Pneumatic Tire Sipe Expanded Diameter Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic tires with sipes formed at intermediate depths in the tread section have reduced drainage functionality on icy roads while also being prone to cracking under load.
Innovation Solution
The design includes sipes that extend to a predetermined depth with an expanded diameter section at the inner end, communicating with circumferential or lateral grooves, and increasing in diameter towards the sidewalls, enhancing drainage and crack prevention by improving water absorption and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the expanded diameter section is formed at an intermediate depth (20%-90% of sipe depth) in the sipe, then the sipe can absorb water from the road surface, but the drainage function is lowered because water cannot be effectively discharged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the expanded diameter section at intermediate depth as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the approach by positioning it at the bottom end of the sipe (90%-100% depth). This inversion allows the sipe to first absorb water at the intermediate section and then effectively discharge it through the expanded bottom section that communicates with circumferential or lateral grooves, thereby resolving the contradiction between water absorption and drainage function.
2Productivity
If the sipe extends to a predetermined depth to improve drainage, then the drainage function is enhanced, but the sipe becomes prone to cracking when load is input during tire rolling
Solution Approach 1:
This patent applies local quality by creating an expanded diameter section at the bottom end of the sipe (90%-100% depth) that communicates with circumferential or lateral grooves. This localized expansion provides structural reinforcement specifically where needed to prevent cracking under load, while maintaining the overall depth of the sipe for effective drainage function.
3Productivity
If the expanded diameter section increases in diameter extending toward sidewalls of the land block, then the drainage effect is improved by draining water from end portions, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
This patent utilizes the radial dimension by expanding the sipe diameter toward the sidewalls of the land block at the bottom end. This dimensional expansion creates additional drainage pathways that allow water to be discharged from multiple end portions of the expanded section, significantly improving the drainage effect while the expansion is integrated into the existing sipe structure.
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 configuration maintains high drainage efficiency and prevents cracking, thereby enhancing tire performance on ice by improving absorption, drainage, and rigidity, while maintaining effective traction and braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
the sipes having an end portion communicating with at least any one of the circumferential grooves and the lateral grooves, wherein at least one of the plurality of sipes includes an expanded diameter section on an inner end of the sipe in the tire radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire according to the present invention includes a tread section provided with circumferential grooves extending in a tire circumferential direction, lateral grooves extending in a tread width direction, and a plurality of land blocks defined by the circumferential grooves and the lateral grooves, each of the land blocks provided with sipes formed to extend to a predetermined depth from a tread surface inward in a tire radial direction, each of the sipes having an end portion communicating with at least any one of the circumferential grooves and the lateral grooves. At least one of the plurality of sipes includes an expanded diameter section on an inner end in the tire radial direction, and the expanded diameter section is formed to increase in diameter extending toward each of sidewalls of the land block.