Tire Groove Stabilizer Geometry for Wet Grip and Crack Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stabilizing elements in pneumatic vehicle tires reduce groove cross-section, compromising water drainage capacity and increasing the risk of cracks under notch forces, while also affecting the tire's transverse rigidity and rolling noise resistance.
Innovation Solution
The stabilizing elements feature a base elevation connected to both groove flanks with a pyramid-shaped projection on one flank, maintaining a large groove cross-section for water drainage and enhancing crack resistance by distributing notch stresses, with specific geometric configurations optimizing the balance between stabilizing effect and water drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stabilizing elements are formed in circumferential grooves to support tread ribs against axially directed forces, then lateral stiffness of the tread is increased, but the groove cross-section is reduced compromising water drainage capacity and crack resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing element is segmented into two distinct functional parts: a base elevation that connects to both groove flanks for stabilization, and a pyramid-shaped projection connected to only one groove flank that serves as a stress-relief feature. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the stabilizing element have different connection characteristics: the base elevation connects to both groove flanks to provide broad stabilization, while the pyramid-shaped projection connects to only one groove flank to locally reduce stress concentration. This local differentiation of connection quality resolves the contradiction between stabilization and crack resistance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing elements are designed to provide strong stabilization effect, then lateral stiffness increases, but notch forces increase leading to higher risk of cracks in tread rubber material
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing element features local quality differentiation where the base elevation provides strong bilateral connection for stabilization while the pyramid-shaped projection provides unilateral connection that reduces stress concentration. This local variation in connection strength optimizes both stabilizing effect and crack resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pyramid-shaped projection acts as an intermediary stress-relief feature between the base elevation and the groove flank. It provides a gradual transition that reduces notch forces while still contributing to stabilization, mediating between the need for strong stabilization and the need to reduce crack risk.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing elements are formed with high height to improve stabilization, then lateral stiffness increases, but water drainage capacity is compromised due to reduced groove cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing element is divided into a base elevation and a pyramid-shaped projection, where the projection's unilateral connection and tapered geometry allow it to add stabilizing function without proportionally increasing the overall height and volume that would block water drainage channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The pyramid-shaped projection extends primarily in the circumferential direction rather than increasing radial height, adding stabilizing functionality while minimizing impact on the groove's vertical water drainage capacity. This dimensional strategy allows stabilization enhancement without compromising water drainage cross-section.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a a pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread strip with at least one circumferential groove (3) separating two tread ribs (1, 2) from one another and having a groove base (3a) and groove sidewalls (3b, 3c) formed on the tread ribs (1, 2), a plurality of stabilising elements (11) extending as far as the groove sidewalls (3b, 3c) being formed on the groove base (3a); the stabilising elements (11) are each composed of a base elevation (12) which is seated on the groove base (3a), in particular is connected to both groove flanks (3b, 3c), and has a cover surface (12a) which extends at a constant height (hG) of 1, 0 mm to 2.0 mm, determined in the radial direction relative to the level of the profile depth (Tp), and a pyramid-shaped projection (13) located on the base elevation (12) and connected exclusively to the one groove flank (3b), with a radially outer tip (S) located on this groove flank (3b).