Vehicle pneumatic tires with indicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire (1), preferably of radial design, with a profiled tread (10) having at least one indicator (13) with a radially raised indicator portion (13a). The vehicle pneumatic tire (1) is characterized in that at least the indicator portion (13a) of the indicator (13) has at least a section of a marking (13d) whose surface has a higher roughness than its immediate surroundings.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire with indicator.

[0002] Land vehicles typically use wheels to move the vehicle over a surface by rolling on them. The wheels typically have a tire on which the wheel rolls. A tire is located on the circumference of the wheel and transfers the forces between the wheel and the surface, such as the road, via its tread. If the tire is air-filled, road shocks can be cushioned by the pressurized air inside the tire. Such tires are accordingly referred to as pneumatic vehicle tires.

[0003] Pneumatic vehicle tires consist of a woven or non-woven fabric of fibers, known as a carcass, which is bonded and coated with rubber. The radially outward-facing tread is typically profiled to improve grip on the road surface.

[0004] However, the tread pattern is reduced over time due to wear and tear of the surface, which can lead to a lower tread pattern being exceeded. If sufficient grip on the surface is lacking, a pneumatic vehicle tire worn to this extent must be replaced and no longer used. For this purpose, the depth of the tread pattern can be measured and compared with an indication of the minimum depth at which the tread pattern can still be considered acceptable.

[0005] To make it easier and more direct to identify this lower limit of the permissible tread depth, especially without the driver having to measure the depth of the remaining tread, pneumatic vehicle tires are known with wear indicators. These are raised above the surface of the pneumatic vehicle tire to precisely the extent that the wear indicators can be directly visually identified by a person, as long as the wear is within the permissible level. If the wear reaches or exceeds the permissible limit, i.e., if the lower limit of the permissible tread depth is undercut, at least one of the wear indicators can no longer be visually identified by a person.

[0006] Such wear indicators are also known as tire wear indicators or tread wear indicators (TWI). In other words, wear indicators are used to detect whether a tire is worn, i.e., the tire's tread no longer has the prescribed minimum tread depth. For this purpose, small ridges, usually perpendicular to the direction of travel, are located in the grooves of the main tread. To make these easier to locate, the letters "TWI" are usually printed at the corresponding points on the tire edge. When the tire is worn so far that the indicator is flush with the tread, the tire must be replaced.

[0007] DE 10 2019 207 519 A1 describes a pneumatic vehicle tire of radial design, in particular a commercial vehicle tire, with abrasion indicators as elevations elongated on the groove base of the circumferential groove in the direction of extension of the circumferential groove, connected to the two groove flanks, each with an indicator part with an indicator surface located at the level of the minimum tread depth, running parallel to the tread periphery and two ramps adjoining the indicator part, sloping from the level of the indicator surface towards the groove base, provided with outer ramp surfaces, which transition into run-out sections near the groove base.

[0008] A disadvantage of the known wear indicators in pneumatic vehicle tires is that their incorporation can lead to structural changes. In particular, the incorporation of the wear indicators as ridges running transversely to the running direction in the circumferential grooves of the tire tread can increase the susceptibility to cracking. For example, wear indicators have traditionally been manufactured using conventional methods by milling or eroding an area out of the circumferential grooves of the tire tread, creating an edge between the tread edge and the tread base. This edge can lead to cracks in the tread base during tire wear.

[0009] To counteract this increased susceptibility to cracking, the wear indicators in the circumferential grooves of the tire tread can be made as small and flat as possible, but this makes them difficult for people to see. Dirt and other debris that can stick or be trapped in the circumferential grooves can also make them difficult for people to see.

[0010] A similar situation applies to retreaded pneumatic vehicle tires, which feature a regrooving indicator (RGI) that indicates the radial depth to which the tire's tread material may be removed using a blade during the retreading process without damaging the underlying structure, particularly the carcass. The regrooving indicator (RGI) is used for regrooving pneumatic vehicle tires, allowing the person performing the regrooving to adjust the blade to the appropriate depth.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic vehicle tire of the type described above such that indicators can be better visually recognized and, at the same time, the tire tread is influenced as little as possible by the indicators. As indicators, this should preferably be achieved for abrasion indicators and preferably additionally for depth indicators. The indicators should preferably be arranged on the tread of the tire tread and particularly preferably in the circumferential grooves of the tire tread. In any case, this should preferably be as simple, cost-effective, flexible to implement and / or intuitively understandable for the person as possible. At the very least, an alternative to the known indicators of pneumatic vehicle tires should be created.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by a pneumatic vehicle tire having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0013] Thus, the present invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire, preferably of radial design, with a profiled tread having at least one indicator with a radially raised indicator portion. The indicator can be a wear indicator (TWI). The indicator can also be designed to fulfill the function of both a wear indicator (TWI) and a depth indicator (RGI).

[0014] The pneumatic vehicle tire is characterized in that at least the indicator part of the indicator has, at least in sections, a marking whose surface has a higher roughness than its immediate surroundings. The immediate surroundings of the indicator part of the indicator or its marking are understood to mean the immediately adjacent surface of the indicator and / or the surface of the elements directly adjacent to the indicator. Roughness refers to the unevenness of the surface height.

[0015] The present invention is based on the finding that such known indicators on pneumatic vehicle tires are typically difficult for the user or driver to detect, especially if these indicators are arranged within depressions, such as grooves or circumferential grooves. Known indicators can also promote the formation of cracks on the surface of the pneumatic vehicle tire.

[0016] According to the invention, at least the indicator part or the indicator surface of the indicator, and optionally also other surfaces of the indicator such as its flanks or ramps, are provided at least in sections with a marking having a comparatively high surface roughness relative to its immediate surroundings. The comparatively high surface roughness of the marking can be achieved by a comparatively high structuring of the surface of the indicator part of the indicator in the area of ​​the marking. This can be achieved by suitable manufacturing processes such as etching or laser etching, but also by grinding and the like.

[0017] In any case, by influencing the surfaces of the marking of the indicator part of the indicator, the shadow cast there can be enlarged or intensified, which can make the marking or its geometry and thus the indicator of the pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention more visible to the person as user or driver than with known indicators.

[0018] For this purpose, it may be sufficient to design only the indicator part of the indicator as described, i.e. to retain other sections or surfaces of the indicator as known and to design them without a marking with increased surface roughness. It may also be sufficient to design only part or a section of the surface of the indicator part of the indicator with a marking with increased surface roughness. However, the entire surface of the indicator part of the indicator can also be designed with a marking with increased surface roughness in order to implement the properties and advantages achieved in this way over as large an area as possible and to increase visual recognition for the user. For this reason, the increased roughness can also be used as a marking on other surfaces of the indicator. In any case, the marking can be continuous orIt can be a continuous surface or it can have multiple marking sections that are spaced apart by "normal" surfaces but together form the marking. The "normal" sections can also be part of the marking if they can contribute to improving the marking's recognizability.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the marking is formed by etching, preferably by laser etching, the indicator portion of the indicator. This may represent one possible implementation, as already mentioned above.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, the indicator further comprises at least one ramp, preferably a pair of ramps, which radially recedes obliquely from the radially raised indicator part, wherein the ramp of the indicator also comprises the marking at least in sections. Thus, the marking can also be applied, as described above, in other regions or sections or on the surfaces of the indicator as described above in order to form the marking over a larger area and, in particular, to arrange it on multiple surfaces, which can further improve visibility. For this purpose, the marking can be implemented continuously or as multiple, spaced-apart marking sections, as already described above.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, the marking of the indicator part has at least one geometric shape, preferably a circle, a rectangle, a square, and / or a triangle. This can represent a possible concrete implementation. In particular, this allows for the implementation of symbols or references to the indicator that are intuitively understandable for the observer. In particular, triangles can also be used as arrows to point to the indicator or a specific section of the indicator.

[0022] The geometric shape can be formed by the surface with increased roughness of the marking itself, or the geometric shape can be formed within the surface with increased roughness of the marking with a different, particularly lower, roughness, and especially with the roughness of the immediate surroundings of the marking as a so-called "normal" roughness, in order to create a contrast within the marking and thereby distinguish the geometric shape and make it more visible. Since the surface with the geometric shape is located within the marking, it is nevertheless part of the marking, even without its increased roughness.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention, the marking of the indicator part comprises at least one letter, preferably a letter sequence, preferably the letter sequence "TWI" and particularly preferably additionally "RGI." This may represent a possible concrete implementation. In particular, the indicator can be named, preferably by an abbreviation of its function, and thus made more understandable for the user and distinguishable from other indicators.

[0024] The letter can be formed by the surface with increased roughness of the marking itself or the letter can be formed within the surface with increased roughness of the marking as an area of ​​“normal” roughness, as previously described with regard to the geometric shape.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the profiled tread has at least one circumferential groove with a groove bottom, wherein the indicator is arranged on the groove bottom and the indicator part of the indicator is raised radially relative to the groove bottom. This can enable the implementation or use of the marking as described above directly on a groove bottom, which can be a particularly suitable location on the profiled tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire for the use of an indicator.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, the indicator extends substantially transversely to the direction of extension of the circumferential groove. This may represent a concrete implementation possibility.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the ramp, preferably the pair of ramps, of the indicator extends along the extension direction of the circumferential groove between the groove base and the indicator part of the indicator. This may represent a concrete implementation possibility.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, the indicator is an abrasion indicator (TWI). This may represent a concrete implementation option.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, the indicator is an abrasion indicator (TWI) with a depth indicator (RGI). This may represent a concrete implementation possibility.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the indicator has a radial recess, preferably a radial blind hole, wherein the radial recess of the indicator is at least partially surrounded by the indicator's marking. This can represent a concrete possibility for combining an abrasion indicator (TWI) with a depth indicator (RGI) by arranging or forming the depth indicator (RGI) as a radial recess of the indicator within the indicator's marking, wherein the indicator or its indicator part is used as the abrasion indicator (TWI).

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, the pneumatic vehicle tire is a commercial vehicle tire, a passenger vehicle tire, an industrial tire, or a two-wheel tire. This can enable the implementation or use of the present invention, particularly with these specific types of pneumatic vehicle tires.

[0032] Several embodiments and further advantages of the invention are explained below in conjunction with the following figures. Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic representation of a portion of a profiled tread of a known pneumatic vehicle tire with indicators in the circumferential grooves; Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of the profiled tread of the pneumatic vehicle tire of the Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a second embodiment; Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a third embodiment; Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a sixth embodiment; and Fig. 9 a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention with two indicators according to a seventh embodiment.

[0033] The description of the above figures is given in cylindrical coordinates with a longitudinal axis X, a radial direction R perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and a circumferential direction U circulating around the longitudinal axis X. The longitudinal axis X can also be referred to as the transverse axis X. The longitudinal axis X, the radial direction R and the circumferential direction U can together be referred to as spatial directions X, R, U or as cylindrical spatial directions X, R, U.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of a section of a profiled tread 10 of a known pneumatic vehicle tire 1 with indicators 13 in the circumferential grooves 12. Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the profiled tread 10 of the pneumatic vehicle tire of Fig. 1. The pneumatic vehicle tire 1 under consideration is a commercial vehicle tire 1, but could also be a passenger car tire 1, an industrial tire 1 or a two-wheeler tire 1.

[0035] In any case, the known pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the prior art has a profiled tread 10 which is arranged along the longitudinal axis X or along the transverse axis X between two sidewalls 11. The profile 12 or the profiling 12 of the tread 10 is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves 12 which run continuously in the circumferential direction U. Each circumferential groove 12 has a groove base 12a as the profile base 12a, from which a groove edge 12b as the profile edge 12b extends laterally, ie along the transverse axis X, radially outwards to the tread or to the tread 10.

[0036] The circumferential grooves 12 each have a plurality of indicators 13 spaced apart along the circumferential direction U and aligned side by side along the transverse axis X. The indicators 13 of the two outer circumferential grooves 12 are designed as wear indicators 13 (TWI). The indicators 13 of the two middle circumferential grooves 12 are combined as wear indicators 13 (TWI) with additional depth indicators 13 (RGI).

[0037] The indicators 13 always have a radially raised indicator part 13a in the form of a radially raised indicator surface 13a, which extends along the transverse axis X over the entire width of the indicator 13 between the groove edges 12b of the circumferential grooves 12. Along the extension direction of the circumferential grooves 12, i.e. along the circumferential direction U, the raised indicator surface 13a merges on both sides with an inclined ramp 13b into the groove base 12a of the circumferential grooves 12. The indicators 13 designed as depth indicators 13 (RGI) each have a radial recess 13c in the form of a radial blind hole 13c centrally along the circumferential direction U and centrally along the transverse axis X between the profile edges 12a, which implements the function of the depth indicator 13 (RGI).

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a first exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, as well as in the other exemplary embodiments, an indicator 13 designed as a wear indicator 13 (TWI) on the right and an indicator 13 designed as a wear indicator 13 (TWI) and additionally provided with a depth indicator 13 (RGI) on the left are shown side by side along the circumferential direction U, which serves to provide a clearer view. In fact, both indicators 13 are in the pneumatic vehicle tire 1, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown arranged in different circumferential grooves 12.

[0039] The indicators 13 of the pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention of Fig. 3 and the first exemplary embodiment each have a marking 13d whose surface has a greater roughness than its immediate surroundings. The marking 13d extends as a strip or as a rectangle along the circumferential direction U over the two ramps 13b and over the intermediate raised indicator surface 13a of the indicator 13. The immediate surroundings are formed along the transverse axis X on both sides by the remaining surfaces of the two ramps 13b and the raised indicator surface 13a of the indicator 13. The right-hand indicator 13 is designed as an abrasion indicator 13 (TWI) in this form. The left-hand indicator 13, as an abrasion indicator 13 (TWI) with a depth indicator 13 (RGI), additionally has the radial recess 13c centrally in the raised indicator surface 13a.

[0040] Fig. Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment of the Fig. 4 corresponds to the first embodiment of the Fig. 3 with the additions that for each indicator 13 on the respective pair of ramps 13b, a triangle is formed as an example of a geometric shape as part of the marking 13d such that the roughness of the surface of the triangle of the marking 13d corresponds to the roughness of the surface in the immediate vicinity of the marking 13d. In other words, an area within the marking 13d is formed in a triangular shape "normal" to the surroundings of the marking, and the marking 13d otherwise has the increased roughness already described.

[0041] This allows a pair of arrows to be displayed per indicator 13 to point to the indicator surface 13a of the indicator 13. In the case of the abrasion indicator 13 (TWI) with depth indicator 13 (RGI), the arrows point to the recess 13c of the indicator surface 13a, see left in Fig. 3. In the case of the abrasion indicator 13 (TWI) alone, the marking 13d on the indicator surface 13a of the indicator 13 features the letter sequence "TWI," which is also formed as an area of ​​"normal" roughness within the marking 13d. The arrows of the ramps 13b of the abrasion indicator 13 (TWI) point toward the letter sequence "TWI."

[0042] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a third exemplary embodiment. In this case, the markings 13d are formed merely as circles on the indicator surface 13a of the indicator 13, with the circle of the wear indicator 13 (TWI) with depth indicator 13 (RGI) enclosing its radial recess 13c.

[0043] Fig. Fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment of the Fig. 6 corresponds to the third embodiment of the Fig. 5 with the additions that a pair of triangular surfaces with increased roughness is applied along the transverse axis X to the sides of the circular markings 13d, which belong to the marking 13d. The triangular surfaces of the markings 13d point as arrows to the circular surfaces of the markings 13d.

[0044] Fig. Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment of the Fig. 7 corresponds to the third embodiment of the Fig. 5 with the difference that in this case the markings 13d are formed as rectangles which extend substantially along the transverse axis X.

[0045] Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment of the Fig. Figure 8 shows a combination of the fourth embodiment of the Fig. 6 and the fifth embodiment of the Fig. 7.

[0046] Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic plan view of a section of a circumferential groove 12 of a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 according to the invention with two indicators 13 according to a seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment of the Fig. 9 corresponds to the fourth embodiment of the Fig. 6 with the difference that in this case the circular surfaces with increased roughness of the marking 13d are omitted. List of reference symbols (part of the description) R radial direction U circumferential direction; running direction X Longitudinal axis; Transverse axis 1 Pneumatic vehicle tires; commercial vehicle tires; passenger vehicle tires; industrial tires; two-wheeler tires 10 profiled treads 11 side walls 12 profile; profiling; circumferential groove 12a Profile base; groove base 12b profile edge; groove edge 13 Indicator; Abrasion Indicator (TWI); Depth Indicator (RGI) 13a Indicator part; indicator surface 13b Ramps 13c radial recess; radial blind hole 13d markings QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 207 519 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Pneumatic vehicle tyres (1), preferably of radial type, with a profiled tread (10) with at least one indicator (13) with a radially raised indicator part (13a), characterized by , that at least the indicator part (13a) of the indicator (13) has at least in sections a marking (13d) whose surface has a higher roughness than its immediate surroundings. [2] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to claim 1, wherein the marking (13d) is formed by etching, preferably by laser etching, the indicator part (13a) of the indicator (13). [3] Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator (13) further comprises at least one ramp (13b), preferably a pair of ramps (13b), which radially projects obliquely from the radially raised indicator part (13a), wherein the ramp (13b) of the indicator (13) also has the marking (13d) at least in sections. [4] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the marking (13d) of the indicator part (13a) has at least one geometric shape, preferably a circle, a rectangle, a square and / or a triangle. [5] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the marking (13d) of the indicator part (13a) has at least one letter, preferably a sequence of letters, preferably the sequence of letters "TWI" and particularly preferably additionally "RGI". [6] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the profiled tread (10) has at least one circumferential groove (12) with a groove bottom (12a), wherein the indicator (13) is arranged on the groove bottom (12a) and the indicator part (13a) of the indicator (13) is raised radially relative to the groove bottom (12a). [7] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to claim 6, wherein the indicator (13) extends substantially transversely to the direction of extension of the circumferential groove (12). [8] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5 and according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the ramp (13b), preferably the pair of ramps (13b), of the indicator (13) extends along the extension direction of the circumferential groove (12) between the groove bottom (12a) and the indicator part (13a) of the indicator (13). [9] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator (13) is an abrasion indicator (13). [10] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator (13) is an abrasion indicator (13) with depth indicator (13). [11] Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to claim 9 and claim 10, wherein the indicator (13) has a radial recess (13c), preferably a radial blind hole (13c), wherein the radial recess (13c) of the indicator (13) is at least partially surrounded by the marking (13d) of the indicator (13). [12] Pneumatic vehicle tire (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pneumatic vehicle tire (1) is a commercial vehicle tire (1), a passenger vehicle tire (1), an industrial tire (1) or a two-wheel tire (1).

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