Vehicle tire

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle tire having a tread with a circumferential groove (1, 1') in which protrusions (6, 6') adjoining the groove base (5, 5') and delimited by groove wall regions (4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', 4c, 4c') are formed, wherein the protrusions (6, 6') give the circumferential groove (1, 1') a circumferential groove path (7, 7') which includes the groove base (5, 5') and which has a wavy course in plan view and the protrusions are each delimited in the radial direction by a top surface (4a, 4a') which is continuously curved inward and which has a radially inner end (4ae, 4ae') which projects the deepest into the circumferential groove (1, 1'). The radially inner end (4ae, 4ae') of the top surface (4a, 4a') of each protrusion (6, 6') is located at a depth (tDF, tDF'), determined in the radial direction, of 25% to 55% of the tread depth (TUR), and the protrusions (6, 6') on the groove path (7, 7') are each delimited by a side surface (4b, 4b') extending to the groove base (5, 5').

Description

[0001]202307472 1 Description Vehicle Tire The invention relates to a vehicle tire with a tread having at least one circumferential groove extending to 80% to 100% of the tread depth, with groove edges located at the tread periphery that are straight in plan view and extend circumferentially, wherein the circumferential groove is bounded by a groove base and two groove walls, and wherein projections adjacent to the groove base and bounded by groove wall regions are formed in the circumferential groove, wherein in the circumferential direction a projection bounded by one groove wall alternately follows a projection bounded by the other groove wall, wherein the projections of the circumferential groove give a circumferential groove path encompassing the groove base and extending in plan view in a wave-like manner, and are each bounded in the radial direction by a cover surface which, viewed in the cross-section oriented axially in plan view,is continuously curved inwards, gradually approaching the groove base with increasing distance from the groove edge, and has a radially inner end projecting deepest into the circumferential groove. Such a vehicle tire, intended for passenger cars or vans, is known, for example, from DE 102014223599 A1. This vehicle tire has a tread with a circumferential groove with groove edges that are straight in plan view, wherein in the circumferential groove a projection bounded by one groove wall alternates with a projection bounded by the other groove wall. The projections are wedge-shaped and bounded by cover surfaces extending to the groove base. According to one embodiment, the cover surfaces are curved inwards ("concave"), with a radius of curvature on the order of 10 mm. The projections prevent the formation of noise from the propagation of sound waves in the circumferential grooves.This reduces rolling noise while maintaining good water drainage in the circumferential groove. A vehicle pneumatic tire, particularly a commercial vehicle tire, is known from WO 2008 / 122456 A1. This tire has a tread with circumferential grooves, the groove edges of which are straight in plan view and extend circumferentially. Projections adjacent to the groove base and bounded by groove wall areas are formed in the circumferential grooves. These projections are parts or sections of pointed bodies and give the circumferential groove an approximately wavy or zigzag-shaped groove path that encompasses the groove base. The projections primarily serve as "stone ejectors," reliably repelling foreign objects, especially small stones, and simultaneously reducing rolling noise. It is therefore known thatthat in vehicle tires of the type mentioned above, the projections formed in the circumferential grooves of the tread fulfill various functions, the shape of which must be optimally adapted to the desired mode of action. When designing the shape of the projections, the focus is usually on resolving conflicting objectives between different tire properties and / or desired advantageous effects at the highest possible level. One such conflict, which is often not yet optimally resolved, exists between the stone-ejecting effect of the projections and the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove. The invention is therefore based on the objective of resolving the conflict between the stone-ejecting effect of the projections and the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove in a more favorable way, i.e., at a higher level, in a vehicle tire of the type mentioned above.as previously solved. The problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that the radially inner end of the cover surface of each projection is located at a depth of 25% to 55% of the profile depth, determined in the radial direction (see 202307472 3), wherein the projections on the groove path are each bounded by a side surface extending towards the groove base. The radially inner end of the cover surface is thus – compared to the projections known from the above publications – significantly closer to the tread periphery, which, particularly also due to the provided curvature of the cover surface, improves the stone-repelling effect of the projections, and in particular significantly reduces the probability that the stones will reach the groove base. This also effectively protects the side surface of the projections located on the groove path from stone-induced damage.so that when driving on a wet road surface, a smooth flow of water is maintained along the groove path. The conflict between the stone-ejecting effect of the projections and the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove is thus resolved to a high degree. According to a preferred embodiment, the projections are each bounded either by the top surface and the side surface, or by the top surface, the side surface, and a transition radius formed between the top surface and the side surface. This contributes to a particularly advantageous solution of the conflict between the stone-ejecting effect of the projections and the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove. According to a further preferred embodiment, the top surface, viewed in cross-section oriented axially in plan view,is curved continuously along a segment of an ellipse. Stones are repelled particularly effectively on such a surface. In addition, stresses occurring on the surface during driving are distributed particularly evenly across it, so that no stress peaks develop and the projection in the area of ​​the surface exhibits particularly high crack resistance. This measure therefore contributes to maintaining good stone-repelling effect of the projections. In the latter preferred embodiment, an advantageous further development consists in the fact that the center of the ellipse lies on the groove centerline of the circumferential groove, which is located at the periphery of the tread and spaced at the same intervals as the groove edges. A surface constructed in this way further increases the aforementioned crack resistance and thus contributes to maintaining good stone-repelling effect of the projections. It is also advantageous thatwhen the radially inner end of the cover surface, viewed in a cross-section oriented axially in plan view, lies on the central surface of the circumferential groove or terminates in front of the central surface of the circumferential groove at a distance of up to 1.0 mm parallel to the tread periphery. A cover surface projecting into the circumferential groove in this way, and therefore corresponding projections projecting into the circumferential groove, also contribute to a particularly advantageous compromise between the stone-ejecting effect of the projections and the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove. According to a further preferred embodiment, each projection has a radially oriented,In plan view, the spherical surface has a symmetry plane extending axially. This contributes to the good durability of the spherical surfaces and thus to maintaining their stone-ejecting effect. Advantageous further developments of the latter preferred embodiment, which can be combined with one another, are discussed below. According to a first advantageous further development, the surface, viewed in cross-section oriented along the symmetry plane, has a maximum deflection, which is determined perpendicular to an auxiliary line 202307472 5 running straight between the radially outer end and the radially inner end of the surface and is 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. Water collected by the circumferential groove is quickly drained away at such a surface. According to a second advantageous further development, which primarily contributes to maintaining a high water drainage capacity of the circumferential groove, the side surfaces of the spherical surfaces extendViewed in cross-section oriented along the plane of symmetry, the groove has a width of 25% to 40%, particularly up to 1°, relative to the radial direction. A third advantageous embodiment provides that each projection has a width, measured in plan view, that is projected radially to the periphery of the tread and determined axially from the top surface, decreasing continuously in both circumferential directions from the plane of symmetry. This also contributes to high water drainage capacity in the circumferential groove. According to a further preferred embodiment, the groove path, viewed in cross-section oriented perpendicular to a path centerline running centrally along the groove base, has a width of 25% to 40%, particularly 30% to 35%, between the radially outer ends of the groove base and parallel to the periphery of the tread.the width of the circumferential groove. Such a wide groove path is particularly advantageous for the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove, while at the same time the groove path is so narrow that the probability of stones becoming wedged in it is particularly low. According to a further preferred embodiment, between projections which are bounded by the same groove wall and follow directly one another, a wall section of the groove wall remains, extending between the respective groove edge and the groove base, a) wherein the wall section, viewed in plan view in the axial direction, is composed of a groove flank adjoining the groove base, extending straight 202307472 6 and a connecting surface adjoining the groove edge,wherein the groove flank extends between the side surfaces of the projections and wherein the connecting surface extends between the cover surfaces of the projections and is curved in a manner consistent with the cover surfaces over its radial extent, such that the connecting surfaces together with the cover surfaces form a continuous, kink-free surface around the circumferential groove, or b) wherein the wall section is formed exclusively by a groove flank that, viewed in plan view and oriented axially, is straight. According to variant a), the wall sections between the projections are thus specially adapted to the projections, resulting in a groove design that is particularly advantageous with regard to the conflict of objectives to be resolved. In the latter preferred embodiment, it is further advantageous if the groove flank, viewed in plan view and oriented axially,The groove runs straight and at an angle of up to 10° to the radial direction, in particular from 3° to 8°. Furthermore, in the latter preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if, in variant a), the connecting surface, viewed in plan view in the axial direction, extends to a constant depth of at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 1.0 mm, and preferably at most 3.0 mm, determined in the radial direction. In addition, in the latter preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if the projections, which are bounded by the same groove wall and follow one another directly in the circumferential direction, have a mutual distance of 50% to 80%, in particular 60% to 70%, relative to the radially outer ends of the groove flanks.the 202307472 7 width of the circumferential groove. This is particularly advantageous for the water drainage behavior of the circumferential groove. Furthermore, in the latter preferred embodiment, it is advantageous if the projections have a circumferential length of 150% to 180%, in particular 160% to 170%, of the width of the circumferential groove, measured from the radially outer ends of the groove flanks. Projections designed in this way contribute to a particularly favorable solution of the aforementioned conflict of objectives. Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a simplified top view of a circumferential section of a tread of a commercial vehicle tire with an embodiment of the invention, developed in the plane; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged top view of detail Z2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2a shows a section along line IIa-IIa of Fig. 2.Fig. 2b shows a section along line IIb-IIb of Fig. 2, Fig. 2c shows an oblique view of detail Z2 shown in Fig. 2 from a first perspective, Fig. 2d shows an oblique view of detail Z2 shown in Fig. 2 from a second perspective, Fig. 2e shows an oblique view of detail Z2 shown in Fig. 2 from a third perspective, Fig. 3 shows an enlarged top view of detail Z3 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3a shows a section along line IIIa-IIIa of Fig. 3, and Fig. 3b shows a section along line IIIb-IIIb of Fig. 3. Vehicle tires designed according to the invention are tires for motor vehicles, in particular for multi-track motor vehicles, preferably for commercial vehicles, especially for buses or trucks, and preferably pneumatic tires, particularly preferably radial pneumatic tires. Commercial vehicle tires are particularly suitable for rims with a rim diameter of 17.5, 19.5, or 22 inches.5 inches in diameter and have a load index of, in particular, >126. Fig. 1 shows a top view of a circumferential section of a tread of a commercial vehicle tire, developed in a plane. The tire equatorial plane is indicated by a line AA. The tread has two tread halves H adjoining each other at the tire equatorial plane. Each tread half H is provided with a circumferential, shoulder-side groove 1 and also with a circumferential, central circumferential groove 1' running in the region of the tire equatorial plane (line A-A), wherein the circumferential grooves 1, 1' separate profile ribs 2 from each other. The profile ribs 2 are shown in simplified form and are structured with grooves and / or cuts in a manner known in particular. The circumferential grooves 1, 1' are bounded at the periphery of the tread by two groove edges 3 (circumferential groove 1), 3' (circumferential groove 1') which are straight in plan view and extend circumferentially.Each groove has a groove centerline mUR located at the tread periphery, spaced correspondingly to the groove edges 3, 3' (coinciding with the tire equatorial plane (line AA) in the central circumferential groove 1'), and a groove center surface fUR adjoining this, extending radially in the direction (Fig. 2a: circumferential groove 1, Fig. 3a: circumferential groove 1'), extending radially to the respective intended tread depth TUR (Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b: shoulder-side circumferential groove 1; Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b: central circumferential groove 1'), which is typically 12.0 mm to 26.0 mm for commercial vehicle tires, and furthermore has a constant width BUR at the tread periphery, determined in plan view in the axial direction between the groove edges 3, 3' (Fig. 2, Fig. 2a: shoulder-side Circumferential groove 1; Fig. 3, Fig. 3a: central circumferential groove 1') which is preferably 10.0 mm to 25 mm in commercial vehicle tires,The width BUR is 0 mm. Furthermore, the width BUR is at most 50% of the profile depth TUR. If the circumferential grooves 1, 1' are of different depths, the profile depth TUR is understood to be the depth of the deepest circumferential groove(s) 1, 1'. The circumferential grooves 1, 1' are designed such that, viewed from above, they can be mapped onto each other by axial displacement and additional circumferential displacement. The further design of the circumferential grooves 1, 1' is explained below using a single shoulder-side circumferential groove 1 and the central circumferential groove 1' as examples, first discussing some common features of the circumferential grooves 1, 1'. According to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the circumferential groove 1 (Fig. 2), 1' (Fig. 3) is defined by two groove walls 4 (circumferential groove 1), 4' (circumferential groove 1') extending from the groove edges 3, 3' and – as shown in particular in combination with Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b,As can be seen in Figs. 3a and 3b, the groove base 5 (circumferential groove 1, cf. Figs. 2a, 2b), 5' (circumferential groove 1', cf. Figs. 3a, 3b) extends between the radially inner ends of the groove walls 4, 4' and, viewed in plan view in the axial direction, is bounded by an arc-shaped curve. As further shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of projections 6 (circumferential groove 1), 6' (circumferential groove 1') are formed in the circumferential groove 1, 1' adjacent to the groove base 5, 5', each projection 6, 6' being completely bounded by a groove wall 4 (projection 6), 4' (projection 6'), or more precisely, completely bounded by groove wall sections of a groove wall 4, 4'. Within the circumferential groove 1, 1', a projection 6, 6', bounded by one groove wall 4, 4', alternates with a projection 6, 6', bounded by the other, opposite groove wall 4, 4', in the circumferential direction over its entire extent.wherein immediately adjacent projections 6, 6', which are bounded by the same groove wall 4, 4', are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and wherein the projections 6, 6' of the circumferential groove 1, 1' give a circumferential groove path 7 (circumferential groove 1), 7' (circumferential groove 1') which is rounded and wavy in plan view. Each projection 6, 6' has a radially oriented plane of symmetry E1 extending axially in plan view, is radially defined by a top surface 4a (projection 6, see Fig. 2a, Fig. 2c, Fig. 2d, Fig. 2e), 4a' (projection 6', see Fig. 3a), axially laterally to the groove path 7, 7' by a side surface 4b (projection 6, see Fig. 2a, Fig. 2c, Fig. 2d, Fig. 2e), 4b' (projection 6', see Fig. 3a) extending to the groove base 5, 5', and in the exemplary embodiment further by a transition radius 4c (projection 6, see Fig. 2a, Fig. 2c, Fig. 2d, Fig. 2e), 4c' formed between the top surface 4a, 4a' and the side surface 4b, 4b' (6' lead,(cf. Fig. 3a) is limited, such that the top surface 4a, 4a', the side surface 4b, 4b' and the transition radius 4c, 4c' are the previously mentioned groove wall regions limiting the projection 6, 6'. According to Fig. 2a and Fig. 3a, the top surface 4a, 4a', viewed in plan view in an axially oriented cross-section, is continuously curved inwards, slopes radially inwards from the groove edge 3, 3', i.e., towards the groove base 5, 5', and is continuously curved along a segment of an ellipse, with the center point M underlying the ellipse lying on the groove centerline mUR of the circumferential groove 1, 1'. “Convex throughout” means that the top surface 4a, 4a', viewed in plan view in axial direction, is located radially within an auxiliary line running straight between the respective radially outer end (not labeled) and the respective radially inner end,where in Figs. 2a and 3a an auxiliary line h1 lying in the plane of symmetry E1 can be seen. The curvature of the top surface 4a, 4a' is preferably further such that, viewed in the cross-section oriented along the plane of symmetry E1, a maximum deflection ADF (corresponding to the greatest distance) of 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm is determined perpendicular to the auxiliary line h1 and the top surface 4a, 4a'. The top surface 4a, 4a', viewed in cross-section oriented along the plane of symmetry E1, has its radially inner end 4ae, 4ae' projecting deepest into the circumferential groove 1, 1', which is located at a depth tDF (Fig. 2a: top surface 4a), tDF' (Fig. 3a: top surface 4a') determined in the radial direction of 25% to 55% of the profile depth TUR, where the depth tDF is up to 40%, in particular up to 35%, of the profile depth TUR and the depth tDF' is at least 40%, in particular at least 45%, of the profile depth TUR. The top surface 4a, 4a' terminates,Viewed in the cross-section oriented along the plane of symmetry E1, and as shown in the exemplary embodiment, in front of the groove mid-surface fUR, its radially inner end 4ae, 4ae' having a distance aDF of up to 1.0 mm parallel to the tread periphery from the groove mid-surface fUR. Alternatively, the top surface 4a, 4a', viewed in the latter cross-section, can terminate at the groove mid-surface fUR, such that its radially inner end 4ae, 4ae' lies on the groove mid-surface fUR. The side surfaces 4b, 4b', viewed in the cross-section oriented along the plane of symmetry E1, run straight and at an angle γ of 0° to 2°, in particular up to 1°, to the radial direction. As further shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, each groove wall 4, 4' has a wall section 4d, 4d' between immediately successive projections 6, 6' that are bounded by it, which is opposite a projection 6, 6' that is bounded by the other groove wall 4, 4'.between the groove edge 3, 3' and the groove base 5, 5' and, as shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 3a, in the cross-section viewed in plan view in the axial direction (compare position of line IIa-IIa in Fig. 2 and position of line IIIa-IIIa in Fig. 3), is composed of a groove flank 4d1, 4d1' adjoining the groove base 5, 5' and a connecting surface 4d2, 4d2' adjoining the respective groove edge 3, 3', wherein – as Fig. 2c to Fig. 2e show for the groove flank 4d1 and the connecting surface 4d2 – the groove flanks 4d1, 4d1' run between the corresponding side surfaces 4b, 4b' and the connecting surfaces 4d2, 4d2' are formed between the corresponding cover surfaces 4a, 4a'. The groove flank 4d1, 4d1' runs straight, as seen in the cross-section mentioned above, and at an angle α (Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a) to the radial direction of up to 10°, in particular from 3° to 8°. The connecting surfaces 4d2, 4d2' extendViewed in the cross-section mentioned above, the grooves have a constant radial depth tVF (Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a) of at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 1.0 mm, and preferably at most 3.0 mm, and are curved in the same manner over their radial extent corresponding to the depth tVF towards the top surface 4a (connecting surface 4d2), 4a' (connecting surface 4d2'), and therefore connect tangentially (without kinks) to the two respective top surfaces 4a, 4a'. The connecting surfaces 4d2, 4d2' and the top surfaces 4a, 4a', which each belong to the same groove wall 4, 4', form a kink-free surface extending over the entire circumferential groove 1, 1' (see Fig. 2c to Fig. 2e). As Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 further show, the projections 6, 6', which are co-bounded by the same groove wall 4, 4' and follow each other directly in the circumferential direction, have a mutual connection between the groove flank 4d1, 4d1' and the connecting surface 4d2, 4d2',also in the depth tVF (Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b), determined in the circumferential direction, mutual distance aV (cf. Fig. 2e) of 50% to 80%, in particular of 60% to 70%, of the width BUR of the circumferential groove 1, 1'. Furthermore, each projection 6, 6' has a circumferential length cV of 150% to 180%, in particular 160% to 170%, of the width BUR of the circumferential groove 1, 1', wherein the length cV (cf. Fig. 2e) is measured between the mutual connections of the groove flank 4d1, 4d1' and the connecting surface 4d2, 4d2' of the two adjacent wall sections 4d, 4d' (cf. Fig. 2c to Fig. 2e) located at the projection 6, 6', i.e. in the depth tVF (Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b). Each projection 6, 6' also has a width bV (cf. Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a) projected radially to the tread periphery and determined axially in plan view, relative to the top surface 4a, 4a', which decreases continuously in both circumferential directions starting from the plane of symmetry E1.where the size of the width bV in the 202307472 13 symmetry plane E1 results from the width BUR of the circumferential groove 1, 1' and the aforementioned distance aDF. As Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 further show, the groove path 7, 7' is bounded by the groove base 5, 5', the side surfaces 4b, 4b' and the groove flanks 4d1, 4d1' (Fig. 2c to Fig. 2e: shown for groove path 7). The groove path 7, 7' has a path centerline mP, which runs centrally at the groove base 5, 5' in plan view and intersects the groove centerline mUR multiple times, with inflection points located particularly on the groove centerline mUR. According to Fig. 2a and Fig. 3a, in the cross-section viewed in plan view perpendicular to the path centerline mP (see position of lines IIa-IIa, IIIa-IIIa), the path path has a width bP of 25% to 40%, particularly 30% to 35%, of the width BUR of the circumferential groove 1, determined parallel to the tread periphery between the radially outer ends of the groove base 5, 5'.1'. “Perpendicular to the path centerline mP” means, in the case of a curved path centerline mP, perpendicular to a tangent applied locally to the respective point of the path centerline mP. The invention is not limited to the described embodiment. The connecting surfaces 4d2, 4d2' are optional, so that the wall sections 4d, 4d' are no longer composed of the groove flanks 4d1, 4d1' and the connecting surfaces 4d2, 4d2', but are formed exclusively by the groove flanks 4d1, 4d1', which in this embodiment run straight and at an angle of up to 10°, in particular from 3° to 8°, to the radial direction and connect to the groove edges 3, 3'. The distance aV between the projections 6, 6' and the length cV of the projections 6, 6' refer – regardless of the design of the wall sections 4d, 4d' – to the radially outer end of the groove flanks 4d1, 4d1'. The tread has at least one circumferential groove.which is designed accordingly and extends to 80% to 100%, in particular at least 90%, of the profile depth. 202307472 14 Reference Symbol List 1.....................shoulder-side circumferential groove 1' ....................central circumferential groove 2.....................profile rib 3, 3' ................groove edge 4, 4' ................groove wall 4a, 4a' ............top surface 4ae, 4ae' .........radial inner end 4b, 4b' ............side surface 4c, 4c' ............transition radius 4d, 4d' ............wall section 4d1, 4d1' .........groove flank 4d2, 4d2' .........connecting surface 5, 5' ................groove base 6, 6' ................projection 7, 7' ................groove path AA .................line (tire equatorial plane) aDF, aV ............distance ADF .................maximum deflection bP, bV,BUR ......Width cV ...................Length E1...................Plane of symmetry H ....................Tread half h1...................Auxiliary line fUR ..................Groove center surface M ....................Center mP ..................Path centerline mUR ................Groove centerline 202307472 15 tDF, tDF', tVF ......Depth TUR .................Tread depth Z2, Z3..............Detail α, γ .................Angle,

Claims

202307472 16 Claims 1. Vehicle tire with a tread having at least one circumferential groove (1, 1') extending to 80% to 100% of the tread depth (TUR) and having groove edges (3, 3') located at the tread periphery that are straight in plan view and extend circumferentially, wherein the circumferential groove (1, 1') is bounded by a groove base (5, 5') and two groove walls (4, 4') and wherein projections (6, 6') are formed in the circumferential groove (1, 1') adjacent to the groove base (5, 5') and bounded by groove wall regions (4a, 4a', 4b, 4b', 4c, 4c'), wherein in the circumferential direction a projection (6, 6') bounded by one groove wall (4, 4') alternately extends onto a groove wall bounded by the other groove wall (4, 4') follows a bounded projection (6, 6'), wherein the projections (6, 6') of the circumferential groove (1, 1') give a circumferential groove path (7, 7') encompassing the groove base (5, 5'), which is wavy in plan view and is each radially bordered by a cover surface (4a,4a') are bounded, which, viewed in plan view in an axially oriented cross-section, is continuously curved inwards, continuously approaches the groove base (5, 5') with increasing distance from the groove edge (3, 3') and has a radially inner end (4ae, 4ae') projecting deepest into the circumferential groove (1, 1'), characterized in that the radially inner end (4ae, 4ae') of the top surface (4a, 4a') of each projection (6, 6') is located at a radially determined depth (tDF, tDF') of 25% to 55% of the profile depth (TUR), wherein the projections (6, 6') on the groove path (7, 7') are each bounded by a side surface (4b, 4b') extending towards the groove base (5, 5').

2. Vehicle tire according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections (6, 6') each extend through the top surface (4a, 4a') and the side surface (4b, 4b') or, 202307472 17 o are bounded by the top surface (4a, 4a'), the side surface (4b, 4b') and a transition curve (4c, 4c') formed between the top surface (4a, 4a') and the side surface (4b, 4b').

3. Vehicle tire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the top surface (4a, 4a'), viewed in plan view in an axially oriented cross-section, is continuously curved along a segment of an ellipse.

4. Vehicle tire according to claim 3, characterized in that the center point (M) of the ellipse lies on the groove center line (mUR) of the circumferential groove (1, 1'), which is located at the tread periphery and spaced at the same intervals as the groove edges (3, 3'). 5.Vehicle tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the radially inner end (4ae, 4ae') of the top surface (4a, 4a'), viewed in plan view in an axially oriented cross-section, lies on the groove medial surface (fUR) of the circumferential groove (1, 1') or terminates in front of the groove medial surface (fUR) of the circumferential groove (1, 1') at a distance (aDF) of up to 1.0 mm determined parallel to the tread periphery.

6. Vehicle tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each projection (6, 6') has a radially oriented plane of symmetry (E1) extending in the axial direction in plan view. 7.Vehicle tire according to claim 6, characterized in that the top surface (4a, 4a'), viewed in cross-section aligned along the plane of symmetry (E1), has a maximum deflection (ADF) which is determined perpendicular to an auxiliary line (h1) running straight between the radially outer end and the radially inner end (4ae, 4ae') of the top surface (4a, 4a') and is 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. 202307472 18 8. Vehicle tire according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the side surfaces (4b, 4b') of the projections (4, 4'), viewed in cross-section oriented along the plane of symmetry (E1), are straight and extend at an angle (γ) of 0° to 2°, in particular up to 1°, to the radial direction.

9. Vehicle tire according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each projection (6, 6') has a width (bV) projected radially onto the tread periphery and determined axially in a top view, which decreases continuously in both circumferential directions starting from the plane of symmetry (E1). 10.A vehicle tire according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the groove path (7, 7'), viewed in cross-section perpendicular to a path centerline (mP) running centrally on the groove base (5, 5') in a top view, has a width (bP) of 25% to 40%, in particular 30% to 35%, of the width (BUR) of the circumferential groove (1, 1'), determined between the radially outer ends of the groove base (5, 5') parallel to the tread periphery. 11.Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that between projections (6, 6') which are co-bounded by the same groove wall (4, 4') and follow directly one another, a wall section (4d, 4d') remains of the groove wall (4, 4') extending between the respective groove edge (3, 3') and the groove base (5, 5'), a) wherein the wall section (4d, 4d'), viewed in cross-section in plan view in the axial direction, is composed of a straight groove flank (4d1, 4d1') adjoining the groove base (5, 5') and a connecting surface (4d2, 4d2') adjoining the groove edge (3, 3'), wherein the groove flank (4d1, 4d1') extends between the side surfaces (4b, 4b') of the projections (6, 6') and wherein the The connecting surface (4d2, 4d2') between the top surfaces (4a, 4a') of the projections (6, 6') runs and over. 202307472 19 its radial extent is curved in a manner consistent with the cover surfaces (4a, 4a') such that the connecting surfaces (4d2, 4d2') together with the cover surfaces (4a, 4a') form a crease-free surface circumferential over the circumferential groove (1, 1'), or b) wherein the wall section (4d, 4d') is formed exclusively by a groove flank (4d1, 4d1') which, viewed in plan view in the axial direction, is straight.

12. Vehicle tire according to claim 11, characterized in that the groove flank (4d1, 4d1'), viewed in plan view in the axial direction, is straight and extends at an angle (α) of up to 10°, in particular from 3° to 8°, to the radial direction. 13.Vehicle tire according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, in variant a), the connecting surface (4d2, 4d2'), viewed in plan view in an axially oriented cross-section, extends to a constant depth (tVF) of at least 0.5 mm, in particular at least 1.0 mm, and preferably at most 3.0 mm, determined in the radial direction.

14. Vehicle tire according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the projections (6, 6'), which are co-limited by the same groove wall (4, 4') and follow one another directly in the circumferential direction, have a mutual distance (aV) of 50% to 80%, in particular 60% to 70%, of the width (BUR) of the circumferential groove (1, 1'), determined in the circumferential direction and based on the radially outer ends of the groove flanks (4d1, 4d1'). 15.Vehicle tire according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the projections (6, 6') have a circumferential length (cV) of 150% to 180%, in particular 160% to 170%, of the width (BUR) of the circumferential groove (1, 1') as measured from the radial outer ends of the groove flanks (4d1, 4d1').

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