Pneumatic Tire Tread Groove Width Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic tire designs face challenges in achieving both steering stability and snow performance, as increasing groove volume for snow traction compromises steering stability, and reducing groove volume for stability deteriorates snow performance, especially on deep snowy roads.
Innovation Solution
The tire features a tread portion with crown and shoulder main grooves, middle land portions divided by alternately arranged first and second middle lateral grooves, and slots that terminate within the land portions, optimizing groove widths and depths to balance rigidity and snow column formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the groove volume of the tread portion is increased to improve snow performance, then snow traction is improved, but steering stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tread pattern applies local quality by creating different groove width characteristics in different circumferential locations. The outer groove crossover has a larger groove width to enhance snow performance, while the inner groove crossover has a smaller groove width to maintain steering stability. This spatial differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread portion is segmented into different functional zones with distinct groove characteristics. The lateral groove is divided into an outer groove crossover and an inner groove crossover, each with optimized groove widths. This segmentation allows the tire to simultaneously achieve snow performance in the outer region and steering stability in the inner region.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the groove volume of the tread portion is reduced to improve steering stability, then steering response is improved, but snow performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by assigning different groove width characteristics to different circumferential locations. The inner groove crossover maintains a smaller groove width for steering stability, while the outer groove crossover has a larger groove width for snow performance, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in their respective zones.
3Reliability
If the groove width of the lateral groove is increased at the outer groove crossover to improve snow performance, then traction on snow is improved, but rigidity of the tread land portion becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating different groove width characteristics in different circumferential locations. The outer groove crossover has a larger groove width to enhance snow performance, while the inner groove crossover has a smaller groove width to maintain steering stability. This spatial differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific functional requirement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A middle land portion is divided into multiple middle blocks by first middle transverse grooves and second middle transverse grooves arranged alternately in the tire circumference di recti on. The fi rst middle transverse grooves include a fi rst groove portion which communicates with a crown main groove, and a second groove portion which communicates with a shoulder main groove and is less wide than the first groove portion; the second middle transverse grooves include a thi rd groove portion) which communicates with the shoulder main groove, and a fourth groove portion which communicates with a crown main groove and is less wide than the third groove portion. The middle land portion has first middle slots which are disposed near a second groove portion, extend from the shoulder main groove towards the crown main groove and end within the middle land portion, and second middle slots which are disposed near fourth groove portions, extend from the crown main groove towards the shoulder main groove and end within the middle land portion.