Pneumatic Tire Shoulder Flank Segmentation for Snow Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic vehicle tires lack effective gripping edges on shoulder sections for off-road conditions or deep snow without increasing rubber volume, which affects traction and handling properties.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates recessed areas with bottoms parallel to a reference contour and raised flank blocks with outer surfaces parallel to the contour, creating pronounced gripping edges while maintaining low rubber volume, allowing for targeted adjustments to ensure even rubber distribution across shoulder sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shoulder flanks are designed without recessed areas, then manufacturing is simpler, but gripping edges are insufficient for off-road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder flank is segmented into raised areas and recessed areas, creating distinct functional zones. The recessed areas form gripping edges that penetrate snow and slush, while the raised areas provide structural support and rubber volume management.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shoulder flank are given different properties: the recessed areas have cutting edges for gripping, while the raised areas maintain structural integrity. This local differentiation optimizes performance in specific contact zones without compromising overall durability.
2Reliability
If rubber volume in shoulder areas is increased to improve grip, then traction on soft surfaces improves, but tire weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing rubber volume throughout the shoulder area, the invention applies rubber strategically in raised areas while removing it in recessed areas. This partial action provides sufficient grip enhancement without the penalty of overall volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial distribution parameter of rubber volume rather than increasing the total volume. By creating a heterogeneous distribution with peaks (raised areas) and valleys (recessed areas), the effective gripping volume is increased while total rubber consumption remains controlled.
3Ease of manufacture
If uneven rubber distribution in shoulder sections is present, then manufacturing is easier, but tire stability and durability are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder flanks are designed with asymmetric patterns of raised and recessed areas that are tailored to specific driving conditions. The outside shoulder flank typically has more aggressive features for snow grip, while the inside may have modified patterns, creating intentional asymmetry for performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed areas are pre-formed during molding to create gripping edges before the tire enters service. This preliminary structuring ensures that the shoulder flanks immediately provide enhanced grip without requiring field adjustment or modification.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Vehicle pneumatic tire with a profiled tread (1) with shoulder sections (4) separated by shoulder edges (1c) and with shoulder flanks (2) which are provided with raised and recessed areas (7, 8), wherein on at least one shoulder flank (2) the raised areas (8) project above a reference contour (2'a) and the recessed areas (7) are formed below the reference contour (2'a), wherein the reference contour (2'a) extends in extension of the outer contour of the runout (4a) of the shoulder section (4) to the shoulder edge (1c) and is in cross-section a straight or slightly curved line.