Vehicle tires

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle tire with a tread with profile positives (1) with cuts (9), wherein each cut (9) has at least one central cut part (12b) which, viewed in cross-section, has an arcuate cut zone (9z) with a maximum deflection point (Pz), wherein the cut zone (9z) crosses the central cut part (12b) parallel to the tread periphery and gives it a radially outer sector (12b1) and a radially inner sector (12b2). The radially inner sector (12b2), viewed in cross-section, is continuously curved and has a direction of curvature that coincides with the incision zone (9z) in the area of ​​its maximum deflection point (Pz), whereby the radially inner sector (12b2) extends from its radially outer reference point (P a ) to its radially inner reference point (P i) increasingly away from a reference line (Lz*) running in the radial direction through the maximum deflected point (Pz) of the incision zone (9z).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle tyre with a tread with profile positives (co-)limited by grooves with incisions running in plan view to the axial direction at an angle of 0° to 60°, each with an incision base, incision edges, an incision centre line located on the tread periphery, an incision centre surface extending from this, a width of 0.30 mm to 2.00 mm and a maximum depth of 70% to 100% of the tread depth, wherein each sipe, viewed in plan view, has at least one central sipe part, which, viewed in cross-section oriented perpendicular to the sipe center line in plan view, has an arcuate sipe zone spaced radially from the sipe edges and the sipe base with a maximum deflection point lying on the sipe center surface, wherein the sipe zone, viewed in front view, traverses the central sipe part parallel to the tread periphery and gives it a radially outer sector running between the sipe edges and the sipe zone and a radially inner sector running between the sipe zone and the sipe base, wherein the radially inner sector extends between a radially outer reference point located on the incision center surface and a radially inner reference point located on the incision center surface.

[0002] Such a vehicle tire is known, for example, from DE 10 2021 206 775 A1. The tire has a directional tread with profile positives with transverse cuts having a width of 0.40 mm to 2.00 mm and a maximum depth of at least 70% of the tread depth. Each cut has a central cut section that is S-shaped and corrugated in plan view, which is composed of a section on the inside of the tread running over a first half wavelength and pointing against the rolling direction during forward travel, and a section on the outside of the tread running over a second half wavelength and pointing in the rolling direction during forward travel, wherein the second wavelength is greater than the first wavelength.Preferably, the central sipe section, and thus the sipe, has a central sipe portion, which, viewed from the front, is traversed by an arcuate sipe zone parallel to the tread periphery, spaced radially from the sipe edges and the sipe base, and is thus divided into a radially outer sector and a radially inner sector. The tire should exhibit good water drainage behavior in the area of ​​the sipes and good snow grip performance. The sipe zone stabilizes the tread segments adjacent to the sipe.

[0003] In ski grips of the type mentioned above, the cuts are known to significantly improve snow grip. This improvement is based primarily on the ability of the cuts to open when the respective tread is flattened, allowing the cut edges to effectively engage the snow and thus exhibit a "milling" behavior. The curved cut zone contributes to mutual support and stabilization of the tread areas adjacent to the respective cut, which is also beneficial for grip properties.

[0004] The opening ability of the cuts decreases disproportionately with increasing tread wear, which is due to the correspondingly strong increase in stiffness of the tread elements, whereby the snow performance of the tire decreases with increasing tread wear and is in need of further improvement in this respect, especially with heavily worn treads.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of maintaining better snow performance in a vehicle tire of the type mentioned above via tread wear.

[0006] The stated object is achieved according to the invention in that the radially inner sector, viewed in the cross-section oriented perpendicular to the incision center line in plan view, is continuously curved with respect to the incision center surface and runs with a matching direction of curvature to the incision zone in the region of its maximum deflection point, wherein the radially inner sector moves increasingly away from its radially outer reference point to its radially inner reference point from a reference line running in the radial direction through the maximum deflection point of the incision zone.

[0007] The radially inner sector located radially within the curved cut zone significantly improves the opening behavior of the cuts during flattening of the tread after the cut zone has been worn down, particularly under traction and / or braking loads – depending on the orientation (angulation) of the cuts in plan view and the orientation of the radially inner sector relative to the rolling direction. This maintains excellent "milling behavior" of the cut edges even when the tread elements have become stiffer due to advanced wear, resulting in improved snow performance over the course of the tread wear.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the radially inner sector, viewed in a cross-section oriented perpendicular to the sipe centerline in plan view, has a length, measured in the radial direction between its radially outer reference point and its radially inner reference point, of 10% to 25%, in particular 15% to 20%, of the maximum depth of the sipe. Such a long radially inner sector is advantageous for maintaining snow performance over tread wear.

[0009] For the mentioned milling behavior of the cutting edges with correspondingly advanced abrasion, it is advantageous if the radially inner sector, viewed in the cross-section aligned perpendicular to the cutting center line in plan view and with respect to a reference line running straight between the radially outer reference point and the radially inner reference point, runs at an angle of 2° to 15°, in particular of 4° to 10°, to the radial direction.

[0010] According to a further preferred embodiment, the cut, viewed in plan view, has a cut section formed from the or each central cut part and two lateral cut parts in each case, extending to the cut base and running in the shape of a base-free trapezoid, wherein the central cut part forms the shorter base side of the trapezoid and the lateral cut parts form the two trapezoid legs. The trapezoidal shape ensures additional mutual support effects of the profile elements, especially when the tread is only slightly worn, thereby improving the milling behavior of the cut edges when the tread is only slightly worn. With correspondingly advanced tread wear, this effect fades into the background and the radially inner sector, which extends to the outside of the tread, ensures very good milling behavior of the cut edges, as already mentioned.This further improves snow performance through tread wear.

[0011] In the latter preferred embodiment, according to an advantageous further development, the incision zone extends into each lateral incision section and preferably traverses each lateral incision section, viewed in front, parallel to the tread periphery. This also contributes to a further improvement in the milling behavior of the incision edges.

[0012] The opening behavior of the incisions is influenced in a way that further improves the grip effect of the incision edges if, according to a further advantageous development of the last-mentioned preferred embodiment, the incision, viewed in plan view, has at least one, preferably two straight, edge-side incision section(s), in particular is composed of the two edge-side incision sections and the incision section running in the form of a base-free trapezoid, wherein the edge-side incision section(s) run straight and in particular in the radial direction in the area outside the incision zone, viewed in the cross-section running perpendicular to the incision center line in plan view.

[0013] In this advantageous further development, it is advantageous if the lateral incision parts forming the trapezoidal legs each have a radially outer sector extending between the incision edges and the incision zone and a radially inner sector extending between the incision zone and the incision base, wherein the radially inner sector of one or each lateral incision part forms a tangential transition from the radially inner sector of the central incision part to the respective region of the respective edge incision section located radially within the incision zone. This contributes to a reduction of the shear forces in the incision region, thus maintaining a high crack resistance of the adjacent rubber material.The risk of cracks occurring and propagating in the area of ​​the cutting edges is therefore reduced, so that they contribute significantly to maintaining snow grip performance via tread wear.

[0014] In the last-mentioned advantageous further development, it is furthermore advantageous if the incision zone traverses each lateral incision part, viewed in front view, parallel to the tread periphery and extends with a zone end section into the or each of the edge-side incision section(s), wherein the zone end section has a maximum length of up to 6.0 mm, in particular of up to 4.5 mm, determined parallel to the tread periphery.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the incision zone, viewed in a cross-section oriented perpendicular to the incision center line in plan view, has a width, related to the incision center area and determined in the radial direction, of 25% to 45%, in particular of 30% to 40%, of the maximum depth of the incision.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment, the sipe base is channel-shaped and, viewed in a cross-section oriented perpendicular to the sipe centerline in plan view, has a maximum width determined parallel to the tread periphery, which is 0.10 mm to 0.50 mm, in particular 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, greater than the width of the sipe. Such a sipe base is particularly crack-resistant and improves the water absorption behavior of the sipe.

[0017] In the latter embodiment, according to an advantageous further development, the base of the incision is designed in the shape of a circular segment, so that it has a diameter which is 0.10 mm to 0.50 mm, in particular 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, larger than the width of the incision.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment, the tread has a directional profiling, wherein the profile positives are profile blocks, wherein the profile blocks are traversed by the cuts and each give the profile blocks an incoming, edge-side block segment which first enters the ground when the tire rolls when driving forward, and a tapered, edge-side block segment, wherein the radially inner sector of the central cut part, viewed in the cross-section running perpendicular to the cut center line in plan view and related to the reference line running straight between its radially outer reference point and its radially inner reference point, is inclined to the radial direction in such a way that it is inclined starting from the cut base in the direction of the tapered, edge-side block segment.This also contributes to a further improvement in snow performance, because such oriented cuts open up particularly clearly when the tread is flattened.

[0019] According to an advantageous further development of the latter preferred embodiment, the cutting edges of each cut are an incoming cutting edge that first enters the ground as the tire rolls forward, and a outgoing cutting edge. The cutting zone is formed by a projection located on the cutting wall extending from the incoming cutting edge and a corresponding recess located on the cutting wall extending from the outgoing cutting edge. This further improves the support effects.

[0020] A further preferred embodiment provides that the maximum deflection point of the incision zone located on the incision center surface, viewed in a cross-section oriented perpendicular to the incision center line in plan view, has a maximum deflection of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm perpendicular to a straight reference line connecting the incision center surface between the radially outer end of the incision zone and the radially inner end of the incision zone. This embodiment also contributes to a further improvement in the support effects.

[0021] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 a plan view of a profile block of a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire developed in the plane with an embodiment variant of the invention, Fig. 2 an enlarged plan view of a trigger body (a visualization) of an incision, Fig. 2a a further enlarged plan view of detail Z 2a the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 a front view of the trigger body of the cut-out Fig. 2 according to the direction of view indicated by arrow S3, Fig. 4 a section along the line IV-IV of the Fig. 3 with rubber material adjacent to the incision, Fig. 4a a perspective section of the trigger body of the incision along the line IV-IV of the Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a section along the line VV of the Fig. 3 with rubber material adjacent to the incision, Fig. 5a a perspective section of the trigger body of the incision along the line VV of the Fig. 3, Fig. 4b an enlarged view of detail Z 4b the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5b an enlarged view of the detail Z 5b the Fig. 5.

[0022] Vehicle tires designed according to the invention are tires for motor vehicles, in particular for multi-track motor vehicles, preferably for passenger cars (PCs), vans (transporters) or SUVs, and preferably pneumatic vehicle tires, particularly preferably pneumatic vehicle tires of radial design, for rims with an integer rim diameter of 13 inches to 24 inches, in particular of 14 inches to 19 inches.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a plan view of a central tread block 1 of a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire. The tire's equatorial plane is indicated by a line AA. The tread has a directional tread pattern, and the pneumatic vehicle tire is to be mounted on a vehicle, such as a passenger car, in such a way that it exhibits the rolling direction symbolized by the arrow R when driving forward.

[0024] The central tread block 1 is located to the side of the tire equatorial plane (line AA) and is part of a circumferentially encircling, central tread block row made up of a plurality of central tread blocks 1. The central tread block row, i.e. the central tread blocks 1, is or are separated on the inside of the tread by a central circumferential groove 2 (in Fig. 1 only indicated) and on the outside of the tread by a circumferential, shoulder-side groove 3 (in Fig. 1 merely indicated). Within the tread block row, the successive, central tread blocks 1 are separated by groove-cut combinations K.

[0025] The circumferential grooves 2, 3 are radially aligned to the respective profile depth T P (marked in Fig. 3), which for the preferred tire type is usually between 6.5 mm and 13.0 mm. If the circumferential grooves 2 and 3 are of different depths, the tread depth T P the depth of the deepest circumferential groove 2, 3.

[0026] The groove-cut combinations K are, viewed in plan view, each formed from a blind groove 4 running at an angle to the axial direction, which opens into the shoulder-side circumferential groove 3 on the outside of the tread and ends in front of the central circumferential groove 2 on the inside of the tread, and a cut 5 running between the groove end of the blind groove 4 on the inside of the tread and the central circumferential groove 2.

[0027] The circumferential grooves 2, 3 and the blind grooves 4 each have, viewed in plan view, a maximum width (width at the widest point) of 4.0 mm to 10.0 mm at the tread periphery, wherein the maximum width is determined perpendicular to a groove center line (not shown) following the groove path. Furthermore, the blind grooves 4 have a maximum depth (depth at the deepest point) in the radial direction of 60% to 100%, in particular of at least 65%, and preferably of at least 70% of the tread depth T. P ( Fig. 3) appears.

[0028] The central tread block 1, viewed in plan view, has an elongated parallelogram shape in the axial direction, has two diagonally opposite, acute-angled block corner regions 8, furthermore has a block outer surface 6 located in the tread periphery, an incoming block edge 7a formed on one adjacent groove-sipe combination K, which first enters the ground when the tire rolls during forward travel (arrow R), and a tapered block edge 7b formed on the other adjacent groove-sipe combination K, wherein the block edges 7a, 7b run parallel to one another in plan view.

[0029] The central tread block 1 is provided with seven traversing incisions 9, which, in plan view, are inclined in the circumferential direction opposite to the block edges 7a, 7b. These incisions provide the tread block 1 with central block segments 10, each located between two incisions 9, an incoming, edge-side block segment 11a, which first enters the ground when the tire rolls forward (arrow R), and an outgoing, edge-side block segment 11b. The block segments 11a, 11b each encompass one of the acute-angled block corner areas 8.

[0030] The further design of the incisions 9 is explained below using a single incision 9.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a plan view of an incision 9, wherein in the embodiment shown the design of each incision 9 is additionally adapted to its respective position in the central profile block 1, as will be described.

[0032] According to Fig. 2, the incision 9 on the outer surface 6 of the block (cf. Fig. 1) has an incoming cutting edge 9a and an outgoing cutting edge 9b, whereby when the tire rolls forward (see arrow R in Fig. 1) every point P ( Fig. 1) on the incoming cutting edge 9a in front of a point P* exactly opposite this in the circumferential direction ( Fig. 1) enters the subsoil on the outgoing cutting edge 9b. In Fig. 1, for an incision 9, three points P and the three points P* exactly opposite these in the circumferential direction are marked as examples.

[0033] How Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 show, the incision 9 is formed by two of the incision edges 9a, 9b ( Fig. 4, Fig. 5) outgoing, opposite incision walls 9c ( Fig. 4, Fig. 5) and a channel-shaped incision base 9d. According to Fig. 2, the incision 9 has a plan view of the incision following the course of the incision, at the level of the block outer surface 6 (cf. Fig. 1) lying incision center line m, spaced from the incision edges 9a, 9b E , one from the incision center line m E outgoing incision center surface M, which is spaced at the same distance to the incision walls 9c E ( Fig. 4, Fig. 5), one between the incision walls 9c as the smallest possible distance and therefore perpendicular to the incision center surface M E determined, constant width b E ( Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 5) from 0.30 mm to 2.00 mm, in particular from up to 1.20 mm, preferably from up to 1.00 mm, particularly preferably from up to 0.80 mm, most preferably from up to 0.60 mm, and a maximum depth t determined in the radial direction and related to the radially inner end of the incision base 9d Efrom 60% to 100%, in particular from 70% to 95%, of the tread depth T P ( Fig. 3) appears.

[0034] How Fig. 4 shows, the incision base 9d, in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E viewed in a cross-section (see position of line IV-IV in Fig. 3 in combination with the course of the incision center line m E in Fig. 2), circular segment-shaped, with the incision base 9d according to Fig. 4b along a line pointing to the corresponding circle center M P relative radius r and has a diameter d which is 0.10 mm to 0.50 mm, in particular 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, larger than the width b E of incision 9.

[0035] According to Fig. 2, the incision 9, viewed in plan view, is composed of a central incision section 12 in the form of a base-free, preferably isosceles, trapezoid, as well as two straight and aligned edge-side incision sections 13, which therefore extend in a straight line to each other, wherein the incision sections 12, 13 each extend in the radial direction to the incision base 9d ( Fig. 3). How Fig. 3 shows, in each edge-side incision section 13 a base elevation 16 is formed adjacent to the respective incision end, wherein each incision section 13 in its shallowest region has a depth t determined in the radial direction and related to the radially inner end of the incision base 9d E2 from 25% to 45% of the maximum depth t E has.

[0036] How Fig. 2 further shows, the incision 9, viewed in plan view, has a section at the tread periphery, i.e. at the level of the block outer surface 6 (cf. Fig. 1), an incision base line B aligned in its longitudinal direction, straight and running centrally through the edge incision sections 13 L which in the area of ​​the edge-side incision sections 13 with the incision center line m E The incisions 9, viewed in plan view, run with respect to their incision base lines B L parallel to each other ( Fig. 1), also refer to the incision base lines B L - the mentioned relative to the circumferential direction, opposite inclination to the block edges 7a, 7b ( Fig. 1) and also a length c E (cf. Fig. 1) appears.

[0037] The central incision section 12 has a plan view perpendicular to the incision base line B L and perpendicular to the cutting center line m E and the radially extending symmetry plane E1 (cf. Fig. 3) ends on both sides at the incision base line B L , points along the incision base line B L a “fictitious” straight trapezoid base line TB forming the longer base side of the trapezoid and a length c1 determined along the trapezoid base line TB ( Fig. 2a) from 3.0 mm to 10.0 mm, in particular from 4.0 mm to 8.0 mm, preferably from 5.5 mm to 7.0 mm, and additionally from in particular at most 45%, preferably at most 40%, of the respective associated length c E ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2). In the embodiment shown, the entire notch 9 is symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry E1.

[0038] According to Fig. 2a, the central incision section 12 is composed of two lateral incision parts 12a, each adjoining one of the edge-side incision sections 13, extending from the ends of the trapezoidal base line TB, straight and each forming a trapezoidal leg, and a straight and to the incision base line B Land the trapezoid base line TB, parallel to the central notch part 12b, forming the shorter base side of the trapezoid. The transition areas between the lateral notch parts 12a and the central notch part 12b, as well as the transition areas of the lateral notch parts 12a and the respective adjoining edge notch section 13, are rounded in the exemplary embodiment. The mutual connection of the central notch section 12, or more precisely of the respective lateral notch part 12a, to the respective edge notch section(s) 13 is defined by a connection point S. When determining (determining) the connection points S, the rounded transition areas are not taken into account, so that the connection points S are located on the associated notch base line B. Land are thus determined as if the rounded transition areas were not present, but rather the edge-side incision sections 13 and the lateral incision parts 12a continued straight into the rounded transition areas. The trapezoidal base line TB therefore runs between the connection points S.

[0039] The middle incision part 12b runs, relative to the incision center line m E , in the direction of the outgoing, edge-side block segment 11b ( Fig. 1) parallel to the incision base line B L , i.e. parallel to the trapezoidal base line TB, also with respect to the cutting center line m E , perpendicular to the incision base line B L or the trapezoidal base line TB a distance a1 of 100% to 350%, in particular of 150% to 300%, preferably of 200% to 250%, of the width b E of the incision 9 and one along the incision center line m Emeasured extension length c b from 45% to 65%, in particular from 50% to 60%, of the length c1 of the central incision section 12. The determination of the extension length c b is carried out as if the aforementioned rounded transition areas were not present, but the incision parts 12a, 12b were continued straight in the transition areas (analogous to the determination of the connection points S). The distance a1, the length c1 and the extension length c b are preferably matched to one another in such a way that the lateral incision parts 12a are aligned with the central incision part 12b - relative to the incision center line m E - each enclose an angle α of 135° to 145°.

[0040] According to Fig. 3, the incision 9 has a central incision zone 9z, which is spaced apart from the incision edges 9a, 9b and the incision base 9d and forms a local bulge, which runs at least over the entire central incision part 12b, therefore traverses it, preferably runs into each of the lateral incision parts 12a, preferably also traverses these, and particularly preferably runs with a zone end section 9z' into each edge-side incision section 13 (cf. the different designs of the central incision zones 9z in Fig. 1).

[0041] How Fig. 1 shows, the cuts 9 within the profile block 1 in the embodiment shown differ partly with regard to their length c E , the length c1 (cf. Fig. 2a) of the central incision section 12, the length of the edge incision sections 13 (cf. Fig. 2) and the design of the incision zone 9z, as will be explained.

[0042] According to Fig. 3, the incision zone 9z, viewed from the incision walls 9c, has the shape of a rectangle elongated parallel to the tread periphery with semicircularly rounded longitudinal ends. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the incision zone 9z runs in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E aligned cross-section (see position of lines IV-IV and VV as well as course of the cutting center line m E in Fig. 2), arcuate, wherein the incision zone 9z consists of two with respect to the incision center area M E each in the form of an S-shaped curve with exactly one turning point running zone halves 9z1 ( Fig. 5b) and has a central cutting surface M Eat the mutual connection of the zone halves 9z1, the maximum deflected point Pz ( Fig. 5b). The incision zone 9z further has a groove oriented towards the incision center surface M E relative width bz determined in radial direction from 25% to 45%, in particular from 30% to 40%, of the maximum depth t E of section 9 and according to Fig. 3 a plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E (cf. Fig. 2) and symmetry plane E running in the radial direction and coinciding with the symmetry plane E1 of the central incision section 12 Z1 and a constant depth t determined in the radial direction Z2 running symmetry plane E Z2 According to Fig. 3, the incision zone 9z has a parallel to the tread periphery and parallel to the incision base line B L (cf. Fig. 2) and between the intersection points S E(indicated) the symmetry plane E Z2 and the incision center area M E ( Fig. 4) determined, maximum length cz (length at the longest point), whereby the incision zone 9z for some incisions 9 (see Fig. 1) each with one of the already mentioned zone end sections 9z' with an analogous to the maximum length c z determined maximum length cz' of up to 6.0 mm, in particular up to 4.5 mm, into each edge-side incision section 13. Preferably, each zone end section 9z'- relative to the respective intersection point S E - to the base of the incision 9d a in the plane of symmetry E Z2 Distance a measured parallel to the tread periphery Z1 of at least 1.0 mm.

[0043] In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is the incision center area M EA straight reference line Lz is drawn between the radially outer end of the incision zone 9z and the radially inner end of the incision zone 9z. According to Fig. 4b and Fig. 5b shows the incision zone 9z, in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E viewed in the cross-section, in the plane of symmetry E Z2 one perpendicular to the reference line Lz and between the reference line Lz and the incision center surface M E determined, maximum deflection az of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The incision zone 9z is further designed such that it consists of a projection 14 located on the incision wall 9c extending from the incoming incision edge 9a (cf. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, in which the incoming cutting edge 9a can be seen) and a corresponding recess 15 on the cutting wall 9c extending from the outgoing cutting edge 9b (cf. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, in which the tapered incision edge 9b can be seen). “Corresponding” means that the width b present in the incision zone 9z E ( Fig. 4b) - as already mentioned - is constant. According to Fig. 4b and Fig. 5b is the projection 14, in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E extending cross-section, is cut by the reference line Lz and the recess 15 is located, viewed in the last-mentioned cross-section, outside the reference line Lz.

[0044] How Fig. 3 in combination with Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4a, the edge-side incision sections 13, in the area outside the incision zone 9z, run perpendicular to the incision center line m in plan view E viewed in a cross-section (see position of line IV-IV in Fig. 3), straight and in radial direction ( Fig. 4, Fig. 4a), whereby the edge-side incision sections 13 - depending on the design of the base elevations 16 ( Fig. 3) and design of the cutting base 9d and depending on the mentioned distance a Z1 ( Fig. 3) - the incision zone 9z at its longitudinal ends, i.e. the zone end sections 9z' ( Fig. 3), or are interrupted by the respective zone end section 9z'.

[0045] How Fig. 3 shows, the lateral incision parts 12a and the central incision part 12b are in the area outside the incision zone 9z of a radially outer sector 12a1 (lateral incision parts 12a), 12b1 (central incision part 12b, cf. Fig. 5) and a radially inner sector 12a2 (lateral incision parts 12a), 12b2 (central incision part 12b, cf. Fig. 5) formed.

[0046] The radially outer sectors 12a1, 12b1 run, in plan view, perpendicular to the incision center line m E viewed in a cross-section, straight and in the radial direction ( Fig. 5, Fig. 5a: Shown for radially outer sector 12b1).

[0047] According to Fig. 5b are the ends of the radially inner sector 12b2 of the central incision part 12b, in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E extending cross-section, through a at the radially outer end of the radially inner sector 12b2 on the incision center surface M E lying, radially outer reference point P aand one at the radially inner end of the radially inner sector 12b2 on the incision center surface M E lying, radially inner reference point P i The radially inner sector 12b2, viewed in the last-mentioned cross-section, is continuously curved with a constant direction of curvature, wherein the direction of curvature of the radially inner sector 12b2 coincides with the direction of curvature of the incision zone 9z at the maximum deflected point Pz and wherein the radially inner sector 12b2 - relative to the incision center area M E - from the radially outer reference point P a to the radially inner reference point P i , and therefore in the direction of the notch base 9d, from a reference line L running in the radial direction through the maximum deflected point Pz Z * increasingly removed. A gap formed in the area of ​​the radially inner sector 12b2 between the incision center surface M E and the reference line L Z* perpendicular to the reference line L Z * determined mutual distance a b2 therefore takes from the radially outer reference point P a to the radially inner reference point P i continuously. According to the mentioned, matching direction of curvature, there is a line between the radially outer reference point P a and the radially inner reference point P i straight reference line L b2 relative to the reference line L Z * on the other side of the incision center surface M E . Thus, the reference line L b2 on the same side of the incision center surface M E like the reference line L Z . The radially inner sector 12b2 has a radially extending section between the radially outer reference point P a and the radially inner reference point P i determined length c b2 from 10% to 25%, in particular from 15% to 20%, of the maximum depth t E ( Fig. 4, Fig. 5) of the incision 5 and runs - relative to the reference line L b2 - to the radial direction at an angle β of 2° to 15°, in particular of 4° to 10°. The inclination of the radially inner sector 12b2 is thus such that it is inclined from the incision base 9d to the tapered, edge-side block segment 11b (cf. Fig. 1). The radially inner sector 12b2 therefore moves away from the outgoing, edge-side block segment 11b with increasing depth.

[0048] As in particular Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5a, the radially inner sectors 12a2 each form a tangential (kink-free) transition from the radially inner sector 12b2 to the regions of the edge-side incision sections 13 lying radially within the incision zone 9z (cf. Fig. 5a). According to Fig.3, the incision walls 9c in the area outside the incision zone 9z as well as in the area outside the radially inner sectors 12a2, 12b2 are formed by unstructured, in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E extending cross-section straight and in radial direction extending wall sections 9c', so that in this area the incision center area M E is flat.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0050] The incisions 9 can be formed in any profile positives extending to the tread periphery, thus also in circumferentially running profile ribs or shoulder-side profile blocks, whereby the incisions 9 can end on one or both sides within the profile positives, so that they do not traverse the profile positives. Preferably, the incisions 9 traverse the profile positives, whereby in the case of shoulder-side profile positives, traversing incisions 9 are understood to be those incisions which traverse the profile positives at least within the ground contact area. The ground contact area corresponds to the statically determined footprint (determined with a tire mounted on a standard rim, load at 70% of the maximum load capacity, internal pressure 85% of the standard pressure, according to ETRTO standards). The incisions 9 can be relative to the incision base line B L in plan view, they are continuously curved (circular arc-like).

[0051] In shoulder-side profile blocks, the inclination of the radially inner sector 12b2 is preferably such that it is inclined from the incision base 9d to the outgoing edge-side block segment.

[0052] The central incision section 12, which runs trapezoidally in plan view, is optional in its complete form—consisting of the central incision part 12b and the two lateral incision parts 12a. The incisions 9 comprise at least the central incision part 12b of the central incision section 12, which is traversed by the bulged incision zone 9z and thus divided into the radially outer sector 12b1 and the radially inner sector 12b2.

[0053] The incisions 9 preferably each have at least one central incision section 12 which, in plan view, extends in the form of a baseless, in particular isosceles trapezoid. If there are several central incision sections 12, these can have common trapezoidal legs, i.e., common subsections each forming a trapezoidal leg.

[0054] The incisions 9, viewed in plan view, extend at an angle of 0° to 60°, in particular 10° to 50°, to the axial direction, whereby the angle for incisions 9 with a straight incision center line m E on the incision center line m E and for incisions 9 with non-straight incision center line m E on a plan view straight between the ends of the incision center line m E This line coincides with the incision base line B in the described embodiment. Ltogether. Furthermore, the incisions 9 preferably run parallel to one another at least in groups and in particular at least within the respective profile positive.

[0055] The incision base 9d can be conventional, i.e., not channel-shaped. Furthermore, the incision base 9d can be channel-shaped and, in plan view, perpendicular to the incision center line m E extending cross-section, have a shape that differs from the circular segment shape described in the exemplary embodiment. For example, the incision base 9d, viewed in the aforementioned cross-section, can be oval or completely asymmetrical. "Completely asymmetrical" means that the incision base 9d has no plane of symmetry.

[0056] The tread does not have to be directional.

[0057] The basic elevations 16 in the edge-side incision sections 13 are optional.

[0058] The incisions may be free of edge incision sections 13. List of reference symbols 1 central profile block 2 central circumferential grooves 3 shoulder-side circumferential grooves 4 sack groove 5 incision 6 Block outer surface 7a incoming block edge 7b tapered block edge 8 Block corner area 9 incision 9a incoming cutting edge 9b tapered cutting edge 9c cutting wall 9c' wall section 9d incision base 9z incision zone 9z1 zone half 9z' zone end section 10 middle block segment 11a incoming, edge-side block segment 11b outgoing, edge-side block segment 12 central incision section 12a lateral incision part 12a1 radial outer sector 12a2 radial inner sector 12b middle incision part 12b1 radial outer sector 12b2 radial inner sector 13 edge incision section 14 lead 15 Deepening 16 Basic increase AA line (tyre equatorial plane) a1, a b2 , a Z1 Distance a Z maximum deflection b E , b Z Width B L Incision baseline c E , c1, c b2 length c b Extension length c Z , c Z ' maximum length d diameter E1, E Z1 , E Z2 plane of symmetry K Groove-cut combination L b2 , L Z , L Z * Reference line m E Incision centerline M E Incision center area MP Center of the circle P, P* point P a radial outer reference point P i radial inner reference point P Z maximum deflected point r radius R arrow (rolling direction) S junction S E Intersection S3 arrow (direction of view) TB trapezoid baseline t E maximum depth t E2 , t Z2 depth T P Tread depth Z 2a , Z 4b , Z 5b detail α, β angle 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 2021 206 775 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Vehicle tyre with a tread with profile positives (1) delimited by grooves (2, 3, 4) with cuts (9) running in plan view to the axial direction at an angle of 0° to 60°, each with a cut base (9d), cut edges (9a, 9b), a cut centre line (m) located on the tread periphery E ), a central incision surface (M E ), a width (b E ) from 0.30 mm to 2.00 mm and a maximum depth (t E ) from 70% to 100% of the tread depth (T P ), wherein each cut (9), viewed in plan view, has at least one central cut part (12b) which, viewed in plan view, is perpendicular to the cut center line (m E) aligned cross-section, an arcuate incision zone (9z) spaced radially from the incision edges (9a, 9b) and the incision base (9d) with a recess on the incision center surface (M E ) lying, maximum deflected point (Pz), wherein the incision zone (9z), viewed in front view, crosses the central incision part (12b) parallel to the tread periphery and gives it a radially outer sector (12b1) extending between the incision edges (9a, 9b) and the incision zone (9z) and a radially inner sector (12b2) extending between the incision zone (9z) and the incision base (9d), wherein the radially inner sector (12b2) is formed between a groove formed on the central surface (M E ) lying radially outer reference point (P a ) and one on the central surface of the incision (M E ) lying radially inner reference point (P i), characterized by that the radially inner sector (12b2), in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) aligned cross-section, relative to the incision center area (M E ) is continuously curved and extends with the same direction of curvature as the incision zone (9z) in the region of its maximum deflection point (Pz), wherein the radially inner sector (12b2) extends from its radially outer reference point (P a ) to its radially inner reference point (P i ) from a reference line (L) passing in the radial direction through the maximum deflected point (Pz) of the incision zone (9z) Z *) increasingly removed. [2] Vehicle tyre according to claim 1, characterized by that the radially inner sector (12b2), in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) aligned cross-section, a radial direction between its radially outer reference point (Pa ) and its radially inner reference point (P i ) determined length (c b2 ) from 10% to 25%, especially from 15% to 20%, of the maximum depth (t E ) of the incision (5). [3] Vehicle tyre according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the radially inner sector (12b2), in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) aligned cross-section and related to a plane located between the radially outer reference point (P a ) and the radially inner reference point (P i ) straight reference line (L b2 ), to the radial direction at an angle (β) of 2° to 15°, in particular of 4° to 10°. [4] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the incision (9), viewed in plan view, has an incision section (12) formed from the or each central incision part (12b) and two lateral incision parts (12a) extending to the incision base (9d) and running in the form of a base-free trapezoid, wherein the central incision part (12b) forms the shorter base side of the trapezoid and the lateral incision parts (12a) form the two trapezoidal legs. [5] Vehicle tyre according to claim 4, characterized by that the cut zone (9z) extends into each lateral cut part (12a) and preferably traverses each lateral cut part (12a), viewed in front view, parallel to the tread periphery. [6] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the incision (9), viewed in plan view, has at least one, preferably two straight, edge-side incision section(s) (13), in particular is composed of the two edge-side incision sections (13) and the incision section (12) running in the form of a base-free trapezoid, wherein the edge-side incision section(s) (13) in the area outside the incision zone (9z), in the plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) running cross-section, run straight and especially in the radial direction. [7] Vehicle tyres according to claims 4 and 6, characterized byin that the lateral incision parts (12a) forming the trapezoidal legs each have a radially outer sector (12a1) running between the incision edges (9a, 9b) and the incision zone (9z) and a radially inner sector (12a2) running between the incision zone (9z) and the incision base (9d), wherein the radially inner sector (12a2) of the one or each lateral incision part (12a) forms a tangential transition from the radially inner sector (12b2) of the central incision part (12b) to or to the respective region of the or the respective edge-side incision section (13) lying radially within the incision zone (9z). [8] Vehicle tyres according to claims 4 and 6 or according to claim 7, characterized bythat the incision zone (9z) passes through each lateral incision part (12a), viewed in front view, parallel to the tread periphery and extends with a zone end section (9z') into the or each of the edge-side incision section(s) (13), wherein the zone end section (9z') has a maximum length (c Z ') of up to 6.0 mm, in particular up to 4.5 mm. [9] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the incision zone (9z), in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) aligned cross-section, a plane directed to the incision center area (M E ) relative to the width (b) determined in the radial direction Z ) from 25% to 45%, especially from 30% to 40%, of the maximum depth (t E ) of the incision (9). [10] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized bythat the incision base (9d) is channel-shaped and, in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) aligned cross-section, has a maximum width (d) determined parallel to the tread periphery, which is 0.10 mm to 0.50 mm, in particular 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, greater than the width (b E ) of the incision (9). [11] Vehicle tyre according to claim 10, characterized by that the incision base (9d) is designed in the shape of a circular segment, so that it has a diameter (d) which is 0.10 mm to 0.50 mm, in particular 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, larger than the width (b E ) of the incision (9). [12] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized bythat the tread has a directional tread pattern and the profile positives (1) are profile blocks (1), wherein the profile blocks (1) are traversed by the cuts (9) and each provide the profile blocks (1) with an incoming, edge-side block segment (11a) and an outgoing, edge-side block segment (11b) which first enters the ground when the tire rolls when driving forward (arrow R), wherein the radially inner sector (12b2) of the central cut part (12b), in plan view perpendicular to the cut center line (m E ) extending cross-section and related to the distance between its radially outer reference point (P a ) and its radially inner reference point (P i ) straight reference line (L b2 ), is inclined to the radial direction in such a way that it is inclined starting from the incision base (9d) in the direction of the outgoing, edge-side block segment (11b). [13] Vehicle tyre according to claim 12, characterized by that the cut edges (9a, 9b) of each cut (8) are an incoming cut edge (9a) which first enters the ground when the tire rolls during forward travel (arrow R) and a outgoing cut edge (9b), the cut zone (9z) being formed from a projection (14) located on the cut wall (9c) extending from the incoming cut edge (9a) and a recess (15) corresponding to this on the cut wall (9c) extending from the outgoing cut edge (9b). [14] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the area on the incision center surface (M E ) lying, maximally deflected point (Pz) of the incision zone (9z), in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line (m E ) aligned cross-section, determined perpendicular to a the incision center area (M E) has a maximum deflection (az) of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm between the radially outer end of the incision zone (9z) and the radially inner end of the incision zone (9z).

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