Tire Tread Groove Layout for Icy Cornering Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tires fail to provide enhanced cornering performance on icy road surfaces, as they do not effectively remove the water film between the tire tread and ice-covered road surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring a tread portion with 3 or 4 circumferential grooves that divide the tread into land regions, with specific lateral grooves and sipes that are inclined to improve frictional force and water film absorption, including a second lateral groove with end portions and a central portion that enhance cornering performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tread patterns are used, then the tire structure is simple, but cornering performance on icy surfaces is insufficient due to inadequate water film removal
Solution Approach 1:
The second lateral groove is segmented into three functional portions: two inclined end portions and a central portion with different orientations. This segmentation allows each portion to perform a specific function - the end portions guide water laterally while the central portion removes water in the tire circumferential direction, collectively improving water film removal efficiency and cornering performance on icy surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the second lateral groove are designed with different local qualities - the end portions have specific inclination angles for lateral water guidance, while the central portion has a different orientation optimized for circumferential water removal. This local differentiation optimizes water film removal effectiveness in various regions of the groove.
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 exhibits improved cornering performance on icy surfaces by effectively dividing and absorbing the water film, increasing frictional force and maintaining steering stability on dry surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the second lateral groove has two end portions which are inclined with respect to the tire axial direction to a first direction toward one side in the tire axial direction, and a central portion between the two end portions which is inclined with respect to the tire axial direction to a second direction opposite to the first direction toward the above-said one side in the tire axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A tire has a tread portion comprising a first land region divided by a circumferential groove extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction. The first land region is provided with first lateral grooves extending thereacross to circumferentially divide the first land region into blocks. The blocks include a first block provided with a second lateral groove and sipes. The second lateral groove has two end portions which are inclined with respect to the tire axial direction to a first direction toward one side in the tire axial direction, and a central portion between the two end portions which is inclined with respect to the tire axial direction to a second direction opposite to the first direction toward the above-said one side in the tire axial direction.