3D Tire Kerf Structure for Wear-Stable Drainage and Block Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire treads face a trade-off issue where void volume decreases with wear, leading to reduced drainage, traction, and braking performance due to decreased block rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with kerfs featuring a road surface portion and a bottom portion, where the distance between opposite side wall surfaces of the bottom portion varies in depth, incorporating a protrusion part to maintain kerf space and block rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the groove sidewall inclination angle is 90 degrees or reverse inclination is applied to maintain kerf space, then drainage performance is improved, but block rigidity decreases resulting in reduced braking and handling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different parts of the kerf structure: the road surface portion has vertical or reverse-inclined sidewalls optimized for drainage, while the bottom portion has a specific curvature radius (0.5-5mm) optimized for maintaining block rigidity. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from considering only the vertical cross-section of the kerf to incorporating the longitudinal dimension by specifying curvature radius requirements along the kerf length. This three-dimensional approach allows optimization of both drainage (vertical dimension) and structural integrity (longitudinal dimension) simultaneously.
2Reliability
If conventional kerfs are used, then initial drainage performance is good, but kerf space decreases as tread wears leading to reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-compensates for future tread wear by designing the bottom portion with specific geometric parameters (curvature radius 0.5-5mm) that maintain kerf volume even after wear occurs. This beforehand design ensures that the kerf space is preserved throughout the tire's service life, cushioning against the expected degradation from wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the kerf bottom portion from conventional sharp corners or flat bottoms to a controlled curvature radius (0.5-5mm). This parameter modification ensures that as the tread wears, the kerf space is maintained more effectively, preserving drainage performance over the tire's duration.
3Reliability
If kerf depth is increased to maintain kerf space, then drainage performance is improved, but block rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes different regions of the kerf with different geometric properties: the road surface portion depth is optimized for drainage, while the bottom portion curvature radius is optimized for structural support. This local quality differentiation allows the kerf to achieve adequate drainage without excessively compromising block rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces sharp corners or flat bottoms in the kerf with a controlled curvature radius (0.5-5mm) at the bottom portion. This curvature distributes stress more effectively and maintains block rigidity while still providing sufficient kerf depth for drainage performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment relates to a tire in which kerf space can be secured after tread wear without a decrease in block rigidity. The tire provided with 3D kerfs combining interlocking bands and hidden groove-type kerfs according to an embodiment comprises: kerfs that are provided with road surface portions and bottom portions; and protrusion parts that protrude from one of the two side wall surfaces of the road surface portions, wherein the road surface portions are spaces extending, in the thickness direction of the blocks, from the outer surface of the blocks in contact with the road surface, and the bottom portions are spaces extending from the road surface in the thickness direction of the block.