Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Contrast Structure for Angle-Independent Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire contrast structures, whether uniform or irregular, face challenges in achieving optimal contrast that is independent of viewing angle and are difficult to scale efficiently, particularly on large areas like sidewalls, requiring complex laser engraving processes.
Innovation Solution
A mountain and valley contrast structure formed from a grid pattern of congruent contrast structure cells with a single continuous branching mountain structure and closed-ended valleys, allowing for easy scaling and direction-independent contrast, achieved through vulcanization molds with laser-engraved mold components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If completely uneven contrast structures are created over large areas, then direction-independent contrast effect is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The contrast structure is divided into repeating modular units (contrast structure cells) that can be tiled across the surface. Each cell contains a simplified mountain structure with 3-7 peaks and radiating valleys, which when repeated creates the appearance of complex uneven structure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized mold components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple valleys radiate from common valley points where grid lines intersect, merging the valley structures at strategic locations. This reduces the total number of separate valley features while maintaining the overall complex appearance and direction-independent contrast effect across the tire surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex laser engraving processes are used to create uneven contrast structures, then contrast effect is improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mold components are pre-engraved with the contrast structure pattern before tire production. This preliminary preparation allows the contrast structure to be imprinted onto the tire during normal vulcanization without requiring additional complex laser engraving steps on the finished tire, significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The contrast structure is created as a negative impression in the mold, which then copies the pattern onto multiple tires during vulcanization. This copying approach allows a single mold preparation to produce identical high-quality contrast structures across大批量 production, maintaining precision while scaling productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform parallel rib structures are used, then manufacturing is simple, but contrast effect becomes viewing-angle dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The mountain structures within each cell are deliberately asymmetric with 3-7 peaks of varying heights and irregular spacing, breaking the symmetry of uniform parallel ribs. When these asymmetric cells are repeated in a grid pattern, the overall structure achieves viewing-angle independence while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the modular cellular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The contrast structure transitions from one-dimensional uniform parallel ribs to a two-dimensional grid of cellular units with varied peak heights and irregular valley patterns. This dimensional expansion allows the structure to interact with light from multiple angles simultaneously, achieving viewing-angle independence while keeping each individual cell simple to manufacture.
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
The solution provides a high-quality, direction-independent contrast effect with minimal manufacturing complexity, ensuring flawless formation of uneven peak and valley structures without air inclusions, suitable for large surface areas on tires.
Implementation Method 1
These are created primarily by laser engraving into the mold components of the tire heating molds
Implementation Method 2
The contrast structure is created primarily by a vulcanization mold with one or more corresponding laser-engraved mold components on the inside
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire comprising at least one surface element (2) which is formed on the outer face of the tire and has a peak-and-valley contrast structure (6) which is formed with respect to a base level (NB) and which covers the entire surface area. The peak-and-valley contrast structure (6) is made of contrast structure cells (7) which are joined together in a grid formation and which have a matching design in plan view, wherein the peak-and-valley contrast structure (6) has grid-defining valleys (6a) along the opposite connection points of the contrast structure cells (7), and each of the contrast structure cells (7) has an irregular peak-and-valley structure (8) which covers the entire surface area and reaches up to the grid-defining valleys (6a) and which is made solely of a single continuous branched peak structure (8a) and terminating valleys (8b) projecting from the grid-defining valleys (6a). The arrangement of the contrast structure cells (7) and the design of the irregular peak-and-valley structures (8) are such that the irregular peak-and valley structures (8), when viewed in plan view, can be converted into one another by means of a congruence mapping process.