Tire Tread Block Geometry for Winter Grip and Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy vehicle tires face weaknesses at the lateral ends of blocks due to insufficient rigidity, which affects their ability to withstand contact pressures and forces during travel, especially in winter conditions.
Innovation Solution
The tread design features circumferential and oblique grooves that delimit blocks with offset front and rear faces, where the intermediate portion has an average orientation between 30 and 60 degrees, and edge portions with angles at least 20 degrees less, maintaining a constant width between blocks and incorporating incisions with strategically positioned articulation points to enhance rigidity and grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If incisions are added to blocks to increase grip on snowy and icy ground, then winter performance is improved, but the rigidity at lateral ends of blocks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different regions within the block structure. Incisions are strategically placed only in certain blocks or at specific locations within blocks, while lateral ends maintain their original continuous structure to preserve rigidity. This selective application ensures that winter grip enhancement does not compromise the structural strength where it is most needed.
2Reliability
If grooves are made deeper to improve water drainage, then wet road performance is improved, but the volume of material in blocks decreases, affecting durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the depth, width, and spacing of grooves to achieve maximum drainage efficiency while maintaining sufficient block material volume. The groove dimensions are carefully calibrated so that water channels are effective for drainage but do not remove excessive material from the blocks, thereby preserving tire durability throughout its service life.
3Reliability
If the number of edges is increased to improve grip on snowy ground, then winter traction is improved, but the stiffness of the tread increases, affecting comfort and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tread into multiple blocks separated by grooves, with selective incisions creating additional edges only where beneficial for winter grip. This segmented approach increases the number of biting edges for snow and ice traction while maintaining overall tread flexibility through the groove separations, preventing excessive stiffness that would compromise comfort and handling.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a tire tread including circumferential diagonal grooves defining raised elements, at least some of said elements being blocks (1), each block (1) having a contact surface (100), side surfaces axially limiting the block, and front and rear surfaces, each front and rear surface including three portions, an intermediate portion (10) and edge portions (11, 12), the intermediate portion having a mean orientation of between 30 and 60 degrees relative to a transverse plane, the angle of each edge portion (11, 12) being less than the angle of the intermediate portion (10) to which it is connected, each edge portion on either side of an intermediate portion having a line of intersection in common with said intermediate portion, said common line cutting the contact surface at a hinge point (A1, A2, R1, R2), said tread being such that the hinge points (A1, A2) of the front surface (15) are axially shifted relative to the hinge points (R1, R2) of the rear surface (20) over the entire height of the block, and in that at least one incision (2) is formed in at least one block (1).