Tire Mold Segment Edge Sipe Width for Wear and Noise Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Irregular tread wear and harmonic noise are induced by the formation of irregular sipes at the mold segment ends in high sipe density tread patterns, leading to premature blade damage and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of sipe forming protrusions with increased width at or near the mold segment end faces, providing structural integrity and maintaining consistent sipe depth and width throughout the tire tread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the sipe blade height is reduced at mold segment ends, then the sipe width can be decreased for high density tread, but the blade durability and sipe consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesipe densityVSAvoidblade durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the sipe forming protrusion width at different locations on the mold segment. Edge sipe forming protrusions at mold segment ends have a larger width (0.7-1.2mm) compared to interior sipe forming protrusions. This local differentiation ensures that critical edge locations receive enhanced structural support for durability while interior areas maintain high sipe density with narrower protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If full depth sipes are removed at mold segment ends, then blade damage and shear-off can be prevented, but irregular tread wear and harmonic noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade strengthVSAvoidirregular tread wear and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the width parameter of edge sipe forming protrusions to 0.7-1.2mm, which is larger than interior protrusions. This parameter change enhances the structural integrity and strength of protrusions at mold segment ends, preventing blade damage and shear-off while maintaining full depth sipes that eliminate irregular tread wear and harmonic noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If thin walled blades are used for forming narrow sipes, then high sipe density can be achieved, but the blades become more susceptible to damage and shear-off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesipe densityVSAvoidblade strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by making edge sipe forming protrusions wider (0.7-1.2mm) than interior protrusions. This creates a strength gradient where vulnerable edge blades have enhanced dimensions for damage resistance, while interior blades remain thin to achieve high sipe density. The local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between thin blade necessity for narrow sipes and vulnerability to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12611832B2Mold segment irregular wear and noise countermeasure

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A tire mold segment containing a mold surface with a plurality of groove forming and sipe forming protrusions arranged to form tread portions of tires. At the end faces of the tire mold segment, the portion of sipe forming protrusions with an end that terminates at or near the mold segment end face have an increased width to provide a countermeasure against irregular tread wear and tire noise. The sipe forming protrusions having an end that terminates at or near a tire mold segment end face have a width of about 0.7 mm or more. The remaining sipe forming protrusions positioned on the tire mold segment can a reduced thickness to accommodate high sipe density tread designs.