Additive Manufacturing Ellipsoidal Tire Tread Forming Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing shaped elements for tire tread incisions or grooves using additive manufacturing lack precision and efficiency in creating extended base sections, which are crucial for effective water drainage and crack resistance on ice-covered roads.
Innovation Solution
The use of ellipsoidal or spherical elements with different semi-axes, arranged to overlap, allows for precise design data and varying printing parameters, resulting in shaped elements with extended base sections that enhance water drainage and crack resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional additive manufacturing methods are used to produce shaped elements for tire tread incisions, then the manufacturing process is relatively simple, but the precision and efficiency in creating extended base sections are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped element is divided into multiple individual elements arranged in series along the longitudinal axis. Each element has a largest dimension transverse to the forming section that is greater than the thickness of the shaped element, creating overlapping projections that form the extended base section. This segmentation allows precise control of each element's geometry while achieving the complex extended base shape through their collective arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional 2D or simple 3D printing approaches to a multi-dimensional arrangement where elements are positioned with specific overlaps in longitudinal, transverse, and thickness directions. The overlapping arrangement in multiple dimensions creates the extended base section with precise geometric control, enabling complex shapes that would be difficult to achieve with conventional single-continuum printing methods.
2Reliability
If conventional shaped elements are used for tread incisions, then the design is simpler, but water drainage and crack resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Each element is designed with curved surfaces rather than flat or angular geometries. The elements have a largest dimension transverse to the forming section that is greater than the thickness of the shaped element, creating rounded, overlapping projections. This spheroidal curvature distributes stress more evenly and prevents stress concentration at sharp corners, thereby improving crack resistance while the overlapping arrangement enhances water drainage capabilities.
3Reliability
If the largest dimension of elements transverse to the forming section is increased, then water drainage is improved, but the thickness requirement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped element is segmented into multiple individual elements arranged in series. Each element has a largest dimension transverse to the forming section that is greater than the thickness of the shaped element, but by arranging them in overlapping series, the overall thickness is controlled through the cumulative effect of multiple thinner elements rather than requiring a single thick element. This segmentation allows water drainage optimization while maintaining thickness requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual elements are merged through overlapping arrangement to form the complete shaped element structure. The overlapping projections of adjacent elements combine to create the extended base section with optimized water drainage, while the individual element thicknesses are controlled to meet manufacturing requirements. The merging of multiple elements achieves the functional benefits of larger transverse dimensions without compromising thickness constraints.
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
This configuration enables precise and efficient creation of tread elements with extended base sections, improving water drainage and crack resistance, while simplifying design data and reducing stress concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
produced from a metal powder by an additive process, for example, selective laser melting
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Forming element (5), in particular a lamella or rib, for forming a cut (2) or a groove in the tread of a vehicle pneumatic tire during its vulcanization in a tire vulcanization mold, comprising an anchoring section (5a) for anchoring the forming element (5) in a forming segment of the tire vulcanization mold and a forming section (5b) which forms the cut (2) or the groove in the tread of the tire inserted into the tire vulcanization mold, wherein the forming element (5) is produced from a metal powder by an additive process; the forming section (5b) has on its edge region facing away from the anchoring section (5a) a series of ellipsoidal elements (6) arranged in mutual overlap, the largest dimension of which transverse to the forming section (5b) is greater than the thickness of the forming section (5b), vulcanization mold with such a forming element.Vehicle pneumatic tires with cuts (2) which have extended base sections consisting of a series of ellipsoidal extensions (4).