Tread Profile Segmentation for Aquaplaning and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle tires with high circumferential rigidity struggle to maintain good aquaplaning properties due to the lack of transverse grooves, which are necessary for water absorption and drainage, while tires with many transverse grooves compromise rigidity, affecting handling on dry roads.
Innovation Solution
A tread profile design featuring profile ribs with circumferential grooves distributed over the circumference, including pairs of grooves that increase in depth and open into transverse or oblique grooves, allowing for efficient water absorption and drainage while maintaining high rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If profile strips are designed with few or no transverse grooves to achieve high circumferential rigidity, then handling properties are improved, but aquaplaning properties deteriorate due to insufficient water absorption and drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The profile rib is segmented with multiple pairs of circumferential grooves distributed along its length, creating discrete water collection and drainage zones that maintain structural integrity while enabling effective water management
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a third dimension to water drainage by forming grooves that extend in opposite circumferential directions and connect to transverse grooves, creating a three-dimensional water evacuation network that maintains rib rigidity while dramatically improving aquaplaning resistance
2Reliability
If profile strips are designed with many wide and deep transverse grooves to improve aquaplaning properties, then water absorption and drainage are enhanced, but rigidity is significantly reduced, negatively affecting handling on dry roads
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is optimized locally within each circumferential segment, with grooves concentrated in specific zones to provide water drainage where needed while preserving rib rigidity in other areas
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing continuous transverse grooves across the entire profile rib, the invention uses discrete pairs of circumferential grooves at specific locations, providing sufficient water drainage capability without the excessive material removal that would compromise overall rigidity
3Reliability
If very narrow profile bands are arranged close together with circumferential grooves to increase water absorption capacity, then aquaplaning properties are improved, but transverse rigidity is further reduced, worsening handling suitability
Solution Approach 1:
The profile rib is divided into multiple circumferential segments with distributed groove pairs, creating discrete water management zones that maintain transverse structural integrity while providing adequate water absorption capacity across the tire width
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The tire has tread rib (1) that is extended in circumferential direction and provided with U-grooves (8,9) which are arranged adjacent to each other and over periphery of tire. The U-grooves are extended from groove (16) under steady increase in groove depth on peripheral segment (25) of the tire. The transverse grooves (10,11) are provided at extending end of U-grooves in transverse direction.