Shoulder Block Sidewall Structure for Mud-Traction Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires face a trade-off between improving mud performance, fuel efficiency, and cut resistance, as protrusions enhance mud traction but increase weight, while recesses improve efficiency but compromise cut resistance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates shoulder blocks with a side surface comprising first and second surface sections that protrude outward from the groove bottoms, optimizing mud performance without sacrificing cut resistance by maintaining rubber thickness and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If protrusions are provided in the buttress portions, then cut resistance is improved, but tire weight increases and fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface of the shoulder block is segmented into a first surface section and a second surface section. The first surface section extends from the tread edge to the radial inner end of the shoulder lateral groove, while the second surface section extends inward of the tire than the first surface section. This segmentation allows the rubber to be concentrated where cut resistance is needed (first surface section) while reducing weight in less critical areas (second surface section).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different surface configurations to different regions of the shoulder block side surface. The first surface section has a profile line that extends farther outward to provide enhanced cut resistance, while the second surface section has a profile line that extends inward to reduce weight. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between cut resistance and weight reduction.
2Weight of moving object
If recesses are provided in the buttress portions, then fuel efficiency is improved, but cut resistance decreases due to insufficient rubber thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface is divided into two functional zones: the first surface section maintains sufficient rubber thickness for cut resistance, while the second surface section creates a recessed area that reduces overall weight. The segmentation ensures that weight reduction does not compromise the structural integrity needed for cut resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side surface are assigned different qualities: the first surface section retains outward extension to ensure adequate rubber thickness and cut resistance, while the second surface section is configured inward to create weight-saving recesses. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and cut resistance maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If protrusions are provided to improve mud performance, then traction on muddy terrains is enhanced, but tire weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface segmentation creates a first surface section that protrudes outward to enhance mud performance by increasing contact area and traction on muddy terrains, while the second surface section extends inward to reduce weight. This allows the tire to gain mud performance benefits without proportionally increasing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The first surface section is configured with outward extension to provide enhanced mud performance where it is most needed (at the shoulder block outer edge), while the second surface section is configured inward to reduce weight in areas where protrusion would provide diminishing returns. This local optimization achieves mud performance improvement with minimal weight penalty.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire has a tread portion provided with shoulder blocks arranged along the tread edges and each having a side surface extending radially inwardly from the tread edge. The side surface includes a first surface section and a second surface section arranged in the tire circumferential direction and protruding outward of the tire than the groove bottom surfaces of the shoulder lateral grooves. In a tire meridian section including the first surface section, the profile line of the first surface section extends from the tread edge to a position corresponding to a position of the radial inner ends of the shoulder lateral grooves. In a tire meridian section including the second surface section, the profile line of the second surface section extends from the tread edge to a position corresponding to the above-said position of the radial inner ends through a path inward of the tire than that of the profile line of the first surface section.