Textured Tire Sidewall Mold for Non-Uniform Surface Finish

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire molds produce uniform patterns on sidewalls and treads, which are aesthetically undesirable and lack visual appeal, and conventional glossy finishes are unpleasing when seeking a unique texture.

Innovation Solution

A tire mold with a non-uniform, rough surface texture pattern is used to create a pneumatic tire with irregular recessed and raised portions, mimicking a sandpaper or pebble pattern, providing a visually discernible and unique texture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a uniform pattern is used on the tire mold sidewall molding surface, then the manufacturing process is simple and consistent, but the aesthetic appeal and visual interest of the tire sidewall is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from uniform, regular patterns to non-uniform, irregular patterns on the tire mold sidewall molding surface. The random distribution of peaks and valleys creates visual interest and aesthetic appeal while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through consistent depth control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by varying the height, width, and spacing of peaks and valleys at different locations on the molding surface, while maintaining consistent depth characteristics. This creates locally diverse textures that enhance aesthetic appeal without requiring complete redesign of the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If a non-uniform, rough surface texture pattern is used on the tire mold sidewall molding surface, then the aesthetic appeal and visual interest is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidmold complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the depth parameter of the non-uniform pattern to be substantially uniform across the molding surface. This allows complex visual textures to be achieved while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through consistent depth control, balancing aesthetic appeal with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a uniform regular pattern is used on the tire mold, then the manufacturing process is predictable and consistent, but the tire sidewall lacks unique visual characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing consistencyVSAvoidvisual uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by replacing uniform, predictable patterns with non-uniform, irregular patterns that provide unique visual characteristics. The random arrangement of peaks and valleys creates distinctive tire sidewalls while maintaining manufacturing consistency through standardized depth control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing variation in the local characteristics of peaks and valleys (height, width, spacing) while maintaining consistent depth throughout. This creates visually unique tire sidewalls with local diversity that do not compromise manufacturing predictability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If conventional glossy finishes are applied to the tire sidewall, then the surface appears smooth and uniform, but the aesthetic appeal for unique texture is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidtexture variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach: instead of creating a smooth glossy finish and adding texture separately, the mold itself is given a non-uniform rough texture that directly imprints the desired texture onto the tire sidewall during curing, eliminating the need for post-processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the non-uniform rough texture pattern on the tire mold sidewall molding surface before tire manufacturing. This preliminary texturing of the mold ensures the texture is integrated into the tire sidewall during the curing process, achieving texture variety without compromising manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12479178B2Pneumatic tire with a textured surface, method of manufacturing, and textured mold

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A tire mold having a sidewall molding surface with a negative irregular rough surface texture pattern extending circumferentially along the sidewall molding surface so as to mold at least one annular exterior surface of a tire sidewall of a tire with an irregular rough surface texture, the negative irregular rough surface texture pattern defining recessed portions disposed non-uniformly between raised portions, the recessed portions having a depth of at least 0.1 millimeters.