Tyre Tread Groove Layout for Higher Snow Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snow tires with T-points and zigzag circumferential grooves lack performance in snow compression, particularly in soft or mid-hardness snow conditions, leading to reduced traction, braking, and handling.
Innovation Solution
The tire design features grooves with a minimum width of 2.0 mm at the snow compression zone, non-parallel grooves in the circumferential direction, intersecting groove axes, and optimized groove dimensions and angles to enhance snow flow and compression, creating a more effective snow compression zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If groove width is less than 2.0mm, then the groove structure is more compact and manufacturing is easier, but snow flow into the snow compression zone is insufficient leading to reduced snow compression performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a minimum groove width of 2.0mm at the snow compression zone to ensure sufficient snow flow into the compression zone. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by establishing a critical dimension that maintains both manufacturability and snow compression performance, preventing the groove from being too narrow to effectively channel snow while remaining practical for manufacturing.
2Ease of operation
If grooves run parallel with the tyre circumferential direction on both sides of the snow compression zone, then snow can slide easily during traction or braking, but snow trapping and compression effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric groove arrangements where grooves on at least one side of the snow compression zone do not run parallel with the tyre circumferential direction. This asymmetry creates directional control over snow flow, allowing snow to be effectively trapped and compressed while still permitting controlled sliding during traction and braking operations.
3Reliability
If groove width at the snow compression zone is increased to improve snow flow, then snow compression performance improves, but the groove may become too large compared to the snow compression zone size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the groove width parameter to be at least 2.0mm at the snow compression zone while maintaining an appropriate size relationship between the groove and the snow compression zone. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient snow flow into the compression zone for effective snow compression without the groove becoming excessively large relative to the compression zone dimensions.
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
This design improves snow trapping and performance by increasing snow compression, leading to enhanced traction, braking, and handling capabilities, as confirmed by computer simulations and actual snow testing.
Implementation Method 1
When snow flowing along the first groove reaches the T-point it encounters the side wall of the second groove and is compressed, which completely or partly obstructs the flow of snow. The trapped snow forms a snow column which grips the snow on the road surface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tyre comprises a tread pattern portion (1) having 5 grooves (5-9) which converge and connect with each other to form a snow compression zone (15) defined by a line (16) linking the points on the groove side walls where each groove (5-9) ends. In each groove (5-9), the groove width where the groove (5-10) meets the snow compression zone (15) is at least 2.0 mm. When the groove axis (25, 26) of each groove (5-9) is extended into the snow compression zone (15), each groove axis (25, 26) intersects with each of the other groove axes (25, 26) at the same point within the snow compression zone (15). This can achieve higher snow compression which increases snow trapping and improves snow performance of the tyre.