Vehicle tire, vehicle tire manufacturing method, and vulcanization mold

Abstract

A vehicle tire has at least one area-limited structured element (3) formed on the outer surface of the tire, the area-limited structure including a combination of a macrostructure and a microstructure, each structure being an elevated structure relative to a base level (5), the macrostructure consisting of a plurality of ribs (4, 4', 4") having peak regions (7, 7', 7") with a height (H) of 0.20 mm to 0.80 mm relative to the base level (5), and the microstructure covering the surface elements (8) between the ribs (4, 4', 4") is or includes an irregular peak-valley contrast structure (9), the peaks of which have varying heights and a maximum height (h) relative to the base level (5) that is less than the height of the ribs (4, 4', 4"). The peak height (h) of the peak-valley contrast structure (9) is 0.04 mm to 0.10 mm.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle tire, comprising at least one area-limited structured element formed on the outer surface of the vehicle tire, the structure comprising a combination of a macrostructure and a microstructure, each of which is an elevated structure relative to a base level, the macrostructure consisting of a plurality of ribs, the apex regions of which have a height relative to the base level of 0.20 mm to 0.80 mm, and the microstructure covering the surface elements provided between the ribs, the microstructure being or comprising a non-uniform peak-valley contrast structure, the peaks of which have different heights, the maximum height relative to the base level being less than the height of the ribs.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a vehicle tire and to a vulcanization mold for the vulcanization process of such a vehicle tire. [Background technology]

[0003] A vehicle tire of the type mentioned in the introduction is known from EP 2 691 246 B1. This tire has at least one area-limiting structured element on its outer surface, which comprises ribs extending alongside one another and having a substantially triangular cross section, with inclined rib flanks extending on both sides of the rib peak towards its bottom, the angle of the inclined rib flank relative to the base level being at most 25°. The surface provided between the ribs is called the residual surface and is covered with a microstructure having an average roughness of 5 μm to 30 μm. The width of the residual surface is less than or at most equal to half the height of the rib, said height being between 0.10 mm and 0.80 mm. Since the height of the rib is greater than the width of the residual surface, it is intended that the rib can particularly deflect incident light beams before they reach the residual surface, thus limiting the amount of light received by the residual surface. The small microstructural roughness, in the range of 5 μm to 30 μm, allows the remaining surface to act as a virtually smooth surface that highly reflects incident light and therefore has little effect on the contrast effect of the structured elements.

[0004] The structured elements formed on the exterior surface of a vehicle tire are typically in the form of letters, logos, images, etc., and are intended to be contrasting with the surrounding exterior surface, particularly for visibility. In particular, these elements are intended to be structured to reflect little light, i.e., to "capture" impinging light, so that the elements appear darker than the surrounding surface area to an outside observer.

[0005] Area-defining elements formed on the outer surface of vehicle tires, consisting of microstructures with improved contrast effects, are known, for example, from German Patent Application No. 102019207908A1. These microstructures are in the form of roughening, surface coatings, or non-uniform peak-valley contrast structures, with a surface-related roughness value Sa according to EN ISO 25178 of 50 μm to 150 μm. The negative form of the thus-formed contrast structures, with successive or transitional peaks and valleys at different levels, can be laser-produced in the vulcanization mold, allowing for sufficient ventilation and perfect formation on the tire when the green tire is introduced for molding. In the vehicle tire known from German Patent Application No. 102020215188A1, the contrast structures consist of a plurality of contrast structure cells joined to one another in a raster-like manner, each having a corresponding shape in plan view and each with a non-uniform peak-valley structure covering the surface. The arrangement of the contrast structure cells is such that the non-uniform peak-valley contrast structures can be transferred one to another by congruent mapping when viewed in plan view. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2691246B1 [Patent Document 2] German Patent No. 102019207908A1 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102020215188A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The invention is based on the object that, in the case of vehicle tires of the type mentioned in the introduction, which comprise at least one structured element having a combination of a macrostructure and a microstructure, the surface elements having a microstructure consisting of a non-uniform peak-valley structure, provided between the ribs of the macrostructure, are designed in such a way that the contrast effect of the structured element is significantly improved by particularly effective scattering and absorption of incident light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object is achieved according to the present invention in that the height of the peaks of the peak-valley contrast structure is 0.04 mm to 0.10 mm.

[0009] Thus, the height of the peaks of the microstructure's peak-valley contrast structure from the base level is at least 40 μm and at most 100 μm, and the peak heights vary within this range. Therefore, due to the resulting light scattering and light reflection, the surface elements between the ribs contribute particularly effectively to the contrast of the area-limited structure element with respect to the surrounding outer surface, and it is possible to vary the distance between the ribs of the macrostructure within the same structured element, and the macrostructure can be composed of ribs with various arrangements.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the peak-valley contrast structure is interrupted by ribs but otherwise extends continuously across the surface of the structured element or at least a portion of the surface. Thus, a peak-valley structure formed on one surface element can continue on adjacent surface elements, thereby achieving special contrast effects of the microstructure. Furthermore, the required negative structures of such microstructures, as well as those of the macrostructures, can be particularly easily produced in a vulcanization mold.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the peak-valley contrast structure is composed of a plurality of small-area contrast structure cells joined together in a raster-like manner and having corresponding shapes in plan view, with the same non-uniformly designed peak-valley contrast structure being formed within each contrast structure cell. In this case, the contrast structure cells are particularly arranged so that they can be transferred one to another by congruent mapping. For example, the contrast structure cells have a rectangular, particularly square, shape in plan view, with side lengths of 0.80 mm to 1.50 mm. As a result of the replication of the contrast structure cells, the peak-valley contrast structure is scalable in size, and its negative structure can be easily produced on the corresponding mold surface of the tire curing mold. In this case, the surface elements between the ribs can be largely composed of complete contrast structure cells, thus providing a more uniform contrast effect of the surface elements with this microstructure.

[0012] Preferably, there are further embodiments in which the macrostructure ribs have a height of at most 0.60 mm, preferably 0.25 mm to 0.35 mm. With this dimension and the height of the microstructure peaks, which are several times smaller, particularly good contrast effects can be achieved.

[0013] In this case, the height of the ribs of the macrostructure extending into the structuring element can be equal and remain constant over the range of the rib. In alternative embodiments, the height of the ribs varies over their range, or the ribs have different heights or different height profiles. In this way, the contrast effect of the structuring element can be influenced and in particular enhanced in a particularly advantageous way, in particular depending on its position on the tire outer surface.

[0014] The profile and respective placement of the ribs also influence the achievable and desired contrast effect, and there are many possible configurations in this regard.

[0015] In a particularly simple embodiment, the ribs run alongside one another, in particular parallel or nearly parallel to one another, like hatching, and the width between adjacent ribs of the surface element covered by the microstructure is between 0.20 mm and 0.80 mm.

[0016] In another advantageous embodiment, the ribs have continuous rib portions which differ from one another in terms of their profile in the direction of the extent of the rib, for example extending in a zigzag manner in plan view or having a particular configuration in plan view, for example in the form of isosceles trapezoids of approximately equal size, no long base and corresponding orientation.

[0017] To further influence and improve the contrast effect, the ribs may additionally have further rib sections branching off from them. Advantageously, the spacing between the rib sections of adjacent ribs is at least 0.20 mm, in particular at most 0.80 mm. To effectively utilize the contrast effect of the microstructure, a certain minimum spacing is advantageous.

[0018] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle tire designed as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 11, which comprises the following steps: creating a negative profile of at least one structuring element on a mold surface of a curing mold used in a curing process to shape a vehicle tire; First, a negative of the microstructure is formed by laser engraving of the mold surface so as to extend over the entire area of ​​the structured element to be formed, Thereafter, a negative structure of the macrostructure is formed as a recess on the negative of the microstructure by laser engraving or milling; The vulcanization mold performs a vulcanization process to give the tire blank shape of the vehicle tire, whereby the structuring elements are embossed into the macrostructure consisting of ribs and the microstructure between the ribs on the outer surface of the vehicle tire.

[0019] This method makes it possible to particularly faithfully and easily create on the mold surface of the vulcanization mold the negative contour of the structuring elements to be provided in the tire, and to subsequently faithfully punch out the structuring elements during the vulcanization process of the tire blank of the tire.

[0020] The vulcanization mold according to the present invention, which is used for a vulcanization process for forming a vehicle tire designed as described in one or more of claims 1 to 11, has at least one mold surface including a negative structure of structured elements, which is composed of a macrostructure consisting of ribs and a microstructure consisting of a non-uniform peak-valley contrast structure, The negative structure has recesses for forming ribs and a negative structure of the microstructure on the surface elements between the ribs.

[0021] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of schematic drawings showing several exemplary embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 shows a diagram of a portion of a vehicle tire having structuring elements; [Figure 2] 1 shows a detailed view of the microstructure. [Figure 3] 1 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of a structuring element. [Figure 4] 10 shows a plan view of a detail of another alternative embodiment of a structuring element. [Figure 5] 5 shows a perspective view of a part of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a detail of yet another variant embodiment of the structuring element; [Figure 7] 7 shows a perspective view of a part of the detail of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 1 shows in perspective view a circumferential portion of a vehicle tire having a tread 1, a sidewall 2, and structured, area-defining elements 3 on the visible outer surface of the sidewall 2 and on the outer surface of the tread 1. The structured elements 3 may further be formed, for example, on the groove sides and / or groove bottoms of grooves formed in the tread 1, as well as on the tire shoulders. The structured elements 3 may be embodied in any desired external configuration, for example, as an image, a logo, or text.

[0024] The vehicle tire is preferably a pneumatic vehicle tire, especially for a passenger car, van, SUV, light truck, utility vehicle, motorcycle, bus or bicycle.

[0025] As shown in particular in Figures 3 to 7, the structural elements 3 comprise a macrostructure and a microstructure that, in combination, are in each case an elevated structure relative to a base level 5. The base level 5 is the level of the unstructured area of ​​the tire outer surface that has the respective structural element 3, and thus is, for example, the bottom of a flat recess formed in the sidewall 2 and having a smooth or unstructured outer surface, or the smooth or unstructured outer surface on the tire, for example on the sidewall 2, in an area where one or more structural elements 3 are formed.

[0026] The macrostructure consists of a plurality of ribs 4 (FIG. 3), 4' (FIG. 4), and 4" (FIG. 6) of different arrangements and configurations having rib portions 4'a, 4'b, 4'c, 4"a, 4"b, 4"c (FIGS. 4 and 5, and FIGS. 6 and 7), and the microstructure is a covering, non-uniform peak-valley contrast structure 9 on surface elements 8 provided between the ribs 4, 4', 4".

[0027] A common feature of the ribs 4, 4', 4" shown in the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 3, 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 is that their maximum height H relative to the base level 5 is between 0.20 mm and 0.80 mm, preferably between 0.60 mm and 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm. The height H of the ribs 4, 4', 4" may also be the average height along their respective longitudinal extent. Preferably, all ribs 4, 4', 4" in a structuring element 3 have a corresponding, substantially constant height H. The ribs 4, 4', 4" preferably have a triangular or triangle-like cross-section, with their two rib flanks 6, 6', 6" descending towards the base level 5 and each extending at an acute angle α (as shown in Figures 3 and 5) of 2° to 30°, in particular 2° to 10°, with respect to a perpendicular to the base level 5. The ribs 4, 4', 4" shown in Figures 3 to 7 have apex regions 7, 7', 7", which are preferably in the form of narrow plateaus with a width of 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm and which extend continuously above all ribs 4, 4', 4". The apex regions 7, 7', 7" may also be in the form of radii connecting the rib flanks 6, 6', 6".

[0028] The above-described configuration of the ribs 4, 4', 4" includes the corresponding configuration of the rib portions 4'a, 4'b, 4'c, 4"a, 4"b, 4"c shown in the configuration of the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4 and according to Figures 6 and 7.

[0029] The surface elements 8 provided between the ribs 4, 4', 4" or their rib portions 4'a, 4'b, 4'c and 4"a, 4"b, 4"c are covered by the aforementioned microstructure, which therefore extends in each case to the lower end regions of the rib sides 6, 6', 6", so that the microstructure is, as described above, a non-uniform peak-valley contrast structure covering the surface continuing from the base level 5, the peak height h (Figure 2) of which is 0.04 mm to 0.10 mm. In this case, the configuration is preferably such that the microstructure, interrupted by the ribs 4, 4', 4", extends virtually continuously over the surface of each structured element 3.

[0030] In a preferred configuration, the peak-valley contrast structure has an entirely irregular structure across all surface elements 8. In an alternative configuration, the peak-valley contrast structure present across all surface elements 8 and interrupted by the ribs 4, 4', 4" consists of a plurality of small-area contrast structure cells joined to one another in a raster-like manner and having corresponding shapes in plan view, in each contrast structure cell forming the same non-uniformly designed peak-valley contrast structure. The arrangement of the contrast structure cells is such that they can be transferred from one to another by congruent mapping, for example by translation of the contrast structure cells. For example, the contrast structure cells have a rectangular, in particular square, form in plan view and have side lengths of 0.80 mm to 1.50 mm.

[0031] In another alternative embodiment (not shown separately), the microstructure extends in a band, for example beyond the periphery of the structured element 3 or beyond part of the periphery, and thus also in areas where no further ribs are formed.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the arrangement and profile of the ribs 4, 4', 4" are explained below on the basis of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and 6 and 7.

[0033] 3 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the ribs 4 extend alongside one another, in particular parallel or nearly parallel to one another. The mutual distance a between the ribs 4 at the base level 5 is between 0.20 mm and 0.80 mm. In the case of ribs 4 that extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another, as shown, this distance therefore corresponds to the width of the microstructure extending in strips between the ribs 4.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rib 4' consists of rib portions 4'a, 4'b, each extending in a regular zigzag form, and a branched rib portion 4'c. Thus, the rib portions 4"a, 4'b forming the zigzag profile alternately follow each other and extend along their central midlines over a range length e 4’a and e 4’b, which are preferably equal in length to each other and are between 0.20 mm and 0.40 mm, in particular between 0.25 mm and 0.30 mm. As a result of the zigzag profile of the rib portions 4'a, 4'b, the inner corner regions E in and outer corner area E au The rib portions 4'a and 4'b are formed in the inner corner regions E in The interior angles β are preferably equal for the consecutive rib portions 4'a, 4'b. in Branching from the rib 4′ are respective branched rib portions 4′c, which extend parallel or nearly parallel to one another within the rib 4′ and have corresponding range lengths e 4’c which is 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm, preferably 0.25 mm to 0.40 mm.

[0035] Furthermore, the ribs 4' extending alongside one another within the structural element 3 are offset relative to one another in their longitudinal extent direction so that, when viewed transversely to the longitudinal extent direction, the rib portion 4'a of one rib 4' extends alongside the rib portion 4'b of the adjacent rib 4', and the inner corner region E in The rib portions 4'c branching from the inner corner regions E of the adjacent ribs 4' are in The outer corner regions E of the adjacent ribs 4' facing each other au The mutual distance a' between them is 0.20 mm to 0.40 mm, as determined at the base level 5. The microstructure formed in the surface element 8 between the rib portions 4'a, 4'b, 4'c is shown in simplified form.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rib 4" comprises, when viewed in plan, a series of rib portions 4"a which are in the form of correspondingly oriented isosceles trapezoids of approximately equal size and no long base relative to the longitudinal extent of the rib 4", and rib portions 4'b, 4"c branching therefrom. Each rib portion 4"a has a specified extent length e in the extent direction of the rib 4. 4”a, which is 0.40 mm to 1.00 mm, in particular 0.50 mm to 0.80 mm. Inside the rib portion 4"a, two rib portions 4"b, 4"c branch out in pairs and extend in a V-shape relative to each other in a plan view, and the two rib portions preferably have a corresponding range length e 4”b and e 4”c , which is specifically 0.30 mm to 0.50 mm, particularly 0.35 mm to 0.45 mm along the midline of the rib portions 4"b, 4"c.

[0037] Furthermore, the ribs 4" extending alongside one another within the structured element 3 are offset relative to one another in their longitudinal extent, in particular when viewed in plan view, so that for each of two ribs 4" extending alongside one another, a set of rib portions 4"b or 4"c, respectively, extend in mutual alignment. Also in this embodiment, the microstructure formed in the surface element 8 between the ribs 4" is shown in simplified form in Figures 6 and 7.

[0038] As shown and described, the production of vehicle tires with structured area-limiting elements 3 having a combination of macrostructure and microstructure is realized in a vulcanization mold in which one or more mold surfaces, for example the inner surface of the sidewall shell, are provided with corresponding negative contours. In one embodiment of this production of such a negative structure, at each location of the mold surface, a negative of the microstructure is first produced partially over the entire area of ​​the intended structured element 3 by laser engraving, and the mold surface is correspondingly locally recessed. Subsequently, recesses as negatives of the macrostructure, i.e., ribs 4, 4', 4", are formed at each location in the negative of the microstructure, also by laser engraving or milling. When the already finished tire blank of a vehicle tire is placed in the vulcanization mold and vulcanized, at least one area-limiting structural element 3 with a corresponding microstructure and macrostructure is embossed into the rubber material of the vehicle tire on its outer surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Tread 2 Sidewall 3 Structuring elements 4, 4', 4" rib 4'a, 4'b, 4'c Rib part 4"a, 4"b, 4"c rib section 5 Base Level 6, 6', 6" Rib Side 7, 7', 7" Vertex Area 8 Surface Elements 9 Peak-valley contrast structure E in inner corner area E au outer corner area e 4’a , e 4’b , e 4’c Range Length e 4”a , e 4”b , e 4”c Range Length a, a' distance α, β angles H Rib 4, 4', 4" height h Height of the peaks in the peak-valley contrast structure m midline

Claims

1. A vehicle tire having at least one area-limited structuring element (3) formed on the outer surface of said vehicle tire and comprising a combination of a macrostructure and a microstructure, in each case a structure elevated with respect to a base level (5), said macrostructure consisting of a plurality of ribs (4, 4', 4"), the apex regions (7, 7', 7") of which have a height (H) of 0.20 mm to 0.80 mm with respect to said base level (5), said microstructure being or comprising a non-uniform peak-valley contrast structure (9) covering surface elements (8) provided between said ribs (4, 4', 4") and whose peaks have different heights, the maximum height (h) with respect to said base level (5) being less than said height of said ribs (4, 4', 4"), A vehicle tire characterized in that the peaks of the peak-valley contrast structure (9) have a height (h) of 0.04 mm to 0.10 mm.

2. 2. Vehicle tyre according to claim 1, characterized in that the peak-valley contrast structure (9) is interrupted by the ribs (4, 4', 4") but otherwise extends continuously over the surface or at least part of the surface of the structuring element (3).

3. 3. The vehicle tire according to claim 1, wherein the peak-valley contrast structure (9) is composed of a plurality of small-area contrast structure cells joined to one another in a raster shape and having corresponding shapes in a plan view, and the same non-uniformly designed peak-valley contrast structure (9) is formed in each contrast structure cell.

4. 4. Vehicle tire according to claim 3, characterized in that the contrast structure cells are arranged so as to be transferred one to the other by congruent mapping.

5. 5. Vehicle tyre according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the contrast structure cells have a rectangular, in particular square, shape in plan view and have a side length of between 0.80 mm and 1.50 mm.

6. A vehicle tyre according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ribs (4, 4', 4") of the macrostructure have a height (H) of at most 0.60 mm, preferably between 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm.

7. 7. Vehicle tyre according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 6, characterized in that within a structuring element (3), the ribs (4, 4', 4") of the macrostructure have a height (H) that is equal and remains constant over the extent of the rib (4, 4', 4")

8. 8. Vehicle tyre according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ribs (4) run alongside one another, in particular parallel to one another, in the form of hatching, and the surface elements (8) covered by the microstructure have a width between adjacent ribs (4) of 0.20 mm to 0.80 mm.

9. 9. Vehicle tyre according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ribs (4', 4") have successive rib portions (4'a, 4'b, 4"a) which differ from one another in terms of their profile in the direction of the extent of the rib (4', 4") or which have, in plan view, a particular configuration, for example the form of isosceles trapezoids of approximately equal size, without a long base and of corresponding orientation.

10. Vehicle tyre according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rib (4', 4") has a further rib portion (4'c, 4"c) branching off from the rib portion (4'a, 4'b, 4"a).

11. 11. Vehicle tyre according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the spacing between the rib portions (4'a, 4'b, 4'c, 4"a, 4"b, 4"c) of ribs (4', 4") extending adjacent to one another is at least 0.20 mm, in particular at most 0.80 mm.

12. A method for manufacturing a vehicle tire designed as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, The following steps: creating a negative profile of at least one structuring element (3) on a mold surface of a vulcanization mold used in a vulcanization process for shaping said vehicle tire, First, a negative of the microstructure is created by laser engraving of the mold surface, extending over the entire area of ​​the structured element (3) to be formed; Subsequently, the negative structure of the macrostructure is created by laser engraving or milling as a recess on the negative of the microstructure, The vulcanization mold performs a vulcanization process for shaping the tire blank of the vehicle tire, whereby the structuring elements (3) are embossed through the negative structure, thus forming a macrostructure consisting of ribs (4, 4', 4") and the microstructure between the ribs (4, 4', 4") on the outer surface of the vehicle tire.

13. A vulcanization mold used in a vulcanization process for imparting a shape to a vehicle tire designed as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, having at least one mold surface including a negative structure of structured elements (3) consisting of a macrostructure consisting of ribs (4, 4', 4") and a microstructure consisting of a non-uniform peak-valley contrast structure (9); A vulcanization mold having recesses for forming the ribs (4, 4', 4") and a negative structure of the microstructure on surface elements (8) between the ribs (4, 4', 4").

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