Pneumatic Tire Tread Groove Layout for Snow Grip and Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tire strip designs face challenges in optimizing snow performance while maintaining good dry performance and drainage properties, as modifications often lead to deterioration in these areas.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of sack grooves with a width of 1.0 mm to 6.0 mm on the tire strip periphery, angled between 15° to 20°, and forming a y-like groove combination with the cross-ribs, enhances snow accumulation and compression without compromising dry performance or drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blind grooves are made wider to improve snow accumulation, then snow performance improves, but tread rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow accumulation capabilityVSAvoidtread rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The blind groove design is segmented with the first groove section having a wider bottom (4-8 mm) specifically for snow accumulation, while the groove gradually narrows toward the tread block interior. This segmentation allows snow accumulation in the wider section while maintaining tread rigidity through the narrower sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove geometry is optimized in multiple dimensions: the width varies along the groove length (wider at the opening, narrower deeper in), and the opening angle is specifically controlled (60°-90°). This multi-dimensional geometric optimization allows snow accumulation capability while preserving structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4244079B1Pneumatic vehicle tyre
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4244079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4244079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4244079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread with at least one profile block row (3) which is delimited at each side by a respective circumferential channel (4, 5) and which is divided into profile blocks (3a) by a multiplicity of transverse channels (6) which open into both circumferential channels (4, 5) and which run parallel to one another as seen in plan view, wherein each transverse channel (6), as seen in plan view, is made up of two channel sections (6a, 6b) which adjoin one another at an obtuse angle (γ) of 100° to 160°. In each profile block (3a), there is formed a blind channel (7) which opens into both channel sections (6a, 6b) of a transverse channel (6) and which is elongate as seen in plan view and which, with the transverse channel (6), forms a channel combination running in a Y shape as seen in plan view, which blind channel (7) has a width (bR), measured at the tread periphery, of 1.0 mm to 6.0 mm and runs at an angle (δ) of 0° to 60° with respect to the circumferential direction.