Vehicle tires having a slashed surface

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire with sidewalls and a tread and with at least one hatched area on at least one of the sidewalls and / or the tread, wherein the hatched area has hatched elements arranged next to one another, wherein each hatched element has a hatched rib.

[0002] Such hatched areas are usually embossed into the tire during the vulcanization process using a mold that has a negative contour of the hatched area. However, a textured surface on a previously vulcanized tire can also be achieved by ablation, e.g., by engraving, or by an additive process.

[0003] Such hatched areas are well known. They are used on the tire sidewall and / or tread, for example, to represent a marking. A marking can include images, characters, company names, logos, markings, surfaces, etc. The hatched area can be part of the marking and / or completely or partially surround it.

[0004] The scattering of light on the flanks of the cross-hatched ribs reduces the reflection of light from the tire's surface, thereby altering its brightness. Surface areas with transverse elevations generally appear darker than essentially smooth, non-transverse elevations. This creates contrast within the otherwise monochrome surface of the tire, particularly the sidewall and / or tread. This allows for enhanced visibility of markings.

[0005] Pneumatic vehicle tires having a hatched surface with hatched ribs having intersections are known from US 2014326385 A1, EP 2 090 444 A1 and US 2015321523 A1.

[0006] For example, DE 10 2012 105 864 A1 discloses a pneumatic vehicle tire which has a large number of hatched ribs on its sidewall for high-contrast surface design and highlighting a marking.

[0007] The disadvantage of such designs is that the design options are limited.

[0008] The goal is therefore to influence the contrast effect even more specifically and further enhance it. Furthermore, improved deflation during tire production using a vulcanization mold should be enabled.

[0009] This is achieved by each hatch element having short transverse elevations that cross the hatch rib in intersection areas, with the short transverse elevations each crossing exactly one hatch rib and the hatch ribs of the hatch elements being arranged at a distance of 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm

[0010] It has been shown that a hatch element with short transverse elevations crossing the hatch rib in intersection areas creates a significantly stronger contrast effect than a hatch rib that is free of such intersection areas or crossing short transverse elevations. Each short transverse elevation can extend on both sides of the hatch rib. The additional flanks of the short transverse elevations increase the scattering, multiple reflection, and absorption of light falling on the hatch surface. In addition, the flanks of the hatch ribs are interrupted by the short transverse elevations, which further increases the contrast.

[0011] Multiple reflections from adjacent hatched elements further enhance the effect. Furthermore, the short transverse elevations create additional shadow effects, which, especially on the black rubber of the pneumatic tire, clearly highlight the hatched area against the surrounding areas. Since the short transverse elevations each intersect exactly one hatched rib, each short transverse elevation also has two free end areas, which further scatter the light in different directions.

[0012] The hatching element with intersecting short transverse elevations allows the contrast effect to be influenced and improved even more specifically.

[0013] The combination of the short transverse ridges and the crosshatch ribs in the intersection areas also allows for advantageous ventilation of the structural surface during tire construction. Furthermore, the short transverse ridges stabilize the crosshatch elements in the intersection areas, making them more resistant to abrasion during tire use.

[0014] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that the hatching area has at least two adjacent hatching elements whose short transverse elevations are aligned parallel to one another and in that the short transverse elevations of one adjacent hatching element are arranged offset, preferably centrally offset, relative to the short transverse elevations of the other adjacent hatching element.

[0015] Offset means that the short transverse elevations of one adjacent hatching element intersect the other adjacent hatching element between two intersection areas. Offset means that the intersection area encompasses at least the middle between two intersection areas.

[0016] The staggered arrangement of the short transverse elevations enables a particularly even distribution of the short transverse elevations in a dense arrangement.

[0017] It is useful if all adjacent crossed hatch ribs are designed in this way.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that the hatching ribs of the hatching elements are arranged at a distance of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, preferably 0.55 mm to 0.60 mm.

[0019] A distance according to the invention of 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly preferably of 0.55 mm to 0.60 mm, enables an improved contrast effect with, at the same time, low manufacturing effort.

[0020] The distance may be measured between surfaces perpendicular to the tire surface and along the ridges of the hatch ribs.

[0021] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that the crossing regions of at least one of the hatching elements are arranged at a distance of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm.

[0022] Such a spacing allows for a sufficiently dense arrangement of the short transverse elevations for a favorable contrast effect, while simultaneously reducing manufacturing effort. The advantages are further enhanced if all crossed hatch ribs are designed in this way. The spacing can be measured between the centers of the crossing areas.

[0023] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that the longitudinal extension direction of at least one of the hatched ribs encloses an angle of 45° to 90°, preferably of 60° to 90°, particularly preferably of 90°, with the respective longitudinal extension direction of the short transverse elevations crossing it.

[0024] The angle influences the local density distribution on inclined sidewalls adjacent to intersections. However, at an angle of less than 45°, demolding of the tire is more difficult. An angle of 60° to 90° enables improved contrast while maintaining good demoldability. Demoldability is further improved at an angle of 90°.

[0025] It is also useful if all short transverse elevations of a hatching element form the same angle with the corresponding hatching rib. This limits the number of directions that can be engraved to create the hatching area.

[0026] The advantages are further enhanced when all hatching elements are designed in this way.

[0027] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that the hatching area has at least two adjacent hatching elements, between whose short transverse elevations there is a clear distance of at least 10%, preferably of at least 13%, of the distance of the hatching ribs of the adjacent hatching elements.

[0028] The clear spacing is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hatching elements. The clear spacing can be measured at a height H3 that corresponds to 1 / 3 of the average height H of the two hatching ribs of the adjacent hatching elements.

[0029] It has been found that such a clear distance further improves demoldability. It also increases the multiple reflection of light from both adjacent hatch elements, further enhancing the contrast effect.

[0030] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that at least one of the hatched ribs has a height H of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, preferably of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, particularly preferably of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm.

[0031] The height H of a hatched rib can be the height averaged along the longitudinal extent of the hatched rib. Heights can be measured relative to a level corresponding to a mean level of the entire hatched base of the marking area. Heights can also be measured relative to a level corresponding to a base level, which is formed, for example, by a part of the outer surface of the pneumatic vehicle tire, in particular a bottom of a shallow depression formed on the surface of the tire.

[0032] Averages usually correspond to the arithmetic mean.

[0033] This allows for favorable dimensioning for manufacturability. It is particularly advantageous if several, preferably all, hatched ribs have a corresponding height H.

[0034] Furthermore, with such a depth, in particular in conjunction with a distance between adjacent hatching ribs of 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly preferably 0.55 mm to 0.60 mm, a good contrast effect can be achieved.

[0035] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that at least one hatching element is designed such that the hatching rib of the hatching element has opposing flanks which enclose an angle of at least 50°, preferably from 55° to 65°, with one another.

[0036] Such flank angles provide a good contrast effect. A corresponding negative mold of a molding tool, such as a vulcanization mold, can be created, for example, by laser engraving. The angle can be measured between the intersection areas. It is particularly advantageous if the opposing flanks have such an angle over a height extension that corresponds to at least a quarter of the height H of the hatched rib.

[0037] The advantage is also increased or further increased if several, preferably all, hatch ribs are designed in this way.

[0038] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that at least one of the hatching elements has a hatching rib and / or a short transverse elevation with opposite flanks which enclose an angle of 2° to 10°, preferably of 6° to 8°, with each other.

[0039] Such a steep flank angle enables multiple reflections and thus an improved contrast effect. A corresponding negative mold of a molding tool, such as a vulcanization mold, can be created by laser engraving the molding tool. With respect to the hatched rib, the angle can be measured between two intersection areas. With respect to the short transverse elevation, the angle can be measured outside the intersection area. It is particularly advantageous if the opposing flanks have such an angle over a height extension that corresponds to at least a quarter of the height H of the hatched rib. This advantage is also increased or additionally increased if several, preferably all, hatched elements are designed in this way.

[0040] In a suitable embodiment, the hatched ribs each have opposing flanks which enclose an angle of at least 50° with each other, and the short transverse elevations each have opposing flanks which enclose an angle of 2° to 10°, preferably 6° to 8°, with each other.

[0041] In another expedient embodiment, both the hatched ribs and the short transverse elevations each have opposing flanks which enclose an angle of 2° to 10°, preferably of 6° to 8°, with each other.

[0042] It may also be expedient for the hatched ribs and / or the short transverse elevations to have opposing flanks that form an angle of 2° to 10°, preferably 6° to 8°, with each other and have an average width of 0.08 mm to 0.13 mm, preferably 0.1 mm. The average width is the arithmetic mean of the width measured at different heights.

[0043] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that the short transverse ribs and / or the hatching ribs of at least two hatching elements, in particular of at least two adjacent hatching elements, differ from one another by at least 30° in the angle enclosed by their flanks.

[0044] This allows the hatching area to be further optimized with regard to the conflicting objectives of abrasion resistance versus contrast.

[0045] It is advantageous if adjacent hatching elements differ in that the angles formed by opposing flanks of the hatching rib differ by at least 30°. This allows for a particularly high flank density.

[0046] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that at least one of the hatching elements has a hatching rib and / or at least one short transverse elevation with a cross-section which, in the region of at least one flank, has a convexly curved and / or a linear and / or a concavely curved and / or a stepped and / or a kinked and / or a structured region.

[0047] Outside of an intersection area, the cross-section runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective short transverse elevation or hatching rib. This allows the contrast effect to be influenced even more precisely and the contrast effect can be further increased. This advantage is increased if several, preferably all, crossed hatching ribs and / or short transverse elevations are designed in this way.

[0048] It is particularly advantageous if the correspondingly shaped area extends over a height that corresponds to at least a quarter of the height H of the hatching rib of the hatching element.

[0049] The hatching ribs and / or the short transverse elevations can merge into the hatching background in a kink or in a curve.

[0050] The cross-section can be symmetrical.

[0051] The hatch ridges and / or the short transverse elevations of the crossed hatch ridges may have a flattened ridge. The ridge may include a plateau with a width of 0.03 mm to 0.06 mm. The ridge may also have height irregularities of up to 5% of the height H.

[0052] Regardless of the embodiment, the hatching area may have a hatching background that separates adjacent crossed hatching ribs and / or adjacent short transverse elevations from each other by means of the hatching background. A largely flat hatching background is preferred.

[0053] An advantageous embodiment is provided in that at least one hatching element has short transverse elevations which continuously descend from the intersection area to a hatching base.

[0054] This further improves demouldability while providing advantageous support from the short transverse elevations.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the hatched area is formed on one of the sidewalls of the pneumatic vehicle tire.

[0056] According to a further preferred embodiment, the hatched area is formed on the tread of the pneumatic vehicle tire. The hatched area can also be applied, in particular, to groove flanks and / or groove bottoms of grooves running in the tread, or at the tread end, i.e., on the shoulder flanks extending outside the ground contact area to the sidewalls, or on the outer surface of the tread, i.e., on the tread surface that comes into contact with the ground.

[0057] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically illustrates exemplary embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 having a hatched area; Fig. 2a hatched area; Fig. 3 a hatched area; Fig. 4 Examples of cross sections.

[0058] The Figure 1 shows a pneumatic vehicle tire 1 with sidewalls 2 and a tread 3 and with at least one hatched area 4 on at least one of the sidewalls 2 and / or the tread 3. When arranged on the tread 3, the hatched area can in particular also be applied to groove flanks and / or groove bottoms of grooves running in the tread 3 or at the tread outlet, i.e. on the shoulder flanks running outside the ground contact area to the sidewalls, or on the outer surface of the tread, i.e. on the tread that comes into contact with the ground.

[0059] The hatching area 4 has at least two hatching elements 5 running side by side, each of which has a hatching rib 51 and short transverse elevations 53 crossing this hatching rib in crossing regions 52, wherein the short transverse elevations 53 each cross exactly one of the hatching ribs 51.

[0060] A variant of such a hatched area 4 is shown in the Figure 2 shown. The illustrated sectional view of the hatched area 4 has at least two adjacent hatched elements 5, whose short transverse elevations 53 are aligned parallel to one another. The short transverse elevations 53 of one adjacent hatched element 5 are offset relative to the short transverse elevations 53 of the other adjacent hatched element 5, preferably offset centrally.

[0061] The short transverse elevations 53 of the crossed hatching ribs 5 intersect the adjacent hatching element 5 between two crossing regions 52 in their extension 6. In the embodiment shown, the respective intersection region 7 comprises at least the middle between two crossing regions 52.

[0062] The distance 8 between adjacent hatched elements 5 is 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, particularly preferably 0.55 mm to 0.60 mm. The distance 8 can be measured between surfaces 24 that run perpendicular to the tire surface and along the ridges 18 of the adjacent hatched ribs 51.

[0063] The crossing regions 51 of the crossed hatched ribs 5 can be arranged at a distance 9 of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm. The distance 9 can be measured between the centers of the crossing regions 51. In the example shown, all crossing regions 51 have approximately the same distance 9.

[0064] A longitudinal extension direction 10 of the hatching elements 51 each encloses an angle 11 of 45° to 90°, preferably of 60° to 90°, particularly preferably of 90°, with a respective longitudinal extension direction 12 of the short transverse elevations 53 crossing them. An angle 11 of approximately 90° is shown in each case.

[0065] A clear distance 13 between the short transverse elevations 53 of adjacent crossed hatch ribs 5 can be at least 10%, preferably at least 13%, of the distance 8 between the adjacent hatch elements 5. The clear distance 13 is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 10 of the hatch elements 51. The clear distance is measured at a height H3, which can be 1 / 3 of the mean value of the heights H of the hatch ribs 51 of both adjacent hatch elements 5.

[0066] The hatched ribs 51 have a height H of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, preferably of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, particularly preferably of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm, wherein the height H is averaged along the longitudinal extent of the respective hatched rib 51. The height H can be measured relative to a level 20, which corresponds to a mean level of a hatched base 19. The level 20 can also correspond to a base level, which is formed, for example, by a part of the outer surface of the pneumatic vehicle tire, in particular a bottom of a shallow depression formed on the surface of the tire.

[0067] The hatched ribs 51 each have opposing flanks 14 that form an angle 15 of at least 50°, preferably 55° to 65°. The short transverse elevations 53 each have opposing flanks 14 that form an angle 15 of 2° to 10°, preferably 6° to 8°. It is particularly advantageous if the opposing flanks each have such an angle over a height extension that corresponds to at least a quarter of the height H of the hatched rib.

[0068] However, both the hatched ribs 51 and the short transverse elevations 53 can each have opposing flanks 14 which enclose an angle 15 of 2° to 10°, preferably of 6° to 8°.

[0069] The illustrated hatched ribs 51 and / or the short transverse elevations 53 have a cross-section that includes a linearly extending region 16 in the area of ​​at least one flank. This region can, as shown, transition into the hatched base 19 in a bend 17 or in a curved manner.

[0070] The hatch ribs 51 and / or the short transverse elevations 53 of the crossed hatch ribs 5 can have a flattened ridge 18. The ridge can comprise a plateau with a width of 0.03 mm to 0.06 mm. The ridge 18 can also have height irregularities that amount to a maximum of 5% of the maximum height difference of the hatch area.

[0071] The hatching area 4 can have a hatching base 19 which separates adjacent hatching elements 5 and / or adjacent short transverse elevations 53 from one another.

[0072] The Figure 3 shows a further embodiment according to the invention. It differs from the one shown in Figure 2 shown embodiment at least in that the short transverse elevations 53 drop continuously from the intersection region 52 to the hatching base 19. Furthermore, the flanks 14 of the hatching ribs 51 and the short transverse elevations 53 merge into the hatching base 19 in a curve. Independently of this, the embodiments also differ in that the hatching ribs 51 of at least two hatching elements 5, in particular of at least two adjacent hatching elements 5, differ from one another by at least 30° in the angle 15, 15° enclosed by their flanks 14. The angle 15 can be 2° to 10°, preferably 6° to 8°, and the angle 15' can be at least 50°.

[0073] The Figures 4a to 4gshow examples of cross sections of the hatching ribs 51 and / or the short transverse elevations 53 of a hatching element. The cross section runs outside of an intersection area 52 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective short transverse elevation 53 or hatching rib 51. The cross sections are suitable for the Figures 2 and 3 shown hatched areas 4. Without loss of generality, the cross-sections shown are symmetrical.

[0074] The Fig. 4a shows a cross-section having a linearly extending region 16 in the area of ​​the flanks 14. The flanks 14 are opposite one another and can form an angle 15 of at least 50°, preferably between 55° and 65°. The flanks 14 merge into the flat hatching base 19 at a bend.

[0075] The Fig. 4bshows a corresponding cross-section, wherein the flanks 14 enclose an angle 15 of 2° to 10°, preferably of 6° to 8°.

[0076] The Fig. 4c shows by way of example that the flanks 14, regardless of the exact design of the cross-section, can also merge into the hatching base 19 with a curvature.

[0077] The Fig. 4d shows a cross-section which has a convex curved area 16 in the area of ​​the flanks 14. The Fig. 4e shows a cross-section which has a stepped area 16 in the area of ​​the flanks 14.

[0078] The Fig. 4f shows a cross-section which has a structured area 16 in the area of ​​the flanks 14. The Fig. 4g shows a cross-section which has a concavely curved area 16 in the area of ​​the flanks 14.

[0079] In all Figures 4a to 4gthe correspondingly shaped region 16 can extend over at least a quarter of the height H of the hatching rib of the corresponding hatching element. List of reference symbols

[0080] 1Pneumatic vehicle tire 2Sidewall 3Tread 4Hatching area 5Crossed hatching rib 51Hatching rib 52Intersection area 53Short transverse elevation 6Extension 7Intersection point 8Spacing of hatching ribs 9Spacing of intersection areas 10Longitudinal direction of a hatching rib 11Angle 12Longitudinal direction of a short transverse elevation 13Clearance 14Opposite flanks 15Angle 15'Angle 16Area 17Knocked area 18Ridge 19Hatching base 20Level 24Area HHeight of a hatch rib H3Height

Claims

1. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) having side walls (2) and having a tread (3) and having at least one hatching area (4) on at least one of the side walls (2) and / or on the tread (3), wherein the hatching area (4) has mutually adjacently arranged hatching elements (5), wherein each hatching element (5) has a hatching rib (51), wherein each hatching element (5) has short transverse elevations (53), which cross the hatching rib (51) in crossing regions (52), characterized in that the short transverse elevations (53) cross in each case exactly one hatching rib (51), and in that the hatching ribs (51) of the hatching elements (5) are arranged with a spacing (8) of 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm.

2. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hatching area (4) has at least two adjacent hatching elements (5), the short transverse elevations (53) of which are oriented parallel to one another, and in that the short transverse elevations (53) of one adjacent hatching element (5) are arranged offset, preferably centrally offset, relative to the short transverse elevations (53) of the other adjacent hatching element (5).

3. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hatching ribs (51) of the hatching elements (5) are arranged with a spacing (8) of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, preferably of 0.55 mm to 0.60 mm.

4. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossing regions (52) of at least one of the hatching elements (5) are arranged with a spacing (9) of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm.

5. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal-extent direction (10) of at least one of the hatching ribs (51) includes an angle (11) of 45° to 90°, preferably of 60° to 90°, particularly preferably of 90°, with the respective longitudinal-extent direction (12) of the short transverse elevations (53) crossing it.

6. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hatching area (4) has at least two adjacent hatching elements (5), between the short transverse elevations (53) of which there is a clear spacing (13) of at least 10%, preferably of at least 13%, of the spacing (8) of the hatching ribs (51) of the adjacent hatching elements (5).

7. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the hatching ribs (51) has a height H of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, preferably of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, particularly preferably of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm.

8. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one hatching element (5) is designed in such a way that the hatching rib (51) of the hatching element (5) has mutually opposite flanks (14) which include an angle (15, 15') of at least 50°, preferably of 55° to 65°, with one another.

9. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the hatching elements (5) has a hatching rib (51) and / or a short transverse elevation (53) with in each case mutually opposite flanks (14) which include an angle (15) of 2° to 10°, preferably of 6° to 8°, with one another.

10. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the short transverse ribs (8) and / or the hatching ribs (51) of at least two hatching elements (5), in particular of at least two adjacent hatching elements (5), differ from one another by at least 30° in terms of the angles (15, 15') included by their flanks (14).

11. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the hatching elements (5) has a hatching rib (51) and / or at least one short transverse elevation (53) with a cross section which, in the region of at least one flank (14), has a convexly curved and / or a linear and / or a concavely curved and / or a stepped and / or a bent and / or a structured region (16).

12. Pneumatic vehicle tyre (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one hatching element (5) has short transverse elevations (53) which slope downwards continuously from the crossing region (52) to a hatching base (19).