Tire Tread Sipe Structure for Ice Traction and Wear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires require improved performance on ice and snow while maintaining uneven wear resistance, particularly in tread designs with fewer circumferential grooves that may lack sufficient frictional force in the tire axial direction.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with a tread portion featuring three circumferential grooves and four land portions, including shoulder and crown blocks with specific sipe configurations, where the total sum of crown circumferential edge components exceeds that of shoulder sipes, ensuring enhanced frictional force in both circumferential and axial directions, and incorporating projections in the crown circumferential groove for improved traction and anti-stone trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tread portion has only three circumferential grooves and four land portions, then the tire structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the frictional force in the tire axial direction on ice and snow is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The land portions are segmented into multiple blocks by introducing axial grooves and sipes. Each block is further divided into smaller units by sipes, creating a segmented structure that increases surface area and frictional force in the axial direction while maintaining the simplified three-groove overall design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread are given different properties: the shoulder blocks have sipes extending to the tread end for axial friction, while the crown blocks have closed sipes for circumferential friction. This local differentiation optimizes frictional characteristics for specific functional requirements without complicating the overall structure
2Force
If the total sum of crown circumferential edge components is increased to enhance circumferential friction, then traction on ice and snow is improved, but the complexity of sipe configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Closed sipes are specifically implemented in the crown blocks where circumferential friction is needed, while shoulder blocks use different sipe configurations. This localized application of different sipe types optimizes circumferential friction where needed without unnecessarily complicating the entire tread structure
Solution Approach 2:
The crown sipes are designed to extend beyond the crown circumferential groove, creating an excessive action that ensures sufficient circumferential friction force is generated even under varying load and slip conditions, while the overall sipe pattern remains relatively simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tire exhibits excellent performance on ice and snow with maintained uneven wear resistance by optimizing sipe configurations and groove projections, enhancing traction and preventing stone trapping.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing frictional force in both circumferential and axial directions
Implementation Method 2
incorporating projections in the crown circumferential groove for improved traction and anti-stone trapping
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention is an invention relating to a tire having a tread portion 2. A first shoulder land portion 11 of the tread portion 2 includes a plurality of shoulder blocks 20. Each of the plurality of shoulder blocks 20 is provided with a plurality of shoulder sipes 25. A first crown land portion 13 includes a plurality of crown blocks 30. Each of the plurality of crown blocks 30 is provided with a plurality of crown sipes 35. Each of the plurality of crown sipes 35 is closed at at least one end thereof at a tread surface of the crown block 30. A total sum ΣCv of crown circumferential edge components of all the crown sipes 35 formed on one crown block 30 is larger than a total sum ΣSv of shoulder circumferential edge components of all the shoulder sipes 25 formed on one shoulder block 20.