Tire Tread Profile with Zigzag Flank Indentations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire tread profiles face a trade-off between maintaining profile rigidity for good traction and handling properties while achieving improved snow and mud grip, as increasing indentation depth or frequency to enhance grip negatively affects handling and traction.
Innovation Solution
A tread profile design featuring circumferential ribs with zigzag-shaped flank sections, where the first flank has a zigzag contour with alternating sections of different inclinations and the second flank has a continuous contour, increasing the number of effective gripping edges without compromising profile rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the depth of the indentation and the amplitude of the spike shape are increased or the frequency of the spikes is increased to increase the number of gripping edges, then snow and mud grip is improved, but the rigidity of the circumferential rib is significantly reduced, negatively affecting handling properties and traction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the contour design between the first and second flanks of the indentation. The first flank features a zigzag contour with multiple spike-shaped protrusions that increase gripping edges for improved snow and mud grip, while the second flank has a different contour design. This localized differentiation allows the indentation to provide enhanced grip in specific conditions without requiring the entire rib structure to be modified, thereby preserving overall profile rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by designing the first and second flanks of the indentation with different contours. The first flank has a zigzag shape with spike protrusions, while the second flank has a different contour configuration. This asymmetric design creates directional grip characteristics that improve snow and mud performance while maintaining structural integrity and rigidity of the circumferential rib.
2Reliability
If the depth of the indentation is increased to increase the number of gripping edges, then snow and mud grip is improved, but the rigidity of the circumferential rib is reduced, affecting traction and braking properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the grip-enhancing features (zigzag contour with spikes) specifically in the first flank of the indentation, while the second flank has a different contour. This localized approach increases gripping edges for snow and mud grip without requiring deep indentations throughout the entire rib structure, thereby preserving the strength and rigidity needed for traction and braking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing the zigzag contour with spike protrusions only in the first flank of the indentation, rather than throughout the entire indentation structure. This partial modification provides sufficient gripping edges for improved snow and mud grip while minimizing the impact on overall rib strength and rigidity, maintaining adequate traction and braking properties.
3Reliability
If the frequency of the spikes is increased to increase the number of gripping edges, then snow and mud grip is improved, but the rigidity of the circumferential rib is reduced, negatively affecting handling properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing the high-frequency spike pattern only in the first flank of the indentation, while the second flank has a different contour design. This localized high-frequency zigzag pattern provides numerous gripping edges for improved snow and mud grip in the specific region where it is needed, while the rest of the rib structure maintains its rigidity for proper handling properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by creating a zigzag contour with multiple spikes in the first flank while the second flank has a different contour configuration. This asymmetric design with high spike frequency in one flank provides enhanced grip for snow and mud without creating excessive complexity or reducing rigidity throughout the entire rib structure, thereby preserving handling properties.
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 enhances snow and mud grip by increasing the number of gripping edges without reducing profile rigidity, thereby improving traction and handling properties without impairing braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
the profile strip flank is formed along its extension in the circumferential direction U with a plurality of indentations arranged one behind the other, each of which consists of a plurality of flank sections which intersect along their radial extension starting from the radially outer surface inwards in a V-shape
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Profile of a vehicle tire with profile bands (2, 4) separated from each other by a circumferential groove (3), wherein the circumferential groove (3) is bounded by a groove base (12) and wherein the profile band (2) is bounded in axial direction A towards the groove (3) by a profile band flank (13) which extends radially outwards to the radially outer surface (15) and along the groove (3), wherein the profile band flank (13) is formed along its circumferential extent U with several indentations (16) arranged one behind the other, each of which is formed from 2 flank sections (18, 19) formed immediately one behind the other in the circumferential direction U, which intersect in a V-shape along their radial extent from the surface (15) inwards, wherein in the surface (15) the first flank (18) forms the 1st leg of length a and the second flank (19) forms the 2nd leg. Leg of length b of the V-shape is formed, with the 2nd leg being the 3rd leg.Leg with a larger circumferential direction component than the 1st leg and a < b is formed, wherein the first flank (18) is formed in section planes perpendicular to the 1st leg in the surface (15) along its radial extent from the surface (15) inwards at least sectionally with a zigzag-shaped cut contour with alternating first (22) and second (23) sections, wherein the cut contour along its radial extent from outside to inside has an opposite inclination direction in the first sections (22) as in the second sections (23).