Tire Tread Pattern With Offset Groove Edges for Snow Traction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tires face challenges in providing good grip and traction on snow- and ice-covered roads while maintaining durability and traction on dry and wet surfaces, with softer tread patterns compromising on dry and wet road performance.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring axially offset edges in circumferential grooves and tapered recesses in blocks to trap snow and water, enhancing traction on snow-covered roads without compromising on dry and wet road performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If softer tread patterns are used to improve flexibility and grip on snow and ice, then traction on snow-covered roads is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread pattern incorporates blocks with different local properties: some blocks have higher flexibility for snow grip while others have harder material for wear resistance. The circumferential grooves create zones of different flexibility within the tread, allowing simultaneous optimization of snow traction and durability in different areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire uses composite tread structures combining blocks of different rubber compounds with varying glass transition temperatures. Softer blocks provide snow grip while harder blocks resist wear, creating a composite tread that balances traction and durability requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If continuous edges in circumferential grooves are used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but snow trapping capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential grooves feature asymmetric step structures with different edge heights and positions. This asymmetric design creates effective snow trapping zones while remaining manufacturable through standard molding processes, resolving the conflict between manufacturing simplicity and snow trapping performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread blocks are pre-formed with integrated step structures in the circumferential grooves during the vulcanization process. This preliminary formation of snow-trapping features eliminates the need for post-manufacturing modifications while ensuring effective snow capture capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The tread may comprise a set of blocks arranged along a circumference of the tire, wherein the set of blocks comprises a first block and a second block, wherein the first block is arranged consecutive to the second block. The tread my further comprise a first groove (14) arranged between the first block and the second block and a circumferential groove (22) extending along the circumference of the tire, wherein the circumferential groove is arranged to separate each of the first block and the second block into a respective outward-facing portion (102, 122) and a respective inward-facing portion (104, 124). The circumferential groove (22) may face an inward-facing edge (1022, 1222) of the outward-facing portion (102, 122) and an outward-facing edge (1242, 1042) of the inward-facing portion (104, 124) of each of the first and second block. The arrangement may be such that at least one of the following applies: (i) the inward-facing edge (1022) of the outward-facing portion (102) of first block is axially offset with respect to the inward-facing edge (1222) of the outward-facing portion (122) of the second block by a first axial offset (1020); or (ii) the outward-facing edge (1042) of the inward-facing portion (104) of first block is axially offset with respect to the outward-facing edge (1242) of the inward-facing portion (124) of the second block by a second axial offset (1040).