Angled Ribs on Tire Tread for Noise Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic vehicle tire designs face limitations in optimizing tire/road noise reduction, as the variation of pitch lengths is constrained by stability concerns, making it difficult to eliminate specific disruptive frequencies in the noise spectrum.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of ribs angled between 10° to 70° relative to the axial direction on profile positives, arranged according to a noise-optimized sequence different from the pitch sequence of profile blocks and grooves, allows for targeted elimination and shifting of disruptive frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If pitch lengths are varied to eliminate disruptive frequencies, then tire/road noise is reduced, but profile element stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire/road noiseVSAvoidprofile element stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tread is divided into multiple independent pitch sequences, each with its own pitch length variations. This segmentation allows different pitch patterns to be used in different circumferential zones, enabling noise optimization without compromising the stability of individual profile elements. Each pitch maintains adequate length for stability while the varied sequences collectively reduce noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different pitch length variations are applied to different circumferential zones of the tread. Specifically, the first and second pitch sequences have different pitch length ratios, allowing local optimization of noise characteristics in different areas while maintaining appropriate element dimensions for stability in each zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pitch lengths are made excessively different to optimize noise, then disruptive frequencies are eliminated, but circumferential and lateral stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisruptive frequenciesVSAvoidcircumferential and lateral stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs periodic pitch sequences where pitch lengths follow repeating patterns with specific ratios. The first pitch sequence uses pitch lengths L1, L2, L3 in a periodic pattern, while the second sequence uses different periodic ratios. This periodic structure eliminates disruptive frequencies through rhythmic variation while maintaining stability by ensuring each individual pitch remains within acceptable dimensional limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If profile elements are made shorter to increase pitch variation, then noise optimization improves, but wear behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise optimizationVSAvoidwear behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes noise characteristics by carefully controlling the parameters of pitch length variations rather than simply reducing element sizes. Specific pitch length ratios (e.g., L1:L2:L3) are selected to achieve noise optimization while maintaining adequate element dimensions for proper wear behavior. The parameter changes are subtle and targeted, affecting acoustic characteristics without compromising mechanical reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2803501B1Pneumatic tyre for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2803501B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2803501B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2803501B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Vehicle pneumatic tires with a profiled tread comprising profile structures that include positive profile elements, such as profile blocks (1a, 2a) arranged in rows (1, 2), and negative profile elements, such as circumferential grooves (3, 4) and lateral grooves (6, 7), wherein the positive profile elements are arranged around the tire circumference in a noise-optimized manner according to at least one specific pitch sequence and a pitch length variation method. Ribs (9, 9', 9") are locally arranged on the positive profile elements, extending at an angle to the axial direction of the tread and arranged around the tire circumference in a noise-optimized sequence that differs from the pitch sequence of the positive profile elements on which the ribs (9, 9', 9") are positioned.