

[0030] 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.

[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 toward 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 toward the tread ground contact end point, and the width of the second outer transverse groove is denoted as 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 a light-duty winter tire with both high wet grip performance and low noise advantages 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 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the pattern block disclosed in the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the groove wall angle α of the circumferential groove disclosed in the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the depth change of the shoulder transverse groove CC disclosed in the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first middle lateral groove DD disclosed in the present invention;

[0046] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second middle transverse groove EE disclosed in the present invention;

[0047] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the bent steel sheet angle α3 disclosed in the present invention;

[0048] Figure 7 This 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 picture:

[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 solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of 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. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall 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. It mainly provides a tread pattern for use 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, while taking into account low tire noise, thereby ensuring 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 transverse grooves divide the tread into several pattern blocks. The pattern blocks include shoulder blocks located on the edges of both sides of the tread along the width direction of the tire and middle blocks connected to 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 that are spliced ​​together; a shoulder transverse groove CC is defined 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 spliced ​​together; a first middle lateral groove DD and a second middle lateral groove EE are formed on opposite sides of the second middle block M2 spliced ​​with the first middle block M1.

[0060] The middle block and shoulder block are equipped with zigzag steel blades of certain angles, depths, and shapes. The depth of the zigzag steel blades is in a certain ratio with the depth of the corresponding pattern block, with the specific ratio ranging from 0.6 to 0.9. Among them, the first middle block M1 and the second middle block M2 are both equipped with three evenly distributed first zigzag steel blades S1; the first shoulder block N1 is equipped with three evenly distributed second zigzag steel blades S2; the second shoulder block N2 is equipped with a third zigzag steel blade S3. Please refer to Figure 6 The bending angle of the first zigzag steel sheet S1, the second zigzag steel sheet S2, and / or the third zigzag steel sheet S3 is denoted as α3, where α3 satisfies the relationship: 90°≤α3≤120°. This ensures sufficient snow melting and drainage space, thereby improving wet and snow performance, while also increasing heat dissipation and extending tire life.

[0061] The tread pattern in this embodiment is a two-in-one combination: The first shoulder block N1 and the second shoulder block N2 are arranged in a coordinated and interconnected pattern along the tire's circumference. The shoulder transverse grooves CC and the third zigzag steel plates S3 alternate along the tire's circumference. Furthermore, the first middle transverse grooves DD and the second middle transverse grooves EE alternate along the tire's circumference. This design achieves a balance between wet grip, performance on ice and snow, and noise.

[0062] In a further embodiment of this embodiment, the circumferential grooves along the tire's width direction include a central circumferential groove G1 located in the center of the tread and a pair of outer circumferential grooves G2 located on either side of the central circumferential groove G1. The width ratio of the outer circumferential grooves G2 to the central circumferential groove G1 satisfies the relationship: 0.95 < G2 / G1 < 1.35, providing a solid foundation for tread rigidity.

[0063] Both the central circumferential groove G1 and the outer circumferential grooves G2 exhibit a zig-zag Z-shape. This unique zig-zag circumferential groove design, applied to both the central circumferential groove G1 and the pair of outer circumferential grooves G2, increases the effective boundary index of the tread blocks, helping to improve the tire's performance on wet and snowy terrain. The zigzag angles of the central circumferential groove G1 and the outer circumferential groove G2, denoted by α1 and α2, satisfy the following equations: 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 represented by a, where a satisfies the following relationship: 10° < a < 22°. Larger groove wall angles increase the area of ​​the diagonally cut water film. Combined with the zig-zag circumferential groove Z design, this further enhances the tire's performance on wet and snowy terrain.

[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, and 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 adopts a combined splicing design of steel sheets and gradient depth transverse grooves; wherein, the angle between the gradient depth transverse groove and the horizontal direction is α4, and satisfies the relationship: 8°≤α4≤20°; the depth of the steel sheet h3 and the depth of the outer circumferential groove G2 h7 satisfy the relationship: 0.35<h3 / h7<0.6.

[0070] See also Figure 5 The second middle lateral groove EE includes two interconnected lateral grooves. The depths of the two lateral grooves along the width direction of the tire 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 tire noise.

[0071] See also Figure 7 ​The crown thickness, the depth h6 of the central circumferential groove G1, the depth h7 of the outer circumferential groove G2, and the depth h8 of the first and second outer transverse grooves B1 and B3 at the shoulder inflection point all follow the following relationship: 0.92 < h7 / h6 < 0.97; and 0.88 < h8 / h7 < 0.80. This gradual crown thickness gradient facilitates the drainage of wet road water from the center of the crown to the sides, facilitating wet driving while also reducing tire weight and cost.

[0072] As a lightweight winter tire, it offers low tire noise, giving the product a significant market advantage. The width of the tread from the center of the pattern to the end of the pattern is designated K. The outer circumferential grooves G2 and the central circumferential grooves G1 are proportional to the tread width K. The specific ratios are: 0.07 < G1 / K < 0.13, and 0.08 < G2 / K < 0.15. Furthermore, the aforementioned groove wall angles a of the central circumferential grooves G1 and / or the outer circumferential grooves G2 help accelerate airflow, reduce the air pump effect, and ultimately 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-duty heavy-load winter tire provided by this 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 low tire noise, and can provide users with a comfortable driving experience.

[0077] While 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 these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lightweight winter tire with low noise and high wet grip, comprising a tread, and circumferential grooves and transverse grooves extending along the tire width, 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 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 ​​together, and the middle block includes a first middle block (M1) and a second middle block (M2) spliced ​​together; wherein: The first middle block (M1) and the second middle block (M2) are both equipped with a first zigzag steel sheet (S1); The first shoulder block (N1) is provided with a second zigzag steel sheet (S2); The second shoulder block (N2) is provided with a third zigzag steel sheet (S3); A shoulder transverse groove (CC) is provided between the first shoulder block (N1) and the second shoulder block (N2); A first middle transverse groove (DD) and a second middle transverse groove (EE) are provided on opposite sides of the second middle block (M2) where the first middle block (M1) is joined; Along the circumferential direction of the tire, the shoulder transverse grooves (CC) and the third zigzag steel sheets (S3) are alternately arranged, and the first middle transverse grooves (DD) and the second middle transverse grooves (EE) are alternately arranged; 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 first intermediate transverse groove (DD) includes mutually spliced ​​steel sheets and transverse grooves with gradually varying depths. The depth of the steel sheet perpendicular to the tread is h3, and the depth of the outer circumferential groove (G2) is h7. Then, h3 / h7 satisfies the relationship: 0.35<h3 / h7<0.6; The angle between the depth direction and the horizontal direction of the gradually varying depth transverse groove 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 denoted as h4 and h5 respectively. Then, h4 / h5 satisfies the relationship: 0.4<h4 / h5<0.

7.

2. The light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: 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-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, 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-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The groove wall angles of the central circumferential groove (G1) and the outer circumferential groove (G2) are both recorded as a, and a satisfies the relationship: 10°<a<22°.

5. The light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bending angle of the central circumferential groove (G1) is denoted as 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-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The width from the center of the tread to the end of the tread is 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-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the first middle lateral groove (DD) is denoted as A1, and 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, and 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.

8. The light-duty 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) toward 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) toward 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.

9. The light-duty winter tire with low noise and high wet grip performance according to claim 1 or 8, 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.

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