Vehicle tires

Abstract

Vehicle tires with a tread (1) having circumferential grooves (2) extending in the circumferential direction, having the intended tread depth (t1) and a width (b2) of 6.00 mm to 12.00 mm at the tread periphery. The circumferential grooves (2) consist of straight groove sections (3) aligned with each other over the circumference of the tread (1) and of circular groove sections (4), wherein the straight groove sections (3) merge centrally into the circular groove sections (4) and alternate with a circular groove section (4), wherein the circular groove sections (4) surround circular profile elements (5) in plan view, which have a diameter (d) of 10.00 mm to 16.00 mm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle tire with a tread having circumferential grooves that are designed to the intended tread depth and have a width of 7.00 mm to 12.00 mm at the tread periphery.

[0002] Such vehicle tires are known in various designs. For example, DE 102019204644 A1 discloses a pneumatic tire for passenger cars with a tread divided into profile blocks by circumferential grooves running straight in the direction of the circumference and by transverse grooves. EP 2292448 B discloses a pneumatic tire for commercial vehicles whose tread is provided with several circumferential grooves running in the direction of the circumference, which divide the tread into circumferential ribs, wherein the circumferential grooves have a depth of 10.00 mm to 25.00 mm and a width of 5.00 mm to 20.00 mm at the tread periphery.

[0003] The invention is based on the objective of designing a vehicle tire of the type mentioned above in such a way that its tread ensures good water drainage and exhibits good and balanced grip on the ground when cornering, even when driving on tight and acute-angled curves, on roads and in rougher terrain.

[0004] The problem set out in the invention is solved by the circumferential grooves being composed of straight groove sections aligned with each other around the circumference of the tread and of circular groove sections, wherein the straight groove sections merge centrally into the circular groove sections and alternate with a circular groove section, wherein the circular groove sections surround circular profile elements in plan view, which have a diameter of 10.00 mm to 16.00 mm.

[0005] The wide circumferential grooves, present in both the circular and straight sections, ensure good water drainage on wet surfaces. The circular grooves, in particular, provide direction-independent gripping edges at the tread's periphery, which are especially effective when cornering, even on tight and acute bends, and on various surfaces.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the profile elements, which are circular in plan view, are designed radially as straight truncated cones, exhibiting their smaller diameter at the tread periphery. This makes the profile elements particularly stable, which is especially advantageous for the handling characteristics of the vehicle tire, particularly during tight cornering.

[0007] In a further preferred embodiment, the groove sections have groove flanks which, viewed in cross-section, run at angles of up to 12° to the radial direction, preferably widening towards the tread periphery. The angles at which the groove flanks run depend on the selected groove cross-section, and for good wet performance, it is advantageous for the groove sections to widen towards the tread periphery.

[0008] Another measure, which is particularly advantageous for the wet performance of the tire, is that the groove sections have groove bases with a width of 1.00 mm to 6.00 mm, in particular up to 3.00 mm, determined between the radially inner ends of the groove flanks.

[0009] Advantageously, the groove bases are generally rounded, so that the risk of cracks forming in the area of ​​the groove base is low.

[0010] The tread of the vehicle tire exhibits a particularly balanced grip performance when adjacent circumferential grooves are arranged in such a way that the circular groove sections of one circumferential groove are positioned in the axial direction opposite a straight groove section of the adjacent circumferential groove.

[0011] In this context, it is also advantageous if the groove sections in all circumferential grooves are of the same dimensions.

[0012] Preferably, the tread also has no grooves other than circumferential grooves.

[0013] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the schematic drawing, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment. This drawing shows... Fig. 1 a top view of a circumferential section of a tread of a vehicle tire with an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a cut along line II-II of the Fig. 1 in a opposite Fig. 1 enlarged view, Fig. 3 a cut along line III-III of the Fig. 1 also in a opposite Fig. 1 enlarged view and Fig. 4 a circumferential section of the running track in oblique view.

[0014] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a circumferential section of a tread 1 of a vehicle tire, which is a tire for motor vehicles, in particular for multi-track motor vehicles such as trucks, buses, passenger cars, vans (transporters) or SUVs. The vehicle tire is preferably a pneumatic tire, especially of radial construction.

[0015] The tread 1 is provided with circumferential grooves 2, five in the illustrated embodiment, which divide the tread 1 into circumferential ribs 1a. In alternative embodiments, the number of circumferential grooves 2 is two, three, four, six, or seven. Each circumferential groove 2 consists of straight, circumferentially oriented, and aligned groove sections 3 and, between each pair of successive groove sections 3, circular groove sections 4. The groove sections 3 each terminate centrally in the circular groove sections 4.

[0016] The groove sections 4 run around, as is the case, for example, Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows circular profile elements 5 in top view and at the tread periphery, which are designed in the radial direction in the shape of straight truncated cones. The truncated cone-shaped profile elements 5 have the smaller diameter d at the tread periphery, which is 10.00 mm to 18.00 mm, depending on whether it is a tire for trucks, buses, etc., or a passenger car tire. In the preferred embodiment shown, adjacent circumferential grooves 2 are offset from each other in the circumferential direction such that the circular groove sections 4 from one circumferential groove 2 are each positioned opposite a straight groove section 3 from the adjacent circumferential groove 2 in the axial direction, wherein the outer diameter of the circular groove sections 4 is reduced to the length I1 ( Fig. 1) the straight groove sections 3 are arranged such that the length I1 is 80% to 120% of the diameter d of the profile elements 5. In the preferred embodiment and as shown, all groove sections 3, 4 in all circumferential grooves 2 are dimensioned the same.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 shows an axial section (cross-section) of a straight groove section 3, Fig.3 a central axial cross-section of a circularly extending groove section 4 together with the cross-section of the profile element 5. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the groove sections 3, 4 have identical cross-sections. The groove sections 3, 4 each have two groove flanks 3a, 4a and a groove base 3b, 4b. In the example, the two groove flanks 3a, 4a run symmetrically to each other in cross-section with respect to a centrally oriented radial line and at equal angles α in the range of, in particular, 7° to 12° to the radial direction, and such that the groove sections 3, 4 widen towards the periphery of the tread. The groove bases 3b, 4b of the groove sections 3 and 4 have a width b1 of 1.00 mm to 6.00 mm, in particular of up to 3.00 mm, determined between the radially inner ends of the groove flanks 3a, 4a.The depth t1 of the circumferential grooves 2, and thus the depth of groove sections 3 and 4, corresponds to the tread depth specified for the respective tire type. For example, the depth t1 for passenger car tires is 6.50 mm to 10.00 mm, while for truck tires the depth t1 is typically greater, for example 12.00 mm to 22.00 mm.

[0018] Depending on the tread depth t1, the circumferential grooves 2, or their groove sections 3 and 4, have a width b2 at the tread periphery, which is constant over the entire extent of the circumferential groove 2 and is between 6.00 mm and 12.00 mm. In alternative designs, the groove sections 3 and 4 have different cross-sectional areas, for example, a U-shaped cross-section or a cross-section asymmetrical with respect to the groove flanks. Reference symbol list 1 tread 1a Circumferential ribs 2 circumferential grooves 3 straight groove section 4 circular groove section 3a, 4a groove flank 3b, 4b Grooved base 5 profile element b1 width (groove base 3b, 4b) b2 Width (circumferential groove 2) I1 Length (groove section 3) t1 depth d diameter α angle QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 102019204644 A1

[0002] EP 2292448 B

[0002]

Claims

[1] Vehicle tires with a tread (1) having circumferential grooves (2) extending in the direction of circumferentiality, having the intended tread depth (t1) and having a width (b2) of 6.00 mm to 12.00 mm at the tread periphery, characterized by , that the circumferential grooves (2) are composed of straight groove sections (3) aligned with each other over the circumference of the tread (1) and of circular groove sections (4), wherein the straight groove sections (3) merge centrally into the circular groove sections (4) and alternate with a circular groove section (4), wherein the circular groove sections (4) surround circular profile elements (5) in plan view, which have a diameter (d) of 10.00 mm to 16.00 mm. [2] Vehicle tires according to claim 1, characterized by, that the profile elements (5) which are circular in plan view are designed in the radial direction as straight truncated cones which have their smaller diameter (d) at the periphery of the tread. [3] Vehicle tires according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the groove sections (3, 4) have groove flanks (3a, 4a) which, viewed in cross-section of the groove sections (3, 4), extend at angles (α) of particularly equal size in the range of up to 12° to the radial direction and preferably widening the groove sections (3, 4) towards the periphery of the tread. [4] Vehicle tires according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the groove sections (3, 4) have groove bases (3b, 4b) which have a width (b1) of 1.00 mm to 6.00 mm, in particular of up to 3.00 mm, determined between the radially inner ends of the groove flanks (3a, 4a). [5] Vehicle tires according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that adjacent circumferential grooves (2) are arranged such that the circular groove sections (4) from one circumferential groove (2) are positioned in the axial direction opposite a straight groove section (3) from the adjacent circumferential groove (2). [6] Vehicle tires according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the groove sections (3, 4) in all circumferential grooves (2) are of the same dimensions. [7] Vehicle tires according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the tread (1) has no grooves other than circumferential grooves (2).

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