Tire Tread Block Contour for Snow Grip and Low Pass-By Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire designs face a trade-off between optimizing snow traction, braking properties on wet and dry roads, and reducing pass-by noise, with certain contour features often negatively impacting one property while improving another.
Innovation Solution
The profile block contour is designed with a convex profile between a first point on the flank contour and a second point below the base area on the bevel contour, combining the positive effects of bevels and snow edges while mitigating their respective negative impacts on braking and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bevels are provided on the block edges of profile blocks to increase traction on snow and improve adhesion properties on wet and dry roads under braking conditions, then snow traction and braking properties are improved, but pass-by noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing bevels only on specific edges of profile blocks (outer edges in the circumferential direction) while leaving other edges without bevels or with different contour configurations. This localized application of bevels optimizes snow traction and braking properties at critical contact points while minimizing the overall surface area generating noise, thus resolving the contradiction between improved reliability and reduced harmful noise generation.
2Reliability
If profile blocks are provided with both bevels and radially projecting edge regions to combine positive effects, then snow traction is improved, but the negative side effects on braking and noise cannot be fully eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the profile block edges into distinct functional segments: outer edges in the circumferential direction are equipped with bevels for optimized snow traction and braking, while inner edges are equipped with radially projecting snow edges for noise reduction and additional snow grip. This segmentation allows each edge type to perform its specific function optimally without the negative side effects of the other, resolving the contradiction by eliminating harmful braking and noise side effects while maintaining improved snow traction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different contour configurations (bevels versus radially projecting edge regions) at different locations on the profile blocks based on the specific functional requirements of each edge. This localized differentiation ensures that bevels are placed where they provide maximum benefit for braking and snow traction, while snow edges are placed where they provide maximum benefit for noise reduction, thus eliminating the compromise and fully resolving the contradiction between improved snow traction and elimination of harmful side effects.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle tire having a tread, comprising at least one profile block, wherein a profile block contour of the profile block comprises a contact side contour, an edge region contour, a bevel contour and a flank contour, wherein the contact side contour adjoins the edge region contour, wherein the edge region contour adjoins the bevel contour and wherein the bevel contour adjoins the flank contour, wherein the contact side contour runs substantially in a base area of the tread, wherein at least one point on the edge region contour lies above the base area by an edge region height. The profile block contour follows a convex profile between a first point on the flank contour and a second point, situated below the base area on the bevel contour.