Tyre Tread Groove Ribs for Stone Blocking and Water Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tread profiles of vehicle tires, particularly commercial vehicle tires, fail to effectively prevent the ingress of stones and foreign particles into the groove base, leading to potential damage and penetration into the belt area, especially in designs with narrow grooves.
Innovation Solution
A tread profile design featuring rubber ribs extending along the entire length of the groove walls, positioned offset from each other, creating a labyrinth seal that prevents stone ingress while maintaining water drainage capabilities, even in narrow grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rubber ribs are formed in both groove walls at the same height position, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but foreign bodies can easily penetrate between the ribs and reach the groove base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-level rib structure to a multi-level rib structure. First ribs extend from the groove base upward to a first height, and second ribs extend from the groove base upward to a second height that is different from the first height. This vertical dimensional variation creates a stepped configuration that blocks foreign bodies from reaching the groove base while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the groove wall protection into multiple segments: first ribs at one height level and second ribs at another height level. This segmentation creates multiple barrier levels that foreign bodies must overcome, significantly improving protection effectiveness compared to a single uniform rib structure.
2Productivity
If the groove is made narrow to improve wet braking properties, then water drainage is improved, but foreign bodies can more easily penetrate to the groove base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rib configurations to different sections of the groove walls. The first ribs and second ribs are positioned at different height levels, creating localized protection zones. This allows the groove to maintain a narrow overall width for good wet braking performance while providing enhanced localized barriers that prevent foreign body penetration in the critical groove base area.
3Reliability
If cylindrical elevations are formed in alternating sequence in both groove walls, then some protection against stone penetration is achieved, but larger foreign bodies can still penetrate between the elevations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves from a single-height elevation design to a multi-height elevation design. By forming first ribs extending to a first height and second ribs extending to a second height, the patent creates a stepped three-dimensional structure that provides superior protection against both small and large foreign bodies while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A rubber rib extending in the extension direction of a groove is respectively formed in profile element flanks which delimit the groove and each form a different groove wall. The rubber rib formed in one groove wall is formed in a different radial position than the rubber rib formed in the other groove wall. The two rubber ribs each extend over the entire extension length of the profile element flank and each of these two rubber ribs respectively extends along its entire extension length from that profile element flank in which it is formed into the groove in the direction of the other profile element flank up to at least the middle of the groove width in this radial position of the groove and ends there in the groove at a distance from the profile element flanks.