Tire Wear Indicator Structure for Intuitive Tread Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire wear indicating structures on tires are either too complex to judge wear status intuitively, weaken the stiffness of the central pattern portion, or require users to remember the original number of protrusions, making it difficult to determine when a tire needs replacement.
Innovation Solution
A tire wear indicating structure featuring an indicator with progressively decreasing inclined portions and indicating grooves on the shoulder segment of the tread, allowing for intuitive wear condition assessment without compromising the tire's straight-line stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple symbols (DRY, WET, +, -) are used to indicate tire condition, then the information provided is comprehensive, but the judgment becomes non-intuitive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses progressive wear indicators that change appearance as the tire wears down. The indicators are designed to be visually distinct at different wear stages, allowing users to intuitively assess tire condition without needing to interpret multiple symbols. This transforms comprehensive wear information into simple visual cues.
2Loss of information
If two indicating grooves are used to show different wear degrees, then wear information is provided, but the judgment remains non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is divided into multiple segments or portions that progressively disappear or change as the tire wears. Each segment represents a specific wear threshold, allowing users to intuitively judge the wear stage by counting remaining segments rather than comparing groove depths.
3Ease of operation
If multiple protrusions are arranged at the bottom of grooved holes to indicate wear, then wear condition can be judged by counting protrusions, but the central pattern portion stiffness is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The wear indicator structure is extracted from the central pattern portion and relocated to the tread shoulder area. This removes the protrusions from the load-bearing central region, preserving its stiffness while maintaining the wear indication function in a non-critical structural area.
4Loss of information
If protrusions are used to indicate wear, then wear status can be tracked, but users must remember the original number of protrusions to judge wear
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator portions are pre-configured in a specific pattern and quantity when the tire is new. Users are provided with reference information about the original configuration, allowing them to intuitively assess wear by comparing remaining portions against this known baseline without needing to actively remember the original number.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire and a tire wear indicating structure thereof are disclosed. The tire wear indicating structure includes an indicator, at least three inclined portions of different heights, and at least two indicating grooves. The indicator has an indicator depth. The inclined portions are adjacently arranged to each other and located in the indicator. The heights of the inclined portions decrease progressively. The indicating grooves are disposed between the adjacent inclined portions. The indicating grooves each have an indicating groove depth that is the main groove depth minus 1.8 to 2.2 mm and is greater than the indicator depth. The current wear condition of the tire can be seen more intuitively, without too much information interfering with the judgment.