Pneumatic Tyre Groove Segmentation for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires for passenger cars or vans with circumferential grooves generate noise due to the 'horn' effect and uneven rigidity, which affects rolling resistance and material distribution, leading to increased acoustic radiation.
Innovation Solution
Designing wedge-like protruding elements on the groove flanks with varying circumferential lengths and inclined surfaces that extend radially to the groove bottom, alternating in the circumferential direction, to impede sound wave formation and propagation while maintaining good water drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cross section of circumferential grooves is increased to improve water drainage, then water drainage performance is improved, but sound wave formation and propagation is enhanced due to the horn effect
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential groove is segmented by projecting elements that divide the groove cross-section into multiple smaller channels. This segmentation maintains effective water drainage capacity while reducing the continuous tube structure that causes the horn effect and sound wave propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure is given non-uniform local quality through projecting elements with varying circumferential lengths and positions. This creates local variations in the groove cross-section that disrupt sound wave formation while maintaining water drainage pathways.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If protruding elements are added to groove flanks to reduce noise, then tire/road noise is reduced, but water drainage capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting elements are designed with specific geometric characteristics (inclined surfaces, varying circumferential lengths) that create dynamic disruption to sound waves while maintaining static water drainage pathways. The geometry is optimized to allow water flow while blocking sound propagation.
3Productivity
If circumferential grooves are made straight to ensure good water drainage, then water drainage is improved, but uneven rigidity and material distribution occur leading to increased acoustic radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure is made asymmetric through the arrangement of projecting elements with different circumferential lengths and positions on opposite flanks. This asymmetry creates uneven rigidity distribution that disrupts the formation of standing waves and reduces acoustic radiation while maintaining water drainage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3b
AI summary
A pneumatic vehicle tyre for passenger vehicles or vans having at least one wide circumferential groove (1, 1', 1", 1'''), which runs in the circumferential direction and is bounded on the tread periphery by two edge borders (1a, 1'a, 1" a, 1"'a) which run parallel to one another and linearly, and has a groove base (13, 13', 13") as well as two groove edges (9, 10, 9', 10', 9", 10"), wherein elements (11, 12, 11' 12', 11", 12") which project on the groove edges (9, 10, 9', 10', 9", 10") are formed alternately in the circumferential direction on one or other of the groove edges (9, 10, 9', 10', 9", 10"), wherein each projecting element (11, 12, 11', 12', 11", 12") has a groove edge section (9a, 10a, 9'a, 10'a, 9"a, 10 "a) lying opposite on the opposite groove edge (9, 10, 9', 10', 9", 10"), which groove edge section (9a, 10a, 9'a, 10'a, 9"a, 10 "a) runs least essentially in the radial direction starting at the edge border (1a, 1'a, 1"a, 1'''a) as far as the groove base (13, 13', 13"), wherein the groove base (13, 13', 13 ") runs in a meandering or corrugated shape along and between the projecting elements (11, 12, 11', 12', 11", 12"), wherein the projecting elements (11, 12, 11', 12', 11", 12") are essentially of wedge-like design and are bounded by oblique faces (14, 14', 14") which extend in the axial direction as far as the groove base (13, 13', 13") and run in the circumferential direction at least essentially over the circumferential extent of the elements (11, 12, 11', 12', 11", 12"), wherein the projecting elements (11, 12; 11',12',11",12") are provided in at least two different circumferential lengths (L1 to L5, L1' to L5'; L1" to L5") and follow one another according to a specific sequence over the circumference of the circumferential groove (1, 1', 1", 1'" ).