A heavy duty tire

Abstract

A heavy-duty tire is disclosed. The disclosed heavy-duty tire includes a tread portion comprising a plurality of tread blocks in contact with the ground and a plurality of grooves provided between the tread blocks, a belt portion provided between the tread portion and the carcass, and a reinforcing portion provided between the tread portion and the belt portion, wherein the reinforcing portion is positioned at the bottom of the groove located at the outermost edge.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heavy-duty tire, and more specifically, to a heavy-duty tire that improves the rigidity and performance of the tire by improving a reinforcing member provided inside the tire. Background Technology

[0002] The tire is connected to the vehicle through the rim and rotates while in contact with surfaces such as the ground or road when the vehicle is driven.

[0003] Tires are designed in various ways to suit the characteristics of the vehicle. In particular, for medium or heavy-duty vehicles such as buses or trucks that transport many people or heavy loads, heavy-duty tires designed to withstand high loads are used.

[0004] Conventional heavy-duty tires included multiple belts inside the tread section that directly contacts the road, and provided separate reinforcing members between the multiple belts to improve the strength and durability performance of the tread section.

[0005] However, conventional reinforcing members, like other belts, were designed to extend outward from the center of the tire; consequently, this resulted in a problem where the reinforcement of strength and durability in the tread was concentrated at the center of the tire. In particular, multiple grooves are provided along the circumference of the tire in the tread, but conventional reinforcing members had a problem in that the outermost grooves exhibited greater volumetric deformation compared to other grooves, consequently causing irregular wear and cracking of the tire.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a method to improve the reinforcing members included in heavy-duty tires to prevent external damage to the outer surface of the tire caused by external forces and to enhance the tire's stiffness and performance. Prior art literature

[0007] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0060225 (Published May 4, 2023) The problem to be solved

[0008] The present embodiment aims to provide a heavy-duty tire capable of improving the rigidity of the tire.

[0009] The present embodiment aims to provide a heavy-duty tire capable of minimizing deformation of the tire grooves.

[0010] The present embodiment aims to provide a heavy-duty tire capable of minimizing cracking and irregular wear of the tire.

[0011] The present embodiment aims to provide a heavy-duty tire capable of improving tire performance. means of solving the problem

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the invention comprises a tread portion including a plurality of tread blocks in contact with the ground and a plurality of grooves provided between the tread blocks; a belt portion provided between the tread portion and the carcass; and a reinforcing portion provided between the tread portion and the belt portion; wherein the reinforcing portion is positioned at the bottom of the groove located at the outermost edge.

[0013] The width of the above reinforcing part may be formed to be longer than the width of the groove located at the outermost edge.

[0014] The above reinforcing member may be located outside the groove where the outer end is located at the outermost edge, and outside the middle of the tread block adjacent to the inner side of the groove where the inner end is located at the outermost edge.

[0015] The above belt portion includes a first belt adjacent to the carcass, a second belt located above the first belt, a third belt located above the second belt, and a fourth belt located above the third belt, and the reinforcing portion may be disposed on the upper surface of the fourth belt.

[0016] The outer end of the above reinforcing member may be located inwardly to the end of the fourth belt.

[0017] The above belt portion includes a first belt adjacent to the carcass, a second belt located above the first belt, a third belt located above the second belt, and a fourth belt located above the third belt, positioned further inward than the middle of the tread block adjacent to the inner side of the groove where the end is located at the outermost edge, and the reinforcing portion may be disposed on the upper surface of the third belt.

[0018] The outer end of the above reinforcing member may be located inwardly to the end of the third belt.

[0019] The above belt portion includes a first belt adjacent to the carcass, a second belt located above the first belt, a third belt located above the second belt, and a fourth belt located above the third belt, which is located inside the middle of the tread block adjacent to the inner side of the groove where the end is located at the outermost edge; and further includes a reinforcing belt portion inserted between two of the first to fourth belts, wherein the reinforcing portion may be arranged to be in contact with the reinforcing belt portion.

[0020] The above reinforcing member may be placed on the upper surface of the reinforcing belt member.

[0021] The above reinforcing member may be placed on the lower surface of the reinforcing belt member.

[0022] The above reinforcing belt portion can be inserted between the second belt and the third belt.

[0023] The above reinforcing member includes a steel cord arranged along the circumferential direction of the tire inside, and the steel cord may have an EPI (End Per Inch) of 8 to 20. Effects of the invention

[0024] This embodiment provides a heavy-duty tire capable of improving the rigidity of the tire.

[0025] The present embodiment provides a heavy-duty tire capable of minimizing deformation of the tire grooves.

[0026] This embodiment provides a heavy-duty tire capable of minimizing cracks and irregular wear of the tire.

[0027] The present embodiment provides a heavy-duty tire capable of improving tire performance. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are presented to sufficiently convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented herein and may be embodied in other forms. In order to clarify the present invention, the drawings may omit the illustration of parts unrelated to the description and may slightly exaggerate the size of components to aid understanding.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a heavy-duty tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a tread section (100) having a plurality of tread blocks (110) and grooves (120), a carcass (500), a belt section (200) having a plurality of belts, a reinforcing belt section (400), and a reinforcing section (300).

[0032] The tread portion (100) is a component located on the outer surface of the tire. The tread portion (100) contacts the ground to provide traction. The outer surface of the tread portion (100) is generally made of rubber, but it can be designed with various shapes and materials so that the tire's traction can be maintained under various road conditions.

[0033] A plurality of tread blocks (110) may be formed as parts that come into contact with the road surface, and grooves (120) are formed between the plurality of tread blocks (110). Accordingly, the plurality of tread blocks (110) are spaced apart from each other. The grooves (120) are grooves formed between the plurality of tread blocks (110), allowing water or foreign matter to be smoothly discharged when driving with the tread blocks (110) in contact with the road surface.

[0034] The carcass (500) is a component placed inside the tire to form the basic shape of the tire and support the load of the vehicle. The carcass (500) may include fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and rayon to satisfy the strength and flexibility required of the tire.

[0035] The belt section (200) is configured to be provided between the tread section (100) and the carcass (500) to improve the strength, durability, and stability of the tire. The belt section (200) may be provided by stacking a plurality of belts, and, for example, may include first to fourth belts (210-240) as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Specifically, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the belt is positioned above the carcass (500) and is positioned adjacent to the carcass (500), the second belt (220) is positioned above the first belt (210), the third belt (230) is positioned above the second belt (220), and the fourth belt (240) is positioned above the third belt (230).

[0037] In this case, the expression "upper" refers to the upper part in FIG. 1. Also, the expression "upper surface" refers to a surface existing on the upper side. Hereinafter, the expressions "upper" and "upper surface" can be understood as identical.

[0038] Conventionally, a reinforcing belt section (400) is provided on the inner side of the tread section (100) to further improve the strength, durability, and stability of the tread section (100). Generally, the reinforcing belt section (400) is formed long along the circumferential direction of the tire, like the belt of the belt section (200), as in the reinforcing belt section (400) of the first embodiment of the present invention, and is provided interposed between any two of the first to fourth belts (210-240).

[0039] However, such conventional reinforcing belt section (400) had limitations in structurally improving the strength, durability, and stability of the groove (120) provided at the outermost edge compared to the groove (120) near the center. That is, even if the reinforcing belt section (400) is formed long enough to cover the groove (120) provided at the outermost edge, when a load is applied to the tire, the groove (120) provided at the outermost edge undergoes significant volume deformation, increasing the possibility of irregular wear and cracking of the tire.

[0040] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a separate reinforcing member (300) capable of minimizing deformation of the groove (120) provided at the outermost edge, thereby improving the strength, durability, and stability of the tire.

[0041] The reinforcing section (300) is provided between the tread section (100) and the belt section (200) and is positioned at the bottom of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge.

[0042] In this case, the expression "outermost" refers to both ends of the tire; specifically, in FIG. 1, where the right side is depicted relative to the center of the tire, the outermost refers to the far right, but it includes the far left when considering tires not shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the expression "bottom" refers to the downward direction perpendicular to FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the expressions "outermost" and "bottom" may be understood as identical.

[0043] The width of the reinforcing member (300) is formed to be longer than the width of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge. The outer end of the reinforcing member (300) may be located further outward than the groove (120) located at the outermost edge, and the inner end may be located further outward than the middle of the tread block (110) adjacent to the inner side of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge. At this time, the reinforcing member (300) may be placed on the upper surface of the fourth belt (240), and the outer end of the reinforcing member (300) may be located further inward than the end of the fourth belt (240).

[0044] In this case, the term "outer" refers to the direction toward both ends of the tire. Specifically, in FIG. 1, where the right side is depicted relative to the center of the tire, the outer side refers to the right direction, but includes the left direction relative to the tire not shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the term "inner" has the opposite meaning of the outer side. In FIG. 1, where the right side is depicted relative to the center of the tire, the inner side refers to the left direction, but includes the right direction relative to the tire not shown in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the terms outer and inner may be understood as identical.

[0045] Specifically, let A be the width of the groove (120), B be the width of the tread block (110), B' be half the width of the tread block (110), C be the width of the reinforcing part (300), and D be the distance between the reinforcing part (300) and the end of the fourth belt (240). Let X1 be the inner end of the reinforcing part (300), X2 be the outer end of the reinforcing part (300), Y1 be the center of the tread block (110), and Y2 be the end of the fourth belt (240). In the heavy-duty tire according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, C is longer than A, X2 is located further outward than the outer side of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge, and X1 is located further inward than the inner side of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge, but is not extended to Y1. At this time, X2 is located on the inner side of Y2, and D can be secured to a certain length or more; for example, D can be secured to 5mm or more. However, D is not limited to 5mm and can be set to various values ​​depending on the type of tire.

[0046] In this way, the reinforcing member (300) according to the first embodiment of the present invention intensively prevents deformation of the groove (120) provided at the outermost edge, thereby minimizing deformation of the groove (120) and minimizing cracks and irregular wear of the tire, and consequently, can improve the rigidity and performance of the tire.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] In the description of the heavy-duty tire according to the second embodiment of the present invention described below, except where additional explanations are provided using separate reference numerals, the description is identical to the description of the heavy-duty tire according to the first embodiment described above, and thus explanations are omitted to prevent duplication of content.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, in the second embodiment of the heavy-duty tire according to the present invention, unlike the first embodiment in which the fourth belt (240) is formed short and the reinforcing member (300) is placed on the upper surface of the fourth belt (240), the reinforcing member (300) is placed on the upper surface of the third belt (230) together with the fourth belt (240).

[0050] The belt section (200) may include a first belt (210) adjacent to the carcass (500), a second belt (220) located above the first belt (210), a third belt (230) located above the second belt (220), and a fourth belt (240) located above the third belt (230) and located further inside than the middle of the tread block (110) adjacent to the inner side of the groove (120) where the end is located at the outermost edge.

[0051] The reinforcing member (300) may be placed on the upper surface of the third belt (230), and the outer end may be located inwardly from the end of the third belt (230).

[0052] Specifically, when the distance between the reinforcing part (300) and the end of the third belt (230) is denoted as E and the end of the third belt (230) is denoted as Y3, the heavy-duty tire according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, has Y2 located inside Y1 and X1 located inside the inner side of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge, but is not formed to extend to Y1. At this time, X2 is located inside Y3, and E can be secured to a certain length or more; for example, E can be secured to be 5mm or more. E is not limited to 5mm and can be set to various lengths depending on the type of tire.

[0053] Accordingly, compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the present invention allows the belt portion (200) and the reinforcing portion (300) to be arranged in a space-intensive manner, and also allows the reinforcing portion (300) to be made thicker than the belt portion (200) or to be made by stacking multiple portions, thereby effectively improving the strength, durability, and stability of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] In the description of the heavy-duty tire according to the third embodiment of the present invention described below, except where additional explanations are provided using separate reference numerals, the description is identical to the description of the heavy-duty tire according to the first embodiment described above, and thus, explanations are omitted to prevent duplication of content.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, unlike the first embodiment in which the reinforcing member (300) is placed on the upper surface of the fourth belt (240), the reinforcing member (300) of the heavy-duty tire according to the third embodiment of the present invention is placed on the upper surface of the reinforcing belt member (400) so as to be in contact with the reinforcing belt member (400).

[0057] The reinforcing belt section (400) may be inserted between two of the first to fourth belts (210-240). The reinforcing belt section (400) may include a steel cord arranged along the circumferential direction of the tire, and the steel cord may have an EPI (End Per Inch) of 8 to 20.

[0058] Specifically, when the distance between the reinforcing part (300) and the end of the reinforcing part (300) is denoted as F and the end of the reinforcing belt part (400) is denoted as Y4, the heavy-duty tire according to the third embodiment of the present invention is positioned further inside than the inner side of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge as shown in FIG. 3, but is not formed to extend to Y1. At this time, X2 is positioned further outside than the outer side of the groove (120) located at the outermost edge, and F can be secured to a length greater than a certain length, for example, F can be secured to be 5mm or more. F is not limited to 5mm and can be set to various lengths depending on the type of tire.

[0059] Accordingly, compared to the first embodiment, the third embodiment of the present invention allows the reinforcing member (300) to be stably fixed, and the reinforcing member (300) is provided integrally with the reinforcing belt member (400) to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing and molding process.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a heavy-duty tire according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] In the description of the heavy-duty tire according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention described below, except where additional explanations are provided using separate reference numerals, the description is identical to the description of the heavy-duty tire according to the third embodiment described above, and thus explanations are omitted to prevent duplication of content.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, in the heavy-duty tire according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, unlike the third embodiment in which the reinforcing part (300) is disposed on the upper surface of the reinforcing belt part (400), the reinforcing part (300) is disposed on the lower surface of the reinforcing belt part (400).

[0063] Specifically, the heavy-duty tire according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same shape and arrangement of the reinforcing part (300) as the third embodiment in FIG. 3, except that the reinforcing part (300) is placed on the lower surface of the reinforcing belt part (400) as in FIG. 4.

[0064] However, the reinforcing member (300) of the present invention is not limited to being disposed on the upper or lower surface of the reinforcing belt member (400) as in the third and fourth embodiments, and a plurality of reinforcing members (300) may be provided and disposed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the reinforcing belt member (400), and in this case, the plurality of reinforcing members (300) may be provided integrally with the reinforcing belt member (400). Explanation of the symbols

[0065] 100: Tread section 110: Tread block 120: Groove 200: Belt section 210: 1st Belt 220: 2nd Belt 230: 3rd Belt 240: 4th Belt 300: Reinforcement section 400: Reinforcement belt section 500: Carcass A: Groove width B: Width of the tread block B': Half the width of the treve block C: Width of the reinforcement D: Distance between the reinforcement section and the end of the fourth belt E: Distance between the reinforcement section and the end of the third belt F: Distance between the reinforcing section and the end of the reinforcing section X1: Inner end of the reinforcement X2: Outer end of the reinforcement Y1: Center of the tread block Y2: End of the 4th belt Y3: End of the third belt Y4: End of the reinforcing belt section

Claims

Claim 1 A heavy-duty tire comprising: a tread portion including a plurality of tread blocks in contact with the ground and a plurality of grooves provided between the tread blocks; a belt portion provided between the tread portion and the carcass; and a reinforcing portion provided between the tread portion and the belt portion; wherein the reinforcing portion is positioned at the bottom of the groove located at the outermost edge, and the belt portion includes a first belt adjacent to the carcass, a second belt located above the first belt, a third belt located above the second belt, and a fourth belt located above the third belt, with its end positioned inside the middle of the tread block adjacent to the inner side of the groove located at the outermost edge, and further comprising a reinforcing belt portion inserted between two of the first to fourth belts, and wherein the reinforcing portion is arranged to be in contact with the reinforcing belt portion and is positioned on the upper or lower surface of the reinforcing belt portion. Claim 2 A heavy-duty tire according to claim 1, wherein the width of the reinforcing part is formed to be longer than the width of the groove located at the outermost edge. Claim 3 A heavy-duty tire according to paragraph 2, wherein the reinforcing member is located outside the groove at the outermost edge and the inner end is located outside the middle of the tread block adjacent to the inner side of the groove at the outermost edge. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 delete Claim 10 delete Claim 11 In claim 1, the reinforcing belt portion is a heavy-duty tire inserted between the second belt and the third belt. Claim 12 In claim 1, the reinforcing member includes a steel cord arranged internally along the circumferential direction of the tire, and the steel cord is a heavy-duty tire with an EPI (End Per Inch) of 8 to 20. Claim 13 In claim 1, the reinforcing part is a heavy-duty tire formed integrally with the reinforcing belt part.

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