Tire

Abstract

To provide a tire of which a black density is higher compared to a conventional one, thereby achieving high contrast.SOLUTION: A tire 1 comprises a pattern region 7 on a part of an external surface of a side wall 3 that is provided in a visible state as a part different from a circumference of the part. The tire 1 has a plurality of character projections 110, which are separated from each other, in the pattern region 7, the character projections 110 are each a projection that imitates a character, or a projection that imitates a rotated or inverted character. When a region of a parallelogram circumscribing a contour of the character projection 110, which is formed so that an area thereof becomes minimum, is represented by a character projection region R110, parts of the character projection regions R110 of adjacent character projections 110 are overlapped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tire provided with a pattern area for displaying, for example, a logo, a pattern, etc. on a part of the outer surface of the sidewall.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a tire has been known in which a pattern area in which a large number of fine protrusions are gathered is provided on a part of the sidewall of the tire (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] High contrast by a large number of protrusions has an advantage that it is less likely to undergo aging changes than means such as painting, and its effect is exhibited over a long period of time. Therefore, there has been a demand for the formation of a pattern area by protrusions in which the black density is increased and the contrast is further improved compared to the prior art, so that the design effect and appearance can be further improved.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tire in which the black density is increased and the contrast is improved compared to the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tire of the present disclosure is a tire provided with a pattern area on a part of the outer surface of the sidewall, which is visible as a part different from the periphery of the part. The pattern area has a plurality of character protrusions separated from each other, and each of the character protrusions is a protrusion imitating a character or a protrusion imitating a rotated or inverted character. When an area of a parallelogram circumscribing the contour of the character protrusion and formed so as to have the minimum area is defined as a character protrusion area, a part of the character protrusion areas of the adjacent character protrusions overlaps with each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a tire in which the black density is increased and high contrast is achieved as compared with the conventional case.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, one mode for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings and the like.

[0010] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a tire 1 according to the first 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 a passenger car including a light automobile, an SUV, etc. 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.

[0011] 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, the tire circumferential direction, and the 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 becomes the left and right directions when viewed from the tire radial direction, the tire axial direction may be referred to as the left and right directions. 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 and is arbitrarily indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the tire 1 includes a bead 2, a sidewall 3 that extends radially outward from the bead 2 in the tire radial direction away from the tire rotation axis X, and a tread 4. 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 is disposed between the left and right sidewalls 3 on the outer side in the tire radial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the tread 4 includes a tread surface that contacts the road surface.

[0013] The tire 1 is mainly composed of a plurality of types of rubbers that constitute the bead 2, the sidewall 3, and the tread 4. A carcass ply that constitutes the skeleton of the tire 1 is disposed on the inner cavity side of the rubber that constitutes the entire tire 1, and an inner liner that holds air pressure is further disposed on the inner cavity side of the carcass ply. Also, 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 function of the tire 1.

[0014] 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 with a constant width sandwiched between an inner arc line 5a closer to the tire rotation axis X in the tire radial direction and an outer arc line 5b on the outer side in the tire radial direction than the inner arc line 5a. The inner arc line 5a and the outer arc line 5b may be lines formed by recesses, protrusions, or steps on the outer surface 3a of the sidewall 3, or may be virtual lines that do not actually exist.

[0015] The tire radial position of the decorative region 5 on the outer surface 3a of the sidewall 3 may be on the outer side in the tire radial direction than the position of the maximum tire width, or may be at a position including the maximum tire width position. Note that the maximum tire width position refers to the position where the tire axial length is the longest between the outer surfaces 3a of the left and right sidewalls 3.

[0016] The tire 1 includes a pattern region 7 provided in a visible state as a part different from the periphery on a part of the outer surface 3a of the sidewall 3. 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, badge portions 6A are provided at two locations of the annular decorative region 5 facing each other across the tire rotation axis X. The badge portion 6A is formed by a plurality of characters arranged in the tire circumferential direction. At least one of badges such as a manufacturer name, a product name, and a brand is displayed by these plurality of characters. Each character may be formed by being outlined by a concave or convex line, or the whole character may be formed by being concave or convex. For example, each character of the badge portion 6A is provided as the pattern region 7 of the embodiment.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, in the annular decorative region 5, pattern portions 6B are provided at two positions sandwiched by two emblem portions 6A in the circumferential direction. The pattern portions 6B are provided with patterns such that a parallelogram is curved following the annular decorative region 5. For example, each pattern of the pattern portion 6B is also provided as the pattern region 7 of the embodiment.

[0019] Note that the shape of the pattern region 7 is not limited to these, and various shapes can be mentioned, such as any shape, or a shape for depicting emblems such as the manufacturer name, product name, brand, etc. described above, or a shape for depicting other numbers, characters, etc.

[0020] Each of the above pattern regions 7 in the embodiment has a reference plane 7a along the profile of the sidewall 3. A plurality of character protrusions 110, which will be described later, are formed on this reference plane 7a. The pattern region 7 is a region provided in a visually recognizable state as a part different from the periphery of the pattern region 7 by forming a plurality of character protrusions 110.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows an example of a tire molding die for vulcanizing and molding the tire 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a meridian sectional view of such a tire molding die 10 along the axial direction of the tire 1 to be molded.

[0022] The tire molding die 10 shown in Fig. 2 includes a plurality of sectors 11 arranged circumferentially along the outer peripheral side of the tire 1, a pair of side plates 12 disposed on both axial sides of the annular body formed by the combination of the plurality of sectors 11, and a pair of bead rings (not shown). During vulcanization molding, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2, an unvulcanized tire 1a to become 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, and 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 sectors 11, the inner surface 12a of the side plates 12, and the inner surface of the bead rings. Further, during vulcanization molding, a bladder (not shown) that presses the unvulcanized tire 1a against the inner surface of the tire molding die 10 is disposed inside the unvulcanized tire 1a. The plurality of sectors 11 mainly form the tread 4, and the pair of side plates 12 mainly form the sidewall 3. The pair of bead rings form the bead 2, and the bladder forms the entire inner surface of the tire 1.

[0023] The unvulcanized tire 1a is vulcanized by the tire molding die 10 to form the rubber shape of the entire tire 1, and a plurality of character protrusions 110 described below are formed in the above-described pattern region 7.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of character protrusions 110 are provided from a UV development reference plane 7b when the reference plane 7a of the pattern region 7 is UV-developed. In Fig. 3, a state in which three character protrusions 110 are arranged side by side in both the vertical and horizontal directions is shown, but actually, more character protrusions 110 may be arranged (the same applies to the figures after the second embodiment described later). The UV development reference plane 7b is a plane obtained by two-dimensionally developing the outer surface 3a of the three-dimensional sidewall 3. Fig. 4 is a view showing only one character protrusion 110 in the same manner as Fig. 3.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, one character protrusion 110 protrudes from a reference plane 7a (UV development reference plane 7b) in a shape imitating the letter "M" of the alphabet in a plan view. The character protrusion 110 of the first embodiment includes a total of four straight portions 111, 112, 113, and 114 in a plan view. Further, the character protrusion 110 of the first embodiment includes connecting portions 115, 116, and 117 to which a plurality of straight portions (111, 112, 113, 114) are connected in a plan view. Specifically, in the connecting portion 115, the straight portion 111 and the straight portion 112 are connected. In the connecting portion 116, the straight portion 112 and the straight portion 113 are connected. In the connecting portion 117, the straight portion 113 and the straight portion 114 are connected. Also, in the character protrusion 110 showing the character "M" of the present embodiment, in a plan view, the connecting portions 115, 116, and 117 can also be regarded as bent portions where the straight portions are bent.

[0026] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the character protrusion region R110 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The character protrusion region R110 is a region surrounding the outer periphery of the character protrusion 110 representing a single character. More specifically, it is a parallelogram region circumscribing the contour of the character protrusion 110 and is formed so that its area is minimized. Note that the character protrusion region R110 of the present embodiment is rectangular because its four corners are right angles. Also, depending on the form of the character protrusion, the character protrusion region may be square. Note that this character protrusion region R110 is a virtual region, and the range of the two-dot chain line cannot be actually confirmed on the side wall 3. In FIGS. 3 and 4, for easy viewing, the range of the character protrusion region R110 is slightly expanded and a slight gap is provided from the character protrusion 110, but the character protrusion region R110 circumscribes the contour of the character protrusion 110 as defined above (the same applies to the figures of the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments described later). As shown in FIG. 4, in the pattern region 7, a part of the character protrusion region R110 is arranged overlapping.

[0027] In the following description, terms such as the vertical (up and down) direction and the horizontal (left and right) direction indicating directions are used to explain the arrangement of the character protrusions 110. This vertical (up and down) direction is the vertical (up and down) direction when the characters imitated by the character protrusions 110 are oriented in a direction where they can be read correctly. Similarly, the horizontal (left and right) direction is a direction orthogonal to the vertical (up and down) direction, and neither indicates the relationship with the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

[0028] Since the character protrusion regions R110 overlap in the vertical (up and down) direction of the character protrusions 110, the relationship that the distance (vertical arrangement pitch) D0 between the center lines of the character protrusions < the vertical dimension D of the character protrusions is satisfied (see FIG. 3).

[0029] That is, when a set of a plurality of character protrusions 110 arranged side by side in the first direction (horizontal direction) is defined as a character protrusion group G110, the pitch (distance between the center lines of the character protrusion groups G110) D0 between the character protrusion groups G110 arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the first direction is shorter than the length (vertical dimension of the protrusion) D in the second direction (vertical direction) of the character protrusion group G110 (see FIG. 3).

[0030] Putting it more simply, when a set of a plurality of character protrusions 110 arranged side by side in the first direction (horizontal direction) is defined as a character protrusion group G110, it has a first character protrusion group G110-1, a second character protrusion group G110-2 arranged on one side (lower side) of the first character protrusion group G110-1, and a third character protrusion group G110-3 arranged on the other side (upper side) of the first character protrusion group G110-1. The length (vertical dimension of the character protrusion) D in the second direction of the character protrusions 110 constituting the first character protrusion group G110 is longer than the distance D23 from the upper end of the second character protrusion group G110-2 to the lower end of the third character protrusion group G110-3 (see FIG. 3).

[0031] Putting it more simply, the connection part (bending part) 116 of the character protrusions 110 constituting the first character protrusion group G110-1 enters between the connection part (bending part) 115 and the connection part (bending part) 117 of the character protrusions 110 constituting the second character protrusion group G110-2.

[0032] As described above, since the character protrusion 110 of the present embodiment is configured by combining the straight portions 111, 112, 113, and 114, it is easy to process and it is also easy to overlap the character protrusion region R110. Further, since the character protrusion 110 indicating the character "M" of the present embodiment has a line-symmetric character shape, it is easy to overlap the character protrusion region R110. Furthermore, since the straight portions 111, 112, 113, and 114 of the character protrusion 110 indicating the character "M" of the present embodiment are connected (bent) at the same angle at the connection portions (bending portions) 115, 116, and 117, it is easy to overlap the character protrusion region R110.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the character protrusion 110 cut at the position of the arrow A-A in FIG. 4. The cross-sectional shapes of the straight portions 111, 112, 113, and 114 of the character protrusion 110 in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction are all substantially triangular and protrude outward in the tire axial direction from the UV development reference plane 7b (reference plane 7a). And since this character protrusion 110 is densely arranged in a state where the character protrusion regions R110 are overlapped, a part of the light incident on the character protrusion 110 in the pattern region 7 is repeatedly reflected between adjacent protrusions (the straight portions 111, 112, 113, 114, and the connection portions 115, 116, 117). Due to such light reflection occurring between a plurality of protrusions, the light incident on the character protrusion 110 in the pattern region 7 is gradually attenuated and absorbed. Therefore, since a part of the light incident on the character protrusion 110 is absorbed and does not exit to the outside, when the pattern region 7 provided with the character protrusion 110 is visually recognized, it is visually recognized as darker than the outer surface 3a of the sidewall 3 that reflects the light around the pattern region 7.

[0034] A plurality of samples were prepared with different dimensions (vertical dimension D, lateral width W) of the character protrusions 110, protrusion height H, and minimum distance S (see FIG. 3) between the closest positions of the straight portions 111, 112, 113, and 114, and the degree to which the pattern region 7 appeared black was evaluated. Further, as a comparative example, a sample having a simple conical protrusion was also evaluated. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the evaluation results. The evaluation in FIG. 6 was performed based on the result of quantifying the color of the pattern region 7 in the L*a*b* color space using a colorimeter CR20 manufactured by Konica Minolta Japan, Inc.

[0035] From the results shown in FIG. 6, in order to make the pattern region 7 more visibly black, it is desirable that the protrusion height H of the character protrusions 110 be 0.5 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. Also, in order to make the pattern region 7 more visibly black, it is desirable that the vertical dimension D of the character protrusions 110 be 0.5 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and the lateral width W be 1.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. Further, in order to make the pattern region 7 more visibly black, it is desirable that the minimum distance S be 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. Furthermore, in order to make the pattern region 7 more visibly black, it is desirable that the ratio D0 / D of the distance between the center lines (vertical arrangement pitch) D0 of the character protrusions 110 to the vertical dimension D of the character protrusions 110 be 0.5 or more and 0.9 or less.

[0036] According to the tire 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0037] (1) The tire 1 according to this embodiment is a tire 1 provided with a pattern region 7 that is provided on a part of the outer surface of the sidewall 3 in a visible state as a part different from the periphery of the part. The pattern region 7 has a plurality of character protrusions 110 that are mutually segmented. Each of the character protrusions 110 is a protrusion imitating a character or a protrusion imitating a rotated or inverted character. When a parallelogram region that circumscribes the contour of the character protrusion 110 and is formed so that its area is minimized is defined as the character protrusion region R110, a part of the character protrusion regions R110 of adjacent character protrusions 110 overlaps.

[0038] As a result, the character protrusions 110 can be arranged more densely, the light absorption effect can be enhanced, and a tire can be provided in which the black density is higher than before and high contrast is achieved. Further, when the pattern area 7 is observed in detail, fine characters can be visually recognized, and effects such as an improvement in the visual interest and design can also be obtained.

[0039] (2) In the tire 1 described in (1), the character protrusion 110 has a plurality of straight portions 111, 112, 113, 114 and connection portions 115, 116, 117 to which the plurality of straight portions 111, 112, 113, 114 are connected.

[0040] This makes it easier to arrange the character protrusions 110 densely, and also makes it easier to manufacture the character protrusions 110.

[0041] (3) In the tire 1 described in (1) or (2), the character protrusion 110 has a plurality of bent portions.

[0042] This makes it easier to arrange the character protrusions 110 densely, and also makes it easier to manufacture the character protrusions 110.

[0043] (4) In the tire 1 described in any one of (1) to (3), in three or more adjacent character protrusions 110, a part of the character protrusion regions R110 overlaps each other.

[0044] As a result, the character protrusions 110 can be arranged in a wide pattern area 7.

[0045] (5) In the tire 1 described in any one of (1) to (3), the character protrusions adjacent to each other and having a part of the character protrusion regions R110 overlapping each other are protrusions representing the same character.

[0046] As a result, the character protrusions 110 can be arranged regularly, and an appearance with excellent design can be provided.

[0047] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a view showing a second embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. The second embodiment and each of the embodiments shown below are the same as the first embodiment except that the specific forms of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 are different. Therefore, parts that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In the second embodiment, in addition to the character protrusions 110 of the first embodiment, character protrusions 120 are arranged in the pattern region 7.

[0048] The character protrusions 110 of the second embodiment have the same form as the character protrusions 110 of the first embodiment, and in the vertical direction, a part of the character protrusion region R110 is arranged overlappingly.

[0049] The character protrusions 120 have a shape obtained by rotating the character protrusions 110 180 degrees (or inverting in the vertical direction) on the UV development reference plane 7b, and in the orientation shown in FIG. 7, they have a form imitating the character "W". In the vertical direction, a part of the character protrusion region R120 is arranged overlappingly. The overlapping manner and the preferred overlapping manner of the character protrusion region R120 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the horizontal direction, the character protrusions 120 are arranged adjacent to the character protrusions 110.

[0050] As in the second embodiment, as the character protrusions, different characters may be combined, or characters obtained by rotating or inverting the same character (rotated characters, inverted characters) may be combined.

[0051] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a view showing a third embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the third embodiment, in the pattern region 7, character protrusions 130 imitating the character "N" are arranged. The character protrusions 130 are arranged such that a part of the character protrusion region R130 overlaps in the vertical direction. The character protrusions 130 include straight portions 131, 132, 133 and connecting portions (bending portions) 134, 135. Specifically, at the connecting portion 134, the straight portion 131 and the straight portion 132 are connected. At the connecting portion 135, the straight portion 132 and the straight portion 133 are connected.

[0052] The same character protrusions 130 are arranged in the left - right direction, and in the up - down direction, a part of the character protrusion region R130 overlaps with the positions shifted in the left - right direction. Note that shifting the positions of the characters relative to each other is also referred to as "phase - shifting". Here, the state where the phase is shifted in the left - right direction means that, for example, when looking at the lower character as a reference, the center position of the upper character is shifted in the left - right direction relative to the center position of the lower character. Similarly, the state where the phase is shifted in the up - down direction means that, for example, when looking at the left - hand character as a reference, the center position of the right - hand character is shifted in the up - down direction relative to the center position of the left - hand character.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the connecting portion (bending portion) 134 of the lower character protrusion 130 enters between the straight portion 131 and the connecting portion (bending portion) 135 of the upper character protrusion 130, and the connecting portion (bending portion) 135 of the upper character protrusion 130 enters between the connecting portion (bending portion) 134 and the straight portion 133 of the upper character protrusion 130. Also, the straight portion 131 of the upper character protrusion 130 enters between the adjacent lower character protrusions 130. With this arrangement, the inclined straight portion 132 of one character protrusion 130 and the inclined straight portion 132 of the other adjacent character protrusion 130 are arranged in parallel and close to each other.

[0054] When overlapping character protrusions imitating the same character in the vertical direction as in the third embodiment, by shifting the positions of the characters in the left - right direction (shifting the phase in the left - right direction) and arranging them, an arrangement that makes it easier to overlap the character protrusion regions can be achieved.

[0055] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the fourth embodiment, in the pattern region 7, character protrusions 140 imitating the character "Z" are arranged. The character protrusions 140 are arranged such that a part of the character protrusion region R140 overlaps in the horizontal direction. The character protrusions 140 include straight portions 141, 142, 143 and connecting portions (bending portions) 144, 145. Specifically, at the connecting portion 144, the straight portion 141 and the straight portion 142 are connected. At the connecting portion 145, the straight portion 142 and the straight portion 143 are connected.

[0056] The character protrusions 140 are arranged with a phase shift in the vertical direction and a partial overlap of the character protrusion regions R140 of adjacent character protrusions 140 in the left - right direction. That is, the position of the character protrusion 140 arranged on the right side is phase - shifted upward compared to the character protrusion 140 arranged on the left side. As a result, the connecting portion (bending portion) 144 of the left - hand character protrusion 140 enters between the straight portion 141 and the connecting portion (bending portion) 145 of the right - hand character protrusion 140.

[0057] When overlapping character protrusions imitating the same character in the vertical direction as in the fourth embodiment, by shifting the positions of the characters in the up - down direction (shifting the phase in the up - down direction) and arranging them, an arrangement that makes it easier to overlap the character protrusion regions can be achieved.

[0058] (Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a view showing a fifth embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the fifth embodiment, in the pattern region 7, a character protrusion 150 imitating the character "E" and a character protrusion 160 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 150 by 180 degrees (or inverting it in the left - right direction) on the UV development reference plane 7b are arranged. A part of the character protrusion region R150 of the character protrusion 150 and the character protrusion region R160 of the character protrusion 160 overlap each other.

[0059] The character protrusion 150 includes straight portions 151, 152, 153, 154 and connecting portions (bending portions) 155, 156, 157. Specifically, in the connecting portion 155, the straight portion 151 and the straight portion 152 are connected. In the connecting portion 156, the straight portion 152 and the straight portion 153 are connected at an intermediate position of the straight portion 152. In the connecting portion 157, the straight portion 152 and the straight portion 154 are connected.

[0060] The character protrusion 160 includes straight portions 161, 162, 163, 164 and connecting portions (bending portions) 165, 166, 167, similar to the character protrusion 150. Specifically, in the connecting portion 165, the straight portion 161 and the straight portion 162 are connected. In the connecting portion 166, the straight portion 162 and the straight portion 163 are connected at an intermediate position of the straight portion 162. In the connecting portion 167, the straight portion 162 and the straight portion 164 are connected.

[0061] The character protrusion 150 and the character protrusion 160 are arranged such that the character protrusion regions R150 of the character protrusion 150 and the character protrusion regions R160 of the character protrusion 160, which are adjacent to each other in the left - right direction with a phase shift in the up - down direction, overlap partially. That is, the position of the character protrusion 160 arranged on the right side is phase - shifted upward compared to the character protrusion 150 arranged on the left side. As a result, the straight - line portion 153 of the left - hand character protrusion 150 enters between the straight - line portion 161 and the straight - line portion 163 of the right - hand character protrusion 160. Also, the straight - line portion 154 of the left - hand character protrusion 150 enters between the straight - line portion 163 and the straight - line portion 164 of the right - hand character protrusion 160. In other words, the straight - line portion 161 of the right - hand character protrusion 160 enters between the straight - line portion 151 and the straight - line portion 153 of the left - hand character protrusion 150. Also, the straight - line portion 163 of the right - hand character protrusion 160 enters between the straight - line portion 153 and the straight - line portion 154 of the left - hand character protrusion 150.

[0062] As in the fifth embodiment, when overlapping the character protrusion regions of character protrusions imitating the same character in the vertical direction, character protrusions obtained by rotating (or inverting) adjacent character protrusions in the left - right direction are formed, and by arranging these with the character positions shifted in the up - down direction (phase - shifted in the up - down direction) left - right, the character protrusion regions can be arranged so as to be easily overlapped. In particular, when combining the character protrusion 150 imitating the character "E" in this embodiment and the character protrusion 160 obtained by rotating (or inverting) this character protrusion 150, the area where the UV - developed reference plane 7b (reference plane 7a) is directly exposed can be reduced, so that the light absorption effect can be enhanced.

[0063] (Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the sixth embodiment, in the pattern region 7, character protrusions 170 imitating the character "H" are arranged. In the vertical direction, a part of the character protrusion region R170 of the character protrusion 170 overlaps. The character protrusion 170 includes straight - line portions 171, 172, 173 and connecting portions (bending portions) 174, 175. Specifically, at the connecting portion 174, the straight - line portion 171 and the straight - line portion 172 are connected. At the connecting portion 175, the straight - line portion 172 and the straight - line portion 173 are connected.

[0064] The character protrusions 170 are arranged such that the same character protrusions 170 are arrayed in the left - right direction, and in the up - down direction, a part of the character protrusion region R170 is arranged with a phase shift in the left - right direction so as to overlap. That is, between the upper side of the straight portion 171 of the lower character protrusion 170 and the upper side of the straight portion 173, the lower side of the straight portion 173 of the upper - left character protrusion 170 and the lower side of the straight portion 171 of the upper - right character protrusion 170 are inserted. Also, between the lower side of the straight portion 171 of the upper character protrusion 170 and the lower side of the straight portion 173, the upper side of the straight portion 173 of the lower - left character protrusion 170 and the upper side of the straight portion 171 of the lower - right character protrusion 170 are inserted.

[0065] As in the sixth embodiment, the character protrusion regions R170 of a plurality of character protrusions 170 may be arranged to overlap the character protrusion region R170 of one character protrusion 170 (in this embodiment, up to four character protrusion regions R170 overlap one character protrusion region R170). Particularly in the case of the character protrusion 170 imitating the character "H" of the present embodiment, the region where the UV - developed reference plane 7b (reference plane 7a) is directly exposed can be made very small, so that the light absorption effect can be enhanced.

[0066] (Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a view showing a seventh embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the seventh embodiment, in the pattern region 7, a character protrusion 180 imitating the character "K" and a character protrusion 190 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 180 by 180 degrees on the UV - developed reference plane 7b are arranged. The character protrusion region R180 of the character protrusion 180 and the character protrusion region R190 of the character protrusion 190 are arranged with a part overlapping.

[0067] The character protrusion 180 includes straight portions 181, 182, 183 and connecting portions (bending portions) 184, 185. Specifically, in the connecting portion 184, the straight portion 181 and the straight portion 182 are connected at an intermediate position of the straight portion 181. In the connecting portion 185, the straight portion 182 and the straight portion 183 are connected at an intermediate position of the straight portion 182.

[0068] The character protrusion 190 includes straight portions 191, 192, 193 and connecting portions (bending portions) 194, 195, similar to the character protrusion 180. Specifically, in the connecting portion 194, the straight portion 191 and the straight portion 192 are connected at the middle position of the straight portion 191. In the connecting portion 195, the straight portion 192 and the straight portion 193 are connected at the middle position of the straight portion 192.

[0069] The character protrusion 180 and the character protrusion 190 are arranged with a phase shift in the vertical direction and a partial overlap of the character protrusion region R180 of the character protrusion 180 and the character protrusion region R190 of the character protrusion 190 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. That is, the position of the character protrusion 190 arranged on the right side is phase-shifted both upward and downward with respect to the character protrusion 180 arranged on the left side. As a result, the straight portion 182 of the left character protrusion 180 enters between the straight portions 192 and 193 of the upper-right character protrusion 190. Also, the straight portion 183 of the left character protrusion 180 enters between the straight portions 192 and 193 of the lower-right character protrusion 190. In other words, between the straight portions 182 and 183 of the left character protrusion 180, the straight portion 192 of the upper-right character protrusion 190 and the straight portion 193 of the lower-right character protrusion 190 enter.

[0070] As in the seventh embodiment, when overlapping the character protrusions imitating the same character in the vertical direction of the character protrusion region, character protrusions obtained by rotating the character protrusions adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction are formed, and a plurality of these are arranged with the positions of the characters shifted in the vertical direction (phase-shifted in the vertical direction) left and right, so that the character protrusion regions can be easily overlapped. In this embodiment, the character protrusion arranged on the right side is in a form obtained by rotating the character protrusion arranged on the left side, but a character protrusion obtained by horizontally inverting the character protrusion arranged on the left side may be arranged on the right side.

[0071] (Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a view showing an eighth embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the eighth embodiment, in the pattern region 7, a character protrusion 210 imitating the character "L" and a character protrusion 220 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 210 by 180 degrees on the UV development reference plane 7b are arranged. A part of the character protrusion region R210 of the character protrusion 210 and the character protrusion region R220 of the character protrusion 220 overlap each other.

[0072] The character protrusion 210 includes straight portions 211 and 212 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 213. Specifically, at the connecting portion 213, the straight portion 211 and the straight portion 212 are connected.

[0073] The character protrusion 220 includes straight portions 221 and 222 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 223, similar to the character protrusion 210. Specifically, at the connecting portion 223, the straight portion 221 and the straight portion 222 are connected.

[0074] The character protrusion 210 and the character protrusion 220 are arranged with a phase shift in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and a part of the character protrusion region R210 of the character protrusion 210 adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions and the character protrusion region R220 of the character protrusion 220 overlap. That is, the position of the character protrusion 220 arranged on the right side is phase-shifted downward from the character protrusion 210 arranged on the left side, and is also phase-shifted in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, viewed in another way, the character protrusions 210 are arranged along an oblique direction while being phase-shifted in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and similarly, the character protrusions 220 are also arranged along an oblique direction while being phase-shifted in both the vertical and horizontal directions. As a result, the straight portion 222 of the character protrusion 220 on the right side is arranged side by side above the straight portion 212 of the character protrusion 210 in the upper left. Also, the straight portion 211 of the character protrusion 210 in the lower right is arranged side by side to the left of the straight portion 221 of the character protrusion 220 in the upper left.

[0075] As in the eighth embodiment, the character protrusion 210 and the character protrusion 220 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 210 may be arranged with a phase shift in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and a part of the character protrusion region R210 of the character protrusion 210 adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions and the character protrusion region R220 of the character protrusion 220 may be overlapped.

[0076] (Ninth Embodiment) FIG. 14 is a view showing a ninth embodiment of the character protrusion provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the ninth embodiment, in the pattern region 7, a character protrusion 230 imitating the character "X" and a character protrusion 240 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 230 by 45 degrees on the UV development reference plane 7b are arranged. A part of the character protrusion region R230 of the character protrusion 230 and the character protrusion region R240 of the character protrusion 240 are arranged so as to overlap each other.

[0077] The character protrusion 230 includes straight portions 231 and 232 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 233 where these intersect. The character protrusion 240 includes straight portions 241 and 242 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 243 where these intersect, similar to the character protrusion 230.

[0078] The character protrusion 230 and the character protrusion 240 are alternately arranged in both the vertical and horizontal directions. As a result, either the straight portion 241 or the straight portion 242 of the character protrusion 240 enters between the four straight portions 231 and 232 of the character protrusion 230.

[0079] As in the fifth embodiment, by rotating the character protrusions imitating the same character by a predetermined angle (45 degrees in this embodiment), an arrangement in which the character protrusion regions are easily overlapped can be achieved.

[0080] (Tenth Embodiment) FIG. 15 is a view showing a tenth embodiment of the character protrusions provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the tenth embodiment, in the pattern region 7, a character protrusion 250 imitating the character "T" and a character protrusion 260 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 250 by 180 degrees (or inverting it in the vertical direction) on the UV development reference plane 7b are arranged. A part of the character protrusion region R250 of the character protrusion 250 and the character protrusion region R260 of the character protrusion 260 are arranged so as to overlap each other.

[0081] The character protrusion 250 includes straight portions 251, 252 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 253. Specifically, in the connecting portion 253, the straight portion 251 and the straight portion 252 are connected at an intermediate position of the straight portion 251.

[0082] The character protrusion 260 includes straight portions 261, 262 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 263 in the same manner as the character protrusion 250. Specifically, in the connecting portion 263, the straight portion 261 and the straight portion 262 are connected at an intermediate position of the straight portion 261.

[0083] The same character protrusions 250 are arranged in the left - right direction for the character protrusion 250. The same character protrusions 260 are also arranged in the left - right direction for the character protrusion 260. Further, the character protrusion 260 is located below the character protrusion 250 and is arranged with a phase shift in the left - right direction with respect to the character protrusion 250. As a result, the straight portion 262 of the character protrusion 260 arranged below enters between the straight portions 252 of the character protrusions 250 arranged above and adjacent to each other in the left - right direction. In other words, the straight portion 252 of the character protrusion 250 arranged above enters between the straight portions 262 of the character protrusions 260 arranged below and adjacent to each other in the left - right direction.

[0084] When overlapping the character protrusion regions in the vertical direction for the character protrusions imitating the same character as in the tenth embodiment, by rotating the character protrusions (or inverting them in the vertical direction) and shifting the positions of these character protrusions in the left - right direction (shifting the phase in the left - right direction), it is possible to achieve an arrangement in which the character protrusion regions are easily overlapped.

[0085] (Eleventh Embodiment) FIG. 16 is a view showing an eleventh embodiment of the character protrusion provided in the pattern region 7 of the tire 1. In the eleventh embodiment, in the pattern region 7, a character protrusion 270 imitating the character "Y" and a character protrusion 280 obtained by rotating the character protrusion 270 by 180 degrees (or inverting it in the vertical direction) on the UV development reference plane 7b are arranged. A part of the character protrusion region R270 of the character protrusion 270 and the character protrusion region R280 of the character protrusion 280 are arranged overlapping each other. Note that the eleventh embodiment can also be regarded as a form in which the character "T" in the tenth embodiment is replaced with the character "Y".

[0086] The character protrusion 270 includes straight portions 271, 272, 273 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 274. Specifically, at the connecting portion 274, the straight portion 271, the straight portion 272, and the straight portion 273 are connected.

[0087] The character protrusion 280 includes straight portions 281, 282, 283 and a connecting portion (bending portion) 284, similarly to the character protrusion 270. Specifically, at the connecting portion 284, the straight portion 281, the straight portion 282, and the straight portion 283 are connected.

[0088] The same character protrusions 270 are arranged in the left - right direction for the character protrusion 270. The same character protrusions 280 are also arranged in the left - right direction for the character protrusion 280. Also, the character protrusion 280 is located below the character protrusion 270 and is arranged with a phase shift in the left - right direction with respect to the character protrusion 270. As a result, the straight portion 283 of the character protrusion 280 arranged below enters between the straight portions 273 of the character protrusions 270 arranged above and adjacent to each other in the left - right direction. In other words, the straight portion 273 of the character protrusion 270 arranged above enters between the straight portions 283 of the character protrusions 280 arranged below and adjacent to each other in the left - right direction.

[0089] Even if the character "T" in the tenth embodiment is replaced with the character "Y" as in the eleventh embodiment, similar to the tenth embodiment, the arrangement can be such that the character protrusion regions are easily overlapped.

[0090] (Modification) The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] (Modification 1) In the first embodiment, the character protrusion 110 has been described by taking an example in which the cross-sectional shape of the straight portion is substantially triangular and protrudes from the UV development reference plane 7b (reference plane 7a). However, the protrusion shape in the cross-section of the character protrusion 110 is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed. FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams showing modification forms of the protrusion shape in the cross-section of the character protrusion 110. The cross-sectional shape of the character protrusion 110 may be, for example, a substantially isosceles trapezoid shape having a top 110a parallel to the UV development reference plane 7b as shown in FIG. 17. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the character protrusion 110 may be, for example, a protruding shape in which the side surface 110b protrudes outward with a top 110a parallel to the UV development reference plane 7b as shown in FIG. 18. Further, the tip of the protruding shape may be rounded instead of being flat. Note that the modification forms of the cross-sectional shape of the character protrusion are similarly applicable in the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments.

[0092] (Modification 2) In each of the embodiments, an example of a character protrusion imitating a capital letter of the alphabet (English letter) has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, a character protrusion imitating a capital letter of the alphabet (English letter) may be used, or a number may be used, or a character of another language such as Japanese or Korean may be used.

[0093] Note that each of the embodiments and modification forms can be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Further, the present disclosure is not limited by each of the embodiments described above.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1 Tire 1a Unvulcanized tire 1s Side surface 2 Bead 3 Sidewall 3a Outer surface 4 Tread 5 Decoration area 5a Inner arc line 5b Outer arc line 6A Marking part 6B Pattern part 7 Pattern area 7a Reference plane 7b UV unfolding reference plane 10 Tire molding die 11 Sector 11a Inner surface 12 Side plate 12a Inner surface 110 Character protrusion 110a Top part 110b Side surface 111, 112, 113, 114 Straight line part 115, 116, 117 Connection part 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280 Character protrusion G110-1 Character protrusion group G110-1 First character protrusion group G110-2 Second character protrusion group G110-3 Third character protrusion group R110 Character protrusion area R120, R130, R140, R150, R160, R170, R180, R190, R210, R220, R230, R240, R250, R260, R270, R280 Character protrusion area

Claims

1. A tire comprising a pattern region provided in a visible state as a part different from the periphery of a part on an outer surface of a sidewall, wherein the pattern region has a plurality of character protrusions separated from each other, each of the character protrusions being a protrusion imitating a character or a protrusion imitating a rotated or inverted character, when a parallelogram region circumscribing the contour of the character protrusion and formed so as to have the minimum area is defined as a character protrusion region, a tire in which a part of the character protrusion regions of adjacent character protrusions overlaps.

2. The tire according to claim 1, wherein the character protrusion has a plurality of straight portions, and connection portions to which the plurality of straight portions are connected, and is a tire.

3. The tire according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the character protrusion has a plurality of bent portions and is a tire.

4. The tire according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in three or more adjacent character protrusions, a part of the character protrusion regions overlaps and is a tire.

5. The tire according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the character protrusions adjacent to each other and having a part of the character protrusion regions overlapping are protrusions representing the same character and is a tire.

Images