Visual emblem indicators for tire alignment and wear

Abstract

A tire having a tread configuration is described. The tread configuration comprises a tread portion (102) that is to make contact with a road surface when fitted in a vehicle. The tread portion (102) comprises a first shoulder block (104), a second shoulder block (106), and a mid-section (108) between the first shoulder block (104) and the second shoulder block (106). The tread portion (102) includes one or more sets of alignment and life visual emblem indicators (herein after referred as visual indicators) (110) engraved on both the first shoulder block (104) and the second shoulder block (104). Each set of the visual indicators (110) comprises a plurality of visual indicators (112) arranged linearly in series along the circumferential direction of the tire (100). The visual indicators (110) are configured to indicate different stages of wear of the tread portion (102) of the tire (100) and misalignment in the tire (100) in the vehicle.

Description

VISUAL EMBLEM INDICATORS FOR TIRE ALIGNMENT AND WEARTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to tire treads and, particularly but not exclusively, to tread wear indicators on the tire treads.BACKGROUND

[0002] Tires serve as an interface between a vehicle and a road surface. The tires are constructed with layers of rubber, fabric, and steel cords to withstand the forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering. A tire has a tread pattern designed to channel water away from a contact patch, providing traction on wet surfaces, while also gripping dry road surfaces. Maintaining good tire health involves several aspects, including proper inflation pressure, adequate tread depth, regular rotation, alignment, and balancing. Proper inflation ensures an even distribution of weight across the tire's surface, optimizing traction and fuel efficiency while preventing premature wear on shoulders or center of the tread pattern. The tread depth is crucial for maintaining grip and handling characteristics, with shallower treads leading to reduced traction, especially in adverse weather conditions. At the same time, alignment and balancing adjustments preserve stability and steering response. Therefore, maintaining good tire health is important for ensuring vehicle safety and performance, as it directly impacts traction, handling, stability, and longevity of the tires.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of a tire having a set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0005] Fig. 2a illustrates an exploded view of a set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators of a first type in the tire, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0006] Fig. 2b illustrates dimensional details of the set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators of the first type, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0007] Fig. 3a illustrates an exploded view of a set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators of a second type in the tire, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0008] Fig. 3b illustrates dimensional details of the set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators of the second type, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0009] Fig. 4a illustrates a set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators of a third type in the tire, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0010] Fig. 4b illustrates dimensional details of the set of alignment and life visual emblem indicators of the third type, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Tire wear refers to a gradual loss of material from tread of the tire due to friction with a road surface. As discussed above, as a tire wears down, depth of the tread of the tire diminishes, reducing its ability to maintain proper traction on the road surface. This decrease in traction may affect the handling of a vehicle, especially during braking and cornering maneuvers, leading to increased stopping distances and compromised stability. Additionally, worn tires are more prone to hydroplaning on wet surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents, particularly in adverse weather conditions.Moreover, the tire wear is not just a matter of tread depth but also involves monitoring for signs of uneven wear, which may indicate issues with tire inflation, alignment, mechanical problems in the vehicle, etc.

[0012] Specifically, misalignment of tires in a vehicle may occur due to several factors, including, but not limited to, normal wear and tear on suspension components like control arms and tie rods, impact damage from hitting road hazards such as potholes or curbs, improper installation during tire replacement or suspension repairs, improper installation of wheels of the vehicle, and suspension modifications for performance or aesthetic purposes. These factors may lead to deviations from a pre-specified alignment angle, resulting in the uneven wear of the tire, compromised handling, and decreased fuel efficiency.

[0013] The misalignment of the tires leads to alterations in the way the tires make contact with the road surface, resulting in uneven wear of the tires. When the tires are not properly aligned, it affects the angles at which the tires meet the road surface, resulting in uneven distribution of forces across the tire tread. This uneven distribution may cause certain areas of the tire to wear more rapidly than others, leading to irregular wear patterns. These uneven wear patterns may manifest as smooth, rounded edges on one side of the tire and sharp, jagged edges on the other.

[0014] The uneven wear of the tire may impact the vehicle's safety, performance, and longevity as it impacts traction and handling, increasing the risk of accidents, particularly during braking and cornering maneuvers. Additionally, the uneven wear of the tire may lead to steering pull, vibrations, and decreased fuel efficiency. The vehicle may also tend to drift or veer off course, requiring constant steering corrections to maintain a straight line. Moreover, the uneven wear reduces the lifespan of the tires, necessitating premature replacement and increasing maintenance costs for owner of the vehicle.

[0015] Therefore, it is important to monitor the wear of the tire and the alignment of the tires in a vehicle. Monitoring of the wear may allow driversto detect issues such as uneven wear patterns, which may indicate misalignment or other underlying problems with the suspension or steering components.

[0016] To this end, a tire tread configuration for a tire of a vehicle is described herein. In an embodiment, the tread configuration may be modified to overcome the above-described problems associated with monitoring the wear and misalignment of the tire in the vehicle.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, a tire having a tread portion having one or more sets of alignment and life visual emblem indicators (herein after referred as visual indicators) is disclosed. The tread portion makes contact with a road surface when fitted in a vehicle. The tread portion comprises a first shoulder block, a second shoulder block, and a mid-section between the first shoulder block and the second shoulder block. The tread portion includes one or more sets of visual indicators engraved on both the first shoulder block and the second shoulder block, wherein respective centres of the visual indicators are aligned in a circumferential direction of the tire or a direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire. The set of visual indicators on the first shoulder block is arranged such that a notional line across a centre of the set of visual indicators is parallel to a corresponding notional line across a centre of the set of visual indicators on the second shoulder block. Each set of the visual indicators comprises a plurality of visual indicators arranged linearly in series. Accordingly, when the visual indicators are aligned in the circumferential direction of the tire, the visual indicators may be placed adjacent to each other and when the visual indicators are aligned in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire, the visual indicators may be placed one below the other to form a set of visual indicators.

[0018] The visual indicators are configured to indicate different stages of wear of the tread portion of the tire. For example, the visual indicators may indicate tire wear in stages of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% based on reduction in height of visual indicators in the direction of their alignment. Thevisual indicators engraved on both sides of the first shoulder block and the second shoulder block may be identical in shape and depth. The visual indicators may also indicate a misalignment of the tire when the visual indicators on one side of the shoulder block appear visually different from the visual indicators on the other side of the shoulder block due to uneven wear of the tread portion of the tire.

[0019] Although Fig. 1 depicts star-shaped visual indicators, as will be apparent from the examples provided herein, the techniques described herein would also apply to contexts in which the visual indicators are of any other type or shape, such as triangle, square, rectangle, circle, letters, numbers, symbols, etc. That is, in these contexts, other types of visual indicators may be used in place of star-shaped visual indicators, and so forth.

[0020] Thus, the tire, according to the present invention, includes the visual indicators that work as a wear indicator, enabling the driver to easily identify the tire wear at every stage of the tire's working condition. The visual indicators are also configured to visually alert a driver of a vehicle to an alignment problem, allowing a correction before the tread life of the tire is compromised.

[0021] These and other advantages of the present subject matter will be described in greater detail in conjunction with the following figures. While aspects of the tire tread configuration may be implemented in any number of different configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following device(s) and method(s).

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates schematics of tire tread configuration for tire 100 of a vehicle in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. The tire 100 includes a tread portion 102 that is configured to make contact with a road surface. The tread portion 102 comprises a first shoulder block 104, a second shoulder block 106, and a mid-section 108 located between the first shoulder block 104 and the second shoulder block 106. The tread portion 102 includes one or more sets of visual indicators 1 10.The sets of the visual indicators 1 10 are engraved on both the first shoulder block 104 and the second shoulder block 106. The set of visual indicators 1 10 on the first shoulder block 104 is arranged such that a notional line across the centres of the set of visual indicators 1 10 is parallel to a corresponding notional line across the centres of the visual indicators 1 10 on the second shoulder block 106. In an example, there may be more than one set of the visual indicators 1 10 engraved on a circumference of the tire 100. Each set of the visual indicators 1 10 may comprise a plurality of visual indicators 112 arranged linearly in series such that respective centres of the visual indicators 1 12 are aligned either in the circumferential direction or in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100. In one example embodiment, the visual indicators 1 12 may be placed adjacent to each other when the visual indicators 1 12 are aligned in the circumferential direction of the tire 100. In another example embodiment, the visual indicators 1 12 may be placed one below the other to form a set of visual indicators 1 10 when the visual indicators are aligned in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100.

[0023] In addition to indicating wear, the visual indicators 1 12 will also serve as an alignment indicator for the tire 100. This may be achieved when the visual indicators 112 on one side of the shoulder block 104 appears visually different from the visual indicators 1 12 on the other side of the shoulder block 106. This visual difference may be due to uneven wear of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100, thereby indicating a potential misalignment of the tire 100. Thus, placing the visual indicators 112 on both sides of shoulder blocks 104, 106 in exact parallel positions, works effectively to provide a visual indication of both the wear status and alignment of the tire 100, allowing for timely maintenance and replacement, thereby improving the lifespan of the tire 100 and the safety of the vehicle.

[0024] Fig. 2a illustrates an exploded view of a set of visual indicators 1 10 of a first type in the tire 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2b illustrates dimensional details of the set ofvisual indicators 1 10 of the first type, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. For the sake of ease of explanation, Figs. 2a and Fig. 2b have been explained together.

[0025] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, the set of visual indicators 110 of the first type may include a plurality of star-shaped visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 placed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the tire 100. In another example implementation of the present subject matter, any other type or shape of visual indicators 112-1 ... 112-5, such as triangle, square, rectangle, circle, letters, numbers, symbols, etc., may be used in place of star-shaped visual indicators. In yet another example implementation of the present subject matter, the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 engraved on both sides of the first shoulder block 104 and the second shoulder block 106 are identical in shape.

[0026] Each of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 is configured to indicate different stages of wear of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100 based on depth of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5. As shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, each visual indicator 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may have a different depth when seen from a surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100, indicating various stages of tire wear. The surface 1 14 is an outer surface of the tire 100 contacts with the ground during rotation of the tire 100. Initially, when the tire 100 is new, all the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 are intact and have distinct depths. In an example, the surface 114 of the tread portion 102 and both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 containing the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may be in a same plane to allow accurate detection of wear and misalignment as the tread portion of the tire 100 wears off. This alignment of the surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102 and both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 ensures that as the mid-section 108 of the tread portion 102 wears down, the visual indicators engraved on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 also wears with the mid-section 108 of thetread portion 102, providing reliable indicators of the tire wear and alignment issues.

[0027] As the tire 100 wears down over time, the visual indicators 112-1 ... 112-5 with the shallowest depth wears off first. In an example embodiment, assuming that the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 shown in Fig. 2a and 2b have depths ranging from 10 mm to 2 mm. When the tire 100 reaches a first stage of the wear, the visual indicator 1 12-1 with a depth of 2 mm from the tread portion 102 would wear off initially, indicating that the tire 100 has worn down to that level. As the tire 100 continues to wear, the visual indicator 1 12-2 with the next shallowest depth, say 4 mm, would wear off next, followed by the visual indicator 1 12-3 with a depth of 6 mm, and so on. Eventually, when the tire 100 reaches the end of its usable lifespan, the last remaining visual indicator 1 12-5, which may have a depth of 10 mm, would wear off completely. This visual indication alerts the driver that the tire 100 has reached its maximum wear limit and needs to be replaced.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2b, the depth of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may be given by 0.2X, 0.4X, 0.6X, 0.8X, 1.0X, wherein the ‘X’ represents available tread depth till the depth of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 from the outer surface 114 of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100. That is, the depth of each star-shaped ALIVE 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may be expressed as a fraction of the available tread depth up to that point, denoted by 'X'. For instance, if the available tread depth up to the visual indicator 1 12-5 location is represented by 'X', the depth of the shallowest visual indicator 112-1 is 0.2 times 'X'. This means that the shallowest visual indicator 1 12-1 is engraved at a depth equal to 20% of the available tread depth. Similarly, the depth of the subsequent visual indicators 1 12-2 to 112- 5, increases incrementally in steps of 0.2X. So, the depth of the visual indicator 1 12-2 would be 0.4 times 'X', the visual indicator 1 12-3 would be 0.6 times 'X', the visual indicator 1 12-4 would be 0.8 times 'X', and the deepest visual indicator 1 12-5 would be at a depth of 1.0 times 'X'. This indicates that each visual indicator 112-1 ... 112-5 is progressively deeperinto the tire tread, with visual indicator 112-5 being the deepest. This depth variation ensures that the visual indicators 112-1 ... 112-5 provide a visual indication of the tire wear at different stages. As the tire 100 wears down, the depth of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 decreases proportionally, allowing drivers to gauge the remaining tread depth and the tire's wear status easily.

[0029] Thus, by monitoring the wear status of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5, drivers may easily track the tire's progression through different stages of wear and plan for timely replacement, ensuring the safety and performance of the vehicle.

[0030] Further, uneven wear of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 may serve as an indicator of misalignment of the tire 100 in the vehicle. In a properly aligned tire, the wear of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 should be symmetrical, with the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 wearing down at a similar rate on both sides. However, when tire 100 is misaligned, the tire 100 may make uneven contact with the road surface leading to uneven wear of the visual indicators 112-1 ... 112-5 on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106. For instance, if wheels of the vehicle are toe-in misaligned, the tire 100 may point slightly inward, causing increased wear on an inner shoulder block, for example, the first shoulder block 104, compared to an outer shoulder block, for example, the second shoulder block 106. As a result, the visual indicators 112-1 ... 112-5 on the inner shoulder block 104 may wear down faster and more deeply than those on the outer shoulder block 106. So, initially, the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 on both the inner and outer shoulders block 104, 106 are intact, with similar depths. However, over time, due to the toe-in misalignment, the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 on the inner shoulder block 104 wear down faster, asymmetrically, and deeper compared to those on the outer shoulder block 106.

[0031] Conversely, if the wheels are toe-out misaligned, the tire points slightly outward, leading to increased wear on the outer shoulder block 106 compared to the inner shoulder block 104. In this case, the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 on the outer shoulder block 106 may wear down faster, asymmetrically, and more deeply than those on the inner shoulder block 104. By visually inspecting the wear of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106, the drivers may identify any asymmetry in wear patterns, indicating misalignment issues. Addressing misalignment promptly through wheel alignment adjustments may help prevent further uneven tire wear, extend tire lifespan, and ensure the safety and performance of the vehicle on the road.

[0032] In an example embodiment of the present subject matter, as shown in Fig. 2b, a distance ‘a’ between two consecutive visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may lie in a range of 3 to 6 mm to avoid removal of rubber portion or block from the surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100 at a time of usage of the tire 100. A minimum distance between the two consecutive visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may be 3 mm. Maintaining a 3 mm distance between two consecutive visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 is advantageous for the structural integrity and durability of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5. If the distance is less than 3 mm, the strength of walls of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 may be compromised during tire 100 service. This reduction in strength may lead to issues such as breakage and rubber cutting. Small grooves of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 formed in the surface 114 of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100, which shift during service conditions of the tire 100, may create stress concentration points on the edges of the walls of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5. By ensuring a 3 mm distance, the risk of stress concentration on the edges of the walls of the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 is minimized, preserving the structural integrity of the tire 100. Further, in Fig. 2a, ‘b’ represents width of each of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 required for accommodating the set of the visual indicators 1 10. In an example, the tire 100 may be a PassengerCar Radial (PCR) tire for which the width ‘b’ is required to be a minimum of 8 mm. If the block width ‘b’ is less than 8 mm, then the shoulder block strength / stiffness of the PCR tire may reduce which results in circumferential groove wall damage.

[0033] In an example embodiment of the present subject matter, as shown in Fig. 2b, a total distance 'c' occupied by the set of visual indicators 1 10 maybe 29.5 mm. Within the total distance captured by each set of the star-shaped visual indicators 1 10, a width of each visual indicators 1 12- 1 ... 112-5 should be a minimum of 3.5 mm. That is, each visual indicator 1 12-1 ... 112-5 within the set 1 10 has a width of 3.5 mm, and the total number of visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 within the set 1 10 collectively occupies a total width of 29.5 mm. In the present example, providing the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 with specific dimensions and characteristics as explained herein ensures improved durability of the tire 100. Firstly, maintaining a minimum width of 3.5 mm for each star-shaped visual indicator 1 12-1 ... 112-5 ensures ease of manufacturing during the tire molding process. Molds used in tire manufacturing are precision- engineered tools that require sufficient material thickness to create intricate details accurately. If the width of the star-shaped visual indicator is lower than 3.5 mm, it may pose challenges during the molding process, leading to inconsistencies in the finished tire 100 or damage to the tire mold itself. Additionally, ensuring a minimum width of 3.5 mm for the star-shaped visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 enhances its durability during tire manufacturing and handling. Tires undergo various stages of production, including molding, curing, and finishing, where they are subjected to high temperatures, pressures, and mechanical stresses. A wider visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 are more resistant to damage or deformation during the various stages of tire manufacturing, including molding, curing, and finishing. This ensures that the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 remain intact and functional throughout the tire's lifespan.

[0034] Furthermore, maintaining a minimum width of 3.5 mm for the visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 helps prevent the phenomenon of stone trapping. When tires, such as the tire 100, are in use, they encounter various road debris, such as stones, gravel, and debris. A narrower visual indicator may trap small stones or debris between its points, leading to damage or punctures in tread portion 102 of the tire 100. By ensuring a minimum width of 3.5 mm, the visual indicator 112-1 ... 112-5 minimize the risk of stone trapping, enhancing the tire's 100 resistance to damage and prolonging its lifespan.

[0035] Although the figures in the present example depict five visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5, the actual number of the visual indicators 1 12- 1 ... 112-5 on the tire 100 may vary. The use of five visual indicators 1 12- 1 ... 112-5 is illustrative and serves as an example of how the depth variations are applied. However, in practical applications, there may be more or fewer than five visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5, for example, to allow for customization to suit different tire models, sizes, and performance characteristics.

[0036] Fig. 3a illustrates an exploded view of a set of visual indicators 1 10 of a second type in the tire 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 3b illustrates dimensional details of the set of visual indicators 1 10 of the second type, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. For the sake of ease of explanation, Figs. 3a and Fig. 3b have been explained together.

[0037] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b, the set of visual indicators 1 10 of the second type may be composed of a plurality of visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4. These visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 may be arranged vertically in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100, with each visual indicator 300-1 ...300-4 placed one below the other such that centres of each visual indicator 300-1 ...300-4 are aligned in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100. Unlike the visual indicators 1 10 of the first type, whichincludes same shaped visual indicators 1 12-1 ... 112-5 with different depths placed serially along the circumferential direction of the tire 100, the second type features a single composite visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 with various shapes, such as square, triangle, circle, rectangle, letters, numbers, and symbols, aligned together in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100. The depth of each visual indicator 300-1 ...300-4 is consistent throughout the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100.

[0038] As the tire 100 begins to wear down over time, the differently shaped visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 wear off sequentially, starting from the top and progressing downwards. For explanation, referring to the example embodiment depicted in Fig.3a, initially, when the tire 100 is slightly worn, the square-shaped visual indicator 300-1 wears off first, leaving the triangle-shaped visual indicator 300-2, the circle-shaped visual indicator 300-3, and the rectangle-shaped visual indicator 300-4 intact. As the tire 100 continues to wear, the triangle-shaped visual indicator 300-2 wears off next, leaving the circle-shaped visual indicator 300-3, and the rectangle-shaped visual indicator 300-4. Further wear leads to the circleshaped visual indicator 300-3 wearing off, leaving only the rectangle-shaped visual indicator 300-4. Finally, when the tire 100 wears down significantly, the rectangle-shaped visual indicator 300-4 wears off completely. This indicates that the tire 100 has worn up to the tread depth, and it is no longer safe to drive the vehicle. This sequential wear pattern provides an easy visual indication of the tire's 100 wear status at different stages. By observing the composition of the visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4, the drivers may easily assess the remaining tread depth and determine when it is time for the tire 100 replacement.

[0039] Similar to the visual indicators 112-1 ... 112-5 of the first type, the visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 of the second type may also indicate the misalignment in the tire 100. When the tire 100 experiences misalignment, the wear patterns on the visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106 would become uneven. This uneven wear patternindicates that the tire 100 is experiencing misalignment. By observing the wear patterns on the visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106, the drivers may identify misalignment issues and take corrective action, such as wheel alignment adjustments, to prevent further uneven tire wear and ensure safety and performance of the vehicle.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3a and 3b, visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 of the second type are placed one below the other. Each visual indicator 300- 1 ...300-4 of the second type has a specific depth relative to the surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102 of the tire 100. Since the visual indicators 300- 1 ...300-4 are placed one below the other in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire 100, the cumulative depth of the set of visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 increases in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire (100). Considering that the available tread depth from the outer surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102 to the usable thickness of the tire 100 is represented by 'X', the cumulative depth of each of the visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 of the second type may be given by 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X, and 1.0X considering the depth of a visual indicator in the set to be a sum of the visual indicators above it. Thus, the depth of each visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 in the set of visual indicators 1 10 is 0.25X such that a cumulative height of the set of visual indicators 1 10 in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation is 1.0X. For example, assuming that the tread depth 'X' is 10 mm, then the depth of the respective visual indicators 300-1 may be calculated as 0.25 * 10 mm = Up to 2.5 mm. This indicates that the shallowest visual indicator 300-1 is located below up to 2.5 mm below the surface of the tread portion 102. Further, the cumulative depth of the visual indicator 300-2 located below the shallowest visual indicator 300- 1 may be calculated as 0.50 * 10 mm = Up to 5 mm. This indicates that the visual indicator 300-2 is located below up to 5 mm from the tread portion 102. The height of the visual indicator 300-2 is calculated as the difference between the cumulative depths of the visual indicator 300-2 and the visual indicator 300-1 , which is 5 mm - 2.5 mm = 2.5 mm. Similarly, the depth ofthe circle-shaped visual indicator 300-3 and the rectangle-shaped visual indicator 300-4 may be calculated. As the tire 100 wears down, the differently shaped visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 within the composite visual indicators 300-1 ...300-4 wear off sequentially, starting with the square, then the triangle, followed by the circle, and finally the rectangle. When the rectangle-shaped visual indicator 300-4 wears off completely, it indicates that the tire 100 has worn up to the available tread depth, i.e., worn up to the surface 114 of the tread portion 102, signaling that it is no longer safe to drive the vehicle. This design provides several visual indicators with different depths, each representing different percentages of wear as the tire wears out.

[0041] Fig. 4a illustrates a set of visual indicators 1 10 of a third type in the tire 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 4b illustrates dimensional details of the set of visual indicators 1 10 of the third type, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. For the sake of ease of explanation, Figs. 4a and Fig. 4b have been explained together.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 4a and 4b, the set of visual indicators 110 of the third type may include a set of visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 aligned to each other in the circumferential direction of the tire as well as the direction perpendicular to rotation of the tire, wherein each set of the visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 has a shape or configuration distinct from each other. The set of visual indicators 1 10 on the first shoulder block 104 is arranged such that a notional line across the centre of the set of visual indicators 1 10 is parallel to a corresponding notional line across the centre of the set of visual indicators 1 10 on the second shoulder block 106.

[0043] In the example embodiment depicted in 4a and 4b, the set of visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 are in a shape of "X 5", such that a plurality of visual indicators 400-1 corresponds to the shape “X” whereas a plurality of visual indicators 400-2 corresponds to the shape “5”. The set of visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 serve as indicators of both wear and misalignmentof the tire 100. Each of the plurality of visual indicators in the set of visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 could represent a specific depth or stage of tire wear.

[0044] As explained with respect to the first and second types of visual indicators, as the tire 100 wears down, the depth of visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 included in the set of visual indicators 1 10 of the third type decreases, providing a visual indication of the tire wear. When the "X 5" shape of the third type of the visual indicator wears off completely, it may indicate that the tire 100 has reached its minimum allowable tread depth and needs replacement. Further, if the "X 5" shape of the third type of the visual indicator wears uneven on both sides of the shoulder blocks 104, 106, it suggests that the tire 100 is experiencing misalignment. For example, if the "X 5" shape of the third type of the visual indicator one side of the shoulder block 104 wears down more quickly or deeply than the other side of the shoulder block 106, it may indicate that the tire 100 is not making uniform contact with the road surface, due to misalignment. By monitoring the wear patterns of the "X 5" shape of the third type of visual indicator, drivers may detect both wear and misalignment issues and take appropriate action to address them.

[0045] The set of visual indicators 1 10 of the third type may be distinct in shape or configuration in that each set of the visual indicator 400-1 , 400- 2 may comprises a plurality of visual indicators having a specific depth relative to the surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102.

[0046] In one example embodiment, the third type of visual indicators 1 10 comprises the set of visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 that are aligned in the circumferential direction similar to the first type of visual indicators 1 12- 1 112-5 and at least one set of the visual indicators 400-1 , 400-2 from amongst the set of visual indicators 110 may in turn comprises a plurality of visual indicators that are of the second type of visual indicators 300- 1 ... .300-4 explained above. For example, the set of visual indicator 400-1 , 400-2 are placed adjacent to one another such that their centers are alignedin the circumferential direction similar to the first type of visual indicators. Further the visual indicator 400-2 in the set of visual indicators 400-1 , 400- 2, comprises a plurality of visual indicators that have a different shapes in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire 100 similar to the second type of visual indicator 300-1 ... .300-4 explained above.

[0047] Referring to the example embodiment depicted in Fig.4b, considering that the available tread depth from the outer surface 1 14 of the tread portion 102 to the usable thickness of the tire 100 is represented by 'X', the depth of the visual indicator 400-1 of the third type may be 1.0X. Further, the depth of the visual indicator 400-2 of the third type may be 0.25X, 0.50X, 0.75X, and 1 .OX, wherein each visual indicators in the set of visual indicator 400-2 may have different depths. These visual indicators having different depths may be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire.

[0048] The visual indicators of the present invention have technical advantages, including visually and easily indicating tire alignment and wear, leading to improved tire life, increased mileage, and optimized fuel consumption. Additionally, the visual indicators serve as visual alerts to vehicle drivers, highlighting alignment issues before tread life is compromised. This dual functionality also acts as a wear indicator, allowing drivers to identify the tire wear at every stage of its working condition, thereby contributing to increased tire lifespan.

[0049] Although implementations for tire tread configuration are described, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the systems described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the tire tread configuration.

Claims

I / We Claim:

1. A tire ( 100) , comprising : a tread portion (102) having an outer ground contacting surface (114), the tread portion (102) comprising a first shoulder block (104) and a second shoulder block (106), and a mid-section (108) between the first shoulder block (104) and the second shoulder block (106); a set of visual indicators (110) provided on both the first shoulder block (104) and the second shoulder block (106), the set of visual indicators (110) on the first shoulder block (104) being arranged such that a notional line across a centre of the set of visual indicators (110) is parallel to a corresponding notional line across a centre of the set of visual indicators (110) on the second shoulder block (106), wherein the visual indicators (110) are aligned in at least one of a circumferential direction of the tire (100) and a direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire (100), wherein reduction in height of the visual indicators (110) in the direction of their alignment is to indicate alignment and wear of the tire (100).

2. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein respective centres of each visual indicator (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5) in the set of visual indicators (110) are aligned in the circumferential direction of the tire (100), wherein each of the visual indicators (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5) has an identical shape, and wherein depth of each of the visual indicators (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5) varies along the circumferential direction.

3. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein respective centres of each visual indicator (300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 300-4) in the set of visual indicators (110) are aligned in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation of the tire, wherein each of the visual indicators (300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 300-4) has a different shape, and wherein depth of each of the visual indicators (300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 300-4) is consistent along the perpendicular direction.

4. The tire as claimed in claim 1, wherein each visual indicator (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5, 300-1, 330-2, 300-3, 300-4, 400-1, 400-2) in the set of visual indicators (110) has the shape comprising at least one of triangle, square, rectangle, circle, star, letters, numbers, and symbols.

5. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the depth of each visual indicator (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5) in the set of visual indicators (110) is in a range of 0.2X to 1.0X, with the depth increasing by 0.2X for each subsequent visual indicator (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5) in the circumferential direction of the tire, wherein the X represents a tread depth from an outer surface (114) of the tread portion (102) of the tire (100).

6. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the depth of each visual indicator (300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 300-4) in the set of visual indicators (110) is 0.25X, such that a cumulative height of the set of visual indicators (110) in the direction perpendicular to axis of rotation is 1.0X, wherein the X represents a tread depth from an outer surface (114) of the tread portion (102) of the tire (100).

7. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of visual indicators (110) is formed using at least one of molding, curing or finishing process.

8. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tire (100) is a Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tire, and wherein a width (b) of both the first shoulder block (104) and the second shoulder block (106) is at least 8 mm, and wherein a total distance (c) occupied by the set of visual indicators (110) on the first shoulder block (104) and the second shoulder block (106) is about 29.5 mm.

9. The tire as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tire (100) is a Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tire, and wherein a minimum distance (a) between two consecutive visual indicator (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5) aligned in the circumferential direction of the tire (100) is in range of 3 mm to 6 mm.

10. The tire (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a width of each visual indicators (112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, 112-5, 300-1, 330-2, 300-3, 300-4, 400-1, 400-2) in the set of visual indicators (110) is at least 3.5 mm.

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