Tire Block V-Shaped Narrow Grooves for Wet Traction and Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires with narrow grooves for improved wet performance suffer from reduced rigidity and uneven wear, particularly heel and toe wear due to high ground contact pressure on lateral edges.
Innovation Solution
The tire design features blocks with laterally oriented V-shaped narrow grooves that curve within the ground contacting surface, incorporating inclined elements and apex portions to moderate ground contact pressure and guide water on wet surfaces, while maintaining block rigidity through non-intersecting groove arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow grooves are provided in the ground contacting surface of blocks, then wet performance is improved, but block rigidity decreases and uneven wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The narrow groove is divided into multiple segments (first groove portion and second groove portion) separated by a ridge portion. This segmentation allows water channels to be provided for wet performance while the ridge portion maintains block rigidity by preventing complete through-cutting of the block
Solution Approach 2:
The groove is designed with different depths in different regions - deeper at the edges for water evacuation and shallower toward the center. This local variation in groove depth optimizes wet performance at the edges while preserving structural integrity in the center region
2Reliability
If narrow grooves completely cross the ground contacting surface, then wet performance is improved, but heal and toe wear increases due to high ground contact pressure on lateral edges
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is segmented by a ridge portion that extends in the tire circumferential direction, creating first and second groove portions that do not completely cross the block. This segmentation reduces ground contact pressure concentration on lateral edges while maintaining water evacuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portions extend partially across the block rather than completely crossing it. This partial action provides sufficient water channels for wet performance while avoiding the excessive weakening that would cause uneven wear
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 wet performance by improving friction on wet roads and reduces uneven wear by distributing ground contact pressure, thereby balancing wet performance and wear resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the first narrow groove extends from a first end on the first longitudinal edge toward a center in a tire axial direction of the first block and curves within the ground contacting surface and reaches a second end on the first longitudinal edge so as to extend in a laterally oriented V-shape
Implementation Method 2
the first narrow groove includes a first inclined element extending from the first end toward the center and being inclined with respect to the tire axial direction, a second inclined element extending from the second end and being inclined in a direction opposite to the first inclined element, and an apex portion smoothly connecting between the first inclined element and the second inclined element
Data Source
AI summary
A tire comprises a tread portion 2. The tread portion 2 comprises a plurality of blocks each comprising a first longitudinal edge 18 and a second longitudinal edge 19 extending in a tire circumferential direction, and a ground contacting surface defined therebetween. The blocks include a first block 20 having a first narrow groove 21 provided in the ground contacting surface thereof. The first narrow groove 21 extends from a first end 21a on the first longitudinal edge 18 toward a center 24 in a tire axial direction of the first block 20 and curves within the ground contacting surface and reaches a second end 21b on the first longitudinal edge 18 so as to extend in a laterally oriented V-shape.