Tire Tread Raised Newness Marking for Forgery-Proof Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tire license plates are not suitable for indicating whether a tire is new or used, as they can be easily forged by engraving on the tread, making it unreliable for consumer information.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle tire with a raised new tire indicator on the tread that wears off with use, featuring a partially higher surface than the surrounding tread, which can only identify the tire as new in its unused condition, and a tire heating mold for producing such indicators that cannot be subsequently applied, ensuring forgery-proof authenticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a marking is engraved into the tread with a laser or other methods, then the marking can be applied to indicate tire information, but the marking can be subsequently recreated and is therefore not suitable as a new tire marking that provides reliable information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenew tire identificationVSAvoidforgery resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The identification mark is created during the tire manufacturing process by forming a raised surface on the tread through the mold, before the tire is put into service. This preliminary creation ensures the mark is original and cannot be added later, solving the forgery resistance problem while maintaining reliable new tire identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating a recessed or flat marking that can be easily replicated, the invention creates a raised surface marking. This inverted approach makes the marking inherently different from conventional engraving methods, and when combined with the wear-off characteristic, provides reliable new tire identification that cannot be forged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If a new tire identification mark is created on the tread surface, then it can identify the tire as new, but it can be subsequently applied making it unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenew tire status indicationVSAvoidpost-manufacturing applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The identification mark is formed during tire manufacturing by the mold creating a raised surface on the tread, before the tire enters service. This preliminary action ensures the mark exists only on new tires and cannot be added later, providing reliable new tire status indication while preventing post-manufacturing application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The raised surface identification mark is designed to wear off naturally as the tire tread wears during normal use. This discarding of the mark after its useful life provides a self-evidencing system where the absence of the mark indicates the tire is no longer new, while the presence confirms it is new and authentic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of information

If the identification mark has a raised surface higher than the surrounding tread, then it provides visible identification, but it may affect the tread performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual identification clarityVSAvoidtread performance degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The raised surface identification mark is created with localized elevation only in the specific area where identification is needed, while the rest of the tread maintains its normal performance characteristics. This local quality approach provides clear visual identification without significantly affecting overall tread performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The identification mark utilizes subtle changes in surface elevation parameters rather than dramatic height differences. By carefully controlling the raise height within acceptable ranges, the mark provides sufficient visual contrast for identification while maintaining tread performance and not creating harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a reliable and secure method to authenticate the newness of a vehicle tire, as the indicator disappears with wear, preventing post-manufacturing application and ensuring authenticity, while also allowing for additional consumer information to be conveyed.

Implementation Method 1

EP 3524 446 A1 relates to a vehicle tire having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface has a vulcanized surface. The invention further comprises two methods and a mold for producing such a vehicle tire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization:

Data Source

PatentEP4240598B1Vehicle tire with new tire identifier, method for producing a vehicle tire with a new tire identifier, heating mold for tires for producing such a vehicle tire, and use of a new tire identifier on such a vehicle tire
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4240598B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4240598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle tire (1) having a tread (3), said tread (3) having at least one new tire identifier (4, 7, 8), the surface (5) of which is at least partly higher than the surrounding surface of the tread (3). The invention additionally relates to a method for producing a vehicle tire (1) with at least one new tire identifier (4, 7, 8), in particular the aforementioned vehicle tire (1), wherein the vehicle tire (1) is produced in a heating mold (2) for tires, and the heating mold (2) for tires has at least one at least partly engraved negative of a new tire identifier (10, 13, 14) in the region of the tread (3). The invention additionally relates to a heating mold (2) for tires for the aforementioned method in order to produce a vehicle tire (1) with at least one new tire identifier (4, 7, 8), in particular the aforementioned vehicle tire (1), said heating mold (2) for tires having an engraved negative of a new tire identifier (10, 13, 14) in the region of the tread. The invention also relates to the use of a new tire identifier (10, 13, 14) on a tread (3) of the aforementioned vehicle tire (1) in order to identify the newness of the vehicle tire (1).