Vehicle Tyre Hatched Surface Transverse Ridges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tire designs with hatched areas for enhanced contrast and marking visibility are limited in design options and require complex manufacturing processes, particularly in achieving targeted contrast effects and good demoldability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates hatching elements with transverse elevations that cross the hatching ribs, creating a more pronounced contrast effect by intersecting ridges and increasing light scattering and absorption, while also improving manufacturing efficiency through a vulcanization mold process that allows for easy production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If hatching elements with transverse ridges crossing the hatching rib are used, then contrast visibility is significantly enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrast visibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hatching element is segmented into multiple functional parts: the base hatching rib for general light scattering and the additional transverse ridges for enhanced contrast at specific locations. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall manufacturability through standardized production processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse ridges are strategically positioned only at specific locations where maximum contrast enhancement is needed, rather than uniformly across all hatching elements. This local application of complex features maintains manufacturing efficiency while achieving the desired visual effect in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transverse ridges intersecting the hatching rib are added, then light scattering and absorption increase, but the mold manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight reflectionVSAvoidmold manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is pre-designed with integrated transverse ridge features that will form the desired hatching pattern during vulcanization. By incorporating these complex features into the mold design stage, the actual tire production process is simplified, and consistent high-contrast patterns are achieved without requiring post-manufacturing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex transverse ridge pattern is created once in the mold, which then serves as a reusable template for mass production. Each tire receives an identical high-precision hatching pattern through the mold copying process, eliminating the need for complex post-processing operations on each individual tire.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Illumination intensity

If the transverse ridges overlap the contour of the hatching rib at the ridge, then local maximum height is created for improved contrast, but demoldability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrast effectVSAvoiddemoldability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse ridges overlap the hatching rib contour only partially - specifically at the ridge portion where maximum contrast enhancement is needed - rather than completely covering the entire rib. This partial overlap achieves the desired local maximum height effect for improved visibility while maintaining sufficient clearance for proper demoldability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 significantly enhances contrast visibility and durability of the hatched areas, providing a more targeted and effective contrast effect while simplifying the manufacturing process and improving the tire's ventability and resistance to wear.

Implementation Method 1

The edges of the transverse ridges enhance the scattering, multiple reflections, and absorption of light falling on the hatched area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The edges of the transverse ridges enhance the scattering, multiple reflections, and absorption of light falling on the hatched area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The edges of the transverse ridges enhance the scattering, multiple reflections, and absorption of light falling on the hatched area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMultiple reflections: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

Such hatched areas are typically embossed into the tire during vulcanization using a mold that forms a negative contour of the hatched area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization:

Data Source

PatentEP3808576B1Vehicle tyre comprising a hatched surface and method of manufacturing a mould
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3808576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3808576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3808576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Vehicle tires (1) with at least one hatched area (4) on an outer surface (2, 3), in particular on one of the sidewalls (2) and/or the tread (3), wherein the hatched area (4) has hatched elements (5) arranged side by side, wherein the hatched elements (5) each have a hatched rib (51) with a burr (18) and opposing flanks (14). The objective is to influence and further improve the contrast effect in a more targeted manner and to ensure the simple manufacturability of a corresponding mold.This is achieved by the fact that the hatching elements (5) each have transverse elevations (53) with a ridge (54) and with opposing flanks (14), that the transverse elevations (53) are arranged to cross the respective hatching rib (51), whereby the ridges (54) of the transverse elevations and the ridge (18) of the respective hatching rib cross each other in the top view, that each of the transverse elevations (53) crosses exactly one hatching rib (51), and that at least one first transverse elevation (53) of the transverse elevations of each of the hatching elements (5) overlaps a contour of the hatching rib (51) of the respective hatching element at least at the ridge (18) of the hatching rib (51).