Pneumatic Tyre Recess Geometry for Snow Traction and Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic vehicle tires face a trade-off between good snow performance, water drainage capacity, and dry handling properties, as zigzag circumferential grooves improve snow traction but compromise water drainage and stiffness.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of recesses along the circumferential groove with a specific geometry, including a maximum width, extension length, and depth, and an acute angled bottom surface, which enhances snow accumulation and traction while maintaining water drainage and reducing the number of incisions for better dry handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zigzag circumferential grooves are provided to improve snow traction, then snow grip is improved, but water drainage capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential groove is segmented into multiple sections (first, second, third sections) with different geometries. The first section has a larger depth for snow accumulation, while the second and third sections have reduced depths to maintain water drainage capacity. This segmentation allows different portions of the groove to serve different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the circumferential groove are given different local properties: the first section (in the center) has a larger depth for snow accumulation, while the second and third sections (at the edges) have smaller depths to maintain water drainage. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between snow grip and water drainage capacity.
2Reliability
If multiple incisions are made in tread blocks to improve snow traction, then snow performance is improved, but dry handling properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The incisions in the tread blocks are segmented into different types: longitudinal incisions that extend partially into the tread block for snow accumulation, and transverse incisions that connect to circumferential grooves. This segmentation allows snow performance improvement while maintaining structural integrity for dry handling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tread blocks are given different incision patterns: the center region has longitudinal incisions for snow accumulation, while the edge regions have transverse incisions connecting to circumferential grooves. This local differentiation improves snow performance without compromising dry handling properties throughout the entire tread.
3Reliability
If the circumferential groove depth is increased to improve snow accumulation, then snow traction is improved, but water drainage capacity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential groove depth is segmented along its circumference, with the first section having a larger depth for snow accumulation and the second and third sections having smaller depths for water drainage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between snow traction and water drainage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove depth is given different local values: the central first section has a larger depth (0.8-1.2 times the tread depth) for snow accumulation, while the edge second and third sections have smaller depths (0.6-0.8 times the tread depth) to maintain water drainage capacity. This local quality differentiation simultaneously achieves both snow traction and water drainage objectives.
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
The solution significantly improves snow traction and water drainage capacity, optimizing snow performance and dry handling properties by coordinating the width and length of the recesses and the angle of the bottom surfaces, allowing for effective snow absorption and compaction.
Implementation Method 1
the recesses and the angle of the bottom surfaces, allowing for effective snow absorption and compaction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread with profile positives (3, 3'), for example profile block rows or profile bands, which are separated from one another by a circumferential channel (4). Profile positives (3, 3') are, along the circumferential channel (4), equipped with cutouts (10) which are delimited in a radial direction in each case by a base surface (12), wherein, in relation to a line forming an elongation of the marginal edge, situated on the tread surface, of the circumferential channel (4), each cutout (10) has a maximum width (b3) determined in an axial direction, an extent length (l1) determined in a circumferential direction, and a depth (T2) determined in a radial direction, wherein the extent length (l1) corresponds to at least two times the maximum width (b3) and amounts to 15.0 mm to 40.0 mm, wherein the depth (T2) amounts to 25% to 45% of the depth (Ti) of the circumferential channel (4), and wherein the base surface (12) runs at an acute angle (y) with respect to the axial direction, such that the cutout (10) becomes continuously deeper with increasing distance from the circumferential channel (4).