V-Shaped Crown Block Tire Tread for Mud Ejection and Traction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tires designed for rough terrain experience decreased traction due to mud clogging between crown fin portions, making it difficult to eject and resulting in reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A tire design featuring V-shaped crown blocks with two crown fin portions per block, a shallow groove at the connection between the crown block and fin portions, and specific dimensions to enhance mud ejection and traction, including a shallow groove depth of 5% to 25% of the crown block's radial height and a width of 2% to 15% of the crown block's axial width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If crown fin portions are provided on crown blocks to enhance traction performance, then traction performance is improved, but mud clogging between the crown fin portions occurs and becomes difficult to eject

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraction performanceVSAvoidmud clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the connection portion between the crown block main portion and crown fin portions into multiple segments by providing shallow grooves. This segmentation creates discrete deformation zones that allow controlled bending of the crown fin portions, enabling mud to be ejected from between the fin portions while maintaining the structural integrity and traction-enhancing geometry of the crown blocks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic flexibility to the crown fin portions through shallow grooves that promote deformation. The crown fin portions can dynamically adjust their position and shape during tire rotation and mud contact, bending at the connection portions to facilitate mud ejection while maintaining optimal traction contact with the ground

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the crown block structure is modified to reduce mud clogging, then mud ejection is improved, but rigidity and shearing force against mud and soil may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemud ejectionVSAvoidrigidity and shearing force
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality modification by providing shallow grooves only at specific connection portions between the crown block main portion and crown fin portions, rather than throughout the entire crown block structure. This localized modification allows deformation and mud ejection at specific points while maintaining the overall rigidity and shearing force of the crown block structure where needed for traction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shallow grooves are designed with specific depth limitations (not exceeding the full depth of the crown block) to provide just enough flexibility for mud ejection while maintaining sufficient structural strength. The grooves create partial deformation capability rather than complete flexibility, balancing mud ejection needs with structural integrity requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4163129B1Tire for rough terrain
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4163129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4163129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4163129B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tire for running on rough terrain for which an intended tire rotational direction is specified, and which comprises a tread portion provided with crown blocks disposed on the tire equator. Each of the crown blocks comprises a V-shaped crown block main portion which bends convexly toward a circumferential direction opposite to the intended tire rotation direction, and only two crown fin portions projecting from the crown block main portion toward the above-said circumferential direction opposite to the intended tire rotation direction.