VEHICLE AIR TIRES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire with a tread having central tread blocks delimited by grooves, each with at least one traversing cut dividing the respective central tread block into block segments, which has a width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm and, at least in a cut region extending over part of the cut in plan view, a maximum depth of 70% to 100% of the tread depth, wherein central tread blocks are provided in which at least one cut sequence, linear in plan view, is formed from at least two additional cuts running in alignment with one another and having a width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, wherein the additional cuts belonging to the same cut sequence are formed in immediately adjacent block segments and wherein the additional cuts run at supplementary angles relative to the cut located in the same central tread block,which deviate from 90° by up to 40°.

[0002] Such a pneumatic vehicle tire is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 214 363 A1. The tread of the pneumatic vehicle tire comprises central tread blocks and shoulder-side tread blocks belonging to tread block rows. The tread blocks each contain sipes running parallel to the block edges, each with a width of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm and a maximum depth of 75% to 100% of the tread depth, as well as additional sipes ("microgrooves") arranged in linear sipe sequences, each with a width and depth of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. The sipes form supplementary angles with the additional sipes, which deviate from 90° by approximately 35°. The tire is said to exhibit equally improved dry, wet, and snow performance.

[0003] DE 10 2010 001 226 A1 discloses a pneumatic vehicle tire having a tread with central and shoulder-side profile blocks delimited by circumferential grooves and transverse grooves, one of the circumferential grooves running straight and along the tire's equatorial plane. The transverse grooves have a peripheral groove section with a depth of 40% to 60% of the maximum depth of the transverse groove and a width of 30% to 50% of the maximum width of the transverse groove. In the profile blocks adjacent to the circumferential groove running along the tire's equatorial plane, preferably three to six transverse incisions are formed, each extending in the axial direction when viewed from above, and a plurality of additional incisions each having a width of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm and a depth of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, the additional incisions extending at an angle of 40° to 60° to the circumferential direction when viewed from above.The additional sipes therefore run at supplementary angles of, for example, 50° relative to the sipes located in the same center tread block, so that they deviate from 90° by 40°. The circumferential and transverse grooves are intended to improve steering stability on snow and dry roads while maintaining good wet performance. The sipes contribute to improved steering stability. The additional sipes contribute to improving steering stability on snow with new or slightly worn treads.

[0004] WO 2023 / 274469 A1, which was published after the priority date of the present application (Article 54(3) EPC), also discloses a relevant pneumatic vehicle tire having a tread with central and shoulder-side tread blocks delimited by circumferential grooves and transverse grooves.

[0005] Furthermore, US 2010 / 0078107 A1 discloses a pneumatic vehicle tire with a tread having central profile blocks traversed by cuts extending essentially in the axial direction, each having a depth of 8.0 mm and a width of 0.6 mm. The central profile blocks are each provided with a sequence of cuts that runs linearly in plan view and is formed by an additional cut in each block segment. The additional cuts have a depth of 7.5 mm and a width of 0.6 mm and extend at supplementary angles of approximately 90° relative to the cuts.

[0006] It is therefore known to provide the tread blocks of pneumatic vehicle tires with incisions and additional incisions that run at an angle to these in plan view. This creates grip edges oriented in different directions on the tread periphery, thus improving snow and ice grip, particularly during braking, under traction loads, and when cornering forces occur. The so-called "snap-out effect" should be minimized and the tread blocks should maintain a sufficiently high rigidity for good tread abrasion resistance.The snap-out effect is the snapping back of the block segments as soon as they lose contact with the ground when the tire rolls and suddenly assume their original (non-deformed) shape, which can result in uneven wear and consequently impair the braking properties, especially on dry roads.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of further improving the balance between the snow and ice grip properties and the abrasion properties in a pneumatic vehicle tire of the type mentioned above.

[0008] The stated object is achieved according to the invention in that the incision, at least in the incision area reaching the maximum depth, viewed in cross section, has a radially outer incision section which runs at an angle of 5° to 25° to the radial direction, has a depth relative to the tread periphery in the radial direction and reaches to the tread periphery or ends at a distance from it in the radial direction of at most 1.5 mm, wherein the additional incisions have a maximum depth which is at least 1.0 mm and at most the depth of the radially outer incision section, a) wherein the central tread blocks include central tread blocks, in particular central tread blocks cut by the tire equatorial plane, which are delimited by two transverse grooves belonging to the grooves of the tread, which are inclined in the same direction to one another with respect to the circumferential direction and are not adjacent to one another, wherein the central tread blocks have block edges at the transverse grooves, wherein the incisions, viewed in plan view, run in the opposite direction to the block edges with respect to the circumferential direction, wherein the additional incisions, viewed in plan view, run in the opposite direction to the incisions with respect to the circumferential direction, and / or b) wherein the central tread blocks include semi-central tread blocks which are delimited in the circumferential direction by two transverse grooves belonging to the grooves of the tread, which are inclined in the same direction to one another with respect to the circumferential direction,wherein the semi-central profile blocks have block edges on the transverse grooves and wherein the incisions, viewed in plan view, run parallel or substantially parallel to the block edges and the additional incisions, viewed in plan view, run inclined in the circumferential direction in the opposite direction to the incisions, wherein incisions running substantially parallel to the block edges run at an angle to the axial direction which deviates from the angle at which the block edges run to the axial direction by a maximum of 5°.

[0009] The radially outer sipe section, which is significantly inclined to the radial direction, forms a "shovel structure" that significantly reduces the snap-out effect, allowing the center tread blocks to wear more evenly. The additional sipes have a depth specifically tailored to the shovel structure, thus improving snow and ice grip while maintaining a high tread block rigidity, which is advantageous in terms of reducing the snap-out effect. The abrasion properties are therefore balanced with the snow and ice grip properties in a significantly more advantageous way.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the cut, viewed in plan view, extends at an angle to the axial direction, which is preferably 10° to 60°, particularly preferably up to 50°, and wherein the additional cuts, viewed in plan view, extend at an opposite angle to the cut formed in the same central tread block with respect to the circumferential direction. Such cuts and additional cuts are advantageous for snow and ice grip properties, especially when forces act in the transverse direction, such as those that occur when cornering. Furthermore, the tread blocks have a particularly uniform stiffness, whereby the tread blocks wear more evenly.

[0011] Preferably, the maximum depth of the additional cuts is up to 2.0 mm. This measure contributes to the high rigidity of the center tread blocks, which further reduces the snap-out effect and thus further improves the wear behavior of the center tread blocks.

[0012] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the depth of the radially outer incision section is 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm. Such a "blade structure" contributes to a further reduction of the snap-out effect.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment, central tread blocks are provided which have at least one sipe sequence consisting of at least three, in particular at least four, additional sipes. This contributes to a further improvement in the balance between snow and ice grip properties and abrasion properties.

[0014] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that, in the case of central profile blocks, the additional incisions run parallel or substantially parallel to the block edges, wherein additional incisions running substantially parallel to the block edges run at an angle to the axial direction which deviates by a maximum of 5° from the angle at which the block edges run to the axial direction.

[0015] It is also advantageous if the central tread blocks each have exactly one or two additional sipes. This is particularly beneficial with regard to even wear.

[0016] Furthermore, it is further advantageous if the semi-central tread blocks each have three to eight, preferably four to seven, particularly preferably five or six, sequences of additional incisions. This is particularly advantageous with regard to uniform wear.

[0017] A preferred embodiment variant, in which central and / or semi-central profile blocks are provided, is characterized in that the tread is designed in a directional manner, wherein the central profile blocks or the semi-central profile blocks each have an incoming block edge and a outgoing block edge on the transverse grooves which first enter the ground when the tire rolls forwards, and wherein the central profile blocks or the semi-central profile blocks have two opposing acute-angled block corner areas and two opposing obtuse-angled block corner areas, wherein the incisions in semi-central profile blocks are designed such that the radially outer incision section is inclined from its radially inner end to the incoming block edge and wherein the incisions in central profile blocks are designed such that the radially outer incision section is inclined from its radially inner end to the incoming acute-angled block corner region.

[0018] These designs ensure that the shovel-like grooves engage particularly effectively with the ground when the tire rolls on snow and / or ice. Furthermore, this design is also beneficial for even wear.

[0019] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the tread has shoulder-side profile blocks, each of which is provided with at least one cut that crosses the respective shoulder-side profile block and divides it into block segments, which cut has a width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm and, at least in a cut area extending over part of the cut in plan view, a maximum depth of 70% to 100% of the profile depth, wherein the cuts, at least in the cut area extending to the maximum depth, viewed in cross-section, have a radially outer cut section that runs at an angle of 5° to 25° to the radial direction, extends to the tread periphery or ends at a distance of at most 1.5 mm from this, determined in a radial direction, wherein shoulder-side profile blocks are provided,which each have at least one incision sequence which runs linearly in plan view and consists of at least two microgroove-like additional incisions which run in alignment with one another and have a width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably of up to 0.6 mm, and a constant depth of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, in particular of up to 1.0 mm, determined in the radial direction, wherein the microgroove-like additional incisions belonging to the same incision sequence are formed in immediately adjacent block segments and wherein the microgroove-like additional incisions run at supplementary angles relative to the incision located in the same shoulder-side profile block which deviate from 90° by up to 40°.

[0020] Shoulder-side tread blocks designed in this way are a particularly advantageous addition to the middle tread blocks, as they have an analogous effect in terms of abrasion and snow and ice grip properties.

[0021] In the latter preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if the additional incisions, viewed in plan view, are inclined in the same direction as the incisions with respect to the circumferential direction.

[0022] For the effect of the radially outer notch section forming the blade structure, it is advantageous if the angle at which the radially outer notch section runs is 10° to 20°.

[0023] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the distance at which the radially outer cut section ends to the tread periphery is at least 0.3 mm.

[0024] 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 section of a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire with an embodiment variant of the invention, Fig. 2 an enlarged plan view of a semi-central profile block of the tread of the pneumatic vehicle tire from Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a further enlarged plan view of the detail Z 3 of the Fig. 2 , Fig. 4 a section along line IV-IV of the Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a section along the line VV of the Fig. 3 , Fig. 6 a section along the line VI-VI of the Fig. 3 , Fig. 7 a plan view of a central profile block of the tread of the pneumatic vehicle tire from Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 a plan view of a shoulder-side profile block of the tread of the pneumatic vehicle tire from Fig. 1 .

[0025] Pneumatic 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 tires of radial design for rims with a rim diameter of 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 inches.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an arcuate positive profile section of a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire. The positive profile section comprises a semi-central profile block 1, a central profile block 1', and a shoulder-side profile block 1", wherein the profile blocks 1, 1', 1" are jointly bounded in the circumferential direction by two transverse grooves 2. The tread has a plurality of such positive profile sections in the tread half shown. The tire equatorial plane is marked by a line AA, and one lateral edge of the ground contact patch of the tread is marked by a line L, wherein the ground contact patch corresponds to the statically determined footprint (determined with a tire mounted on a standard rim, loaded at 70% of the maximum load capacity, internal pressure 85% of the standard pressure, according to ETRTO standards).The tread is designed to be directional, whereby the pneumatic vehicle tire is to be mounted on a vehicle, for example a passenger car, in such a way that it has the rolling direction symbolized by the arrow R when driving forward. Preferably, a plurality of positive profile sections are also formed in the second tread half, whereby the positive profile sections extend overall in a V-shape across the tread width and the positive profile sections located in one tread half are offset in the circumferential direction from the positive profile sections located in the other tread half.

[0027] The transverse grooves 2 each have a groove center line m QR which, in plan view, follows the groove course, are radially tapered to the respective intended profile depth TP (in Fig. 4 indicated) of usually 6.5 mm to 12.0 mm, furthermore have at their narrowest point a width of at least 3.0 mm, in particular of at least 4.0 mm, determined in plan view perpendicular to the groove center line m QR, run - viewed in plan view and in relation to a straight auxiliary line h 1 connecting the ends of the respective groove center line m QR - to the circumferential direction at an angle α of 50° to 70° and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, are each composed of a groove section 2a on the inside of the tread which is curved in plan view and a shoulder-side groove section 2b which is more inclined to the circumferential direction than the groove section 2a on the inside of the tread and which has a barely perceptible curve.

[0028] Between circumferentially adjacent transverse grooves 2 there is a groove 3a formed further on the inside of the tread, which separates the central profile block 1' from the semi-central profile block 1, and a groove 3b formed further on the outside of the tread, which separates the semi-central profile block 1 from the shoulder-side profile block 1". According to Fig. 2 the grooves 3a, 3b each have a groove center line m R , a constant width b R of 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm determined in plan view perpendicular to the groove center line m R and a constant depth of 30% to 70% of the profile depth TP ( Fig. 4 ), wherein the grooves 3a, 3b, viewed in plan view, run straight between the groove sections 2a on the inside of the tread, each at an angle β of 5° to 35°, in particular of up to 15°, to the circumferential direction and inclined in the opposite direction to the groove sections 2a on the inside of the tread with respect to the circumferential direction.

[0029] How Fig. 1 further shows, the profile blocks 1, 1', 1" each have an outer block surface 4 located in the tread periphery, an incoming block edge 5 formed on one transverse groove 2, co-delimiting the outer block surface 4, which first enters the ground when the tire rolls during forward travel (arrow R), an outgoing block edge 6 located on the other transverse groove 2, co-delimiting the outer block surface 4 and a maximum block width b B determined in plan view perpendicular to and between the block edges 5, 6 ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 , width at the widest point). The block edges 5, 6 are curved when viewed from above - analogous to the transverse grooves 2 - whereby the determination of the maximum block width b B ( Fig. 2 , Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 ) perpendicularly between tangents applied to the block edges 5, 6 and running parallel to each other (tangents not shown).

[0030] According to Fig. 2 the semi-central tread block 1, in plan view, essentially has the shape of a parallelogram elongated in the axial direction, has two opposing acute-angled block corner areas 1a, 1b - namely an incoming, acute-angled block corner area 1a which first enters the ground when the tire rolls during forward travel (arrow R) and an outgoing, acute-angled block corner area 1b - and two opposing obtuse-angled block corner areas 1c. At the acute-angled block corner areas 1a, 1b, the respective transverse groove 2 forms an acute angle γ with the groove 3a or 3b, determined over the semi-central tread block 1 and related to the groove center lines m QR , m R (shown exclusively for groove 3b). At the obtuse-angled block corner areas 1c, the respective transverse groove 2 terminates with the groove 3a or3b an obtuse angle δ determined over the semi-central profile block 1 and related to the groove centre lines m QR , m R (shown exclusively for groove 3a).

[0031] The semi-central profile block 1 is traversed by three incisions 7a, 7b which, in plan view, extend longitudinally of the profile block 1 and are parallel to one another - namely two edge incisions 7a and a central incision 7b lying between them -, each incision 7a, 7b opening into the grooves 3a, 3b, an incision centre line m E which, in plan view, follows the course of the incision, a constant width b E determined perpendicular to the incision centre line m E of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, in particular of up to 0.8 mm, and in the radial direction a maximum depth t E (depth at the deepest point, Fig. 4 : shown for cut 7a) from 70% to 100% of the profile depth TP ( Fig. 4 ), in particular of a maximum of the profile depth TP reduced by 0.5 mm. The incisions 7a, 7b are arranged so as to be evenly or essentially evenly distributed over the maximum block width b B that the middle incision 7b has a distance a E to each edge incision 7a - based on the incision center lines m E - determined in plan view perpendicular to the incision center lines m E and the edge incisions 7a - based on the incision center line m E - each have a distance a E to the nearest block edge 5, 6, determined in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E as the smallest possible distance, wherein the distances a E are each 15% to 35%, in particular 20% to 30%, of the maximum block width b B. The distances a E are determined perpendicularly between tangents which run parallel to one another and are applied to the incision center lines m E or to the block edges 5, 6.The incisions 7a, 7b provide the semi-central profile block 1 with two edge block segments 1d and two middle block segments 1e.

[0032] According to Fig. 4 is the incision 7a, 7b (shown for a marginal incision 7a, see Fig. 3 in conjunction with Fig. 2 ) is limited by two cutting walls 8 and a cutting base 9 and has a cutting centre line m E (in Fig. 4 indicates, cf. Fig. 3 ) and is spaced at the same distance from the incision walls 8. The incision 7a, 7b continues, viewed in the cross-section running perpendicular to the incision center line m E in plan view (cf. position of line IV-IV in Fig. 3 ), in the radial direction from a radially inner cut section 7 I< running in the radial direction, a radially outer cut section 7 II< and a transition section 7 III< running towards the tread periphery.

[0033] The radially outer incision section 7 II< runs, viewed in the cross-section mentioned, straight and at an angle ε of 5° to 25°, in particular of 10° to 20°, to the radial direction, extends in the radial direction to a depth t 1 of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm, determined relative to the tread periphery and related to the incision center area ME, and has a distance a 1 of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm, determined in the radial direction, relative to the tread periphery and related to the incision center area ME. Fig. 4 in conjunction with Fig. 3 and Fig. 2 shows, the inclination of the radially outer cut section 7 II< is such that, starting from its radially inner end, it slopes towards the incoming block edge 5 ( Fig. 2 ). The radially outer incision section 7 II< therefore moves away from the incoming block edge 5 with increasing depth.

[0034] According to Fig. 2 the semi-central profile block 1 is provided with six incision sequences E 1 , E 2 , E 3 which, in plan view, are linear and run parallel to one another and consist of additional incisions 10, 10a, 11, 12 formed in the block segments 1d, 1e, wherein all additional incisions 10, 10a, 11, 12, viewed in plan view, run straight and inclined in the opposite direction to the incisions 7a, 7b with respect to the circumferential direction and wherein the additional incisions 10, 10a, 11, 12 follow one another in their longitudinal direction within each incision sequence E 1 , E 2 , E 3 and run in alignment with one another.

[0035] The incision sequences E 1 , E 2 , E 3 are formed successively in the area between the acute-angled block corner areas 1a, 1b, wherein the incision sequences E 1 , E 2 , E 3 include two edge-side incision sequences E 1 , two incision sequences E 2 lying between the edge-side incision sequences E 1 and two middle incision sequences E 3 lying between the incision sequences E 2 .

[0036] The edge block segments 1d are each provided with four additional incisions 10a traversing the block segment 1d. The middle block segments 1e are each provided with an additional incision 11, which opens into the respective adjacent edge incision 7a, is formed on the edge and closed on one side, i.e. ends on one side in the block segment 1e, an additional incision 12, which opens into the respective adjacent middle incision 7b, is formed on the edge and closed on one side, and three traversing additional incisions 10 formed in the area between the additional incision 11 closed on one side and the additional incision 12 closed on one side. The additional incision 11 is located in that edge area of ​​the respective middle block segment 1e which is closer to the acute-angled block corner area 1a or 1b of the respective adjacent edge block segment 1d.

[0037] The edge-side incision sequences E 1 are each formed from the additional incision 10a closest to the acute-angled block corner region 1a or 1b from the respective edge-side block segment 1d and the additional incision 11 from the middle block segment 1e adjacent to the respective edge-side block segment 1d. The incision sequences E 2 are each formed from an additional incision 10a from the respective edge-side block segment 1d, an additional incision 10 from the middle block segment 1e adjacent to this edge-side block segment 1d, and the corresponding additional incision 12 from the other, i.e. further, middle block segment 1e. The middle incision sequences E 3 are each formed from four additional incisions 10, 10a and therefore from one additional incision 10 from each middle block segment 1e and one additional incision 10a from each edge-side block segment 1d.

[0038] The additional incisions 10a, 10, 11, 12 each have an incision center line mz, a constant width bz determined on the block outer surface 4 in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line mz (cf. Fig. 3 : Additional incision 10a, 10, Fig. 5 : additional incision 10) of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably up to 0.8 mm, and a maximum depth tz determined in the radial direction (depth at the deepest point, Fig. 5 : Additional incision 10, Fig. 6 : additional incision 10a), with the maximum depth tz being at least 1.0 mm and at most the depth t 1 ( Fig. 4 ), preferably up to 2.0 mm. The maximum depth tz of the additional cuts 10, 11, 12 is constant. As Fig. 3 in combination with Fig. 6 shows, the additional incisions 10a each have a groove in the respective transverse groove 2 ( Fig. 2 ) opening, wheel-side additional incision section 10a 1<, which has a constant depth t Z 1< in the radial direction, which is at least 0.5 mm and is at least 0.5 mm smaller than the maximum depth tz. According to Fig. 2 Additional incisions 10a, 10, 11, 12, which are formed in the same block segment 1d, 1e and originate from immediately adjacent incision sequences E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , have mutual distances az of 4.0 mm to 15.0 mm from one another, relative to the incision center lines m Z and determined in plan view perpendicular to these, wherein the distances az preferably differ from one another by a maximum of 3.0 mm.

[0039] How Fig. 2 in combination with Fig. 3 shows, the additional incisions 10a, 10, 11, 12 run relative to the incisions 7a, 7b - related to the incision center lines m E , mz - each at two supplementary angles η (in Fig. 3 for additional incision 10a), which, as is known, add up to 180° and deviate from 90° by up to 40°, preferably by up to 35°, particularly preferably by up to 30°. Since the incision center line m E is curved, the supplementary angles η ( Fig. 3 ) are each determined relative to a tangent to the incision center line m E and passing through the mutual intersection of the incision center lines mz, m E (tangent not shown). The additional incisions 10a, 10, 11, 12 are inclined more sharply relative to the circumferential direction than the incisions 7a, 7b.

[0040] As described below with reference to Fig. 7 The central profile block 1' has incisions 7a', 7b' and additional incisions 10', 11', whereby the incisions 7a', 7b' correspond to the incisions 7a, 7b and the additional incisions 10', 11' correspond to the additional incisions 10, 11 with regard to their width b E , bz, their maximum depth t E , tz and with regard to their cross-section. The incisions 7a', 7b' therefore have the incision sections 7 I< , 7 II< and the transition section 7 III<.

[0041] According to Fig. 7 The central tread block 1', in plan view, essentially has the shape of an axially elongated parallelogram and has two opposing acute-angled block corner areas 1a', 1b' - namely, an incoming acute-angled block corner area 1a' which first enters the ground when the tire rolls forward (arrow R) and an outgoing acute-angled block corner area 1b' - and two opposing obtuse-angled block corner areas 1c'. The central tread block 1' is traversed by five incisions 7a', 7b' which, in plan view, are inclined in the opposite direction to the block edges 5, 6 with respect to the circumferential direction and run parallel to one another - namely, two edge incisions 7a' and three central incisions 7b'.The incisions 7a', 7b' are arranged so as to be evenly or substantially evenly distributed between the incoming, acute-angled block corner region 1a' and the outgoing, acute-angled block corner region 1b' that adjacent incisions 7a', 7b' - based on the incision center lines m E - have a distance a E ' from each other, determined in plan view perpendicular to the incision center lines m E, of 4.5 mm to 15.0 mm, in particular of up to 10.0 mm. The inclination of the radially outer incision section 7 II< (cf. . Fig. 4 ) of the incisions 7a', 7b' is such that, starting from its radially inner end, it is inclined toward the incoming acute-angled block corner region 1a'. The radially outer incision section 7 II< therefore moves away from the incoming acute-angled block corner region 1a' with increasing depth. The incisions 7a', 7b' provide the central profile block 1' with two edge-side block segments 1d' and four middle block segments 1e'.

[0042] The central profile block 1' is further provided with a linear incision sequence E4 in plan view consisting of additional incisions 10', 11' formed in the central block segments 1e', wherein all additional incisions 10', 11', viewed in plan view, are barely noticeably curved (arched) and inclined in the opposite direction to the incisions 7a', 7b' with respect to the circumferential direction, and wherein the additional incisions 10', 11' follow one another in their longitudinal direction and are aligned with one another.

[0043] The two middle block segments 1e' located further inside the block and immediately adjacent to one another are each provided with a traversing additional cut 1', and the two middle block segments 1e' located further outside the block are each provided with an additional cut 11' ending in a closed manner on one side, wherein the additional cut 11' adjoins the middle cut 7b' to which the corresponding traversing additional cut 10' also runs. Viewed in plan view, the additional cuts 10', 11' have a distance a Z ' of 45% to 55% of the block width b B from each block edge 5, 6, determined perpendicular to the cut center line mz, wherein the distances az' relate to a tangent to the respective cut center line mz.The additional incisions 10', 11' each extend relative to the incisions 7a', 7b' - with respect to the incision center lines m E , mz - at two supplementary angles n', which, as is known, add up to 180° and deviate from 90° by up to 40°, preferably by up to 35°, particularly preferably by up to 30°. Since the incision center line mz is curved, the supplementary angles η' relate to a tangent to the incision center line m Z and passing through the mutual intersection point of the incision center lines mz, m E (tangent not shown).

[0044] As explained in more detail below, the shoulder-side profile block 1" has incisions 7a", 7b" and microgroove-like additional incisions 10", 11", whereby the incisions 7a", 7b" correspond to the incisions 7a, 7b with regard to their width b E, their depth t E and their cross-section. The incisions 7a", 7b" therefore have the incision sections 7 I< , 7 II< and the transition section 7 III< a uf.

[0045] According to Fig. 8the shoulder-side profile block 1" is traversed by three incisions 7a", 7b" - namely two edge-side incisions 7a" and one central incision 7b" - which, in plan view with respect to the circumferential direction, are inclined in the same direction as the transverse grooves 2 and run parallel to one another within the ground contact area.The incisions 7a", 7b" are arranged so as to be evenly or substantially evenly distributed across the block width b B in such a way that the central incision 7b" has a distance a E " from each edge incision 7a" - relative to the incision center lines m E - determined in plan view perpendicular to the incision center lines m E and the edge incisions 7a" - relative to the incision center line m E - each have a distance a E " from the nearest block edge 5, 6, determined in plan view perpendicular to the incision center line m E as the smallest possible distance, wherein the distances a E " are each 15% to 35%, in particular 20% to 30%, of the maximum block width b B. The incisions 7a", 7b" provide the shoulder-side profile block 1" with two edge block segments 1d" and two middle block segments 1e".

[0046] The shoulder-side profile block 1" is further provided with two incision sequences E 5 which, in plan view, are linear and run parallel to one another and consist of microgroove-like additional incisions 10", 11" formed in the block segments 1d", 1e", wherein all additional incisions 10", 11", viewed in plan view, are barely noticeably curved and run in the same direction as the incisions 7a", 7b" with respect to the circumferential direction, and wherein the additional incisions 10", 11" follow one another in their longitudinal extent within the incision sequence E 5 and run in alignment with one another.

[0047] The middle block segments 1e" are each provided with two traversing additional incisions 10" and the edge-side block segments 1d" are each provided with an additional incision 11" ending closed on one side, wherein the additional incisions 11" adjoin the respective edge-side incision 7a". The additional incisions 10", 11", which are formed in the same block segment 1d", 1e", have mutual distances az" of 7.0 mm to 15.0 mm, based on the incision center lines mz and determined in plan view perpendicular to these, of the incisions. The additional incisions 10", 11" run relative to the incisions 7a", 7b" - based on the incision center lines m E , mz - each at two supplementary angles η", which deviate from 90° by up to 40°, preferably by up to 35°, particularly preferably by up to 30°.Since the cutting center line mz is curved, the supplementary angles η" are each determined relative to a tangent to the cutting center line mz and passing through the mutual intersection point of the cutting center lines mz, m E (tangent not shown).

[0048] The microgroove-like additional incisions 10", 11" each have a constant width bz" of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably of up to 0.6 mm, and a constant depth determined in the radial direction of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, in particular of up to 1.0 mm.

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

[0050] The tread has at least central tread blocks (semi-central tread blocks and / or central tread blocks) which are provided with cuts and additional cuts.

[0051] The additional incisions can each traverse the block segments or end on one or both sides within the block segments, wherein additional incisions are preferably provided which end on the outer surface of the block at a distance of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm in front of the respective incision or the respective block edge, measured in extension (straight additional incision) or in tangential extension (curved additional incision) of their incision center line. The additional incisions run straight or are continuously curved when viewed in plan view. The additional incisions are preferably designed to the maximum depth tz at least over the majority of their longitudinal extent in plan view and can have shallower edge sections than the other additional incisions.

[0052] The sipes formed in the central profile blocks run, viewed in plan view, at an angle to the axial direction of preferably 10° to 60°, particularly preferably up to 50°. The sipes - regardless of whether they are curved overall or straight in plan view - can have a wavy section in plan view and shallower edge sections. The angles and supplementary angles determined for such sipes that are at least partially wavy relate to a sipe centerline corresponding to the axis of the wave. The axis of the wave is known to be the line relative to which the amplitude of the wave is determined. If the sipes are curved, the angles and supplementary angles relate to tangents locally applied to the sipe centerlines.

[0053] Preferably, the additional incisions formed in central profile blocks, viewed in plan view, extend at an angle to the axial direction which deviates from the angle at which the block edges formed on the transverse grooves extend to the axial direction by a maximum of 5°, in particular by a maximum of 3°.

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferred if the incisions formed in semi-central profile blocks, viewed in plan view, extend at an angle to the axial direction which deviates from the angle at which the block edges formed on the transverse grooves extend to the axial direction by at most 5°, in particular by at most 3°.

[0055] The incisions each comprise the radially inner incision section, the radially outer incision section, and preferably also the transition section, at least in a section region that extends over a portion of the incision in plan view, and preferably extends over at least the majority of the respective incision in plan view. The transition section is therefore optional, so that the radially outer incision section can extend to the tread periphery.

[0056] The tread does not have to be directional. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 semi-central profile block 1'central profile block 1"shoulder-side profile block 1a, 1a'acute-angled block corner area 1b, 1b'acute-angled block corner area 1c, 1c'obtuse-angled block corner area 1d, 1d', 1d"edge-side block segment 1e, 1e', 1e"middle block segment 2 transverse groove 2aI tread inner groove section 2b shoulder-side groove section 3a groove 3b groove 4 block outer surface 5 incoming block edge 6 outgoing block edge 7a, 7a', 7a"edge-side cut 7b, 7b', 7b"middle cut 7 I< radially inner cut section 7 II< radially outer cut section 7 III< transition section 8 cut wall 9 cut base 10, 10a, 10', 10"Additional cut 10a 1< Additional cut section 11, 11', 11"Additional cut 12Additional cut A-A line (tire equatorial plane) a 1 , a E , a E ', a E ", a Z , a Z ,', a Z "distance b B maximum block width b E , b R , b Z ,b Z "Width E 1 edge cut sequence E 2 cut sequence E 3 middle cut sequence E 4 cut sequence E 5 cut sequence h 1 auxiliary line L line (lateral edge of the ground contact patch) m E cut center line ME cut center area m QR , m R groove center line m Z cut center line RP arrow (rolling direction) t 1 depth t E , t Z , t Z 1< maximum depth TP profile depth Z 3 detail α, β, γ, δ, ε angles η, η', η" supplementary angle,

Claims

1. Pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread with middle profile blocks (1, 1') which are delimited by channels (2, 3a, 3b) and which have in each case at least one through-crossing sipe (7a, 7a', 7b, 7b'), the latter dividing the respective middle profile block (1, 1') into block segments (1d, 1d', 1e, 1e') and having a width (bE) of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm and, at least in a sipe region extending over a part of the sipe (7a, 7a', 7b, 7b') in plan view, a maximum depth (tE) of 70% to 100% of the profile depth (TP), wherein provision is made of middle profile blocks (1, 1') in which there is formed in each case at least one sipe sequence (E1, E2, E3, E4) which is linear in plan view and is composed of at least two additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12) extending aligned with one another and having a width (bz) of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, wherein the additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12) belonging to the same sipe sequence (E1, E2, E3, E4) are formed in directly adjacent block segments (1d, 1d', 1e, 1e'), and wherein the additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12), relative to the sipe (7a, 7a', 7b, 7b') situated in the same middle profile block (1, 1'), extend at supplementary angles (η, η') which differ from 90° by up to 40°, characterized in that, at least in the sipe region extending to the maximum depth (tE), when viewed in cross section, the sipe (7a, 7a', 7b, 7b') has a radially outer sipe portion (7II) which extends at an angle (ε) of 5° to 25° to the radial direction, has a depth (t1) in the radial direction in relation to the tread periphery, and extends as far as the tread periphery or ends at a distance (a1) determined in the radial direction in relation thereto of at most 1.5 mm, wherein the additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12) have a maximum depth (tz) of at least 1.0 mm and at most the depth (t1) of the radially outer sipe portion (7II), a) wherein the middle profile blocks (1, 1') include central profile blocks (1'), in particular central profile blocks (1') intersected by the tyre equatorial plane (line A-A), which are jointly delimited by two transverse channels (2) belonging to the channels (2, 3a, 3b) of the tread and inclined in the same direction with respect to one another in relation to the circumferential direction and not adjoining one another, wherein the central profile blocks (1') have block edges (5, 6) on the transverse channels (2), wherein the sipes (7a', 7b'), when seen in plan view, extend in a manner inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the block edges (5, 6) in relation to the circumferential direction, wherein the additional sipes (10', 11'), when seen in plan view, extend in a manner inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the sipes (7a, 7b') in relation to the circumferential direction, and / or b) wherein the middle profile blocks (1, 1') include semi-central profile blocks (1) which are jointly delimited in the circumferential direction by two transverse channels (2) belonging to the channels (2, 3a, 3b) of the tread and inclined in the same direction with respect to one another in relation to the circumferential direction, wherein the semi-central profile blocks (1) have block edges (5, 6) on the transverse channels (2), and wherein the sipes (7a, 7b), when seen in plan view, extend parallel or substantially parallel to the block edges (5, 6) and the additional sipes (10, 10a, 11, 12), when seen in plan view, extend in a manner inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the sipes (7a, 7b) in relation to the circumferential direction, wherein sipes (7a, 7b) extending substantially parallel to the block edges (5, 6) extend at an angle to the axial direction that differs from the angle at which the block edges (5, 6) extend to the axial direction by at most 5°.

2. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sipe (7a, 7a', 7b, 7b'), when seen in plan view, extends at an angle to the axial direction that is preferably 10° to 60°, particularly preferably up to 50°, and wherein the additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12), when seen in plan view, extend in a manner inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the sipe (7a, 7a', 7b, 7b') formed in the same profile block (1, 1") in relation to the circumferential direction.

3. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the maximum depth (tz) of the additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12) is up to 2.0 mm.

4. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the depth (t1) of the radially outer sipe portion (7II) is 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

5. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that provision is made of middle profile blocks (1, 1') which have at least one sipe sequence (E1, E2, E3, E4) composed of at least three, in particular of at least four, additional sipes (10, 10a, 10', 11, 11', 12).

6. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, with central profile blocks (1'), the additional sipes (10', 11') extend parallel or substantially parallel to the block edges (5, 6), wherein additional sipes (10',11') extending substantially parallel to the block edges (5, 6) extend at an angle to the axial direction that differs from the angle at which the block edges (5, 6) extend to the axial direction by at most 5°.

7. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central profile blocks (1') have in each case exactly one or in each case two sipe sequence(s) (E4) composed of additional sipes (10', 11').

8. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that the semi-central profile blocks (1) have in each case three to eight, preferably four to seven, particularly preferably five or six, sipe sequences (E1, E2, E3) composed of additional sipes (10, 10a, 11, 12).

9. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tread is of directional design, wherein the central profile blocks (1') or the semi-central profile blocks (1) have at the transverse channels (2) in each case a leading block edge (5), which meets the ground first when the tyre rolls during forward travel, and a trailing block edge (6), and wherein the central profile blocks (1') or the semi-central profile blocks (1) have two mutually oppositely situated acute-angled block corner regions (1a, 1b, 1a', 1b') and two mutually oppositely situated obtuse-angled block corner regions (1c, 1c'), wherein the sipes (7a, 7b) in semi-central profile blocks (1) are formed in such a way that, proceeding from its radially inner end, the radially outer sipe portion (7II) is inclined towards the leading block edge (5), and wherein the sipes (7a', 7b') in semi-central profile blocks (1') are formed in such a way that, proceeding from its radially inner end, the radially outer sipe portion (7II) is inclined towards the leading acute-angled block corner region (1a').

10. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tread has shoulder-side profile blocks (1") in each case provided with at least one sipe (7a", 7b") which crosses through the respective shoulder-side profile block (1") and which divides the latter into block segments (1d", 1e") and which has a width (bE) of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm and, at least in a sipe region extending over a part of the sipe (7a", 7b") in plan view, a maximum depth (tE) of 70% to 100% of the profile depth (TP), wherein, at least in the sipe region extending to the maximum depth (tE), when viewed in cross section, the sipes (7a", 7b") have a radially outer sipe portion which extends at an angle of 5° to 25° to the radial direction and extends as far as the tread periphery or ends at a distance determined in the radial direction in relation thereto of at most 1.5 mm, wherein provision is made of shoulder-side profile blocks (1") which have in each case at least one sipe sequence (Es) which extends linearly in plan view and is composed of at least two microchannel-like additional sipes (10", 11") extending aligned with one another and having a width (bz") of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, preferably of up to 0.6 mm, and a constant depth, determined in a radial direction, of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, in particular of up to 1.0 mm, wherein the microchannel-like additional sipes (10", 11") belonging in each case to the same sipe sequence (Es) are formed in directly adjacent block segments (1d", 1e"), and wherein the microchannel-like additional sipes (10", 11"), relative to the sipe (7a", 7b") situated in the same shoulder-side profile block (1"), extend at supplementary angles (η") which differ from 90° by up to 40°.

11. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to Claim 10, characterized in that the additional sipes (10", 11"), when seen in plan view, extend in a manner inclined in the same direction with respect to the sipes (7a", 7b") in relation to the circumferential direction.

12. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the angle (ε) at which the radially outer sipe portion (7II) extends is 10° to 20°.

13. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the distance (a1) at which the radially outer sipe portion (7II) ends from the tread periphery is at least 0.3 mm.