Heavy Load Tyre Tread Blocks with Segmented Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tyres for heavy load vehicle wheels face issues with uneven wear and high rolling resistance due to excessive mobility of blocks, which is exacerbated by a large number of transverse grooves designed for traction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating transverse grooves with a segment of reduced width and a segment of larger width, along with a filling element within the larger segment to counteract block mobility, maintaining traction while reducing rolling resistance and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large number of transverse grooves are provided to increase traction ability, then the traction ability of the tyre is improved, but the circumferential mobility of the blocks is critically increased causing uneven wear and high rolling resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse grooves are segmented into two distinct segments: a first segment with reduced width (L1) and a second segment with larger width (L2). This segmentation allows the first segment to provide circumferential continuity for reduced mobility while the second segment maintains traction ability, thus resolving the contradiction between traction and block mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the transverse grooves are assigned different widths to perform different functions. The first segment (narrower) is optimized for limiting block mobility and reducing rolling resistance, while the second segment (wider) is optimized for maintaining traction ability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each segment for its specific purpose.
2Force
If transverse grooves are made wider to improve traction, then the traction ability is improved, but the mobility of blocks increases leading to uneven wear
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse grooves are divided into two segments with different widths. The first segment (L1) is optimized for stability by providing circumferential continuity that limits block mobility, while the second segment (L2) is optimized for traction. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between block stability and traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure implements local quality by having different width characteristics at different locations. The narrower first segment provides the stability function locally, while the wider second segment provides the traction function locally, thus resolving the contradiction between block mobility stability and traction ability.
3Loss of energy
If the tyre is designed for low rolling resistance by reducing block mobility, then rolling resistance is reduced, but the traction ability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse grooves are segmented into a first segment (L1) that limits block mobility to reduce rolling resistance, and a second segment (L2) that maintains traction ability. This segmentation allows the tyre to achieve both low rolling resistance and good traction simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the transverse grooves are optimized for different functions: the first segment (narrower) is optimized for reducing rolling resistance by limiting block mobility, while the second segment (wider) is optimized for maintaining traction ability, thus resolving the contradiction between these two performance parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Tyre (1) for heavy load vehicle wheels, having a tread band (8) comprising: —a plurality of circumferential grooves (3, 4, 5, 6); —a plurality of transverse grooves (15) extending between two axially consecutive circumferential grooves (3, 4, 5, 6), thus defining a plurality of blocks (21); —each block (21) comprising a radially outer top surface (7) and having a height (M) measured between said top surface and a bottom surface of a respective transverse groove (15); —said transverse grooves (15) comprising a first segment (16) having a width L1 and a second segment (17) having a width L2, where L2<L1; —said first segment (16) being at least partially delimited by walls of two circumferentially consecutive blocks (20, 21); —at least one filling element (18) contained within said first segment (16); —said at least one filling element (18) having a radially outer top surface (19), located radially inwardly relative to said top surface (7) of the block at a radial distance (D) between 5% and 50% of the height (M) of the blocks (21); —the plan surface area (A2) of said top surface (19) of said at least one filling element (18) being greater than 60% of the plan surface area (Ai) of said first segment (16); —said at least one filling element (18) being spaced apart from said walls (27, 28) along at least 70% of its perimeter (P).