Tire Tread Zigzag Groove Asymmetry Noise Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires face challenges in improving both drainage and noise performance, as existing designs either compromise on one aspect or fail to effectively address both simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The tire features a tread portion with zigzag grooves that have bent elements with projections aligned in the circumferential direction, where the projections are opened at the tread end to enhance water drainage and reduce stiffness, thereby improving noise performance by preventing air resonance noise transmission and lowering impact sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the main groove is connected to the zigzag groove to improve drainage performance, then water drainage is enhanced, but air resonance noise is transmitted from the main groove into the zigzag groove, worsening noise performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful air resonance noise transmission path by disconnecting the main groove from the zigzag groove. The zigzag groove is designed to be independent and not connected to the main groove, thereby removing the pathway through which air resonance noise could be transmitted while preserving the drainage function through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove system is segmented into independent components: the main groove for drainage and the zigzag groove for noise reduction. By segmenting the groove structure and preventing connection between the main groove and zigzag groove, the patent allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, thus avoiding noise transmission while maintaining drainage capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the zigzag groove structure is designed to reduce noise by preventing air resonance, then noise performance is improved, but drainage efficiency may be compromised without proper connection to main grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving different functions to different parts of the tread groove system. The zigzag groove portion is designed with a specific non-connected structure optimized for noise reduction, while the main groove handles drainage. This localized functional differentiation allows the zigzag groove to reduce air resonance noise without compromising overall drainage efficiency, as each component is optimized for its specific purpose.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the bent elements have projections opened at the tread end to reduce stiffness and lower impact sound, then noise performance is improved, but drainage performance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The bent elements in the zigzag groove feature asymmetric projections that are opened at the tread end, creating an uneven structure that effectively reduces stiffness and lowers impact sound. This asymmetric design allows the groove to absorb and dampen impact noises while the overall zigzag groove configuration maintains adequate drainage capability through its extended path and connection to the tread surface.
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 effectively enhances both drainage and noise performance by ensuring efficient water drainage and reducing noise through the unique structure of the zigzag grooves, resulting in improved running characteristics and reduced noise generation.
Implementation Method 1
The main groove is disposed so as not to connect to the first zigzag groove to avoid transmitting air resonance noise in the main groove into the first zigzag groove
Implementation Method 2
The projections of the bent elements are opened at the first tread end to lower stiffness near the first tread end, thereby improving noise performance
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire (1) comprising a tread portion (2) having a first tread end (Te); wherein the tread portion (2) has a first zigzag groove (3A) formed on the first tread end (Te) side, the first zigzag groove (3A) has bent elements (6) which have projections (7) projecting toward the first tread end (Te) and which are aligned in a tire circumferential direction,each bent element (6) has a first portion (8) and a second portion (9) that are inclined in opposite directions, and the projections (7) of the bent elements (6) are opened at the first tread end (Te).