Snow Tire Tread Kerf Trapezoidal Wave Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow tires with kerfs formed between grooves face difficulty in discharging snow without snow discharge recesses and compressed air paths, leading to reduced cohesion effects during driving on snowy roads.
Innovation Solution
A tread kerf with a trapezoidal wave structure that gradually decreases in amplitude from the tire surface to the base, allowing for efficient snow discharge by creating a vacant space within the kerf that facilitates snow expulsion when the tire rotates on a snowy road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If kerfs are formed on the tread surface to improve snow discharge, then snow discharge performance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The kerf is divided into multiple segments: an inclined upper portion, a horizontal middle portion, and a curved lower portion. This segmentation allows each part to perform a specific function - the inclined portion guides snow, the horizontal portion traps and compresses it, and the curved portion facilitates discharge - thereby improving snow discharge performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through clear geometric definitions
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the kerf are given different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The upper section has a gentle inclination for snow guidance, the middle section is horizontal for compression, and the lower section has a curved shape for discharge. This local differentiation optimizes snow discharge at each stage without requiring complex overall restructuring
2Reliability
If kerf depth and shape are optimized to maintain edge effects, then traction performance is improved, but snow accumulation in the kerf increases
Solution Approach 1:
The kerf design incorporates dynamic elements that change function during tire rotation and snow compression. The inclined upper portion dynamically guides snow inward during initial contact, while the horizontal and curved portions dynamically compress and discharge snow as pressure increases. This dynamic behavior maintains edge effects for traction while preventing harmful snow accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (excess snow) is extracted from the kerf through the specifically designed curved lower portion that facilitates snow discharge. By providing a dedicated discharge path, the design removes the harmful accumulation effect while preserving the beneficial edge effects needed for traction on snowy roads
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 trapezoidal wave structure design enables effective snow discharge from the kerf, maintaining traction and braking performance by preventing snow accumulation and ensuring consistent road contact.
Implementation Method 1
the tread kerf having the trapezoidal wave structure may have a thickness of 0.4 to 2 mm, the amplitude of the trapezoidal wave structure on the tire surface may be 2 to 20 mm
Implementation Method 2
allowing for efficient snow discharge by creating a vacant space within the kerf that facilitates snow expulsion when the tire rotates on a snowy road
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Disclosed is a tread kerf (100) of a snow tire which easily discharges snow trapped in the kerf. The tread kerf (100) is formed on an outer surface of a block of a tread of the snow tire and has a trapezoidal wave structure (W1) extending along the surface and formed in a depth direction of the block, and an amplitude of the trapezoidal wave structure is gradually decreased in a direction from a tire surface (S1) to a tire base (S2). Since the amplitude of the tread kerf is gradually decreased in the direction from the tire surface to the tire base, the tread kerf may easily discharge snow trapped in the kerf to the outside of the tire block through the tire surface, even if a small space formed by the kerf is filled with snow when the tire is rotated on a snowy road. Fig. 6A, 7A