Tire Tread Recess Geometry for Dry Steering and Wet Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tires face challenges in achieving improved steering stability on dry road surfaces while maintaining wet performance.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring a first land portion with a recess defined by V-shaped edges on the ground contact surface and land sidewall, with specific dimensions and orientations to enhance steering stability and wet performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tire uses continuous circumferential grooves and lateral grooves as in prior art, then steering stability on dry road surfaces is improved, but wet performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating recesses with specific geometric characteristics (aspect ratio L2/L1 between 2.0-4.0, depth d1 between 0.2-0.5 mm) in specific locations (first land portion adjacent to circumferential groove) rather than uniform modifications throughout the tread. This localized structural modification allows the first land portion to exhibit different mechanical properties - maintaining rigidity for steering stability while enabling water evacuation channels for wet performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the first land portion by introducing recesses that divide the continuous rubber structure into distinct regions. These recesses create separate functional zones: the raised portions maintain structural integrity and rigidity for steering stability, while the recessed portions form water evacuation pathways for improved wet performance. The segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both dry and wet road performance
2Reliability
If the tire structure is modified to improve wet performance, then steering stability on dry roads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the geometric parameters of the recesses - specifically the aspect ratio L2/L1 between 2.0-4.0 and depth d1 between 0.2-0.5 mm. These parameter modifications optimize the balance between rigidity (for steering stability) and water evacuation capability (for wet performance). The controlled parameters ensure that the recesses are deep enough to channel water effectively but not so deep as to compromise the structural rigidity of the land portion
Data Source
AI summary
A tire includes a tread portion being provided with a first circumferential groove extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction, and a first land portion adjacent to the first circumferential groove. The first land portion includes a ground contact surface, a land sidewall on a first circumferential groove side, and a recess that opens across both the ground contact surface and the land sidewall. The recess has an opening defined by a V-shaped first edge and a V-shaped second edge respectively extending on the ground contact surface and the land sidewall. The recess has a circumferential maximum length L1 of from 6.0 to 9.0 mm. The recess has a maximum depth d1 of from 15% to 40% of a maximum depth of the first circumferential groove. The recess has an axial maximum length L2 of from 3.0 to 5.0 times the depth d1.