Tire Tread Profile with Zigzag Grooves for Load and Grip Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Van tires face a trade-off between high load-bearing capacity and good handling properties on dry roads, as designs that enhance load absorption compromise grip on wet and snowy surfaces, and vice versa, due to reduced circumferential stiffness and flexibility in the shoulder area.
Innovation Solution
A tread profile with two outer shoulder band areas and a central band, featuring radially raised profile block elements and transverse grooves that interlock with a zigzag-shaped circumferential groove, providing high circumferential reinforcement, increased gripping edges, and additional snow storage volume, while allowing for flexible fine incisions for improved snow grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If circumferential ribs are formed in the shoulder area to ensure high circumferential rigidity for absorbing load, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but gripping edges are lost and grip properties on wet and snow are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder area is segmented into multiple profile block rows (first and second profile block rows) separated by circumferential grooves. Each profile block row contains multiple profile block elements with transverse grooves, creating numerous gripping edges while maintaining load-bearing capacity through the distributed block structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread are given different properties: the shoulder area has profile block rows with transverse grooves for snow grip, the central area has circumferential grooves for water evacuation, and the groove bases provide reinforcement. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function.
2Reliability
If block profile rows are formed in the tire shoulders with transverse grooves to improve snow grip, then gripping edges are increased, but circumferential stiffness is significantly reduced and handling properties on dry roads are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the load-bearing function with the gripping function by designing profile block elements that have both structural integrity for load support and transverse grooves for snow grip. The groove bases provide reinforcement while the profile block edges provide gripping surfaces, combining both functions in a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread structure uses a composite arrangement of rigid profile block elements with integrated transverse grooves, combining the strength of solid rubber with the grip-providing cavities of grooves. This composite structure maintains circumferential stiffness while providing snow grip capabilities.
3Reliability
If fine incisions are formed in tread block elements to improve snow grip, then snow grip is enhanced, but circumferential stiffness is further reduced and handling properties on dry roads are further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming fine incisions throughout the entire tread, the invention applies transverse grooves selectively to the profile block elements in the shoulder area where snow grip is most needed. This partial application provides snow grip enhancement while minimizing the impact on overall circumferential stiffness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The tread profile has a shoulder belt area that is formed in running out manner from a periphery groove (4), from a profile block row (6) and from another profile block row (7), where the belt area extends axially into a position outside the ground contact width (T-A). Another periphery groove is formed longitudinal to its extension in periphery direction with a zigzag shape.