Tire Zigzag Groove Protrusions Stone Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires with zigzag main grooves for improved snow performance often trap stones, leading to reduced steering stability, noise, and durability due to inadequate stone-biting resistance.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring circumferentially extending zigzag main grooves with protruding parts on the groove bottom, alternating first and second inclined portions, and stone ejectors on the groove walls to enhance snow-shearing force and prevent stone trapping, improving both snow performance and stone-biting resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a zigzag main groove is provided to improve snow performance, then snow traction is improved, but stones are trapped in the groove leading to reduced steering stability and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The main groove is segmented into multiple inclined portions (first and second inclined portions) arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. This segmentation creates multiple small intersections rather than large continuous flat bottoms, reducing stone trapping while maintaining snow shearing capability. The groove bottom is divided into multiple sections by these alternating inclined portions, preventing stones from settling in large flat areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second inclined portions are designed with asymmetric characteristics - they have different lengths and are inclined in opposite directions. This asymmetry creates optimal snow shearing force while ensuring that the groove geometry does not create large flat accumulation zones where stones could be trapped. The alternating asymmetric pattern optimizes both snow performance and stone ejection.
2Force
If a zigzag main groove is provided to improve snow performance, then snow shearing force is increased, but stones are trapped at intersections leading to noise and tread portion damage
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is segmented into alternating first and second inclined portions with different lengths, creating multiple small intersection points rather than large flat areas. This segmentation prevents stones from being trapped at intersections, thereby reducing noise generation and preventing tread portion damage that would result from stone accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the groove have different local characteristics - the first inclined portions have one length and inclination, while the second inclined portions have different length and inclination. This local quality variation optimizes snow shearing force at different locations while controlling stone trapping behavior at specific intersection points.
3Reliability
If the groove bottom is made flat to improve stone ejection, then stone-biting resistance is improved, but snow performance deteriorates due to reduced snow shearing force
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire groove bottom flat, the groove is segmented into alternating first and second inclined portions. This segmentation creates a profile that is neither completely flat nor completely continuous zigzag, optimizing both stone ejection capability and snow shearing force generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric design of alternating first and second inclined portions with different lengths and inclinations creates optimal snow shearing force while the overall segmented pattern prevents excessive stone trapping. The asymmetry ensures that snow is effectively sheared while stones are prevented from accumulating in large flat areas.
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 tire design effectively increases snow traction, prevents stone trapping, and enhances steering stability by using protruding parts and stone ejectors, resulting in improved snow performance and stone-biting resistance in a balanced manner.
Implementation Method 1
The groove bottom of the at least one main groove is provided with at least one protruding part extending in a width direction of the at least one main groove. A distance between the at least one protruding part and one adjacent first intersection is equal to or less than 2 times groove widths of the first intersections.
Implementation Method 2
the first and second shoulder inclined elements are shorter than the first shoulder inclined elements in circumferential length to generate large snow shearing force upon traveling on snow
Data Source
AI summary
A tire includes a tread portion provided with at least one circumferentially extending zigzag main groove having a groove bottom, the at least one main groove including first inclined portions, second inclined portions each inclined in an opposite direction to the first direction, and first intersections where the first inclined portions and the second inclined portions are communicated with each other. The first inclined portions and the second inclined portions are arranged alternately in the tire circumferential direction. The first inclined portions are longer than the second inclined portions. The groove bottom of the at least one main groove is provided with at least one protruding part extending in a width direction of the at least one main groove, and a distance between the at least one protruding part and one adjacent first intersection is equal to or less than 2 times groove widths of the first intersections.