Pneumatic Tire Microgroove Orientation for Winter Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic vehicle tires do not adequately enhance grip, traction, and braking properties on snow and ice-covered roads, despite the use of microgrooves, which often intersect with incisions and are interrupted by ventilation holes, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The microgrooves in narrow block segments are oriented at an angle of 50° to 90° relative to the incisions, while those in wide block segments are oriented at 0° to 35°, adapting to the rigidity of each segment, ensuring continuous contact and improved grip in both circumferential and lateral directions, and are spaced to maintain a large net contact area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If microgrooves are oriented at the same angle in all block segments, then manufacturing is simplified, but grip properties under different loading conditions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different microgroove orientation angles to different block segments: narrow block segments have microgrooves at 50°-90° to provide gripping edges under lateral stress during cornering, while wide block segments have microgrooves at 0°-35° to maintain contact during braking. This local differentiation optimizes grip properties for specific loading conditions in each segment.
2Productivity
If microgrooves are made deeper to improve water drainage, then water film removal is enhanced, but gripping edges are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for microgrooves: depth of 0.2mm to 0.7mm and width of 0.1mm to 0.5mm. These parameter optimizations balance water drainage capability with gripping edge preservation, allowing effective water film removal while maintaining sufficient friction for grip and traction on snow and ice.
3Productivity
If incisions are made deeper to improve water evacuation, then water drainage is enhanced, but structural integrity of tread blocks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies incision depth as 65% to 100% of tread depth with width of 0.4mm to 0.8mm. This parameter optimization allows deep incisions for effective water evacuation while maintaining sufficient structural integrity of the tread blocks to support vehicle loads and resist deformation.
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 orientation and spacing of microgrooves significantly enhance grip and traction properties by providing gripping edges under various loading conditions, particularly during braking and cornering, while maintaining effective water drainage and reducing bending under load.
Implementation Method 1
The microgrooves also provide gripping edges that enhance the grip, traction, and braking characteristics of the pneumatic vehicle tire under winter driving conditions.
Implementation Method 2
whereby the water film that forms when braking and accelerating on snow- and/or ice-covered roads is removed from the surface the tread blocks can be quickly dissipated via the microgrooves.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire with a tread comprising profile blocks (1, 2) each having one or more parallel slits (7, 11) extending at an angle of 0° to 50° to the axial direction through the respective profile block (1, 2), the slits having a width of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm and a depth of 65% to 100% of the tread depth, wherein the slits (7, 11) divide the profile blocks (1, 2) into block segments (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c), such that each profile block (1, 2) has two edge-side block segments (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b), wherein the edge-side block segments (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) each have a number of parallel slits within the block segment (1a, 2a, 1b, 2b). The microgrooves (8, 9, 12, 14) running towards each other and being shallower than the incisions (7, 11) are provided with a width and depth of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm each. Profile blocks (1, 2) are provided in which one edge-side block segment (1b,2b) a narrow block segment (1b, 2b) and the other marginal block segment (1a, 2a) is a wider block segment (1a, 2a) than the narrow block segment (1b, 2b), wherein the microgrooves (9) in the narrow block segments (1b, 2b) are at an angle (β) of 50° to 90° relative to the midline (ml) of the incision (7, 11) in the same profile block (1, 2) and the microgrooves (8, 12, 14) in the wide block segments (1b, 2b) are at an angle (α) of 0° to 35° relative to the midline (ml) of the incision (7, 11) in the same profile block (1, 2).