Asymmetric Steplike Tread Blocks for Heavy Duty Tire Snow Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heavy duty pneumatic tires with projected portions on the same side of the tread block tend to clog with snow, deteriorating on-snow and wet performance due to close spacing.
Innovation Solution
The tire features tread blocks with axially extending sipes, where one end portion protrudes outward in one direction and the other in an opposite direction, forming steplike sides, and the middle portion has inclined side edges, preventing snow clogging by distributing snow evenly across main grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If projected portions are located on the same side and closely in the circumferential direction to increase snow shearing force, then on-snow performance is improved, but the space between adjacent projected portions becomes clogged with snow deteriorating both on-snow and wet performance
Solution Approach 1:
The tread block is segmented into multiple portions (first end portion, second end portion, and middle portion) with projected portions distributed at different locations. This segmentation prevents snow clogging by distributing snow ejection points across different circumferential positions, allowing snow to be sheared and ejected more effectively without blocking the spaces between projected portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second projected portions are positioned asymmetrically at opposite ends of the tread block, creating an asymmetric distribution pattern. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that projected portions do not cluster on the same side, preventing snow from accumulating in the spaces between them while maintaining effective snow shearing capability.
2Force
If projected portions are closely spaced to enhance snow shearing force, then traction on snowy road is improved, but snow clogging in the space between projected portions deteriorates performance
Solution Approach 1:
The projected portions are arranged in the circumferential direction at opposite ends of the tread block, utilizing the circumferential dimension to distribute snow ejection points. This dimensional arrangement prevents snow from being trapped in narrow spaces between closely spaced projected portions, allowing snow to be effectively sheared and ejected without clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread block is divided into multiple functional segments with projected portions positioned at different locations. This segmentation creates multiple snow shearing zones that work independently, preventing snow from clogging the spaces between projected portions while maintaining strong snow shearing force.
Data Source
AI summary
A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes a tread portion including a plurality of blocks separated by a plurality of circumferentially extending main grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves. At least one of the blocks is provided with two axially extending sipes to divide the block into a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion includes a first projected portion that protrudes outwardly in a block-width direction from the middle portion so as to form a steplike side, and the second end portion includes a second projected portion that protrudes outwardly in an opposite block-width direction to the first projected portion from the middle portion so as to form a steplike side.