Raised Tread Tire Marking for Tamper-Resistant New Tire Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire markings on the tread face cannot reliably indicate whether a vehicle tire is new or used, as they can be easily applied subsequently and are not tamper-resistant.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tire with a tread face featuring at least one new tire marking that is partially higher than the surrounding surface, which wears away with use, ensuring it identifies the tire as new and cannot be applied subsequently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If markings are engraved on the tread face using a laser or similar method, then markings can be applied to indicate tire performance, but the markings can be subsequently applied and are not tamper-resistant
Solution Approach 1:
The marking is incorporated into the tire during the vulcanization process itself, before the tire is put into service. The marking structure is built into the tire compound during manufacturing, making it impossible to apply subsequently without altering the tire structure. This preliminary integration ensures tamper-resistance while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard vulcanization procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking is created as a negative impression in the mold during vulcanization, which then forms as a positive relief structure on the tire surface. This copying process through the mold ensures the marking is authentically part of the tire structure and cannot be replicated or applied afterward without detection.
2Loss of information
If markings are placed in the lateral region of the tire, then consumer information is provided, but the markings do not indicate whether the tire is new or used
Solution Approach 1:
The marking is placed specifically in the tread face region where it serves a dual purpose: providing consumer information and indicating the tire's service life status. The local placement in the tread face, rather than the lateral region, allows the marking to be subject to wear and thereby indicate whether the tire is new or used, while still providing necessary consumer information.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking utilizes visual contrast through relief structure and potentially color differentiation to provide consumer information. The raised or recessed marking structure creates visual detectability, and the marking may incorporate color elements that change or wear with tire usage, providing reliable indication of the tire's new state.
3Reliability
If a marking structure is created with higher surface elevation, then the marking wears away with use to indicate new tire status, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marking structure utilizes controlled variations in surface elevation parameters, creating a relief structure with specific height differences that are sufficient for visual detection and wear indication but within the capabilities of standard vulcanization molding precision. The parameter changes in surface elevation are optimized to balance reliability of new tire indication with manufacturability.
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 provides a tamper-resistant and reliable indication of a tire's new state through a marking that disappears with wear, offering additional consumer information.
Implementation Method 1
a tire heating mold (2) by which a marking which identifies the vehicle tire as being new can be produced on a vehicle tire
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tire having a tread face with at least one new tire marking which is at least partially higher than the surrounded surface of the tread face and is designed to wear out when the tire has been a carriageway to a degree indicative of a used tire. Also provided is a method for producing the vehicle tire in a tire heating mold having at least one at least partially engraved negative of the new tire marking. Also provided is the tire heating mold (2) for the method for producing the vehicle tire.