Notched Gripping Elements for Heavy-Duty Tyre Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty tires face a conflict between achieving good road grip, low noise, and driving comfort, as a high number of blocks for traction generates noise and vibrations, while fewer blocks are required for comfort and reduced noise.
Innovation Solution
The tire design incorporates notched gripping elements with tread portions inside the notches, featuring a circular or loboidal shape, which increases traction without significantly affecting noise or comfort by optimizing the shape and placement of these elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high number of blocks is used for traction, then road grip is improved, but noise and vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping elements are segmented into multiple tread portions (first, second, third, and fourth tread portions) arranged around a central axis within notches. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute to traction while the distributed arrangement reduces the concentration of contact points, thereby lowering vibrations and noise compared to traditional solid blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches and tread portions are designed with curved, loboidal, or circular cross-sections rather than flat or angular shapes. The curved surfaces distribute contact pressure more evenly and reduce impact shocks during rolling, which diminishes vibrations and noise generation while maintaining effective road contact for traction.
2Stress or pressure
If tread portions are placed inside notches, then specific pressure on ground is increased, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread portions are nested within the notches, with multiple tread portions (first, second, third, fourth) arranged concentrically or radially around a central axis inside each notch. This nesting configuration concentrates the tread material in a compact volume, increasing specific pressure on the ground contact points while containing the structural complexity within defined geometric boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches feature asymmetric loboidal or irregular cross-sections rather than simple circular or rectangular shapes. This asymmetry creates varied contact patterns with the road surface, enhancing specific pressure distribution across different tread portions while the standardized repetitive pattern across multiple notches prevents excessive overall structural complexity.
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 notched design enhances road traction while maintaining low noise levels and comfort by increasing specific pressure on the ground without excessive vibration, ensuring consistent performance across the tire's life.
Implementation Method 1
The notched design enhances road traction while maintaining low noise levels and comfort by increasing specific pressure on the ground
Implementation Method 2
the present invention applies to tyres suitable for use on a non-dry and/or poorly adhering road, for example due to the presence of water, snow, ice or mud
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a tread band having a plurality of ribs and/or blocks; at least one gripping element (3) is formed on at least one of said ribs (2) and/or blocks, wherein said gripping element (3) is delimited by a notch (4A) having the development of a closed line at least partially curvilinear and comprises one or more tread portions (5A), wherein inside the notch (4A) there is at least one tread portion (5A) in relief with respect to the bottom (43) of the notch (4A) and separated from the outer contour (41) of the notch (4A).