Curved Tread Blocks with High Modulus Covering for Snow Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tread bands for pneumatic tires on ice-bound or snow-covered roads face challenges in maintaining adherence and extending tire lifetime, particularly in the absence of a central circumferential block which affects water drainage and rubber durability.
Innovation Solution
A tread band design featuring curved blocks with lateral faces covered by a material with a higher modulus of elasticity than the rubber, incorporating elastomeric materials or fiber assemblies to enhance stiffness and mechanical resistance, and secondary sipes to adjust rigidity and prevent wear, without a central circumferential block to improve water drainage and snow scraping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a central circumferential block is used to maintain block resistance, then the lifetime of the tread band is improved, but the water drainage ability outside the tread band deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the central circumferential block from the tread band design, extracting the element that caused water drainage problems. This allows water to drain freely outside the tread band while the patent compensates for the lost structural support through alternative means (curved blocks extending toward the center without being connected by a circumferential block).
2Strength
If the modulus of elasticity of the covering material is increased to improve block stiffness, then the snow scraping ability is improved, but the mechanical resistance to wear may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where a covering material with high modulus of elasticity (greater than the rubber-like material) is applied on the lateral faces of the blocks. This composite approach provides the necessary stiffness for snow scraping while the underlying rubber-like material maintains flexibility and wear resistance. The covering material comprises elastomeric material with dynamic shear modulus G* greater than 200 MPa at -10°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering material is applied specifically on the lateral faces of the blocks where stiffness is needed for snow scraping, rather than throughout the entire block. This localized application provides the necessary rigidity at the contact surfaces while preserving the flexibility and durability of the rubber-like material in the bulk of the blocks.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If secondary sipes are added to adjust rigidity and prevent wear, then the uniform wear is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates secondary sipes that extend perpendicularly to the main sipe, dividing the blocks into smaller segments. These sipes create additional edges that improve snow scraping while distributing wear more uniformly across the block surfaces. The segmentation also allows the tread band to better conform to road surfaces.
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 solution enhances traction on snowy roads, improves block stiffness and resistance, and maintains uniform wear while preventing crack propagation, thereby improving adherence and extending tire lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
The covering material has a modulus of elasticity which is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the rubber-like material forming the block
Implementation Method 2
the covering material comprises an elastomeric material of which the dynamic shear modulus G* subjected to a maximum alternating stress of 0.7 MPa, at a frequency of 10 Hz and at a temperature of -10°C, is greater than 200 MPa
Implementation Method 3
By using a covering material with such features, we improve the ability of the block to scrap the snow on the road. Consequently, the adherence on a snow road is improved.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a tread band made of rubber-like material for a tyre,said tread band (1) comprising two sides (3)with a predetermined distance D between these two sides (3)and a centre (5). The tread band having a plurality of blocks (7), each block extending continuously in a curved manner to one side (3) of the tread band towards the centre (5) of this tread band, the block following a certain curvature C. Each block (7) comprises at least one lateral face (8), this lateral face is covered totally by a covering material (9), the covering material (9) having a modulus of elasticity which is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the rubber-like material forming the block (7).