Pneumatic Tire Tread Fine Incision Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tread profiles of pneumatic vehicle tires face challenges in balancing good handling properties with effective grip on wet and ice surfaces, as current designs either compromise handling for grip or vice versa.

Innovation Solution

A tread profile design featuring radially raised profile elements with two fine incisions, where the first fine incision consists of extension sections connected by a third section, and a second fine incision parallel to the first, forming a double fine incision that enhances gripping edges without compromising handling, by ensuring effective contact with the wet surface and interlocking for improved traction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fine incision extends straight through the entire profile element in the axial direction, then grip on wet road surfaces and ice is improved, but handling properties deteriorate due to separation of the profile element without toothing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip on wet and iceVSAvoidhandling properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fine incision is divided into multiple extension sections (first, second, and third extension sections) that are spaced apart from one another. This segmentation allows the incision to provide multiple gripping edges along its length while maintaining segments of the profile element between these sections that can interlock with adjacent profile elements, thus preserving handling properties while improving wet and ice grip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a sinusoidal or wavy formation of the fine incision course is used, then handling properties are improved through toothing, but wet grip and ice grip are limited due to selective effective contact only at wave crests or troughs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling propertiesVSAvoidwet grip and ice grip
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fine incision features different local configurations: the first and second extension sections are spaced apart to create interlocking capability for handling, while the third extension section connects these spaced sections and provides additional gripping edges. This local variation in the incision structure allows different regions to serve different functions - some regions for interlocking and others for continuous gripping contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If profile elements are separated by fine incisions to enable interlocking, then handling properties are improved, but effective gripping edges are interrupted, limiting wet grip and ice grip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling propertiesVSAvoidwet grip and ice grip
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fine incision maintains continuity of the gripping function through multiple extension sections that are distributed along the axial direction. Even though the incision is segmented into separate extension sections rather than being a single continuous cut, each section provides gripping edges that remain in contact with the road surface, ensuring continuous useful action for both handling and wet/ice grip throughout the profile element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2844502B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2844502B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2844502B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a tread profile of a vehicle pneumatic tire having a first fine notch (8) in the primary extension direction in the radial outer surface (10) made of at least one first (12) and one second (13) extension section, designed at a distance h from each other in succession, wherein the first fine notch (8) is designed extending on a common, substantially linear extension line, and from a third extension section (14), formed between said two extension sections (12, 13), which connects the two extension sections (12, 13) and wherein the first fine notch (8) is designed having no further interface along the entire extension thereof, and between the first (12) and the second (13) extension section of the first fine notch (8), an additional second find notch (9) is designed, extending in a linear manner on the common extension line and having a distance to the first fine notch (8).