Studless Tire Land Portion Sipe Segmentation for Ice Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional studless tires face challenges in maintaining both on-ice performance and wear resistance, particularly on ice roads, due to the trade-off between sipe density for traction and block rigidity, which affects braking and cornering performance.
Innovation Solution
The tire design features a larger sipe interval to increase block rigidity, combined with a shorter pitch length to enhance the number of blocks and edge effect, using foamed rubber with a specific elastic modulus and foaming ratio to improve ground contact area and wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of sipes formed in the land portion block is increased to improve on-ice braking performance, then the edge component that scratches the road surface is increased, but the rigidity of the land portion block is deteriorated, causing the end portion to lift off the road surface and reducing wear resistant performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming sipes only in specific regions of the land portion block (first region and second region) rather than uniformly across the entire block. The first region contains sipes inclined in a first direction while the second region contains sipes inclined in a second direction, creating localized edge components that provide braking performance without compromising overall block rigidity. This selective distribution of sipes resolves the contradiction by concentrating the scratching function in specific areas while maintaining structural integrity in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the land portion block into multiple regions (first region and second region) with different sipe configurations. By dividing the block and assigning different sipe orientations to different regions, the patent creates multiple localized edge components that collectively provide superior on-ice braking performance while the segmentation itself helps maintain overall block rigidity through distributed stress management.
2Reliability
If the sipe interval is made small to increase sipe density and improve on-ice performance, then the edge effect is enhanced, but the block rigidity is significantly deteriorated, leading to increased land portion block wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating high sipe density only in specific first and second regions of the land portion block, rather than uniformly across the entire block. This localized concentration of sipes provides the necessary edge effect for on-ice performance while leaving other regions with lower sipe density to maintain block rigidity and reduce wear, thereby extending tire lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the land portion block into multiple regions with different sipe densities and orientations. The first region contains sipes inclined in a first direction with a first sipe interval, while the second region contains sipes inclined in a second direction with a second sipe interval. This segmentation allows optimization of on-ice performance in specific areas without compromising overall block durability.
3Strength
If the pitch length is made long to increase block rigidity and suppress block falling, then the ground contact area is increased improving wear resistance, but the number of blocks within the ground contact length is decreased, reducing the edge effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different sipe characteristics within the land portion block. The first region has sipes inclined in a first direction with a first sipe interval, while the second region has sipes inclined in a second direction with a second sipe interval. This creates localized edge components that provide sufficient edge effect even when the overall pitch length is optimized for block rigidity and wear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the land portion block into multiple regions with different sipe orientations and intervals, creating multiple localized edge components. This segmentation compensates for the reduced number of blocks that results from using longer pitch lengths, as each segmented region contributes edge effect functionality, collectively maintaining reliable on-ice performance while allowing longer pitch lengths for improved rigidity and wear resistance.
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 enhances braking performance on ice, maintains wear resistance on dry roads, and balances on-ice performance with improved edge effect and ground contact area, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional studless tires.
Implementation Method 1
using foamed rubber with a specific elastic modulus and foaming ratio to improve ground contact area and wear resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A pneumatic tire 10 according to the present invention includes a V-shape land portion block 101. A sipe 130 arranged at one side in a tire width direction is extended in the same direction as a projection portion side wall 111. A sipe 140 arranged at another side in the tire width direction is extended in the same direction as a projection portion side wall 112. The projection portion side wall 111 is longer than the projection portion side wall 112. The sipe 130 is shorter than the sipe 140.