Three-Level Tire Tread Sipes for Wear-Stable Wet and Snow Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire treads with sipes experience a significant reduction in void percentage and biting edges due to wear, leading to decreased adhesion on wet and snow-covered surfaces, while also compromising performance on dry roads and complicating mold extraction during production.
Innovation Solution
A tire tread with a sipe geometry featuring three distinct levels of depth and spacing between opposing faces, optimizing void percentage and stiffness to maintain performance across different road conditions and facilitating mold extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sipes are made deeper to facilitate mold extraction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but tread stiffness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe geometry is designed with non-uniform depth: deeper at the entrance to facilitate mold extraction, and progressively shallower toward the interior to maintain tread stiffness. This local variation in sipe depth allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from uniform sipe depth to variable sipe depth, adding a depth dimension gradient to the sipe structure. This dimensional change enables the sipe to perform multiple functions: deep enough at the surface for mold extraction, but shallow enough internally to preserve structural integrity.
2Reliability
If sipe geometry is made complex to maintain performance during wear, then adhesion on wet/snow surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe geometry utilizes gradual parameter changes in depth and spacing rather than abrupt variations. This progressive change maintains adhesion performance throughout the tire's life while avoiding the need for excessively complex geometries, achieving a balance between reliability and manufacturability.
3Reliability
If void percentage is increased to improve wet/snow adhesion, then traction efficiency is improved, but tread wear accelerates on dry surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe distribution and depth are optimized locally: higher void percentage with deeper sipes in regions requiring wet/snow adhesion, and reduced sipe depth in areas where tread wear resistance is critical. This spatial differentiation allows the tread to exhibit region-specific performance characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tread for tires. In particular, it refers to a tread that has a sipe geometry with 3 levels.