Tire Tread Saw-Tooth Block Edges Snow Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Winter tires face challenges in achieving suitable traction, braking, and handling on snow-covered surfaces while maintaining good dry road performance, wear, and noise levels, as existing tread patterns struggle to balance these competing objectives.
Innovation Solution
A tire tread design featuring a symmetric pattern with circumferential grooves bounded by saw-toothed block elements, multiple sipes, and varying V-shaped grooves that overlap each other, providing enhanced grip and traction through the unique orientation and depth of saw-teeth and sipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tread pattern uses deep grooves and aggressive block elements for snow traction, then winter performance is improved, but noise level and wear performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tread pattern applies different groove depths and block element characteristics to different circumferential zones. The first V-shaped grooves have varying depths (2-7mm) with shallower depths (1.5-2.5mm) at vertex and terminal regions and deeper depths (5.5-8mm) at medial regions. This local variation allows aggressive traction features where needed while reducing noise-generating features in other areas, resolving the contradiction between winter performance and noise level.
2Reliability
If the tread pattern uses asymmetric design for optimized snow grip, then traction is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The tread pattern employs asymmetric V-shaped grooves with specific orientation (first grooves in one circumferential direction, second grooves in opposite direction) that are optimized for snow traction in a preferred rolling direction. The varying groove depths and the overlapping arrangement of first and second V-shaped grooves create directional performance characteristics while maintaining the asymmetric design benefits for snow grip.
3Reliability
If the tread pattern uses multiple grooves and block elements for enhanced snow traction, then grip is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread pattern segments the tire surface into multiple functional zones including first V-shaped grooves, second V-shaped grooves, circumferential grooves, and various block elements with saw-teeth and sipes. This segmentation allows each element to perform specific functions (channeling snow, providing biting edges, maintaining structural integrity) while collectively achieving enhanced snow traction through coordinated action of all segments.
4Reliability
If the tread pattern uses soft compound for snow compliance, then traction is improved, but wear performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tread pattern utilizes controlled variations in groove depth parameters (2-7mm range with specific 1.5-2.5mm at vertices and 5.5-8mm at medials) and block element dimensions to optimize the balance between snow compliance and wear resistance. The varying depths allow the tread to conform to snow surfaces while maintaining sufficient structural integrity and wear resistance, resolving the contradiction between compliance and durability.
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 traction and grip on snow surfaces while maintaining acceptable performance on dry roads, reducing noise and wear, and simplifying tire orientation due to its symmetric configuration.
Implementation Method 1
An array of saw-teeth are formed along each block edge inclined in the radial direction, with the saw-teeth on a block edge at one side of the groove being inclined in a direction opposite from the inclination of saw-teeth on a block edge at the opposite second side of the groove
Implementation Method 2
a block element on the center tread region side of the groove has multiple circumferentially spaced apart and laterally extending sipes extending across the block element. The sipes extend to the array of saw-teeth along the groove-facing edge of the block element
Implementation Method 3
the tread may comprise a repeating circumferential array of first at least substantially V-shaped grooves, each first V-shaped groove having divergent first groove side arms extending in a first circumferential direction, and a repeating circumferential array of second at least substantially V-shaped grooves having divergent second groove side arms extending in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A tread for a vehicle tire having a circumferential center tread region (14) comprising a plurality of block elements (26, 28) arranged in a pattern on opposite sides of a tire circumferential equatorial center plane (20) is disclosed. The tread has at least one circumferential groove (22, 24) bounded by edges of opposing block elements (26, 38). At least two of the opposing block elements (26, 38) have a block edge facing the groove (22, 24) and an array of saw-teeth (62, 76) along the block edge. The saw-teeth (62, 76) on a block edge at one side of the groove (22, 24) are inclined in a direction opposite from the inclination of saw-teeth (62, 76) on a block edge at the opposite second side of the groove (22, 24). Also, a tire having such a tread is disclosed.