Tire and tire molding mold

Abstract

The utility model provides a tire and a tire forming mold. The black concentration is higher than that in the prior art, so that high contrast can be realized. The tire (1) is provided with a pattern region (7) on a portion of an outer surface (3a) of a sidewall portion (3), the pattern region (7) being provided in a visually recognizable state as a portion different from the periphery of the portion, and the pattern region (7) being provided with a plurality of protrusions (20) protruding from a reference surface (7a) of the pattern region (7). A recess (50) having a circular cross-section is provided between adjacent protrusions (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a tire having a patterned area for displaying, for example, logos or patterns, on a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall, and a tire molding die for molding such a tire. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, tires are known to have a patterned area consisting of a plurality of tiny protrusions on a portion of the tire sidewall (e.g., Patent Document 1). In such a patterned area, incident light is repeatedly reflected between the protrusions, resulting in light absorption. Consequently, it appears darker than the surrounding outer surface of the sidewall, thus improving contrast. By having this patterned area, the tire can, for example, achieve an improved appearance or aesthetic effect.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131904 Utility Model Content

[0006] The subject of this utility model is to provide a tire with a higher black concentration than before, thereby achieving high contrast, and a tire molding die.

[0007] The tire of this invention has a patterned area on a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall. This patterned area is set to be visually identifiable as a part different from the surrounding area. Multiple protrusions protruding from the reference surface of the patterned area are provided in the patterned area, and a recess with a circular cross-section is provided between adjacent protrusions.

[0008] The tire molding die involved in this utility model is a die for molding the tire of the present utility model, which includes a pattern area forming part for forming the pattern area.

[0009] The effect of this utility model

[0010] According to this invention, a tire with a higher black concentration than before, thereby achieving high contrast, and a tire molding die can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a side view of the tire involved in the implementation method.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a tire molding die used for vulcanizing the tires involved in the embodiments.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a plurality of protrusions arranged in the pattern area of ​​the tire involved in the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a plan view showing a plurality of protrusions arranged in the pattern area of ​​the tire according to the embodiment, and is Figure 3 The T-view.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of the portion shown by the V-line.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 VI-VI sectional view.

[0017] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Sectional view from direction VII-VII.

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Sectional view from direction VIII to VIII.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing a modified example of the protrusion involved in the embodiment.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0021] 1…Tire; 3…Sidewall; 3a…Outer surface of sidewall; 7…Pattern area; 7a…Reference surface of pattern area; 10…Tire forming mold; 12a…Inner surface of side plate (pattern area forming part); 20…Protrusion; 27…Lower hem; 28…Lower cut; 29…Connecting part; 50…Recess. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the term "approximately" in this specification does not mean a strict determination of their state, but rather implies that they present an approximate state within the range capable of achieving their functions or effects.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a side view of the tire 1 according to the embodiment. The tire 1 is a so-called pneumatic tire whose inner cavity is filled with a specified air pressure. The tire 1 of the embodiment includes pneumatic tires used for passenger cars such as light trucks or SUVs. In addition, the configuration of the tire 1 of the embodiment can also be applied to pneumatic tires used for other types of vehicles such as light trucks, trucks, and buses.

[0024] First, refer to Figure 1 This section provides a summary of the main sidewall structure of tire 1. Figure 1 This is a side view of tire 1 viewed from the direction of the tire's rotation axis X. Furthermore, the tire axial, tire circumferential, and tire radial directions mentioned below are as follows. Tire axial direction refers to the direction in which the tire's rotation axis X extends. Figure 1 The center refers to the surface and back of the paper. Additionally, when viewed radially from the tire, the tire axis is the left-right direction; sometimes the tire axis is simply referred to as the left-right direction. The tire circumferential direction refers to the arc centered on the tire's axis of rotation X, which is the direction along the tire's rotational direction. Figure 1 The radial direction of the tire is indicated by arrow G. The radial direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the tire's axis of rotation, X. Figure 1 The arrow Y is used to represent this arbitrarily.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, tire 1 includes: a bead portion 2, a sidewall portion 3 extending radially outward from the bead portion 2 toward the outermost part of the tire, away from the tire's axis of rotation X, and a tread portion 4. The bead portion 2 and the sidewall portion 3 are respectively located in... Figure 1 The image shows one side of tire 1, the side 1s, and the side separated axially from the tire. Figure 1 Each side (not shown) has one, i.e., a pair on the left and right. The tread portion 4 is positioned between the radial outer sides of the tire on the left and right sidewall portions 3. The outer peripheral surface of the tread portion 4 includes the tread surface that contacts the road surface.

[0026] Tire 1 is constructed with various types of rubber forming the bead portion 2, sidewall portion 3, and tread portion 4. A carcass ply constituting the skeleton of tire 1 is disposed within the inner cavity of the rubber constituting the tire 1, and an inner liner for maintaining air pressure is disposed within the inner cavity of the carcass ply. Furthermore, a circular reinforcing belt is embedded within the rubber constituting the tread portion 4 (illustrations of the carcass ply, inner liner, and reinforcing belt are omitted). In addition to these components, various other components may be provided as needed to enhance the function of tire 1.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the sidewall portion 3 has an annular decorative area 5 covering the entire circumference of the tire on its outer surface 3a. The decorative area 5 is a region of constant width and is sandwiched between an inner arc line 5a that is closer to the tire's axis of rotation X in the tire's radial direction and an outer arc line 5b that is further outward in the tire's radial direction than the inner arc line 5a. The inner arc line 5a and the outer arc line 5b can be lines formed on the outer surface 3a of the sidewall portion 3 by concavity, convexity, or step difference, or they can be imaginary lines that do not actually exist.

[0028] The radial position of the decorative area 5 on the outer surface 3a of the sidewall 3 can be located either further outward than the tire's maximum width position, or it can be located including the tire's maximum width position. Furthermore, the tire's maximum width position refers to the position where the tire's axial length is longest between the left and right outer surfaces 3a of the sidewall 3.

[0029] The tire 1 has a patterned area 7 on a portion of the outer surface 3a of the sidewall portion 3, which is set to be visually identifiable as a part different from the surrounding area. The patterned area 7 is provided on the black rubber component, i.e., the sidewall rubber, that constitutes the outer surface 3a of the sidewall portion 3.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, two marking portions 6A are provided in the annular decorative area 5, positioned opposite each other across the tire's axis of rotation X. The marking portions 6A are formed by arranging multiple characters circumferentially on the tire. These multiple characters can display at least one of the following: manufacturer's name, product name, brand name, etc. Each character can also be formed by bordering with concave or convex lines, or by using concave or convex lines to form the entire character. For example, each character in the marking portion 6A is set as the pattern area 7 in this embodiment.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, patterned portions 6B are provided in the annular decorative area 5, and in two locations sandwiched between two marking portions 6A in the circumferential direction. The patterned portions 6B have a pattern that causes the parallelogram to bend in imitation of the annular decorative area 5. For example, each pattern in the patterned portions 6B can also be set as the pattern area 7 of the embodiment.

[0032] Furthermore, the shape of the pattern area 7 is not limited to these; it can include any shape, or shapes depicting the manufacturer's name, product name, brand, or other logos, or shapes depicting other numbers, words, etc.

[0033] Each of the patterned regions 7 described in the embodiment has a reference surface 7a along the contour of the sidewall portion 3. A plurality of protrusions 20, described later, are formed on this reference surface 7a. The patterned region 7 is a region that is visually identifiable as a portion distinct from the surrounding area by the formation of the plurality of protrusions 20. Furthermore, the reference surface 7a can be a surface extending outward from the contour of the sidewall portion 3 toward the axial direction of the tire, a surface recessed inward from the contour of the sidewall portion 3 toward the axial direction of the tire, or a surface positioned at the same axial direction as the contour of the sidewall portion 3.

[0034] Figure 2 This is an example of a tire molding die used to vulcanize tire 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2This is a meridional sectional view of the tire forming mold 10 along the axial direction of the tire 1 being formed.

[0035] Figure 2 The tire molding die 10 shown includes: a plurality of fan-shaped parts 11 arranged in a circumferential shape along the outer periphery of the tire 1; a pair of side plates 12 disposed on both sides of an annular body composed of the plurality of fan-shaped parts 11; and a pair of bead rings 13. During vulcanization molding, as... Figure 2 As shown by the dashed line, an uncured tire 1a, becoming tire 1, is installed inside the tire forming mold 10. The assembly of the fan-shaped member 11, the side plate 12, and the pair of bead rings 13 forms a forming mold for forming tire 1. The outer surface of the tire 1 is formed by the inner surface of this forming mold, namely the inner surface 11a of the fan-shaped member 11, the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12, and the inner surface 13a of the bead rings 13. In addition, during vulcanization molding, a capsule 14 is disposed inside the uncured tire 1a to press the uncured tire 1a onto the inner surface of the tire forming mold 10. The tread portion 4 is mainly formed by the multiple fan-shaped members 11, the sidewall portion 3 is mainly formed by the pair of side plates 12, and the bead portion 2 is mainly formed by the pair of bead rings 13. Moreover, the inner surface of tire 1 is formed entirely by the capsule 14.

[0036] The uncured tire 1a is vulcanized using the tire forming mold 10 to form the overall rubber shape of the tire 1. Furthermore, multiple protrusions 20, as described below, are formed in the patterned area 7.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional view representing the multiple protrusions 20 arranged in the pattern area 7. Figure 4 It is a plan view showing the configuration of multiple protrusions 20 in the pattern area 7, and is Figure 3 The T-view. Multiple protrusions 20 are configured to protrude from the reference plane 7a of the pattern area 7. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 This indicates that multiple protrusions 20 are positioned to protrude from the UV unfolding reference surface 7b when the reference surface 7a of the pattern area 7 is UV unfolded. The UV unfolding reference surface 7b is the surface on which the outer surface 3a of the three-dimensional sidewall portion 3 is unfolded in a two-dimensional form. The multiple protrusions 20 are arranged on the reference surface 7a of the pattern area 7 to fill the entire area of ​​the pattern area 7. In this embodiment, the shape and size of the multiple protrusions 20 are approximately equal.

[0038] Multiple protrusions 20 are arranged such that they project outward from the reference plane 7a approximately axially outward from the tire. For example... Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the protrusions 20 are arranged regularly in multiple columns. Specifically, they are arranged in the following densest configuration: in a single linear column, the protrusions 20 are closely connected and arranged at equal intervals, with adjacent columns staggered by half a spacing between them. Figure 4 As shown, the multiple protrusions 20 are arranged in a straight line in the D, E and F directions, which are the closest to each other in the densest arrangement.

[0039] Furthermore, the arrangement of the multiple protrusions 20 is not limited to the densest arrangement; for example, it can also be a row-and-column arrangement in which one column is in a straight line and the spacing between adjacent columns is consistent. In addition, adjacent protrusions 20 can be arranged at a predetermined interval without being in close contact, or they can be randomly arranged within a range that can maintain a predetermined arrangement density.

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of the portion shown as V. Figure 5 Zhongyu Figure 4 Similarly, the D, E, and F directions are shown as the directions in which the multiple protrusions 20 are configured in a straight line. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view along line VI-VI. Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view along line VII-VII. Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII. Used to illustrate. Figure 6 of Figure 5 The VI-VI section line is a section line connecting the centers of multiple (in this case, three) protrusions 20 arranged in a straight line. Used for demonstration. Figure 7 of Figure 5 Section line VII-VII is parallel to section line VI-VI and starts from... Figure 5 The VI-VI section line is the section line that has moved away from the specified distance along the direction of arrow W. Used for demonstration. Figure 8 of Figure 5 The cross-section line VIII-VIII is: orthogonal to the above two cross-section lines (VI-VI line, VII-VII line) and along... Figure 5 The cross-sectional line of the boundary between two adjacent protrusions 20 in the D direction.

[0041] like Figure 5 as well as Figure 6As shown, the protrusion 20 in this embodiment has a conical shape whose cross-sectional shape decreases as it protrudes from the reference surface 7a, intersecting the protrusion direction at a right angle. This cross-sectional shape is approximately circular. Therefore, the protrusion 20 is a right cone whose central axis is approximately perpendicular to the reference surface 7a. The protrusion 20 has a conical main body 21, an end portion 23 including a ring-shaped end face 22 formed by flat cutting, and an imaginary, approximately circular bottom surface 24 that is integral with and on the same plane as the reference surface 7a. The main body 21 is a conical surface inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the reference surface 7a. The main body 21 has a lower helix portion 27 connected to the reference surface 7a.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, a hole 26 with a mortar-shaped inner surface 25 is formed at the end portion 23 of the protrusion 20. The hole 26 is formed concentrically with respect to the protrusion 20. Although the opening diameter and depth at the end face 22 of the hole 26 are not limited, from the viewpoint of light absorption effect described later, the depth of the hole 26 is preferably, for example, about half the height of the protrusion 20, or more than half. In addition, the height of the protrusion 20 refers to the shortest distance between the reference surface 7a and the end face 22. Furthermore, the direction in which the protrusion 20 protrudes from the reference surface 7a is defined as being the same as the height direction of the protrusion 20. The depth of the hole 26 refers to the distance from the end face 22 to the deepest part of the hole 26 corresponding to the height direction. In addition, the height direction of the protrusion 20 is equivalent to the rubber thickness direction of the sidewall portion 3 and the pattern area 7.

[0043] As a specific example of the dimensions of the protrusion 20, the height of the protrusion 20 is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The diameter of the bottom surface 24 of the protrusion 20 is preferably, for example, 0.7 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. The outer diameter of the end surface 22 of the protrusion 20 is preferably, for example, 0.4 times or more and less than 0.95 times the diameter of the bottom surface 24 of the protrusion. The inner diameter of the end surface 22 of the protrusion 20, that is, the opening diameter of the hole 26, is preferably, for example, smaller than the outer diameter of the end surface 22 in the range of 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. The depth of the hole 26 is preferably, for example, 0.5 times or more and 1.3 times or less the height of the protrusion 20. Alternatively, the depth of the hole 26 may exceed the height of the protrusion 20, in which case the bottom of the hole 26 is formed by a protrusion protruding from the surface of the forming reference surface 7a in the mold.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, the patterned area 7 of the tire 1 in the embodiment includes: a region defined by being surrounded by three protrusions 20 and in a plan view ( Figure 3 The T-view in the image shows a roughly triangular-shaped area 8. Figure 5Among them, between two projections 20 adjacent in the D direction, two divided regions 8 are adjacent in the W direction across a connecting portion 29 that connects the two projections 20. At a portion corresponding to an angle close to the connecting portion 29 in the divided region 8, a recess 50 is provided.

[0045] Figure 7 It is: a cross-sectional view showing the recess 50. As Figure 7 shown, the recess 50 has a spherical inner surface, and the cross-sectional shape along the height direction of the projection 20 is circular. The recess 50 is formed such that: the deepest part of the end on the tire inner cavity side ( Figure 7 the lower side in the following) is closer to the tire inner cavity side than the reference plane 7a. That is, the recess 50 is formed deeper than the reference plane 7a. As Figure 5 shown, in the case of a plan view, the recess 50 is formed in: a part of the lower pendulum portion 27 of two projections 20 adjacent in the D direction and a part of the divided region 8. The shapes and sizes of the plurality of recesses 50 in the embodiment are substantially equal.

[0046] In addition, the recess 50 can be formed not only in the substantially triangular divided region 8 surrounded by three projections 20 but also between the projections 20 arranged on the outermost peripheral side. In Figure 4 and Figure 5 the projection 20 indicated by the symbol 20g is the projection 20 arranged on the outermost peripheral side.

[0047] As Figure 7 shown, due to the presence of the recess 50, the projection 20 has an undercut portion 28. The undercut portion 28 is formed in the lower pendulum portion 27 of the projection 20 and is formed by surrounding an opening edge of a part of the recess 50. The undercut portion 28 is formed in an arc shape in a plan view through a part of the lower pendulum portion 27 and has: an opening diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the recess 50.

[0048] As Figure 6 shown, between the lower pendulum portions 27 of two projections 20 adjacent in the D direction in Figure 5 a connecting portion 29 that connects these lower pendulum portions 27 to each other is formed. As Figure 8 shown, on both sides in the W direction of the connecting portion 29 in Figure 5 the above-mentioned recess 50 is arranged. The lower pendulum portion 27 is: a part of the main body portion 21 of the projection 20 close to the reference plane 7a, although it is a part connected to the reference plane 7a, the lower pendulum portion 27 at the connecting portion 29 does not reach the reference plane 7a but is connected to each other at a position closer to the protruding direction of the projection 20 than the reference plane 7a. That is, the valley portion 27a formed by combining with each lower pendulum portion 27 at the connecting portion 29 is located: at a position higher than the reference plane 7a in the height direction of the projection 20. The recess 50 is arranged in Figure 5On both sides of the connecting portion 29 in the W direction, the two recesses 50 are formed to separate the connecting state of the lower hem portion 27.

[0049] The plurality of protrusions 20 and recesses 50 disposed on the reference surface 7a in the embodiment can be formed, for example, by the tire forming mold 10 described above. In order to form the plurality of protrusions 20 and recesses 50 by the tire forming mold 10, the tire forming surface, i.e., the inner surface 12a, of the side plate 12 forming the pattern area 7, is formed with: a plurality of recesses that can be formed corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 20, and a plurality of protrusions that can be formed corresponding to the plurality of recesses 50. That is, the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12 includes a pattern area forming portion for forming the plurality of protrusions 20 and recesses 50. For example, the inner surface may include spherical protrusions as protrusions on the side of the tire forming mold 10 where spherical recesses 50 are formed.

[0050] In this case, although the method for forming the multiple recesses and multiple protrusions on the side of the tire forming mold 10 is not limited, laser processing that involves irradiating the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12 with a laser to partially remove the inner surface 12a is preferred. For example, a removal process using a pulsed fiber laser can be employed as the laser processing method. The preferred laser processing conditions are, for example, a center wavelength of 1080 nm, an average output of 100 W or more and 300 W or less, and a laser spot diameter of approximately 0.05 mm.

[0051] Furthermore, the connecting portions 29 between adjacent protrusions 20 can also be formed by laser processing of the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12 of the molding die 10, just like the protrusions 20. That is, by forming recesses corresponding to the plurality of connecting portions 29 on the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12 and vulcanizing the tire 1, the connecting portions 29 can be formed together with the protrusions 20.

[0052] In particular, when laser processing is used to form the following in the tire forming mold 10: the protrusion 20 and the concave portion 29 of the embodiment, and the convex portion 50, for example, this can be achieved by adjusting the output of each pulse or by adjusting the laser irradiation angle.

[0053] In addition, by using laser processing to form multiple recesses that can form multiple protrusions 20 and multiple convexities that can form multiple recesses 50 on the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12, the durability of the side plate 12 can be improved by quenching.

[0054] As described above, in the tire 1 of the embodiment where multiple protrusions 20 are arranged in the pattern area 7, when light is incident on the pattern area 7, the light is mainly incident on the reference surface 7a or the main body 21 of the protrusions 20, and then reflected by their surfaces. The reflected light is again reflected by the surrounding protrusions 20 or the reference surface 7a, and such reflection occurs repeatedly between the multiple protrusions 20 and between the protrusions 20 and the reference surface 7a. Accordingly, the light incident on the pattern area 7 is gradually attenuated and absorbed. When such a pattern area 7 is visually confirmed, it is visually confirmed to be darker than the outer surface 3a of the sidewall portion 3 that reflects the light around the pattern area 7.

[0055] In this embodiment of the tire 1, recesses 50 are provided, particularly between adjacent protrusions 20. Light is incident on these recesses 50, and light reflection occurs repeatedly within them. Consequently, the light incident on the recesses 50 gradually attenuates and is absorbed. Furthermore, the protrusions 20 have undercuts 28 due to the presence of the recesses 50. Therefore, light temporarily incident on the recesses 50 is difficult to escape through these undercuts 28, and is easily confined within the recesses 50. As a result, the light incident on the recesses 50 gradually attenuates and is absorbed. Consequently, the black concentration of the patterned area 7 becomes higher, thus achieving high contrast.

[0056] Furthermore, in the patterned area 7 of the embodiment, a connecting portion 29 is formed between adjacent protrusions 20, linking the lower hem portions 27 of the protrusions 20 to each other. Thus, between adjacent protrusions 20, a portion is formed where the concave and convex shapes of the recesses 50 and the connecting portions 29 are interwoven, thereby making light reflection more complex. This promotes light absorption, increases black concentration, and achieves high contrast in the patterned area 7.

[0057] In the tire 1 of this embodiment, a hole 26 with a mortise-shaped inner surface 25 is formed at the end 23 of the protrusion 20. A portion of the light incident on the patterned area 7 enters the hole 26 and is reflected by the inclined inner surface 25. The reflected light is repeatedly reflected inside the reflecting hole 26. This repeated reflection of light within the hole 26 causes the light reaching the hole 26 to gradually attenuate and be absorbed. This promotes light absorption, resulting in a higher black concentration and thus achieving high contrast in the patterned area 7. Because the protrusion 20 has a hole 26 at its end 23, stress applied to the protrusion 20 is dispersed, making it less likely to deform or damage the protrusion 20.

[0058] The following effects can be achieved by implementing the methods described above.

[0059] (1) The tire 1 according to the embodiment has a patterned area 7 on a part of the outer surface 3a of the sidewall portion 3. The patterned area 7 is set to a state that can be visually confirmed as a part different from the surrounding area. A plurality of protrusions 20 protruding from the reference surface 7a of the patterned area 7 are provided in the patterned area 7, and a recess 50 with a circular cross-section is provided between adjacent protrusions 20.

[0060] According to the embodiment of the tire 1, light absorption is achieved through the plurality of protrusions 20, increasing the black concentration of the patterned area 7 and thus achieving high contrast. Furthermore, the light absorption is further enhanced by the recesses 50 between the protrusions 20, resulting in even higher black concentration and further achieving high contrast in the patterned area 7. Accordingly, the tire 1 can improve its appearance and design.

[0061] (2) Based on the tire 1 described in (1) of the embodiment, the protrusion 20 preferably has a lower cut 28 due to the presence of the recess 50.

[0062] Accordingly, the absorption of light incident on pattern region 7 is enhanced, the black concentration of pattern region 7 becomes higher, thereby achieving high contrast.

[0063] (3) Based on the tire 1 described in (1) and (2) of the embodiment, the protrusion 20 is preferably formed as a cone shape whose cross-sectional shape decreases as it protrudes from the reference surface 7a of the pattern area 7, and has a lower part 27, at least a portion of which is connected to the reference surface 7a, and a connecting part 29 is formed between the lower parts 27 of each adjacent protrusion 20 to connect these lower parts 27 to each other.

[0064] Accordingly, the reflection of light between the protrusions 20 becomes more complex, the absorption of light is enhanced, and the black concentration of the pattern area 7 becomes higher, thereby achieving high contrast.

[0065] (4) The tire molding die 10 according to the embodiment is a die for molding the tire 1 according to the embodiment, and has an inner surface 12a of a side plate 12 that serves as a pattern area forming part for forming the pattern area 7 of the tire 1.

[0066] According to the tire molding die 10 of the embodiment, a patterned area 7 with a plurality of protrusions 20 and a plurality of recesses 50 as described in the embodiment is provided on the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12. Accordingly, a tire 1 with high contrast is formed by increasing the black concentration of the patterned area 7.

[0067] The above describes the embodiments of this utility model and variations based on these embodiments. However, this utility model is not limited to these embodiments and variations. Any modifications or improvements made within the scope of achieving the purpose of this utility model are also included within the scope of this utility model.

[0068] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the protrusion 20 may also have a concave-convex portion 61 formed by a plurality of recesses 61a and protrusions 61b on its end face 22. Accordingly, a portion of the light incident on the patterned area 7 is incident on the recesses 61a of the end face 22 of the protrusion 20, or on the protrusions 61b. A portion of the light incident on the recesses 61a is repeatedly reflected within the recesses 61a. A portion of the light incident on the protrusions 61b is reflected from the protrusions 61b toward, for example, the inner surface 25 of the hole 26. In this way, the reflection of light is complicated by the concave-convex portion 61, and thus the light gradually attenuates and is absorbed. Accordingly, the absorption of light is promoted, the black concentration becomes higher, and thus a high contrast of the patterned area 7 is achieved. By having a concave-convex portion 61 on the end face 23 of the protrusion 20, when stress is applied to the end face 23 of the protrusion 20, the stress is dispersed, making it difficult for the protrusion 20 to deform or be damaged.

[0069] The protrusion 20 is not limited to a conical shape; for example, it can also be a triangular pyramid or a polygonal pyramid. Furthermore, the protrusion 20 is not limited to a conical shape; it can also be a cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism, including a cuboid shape. Additionally, protrusions including these shapes can also be tilted relative to the reference plane 7a.

[0070] The shapes and sizes of the multiple protrusions 20 in the above embodiments are generally equal, but the shapes and sizes of the multiple protrusions 20 may also be unequal. For example, the height, diameter, etc. of the protrusions 20 may also be different, and the protrusions 20 themselves are random.

[0071] The dimensions of the plurality of recesses 50 provided between adjacent protrusions 20 can be either approximately equal as in the above embodiment, or they can be non-equal.

Claims

1. A tire, which is provided with a pattern region on a part of an outer surface of a side portion, the pattern region being provided in a state capable of being visually recognized as a portion different from the surroundings of the part, characterized in that a plurality of protrusions protruding from a reference surface of the pattern region are provided in the pattern region, a recess having a circular cross-sectional shape is provided between adjacent ones of the protrusions.

2. The tire according to claim 1, characterized in that the protrusions have undercut portions due to the presence of the recesses.

3. The tire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protrusions are formed in a tapered shape whose cross-sectional shape is reduced as it protrudes from the reference surface, and have lower swing portions, at least a part of which is continuous with the reference surface, a link portion linking the lower swing portions of the adjacent ones of the protrusions to each other is formed between the lower swing portions.

4. A tire molding mold, which is a mold for molding the tire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tire molding mold is provided with a pattern region forming portion for forming the pattern region.

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