Tire Tread Small Recesses Snow Grip Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winter tires face challenges in maintaining performance on snow and ice when the tread is brand new, as increasing the density of grooves and dimples compromises rigidity and wet performance.
Innovation Solution
A tire tread design featuring small recesses with a projected density of 200 or greater, depth between 0.15 mm and 1.5 mm, and a transverse sectional shape with a long direction length between 0.15 mm and 3.0 mm, arranged regularly on the ground contact surface to enhance the 'edge effect' on icy and snowy roads without communicating with grooves or incisions, thereby improving snow performance while maintaining wet performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the density of grooves and dimples is increased to improve snow performance, then snow gripping performance is improved, but rigidity of the tread surface is reduced and wet performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the snow interaction function into two separate structural elements: narrow grooves for edge effect and small dimples for snow column formation. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently - narrow grooves provide cutting edges without significantly reducing rigidity, while small dimples create snow columns for enhanced grip, resolving the contradiction between snow performance and rigidity maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different structural characteristics to different regions of the tread surface. Narrow grooves with specific width (0.1-2.0mm) and depth (0.05-1.0mm) are distributed across the tread to provide edge effect, while small dimples with controlled dimensions (width 0.1-1.0mm, depth 0.05-0.5mm) are positioned to form snow columns. This local differentiation optimizes snow grip while preserving overall tread rigidity
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 snow performance on new treads while restricting rigidity reduction and maintaining wet performance, by effectively taking in snow grains and distributing stress evenly across the surface.
Implementation Method 1
adhesion to a road surface in winter is improved by means of what is known as an 'edge' effect and a water film-removal effect
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of small recesses which open at the upper surface, are indented inwardly in the tire radial direction... effectively taking in snow grains
Implementation Method 3
the drive performance being improved by shear stress produced by these snow columns
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The aim of the present invention lies in providing a tire tread and a tire having said tread, which make it possible to demonstrate a higher level of performance on ice and snow when the tread is brand new, and in particular performance on snow, while maintaining wet performance. The tire tread according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of ground contact elements which are defined by a plurality of grooves formed on a ground contact surface in contact with a road surface when the tire is rolling, and having an upper surface forming a portion of the ground contact surface; and a plurality of small recesses which open at the upper surface, are indented inwardly in the tire radial direction, and are not in communication with each other, the depth h of the small recesses being between 0.15 mm and 1.5 mm when the tread is brand new, and the projected density of the small recesses (a value obtained by dividing the total projected length LP (mm) of the small recesses present on the upper surface of the ground contact elements, projected on a plane parallel to the tire axis of rotation and perpendicular to the upper surface, by the surface area (mm2) of the upper surface when the small recesses are not present, and multiplying the result by 1000) being 200 or greater.