Pneumatic tire

Abstract

A pneumatic tire is disclosed. The disclosed pneumatic tire comprises a tread having a plurality of blocks partitioned by means of first to fourth main grooves which are formed in the circumferential direction of the tire and are spaced part from each other with respect to the width direction of the tire from the inner side to the outer side thereof, thereby making contact with a road surface, wherein the tread includes an inside shoulder block, an inside middle block, a center block, an outside middle block and an outside shoulder block, which are partitioned with respect to the width direction of the tread from the inner side to the outer side thereof, the inside middle block, the center block and the outside middle block have first kerfs recessed in the depth direction from the surfaces thereof, and the inside shoulder block and the outside shoulder block have second kerfs which are recessed in the depth direction from the surfaces thereof and which have dome kerf parts provided in the middle portions thereof, the dome kerf part including a convex protrusion that convexly protrudes from one wall surface and a concave groove which is recessed from the other wall surface opposite to the one wall surface and in which the convex protrusion is inserted and accommodated.

Description

air tires

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-filled tire, and more specifically, to an air-filled tire capable of improving dry traction performance and snow traction performance overall by providing different sipes at different positions on the tread.

[0002] Generally, pneumatic tires have a composition similar to that of conventional tires, are symmetrical on the left and right sides with respect to the centerline, and consist of a tread that contacts the road surface, a carcass that forms the framework of the tire, a belt layer installed between the tread and the carcass, an inner liner that prevents air leakage, a sidewall that protects the carcass and allows for flexible flexing motion, and a bead that mounts the tire to the rim.

[0003] In addition, the tread of a pneumatic tire that contacts the road surface forms a specific pattern to provide grip, drainage, braking power, and noise dispersion. Depending on the shape of the pattern, it has a significant impact on handling performance on dry, wet, and snowy roads, and this is a major factor in tire development.

[0004] Meanwhile, cuffs are grooves that are thin and deep, mainly running transversely across the tread blocks. They provide a comfortable ride by cushioning the contact surface and improving grip, and they also increase driving and braking power by promoting drainage.

[0005] There was a problem with such cuffs: if formed to increase stiffness, dry traction performance improved but snow traction performance decreased, and if formed to decrease stiffness, snow traction performance improved but dry traction performance decreased.

[0006] The present embodiment aims to provide an air-filled tire capable of improving overall dry traction performance and snow traction performance by providing different sipes at different positions on the tread.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a tread in contact with a road surface is provided with a plurality of blocks partitioned by first to fourth main grooves formed along the circumferential direction of the tire and spaced apart from each other from the inner side to the outer side with respect to the width direction of the tire; wherein the tread comprises an inside shoulder block, an inside middle block, a center block, an outside middle block, and an outside shoulder block partitioned from the inner side to the outer side with respect to the width direction of the tread; wherein the inside middle block, the center block, and the outside middle block are provided with a first cuff formed by being recessed in the depth direction from the surface; and the inside shoulder block and the outside shoulder block are provided with a second cuff formed by being recessed in the depth direction from the surface, with a dome cuff portion provided in the middle portion; wherein the dome cuff portion comprises a convex projection protruding convexly from one side wall and a concave groove formed by being recessed from the other side wall opposite to the one side wall, into which the convex projection is recessed and received. Provides an air-filled tire.

[0008] The second cuff may include a lower space formed by being recessed from the inner part of the tread to the other side wall from the dome cuff portion, and an upper space formed by being recessed from the upper part of the tread to the other side wall from the dome cuff portion.

[0009] The circumferential width of the tire in the lower space, upper space, and dome cuff portions can be provided equally.

[0010] The above dome cuff portions may be provided in multiple numbers and formed spaced apart from each other.

[0011] The above dome cuff portion can be arranged in the same direction as the adjacent dome cuff portion.

[0012] The above dome cuff portion can be positioned in opposite directions to adjacent dome cuff portions.

[0013] The above second cuff may have a planar shape of the above tread in a straight line.

[0014] The first cuff above may have a planar shape of the tread in a wave shape.

[0015] The first cuff above may have a side cross-sectional shape of the tread in a wave shape.

[0016] The pneumatic tire according to the present embodiment has a first sipe provided in the inside middle block, center block, and outside middle block, which can improve snow traction performance and thus has the effect of improving the marketability of the tire.

[0017] The pneumatic tire according to the present embodiment has a second suff provided on the inside shoulder block and the outside shoulder block, which can improve dry traction performance and thus has the effect of improving the marketability of the tire.

[0018] The air-filled tire according to the present embodiment has the effect of preventing the collapse of the inside shoulder block and outside shoulder block through the dome cuff portion, thereby preventing a decrease in tire performance during driving or braking.

[0019] The air-filled tire according to the present embodiment has the effect of inducing locking within the cuff through the dome cuff portion, thereby increasing the frictional force generated by slipping and reducing the loss of grip rate.

[0020] The pneumatic tire according to the present embodiment has a first sipe provided in the inside middle block, center block, and outside middle block, and a second sipe provided in the inside shoulder block and outside shoulder block, so that the sipes are provided differently according to the position of the tread, thereby improving the overall dry traction performance and snow traction performance, and thus has the effect of improving the marketability of the tire.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall shape of an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the tread of an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a center block and a first cuff of an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a center block and a first cuff of an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an inside shoulder block and a second cuff of an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inside shoulder block and a second cuff of an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The embodiments described below will be explained 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall shape of an air-filled tire according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the tread (10) of an air-filled tire according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the center block (17) and the first cuff (100) of an air-filled tire according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the AA' section of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the inside shoulder block (15) and the second cuff (200) of an air-filled tire according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the BB' section of FIG. 5.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an air-filled tire according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a tread (10) in contact with a road surface, a carcass (20) provided inside the tread (10), and a belt portion (30) provided with a plurality of belt layers stacked from the carcass (20) toward the tread (10).

[0030] The tread (10) forms the surface where the tire (1) contacts the road surface and provides traction to the vehicle. To this end, the tread (10) can be made of various shapes and materials so that sufficient traction of the tire (1) can be achieved depending on the road conditions.

[0031] For example, the tread (10) may be provided with a thick rubber layer and may be made of rubber that is resistant to cuts and impacts to protect the carcass (20) and the belt portion (30), and is highly wear-resistant to extend the driving life of the tire (1).

[0032] More specifically, the tread (10) may include a first main groove (11), a second main groove (12), a third main groove (13), and a fourth main groove (14) that are extended along the circumferential direction (D1) (circumferential direction of the tire) of the tread.

[0033] Here, the first main groove (11), the second main groove (12), the third main groove (13), and the fourth main groove (14) may be spaced apart from each other from the inner side to the outer side of the tread (10) with respect to the width direction (D2) (width direction of the tire).

[0034] Additionally, the tread (10) may include an inside shoulder block (15), an inside middle block (16), a center block (17), an outside middle block (18), and an outside shoulder block (19) that are partitioned from the inside to the outside of the tread (10) in the width direction (D2) by a first main groove (11), a second main groove (12), a third main groove (13), and a fourth main groove (14) arranged from the inside to the outside of the tread (10) in the width direction (D2) as described above.

[0035] That is, the tread (10) may include a center block (17) positioned in the center of the width direction (D2) of the tread, an inside middle block (16) and an inside shoulder block (15) sequentially arranged in the inner direction of the tread (10) from the center block (17), an outside middle block (18) and an outside shoulder block (19) sequentially arranged in the outer direction of the tread (10) from the center block (17).

[0036] More specifically, the inside shoulder block (15) can be positioned inward from the first main groove (11) in the width direction (D2) of the tread. Additionally, the inside shoulder block (15) may include grooves of various shapes, although not illustrated.

[0037] The inside middle block (16) is provided between the first main groove (11) and the second main groove (12) and can be positioned adjacent to the center block (17) and the center of the tread in the width direction (D2). Additionally, the inside middle block (16) may include grooves of various shapes, although not illustrated.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the center block (17) may be provided between the second main groove (12) and the third main groove (13) and positioned on the center side in the width direction (D2) of the tread. Additionally, the center block (17) may include center grooves (171) of various shapes.

[0039] The outside middle block (18) is provided between the third main groove (13) and the fourth main groove (14) and can be positioned adjacent to the outside from the center of the width direction (D2) of the center block (17). Additionally, the outside middle block (18) may include grooves of various shapes, although not illustrated.

[0040] The outside shoulder block (19) can be positioned outward from the fourth main groove (14) in the width direction (D2) of the tread. Additionally, the outside shoulder block (19) may include grooves and cuffs of various shapes, although not illustrated.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tread (10) of an air-filled tire (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a transverse groove (HG), a first cuff (100), and a second cuff (200).

[0042] The transverse groove (HG) can be formed at an acute angle to the centerline of the tire (1).

[0043] Alternatively, the transverse groove (HG) may be formed such that the angle becomes smaller as it approaches the centerline of the tire (1). For example, the transverse groove (HG) may be formed in the shape of an arrow in the circumferential direction (D1) of the tread.

[0044] The first cuff (100) can be formed by being recessed from the surface in the depth direction in the inside middle block (16), center block (17), and outside middle block (18).

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, the first cuff (100) may have a planar shape (shape in the width direction (D2) of the tread, surface shape) in a wave shape. The first cuff (100) may include a straight section (SS) and a wave section (WB1).

[0046] The straight section (SS) can be provided on the edge side of the inside middle block (16), center block (17), and outside middle block (18).

[0047] The wave section (WB1) can be provided on the center side of the inside middle block (16), center block (17), and outside middle block (18). Also, the straight section (SS) and the wave section (WB1) can be connected.

[0048] The first cuff (100) can be formed with a wave shape in the depth direction (D3) of the tread. In other words, the first cuff (100) can be formed with a wave shape in the depth direction cross-sectional shape.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the first cuff (100) may have a straight section (SS) provided on the upper and lower sides of the inside middle block (16), center block (17), and outside middle block (18) respectively, based on the depth direction (D3) of the tread, and a wave section (WB2) provided on the center side. The straight section (SS) and the wave section (WB2) may be connected.

[0050] Surface Shape Straight Wave Side Section Shape Wave Wave Stiffness 100% 95.7%

[0051] Based on 100% stiffness when the planar shape of the tread is provided in a straight line and the side cross-sectional shape (depth direction shape) is provided in a wave shape, the stiffness when the planar shape of the tread is provided in a wave shape and the side cross-sectional shape (depth direction shape) is provided in a wave shape is provided in a wave shape, so the stiffness may be reduced to 95.7%.

[0052] This allows for securing a contact area during low-friction behavior, thereby improving snow traction performance.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second cuff (200) is formed by being recessed from the surface in the depth direction in the inside shoulder block (15) and the outside shoulder block (19), and a dome cuff portion (210) may be provided in the middle portion in the depth direction. Also, the second cuff (200) may be provided with a planar shape of the tread in a straight line shape (ST). Furthermore, when described based on the depth direction (D3) of the tread, the second cuff (200) may include a dome cuff portion (210), a lower space portion (220), and an upper space portion (230).

[0054] The dome cuff section (210) prevents the inside shoulder block (15) and the outside shoulder block (19) from collapsing, thereby preventing the performance of the tire (1) from deteriorating during driving or braking.

[0055] And the dome cuff portion (210) can induce locking within the cuff to increase the frictional force generated by slip and reduce the loss of grounding rate.

[0056] To this end, the dome cuff portion (210) may include a convex protrusion (211) and a concave groove (212).

[0057] The convex protrusion (211) may protrude convexly from one side wall. Additionally, the convex protrusion (211) may have a cross-section in the shape of an arc or a bow. Furthermore, the convex protrusion (211) may be formed in a shape such as a part cut from a spherical shape or a part cut from a cylindrical shape.

[0058] The concave groove (212) can be formed by being sunken from the other wall surface opposite to the one side wall surface. The concave groove (212) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the convex protrusion (211). Additionally, the concave groove (212) can receive the convex protrusion (211) inwardly.

[0059] In addition, the dome cuff sections (210) may be provided in multiple numbers and formed spaced apart from each other in the width direction (D2) of the tread. Furthermore, the dome cuff sections (210) may be arranged in the same direction as adjacent dome cuff sections (210) to improve rigidity. Conversely, the dome cuff sections (210) may be arranged in opposite directions to adjacent dome cuff sections (210) to further improve rigidity. Accordingly, the variation in characteristics due to directionality can be reduced.

[0060] And when force is applied to the inside shoulder block (15) and the outside shoulder block (19), the convex protrusion (211) and the concave groove (212) come into contact with each other, which can improve the rigidity, grip, and friction of the shoulder block and the outside shoulder block (19).

[0061] Additionally, the dome cuff portion (210) may be arranged to form rows and columns along the width direction (D2) and depth direction of the tread, respectively.

[0062] Additionally, the convex protrusion (211) may have a polygonal cross-section, and the concave groove (212) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the convex protrusion (211).

[0063] The lower space (220) can be formed by being sunk from the dome cuff (210) to the inner side of the tread (10) and to the other side wall.

[0064] Here, the inner side of the tread (10) is in the direction of the belt layer (30) from the tread (10). In other words, the inner side of the tread (10) is the inner side of the tire (1) in the depth direction of the tread (10).

[0065] And the outer side of the tread (10) is in the direction of the tread (10) from the belt layer (30). In other words, the outer side of the tread (10) is the outer side of the tire (1) in the depth direction of the tread (10).

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of the center block (17) from the top of the tire (1), where the inner side of the tread (10) is the lower side of the dome cover portion (210). And the outer side of the tread (10) is the upper side of the dome cover portion (210).

[0067] The upper space (230) can be formed by being sunk from the dome cuff (210) to the upper part of the tread (10) and to the other side wall.

[0068] The dome cuff section (210) can reduce the chunking phenomenon of the inside shoulder block (15) and the outside shoulder block (19). Here, the chunking phenomenon is a tire tearing phenomenon in which the rubber of the tire contact surface is partially detached as the temperature of the tire surface rises rapidly due to friction between the road surface and the tire. When the chunking phenomenon occurs, the contact surface with the road becomes uneven, causing the tire's grip to decrease, and if the condition is severe, the vehicle may slide due to insufficient grip.

[0069] In addition, the circumferential direction (D1) (circumferential direction of the tire) of the tread of the lower space (220), upper space (230), and dome cuff (210) can be provided equally. Also, the lower space (220) and upper space (230) can further enhance the rigidity reinforcement by the dome cuff (210).

[0070] Surface shape: Straight, Straight; Side cross-section shape: Straight, Straight; and Dome cuff stiffness: 100% 114%

[0071] Based on 100% stiffness when the planar shape of the tread is provided in a straight line and the side cross-sectional shape (depth direction shape) is provided in a straight line, the stiffness when the planar shape of the tread is provided in a straight line and the side cross-sectional shape (depth direction shape) is provided in a straight line and dome cuff part (210) shape is provided in a straight line and dome cuff part (210) shape, so the stiffness can be increased.

[0072] This can improve rigidity, thereby enhancing dry traction performance.

[0073] In summary, the air-filled tire (1) according to the present embodiment has a first cuff (100) provided in the inside middle block (16), center block (17), and outside middle block (18) to improve snow traction performance and thus improve the marketability of the tire (1).

[0074] The air-filled tire (1) according to the present embodiment has a second cuff (200) provided on the inside shoulder block (15) and the outside shoulder block (19) to improve dry traction performance and thus improve the marketability of the tire (1).

[0075] The air-filled tire (1) according to the present embodiment can prevent the collapse of the inside shoulder block (15) and the outside shoulder block (19) through the dome cuff portion (210), thereby preventing the performance of the tire (1) from deteriorating during driving or braking.

[0076] The air-filled tire (1) according to the present embodiment can induce locking within the cuff through the dome cuff portion (210) to increase the frictional force generated by slipping and reduce the loss of contact rate.

[0077] In the air-filled tire (1) according to the present embodiment, a first cuff (100) is provided in the inside middle block (16), center block (17), and outside middle block (18), and a second cuff (200) is provided in the inside shoulder block (15) and outside shoulder block (19), so that the cuffs are provided differently according to the position of the tread (10), thereby improving the overall dry traction performance and snow traction performance, and thus improving the marketability of the tire (1).

Claims

1. A tread that contacts the road surface, comprising a plurality of blocks partitioned by first to fourth main grooves formed along the circumferential direction of the tire and spaced apart from each other from the inner side to the outer side with respect to the width direction of the tire. The above tread It includes an inside shoulder block, an inside middle block, a center block, an outside middle block, and an outside shoulder block that are partitioned from the inside to the outside with respect to the width direction of the above tread, The above-mentioned inside middle block, center block, and outside middle block are provided with a first cuff formed by being recessed in the depth direction from the surface, and The above-mentioned inside shoulder block and outside shoulder block are provided with a second cuff formed by being recessed in the depth direction from the surface, with a dome cuff portion provided in the middle part, and The above dome cuff part A convex projection protruding convexly from one side wall, and An air-filled tire comprising a concave groove formed by being recessed from the other wall surface opposite to the one wall surface and into which the convex protrusion is recessed and received.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above second cuff is A lower space formed by being recessed from the inner part of the tread to the other side wall from the dome cuff portion, and An air-filled tire comprising an upper space portion formed by being recessed from the upper portion of the tread to the other side wall surface from the dome cuff portion.

3. In Paragraph 2, An air-filled tire in which the circumferential widths of the lower space, upper space, and dome cuff portions are provided equally.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above dome cuff part Pneumatic tires formed by being arranged in multiple numbers and spaced apart from each other.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above dome cuff part An air-filled tire positioned in the same direction as an adjacent dome cuff.

6. In Paragraph 4, The above dome cuff part An air-filled tire positioned opposite to the adjacent dome cuff section.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above second cuff is An air-filled tire in which the flat shape of the tread is provided in a straight line.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above first cuff is An air-filled tire in which the flat shape of the tread is provided in a wave shape.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above first cuff is An air-filled tire in which the side cross-sectional shape of the tread is provided in a wave shape.

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