Pneumatic Tire Rib Zigzag Groove Wear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic tires face challenges in maintaining side-skid-resistance and uneven-wear-resistance properties as the tread wears down, with current designs either compromising on side-skid-resistance or uneven-wear-resistance.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire design featuring main grooves with a zigzag pattern of first and second narrow groove portions, where the first narrow groove portions include bent portions and narrow groove bottom sipes, enhancing rigidity and equalizing ground contact pressures to maintain resistance properties even with advanced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If narrow grooves with zigzag pattern are formed on ribs, then side-skid-resistance properties are improved, but advanced wear of the tread may impede maintenance of these properties
Solution Approach 1:
The narrow groove is divided into multiple segments (first narrow groove portions and second narrow groove portions) arranged in a zigzag pattern, with each segment contributing to side-skid-resistance. This segmentation allows the groove structure to maintain effectiveness even when parts wear away, as other segments remain functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrow groove transitions from a simple linear pattern to a zigzag pattern with bent portions extending in multiple directions. This dimensional change creates a more complex geometry that maintains side-skid-resistance properties longer during tread wear, as the multi-directional structure provides redundant resistance paths.
2Reliability
If sipes are formed on both sides of the rib in the tire width direction, then uneven-wear-resistance properties are improved to some extent, but further improvement is desired when wear becomes advanced
Solution Approach 1:
The narrow groove incorporates bent portions that can dynamically adapt to wear patterns. As the tread wears, the bent portions allow the groove structure to maintain its functional geometry longer, providing ongoing uneven-wear-resistance protection even as other tire surfaces deteriorate.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure combines multiple features (zigzag pattern, bent portions, narrow groove bottom sipes) into a composite design that addresses both side-skid-resistance and uneven-wear-resistance simultaneously, creating a multi-functional solution that maintains performance under advanced wear conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the narrow groove has a simple linear pattern, then manufacturing is easier, but side-skid-resistance properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The narrow groove incorporates bent portions and zigzag patterns with curved geometries rather than simple straight lines. These curved elements enhance side-skid-resistance by creating more effective mechanical interlocking with the road surface, while still being manufacturable using standard tire molding techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
In a pneumatic tire including a plurality of main grooves extending in a tire circumference direction and ribs interposed between the two main grooves out of the plurality of main grooves, the ribs include a narrow groove including first narrow groove portions extending in one direction and second narrow groove portions extending in a direction different from the one direction and being arranged alternately in a zigzag pattern, the first narrow groove portions each include a bent portion and a narrow groove bottom sipe at a groove bottom of a portion including the bent portion.