Vehicle Tire Transverse Groove Segmentation for Water Expulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tread profiles of passenger car tires with circumferential ribs face a conflict between achieving good water expulsion and maintaining sufficient stiffness for handling properties, as increasing the width and depth of transverse grooves for better water expulsion compromises the stiffness of the circumferential rib.
Innovation Solution
The design features transverse grooves in the circumferential rib with a first portion having an increasing depth and width up to a vertex point, followed by a second portion with a constant greater depth and width, creating a suction effect for efficient water uptake and drainage without significantly impairing the rib's stiffness, and optionally including a third portion for additional stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the width and depth of transverse grooves are increased to improve water expulsion, then the water take-up capacity is improved, but the stiffness of the circumferential rib is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse groove is segmented into three distinct portions along its extent: a first portion with increasing width and depth, a second portion with maximum depth and varying width, and a third portion with reduced depth and increasing width. This segmentation allows each portion to serve different functions - water uptake, water storage, and structural reinforcement - thereby resolving the contradiction between water expulsion capacity and rib stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the transverse groove are given different local qualities in terms of depth and width characteristics. The first portion has increasing depth for water uptake, the second portion has maximum depth for water storage, and the third portion has reduced depth for structural support. This local differentiation optimizes water expulsion while maintaining rib stiffness.
2Reliability
If transverse grooves are arranged closely one behind the other to improve water uptake capacity, then the water expulsion is improved, but the stiffness of the circumferential rib is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting each transverse groove into three portions with different depth and width characteristics, the invention achieves effective water uptake and expulsion without requiring a high density of grooves. The segmented structure allows each groove to be more efficient, reducing the need for closely spaced grooves that would compromise rib stiffness.
3Reliability
If the transverse groove is formed with great depth to ensure sufficient water take-up capacity, then aquaplaning properties are improved, but the stiffness of the circumferential rib is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse groove depth is segmented along its extent, with the maximum depth occurring only in the second portion. The first portion has increasing depth, and the third portion has reduced depth. This segmentation allows the groove to achieve sufficient water take-up capacity in the middle section while maintaining structural integrity through shallower sections at the ends, thereby preserving rib stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove depth is optimized locally - maximum depth in the second portion for water storage and suction effect, reduced depth in the third portion for structural support. This local quality differentiation ensures adequate aquaplaning resistance while minimizing the negative impact on rib stiffness.
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 water expulsion capacity while maintaining good handling properties by allowing efficient water drainage over a longer circumferential extent without excessive reduction in stiffness, even at higher speeds and loads.
Implementation Method 1
The groove is formed in the course of its extent between the first portion of extent and the second portion of extent with a vertex point, wherein the direction of extent of the groove from the beginning of extent along its extent in the first portion of extent to the vertex point is formed with a greater directional component in the circumferential direction U than in the axial direction A
Data Source
AI summary
The tread profile of a vehicle tire has a circumferential rib. Grooves are formed in the circumferential rib with a width, which increases along its entire extent, wherein the grooves are formed with a vertex point between a first portion and a second portion. The groove direction from the beginning to the vertex point is formed with a greater directional component in the circumferential direction than in the axial direction and between the vertex point and the entry into the circumferential groove is formed with a greater directional component in the axial direction than in the circumferential direction. The groove is formed in the first portion with a depth T1, which increases continuously from the beginning over the first portion up to reaching its maximum value T1max at the vertex point and is formed with a constant depth T2 in the second portion wherein T2≥T1max.