Winter Tire Tread Block Flank Angles for Aquaplaning and Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a conflict between achieving good aquaplaning properties and maintaining grip on snow and ice in winter tires, as pronounced circumferential grooves reduce grip edges.
Innovation Solution
The tire design features block flanks inclined at specific angles (0° to 2° inward and 4° to 12° outward) to maximize grip edges while optimizing the drainage capacity of circumferential grooves, preventing turbulence, and using rounded transitions and straight groove base boundary sections to enhance aquaplaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pronounced circumferential grooves are provided to improve aquaplaning behavior, then drainage capacity is improved, but grip edges are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The block flanks are designed with continuously changing inclination angles (0° to 2° at inner block corners, 4° to 12° at outer block corners) to create locally optimized surfaces that serve dual functions: maintaining grip edges for snow and ice traction while facilitating water drainage in the circumferential grooves
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle of the block flanks relative to the radial direction is varied continuously along their extension, with specific angle ranges (0° to 2° inward, 4° to 12° outward) to maximize both grip edge retention and drainage capacity, preventing turbulence in the grooves
2Strength
If block edges are inclined to the circumferential direction to maximize grip edges, then snow and ice grip is improved, but the flow cross section of circumferential grooves is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different inclination angles are applied at different locations: 0° to 2° at inner block corners for optimal grip, and 4° to 12° at outer block corners to expand the flow cross section, creating locally optimized performance for both grip and drainage functions
Solution Approach 2:
The block flanks exhibit asymmetric inclination angles relative to the radial direction, with smaller angles (0° to 2°) on the inner side and larger angles (4° to 12°) on the outer side, allowing differential optimization of grip and drainage functions across the tread width
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 retains grip edges essential for snow and ice traction while improving aquaplaning by optimizing groove flow and reducing turbulence, thus balancing aquaplaning and grip performance.
Implementation Method 1
the formation of turbulence is largely prevented
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A winter, pneumatic, vehicle tire comprising a tread which has at least two block series (1, 2) which are composed of blocks (1a, 2a) which are separated from each other in each case by a peripheral groove (3) and a transverse groove (5, 7), wherein the transverse grooves (5) in the one block series (1) align at least substantially with the transverse grooves (7) in the other block series (2) such that in each case two blocks (1a, 2a) of the two block series (1, 2) are assigned to each other and have block sides (9c, 10c) facing each other, wherein the block edges (9, 10) of the block sides (9c, 10c) run straight on the tread periphery and respectively have a spacing which becomes mutually larger in the peripheral direction, and run at an acute angle (α, α') tilted in opposite directions. The block sides (9c, 10c) continuously change their inclination in the peripheral direction with respect to the radial direction, wherein the block sides (9c, 10c) incorporate their smallest angle (β) to the radial direction at the block edges (9a, 10a) which are located further axially inward.