Motorcycle Tire Block Pair Asymmetry for Cornering Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motorcycle tires for rough terrain struggle to achieve sufficient grip performance when cornering due to the absence of a block pair with a shoulder block and a middle block arranged adjacently in the axial direction, leading to inadequate ground contact and friction.
Innovation Solution
The tire design includes a first and second block pair with specific rubber thickness distributions and ground contact surface configurations, where the distance from the thinnest rubber portion to the inner edge of the shoulder and middle blocks is greater than to their outer edges, enhancing ground contact pressure and friction during cornering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional tread portion without a block pair of shoulder block and middle block is used, then the structure is simpler, but the grip performance when cornering is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tread portion is segmented into multiple blocks (shoulder block, middle block, central block) arranged in specific patterns. Each block is separated by grooves, creating distinct functional zones that work together to improve cornering grip while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread portion are given different properties: the shoulder block has specific ground contact surface characteristics for outer edge contact, the middle block has optimized rubber thickness distribution for inner edge contact during cornering, and the central block provides additional support. This local differentiation optimizes grip performance in each zone
2Reliability
If the rubber thickness is uniformly distributed in the groove bottom, then the manufacturing is easier, but the ground contact pressure distribution during cornering is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber thickness in the groove bottom is varied locally rather than being uniform. Specifically, the rubber thickness is controlled to be thinner in certain areas and thicker in others, creating optimized stress distribution patterns that enhance ground contact pressure during cornering while remaining feasible for manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber thickness parameter is changed across different locations in the groove bottom. By controlling the rubber thickness to vary from one location to another, the design optimizes the mechanical properties and ground contact characteristics without requiring complex manufacturing processes
3Reliability
If the inner edges of the blocks do not contact the ground, then the tread structure is simpler, but the frictional force during cornering is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The block configuration is made asymmetric to optimize cornering performance. The middle block specifically has its inner edge positioned to contact the ground during cornering, while the outer edge does not contact. This asymmetric arrangement creates effective frictional force during cornering maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The block edges are pre-positioned in the tread design to ensure proper ground contact during cornering. The inner edge of the middle block and the inner edge of the shoulder block are configured in advance to contact the ground when the tire is leaned over, providing immediate frictional force without requiring additional mechanisms
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
This design significantly improves grip performance and leaning properties by ensuring the inner edges of the blocks come into contact with the ground, generating increased frictional forces and maintaining excellent traction and feedback during cornering.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing ground contact pressure and friction during cornering
Implementation Method 2
enhancing ground contact pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A motorcycle tire for running on rough terrain including a tread portion (2) being provided with a first block pair (21) including a shoulder block (11) and a middle block (13) arranged adjacently in an axial direction of the tire through a first groove bottom (23) having a first thinnest rubber portion (24), the shoulder block (11) includes a ground contact surface (26) with an axially inner edge (27) and a tread edge, the middle block (13) includes a ground contact surface (28) with an axially outer edge (29), wherein in a first tire cross-section passing the first block pair (21), a distance (L1) from the first thinnest rubber portion (24) to the axially inner edge (27) of the shoulder block (11) is set greater than a distance (L2) from the first thinnest rubber portion (24) to the axially outer edge (29) of the middle block (13).