Tire and tire molding die

By utilizing multi-stage cones with distinct taper angles in the tire's pattern area, the tire achieves enhanced black density and contrast, addressing the limitations of existing designs and improving the tire's visual appeal.

JP2025091755APending Publication Date: 2025-06-19TOYO TIRE CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023207196
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-07
Publication Date
2025-06-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing tire designs with pattern areas featuring numerous fine protrusions struggle to achieve higher black density and contrast, which limits their design effect and appearance.

Method used

The tire incorporates a pattern area with multi-stage cones, where the tip taper angle and base taper angle are different, allowing for greater flexibility in shaping the cones and enhancing black density and contrast.

Benefits of technology

This design enables easier adjustment of the cone shape, resulting in increased black density and higher contrast between the pattern area and its surroundings, thereby improving the tire's design effect and appearance.

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Abstract

To provide a tire which can be easily enhanced in black color density in a pattern region to easily enhance contrast between the pattern region and the circumference thereof.SOLUTION: A tire comprises, on a portion of an outer surface of a side wall, a pattern region formed visibly as a portion different from the circumference of the portion. A plurality of multistage cones having two or more stages which include base parts and tip parts provided closer to a tip side than the base parts are provided in the pattern region. A tip part taper angle as an inclination angle of a taper surface of the tip part with respect to a protruding direction of the multi stage cone and a base part taper angle as an inclination angle of a taper surface of the base part with respect to the protruding direction are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire having a pattern area for displaying, for example, a logo or a pattern on a part of the outer surface of a sidewall, and a tire molding die for molding the tire.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a tire having a pattern area in which a large number of fine protrusions are gathered on a part of the sidewall of a tire is known (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). In such a pattern area, the incident light is repeatedly reflected between the protrusions, resulting in a light absorption effect. As a result, it is visually recognized as darker than the outer surface of the surrounding sidewall, and the contrast is improved. By providing this type of pattern area, the tire can be improved in, for example, design effect and appearance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Increasing the contrast by a large number of protrusions has an advantage that it is less likely to undergo aging changes compared to means such as painting, and its effect is exerted over a long period of time. Therefore, there has been a demand for the formation of a pattern area by protrusions that has a higher black density and further progresses in increasing the contrast, so as to further improve the design effect and appearance compared to the prior art.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it easier to increase the black density of the pattern area and to make it easier to increase the contrast between the pattern area and its surroundings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tire according to the present invention is a tire provided with a pattern area that is visible as a portion different from the surrounding of the portion on a part of the outer surface of the sidewall, wherein a plurality of multi-stage cones each including a base portion and a tip portion provided on the tip side of the base portion are provided in the pattern area, a tip taper angle as an inclination angle of the taper surface of the tip portion with respect to the protruding direction of the multi-stage cone and a base taper angle as an inclination angle of the taper surface of the base portion with respect to the protruding direction are different from each other.

[0007] The tire molding die according to the present invention is a die for molding the tire of the present invention, and includes a multi-stage cone forming portion including a plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of multi-stage cones.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the tire of the present invention, by making the tip taper angle and the base taper angle different from each other, it becomes easier to freely set the shape of the multi-stage cone as a protrusion than in the case where they are not made different. As a result, it becomes easier to increase the black density of the pattern area, and it becomes easier to achieve high contrast between the pattern area and its surroundings. Further, according to the tire molding die of the present invention, such a tire can be manufactured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 15

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments at all, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0011] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tire 1 according to an embodiment. The tire 1 is a so-called pneumatic tire filled with a predetermined air pressure in its inner cavity. The tire 1 of the embodiment is a pneumatic tire for passenger cars including light automobiles and SUVs. Note that the configuration of the tire 1 of the embodiment can also be applied to pneumatic tires for other vehicle types such as light trucks, trucks, and buses.

[0012] First, referring to FIG. 1, an overview of the structure mainly related to the side surface of the tire 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view of the tire 1 as seen from the direction of the tire rotation axis X. In the following description, the "tire axial direction", "tire circumferential direction", and "tire radial direction" are as follows. The "tire axial direction" is the direction in which the tire rotation axis X extends, and in FIG. 1, it refers to the front and back directions of the paper surface. Since the tire axial direction is the left-right direction when viewed from the tire radial direction, the "both sides in the tire axial direction" may be referred to as "left and right" in some cases. The "tire circumferential direction" is an arc line centered on the tire rotation axis X and is the direction along the rotation direction of the tire 1, which is indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 1. The "tire radial direction" is the direction perpendicular to the tire rotation axis X, which is arbitrarily indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the side away from the tire rotation axis X in the tire radial direction is referred to as the "outer side in the tire radial direction", and the side approaching the tire rotation axis X in the tire radial direction is referred to as the "inner side in the tire radial direction".

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the tire 1 includes a bead 2, a sidewall 3, and a tread 4. The sidewall 3 extends from the bead 2 toward the outer side in the tire radial direction. Each of the bead 2 and the sidewall 3 has a pair, that is, a left and right pair, on the side of one side surface 1s of the tire 1 shown in FIG. 1 and on the side of the other side surface not shown in FIG. 1 that is separated in the tire axial direction. The tread 4 connects the outer ends in the tire radial direction of the left and right sidewalls 3. The outer peripheral surface of the tread 4 includes a tread surface that contacts the road surface.

[0014] The tire 1 is mainly composed of a plurality of types of rubber that constitute the bead 2, the sidewall 3, and the tread 4. A carcass ply that constitutes the skeleton of the tire 1 is arranged on the inner cavity side of the rubber that constitutes the entire tire 1, and an inner liner that holds air pressure is further arranged on the inner cavity side of the carcass ply. In addition, an annular reinforcing belt is embedded inside the rubber that constitutes the tread 4 (the carcass ply, the inner liner, and the reinforcing belt are not shown). In addition to these members, various members are provided as required for the functions of the tire 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the sidewall 3 has, on its outer surface 3a, an annular decorative region 5 extending over the entire circumference in the tire circumferential direction. The decorative region 5 is a region having a constant width sandwiched between a predetermined inner arc line 5a and an outer arc line 5b that is radially outside the tire diameter of the inner arc line 5a. The inner arc line 5a and the outer arc line 5b may be lines formed on the outer surface 3a of the sidewall 3 by concave, convex, or stepped portions, or may be virtual lines that do not actually exist.

[0016] A pattern region 7 is provided in a part of the decorative region 5 in a state where it is visible as a part different from the periphery of the part. The pattern region 7 includes, for example, a logo part 6A and a pattern part 6B. The pattern region 7 is provided on the sidewall rubber, which is a black rubber member constituting the outer surface of the sidewall 3.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the logo parts 6A are provided at two positions facing each other across the tire rotation axis X in the annular decorative region 5. Each logo part 6A is formed by arranging a plurality of characters in the tire circumferential direction. At least one of the logos such as the manufacturer name, product name, brand, etc. is displayed by these plurality of characters. Each character may be formed by being bordered by a concave or convex line, or the entire character may be formed by being concave or convex.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the pattern parts 6B are provided at two positions sandwiched in the tire circumferential direction by the two logo parts 6A in the annular decorative region 5. Each pattern part 6B is provided with a pattern such that a parallelogram is curved following the annular decorative region 5.

[0019] Note that the pattern region 7 is not limited to these, and can include various shapes, such as an arbitrary shape, a shape depicting logos such as the manufacturer name, product name, brand, etc. described above, or a shape depicting other numbers, characters, etc.

[0020] Each pattern area 7 has a reference plane 7a along the profile of the side wall 3. A plurality of multi-step cones 20 protruding from this reference plane 7a are provided in each pattern area 7. Here, the term "multi-step" means "two or more steps". More specifically, the multi-step cone 20 of the present embodiment is a two-step cone.

[0021] These plurality of multi-step cones 20 are arranged in the arrangement state of each cell Ce in the honeycomb shape Hc. That is, the center of the bottom surface of each multi-step cone 20 is arranged at the center of the cell Ce corresponding to the multi-step cone 20 in the honeycomb shape Hc. The pattern area 7 is configured by these plurality of multi-step cones 20 so as to be visually recognizable as a part different from the periphery of the pattern area 7, specifically, visually recognizable as blacker than the periphery.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example of a tire molding die 10 for vulcanizing and molding the tire 1 of the present embodiment. Figure 2 is a meridian cross-sectional view of such a tire molding die 10 along the axial direction of the tire 1 to be molded.

[0023] The tire molding die 10 shown in Figure 2 includes a plurality of sectors 11, a pair of side plates 12, and a pair of bead rings (not shown). The plurality of sectors 11 are arranged in a circumferential shape along the outer peripheral side of the tire 1. The side plates 12 are arranged on both axial sides of the annular body formed by the combination of the plurality of sectors 11.

[0024] At the time of vulcanization molding, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2, an unvulcanized tire 1a, which is the material of the tire 1, is set inside the tire molding die 10. The combination of the sectors 11, the side plates 12, and the bead rings is a molding die for molding the tire 1. The outer surface of the entire tire 1 is molded by the inner surfaces of the molding die, that is, the inner surface 11a of the sector 11, the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12, and the inner surface of the bead ring. Also, at the time of vulcanization molding, an air bladder (not shown) for pressing the unvulcanized tire 1a against the inner surface of the tire molding die 10 is disposed inside the unvulcanized tire 1a. The main tread 4 is formed mainly by the plurality of sectors 11, and the main sidewall 3 is formed mainly by the pair of side plates 12. The bead 2 is formed by the pair of bead rings, and the entire inner surface of the tire 1 is formed by the air bladder.

[0025] The tire molding die 10 vulcanizes the unvulcanized tire 1a to form the rubber shape of the entire tire 1, and a plurality of multi-stage cones 20 are formed in the above-described pattern region 7.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the pattern region 7. Note that this Fig. 3 shows the state where the pattern region 7 is UV-expanded. Therefore, in this Fig. 3, the multi-stage cone 20 protrudes from the planar reference surface 7a, but actually it protrudes from the curved reference surface 7a. Fig. 4 is a view showing a cross section taken along line fg4-fg4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 4.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, each multi-stage cone 20 includes a base portion 23 and a tip portion 21 provided on the tip side of the base portion 23. Hereinafter, the tapered surface of the base portion 23 is referred to as the "base tapered surface 23s", and the tapered surface of the tip portion 21 is referred to as the "tip tapered surface 21s". Further, hereinafter, a virtual cone formed by extending the base tapered surface 23s toward the tip side is referred to as the "base virtual cone 23v". That is, the base portion 23 is the proximal end side portion of the base virtual cone 23v. The tip portion 21 is conical and protrudes from the base portion 23. More specifically, it is conical with a rounded tip. The tip tapered surface 21s is continuous with the base tapered surface 23s. In the present embodiment, the protruding direction Dp of each multi-stage cone 20 is the normal direction of the reference plane 7a. Here, the "protruding direction Dp" is the direction from the center of the bottom surface of the base portion 23 toward the tip of the tip portion 21.

[0028] Hereinafter, the inclination angle of the base tapered surface 23s with respect to the protruding direction Dp of the multi-stage cone 20 is referred to as the "base taper angle θ3", and the inclination angle of the tip tapered surface 21s with respect to the protruding direction Dp of the multi-stage cone 20 is referred to as the "tip taper angle θ1". The tip taper angle θ1 and the base taper angle θ3 are different from each other. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the base taper angle θ3 is larger than the tip taper angle θ1.

[0029] Hereinafter, the protruding length in the normal direction from the reference plane 7a is simply referred to as the "protruding length". In each multi-stage cone 20, the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v is 30% or more and 70% or less of the protruding length h of the multi-stage cone 20.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion for forming the pattern region 7 on the side plate 12 of the tire molding die 10. Note that Fig. 6 shows the state in which the relevant portion on the side plate 12 is UV-expanded. Therefore, in Fig. 6, the reference plane 16a of the relevant portion is planar, but in reality, it is curved.

[0031] On the reference plane 16a, a multi-stage conical portion 16 is formed. The multi-stage conical portion 16 includes a plurality of recesses 15. These plurality of recesses 15 are provided at positions corresponding to the arrangement of the multi-stage cones 20. Each recess 15 is a recess corresponding to the shape and size of the multi-stage cone 20 formed in the pattern region 7 after vulcanization. Therefore, each recess 15 has a base forming portion 15c for forming the base 23 and a tip forming portion 15a for forming the tip portion.

[0032] As a method for forming the recess 15 in the side plate 12, although not limited, laser processing in which the inner surface 12a of the side plate 12 is irradiated with laser light to partially remove the inner surface 12a is suitable. As the laser processing, for example, removal processing using a pulsed fiber laser can be adopted. As the conditions for the laser processing, laser processing with a center wavelength of 1080 nm, an average output of 100 W or more and 300 W or less, and a laser spot diameter of about 0.05 mm is suitable.

[0033] The configuration and effects of the present embodiment are summarized below.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the tip taper angle θ1 and the base taper angle θ3 are different from each other. By making the tip taper angle θ1 and the base taper angle θ3 different from each other in this way, it becomes easier to freely set the shape of the multi-stage cone 20 as a protrusion than when they are not made different. As a result, it becomes easier to increase the black density of the pattern region 7, and it becomes easier to achieve high contrast between the pattern region 7 and its surroundings.

[0035] Specifically, in the present embodiment, in each multi-stage cone 20, the base taper angle θ3 is larger than the tip taper angle θ1. By widening the skirt portion of the multi-stage cone 20 in this way, it is possible to make the multi-stage cone 20 less likely to be defective and to make the exposed area of the reference plane 7a narrower. As a result, it becomes easier for the light incident on the pattern region 7 to hit the multi-stage cone 20, and it is possible to easily repeat the reflection of light between the multi-stage cones 20. As a result, it becomes easier to absorb light, and the black density of the pattern region 7 can be further increased.

[0036] More specifically, the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v is 30% or more and 70% or less of the protruding length h of the multi-step cone 20. In this way, by setting the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v to 70% or less of the protruding length h of the multi-step cone 20, the skirt portion of the multi-step cone 20 can be sufficiently widened, making it difficult to sufficiently damage the multi-step cone 20, and the exposed area of the reference plane 7a can be made sufficiently small. Also, by setting the protruding length h of the base virtual cone 23v to 30% or more of the protruding length h of the multi-step cone 20, it is possible to prevent the skirt portion of the multi-step cone 20 from spreading overly large and uselessly.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the side plate 12 of the tire molding die 10 of the present embodiment includes a multi-step cone forming portion 16. The multi-step cone forming portion 16 includes a plurality of concave portions 15 corresponding to the plurality of multi-step cones 20. Therefore, the tire 1 of the present embodiment including the plurality of multi-step cones 20 can be molded.

[0038] [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. For the following embodiments, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the same or similar points as the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the pattern region 7 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, compared with the first embodiment, the multi-step cones 20 are arranged more densely. From this, the bases 23 of adjacent multi-step cones 20 overlap each other. Hereinafter, the overlapping portion will be referred to as an "overlap portion 23d".

[0040] According to the present embodiment, until the overlap portion 23d is formed in this way, by arranging the plurality of multi-step cones 20 at a high density, the exposed area of the reference plane 7a can be made narrower. In other words, a substantially rough surface can be created on the sidewall 3 by the innumerable overlapping bases 23. Thereby, the reflection of light between the plurality of multi-step cones 20 can be made more repetitive. Thereby, it becomes easier to absorb light, and the black density of the pattern region 7 can be increased.

[0041] [Embodiment 3] Next, referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, Embodiment 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the pattern region 7 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view showing a cross section taken along line fg9-fg9 of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 9.

[0042] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, in each multi-stage cone 20, the base taper angle θ3 is smaller than the tip taper angle θ1. Specifically, in each multi-stage cone 20, the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v is 150% or more and 300% or less of the protruding length h of the multi-stage cone 20.

[0043] In the present embodiment, by making the base taper angle θ3 smaller than the tip taper angle θ1 in this way, the skirt portion of the multi-stage cone 20 can be compacted. As a result, a plurality of multi-stage cones 20 can be arranged at a higher density. Therefore, in a manner different from that in the case of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, it becomes easier to absorb a large amount of light.

[0044] More specifically, as described above, the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v is 150% or more and 300% or less of the protruding length h of the multi-stage cone 20. By making the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v 150% or more of the protruding length h of the multi-stage cone 20 in this way, the skirt portion of the multi-stage cone 20 can be sufficiently compacted, and a plurality of multi-stage cones 20 can be arranged at a sufficiently high density. Further, by making the protruding length hv of the base virtual cone 23v 300% or less of the protruding length hv of the multi-stage cone 20, it is possible to prevent the skirt portion of the multi-stage cone 20 from becoming too thin and ensure the strength of the skirt portion of the multi-stage cone 20.

[0045] [Embodiment 4] Next, referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, Embodiment 4 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the pattern region 7 of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a view showing a cross section taken along line fg12-fg12 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 12.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the multi-stage cone 20 includes an intermediate portion 22 provided between a tip portion 21 and a base portion 23 in addition to the tip portion 21 and the base portion 23. That is, the multi-stage cone 20 of the present embodiment is a three-stage cone. Hereinafter, the tapered surface of the intermediate portion 22 is referred to as the "intermediate portion tapered surface 22s". Further, hereinafter, in each multi-stage cone 20, the inclination angle of the intermediate portion tapered surface 22s with respect to the protruding direction Dp of the multi-stage cone 20 is referred to as the "intermediate portion taper angle θ2". The intermediate portion taper angle θ2 is different from both the tip portion taper angle θ1 and the base portion taper angle θ3.

[0047] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the intermediate portion taper angle θ2 is larger than both the tip portion taper angle θ1 and the base portion taper angle θ3. However, instead of this, the intermediate portion taper angle θ2 may be smaller than both the tip portion taper angle θ1 and the base portion taper angle θ3, or may be larger than the smaller one of the tip portion taper angle θ1 and the base portion taper angle θ3 and smaller than the larger one.

[0048] According to this configuration, by providing the intermediate portion 22 between the base portion 23 and the tip portion 21, it becomes easier to freely set the aspect of the multi-stage cone 20. Thereby, it becomes easier to increase the black density of the pattern region 7, and it becomes easier to achieve higher contrast between the pattern region 7 and its surroundings.

[0049] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the multi-stage cone 20 of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the multi-stage cone 20. Hereinafter, the tip portion tapered surface 21s and the base portion tapered surface 23s are collectively referred to as the "tapered surfaces 21s, 23s".

[0050] Each multi-stage cone 20 has a protruding portion 24 that protrudes obliquely from the tapered surfaces 21s and 23s in the protruding direction Dp of the multi-stage cone 20. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 24 is conical and protrudes from a region including both the base tapered surface 23s and the tip tapered surface 21s. However, alternatively, the protruding portion 24 may protrude only from the base tapered surface 23s or only from the tip tapered surface 21s.

[0051] Hereinafter, a virtual cone formed by extending the tapered surface of the protruding portion 24 toward the base end side and having a bottom surface overlapping the bottom surface of the multi-stage cone 20 is referred to as a "protruding portion virtual cone 24v". That is, the protruding portion 24 is the tip-side portion of the protruding portion virtual cone 24v. Hereinafter, the portion composed of the tip portion 21 and the base portion 23 in the multi-stage cone 20 is referred to as the "multi-stage cone main portions 21, 23". More than 30% of the total volume of the protruding portion virtual cone 24v overlaps with the multi-stage cone main portions 21, 23. In other words, the volume of the protruding portion 24 is 70% or less of the volume of the protruding portion virtual cone 24v.

[0052] According to this configuration, by providing the protruding portion 24 that protrudes obliquely from the tapered surfaces 21s and 23s of the multi-stage cone 20, the volume of the multi-stage cone 20 can be increased, and the light incident on the pattern region 7 can be more easily incident on the multi-stage cone 20. As a result, the reflection of light between the plurality of multi-stage cones 20 can be more easily repeated. As a result, the light can be more easily absorbed, and the black density of the pattern region 7 can be increased.

[0053] [Other Embodiments] The embodiments shown above can be modified as follows, for example. In each embodiment, although the tip portion 21 and the base virtual cone 23v are both conical, they may be polygonal pyramidal. Also, in each embodiment, although the protruding direction Dp of the multi-stage cone 20 is the normal direction of the reference plane 7a, it may be a direction that is oblique to the normal direction.

[0054] Also, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the multi-step cone 20 may have two or more intermediate portions 22. That is, in this fourth embodiment, the multi-step cone 20 is a three-step cone, but it may be a cone with four or more steps, such as a four-step cone or a five-step cone. Also, two or more of the first to fifth embodiments may be combined and implemented. Specifically, for example, in the pattern region 7 shown in FIG. 1, the multi-step cone 20 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the multi-step cone 20 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 may be provided.

[0055] According to the above embodiments, the following tires and tire molding dies can be realized.

[0056] (1) A tire having a pattern region visible as a portion different from the periphery of a part on a part of the outer surface of the sidewall, wherein a plurality of multi-step cones including a base portion and a tip portion provided on the tip side of the base portion are provided in the pattern region, wherein a tip taper angle as an inclination angle of a taper surface of the tip portion with respect to the protruding direction of the multi-step cone and a base taper angle as an inclination angle of a taper surface of the base portion with respect to the protruding direction are different from each other, Tire.

[0057] (2) The tire according to (1), wherein the base taper angle is larger than the tip taper angle. The tire according to (1).

[0058] (3) The multi-step cone protrudes from a predetermined reference plane in the pattern region, the base portion is a base end side portion in a base virtual cone as a virtual cone formed by extending a taper surface of the base portion to the tip side, a protruding length of the base virtual cone in a normal direction from the reference plane is 30% or more and 70% or less of a protruding length of the multi-step cone in a normal direction from the reference plane, The tire according to (2).

[0059] (4) The base taper angle is smaller than the tip taper angle. The tire according to (1) above.

[0060] (5) The multi-step cone protrudes from a predetermined reference plane in the pattern region. The base portion is a proximal end side portion of a base virtual cone as a virtual cone formed by extending the tapered surface of the base portion toward the tip side. The protruding length of the base virtual cone in the normal direction thereof from the reference plane is 150% or more and 300% or less of the protruding length of the multi-step cone in the normal direction thereof from the reference plane. The tire according to (4) above.

[0061] (6) The bases of adjacent multi-step cones overlap each other. The tire according to any one of (1) to (5) above.

[0062] (7) The multi-step cone includes an intermediate portion provided between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion taper angle, which is the inclination angle of the tapered surface of the intermediate portion with respect to the protruding direction, is different from both the tip portion taper angle and the base portion taper angle. The tire according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

[0063] (8) The multi-step cone has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction obliquely to the protruding direction from the tapered surface of the multi-step cone. The tire according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

[0064] (9) A tire molding die for molding the tire according to any one of (1) to (8) above, the tire molding die including a multi-step cone forming portion including a plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of multi-step cones.

Explanation of Signs

[0065] 1 Tire 3 Sidewall 3a Outer surface of sidewall 7 Pattern region 7a Reference plane 10 Tire Molding Die 15 Recess 16 Multi - stage Taper Forming Portion 20 Multi - stage Taper 21 Tip Portion 21s Tip Portion Taper Surface 22 Middle Portion 22s Middle Portion Taper Surface 23 Base Portion 23d Overlap Portion 23s Base Portion Taper Surface 23v Base Virtual Cone 24 Protrusion Dp Protrusion Direction of Multi - stage Taper h Protrusion Length of Multi - stage Taper hv Protrusion Length of Base Virtual Cone θ1 Tip Portion Taper Angle θ3 Base Portion Taper Angle

Claims

1. A tire having a pattern area visible as a portion different from the surrounding of a part on an outer surface of a sidewall, wherein a plurality of multi-step cones each including a base portion and a tip portion provided on a tip side of the base portion are provided in the pattern area, and a tip taper angle as an inclination angle of a taper surface of the tip portion with respect to a protruding direction of the multi-step cone and a base taper angle as an inclination angle of a taper surface of the base portion with respect to the protruding direction are different from each other, a tire.

2. The base taper angle is larger than the tip taper angle, the tire according to claim 1.

3. The multi-step cone protrudes from a predetermined reference plane in the pattern area, the base portion is a base end side portion in a base virtual cone as a virtual cone formed by extending a taper surface of the base portion toward the tip side, and a protruding length of the base virtual cone in a normal direction thereof from the reference plane is 30% or more and 70% or less of a protruding length of the multi-step cone in a normal direction thereof from the reference plane, the tire according to claim 2.

4. The base taper angle is smaller than the tip taper angle, the tire according to claim 1.

5. The multi-step cone protrudes from a predetermined reference plane in the pattern area, the base portion is a base end side portion in a base virtual cone as a virtual cone formed by extending a taper surface of the base portion toward the tip side, and a protruding length of the base virtual cone in a normal direction thereof from the reference plane is 150% or more and 300% or less of a protruding length of the multi-step cone in a normal direction thereof from the reference plane, the tire according to claim 4.

6. The bases of the adjacent multi-stage cones overlap each other. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The multi-stage cone includes an intermediate portion provided between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion taper angle, which is the inclination angle of the taper surface of the intermediate portion with respect to the protruding direction, is different from both the tip portion taper angle and the base portion taper angle. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The multi-stage cone has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction obliquely with respect to the protruding direction from the taper surface of the multi-stage cone. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A tire molding die for molding the tire according to claim 1 or 2, the tire molding die comprising a multi-stage cone forming portion including a plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of multi-stage cones.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Tire

    JP2017001440A