Agricultural Tire Tread Block Geometry for Soft-Ground Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural vehicle treads fail to optimize traction performance on soft ground without compromising other performance features like wear resistance, comfort, and road travel speed.
Innovation Solution
Agricultural vehicle treads with radially extending sculpture blocks featuring a leading face inclined at an angle of 50-75 degrees relative to the radial direction, arranged in specific patterns to enhance traction on soft ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional lugs with leading face parallel to radial direction are used, then wear resistance and road travel capability are maintained, but traction performance on soft ground is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into two distinct zones: a central zone with sculpture blocks having inclined leading faces (50-75 degrees) for optimal soft ground traction, and shoulder zones with conventional lugs having leading faces parallel to the radial direction for maintaining wear resistance and road travel capability. This local differentiation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread pattern is segmented into multiple sculpture blocks arranged in circumferential rows, with at least 20% of blocks (preferably 40% or more) having the specific inclined leading face geometry. This segmentation allows the tread to combine the benefits of inclined faces for traction with sufficient conventional lug structure for durability and road performance.
2Productivity
If tread elements are designed for optimal soft ground traction, then productivity on soft ground improves, but complexity of tread design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies a particular parameter range for the leading face inclination angle (50-75 degrees relative to the radial direction) to optimize the balance between traction performance and manufacturing feasibility. This parameter optimization allows achieving superior soft ground traction while maintaining compatibility with conventional tread manufacturing processes and tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires that at least 20% of sculpture blocks (preferably 40% or more) have the inclined leading face configuration, rather than requiring all blocks to have this complex geometry. This partial application of the inclined face design reduces manufacturing complexity while still achieving significant traction improvement through the critical blocks in the central tread zone.
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
Significant improvement in traction on soft ground, with gains of 10-70% compared to conventional treads, while maintaining other performance characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
said leading face being inclined at an angle α rearwardly relative to the radial direction in the rolling direction of the tread... Significant improvement in traction on soft ground
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates in particular to a tread (2) for a powered axle of an agricultural vehicle, said tread comprising pattern elements (21) extending radially towards the outside from a bearing surface (22), said pattern elements comprising a total number N of pattern blocks (21) separated from one another axially, said pattern blocks comprising a contact face (211), a leading face (212) and a trailing face (213), said leading face being inclined by an angle α towards the rear relative to the radial direction according to the rolling direction (15) of the tread, said tread comprising a number n of pattern blocks for which the angle α is between 50 degrees and 75 degrees, the number n being at least equal to 0.2 x N.