Segmented Tire Tread for Snow Grip and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow tires face challenges in maintaining grip performance on snowy surfaces, especially as they wear down, as existing tire tread designs struggle to consistently provide adequate traction across the lifespan of the tire.
Innovation Solution
A snow tire tread design featuring three radially superposed portions with distinct rubber compositions, where the radially external portion has a higher reinforcing filler content, the intermediate portion has a lower filler content with carbon black, and the internal portion has a higher filler content, optimized for improved grip and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a uniform rubber composition is used throughout the tread, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the grip performance deteriorates in the worn state
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into three radially superposed portions (first, second, and third rubber compositions) with different reinforcing filler contents. The first and third portions have higher filler content (60-200 phr) for durability, while the second intermediate portion has lower filler content (0-120 phr) for flexibility and grip. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute differently to performance, maintaining grip in worn state while managing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread are assigned different rubber compositions tailored to their specific functional requirements. The radially external and internal portions use high filler content compositions for structural integrity and wear resistance, while the radially intermediate portion uses low filler content composition for enhanced grip and flexibility. This local optimization ensures that each part of the tread performs its specific function effectively.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If high reinforcing filler content is used throughout the tread, then the tread durability is improved, but the grip performance on snow deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tread structure segments the reinforcing filler distribution across three radial portions. The first and third portions (contacting ground in new state) have high filler content (60-200 phr) for durability and structural support. The second intermediate portion has low filler content (0-120 phr) to provide softness, flexibility, and excellent grip on snowy surfaces. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different filler levels to different functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the reinforcing filler content according to the specific functional requirements of each tread region. High filler content is localized to the outer and inner radial portions where structural integrity is critical, while low filler content is localized to the intermediate portion where flexibility and snow grip are paramount. This spatial variation in material properties optimizes both durability and grip performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire has a tread comprising at least three radially superposed portions which comprise a radially external portion being made of a first rubber composition, a radially intermediate portion being made of a second rubber composition and a radially internal portion being made of a third rubber composition; wherein each of the rubber compositions is based on at least an elastomer matrix, and a reinforcing filler; wherein the amount in phr of the reinforcing filler in the first rubber composition is higher than that in the second rubber composition, and wherein the amount in phr of the reinforcing filler in the second rubber composition is lower than that in the third rubber composition.