Tire Sipe Spacing for On-Ice Starting and Shear Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The on-ice starting performance of conventional tires for heavy-load vehicles is not sufficiently effective due to suboptimal sipe spacing, which affects the ground contact area and shear deformation of tire blocks.
Innovation Solution
Setting the distance between sipes on tire blocks within the range of 4-12 mm optimizes the ground contact area and shear deformation, enhancing on-ice starting performance by balancing driving force and shear rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between sipes on tire blocks is not optimized, then the structure is simple, but the on-ice starting performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the distance between sipes to be within 4-12 mm. This specific parameter range creates small blocks that generate adequate shear deformation on ice surfaces, improving starting performance without requiring complex structural modifications to the overall tire design.
2Reliability
If the distance between sipes is reduced to increase ground contact area, then on-ice starting performance improves, but shear rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by precisely controlling the sipe distance parameter within 4-12 mm. This range is sufficient to create small blocks that generate shear deformation for ice traction while maintaining adequate block size and spacing to preserve shear rigidity and prevent excessive block deformation under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating small blocks through sipes only in specific regions where ice traction is needed, while maintaining the overall block structure and rigidity in other areas. This localized modification allows shear deformation at the sipe level without compromising the global structural integrity of the tire blocks.
3Strength
If the distance between sipes is increased to maintain shear rigidity, then block strength is maintained, but ground contact area and on-ice starting performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by setting the sipe distance parameter within the optimal range of 4-12 mm. This parameter ensures that blocks are divided into smaller units that can deform under ice contact conditions, increasing ground contact area and improving starting performance while maintaining sufficient spacing to preserve overall block rigidity.
4Reliability
If sipes are added to improve ice performance, then on-ice starting performance improves, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing sipe distance to 4-12 mm, which creates small blocks that improve ice traction. The controlled spacing and size of these siped blocks minimize unnecessary rubber deformation during rolling, thereby reducing energy loss and rolling resistance while maintaining ice starting performance.
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 improves on-ice starting performance and driving safety on icy roads by maintaining a balance between driving force and shear deformation, while also reducing rolling resistance and wear resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the distance between the sipes is set in a range of 4-12 mm, an actual ground contact area and shear deformation of small blocks divided by the sipes can be set in an optimum range with respect to the on-ice starting performance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
In order to provide a tire having high on-ice starting performance, the tire is provided with a plurality of circumferential direction grooves formed on a tread of the tire and extending in a tire circumferential direction, a plurality of width direction grooves extending in a direction intersecting the tire circumferential direction, a plurality of blocks demarcated by the circumferential direction grooves and the width direction grooves, and a plurality of width direction sipes formed on surfaces of the blocks and extending in the direction intersecting the tire circumferential direction, in which a distance P between the sipes 18z is set in a range of 4-12 mm.