Low-Profile Tire Tread Compound for Braking and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Summer and all-season tires with reduced profile depth compromise braking properties on dry and wet roads due to altered deformation characteristics, leading to unfavorable handling and contact area reduction.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic vehicle tire with a radially outermost tread layer made of a rubber material having a Shore A hardness of 40 ShA to 55 ShA, combined with a low profile depth of up to 6.5 mm and a specific rubber mixture, enhances dry and wet braking properties by improving handling and contact area retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the profile depth of the tread is reduced to lower rolling resistance, then rolling resistance decreases, but braking properties on dry and wet roads deteriorate due to unfavorable bending characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the rubber material by reducing its Shore A hardness to 40-55 ShA (softer than conventional treads). This parameter change allows the tread to achieve favorable bending characteristics even at reduced profile depths of up to 6.5 mm, thereby maintaining good braking properties while keeping rolling resistance low.
2Reliability
If a softer rubber material is used in the tread, then braking properties improve, but handling properties deteriorate according to prevailing art
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the Shore A hardness to a specific range of 40-55 ShA and combining it with controlled sipe density (not more than 150 sipes per row) and limited profile depth (up to 6.5 mm). This combination of parameters achieves a balance where the softer material improves braking while the structural constraints maintain adequate handling properties, contradicting the prevailing art assumption.
3Reliability
If the Shore A hardness of the tread is reduced below conventional values, then dry and wet braking properties improve, but the tread may exhibit poor handling characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by specifying a Shore A hardness of 40-55 ShA combined with constraints on profile depth (up to 6.5 mm) and sipe density (not more than 150 sipes per row). This multi-parameter optimization ensures that the softer rubber material improves braking properties while the structural limitations prevent excessive deformation that would harm handling characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining the softer rubber material (40-55 ShA) with specific structural features including limited sipe density and controlled profile depth. This composite solution integrates material property changes with structural design to achieve both improved braking and maintained handling characteristics.
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
The tire achieves improved dry and wet braking properties and low rolling resistance with very good handling characteristics, contradicting the prejudice that soft treads exhibit poor handling, while maintaining low rolling resistance and adequate water drainage.
Implementation Method 1
the tread or the radially outermost tread layer consists of a rubber material with a Shore A hardness at room temperature... of 40 ShA to 55 ShA
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic vehicle tire in radial design that is a summer tire or all-season tire, with a profiled tread comprising rows of profile blocks and/or profile ribs running around the tire in circumferential direction, wherein the total number of sipes within each row of profile blocks and/or profile ribs is not more than 150, wherein the tread is in the form of a single layer or multiple layers with a radially outermost tread layer that extends at least over the width of the ground contact area, and wherein the profile depth of the tread is up to 6.5 mm. The tread or its radially outermost tread layer consists of a rubber material with a Shore A hardness at room temperature in accordance with DIN ISO 7619-1 of 40 ShA to 55 ShA.