Heavy Vehicle Tire Tread Wet Grip via Segmented Sipe Voids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy goods vehicle tire treads face challenges in maintaining grip on wet surfaces without compromising performance under other conditions and wear resistance, particularly due to liquid accumulation between the tread and road surface.
Innovation Solution
The tire tread design features circumferential grooves and sipes that form void volumes with specific dimensions and orientations, allowing liquid to be picked up and ejected through centrifugal force, while maintaining rib rigidity and minimizing sensitivity to foreign objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sipes are added to ribs to improve wet grip by generating additional edge corners for cutting into liquid film, then grip on wet surfaces is improved, but the rib strength is weakened and liquid can build up between the road surface and tread material under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The rib is segmented by introducing sipes that create edge corners for cutting into liquid film. The sipes divide the rib structure into multiple segments while maintaining overall rib integrity through careful spacing and depth control
Solution Approach 2:
The tread design incorporates void volumes between the sipes that act as porous spaces for liquid storage and ejection. These voids allow the tread to manage liquid buildup while maintaining structural strength through the rib framework
2Reliability
If the number of sipes per rib is increased to improve wet grip performance, then grip on wet surfaces is improved, but the rib becomes weaker and wear resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sipes are designed to close at least partially as they enter the contact patch, providing excellent rigidity in shear while still generating the necessary edge corners for wet grip. This partial closure achieves the desired effect without excessive sipe density that would weaken the rib
3Productivity
If void volumes are created between sipes to allow liquid ejection through centrifugal force, then liquid drainage is improved, but the tread structure becomes more complex and sensitive to foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The void volumes are positioned at specific depths between the sipes, creating a three-dimensional liquid management system. This vertical dimension allows liquid to be stored and ejected through centrifugal force while maintaining a compact tread structure that limits foreign object penetration
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 enhances grip on wet surfaces by effectively draining liquid from the contact area without affecting wear resistance or rib rigidity, and reduces sensitivity to foreign bodies by maintaining limited additional void volumes.
Implementation Method 1
liquid to be picked up and ejected through centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
Tread for a tire for the driven axle of a heavy goods vehicle, comprising a plurality of circumferential grooves delimiting at least three ribs each having a height and a width measured in the axial direction, axially delimited by two edge rows, each rib having a plurality of sipes able to close at least in part as they enter the contact patch, and opening onto each lateral face of the rib to form two edge corners and having a depth at least equal to 50% of the height of the rib, these sipes in pairs delimiting an elementary rib volume and an elementary contact surface, wherein each elementary volume delimited by two sipes of one and the same rib has a void volume opening on the contact face in the new state, having a total area on the tread surface at least equal to 0.4% and at most equal to 1.5% of the area of the elementary contact surface, having a depth at least equal to half the depth of the grooves, and determined such that it remains open as it passes through the contact patch so as to allow any liquid present on the road surface to be picked up.