Tire Tread Serrations for Snow Traction and Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive tires face challenges in achieving improved traction, noise reduction, and hydroplane resistance, particularly in snowy conditions, while maintaining effective water flow through the tire grooves.
Innovation Solution
The tire design incorporates staggered, recessed serrations on the sidewalls of the tread grooves that extend partially over the groove bottom surface, angled relative to the groove bottom, and interleaved with each other, which enhance snow grip without protruding into the groove, thereby maintaining water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If serrations are added to groove sidewalls to improve snow traction, then traction force on snow is improved, but water flow through the groove may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The serrations are localized to specific pocket regions on the groove sidewalls rather than covering the entire groove surface. This allows the serrations to provide snow grip enhancement only where needed, while leaving other areas of the groove open for water flow, thus resolving the contradiction between improved traction and maintained hydroplane resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The groove sidewall is divided into multiple pocket regions with serrations, rather than having continuous serrations across the entire groove. This segmentation allows different portions of the groove to serve different functions: some areas provide snow interlocking while other areas maintain water flow paths, simultaneously achieving both improved traction and hydroplane resistance
2Force
If serrations extend over full height of groove sidewall to maximize snow grip, then interlocking grip is improved, but water flow interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The serrations extend over only a portion of the groove sidewall height rather than the full height. This partial action provides sufficient snow interlocking grip force while leaving the upper or lower portions of the groove open for water flow, thus achieving the desired balance between grip and water evacuation
3Force
If serrations are made deep to enhance snow penetration, then snow grip is improved, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depth of the serrations is optimized to a specific range that provides adequate snow penetration for improved grip while avoiding excessive depth that would cause increased noise generation. By carefully controlling the serration depth parameter, both snow grip and noise levels are managed effectively
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
This design significantly improves traction force on snow, reduces noise generation, and maintains hydroplane resistance by providing interlocking grip features without interrupting water flow through the tire grooves.
Implementation Method 1
improved interlocking grip features without adversely interrupting water flow through a circumferential groove of the tire
Implementation Method 2
A primary benefit is improved tire performance, particularly in snow. Still another benefit is a reduction in standing waves and an associated reduction in noise generation
Data Source
AI summary
A tire includes first and second laterally spaced sides and a tread interposed between the first and second sides. The tread includes a tread surface having at least one groove therein, the at least one groove including facing, first and second sidewalls separated by a groove bottom surface. A first pocket region of recessed serrations extends over at least a portion of the first sidewall and a second pocket region of recessed serrations extends over at least a portion of the second sidewall. The serrations of the first and second pocket regions are staggered in a circumferential direction relative to one another.