VEHICLE AIR TIRES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire with a sidewall having at least one sidewall decoration extending at least over a circumferential section of the sidewall, which is composed of structured surface elements, smooth surface elements and a basic hatching adjacent to these surface elements consisting of hatching ribs running without branching or crossing, wherein the structured surface elements represent a copy or a shadow of at least partial areas of smooth surface elements and the structured surface elements absorb light more strongly than the basic hatching.

[0002] Such a vehicle tire is known, for example, from DE 10 2016 218 487 A1. In this vehicle tire, the structured surface elements ("second surface structured surface elements") and the basic hatching ("first surface structured surface elements") are components of polygonal decorative surfaces. The smooth surface elements form a net-like pattern with a multitude of intersecting, elongated ribs that define the decorative surfaces. The structured surface elements, which represent a copy or a shadow of the smooth surface elements, are located within the decorative surfaces and have a surface structure that is either a surface roughness or consists of a multitude of point-like three-dimensional elements or a multitude of parallel hatching ribs.In the described embodiments, the basic hatching is formed from hatching ribs that run without branching or crossings. The side wall decoration creates a depth effect and is suitable for relatively large areas of side walls.

[0003] From DE 10 2016 218 486 A1, a vehicle pneumatic tire is known with a sidewall featuring a sidewall decoration consisting of structured surface elements ("second type of hatching surface element"), a base hatching ("first type of hatching surface element"), and smooth surface elements. The smooth surface elements form a net-like pattern with a multitude of intersecting, elongated ribs. The structured surface elements represent a copy or a shadow of the smooth surface elements and are located within decorative areas. The base hatching and the surface elements each comprise a multitude of parallel hatching ribs ("raised areas"), the density of the hatching ribs in the base hatching being lower than the density of the hatching ribs in the structured surface elements.The hatching ribs each have flanks that are perpendicular to the side wall, the angle of the flanks of the hatching ribs of the basic hatching being 35° to 50°, in particular up to 45°, and the angle of the flanks of the hatching ribs of the structured surface elements being at least 10°, in particular at least 20°, greater than the angle of the flanks of the hatching ribs of the basic hatching. Such hatching ribs are intended to ensure good contrast.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2019 207 943 A1 discloses a pneumatic tire for vehicles with a sidewall featuring a sidewall decoration consisting exclusively of structured surface elements. These structured surface elements have parallel hatched ribs, each formed as a branched rib pattern with intersections, the rib pattern extending from each intersection in four directions.

[0005] EP 3 722 112 A1 discloses a vehicle tire with a sidewall featuring a sidewall decoration consisting of first and second structured surface elements, each with a contrasting structure, wherein the second structured surface elements absorb light more strongly than the first structured surface elements. The contrasting structure of the second structured surface elements has ribs that run parallel to each other with respect to their longitudinal direction and are each composed of alternating successive first and second star-shaped projections, each with six projection arms. In cross-section, the projection arms are isosceles triangular and have a flattened tip. Viewed from above, the second star-shaped projections are oriented rotated by 90° relative to the first star-shaped projections.The contrast structure of the first structured surface elements differs from that of the second structured surface elements in that the distance between the star-shaped elevations from adjacent ribs is greater, so that the elevations are arranged in different "densities".

[0006] The three-dimensional effect (plastic effect) of the sidewall decorations currently found on vehicle tires is limited. The perceived three-dimensional effect depends heavily on the type of light incidence and the viewing angle, i.e., the position of the viewer.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a large-area sidewall decoration on a vehicle pneumatic tire of the type mentioned above, which is at least largely independent of the type of light incidence and the viewing angle and has a particularly striking three-dimensional effect.

[0008] The problem set out in the invention is solved by providing the structured surface elements with a surface-covering contrast structure with branched ribs, wherein each branched rib has intersection points from which the rib extends in at least three directions, wherein each rib is part of an uneven mountain and valley structure formed from the rib and adjacent, closed-ending valleys.

[0009] Alternatively, the object of the invention is solved by providing the structured surface elements with a surface-covering contrast structure with branched ribs, wherein each branched rib has intersection points from which the rib extends in at least three directions, wherein the ribs are elongated in one direction and run parallel to each other in plan view with respect to their longitudinal extension direction, and wherein the hatching ribs of the basic hatching have rib flanks which run at a first angle relative to a perpendicular to the side wall, wherein the rib has rib flanks which run at a second angle relative to a perpendicular to the side wall, wherein the first angle is at least 250%, preferably at least 300%, of the second angle.

[0010] Such ribbed textures give the structured surface elements largely direction-independent light reflection and absorption properties, so that the surface elements are perceived almost without exception as dark surfaces. The three-dimensional effect of the side panel decoration is thus at least essentially independent of the type of light incidence and the viewing angle, which enables a large-area side panel decoration with the desired light reflection and absorption properties.

[0011] The irregular peak and valley structure creates a particularly strong contrast effect, independent of direction. This pronounced contrast is also due to the fact that it can be molded in a virtually flawless state during vulcanization. On the inside of the vulcanization mold's sidewall, a single, laser-cut, continuous groove structure forms the ribbed pattern. The appropriate rubber compound can be very effectively molded into this groove structure during vulcanization, so that the groove is completely or almost completely filled with the rubber compound. As a result, air pockets are avoided, and the vulcanization mold can be completely or almost completely vented, ensuring that the irregular peak and valley structure is formed in a flawless state.

[0012] The ribbed textures, which are elongated in one direction and run parallel to each other in plan view with respect to their longitudinal direction, are ideally suited for large-area side wall decorations.

[0013] Furthermore, the "steep" rib flanks of the rib pattern, as provided in the alternative solution, reflect significantly less light than the "flat" rib flanks of the hatching ribs in the base hatching. This contributes to a further improvement in the contrast effect.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, each rib extends from the intersections in exactly three directions. The rib thus provides a multitude of rib flanks running in different directions, at which light incident from all possible directions is scattered, reflected multiple times, and absorbed, resulting in a particularly high contrast effect independent of the viewing angle. From all viewing angles, the structured surface elements therefore appear particularly dark, and the sidewall decoration exhibits exceptional contrast. Additionally, shadow effects occur that, especially on the black rubber of the vehicle tire, further enhance the visibility of the sidewall decoration.

[0015] The following section discusses preferred, combinable variants belonging to the second alternative solution.

[0016] In a first preferred variant, each rib pattern, viewed from above, consists of alternating ribs running in a regular zigzag pattern and straight ribs branching off from these. Such rib patterns are also ideally suited for large-area side panel decorations.

[0017] A second preferred variant, related to the design of the base hatching, is characterized in that the hatching ribs of the base hatching have a first mutual spacing at their base, and the parallel rib lines have a second mutual clear spacing, wherein the first spacing is at least 150% of the second spacing. The rib lines of the contrast structure are therefore arranged more densely than the hatching ribs of the base hatching. Due to the selected spacing, the light absorption and light reflection properties of the base hatching differ from those of the surface-covering contrast structure of the structured surface elements, which features the rib lines, in such a way that the three-dimensional effect of the side wall decoration is particularly well realized.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the first alternative solution to the problem consists of a contrast structure formed from joined contrast structure cells with identical top-view shapes, each containing a non-uniform peak and valley structure. The contrast structure exhibits valleys defining the grid along the mutual connection points of the contrast structure cells. The non-uniform peak and valley structure extends to the grid-defining valleys, and the closed-ended valleys originate from the grid-defining valleys. By repeating (multiplying) such contrast structure cells, the contrast structure can be scaled to any desired size and is therefore ideally suited for areas of varying sizes.

[0019] Another preferred embodiment of the first alternative solution to the problem is characterized in that the hatching ribs of the basic hatching have rib flanks which run at a first angle relative to a perpendicular to the side wall, wherein the rib pattern, which is part of a non-uniform peak and valley structure, has rib flanks which run at a second angle to a perpendicular to the side wall at a multitude of locations, the first angle being at least 200%, preferably at least 250%, and particularly preferably at least 300%, of the second angle. The "steep" rib flanks of the rib pattern reflect significantly less light than the "shallow" rib flanks of the hatching ribs of the basic hatching. This contributes to a further improvement in the contrast effect.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, the structured surface elements and the basic hatching are each formed within polygonal decorative surfaces, between which a net-like pattern with elongated ribs, formed from the smooth surface elements, runs, at least in sections irregularly.

[0021] In the latter preferred embodiment, the polygonal decorative surfaces each consist of a single structured surface element and a one- or multi-part surface element forming a part of the basic hatching.

[0022] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the structured surface elements are offset in such a way as to correspond to the smooth surface elements that the shadows cast by the structured surface elements reflect a light source coming from a single direction.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the structured surface elements are decorative surfaces, in particular decorative surfaces of various shapes, wherein the area(s) of the side wall decoration free from structured surface elements and smooth surface elements is / are occupied by the basic hatching.

[0024] In the latter preferred embodiment, it is advantageous to provide pairs consisting of one structured surface element and one smooth surface element, wherein the surface elements belonging to a pair are formed adjacent to each other, in particular abutting each other, with the smooth surface element projecting into the structured surface element in such a way that the structured surface element appears as a shadow receding into the background compared to the smooth surface element. This enables a particularly realistic three-dimensional effect of the side wall decoration.

[0025] 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. These show Fig. 1 a schematic view of a circumferential section of a sidewall of a vehicle tire with a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 an enlarged section along line II-II of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 an enlarged oblique view in the area of ​​a structured surface element, Fig. 4 a top view in the area of ​​the surface element from Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 an enlarged top view in the area of ​​another structured surface element, Fig. 6 a further enlarged oblique view of a surface element made of Fig. 5 belonging contrast structure cell Fig. 7 a top view of the contrast structure cell from Fig. 6 , where a section along a height surface F is shown and Fig. 8 a schematic view of a circumferential section of a side wall of a vehicle tire with a second embodiment of the invention.

[0026] The invention relates to a sidewall decoration formed on the outer surface of a sidewall of a vehicle tire, in particular a pneumatic vehicle tire.

[0027] The sidewalls of vehicle tires typically display required information such as tire dimensions, speed rating, manufacturer, tire designation, intended use (summer / winter tire), and similar details. This information is usually found on smooth areas of the sidewall. A certain amount of unused space remains on the sidewalls, which may feature a decorative sidewall design.

[0028] Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a projection onto a plane of a circumferential section of a side wall 1. A side wall decoration 2 is formed on the side wall 1, extending at least over a circumferential section of the side wall 1. The side wall decoration 2 comprises unstructured, smooth surface elements 3, surface-structured surface elements 4 with a contrasting structure applied across the entire surface, and a basic hatching 5 adjacent to the surface elements 3 and 4. The structured surface elements 4 are designed to absorb significantly more light than the basic hatching 5 and therefore appear darker when viewed from the side wall 1.

[0029] At the in Fig. 1 In the illustrated version, both the structured surface elements 4 and the basic hatching 5 are components of polygonal, structured decorative surfaces 6 with rounded corners, in particular with three to five rounded corners. The decorative surfaces 6 are located in shallow recesses 7 formed in the side wall 1 opposite the smooth surface elements 3 (cf. Fig. 2 The recesses 7, and thus the decorative surfaces 6, are bounded at the level of the smooth surface elements 3 by edges 9. Each decorative surface 6 consists of a single one of the aforementioned structured surface elements 4 and a one- or multi-part, in particular two- or three-part, surface element 5a forming a portion of the base hatching 5. Connecting recesses 8, up to 0.5 mm wide, can run between the decorative surfaces 6 in plan view, in which the base hatching 5 is continued.

[0030] The smooth surface elements 3 form a net-like pattern that is at least partially irregular, with a multitude of intersecting, elongated ribs 3a that define the decorative surfaces 6. Since the pattern formed is at least partially irregular, decorative surfaces 6 with different shapes are present.

[0031] The structured surface elements 4 of the decorative surfaces 6 represent a copy or a shadow of a portion of the net-like pattern formed by the smooth surface elements 3 that borders the respective decorative surface 6. The structured surface elements 4 are slightly offset both in and across the circumferential direction relative to the corresponding portion of the net-like pattern. This offset is designed to simulate the formation of a shadow caused by a light source coming from a specific direction (indicated by arrow P1). In the case of a "copy," the dimensions of the structured surface element 4 correspond to the dimensions of the respective portion of the net-like pattern. In the case of a "shadow," the shape of the structured surface element 4 is distorted relative to the respective portion of the net-like pattern, resulting in a difference in size and dimensions.

[0032] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a cross-section in the area of ​​the basic hatching 5, i.e., in the area of ​​a surface element 5a. The surface elements 5a are each formed from hatching ribs 10 located in the associated depression 7, which run without branching or crossings, according to Fig. 1 In the exemplary embodiment, the lines in the top view are straight, parallel to each other, and run at an angle α of 30° to 50° to the circumferential direction. The angle α is determined with respect to a tangent that is locally applied to a circumferential line L. According to Fig. 2 The depression 7 has a constant depth tv of 0.30 mm to 1.00 mm, measured perpendicular to the level of the smooth surface elements 3, and a bottom 7a extending along the depth tv. The hatching ribs 10 extend perpendicularly outwards from the bottom 7a, have a height hSR of 0.15 mm to 0.35 mm, particularly of 0.20 mm to 0.30 mm, and are at most 100% of the depth tv of the depression 7. Viewed in cross-section perpendicular to their direction of extension (cf. position of line II-II in Fig. 1 The hatching ribs 10 have corresponding shapes, in the exemplary embodiment the shape of isosceles triangles with a flattened apex and a width bSR of preferably 0.07 mm to 0.12 mm. Each hatching rib is provided with two lateral rib flanks 10a, which, viewed in the aforementioned cross-section, extend perpendicular to the side wall 1 at correspondingly large angles β of 15° to 45°, in particular at least 20°, preferably at least 30°. The hatching ribs 10 can connect directly to each other at their base on the bottom 7a; in the illustrated embodiment, they have a mutual distance aSR of 0.50 mm to 0.70 mm at their base.

[0033] Fig. 3 und Fig. 4 show a section of a structured surface element 4 with a surface-covering contrast structure according to a first variant and Fig. 5 shows a section of a structured surface element 4 with a surface-covering contrast structure according to a second variant.

[0034] At the in Fig. 3 und Fig. 4 In the variant shown, the structured surface element 4 has a contrasting structure of adjacent, elongated, branching ribs 11, which extend from the bottom 7a of the depression 7 ( Fig. 3 ) rise. Each rib section 11 has a plurality of intersection points K 1, from which the rib section 11 extends in three directions. In plan view, each rib section 11 consists of alternating ribs 11a, 11b running in a regular zigzag pattern, and lateral ribs 11c branching off from these, which run straight in plan view. According to Fig. 4 Each rib 11 has a longitudinal extension direction ER following its ribs 11a, 11b in plan view, which in the illustrated embodiment is a straight line, wherein the rib 11 run parallel to each other with respect to the longitudinal extension direction ER. The ribs 11a, 11b each have an extension length ca (rib 11a), cb (rib 11b) determined along their centerline m R, wherein the extension lengths ca , cb are preferably equal to each other and are 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, in particular 0.25 mm to 0.30 mm.

[0035] Between successive ribs 11a, 11b an inner corner region 12 and an outer corner region 13 are formed, wherein the ribs 11a, 11b enclose an interior angle γ of 70° to 120° with each other at the inner corner regions 12.

[0036] From those inner corner regions 12 which are located on the same side of the successive ribs 11a, 11b, one of the lateral ribs 11c branches off, wherein the lateral ribs 11c each have an extension length cc of 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm, preferably of 0.25 mm to 0.40 mm, determined along their center line mc.

[0037] The rib sections 11 running side by side within a structured surface element 4 are offset from one another in their longitudinal direction ER such that, viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction ER, a rib 11a from one rib section 11 runs next to a rib 11b from the adjacent rib section 11, and the lateral ribs 11c each point towards an inner corner region 12 of the adjacent rib section 11. Between mutually facing outer corner regions 13 of adjacent rib sections 11, there is a clear distance aR of 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm.

[0038] According to Fig. 3 The ribs 11a, 11b, 11c have a substantially triangular cross-section, a flattened saddle region 11d and two rib flanks 11e sloping towards the bottom 7a of the depression 7, which are each at an angle ε (in) relative to a perpendicular to the bottom 7a. Fig. 3 (indicated) run from 2° to 15°, especially from 10° to 12°. The ribs 11 have a maximum height h R of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm, determined perpendicular to the ground 7a, and a maximum depth tv of 100% ( Fig. 2 ) of the depression 7. The aforementioned saddle area 11d can be formed as a narrow plateau, 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm wide, extending continuously over all ribs 11a, 11b, 11c. In an alternative embodiment, the saddle area 11d is a rounded section between the upper ends of the respective rib flanks 11e.

[0039] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows another variant of the contrast structure of a structured surface element 4, in which a square grid (square lattice) with grid lines r is shown. The contrast structure consists of a multitude of essentially identical contrast structure cells 14, which in the exemplary embodiment are square in plan view with respect to their outer perimeter and are arranged in a checkerboard pattern with an edge length c of 700.0 µm to 1200.0 µm relative to the grid lines r. Each contrast structure cell 14 has a non-uniform peak and valley structure 15 (cf. Figure 1). Fig. 6 ) where the mountain and valley structures 15 - corresponding to the substantially identically executed contrast structure cells 14 - are also substantially identically executed.

[0040] The term "essentially identical mountain and valley structures 15" refers, firstly, to those created directly on the sidewall 1 using a software-controlled laser as "matching" structures. Secondly, it refers to those created during vulcanization by a corresponding laser engraving located on the inside of the side shell, where the laser engraving comprises a multitude of adjacent engraving areas, each created as "matching" structures using a software-controlled laser. Due to the melting and vaporization processes occurring during laser engraving, currently available methods cannot produce identical (100% matching) mountain and valley structures 15 on sidewalls."Essentially identical" therefore refers to deviations occurring within the technical tolerance limits of the manufacturing process (software-controlled laser engraving).

[0041] The contrast structure also features intersecting valleys 16 running along the grid lines r, which together form a grid-like valley grid, preferably visible to the naked eye.

[0042] The irregular mountain and valley structure 15 of each contrast structure cell 14 is surrounded by the respective sections of the valleys 16, with the sub-areas of the corresponding four valleys 16 adjacent to the respective grid lines r being located within each contrast structure cell 14. The irregular mountain and valley structure 15 is formed so comprehensively within the associated contrast structure cell 14 that the mountain and valley structure 15 extends to the sub-areas of the respective four valleys 16 and therefore borders these sub-areas over their entire surface.

[0043] The arrangement of the contrast structure cells 14 and the design of the uneven mountain and valley structures 15 are such that the uneven mountain and valley structures 15, viewed from above, can be transformed into one another by (rotation-free) parallel displacement.

[0044] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a schematic, simplified oblique view of an idealized, irregular mountain and valley structure 15. The mountain and valley structure 15 consists of a single, continuous, irregular, multiply branched ridge 15a and a number of valleys 15b, which originate from the valleys 16 of the valley grid surrounding the mountain and valley structure 15 and terminate in a closed form in the "interior" of the ridge 15a (cf. Figure 1). Fig. 5 ). The valleys 15b are therefore designed as "dead ends", so that there are no valley basins (enclosed) surrounded by sections of the ridge 15a. Viewed from above, the valleys 15b are, starting from their end located at the respective valley 16, unevenly elongated and possibly branched negatives ( Fig. 5 Preferably, at least one of the closed-ended valleys 15b originates from at least two, and in particular at least three, of the four valleys 16.

[0045] The rib structure 15a has a number of T- or Y-shaped intersections K 2 in plan view, wherein the intersections K 2 are the only intersections of the rib structure 15a and wherein, in particular, three to seven intersections K 2 are provided. The rib structure 15a has a maximum height h max (height at the highest point(s)) of 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm, determined relative to and perpendicular to the base 7a.

[0046] The rib assembly 15a further comprises a single saddle region 15a 1 and a number of unevenly curved rib flanks 15a 2, wherein the rib flanks 15a 2 extend from the saddle region 15a 1, run towards the base 7a and converge circumferentially at the free ends of the rib assembly 15a. Fig. 6 An exemplary section plane E1 perpendicular to the ground 7a is shown in the area of ​​a rib flank 15a2. The section plane E1 has a curved section line L1 with the respective rib flank 15a2. The rib flank 15a2 runs such that a straight auxiliary line L2 connecting the ends of the section line L1 forms an angle δ of 5° to 20° with a reference line L3 perpendicular to the ground 7a and intersecting the auxiliary line L2. A multitude of section planes E1 can be drawn in the area of ​​the rib flanks 15a2, resulting in an angle δ of 5° to 20° that defines the inclination of the rib flanks 15a2.

[0047] In Fig. 6 An elevation surface F running parallel to the ground 7a is indicated. The elevation surface F intersects the mountain and valley structure 15 and runs at a height h F determined perpendicular to the ground 7a, which is 50% of the maximum height h max. The elevation surface F has an elevation area f in each contrast structure cell 14, which in plan view is bounded by the corresponding sections of the respective grid lines r. Fig. 7 ) on. How Fig. 7 The rib structure 15a, together with the height surface area f, shows a single (connected) in Fig. 7 The hatched section surface s is thus part of the associated elevation area f. In the area of ​​the section surface s, the elevation area f is penetrated by the rib 15a.

[0048] The cross-sectional area s occupies 40% to 60% of the elevation area f. Each closed-ended valley 15b has a valley surface t adjacent to the cross-sectional area s within the elevation area f. In the area of ​​each valley surface t, the ridge 15a has a multitude of locations where the straight distance a, determined as the minimum distance, between opposing parts of the ridge 15a is 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm.

[0049] Is the comprehensive contrast structure provided according to the first variant ( Fig. 3, Fig. 4 ), the angle β is ( Fig. 2 ), under which the rib flanks 10a of the hatching ribs 10 of the basic hatching 5 run, at least 250%, preferably at least 300%, of the angle ε ( Fig. 3 ), under which the rib flanks 11e of the rib group 11 run.

[0050] Is the comprehensive contrast structure provided according to the second variant? Fig. 5 , Fig. 6 ), the angle β is ( Fig. 2 ), under which the rib flanks 10a of the hatching ribs 10 of the basic hatching 5 run, at least 200%, preferably at least 250%, particularly preferably at least 300%, of the angle δ ( Fig. 6 ), which characterizes the inclination of the rib flanks 15a 2.

[0051] The distance a SR ( Fig. 2 ), which is located between the hatching ribs 10 of the basic hatching 5, is at least 150% of the distance a R ( Fig. 4 ), which is located between the hatching ribs 11, or the distance a ( Fig. 7 ), which is located in the area of ​​rib 15a.

[0052] At the in Fig. 8 In the illustrated version, the structured surface elements 4 are snowflake-shaped, structured decorative surfaces of various snowflake shapes, wherein the surface elements 4 are each located in recesses 17 formed in the side wall 1 opposite the level of the smooth surface elements 3, which are analogous to the recesses 7 ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2 The smooth surface elements 3 are snowflake-shaped, smooth decorative surfaces of various snowflake shapes, preferably each at least partially adjoining one of the surface elements 4. The area(s) of the side wall decoration 2 that is not provided with smooth surface elements 3 or surface elements 4 is / are covered by the basic hatching 5. The basic hatching 5 thus adjoins the surface elements 3 and 4, extending within the area of ​​the side wall decoration 2 to the surface elements 3 and 4. The basic hatching 5 is analogous to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 executed.

[0053] The majority of surface elements 3 and 4 are arranged in pairs and offset from each other in such a way that each structured surface element 4 casts a shadow of at least a portion of its corresponding surface element 3. Specifically, the surface elements 3 and 4 belonging to a pair are adjacent to each other, with the snowflake shape of the smooth surface element 3 projecting into the snowflake shape of the structured surface element 4, thus "overlapping" it, so that the structured surface element 4 appears as a shadow that recedes into the background relative to the smooth surface element 3.

[0054] The contrast structure of the structured surface elements 4 corresponds to one of the variants as described in connection with Fig. 3 bis Fig. 7 as explained, were carried out.

[0055] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0056] In particular, the branched rib patterns can extend from intersection points in more than three, especially four or five, directions. Reference symbol list

[0057] 1 Side wall 2 Side wall decor 3 Smooth surface element 3a Web 4 Structured surface element 5 Base hatching 5a Surface element 6 Decor surface 7 Recess 7a Bottom 8 Connection recess 9 Edge 10 Hatched rib 10a Rib flank 11 Rib section 11a, 11b Rib 11c Side rib 11d Saddle area 11e Rib flank 12 Inside corner area 13 Outside corner area 14 Contrast structure cell 15 Peak and valley structure 15a Rib section 15a 1 Saddle area 15a 2 Rib flank 15b Valley 16 Valley 17 Recess a, a R , a SR Spacing b SR Width c Edge length ca , cb , cc Extension length E 1 Section plane ER Longitudinal extension direction f Height surface area FH elevation h SR , h R , h F height h max maximum height K 1 , K 2 intersection point L line L 1 section line L 2 auxiliary line L 3 reference line mc , m R center line P 1 arrow r grid line s section surface t valley surface tv depth α, β, δ, ε angle γ interior angle

Claims

1. Vehicle tyre having a sidewall (1) with at least one sidewall decoration (2) that extends at least over a circumferential portion of the sidewall (1) and is made up of structured surface elements (4), smooth surface elements (3) and base hatching (5) that adjoins these surface elements (3, 4) and is made up of hatching ribs (10) that extend without branching and intersecting, wherein the structured surface elements (4) reproduce a copy or a shadow at least of partial regions of smooth surface elements (3), and the structured surface elements (4) absorb light to a greater extent than the base hatching (5), characterized in that the structured surface elements (4) are each provided with an area-covering contrast structure with branched rib portions (15a), wherein each branched rib portion (15a) has intersection points (K2) from which the rib portion (15a) respectively extends in at least three directions, wherein each rib portion (15a) is a constituent part of an irregular peak and trough structure (15) which is formed by the rib portion (15a) and closed-ended troughs (15b) adjoining the latter.

2. Vehicle tyre having a sidewall (1) with at least one sidewall decoration (2) that extends at least over a circumferential portion of the sidewall (1) and is made up of structured surface elements (4), smooth surface elements (3) and base hatching (5) that adjoins these surface elements (3, 4) and is made up of hatching ribs (10) that extend without branching and intersecting, wherein the structured surface elements (4) reproduce a copy or a shadow at least of partial regions of smooth surface elements (3), and the structured surface elements (4) absorb light to a greater extent than the base hatching (5), characterized in that the structured surface elements (4) are each provided with an area-covering contrast structure with branched rib portions (11), wherein each branched rib portion (11) has intersection points (K1) from which the rib portion (11) respectively extends in at least three directions, wherein the rib portions (11) are elongate in one direction and extend parallel to one another in plan view with respect to their direction of longitudinal extent (ER) and wherein the hatching ribs (10) of the base hatching (5) have rib flanks (10a) that extend at a first angle (β) relative to a perpendicular to the sidewall (1), wherein the rib portion (11) has rib flanks (11e) that extend at a second angle (ε) relative to a perpendicular to the sidewall (1), wherein the first angle (β) is at least 250%, preferably at least 300%, of the second angle (ε).

3. Vehicle tyre according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each rib portion (11, 15a) extends from the intersection points (K1, K2) in exactly three directions.

4. Vehicle tyre according to Claim 2, characterized in that each rib portion (11), as seen in plan view, is made up of alternately successive ribs (11a, 11b) that extend in a regular zigzag shape and of ribs (11c) that branch off therefrom and extend in a straight line.

5. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the hatching ribs (10) of the base hatching (5) have, at their base, a mutual first spacing (aSR) and the rib portions (11) extending parallel to one another have a mutual clear, second spacing (aR) from one another, wherein the first spacing (aSR) is at least 150% of the second spacing (aR).

6. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contrast structure is formed by joined-together contrast structure cells (14) that have a matching shape in plan view and each have an irregular peak and trough structure (15), wherein the contrast structure has troughs (16) defining the grid pattern along the mutual connection points of the contrast structure cells (14), wherein the irregular peak and trough structure (15) reaches as far as the troughs (16) defining the grid pattern and the closed-ended troughs (15b) originate from the troughs (16) defining the grid pattern.

7. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the hatching ribs (10) of the base hatching (5) have rib flanks (10a) that extend at a first angle (β) relative to a perpendicular to the sidewall (1), wherein the rib portion (15a), which is a constituent part of an irregular peak and trough structure (15), has rib flanks (15a2) that extend at a second angle (δ) to a perpendicular to the sidewall at a multiplicity of points, wherein the first angle (β) is at least 200%, preferably at least 250%, particularly preferably at least 300%, of the second angle (δ).

8. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the structured surface elements (4) and the base hatching (5) are each formed within polygonal decorative areas (6) between which an at least partially irregular reticular pattern that is formed by the smooth surface elements (3) and has elongate webs (3a) extends.

9. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 8, characterized in that the polygonal decorative areas (6) are each made up of a single structured surface element (4) and a single- or multi-part surface element (5a) that forms a partial region of the base hatching (5).

10. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the structured surface elements (4) are formed in a uniformly offset manner with respect to the smooth surface elements (3) such that the shadows reproduced by the structured surface elements (4) reflect a light source coming from a single direction (arrow P1).

11. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the structured surface elements (4) are decorative areas, in particular decorative areas with different shapes, wherein the region(s) of the sidewall decoration (2) that is / are free of structured surface elements (4) and of smooth surface elements (3) is / are taken up by the base hatching (5).

12. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 11, characterized in that pairs made up in each case of a structured surface element (4) and a smooth surface element (3) are provided, wherein the surface elements (3, 4) belonging to a pair are formed adjacently to one another, in particular formed in a manner adjoining one another, wherein the smooth surface element (3) projects into the structured surface element (4) such that the structured surface element (4) appears to be a shadow offset into the background with respect to the smooth surface elements (3).