Tread Profile Sipe Geometry for Stiffness and Mobility Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tread profiles with Ω-shaped sipes become overly stiff in the run-in state due to interlocking effects, leading to decreased mobility and performance in handling and braking characteristics, especially in dry conditions over the tire's service life.
Innovation Solution
The maximum extent of the bulge in the circumferential direction decreases continuously over the sipe depth, resulting in a straight sipe end at the sipe base, creating a 3D sipe geometry that maintains interlocking effects in the new state while reducing stiffness in the run-in state, thus adapting to the increased stiffness of the profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sipes with Ω-shaped geometry and bulge are used to generate interlocking effects, then stiffness of profile elements is improved in the new state, but mobility and handling characteristics deteriorate in the run-in state
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe geometry is designed with different characteristics at different locations: the upper portion (away from the base) features a bulge creating interlocking effects for stiffness, while the lower portion (at the base) has reduced bulge extent to maintain mobility. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sipe structure transitions from a static, uniformly stiff design to a dynamic geometry where the bulge extent varies continuously over the depth. This creates a gradient stiffness profile that adapts to different operational states, providing interlocking when needed while maintaining mobility in the run-in state.
2Reliability
If interlocking effects are maximized in the new state through Ω-shaped sipes, then dry braking characteristics improve, but the tread profile becomes overly stiff in the run-in state
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe geometry is designed with different characteristics at different locations: the upper portion (away from the base) features a bulge creating interlocking effects for stiffness, while the lower portion (at the base) has reduced bulge extent to maintain mobility. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sipe structure transitions from a static, uniformly stiff design to a dynamic geometry where the bulge extent varies continuously over the depth. This creates a gradient stiffness profile that adapts to different operational states, providing interlocking when needed while maintaining mobility in the run-in state.
3Strength
If the bulge extent is increased to enhance interlocking, then profile block stiffness is improved, but the sipe mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe geometry is designed with different characteristics at different locations: the upper portion (away from the base) features a bulge creating interlocking effects for stiffness, while the lower portion (at the base) has reduced bulge extent to maintain mobility. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sipe structure transitions from a static, uniformly stiff design to a dynamic geometry where the bulge extent varies continuously over the depth. This creates a gradient stiffness profile that adapts to different operational states, providing interlocking when needed while maintaining mobility in the run-in state.
Data Source
AI summary
A tread profile of a vehicle tire has profile positives such as profile blocks or tread bands that have sipes. The sipes have an approximately Ω-shaped geometry in plan view having two axial sections which are arranged approximately in an axial direction and which are arranged on a common, imaginary straight line with a spacing (a) to one another; a central bulge arranged between the axial sections, wherein the bulge has a maximum extent (b) measured in the axial direction; and, wherein a<b, such that undercuts are formed.