Off-Road Motorcycle Tire Block Durability via Groove Recesses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motorcycle tires for rough terrain lack sufficient durability performance of blocks, as existing designs do not adequately alleviate stress concentration and prevent molding failures and cracks.

Innovation Solution

The tire design features multiple recess portions on the groove bottom surface between blocks, arranged axially with spaces, and a tire vulcanization mold with vent holes to prevent residual gas and improve molding quality, incorporating spews or excision marks between recess and blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a plurality of large blocks are sparsely formed on the tread portion to provide grip on rough terrain, then traction performance is improved, but stress concentration on the block basal portions increases and durability performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraction performanceVSAvoiddurability performance of blocks
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The groove bottom surface is segmented into multiple recess portions arranged in the axial direction between adjacent blocks. This segmentation distributes and moderates the stress concentration that would otherwise occur at the block basal portions, thereby improving durability while maintaining the sparse block configuration needed for traction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Recess portions are locally formed at specific positions on the groove bottom surface between blocks. This local modification creates stress-relief zones precisely where needed at the block bases without altering the overall block structure or traction characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If recess portions are formed on the groove bottom surface to reduce stress concentration, then durability performance is improved, but molding quality deteriorates due to residual gas and air entrapment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability performance of blocksVSAvoidmolding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Vent holes are pre-formed in the mold at strategic locations corresponding to the recess portions. This preliminary action ensures that air and residual gas can be evacuated during vulcanization molding, preventing molding defects while the recess portions are being formed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vent holes act as intermediary channels that facilitate the removal of air and residual gas from the mold cavity during molding. These channels mediate between the recess portions (which create air pockets) and the external environment, allowing controlled gas evacuation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple recess portions are arranged in the axial direction between blocks, then stress concentration is effectively moderated and durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability performance of blocksVSAvoidtread structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex stress distribution problem is solved by segmenting the groove bottom surface into multiple simple recess portions arranged axially. Each recess is a simple geometric feature, but their collective arrangement effectively moderates stress concentration across the block bases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the blocks themselves more complex to distribute stress, the invention inverts the approach by modifying the groove bottom surface with simple recess features. This simpler modification achieves the stress distribution effect without complicating the block structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 enhances block durability by moderating stress concentration and preventing molding failures, leading to improved traction and extended tire life.

Implementation Method 1

a spew sucked up a vent hole in a mold during vulcanization molding or its excision mark being provided between each recess portion and the block adjacent to the recess portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir discharge through vent hole:

Data Source

PatentEP3078468B1Motorized two-wheeled vehicle tire for traveling on uneven terrain and tire vulcanization mold
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3078468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3078468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3078468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a motorized two-wheeled vehicle tire for traveling on uneven terrain, the block durability performance of which has been improved; and a tire vulcanization mold capable of molding said tire. A motorized two-wheeled vehicle tire for traveling on uneven terrain wherein multiple blocks are provided on the tread at intervals in the tire circumference direction. Recesses are provided on the bottom surfaces of the grooves. Multiple recesses are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the tire. Spew, which was drawn up into the vent holes of the mold during vulcanization molding, or removal marks thereof are provided between each recess and the block that is adjacent in the tire circumference direction.