Tire Tread Block Side Wall Angle Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires experience concentration of grounding pressure on the outer end of blocks in the tread portion, leading to tipping issues and inadequate chipping resistance on ice surfaces, while also compromising on-ice performance and uneven wear.
Innovation Solution
The tire design incorporates a specific tread pattern with strategically formed sipes and side walls that distribute grounding pressure, preventing concentration and enhancing chipping resistance and on-ice performance by adjusting the angle of the side and end walls of the blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If sipes are formed in the central portion of the block along the tire width direction to remove water, then water removal capability is improved, but grounding pressure concentrates on the outer end of the block causing tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall of the block is designed with different inclinations in different regions: the first side wall (in the tire circumferential direction) has a smaller inclination angle while the second side wall (in the tire width direction) has a larger inclination angle. This local differentiation of geometric properties allows water to be effectively channeled out through the sipes while distributing grounding pressure more evenly across the block base, preventing concentration at the outer end and reducing tipping tendency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sidewall between two sipes is made recessed to suppress grounding pressure concentration, then block tipping is suppressed, but grounding area decreases and sipe length decreases reducing chipping resistance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the recessed shape of the sidewall, the invention changes the inclination angle parameters of the side walls. The first side wall has an inclination angle of 10-30 degrees and the second side wall has an inclination angle of 30-60 degrees. This parameter optimization allows the sidewall to remain substantially flat, maintaining both the grounding area and sipe length while still achieving effective pressure distribution and tipping suppression through the optimized angular geometry.
3Area of stationary object
If the central portion of the block is enlarged to secure grounding area, then on-ice performance is improved, but water accumulation increases requiring more sipes
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall inclination angles are locally optimized to create effective water drainage pathways. The first side wall with 10-30 degrees inclination and the second side wall with 30-60 degrees inclination work together to channel water away from the enlarged central portion toward the sipes, enabling the block to maintain a large grounding area while effectively preventing water accumulation through the inclined surface geometry.
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 design effectively suppresses block tipping and improves on-ice performance by distributing grounding pressure and preventing water accumulation, while maintaining the grounding area and edge component length, thus enhancing both chipping resistance and wear uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
water may be sometimes produced between the block and the ice road surface by friction between the block and the ice
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The on-ice performance of the tire is improved while the tipping of the block in the tread portion is suppressed. The tire comprises a block (31) in the tread portion. The side wall (35) of the block (31) extends along the tire circumferential direction (S) between both end walls (36) in the tire circumferential direction (S). The central sipe (22) of the block (31) is formed along the tire width direction (H) on the block tread (34) of the block central portion (33) in the tire circumferential direction (S), and opens at the side wall (35). The side wall angle (P) between the tire radial surface (K1) and the side wall (35) of the block (31) increases from the block central portion (33) toward the end wall (36).