Tire Tread Sipe Geometry for Water Removal and Snow Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic tire tread block sipe structures are ineffective in removing water and improving traction on snowy and icy surfaces due to their design, which does not efficiently absorb or displace water, leading to reduced grip and stability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of tread blocks with sipes that have triangularly inclined sections, increasing the sipe volume towards the bottom, allowing for enhanced water absorption and improved grip, along with the use of lamella plates in the manufacturing process to create these sipe structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sipe structures with constant width are used, then manufacturing is simple, but water removal efficiency is poor and grip is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sipe structure implements local quality by varying the width along its length - narrower at the top and wider at the bottom through triangularly inclined sections. This local variation optimizes water removal at the bottom while maintaining structural integrity at the top, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and effective water removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional variation to the sipe structure by introducing triangularly inclined sections that create a tapered profile. This dimensional change from constant width to variable width enhances water displacement capability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Reliability
If sipe volume is increased towards the bottom with triangularly inclined sections, then water absorption and grip are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the sipe geometry parameters - specifically the width and volume distribution along the sipe length. The triangularly inclined sections create a controlled parameter variation that enhances water removal while remaining feasible with standard manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If tread blocks are provided with multiple sipes at various angles, then traction and braking on snow and ice are improved, but the structure becomes more complex and water removal less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making each individual sipe have a optimized tapered geometry with triangularly inclined sections. This local optimization of each sipe's shape improves water removal efficiency without requiring additional sipes or complex patterns, thus maintaining traction while reducing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2d
AI summary
There is disclosed a tread block arrangement (200) suitable for a tire (100) or for a tread band (150) for a tire. The tread block arrangement (200) comprises a tread block (210) comprising at least a first sipe (420) delimited by a first sipe wall (425), a second sipe wall (426) and a bottom (427) of the sipe. The first sipe wall (425) and the second sipe wall (426) are arranged parallel to each other and define a width (w) of the sipe. At least the first sipe wall (425) has at least one inclined section in which a width of a surface of the first sipe wall (425) in a longitudinal direction of the sipe (420) and the width of the sipe (420) increases towards the bottom (427) of the sipe.