pneumatic tires

Abstract

We offer pneumatic tires that provide excellent durability while incorporating different colored rubber on the sidewall. [Solution] The pneumatic tire 1 according to the embodiment is a pneumatic tire in which a different colored rubber portion 32 is provided on the sidewall 30, which is made of rubber with a lower carbon black content than the rubber that constitutes the sidewall 30, the length A along the outer surface of the tire from the interface between the rim strip rubber 3 and the lower sidewall rubber to the interface between the lower sidewall rubber and the different colored rubber portion is 3% or more and 12% or less of the tire cross-sectional height H, and the first folded end 51BE of the folded portion 51B is arranged to overlap with the first belt ply 71 in the direction normal to the folded portion 51B.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to pneumatic tires.

Background Art

[0002] For the purpose of improving the visibility and design of tires, sidewalls are known that are composed of a different-color rubber composition such as white rubber for pattern portions such as characters, symbols, lines, or figures provided continuously or discontinuously in the tire circumferential direction on the sidewall. This type of sidewall is formed, for example, by disposing a different-color rubber while radially dividing a predetermined portion of the unvulcanized black rubber forming the sidewall, providing a black cover rubber layer on the different-color rubber, and then vulcanizing the formed green tire with a predetermined mold, and then grinding a part of the cover rubber layer to expose the different-color rubber as a pattern portion.

[0003] As a technique related to a sidewall in which a different-color rubber is disposed, for example, in Patent Document 1, in order to suppress a black residue phenomenon in which black rubber is partially exposed in a pattern portion, it is disclosed that the volume of the different-color rubber is 60% or more and 70% or less of the volume of the black rubber. [[ID=~17]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A tire having a sidewall in which a different-color rubber is disposed as in Patent Document 1 has an interface between the different-color rubber and the black rubber, so that the number of interfaces increases compared to a tire having only a black sidewall, and the durability is likely to decrease.

[0006] In view of the above, an embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a pneumatic tire that exhibits excellent durability while having a different colored rubber on the sidewall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes embodiments shown below.

[0008] [1] A pair of bead portions comprising a pair of bead cores spaced apart in the tire axial direction and a bead filler provided on the radially outer side of the bead cores; a pair of sidewalls provided radially outward from the pair of bead portions; a tread provided between the pair of sidewalls; a first carcass ply having a first main body portion extending from the tread through the sidewalls to the bead cores; and a first folded portion extending from the first main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inside to the outside in the tire axial direction; a second carcass ply having a second main body portion positioned radially outward from the first main body portion in the tread and extending from the tread through the sidewalls to the bead cores; and a second folded portion extending from the second main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inside to the outside in the tire axial direction; and the tie of the first carcass ply in the sidewall A pneumatic tire comprising: a different colored rubber portion provided on the tire axial side and made of rubber with a lower carbon black content than the rubber constituting the sidewall; and a rim strip rubber provided on the tire axial side of the bead portion and including a portion that contacts the wheel rim, wherein the sidewall comprises an upper sidewall rubber provided on the tire radial side of the different colored rubber portion and a lower sidewall rubber provided between the different colored rubber portion and the rim strip rubber, the length A along the outer surface of the tire from the interface between the rim strip rubber and the lower sidewall rubber to the interface between the lower sidewall rubber and the different colored rubber portion being 3% or more and 12% or less of the tire cross-sectional height H, the tire radial outer end of the first folded portion being positioned radially outward from the different colored rubber portion, and the tire radial outer end of the second folded portion being positioned to overlap with the different colored rubber portion in the tire axial direction.

[0009] [2] A first carcass ply having a pair of bead portions comprising a pair of bead cores spaced apart in the tire axial direction and a bead filler provided on the radially outer side of the bead cores, a pair of sidewalls provided radially outward from the pair of bead portions, a tread provided between the pair of sidewalls, a first main body portion extending from the tread through the sidewalls to the bead core, and a first folded portion extending from the first main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inside to the outside in the tire axial direction, and a second carcass ply having a second main body portion positioned radially outward from the first main body portion in the tread and extending from the tread through the sidewalls to the bead core, and a second folded portion extending from the second main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inside to the outside in the tire axial direction, and the sidewall A pneumatic tire comprising: a different colored rubber portion provided on the tire axial side of the first carcass ply in the tire, made of rubber with a lower carbon black content than the rubber constituting the sidewall; and a rim strip rubber provided on the tire axial side of the bead portion, including a portion that contacts the wheel rim, wherein the sidewall comprises an upper sidewall rubber provided on the tire radial side of the different colored rubber portion and a lower sidewall rubber provided between the different colored rubber portion and the rim strip rubber, the length A along the outer surface of the tire from the interface between the rim strip rubber and the lower sidewall rubber to the interface between the lower sidewall rubber and the different colored rubber portion being 3% or more and 12% or less of the tire cross-sectional height H, and the tire radial outer end of the bead filler being arranged to overlap with the different colored rubber portion in the tire axial direction.

[0010] [3] The pneumatic tire according to [2], wherein the radially outer end of the second folded portion is positioned radially outward from the radially outer end of the bead filler. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a pneumatic tire with different colored rubber arranged on the sidewall, the occurrence of separation can be suppressed and durability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Half cross-sectional view of a pneumatic tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an unfolded diagram showing the tread pattern of a pneumatic tire. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] In the diagram, the symbol CL represents the tire equatorial plane and corresponds to the center of the tire in the axial direction. Here, the tire radial direction is the direction perpendicular to the tire rotation axis and is indicated by the symbol RD in the diagram. The inner side of the tire radial direction is the direction approaching the tire rotation axis, and the outer side of the tire radial direction is the direction away from the tire rotation axis. The tire axial direction is the direction parallel to the tire rotation axis and is indicated by the symbol WD in the diagram. The inner side of the tire axial direction is the direction approaching the center of the tire in the axial direction CL, and the outer side of the tire axial direction is the direction away from the center of the tire in the axial direction CL. The tire circumferential direction is the direction along the circumference centered on the tire rotation axis and is indicated by the arrow CD in the diagram.

[0015] In the diagram, the symbol E indicates the tire's contact point. The contact point E is the outermost position in the tire's axial direction (WD) on the contact surface. The contact surface refers to the surface of the tread portion that contacts the road surface when the tire is mounted on a standard rim, filled with standard internal pressure, placed perpendicular to a flat road surface, and subjected to a standard load. The tire section height H is the length in the radial direction of the tire, from the inner diameter surface to the outer diameter surface, of an unloaded, pneumatic tire 1 mounted on a standard rim and filled with standard internal pressure.

[0016] The standard rim is the rim defined for each tire in a standard system including the standards on which the tire is based. For example, in the case of JATMA, it is the standard rim, and in the case of TRA and ETRTO, it is the "Measuring Rim".

[0017] The standard load is the load defined for each tire in a standard system including the standards on which the tire is based. In the case of JATMA, it is the maximum load capacity; in the case of TRA, it is the maximum value described in the above table; and in the case of ETRTO, it is the "LOAD CAPACITY".

[0018] The standard internal pressure is the "maximum air pressure" in the JATMA standard, the "maximum value" described in "TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES" in the TRA standard, or the "INFLATION PRESSURE" in the ETRTO standard.

[0019] Also, in this specification, "overlap" shall include not only the case where tire components such as bead fillers, carcass plies, belt plies, and tread rubber directly contact and overlap each other, but also the case where they overlap with another member interposed therebetween.

[0020] (1) Basic structure of pneumatic tire 1 The pneumatic tire 1 according to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a pair of left and right bead portions 20, a pair of left and right sidewalls 30 extending radially outward from the bead portions 20 in the tire diameter direction, and a tread 40 connecting the radially outer ends of the sidewalls 30 in the tire diameter direction to form a ground contact surface.

[0021] In each of the pair of bead portions 20, a ring-shaped bead core 21 is embedded. On the outer side of the bead core 21 in the tire radial direction, a bead filler 22 made of hard rubber that tapers toward the outer side in the tire radial direction is provided. In the bead portion 20, a rim strip rubber 3 is provided on the outer side in the tire axial direction WD of the bead filler 22. The rim strip rubber 3 is a rubber member that forms the outer surface of the bead portion 20 and contacts a wheel rim (not shown) on which the pneumatic tire 1 is mounted. Reference numeral 23 denotes a chafer provided in the bead portion 20. The chafer 23 is provided so as to enclose the bead core 21 and the bead filler 22 outside the carcass 50 provided in the bead portion 20. As the chafer 23, a fiber chafer containing organic fibers such as nylon fibers or a rubber chafer can be adopted. <0,000,091><0,000,092><0,000,093>The pneumatic tire 1 includes a carcass 50 provided in a toroidal shape across the pair of bead portions 20. The carcass 50 is locked by turning back from the inner side to the outer side in the tire axial direction around the bead core 21 in the bead portion 20 through the sidewall 30 from the tread 40. An inner liner 2 is provided on the inner surface side of the carcass 50 as an air permeation resistant rubber layer. <0,000,094><0,000,095><0,000,096>On the outer side in the tire axial direction WD of the bead filler 22 in the bead portion 20, a side reinforcing layer 80 is provided, and a rim strip rubber 3 is provided on the outer side of the carcass 50 in the bead portion 20 on the outer surface side of the tire (i.e., the outer side in the tire axial direction WD). On the outer surface side of the carcass 50 in the sidewall 30, a sidewall rubber 31 and a different-color rubber portion 32 are provided. On the outer side in the tire radial direction RD of the carcass 50 in the tread 40, a belt 70 is provided, and a belt reinforcing layer 73 and a tread rubber 41 are laminated on the outer side in the tire radial direction RD of the belt 70. <0,000,097><0,000,098><0,000,099>(2) Tread 40 <0,000,100>The tread 40 is provided with tread rubber 41. The tread rubber 41 has a two-layer structure consisting of a cap rubber layer 42 having a tread surface that contacts the road surface, and a base rubber layer 43 positioned inside the cap rubber layer 42 in the tire radial direction RD. The tread rubber 41 covers the outer end of the sidewall rubber 31 provided on the sidewall 30 in the tire radial direction RD. Alternatively, the tread rubber 41 and sidewall rubber 31 may be arranged such that the outer end of the sidewall rubber 31 in the tire radial direction RD covers the axial end WD of the tread rubber 41 from the outside.

[0025] The cap rubber layer 42 has multiple main grooves 44A and 44B formed in it, extending along the tire circumferential direction CD and spaced apart in the tire axial direction WD. In this example, there is a pair of center main grooves 44A located on both sides of the tire axial center CL, and a pair of shoulder main grooves 44B located outside of them.

[0026] The cap rubber layer 42 is divided into multiple land sections 45A, 45B, and 45C in the tire axial direction WD by multiple main grooves 44A and 44B. Specifically, it is provided with a center land section 45A sandwiched between a pair of center main grooves 44A, 44A, a pair of left and right intermediate land sections 45B sandwiched between the center main groove 44A and the shoulder main groove 44B, and a pair of left and right shoulder land sections 45C formed between the shoulder main groove 44B and the contact end E. Each land section 45A, 45B, and 45C is provided with a lateral groove 46 extending in a direction intersecting the tire circumferential direction CD.

[0027] The base rubber layer 43 consists of a rubber layer with a substantially constant thickness, provided on the radially outer side of the belt reinforcement layer 73. The base rubber layer 43 may be made of a rubber composition having the same rubber hardness as the rubber composition that constitutes the cap rubber layer 42. Alternatively, the base rubber layer 43 may be made of a rubber composition with lower rubber hardness than the rubber composition that constitutes the cap rubber layer 42.

[0028] It is preferable to use a rubber composition with a rubber hardness in the range of 52 to 68 for the cap rubber layer 42 and base rubber layer 43 that constitute the tread rubber 41.

[0029] In this specification, rubber hardness is defined as JIS K6253-1-2012 3.2 durometer hardness, and is measured using a Type A durometer for general rubber (medium hardness) in an atmosphere of 23°C.

[0030] A belt 70 is provided on the inner side of the tire radial direction RD of the base rubber layer 43. The belt 70 consists of at least two intersecting belt plies, in which the belt cords are arranged at an inclination angle of 10 degrees to 35 degrees, preferably 22 degrees to 28 degrees, with respect to the tire circumferential direction CD. In this example, it has a two-layer structure with a first belt ply 71 located on the inner side of the tire radial direction RD and a second belt ply 72 located on its outer circumference. Of these, the first belt ply 71 is the widest belt, and its outer end in the tire axial direction WD corresponds to the outer end 70E in the tire axial direction of the belt 70. Steel cords or high-tensile organic fiber cords can be used as the belt cords.

[0031] In this example, a belt reinforcing layer 73 is provided on the outer side of the belt 70 in the tire radial direction RD, i.e., between the belt 70 and the tread rubber 41. The belt reinforcing layer 73 is composed of cap plies having cords that extend substantially parallel to the tire circumferential direction CD.

[0032] Furthermore, a rubber layer 74 is provided between the tire axial WD end of the first belt ply 71 and the carcass 50, which does not contain cord reinforcing materials such as organic fibers or steel cords.

[0033] In the pneumatic tire 1 of this embodiment, when the tire is mounted on a regular rim and the internal pressure is not filled (regular rim mounting, internal pressure not filled), the tire thickness THc at the center of the tire axial WD cross section is smaller than the tire thickness THe at the contact end E.

[0034] Here, the tire thickness THc at the axial center CL of the tire is the tire thickness at the normal to the tire surface profile at the axial center CL, and the tire thickness THe at the contact end E is the tire thickness at the normal to the tire surface profile at the contact end E. The tire surface profile is the contour line of the outer surface of the tread 40 excluding the main grooves 44A and 44B, and is usually defined by a curve formed by smoothly connecting multiple arcs.

[0035] In other words, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tire thickness THc at the center CL in the tire axial direction is the length in the normal direction of the outer surface of the tread 40 from the outer surface of the cap rubber layer 42 that constitutes the outer surface of the tire to the inner surface of the inner liner 2 that constitutes the inner surface of the tire, when no grooves such as the main groove 44A or lateral groove 46 are provided at the center CL in the tire axial direction, and when a groove is provided at the center CL in the tire axial direction, it is the length in the normal direction of the outer surface of the tread 40 from the opening surface of the groove to the inner surface of the inner liner 2.

[0036] Furthermore, the tire thickness The at the contact end E is the length in the normal direction of the outer surface of the tread 40 from the outer surface of the cap rubber layer 42 to the inner surface of the inner liner 2 if there are no grooves such as lateral grooves 46 at the contact end E, and the length in the normal direction of the outer surface of the tread 40 from the opening of the groove to the inner surface of the inner liner 2 if there are grooves at the contact end E.

[0037] (3) Sidewall 30 The sidewall 30 is provided with sidewall rubber 31 and a different colored rubber portion 32. The sidewall rubber 31 is joined to the axial WD end of the tread rubber 41 at the outer end of the tire radial RD, and to the outer end of the radial RD of the rim strip rubber 3 at the inner end of the tire radial RD. The sidewall rubber 31, like the tread rubber 41 and rim strip rubber 3, is made of a black rubber composition (black rubber) that contains carbon black as a reinforcing filler.

[0038] In this embodiment, the discolored rubber portion 32 is made of white rubber, but it may be made of rubber colored in any color as long as it has a lower carbon black content than the sidewall rubber 31. The white rubber composition constituting the discolored rubber portion 32 can be any known white rubber composition commonly used for this application, and is not particularly limited.

[0039] For example, the discolored rubber portion 32 does not contain carbon black as a reinforcing filler, but is made of a rubber composition containing fillers other than carbon black, such as silica, talc, or clay (i.e., non-carbon black fillers). The sidewall rubber 31 is made of a rubber composition that is softer (lower hardness) and less rigid than the rim strip rubber 3. The discolored rubber portion 32 can be made of a rubber composition that is softer (lower hardness) and less rigid than the black rubber composition containing carbon black that makes up the sidewall rubber 31. For example, the rubber hardness of the rim strip rubber 3 can be set to 60-85, the rubber hardness of the sidewall rubber 31 to 50-70, and the rubber hardness of the discolored rubber portion 12 to 40-70.

[0040] The discolored rubber portion 32 is arranged in an annular shape along the circumferential direction in a portion of the radial direction of the sidewall 30. A portion of the outer surface of the discolored rubber portion 32 is covered by a cover rubber layer (not shown) made of black rubber of the same color as the sidewall rubber 31, and the exposed portion of the discolored rubber portion 32 that is not covered becomes the discolored indicator portion 33.

[0041] The contrasting color display section 33 displays predetermined patterns, characters, symbols, designs, or lines and figures that are continuously or discontinuously arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire, using a color different from that of the sidewall rubber on the outer surface of the tire. This contrasting color display section 33 may be provided protruding from the outer surface of the tire. Furthermore, the contrasting color display section 33 may be provided in an annular shape continuously along the circumferential direction CD of the tire, or it may be provided discontinuously along the circumferential direction depending on the shape of the display.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the discolored rubber portion 32 is provided in the region of the sidewall 30 on the inner side of the tire radial direction RD, extending from the outer surface of the tire in the tire axial direction WD to the first folded portion 51B of the first carcass ply 51. By providing the discolored rubber portion 32 in this way, the discolored rubber portion 32 radially divides the black sidewall rubber 31 near the center of the tire radial direction RD, forming an upper sidewall rubber 31A located on the outer side of the discolored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction RD and a lower sidewall rubber 31B located on the inner side of the discolored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction RD.

[0043] The outer end 32E1 of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction may be located radially outward from the outer end (tip) 22E of the bead filler 22, and the inner end 32E2 of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction may be located radially inward from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22. In other words, the tip 22E of the bead filler 22 may be positioned to overlap with the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire axial direction WD via the first folded portion 51B and the second folded portion 52B of the carcass 50. In this embodiment, the tip 22E of the bead filler 22 extends radially outward to a position that overlaps with the different-colored indicator portion 33 when viewed from the tire axial direction WD.

[0044] In this embodiment, both ends of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction are inclined to narrow as they move inward in the tire axial direction, and the radial length of the different-colored rubber portion 32 on the outer surface of the tire is set to be longer than the radial length on the inner surface of the tire.

[0045] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the different-colored rubber portion 32 can be provided in various shapes. For example, both ends of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction may be inclined to widen as they move inward in the tire axial direction, both ends of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction may be provided substantially parallel to the tire axial direction, or one end of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction may be inclined with respect to the tire axial direction, and the other end in the tire radial direction may be provided substantially parallel to the tire axial direction.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interface 5 between the lower sidewall rubber 31B and the rim strip rubber 3 is inclined so that it moves inward in the tire radial direction RD as it moves outward in the tire axial direction WD, and is inclined substantially parallel to the same direction as the interface 4 between the different colored rubber portion 32 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B.

[0047] In this embodiment, the inner end 32E2 of the differently colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction is located further inward RD in the tire radial direction than the outer end of the rim strip rubber 3 in the tire radial direction, and overlaps with the outer end of the rim strip rubber 3 in the tire radial direction via the lower sidewall rubber 31B in the tire axial direction.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, the different-colored rubber portion 32 is provided at a position where the length A along the outer surface of the tire, from the interface 4 between the different-colored rubber portion 32 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B to the interface 5 between the lower sidewall rubber 31B and the rim strip rubber 3, is 3% to 12% of the tire cross-sectional height H. Preferably, the length A is 6.0% to 10.0% of the tire cross-sectional height H.

[0049] By setting the ratio of the length A along the outer surface of the tire from interface 4 to interface 5 to the tire section height H to 3% or more, it is possible to secure the distance from the rim strip rubber 3 around the bead section 20, where strain energy tends to concentrate when a load is applied, to the interface 4 of the different colored rubber section 32, thereby suppressing the occurrence of separation and improving durability. Further improvements in durability can be achieved by setting the ratio of length A to tire section height H to 4.5% or more.

[0050] Furthermore, by setting this ratio to 12% or less, the different-colored rubber portion 32 can be placed in a conspicuous position on the sidewall 30, allowing the different-colored rubber to be exposed without exposing the black sidewall rubber in the display area such as patterns or letters, thus avoiding deterioration of appearance quality. By setting this ratio to 10% or less, the different-colored rubber can be exposed over a wide area in the radial direction of the tire without exposing the sidewall rubber.

[0051] (4) Carcass 50 The carcass 50 comprises two carcass plies, namely a first carcass ply 51 and a second carcass ply 52, which are laminated so that the constituent cords extend inclined with respect to the tire circumferential direction CD and the constituent cords are facing in opposite directions. The carcass plies 51 and 52 are in the form of sheets made of multiple parallel cords covered with rubber. The multiple cords of the carcass plies 51 and 52 may be, for example, organic fiber cords such as polyester fibers, rayon fibers, aramid fibers, nylon fibers, or steel cords.

[0052] The first carcass ply 51 consists of a first main body portion 51A that extends from the tread 40 through the sidewall 30 to the bead core 21 of the bead portion 20, and a first folded portion 51B that extends from the first main body portion 51A and is folded back around the bead core 21 from the inside to the outside in the tire axial direction WD.

[0053] The first main body portion 51A passes through the inner side of the tire axial direction WD of the bead filler 22 and reaches the inner side of the tire radial direction RD of the bead core 21. The first folded portion 51B is wound up from the inner side of the tire radial direction RD of the bead core 21, passing through the outer side of the tire axial direction WD of the bead filler 22, and out to the outer side of the tire radial direction RD.

[0054] The second carcass ply 52 consists of a second main body portion 52A that extends from the tread 40 through the sidewall 30 to the bead core 21 of the bead portion 20, and a second folded portion 52B that extends from the second main body portion 52A and is folded back around the bead core 21 from the inside to the outside in the tire axial direction WD.

[0055] The second main body portion 52A is positioned on the tread 40 on the radial side of the first main body portion 51A, extends along the outer surface of the first main body portion 51A toward the bead portion 20, passes between the first main body portion 51A and the bead filler 22, and reaches the inner side of the bead core 21 in the radial direction RD. The second folded portion 52B is wound up from the inner side of the bead core 21 in the radial direction RD, passes between the bead filler 22 and the first folded portion 51B, and is wound outwards in the radial direction RD.

[0056] The first carcass ply 51 terminates at a position further outward in the tire radial direction RD than the different-colored rubber portion 32 provided on the sidewall 30. That is, the first folded end 51BE, which is the outermost end of the first folded portion 51B in the tire radial direction RD, is located further outward in the tire radial direction RD than the outermost end 32E1 of the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction, and is positioned to overlap with the upper sidewall rubber 31A in the tire axial direction.

[0057] The second carcass ply 52 has a second folded portion 52B that extends outward in the tire radial direction RD from the lower sidewall rubber 31B and terminates inward in the tire radial direction RD from the upper sidewall rubber 31A. More specifically, the second folded end 52BE, which is the outer end of the second folded portion 52B in the tire radial direction RD, is located outward in the tire radial direction RD from the inner end 32E2 of the different colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction RD, and is located inward in the tire radial direction RD from the outer end 32E1 of the different colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction RD, and is arranged to overlap with the different colored rubber portion 32 in the tire axial direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the second folded end 52BE of the second folded portion 52B is located outward in the tire radial direction RD from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22, and is preferably located at a distance of 15 mm or more outward in the tire radial direction RD from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22.

[0058] (5) Side reinforcement layer 80 The side reinforcement layer 80 is a rubber layer formed by arranging multiple reinforcing cords, each made of steel cords or organic fiber cords, in parallel at predetermined intervals and covering them with rubber. The side reinforcement layer 80 is provided between the bead filler 22 and the second folded portion 52B. The inner end 80E2 of the side reinforcement layer 80 in the tire radial direction is located outside the bead core 21 in the tire radial direction RD and is positioned to overlap with the rim strip rubber 3 in the tire axial direction WD. The side reinforcement layer 80 extends outward in the tire radial direction RD along the outside of the bead filler 22 in the tire axial direction WD and is positioned to be outside the bead filler 22 in the tire radial direction.

[0059] In other words, the inner end 80E2 of the side reinforcement layer 80 in the tire radial direction is located further outward in the tire radial direction RD than the outer end RD of the bead core 21 in the tire radial direction, and further inward in the tire radial direction than the inner end 5E of the interface 5 between the lower sidewall rubber 31B and the rim strip rubber 3 in the tire axial direction.

[0060] The inner end 80E2 of the side reinforcement layer 80 in the tire radial direction is positioned inward in the tire radial direction from the outer end 23E of the chafing 23 provided on the outer side of the bead filler 22 in the tire axial direction, so the side reinforcement layer 80 and the chafing 23 may overlap in the tire axial direction WD, or it may be positioned outward in the tire radial direction from the outer end 23E of the chafing 23.

[0061] The outer end 80E1 of the side reinforcement layer 80 in the tire radial direction is preferably located further outward RD than the tip 22E of the bead filler 22, and is preferably positioned at a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22 in the tire radial direction. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of increasing the rigidity of the bead portion 20 and the sidewall 30 and improving durability, the second folded end 52BE of the second folded portion 52B is preferably located further outward RD than the outer end 80E1 of the side reinforcement layer 80 in the tire radial direction.

[0062] Furthermore, the outer end 80E1 of the side reinforcement layer 80 in the tire radial direction may be provided in a position that overlaps with the different colored rubber portion 32 in the tire axial direction WD, or in a position that overlaps with the different colored display portion 33 of the different colored rubber portion 32 in the tire axial direction WD, or may be provided so as to overlap with the upper sidewall rubber 31A in the tire axial direction WD.

[0063] (6) Effects In the pneumatic tire 1 of this embodiment, the length A along the outer surface of the tire from the interface 5 between the rim strip rubber 3 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B to the interface 4 between the lower sidewall rubber 31B and the discolored rubber portion 32 is 3% to 12% of the tire cross-sectional height H. Since a distance is secured from the rim strip rubber 3 near the bead portion 20 where strain energy tends to concentrate when a load is applied, the stress acting on the interface 4 between the discolored rubber portion 32 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B can be reduced, the occurrence of separation at the interface can be suppressed, and durability can be improved.

[0064] Furthermore, in the pneumatic tire 1 of this embodiment, the tire thickness from the inner surface to the outer surface in the axial cross-section of the tire in the state where the internal pressure of the rim assembly is not filled is smaller at the center of the tire in the axial direction than at the contact edge, so that the tread 40 is more prone to bending deformation. As a result, the bending of the entire tire is more easily distributed in the tread 40, which can suppress bending deformation that occurs on the inner side of the bead portion 20 and the sidewall 30 in the radial direction of the tire, suppress the occurrence of separation at the interface 5 between the different colored rubber portion 32 and the sidewall rubber 31, and improve durability.

[0065] In this embodiment, by setting the angle of the belt cord provided on the belt 70 with respect to the tire circumferential direction CD to 22 degrees or more and 28 degrees or less, the tread 40 can be restrained in the tire radial direction while allowing a moderate deformation. This suppresses the bending deformation that occurs on the radial side of the bead portion 20 and sidewall 30 without impairing the tire's running performance, and suppresses the occurrence of separation at the interface 5 between the different colored rubber portion 32 and the sidewall rubber 31, thereby improving durability.

[0066] Furthermore, by adjusting the belt angle of the belt cord with respect to the tire circumferential CD within the above range, the tire's contact pressure becomes uniform, and the strain is distributed throughout the tire, thereby suppressing deflection deformation in the sidewall 30 and bead portion 20.

[0067] In this embodiment, by positioning the tip 22E of the bead filler 22 to overlap with the discolored rubber portion 32 in the tire axial direction WD, the interface between the discolored rubber portion 32 and the sidewall rubber 31 can be reinforced, thereby suppressing the occurrence of separation at the interface of the discolored rubber portion 32 and improving durability. In particular, as in this embodiment, when the second folded end 52BE is positioned radially outward from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22, the bead filler 22 is reinforced by the tension of the second carcass ply 52, thereby increasing the overall rigidity of the sidewall 30 and further suppressing the occurrence of separation at the interface of the different colored rubber parts 32. In this case, by positioning the second folded end 52BE at a distance of 15 mm or more radially outward RD from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22, it becomes more difficult for air to enter between the bead filler 22 and the second carcass ply 52 during tire manufacturing, thereby suppressing molding defects. In the pneumatic tire 1 of this embodiment, the first folded portion 51B of the first carcass ply 51 is positioned radially outward from the different-colored rubber portion 32, and the second folded end 52BE of the second carcass ply 52 is positioned to overlap with the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire axial direction. As a result, the rigidity of the sidewall 30 near the different-colored rubber portion 32 can be increased, and the occurrence of separation at the interface 6 between the different-colored rubber portion 32 and the upper sidewall rubber 31A, and at the interface 4 between the different-colored rubber portion 32 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B can be suppressed, thereby improving durability.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second folded end 52BE is positioned to fit within the different-colored rubber portion 32 in the tire radial direction RD, while the first folded portion 51B and the second folded portion 52B are provided such that the first folded portion 51B, which extends radially outward from the different-colored rubber portion 32, wraps around the second folded end 52BE from the outside in the tire axial direction. As a result, a high reinforcing effect is achieved even with a short radial length of the second folded portion 52B. Consequently, it is possible to achieve both reduced rolling resistance due to weight reduction and improved durability due to increased rigidity.

[0069] In the pneumatic tire 1 of this embodiment, the side reinforcement layer 80 with the above configuration is provided between the bead filler 22 and the second folded portion 52B. This increases the rigidity of the rim strip rubber 3 and the area near the lower sidewall rubber 31B where strain tends to concentrate when a load is applied, suppressing the occurrence of separation at the interface 4 between the different colored rubber portion 32 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B, thereby improving durability.

[0070] As in the pneumatic tire 1 of this embodiment, by positioning the radially outer end 80E1 of the side reinforcement layer 80 to be radially outward from the tip 22E of the bead filler 22, the side reinforcement layer 80 exhibits a high reinforcing effect. Furthermore, since the ends of the side reinforcement layer 80 and the bead filler 22 do not overlap, air is less likely to enter between the components during tire manufacturing, thereby suppressing molding defects. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0071] (7) Examples The following are examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0072] To demonstrate the effects of the above embodiments, pneumatic tires of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were prototyped.

[0073] The pneumatic tires of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are radial tires of size 195 / 80R15 with the cross-sectional shape shown in Figure 1 and the tread pattern shown in Figure 2, and the length A along the outer surface of the tire differs from the interface 5 between the rim strip rubber 3 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B to the interface 4 between the lower sidewall rubber 31B and the different colored rubber portion 32. The length A, tire cross-sectional height H, and the ratio of length A to tire cross-sectional height H in the pneumatic tires of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 1.

[0074] In all examples, the cross-sectional height was 156 mm, the tire thickness THc at the axial center of the tire cross-section in the normal rim assembly with unfilled internal pressure was 16.4 mm, and the tire thickness THe at the contact end E was 17.4 mm. The configuration was the same except for length C.

[0075] The general durability of each of these tires was evaluated. The evaluation methods are as follows:

[0076] • Durability: Durability tests were conducted in accordance with the method specified in JIS D4230. If no failures such as separation were observed after completing test stage 3, the tire was subjected to continued load, and the distance traveled until failure was observed was measured and expressed as an index with the value of Example 1 set to 100. A higher index indicates better durability.

[0077] • Appearance Quality: The obtained pneumatic tires were visually inspected to see if black rubber had entered the discolored areas. If no black rubber had entered, it was marked with "○", and if black rubber had entered, it was marked with "×".

[0078] [Table 1]

[0079] The results are shown in Table 1. In Examples 1 to 3, separation was less likely to occur at the interface 4 between the different-colored rubber portion 32 and the lower sidewall rubber 31B, resulting in excellent durability. Furthermore, in Examples 1 to 3, the black rubber did not penetrate the different-colored display portion, resulting in excellent appearance quality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1...Pneumatic tire, 2...Inner liner, 3...Rim strip rubber, 20...Bead section, 21...Bead core, 22...Bead filler, 30...Sidewall, 31...Sidewall rubber, 32...Different color rubber section, 33...Different color indicator section, 40...Tread, 41...Tread rubber, 42...Cap rubber layer, 43...Base rubber layer, 44A...Center main groove, 44B...Shoulder main groove, 45A...Center land section, 45B...Intermediate land section, 45C...Shoulder land section, 46...Lateral groove, 47...Annular projection, 50...Carcass, 51...First carcass ply, 51A...First main body section, 51B...First folded section, 52...Second carcass ply, 52A...Second main body section, 52B...Second folded section, 70...Belt, 71...First belt ply, 72...Second belt ply

Claims

1. A pair of bead portions comprising a pair of bead cores arranged at intervals in the tire axial direction, and a bead filler provided on the radially outer side of the bead cores in the tire direction, A pair of sidewalls provided radially outward from the pair of bead portions of the tire, A tread provided between a pair of sidewalls, A first carcass ply having a first main body portion extending from the tread through the sidewall to the bead core, and a first folded portion extending from the first main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inner side in the tire axial direction to the outer side, A second carcass ply having, in the tread, a second main body portion arranged radially outward of the first main body portion and extending from the tread through the sidewall to the bead core, and a second folded portion extending from the second main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inner side in the tire axial direction to the outer side, A different colored rubber portion is provided on the tire axial side of the first carcass ply in the sidewall, and is made of rubber with a lower carbon black content than the rubber constituting the sidewall, A rim strip rubber is provided on the outer side of the bead portion in the tire axial direction, and includes a portion that contacts the wheel rim. In a pneumatic tire equipped with, The sidewall comprises an upper sidewall rubber provided on the radially outer side of the different-colored rubber portion and a lower sidewall rubber provided between the different-colored rubber portion and the rim strip rubber. The length A along the outer surface of the tire from the interface between the rim strip rubber and the lower sidewall rubber to the interface between the lower sidewall rubber and the discolored rubber portion is 3% or more and 12% or less of the tire cross-sectional height H. A pneumatic tire in which the radially outer end of the first folded portion is positioned radially outward from the different-colored rubber portion, and the radially outer end of the second folded portion is positioned to overlap with the different-colored rubber portion in the tire axial direction.

2. A pair of bead portions comprising a pair of bead cores arranged at intervals in the tire axial direction, and a bead filler provided on the radially outer side of the bead cores in the tire direction, A pair of sidewalls provided radially outward from the pair of bead portions of the tire, A tread provided between a pair of sidewalls, A first carcass ply having a first main body portion extending from the tread through the sidewall to the bead core, and a first folded portion extending from the first main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inner side in the tire axial direction to the outer side, A second carcass ply having, in the tread, a second main body portion arranged radially outward of the first main body portion and extending from the tread through the sidewall to the bead core, and a second folded portion extending from the second main body portion and folded back around the bead core from the inner side in the tire axial direction to the outer side, A different colored rubber portion is provided on the tire axial side of the first carcass ply in the sidewall, and is made of rubber with a lower carbon black content than the rubber constituting the sidewall, A rim strip rubber is provided on the outer side of the bead portion in the tire axial direction, and includes a portion that contacts the wheel rim. In a pneumatic tire equipped with, The sidewall comprises an upper sidewall rubber provided on the radially outer side of the different-colored rubber portion and a lower sidewall rubber provided between the different-colored rubber portion and the rim strip rubber. The length A along the outer surface of the tire from the interface between the rim strip rubber and the lower sidewall rubber to the interface between the lower sidewall rubber and the discolored rubber portion is 3% or more and 12% or less of the tire cross-sectional height H. A pneumatic tire in which the outer end of the bead filler in the radial direction of the tire is positioned to overlap with the discolored rubber portion in the axial direction of the tire.

3. The pneumatic tire according to claim 2, wherein the radially outer end of the second folded portion is positioned radially outward from the radially outer end of the bead filler.

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