Tire Tread Groove Brightness Contrast via Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tire treads, when the brightness of the tread surface and the groove bottom surface are the same, the contrast between the two is weakened, making the groove appear shallow, which can give an impression of wear even when the tire is unused.
Innovation Solution
The tire features a groove with distinct low brightness regions on its bottom surface, curved surface, and side surfaces, created by protrusions that attenuate light, increasing the contrast between the tread surface and the groove, thereby preventing the tire from appearing worn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the brightness of the tread surface and the groove bottom surface are made the same, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the groove appears shallow and the tire gives an impression of wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific low brightness regions at the groove bottom surface and side surfaces, while maintaining normal brightness on the tread surface. This localized brightness differentiation enhances the visual perception of groove depth without complicating the overall manufacturing process, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and visual appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes brightness (color) changes by forming low brightness regions through protrusions on the groove bottom surface and side surfaces. This optical contrast creates the illusion of deeper grooves, effectively addressing the appearance issue while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing approach.
2Shape
If protrusions are added to create low brightness regions, then the contrast and visual appearance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity is localized to specific regions (groove bottom surface and side surfaces) rather than the entire tire structure. The protrusions are confined to where they are most effective for visual enhancement, minimizing overall structural complexity while achieving the desired appearance improvement.
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 increased contrast between the tread surface and the groove bottom surface effectively prevents the tire from appearing worn, even when unused, by varying the brightness through strategically placed protrusions, enhancing the tire's visual appearance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
protrusions that attenuate light, increasing the contrast between the tread surface and the groove
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire that can suppress an unused tire from giving an impression like a worn tire as compared with a case where the brightness of a tread surface and the brightness of a bottom surface of a groove are the same is obtained. The tread portion includes a tread portion including a tread surface and a groove that partitions the tread surface; and a plurality of protrusions that protrude from a bottom surface of the groove at a height of from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm and are arranged at an interval of from more than 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. A ratio of a height of the protrusions to a depth of the groove (protrusion height/groove depth) is from 0.02 to 0.2. mm