Tire Tread Block Projections for Wet Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic vehicle tires face challenges in reducing the risk of aquaplaning when driving on wet roads, as they struggle to effectively drain water from the circumferential grooves, leading to turbulence and reduced traction.
Innovation Solution
The tire design features webs at the block corner areas that divert water from the circumferential grooves into transverse grooves, creating a suction effect and optimizing water drainage, with sloping side surfaces and bow fender-like projections that enhance stability and flow, while the height and arrangement of these features ensure turbulence-free water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is drained from circumferential grooves using conventional designs, then water drainage is provided, but turbulence occurs and aquaplaning risk remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential groove is segmented by dividing it into multiple drainage paths using transverse grooves and oblique grooves. The groove system is divided into primary circumferential grooves and secondary transverse/oblique grooves that intersect them, creating multiple water flow channels that reduce turbulence and improve drainage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the groove system have different properties: circumferential grooves have greater depth for main water collection, while transverse and oblique grooves have optimized depths and angles for directional water discharge. The groove widths and depths are locally adapted to their specific drainage functions, with varying cross-sections along their lengths.
2Productivity
If groove cross-section is reduced to improve water division, then water drainage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove system extends into multiple spatial dimensions with circumferential grooves running around the tire and transverse/oblique grooves intersecting them at angles. This three-dimensional groove network allows water to be diverted in multiple directions simultaneously, maintaining large total cross-sectional area while achieving effective water division and drainage.
3Strength
If block rigidity is increased for structural strength, then water absorption capacity in transverse grooves decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is segmented into multiple blocks separated by transverse grooves and oblique grooves that open into circumferential grooves. This segmentation creates discrete block structures with integrated groove systems, allowing each block to maintain rigidity while the groove network provides extensive water absorption and drainage capacity.
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 significantly improves water drainage and reduces the risk of aquaplaning by effectively diverting water from the circumferential grooves, maintaining traction and stability on wet surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the side surfaces of the webs, which end at the block flanks, enable turbulence-free or at least largely turbulence-free water drainage
Implementation Method 2
they entrain the upper layers of water, resulting in a very effective suction effect
Implementation Method 3
these projections are intended to reduce fluctuations in the flow speed of the air-water mixture flowing in the groove
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire with a tread comprising at least one row of blocks (1', 2', 11', 12') bounded by at least one circumferential groove (5, 14), with blocks (1, 2, 11, 12) separated from one another by transverse grooves (3, 13) and having block flanks (1a, 1b, 16a, 16b), wherein the blocks (1, 2, 11, 12) each have a block corner region (6, 16) at the circumferential groove (5, 14) on which a projection (8, 8', 8") extending into the circumferential groove (5, 14) is formed. The projection (8, 8', 8") extending into the circumferential groove (5, 14) is a rib (8, 8', 8") formed at the base of the circumferential groove (5, 14), which extends radially at its at its highest point it has a height of 10% to 50% of the profile depth and is bounded by side surfaces (8a, 8b, 8"a, 8"b) extending towards and terminating at the block flanks (1a, 1b, 16a, 16b).