Tire including a high contrast textured surface element

A high-contrast textured tire surface, created via laser-engraved metal molding, addresses the need for improved traction and grip on wet and snowy roads while preserving visual aesthetics.

FR3161388A1Active Publication Date: 2025-10-24MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2024004024
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-18
Publication Date
2025-10-24
Estimated Expiration
2044-04-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing tire surfaces lack a textured design that effectively enhances traction and grip on various road conditions, particularly in wet and snowy conditions, while maintaining a visually appealing appearance.

Method used

A high-contrast textured surface element is introduced, comprising specific blade configurations and brightness contrasts, achieved through laser-engraved metal molding elements, to create a tire surface texture that improves traction and grip.

Benefits of technology

The high-contrast textured surface element enhances tire traction and grip on diverse road conditions while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a tire (1) for a vehicle, comprising, on an outer surface of a sidewall (21) or tread (22), at least one high-contrast textured surface element (3) consisting of a texture comprising at least two families of blades (4, 5), in relief relative to the outer surface of the sidewall (21) or tread (22), and crossed together so as to form an at least two-dimensional network. According to the invention, a first family of blades comprises so-called main blades (4) having the same constant height (H1) less than or equal to 1.00 mm, two consecutive main blades (4) being spaced apart by a pitch (P1) less than or equal to 0.50 mm, and a second family of blades includes so-called secondary blades (5) having the same constant height (H2) greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 100% of the height (H1) of a main blade (4), two consecutive secondary blades (5) being spaced apart by a pitch (P2) less than or equal to 0.50 mm. Figure for the abstract: Fig.5.
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Description

[0062] [Fig.8] shows the constitution of a texture of a high contrast textured surface element 3, according to the first embodiment of the invention of [Fig.5], by superposition of a first family of main blades 4 and a second family of secondary blades 5.

[0063] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a molding element 7 intended for the implementation form by molding a high-contrast textured surface element of a tire according to the invention, in a negative complementary to the texture of the tire. The grooves 8 are intended to mold the main blades 4, while the grooves 9 are intended to mold the secondary blades 5. The metal molding element 7 is preferably produced by laser engraving.

[0064] [Fig. 10] is a top view of a molding element 7 intended for shaping by molding a high-contrast textured surface element of a tire according to the invention, in a negative complementary to the texture of the tire.

[0065] As an example, Table 1 below presents the characteristics of a high contrast texture according to the invention: [Tables 1] Characteristics Characteristic values ​​Comments Height H1 of a main blade 4 0.50 mm Less than 1.00 mm, and even 0.80 mm Greater than 0.25 mm Pitch PI between two main blades 4 0.20 mm Less than 0.50 mm, and even 0.40 mm Greater than 0.10 mm Ratio Hl / Pl between the height H1 of a main blade 4 and the pitch PI between two main blades 4 2.5 Greater than 1, and even 2 Less than 3 Height H2 of a secondary blade 5 0.40 mm Greater than 20% (=0.10 mm), and even 50% (=0.25 mm) and less than 100% (=0.50 mm) of the height H1 (=0.50 mm) Pitch P2 between two secondary blades 5 0.20 mm Less than 0.50 mm, and even 0.40 mm Greater than 0.10 mm Ratio H2 / P2 between the height H2 of a secondary blade 5 and the pitch P2 between two secondary blades 5 2 Greater than 1, and even 1.5 Less than 3, and even 2.5 Ratio H2 / H1 between the height H2 of a secondary blade 5 and the height H1 of a main blade 4 0.8

[0066] For the example described above, the texture of the high-contrast textured surface element has a first brightness L*1, equal to 8, therefore less than 15, and even 10, whereas the smooth surface portion adjacent to the high-contrast textured surface element has a second brightness L*2 equal to 20, therefore greater than L*1+5 = 13 and even equal to L*1+12=20.

Claims

Claims

1. A tire (1) for a vehicle, comprising, on an outer surface of a sidewall (21) or tread (22), at least one high-contrast textured surface element (3) consisting of a texture comprising at least two families of blades (4, 5), in relief relative to the outer surface of the sidewall (21) or tread (22), and crossed between them so as to form an at least two-dimensional network, characterized in that a first family of blades comprises so-called main blades (4) having the same constant height (Hl) less than or equal to 1.00 mm, two consecutive main blades (4) being spaced apart by a pitch (PI) less than or equal to 0.50 mm, and in that a second family of blades comprises so-called secondary blades (5) having the same constant height (H2) greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 100% of the height (Hl) of a main blade (4), two consecutive secondary blades (5) being spaced apart by a pitch (P2) less than or equal to 0.50 mm.

2. Tire (1) according to claim 1, in which the main blades (4) have the same constant height (Hl) less than or equal to 0.80 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.50 mm.

3. Tire (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the main blades (4) have the same constant height (Hl) greater than or equal to 0.10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.20 mm and even more preferably greater than or equal to 0.25 mm.

4. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which two consecutive main blades (4) are spaced apart by a pitch (PI) less than or equal to 0.40 mm.

5. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which two consecutive main blades (4) are spaced apart by a pitch (PI) greater than or equal to 0.10 mm.

6. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the ratio Hl / Pl between the height (Hl) of a main blade (4) and the pitch (PI) between two consecutive main blades (4) is greater than or equal to 1, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 and even more preferably greater than or equal to 2.

7. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the ratio Hl / Pl between the height (Hl) of a main blade (4) and the pitch (PI) between two consecutive main blades (4) is less than or equal to 3, preferably less than or equal to 2.

5.

8. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pitch (PI) between two consecutive main blades (4) is constant.

9. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein two consecutive main blades (4) are substantially parallel to each other.

10. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main blades (4) are rectilinear.

11. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the secondary blades (5) have the same constant height (H2) greater than or equal to 50% of the height (H1) of a main blade (4).

12. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which two consecutive secondary blades (5) are spaced apart by a pitch (P2) less than or equal to 0.40 mm.

13. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which two consecutive secondary blades (5) are spaced apart by a pitch (P2) greater than or equal to 0.10 mm.

14. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in which the ratio H2 / P2 between the height (H2) of a secondary blade (5) and the pitch (P2) between two consecutive secondary blades (5) is greater than or equal to 1, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 and even more preferably at least equal to 2.

15. Tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the ratio H2 / P2 between the height (H2) of a secondary blade (5) and the pitch (P2) between two consecutive secondary blades (5) is less than or equal to 3, preferably less than or equal to 2.

5.

16. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the pitch (P2) between two consecutive secondary blades (5) is constant.

17. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in which two consecutive secondary blades (5) are substantially parallel to each other.

18. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the secondary blades (5) are rectilinear.

19. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the secondary blades (5) are perpendicular to the main blades (4).

20. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the texture of the high-contrast textured surface element (3) has a first brightness L*1 less than or equal to 15, preferably less than or equal to 13 and even more preferably less than or equal to 10.

21. A tire (1) according to claim 20, wherein any smooth surface portion (6) adjacent to the high contrast textured surface element (3) has a second brightness L*2 greater than or equal to L*l+5, preferably greater than or equal to L*l+10 and even more preferably greater than or equal to L*1+12.

22. A tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein any smooth surface portion (6) adjacent to the high contrast textured surface element (3) has a second brightness L*2 greater than or equal to 18, preferably greater than or equal to 22.

23. A molding element (7) for shaping by molding a high-contrast textured surface element (3) of a tire (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, the molding element comprising, on a molding surface, a texture (8) in negative complementary to the texture of the tire.

24. Molding element (7) according to claim 23 produced by laser engraving.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Mark with improved visibility and marking method

    WO2007045425A1

  • High-contrast tire pattern and method for producing same

    WO2011036061A1

  • Tyre comprising a high contrast pattern comprising a plurality of cavities

    WO2014040967A1

  • Tyre comprising high-contrast marking

    WO2014202731A1

  • Vehicle pneumatic tire has carcass, particularly radial design, with side panels and tread, where side panel texture is arranged within surface area of side panel

    DE102008037483A1