Pneumatic Tire Tread Pattern for Snow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional winter tires face challenges in providing sufficient steering stability on snow due to the independent functioning of main and lateral grooves, leading to easy breakage of snow pillars and inadequate traction and braking performance.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tire design featuring a tread portion with a first and second tread pattern, each with lateral inclined grooves, inner and outer connecting grooves, and central connecting grooves that form a symmetrical and phased pattern, eliminating straight main grooves and optimizing groove angles and lengths to generate balanced snow-shearing forces, enhancing block rigidity and pillar strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional winter tires use separate main grooves and lateral grooves that function independently, then the tire structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the snow pillars break easily and steering stability on snow is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of main grooves and lateral grooves by creating an integrated groove system where longitudinal grooves and lateral grooves intersect to form block elements. The grooves are connected such that they work together to generate snow-shearing forces in both circumferential and lateral directions simultaneously, preventing snow pillar breakage and improving steering stability on snow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional groove configuration where longitudinal grooves extend in the circumferential direction and lateral grooves extend in the axial direction, creating intersecting pathways for snow evacuation. This multi-directional groove arrangement enables snow pillars to be supported from multiple directions, enhancing their strength and preventing easy breakage during cornering and straight traveling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tire uses a tread pattern with continuous circumferential main grooves, then straight traveling stability is improved, but cornering performance deteriorates due to reduced lateral grip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous circumferential main grooves by introducing lateral grooves that intersect and divide them into discrete block elements. This segmentation allows the tread pattern to provide both the longitudinal continuity needed for straight traveling stability and the lateral connectivity needed for cornering grip, as the segmented blocks can deform independently during cornering while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric groove arrangements where the spacing, depth, and orientation of longitudinal and lateral grooves are optimized for different driving conditions. The groove pattern is designed to provide enhanced lateral grip during cornering through asymmetric block configurations while maintaining straight traveling stability through the overall circumferential groove structure.
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 design improves steering stability on both dry and snowy conditions by creating high-strength combined snow pillars and maintaining block rigidity, preventing snow pillar breakage and enhancing traction and braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
snow-shearing force obtained through the lateral grooves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion including a first tread pattern and a second tread pattern. The first tread pattern and the second pattern are formed as substantially symmetrical design to the tire equator and arranged such that pattern phases thereof are shifted one another in a circumferential direction of the tire. Each of the first tread pattern and the second tread pattern is provided with lateral inclined grooves each extending axially inwardly with an inclination from a tread edge to an axially inner end located near the tire equator, an inner connecting groove connecting between a pair of circumferentially adjacent lateral inclined grooves, and an outer connecting groove connecting between a pair of circumferentially adjacent lateral inclined grooves. A central connecting grooves is arranged to connect between a pair of axially adjacent lateral inclined grooves.