Pneumatic Tyre Raised Edge Angled Profile Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic vehicle tire designs with zigzag tread block edges improve snow performance but have limited effect on icy ground, particularly with thin water layers, hoarfrost, and braking/traction properties.

Innovation Solution

The tire features raised edge areas on tread block edges with sections running at angles, providing increased edge pressure and improved drainage, along with micro-incisions and incisions that enhance grip and friction on icy and snowy surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If tread block edges have sections running at angles, then edge pressure increases, but water film drainage becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge pressureVSAvoidwater film
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the water drainage function by introducing micro-incisions (0.1-0.3mm wide) that run parallel to the transverse grooves. These micro-channels divide and direct water flow away from the contact patches, preventing water film buildup while allowing the angled edge sections to maintain high contact pressure on the road surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-incisions act as intermediary elements between the high-pressure edge areas and the road surface. They provide dedicated pathways for water evacuation, mediating the conflict between maintaining high edge pressure for traction and preventing water film formation that would reduce grip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If incisions and micro-incisions are added to tread blocks, then grip on snowy and icy surfaces is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip on snowy and icy surfacesVSAvoidtread block structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the incision system into two distinct levels: larger incisions (0.4-1.2mm wide) running parallel to transverse grooves for primary water evacuation, and smaller micro-incisions (0.1-0.3mm wide) for secondary drainage and surface texture. This hierarchical segmentation provides comprehensive grip enhancement while organizing the complexity into manageable, systematically arranged features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly enhances braking, traction, and cornering on snowy ground and improves ice friction by maintaining a clean block surface, while micro-incisions aid in water film drainage, resulting in better grip and milling effects.

Implementation Method 1

The or at least one of the profile block edges on the transverse groove side, which is composed of sections running at an angle to one another, delimits the profile block at least in sections on a raised edge area which is radial compared to the level of the rest of the profile block surface has a height of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm and a width of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm at its top

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

micro-incisions which extend parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse grooves and the incisions have a width of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

micro-incisions which extend parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse grooves and the incisions have a width of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm and a depth of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3717281B1Pneumatic vehicle tyre
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3717281B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP3717281B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3717281B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread with at least one profile block row which has profile blocks (1) or is structured in the manner of profile blocks, wherein the profile blocks (1) are separated from one another in a circumferential direction by transverse channels (2) which extend at an angle of ≤ 45° with respect to the axial direction, wherein each profile block (1) is delimited at the transverse channel side and at the tread periphery by profile block edges (3, 4, 5', 5) and is extended through by a number of sipes (7, 7') which extend parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse channels (2) and which have a width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, and wherein at least one of the transverse-channel-side profile block edges (3, 5) is made up of portions (3a, 3b; 5a, 5b, 5c) which run in angled fashion with respect to one another. The or at least one of the transverse-channel-side profile block edge(s) (3, 5) which is made up of portions (3a, 3b; 5a, 5b, 5c) running in angled fashion with respect to one another delimits the profile block (1) at least in portions at an elevated edge region (6) which has a height (h) of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm in relation to the level of the rest of the profile block surface in a radial direction and has a width (b) of 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm at the top side thereof.