Sinusoidal Lamella Geometry for Tyre Tread Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire tread designs with lamellas face challenges in achieving optimal force transfer and deformation characteristics due to the need for grooves, which compromise block rigidity and deformation patterns on various road surfaces, particularly on wet, snowy, and icy conditions.
Innovation Solution
The tire tread features three-dimensionally shaped lamellar cuttings with radially arranged blades, comprising flat surface areas and a helical section, where the flat surfaces form an angle around the connection axis, and the helical part contributes to the total depth, enhancing rigidity and engagement characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tread block is divided by narrow cuttings to increase engagement characteristics, then the force transfer effectiveness is improved, but the block rigidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved, sinusoidal-shaped cuttings instead of straight lines. The cutting profile follows a sinusoidal function with defined amplitude and wavelength, creating a curved geometry that locks the block structure more effectively while still providing engagement edges. This curvature increases block rigidity compared to straight cuttings of the same depth, resolving the contradiction between force transfer effectiveness and block rigidity.
2Reliability
If the number of lamellas is increased to provide more engagement edges, then the traction on wet and snowy surfaces is improved, but the deformation characteristics of the pattern block are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the characteristics of cuttings in different circumferential positions within the same pattern block. Each cutting can have different amplitude, wavelength, or orientation depending on its local position. This local variation optimizes the distribution of deformation across the block, allowing more cuttings to be present while maintaining controlled deformation characteristics and stable block composition.
3Ease of manufacture
If straight cuttings with variable bottom depth are used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the block rigidity in all directions is not sufficiently increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sinusoidal curved cuttings instead of straight lines. The cutting profile is defined by a sinusoidal function with specific amplitude and wavelength parameters, creating a curved geometry that provides superior multi-directional rigidity enhancement compared to straight cuttings, while still being manufacturable through standard molding processes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Tyre treat containing at least one row of the pattern blocks arranged in the circumference direction of the treat is described, wherein at least one of these blocks is provided with one or more shaped 3D lamellar cuttings in the radial direction, and this shaped lamellar cutting is defined by the mutually fitting shaped surfaces formed by the lamella during the vulcanisation. The lamellar cutting is formed by the lamella consisting of at least three radially arranged blades connected in one axis, while the area of each blade contains two flat parts with the helical area Z between them, wherein the flat areas form an angel α, and the depth of the lamellar cutting in the radial direction is H. Also the lamella for forming of said lamellar cutting is disclosed.