Tyre Sidewall Hatching for 3D Appearance and Irregularity Concealment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decorative sidewall hatching patterns in vehicle tires fail to effectively convey a three-dimensional impression over a larger area, particularly on the entire sidewall surface, and do not adequately conceal sidewall unevenness.

Innovation Solution

The sidewall hatching is composed of pattern elements arranged circumferentially with identical, radially oriented ribs that form a uniform zigzag pattern, creating irregular quadrilateral surface elements with fan-like ribs that converge or diverge, enhancing a three-dimensional effect and concealing irregularities through varying light and shadow effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional tyres are used, then basic rolling function is provided, but rolling resistance increases and wet grip deteriorates over time due to weathering and oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetyre performance consistencyVSAvoidweathering and oxidation effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies silane crosslinking technology to convert the harmful effects of oxidation and weathering into beneficial structural changes. The silane treatment creates a crosslinked network structure in the tyre rubber that actually improves resistance to degradation, transforming the oxidative environment from a harmful factor into a condition that enhances the tyre's durability and performance consistency over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures by combining silane-treated rubber compounds with traditional tyre materials. This creates a multi-layered composite structure where the silane crosslinked regions provide enhanced weathering resistance while maintaining the elastic properties needed for rolling performance, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and performance consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If tyre rubber is made more durable through crosslinking, then weathering resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweathering resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The silane crosslinking process is designed to be self-service in nature, where the crosslinking reaction occurs in-situ within the tyre structure during or after manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate complex crosslinking equipment or multi-step processing, as the chemical crosslinking happens automatically under controlled conditions, thereby improving weathering resistance without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If existing tyre structures are used, then production efficiency is maintained, but environmental pollution increases from tyre debris

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve tyre production efficiencyVSAvoidmicroplastic pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameter of the tyre rubber by introducing silane crosslinking, which transforms the linear polymer structure into a three-dimensional network structure. This parameter change makes the tyre material more resistant to fragmentation and degradation, thereby reducing microplastic pollution while maintaining production efficiency through a streamlined manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves a striking three-dimensional appearance with enhanced light and shadow effects, effectively concealing sidewall irregularities and providing a uniform decorative impression across the sidewall.

Implementation Method 1

The tyre or at least parts thereof is/are treated with silane and the treated tyre is then exposed to moisture and/or heat to cause crosslinking of the silane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSilane crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4504530B1Vehicle tyre
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4504530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle tyre having, on at least one sidewall (1), decorative sidewall hatching formed by a plurality of ribs (6, 7) extending next to one another, which ribs have folds in their extent along straight lines and thus change their direction multiple times to form hatched surface elements (4, 5) in which the ribs (6, 7) each extend in straight lines. The sidewall hatching is made up of pattern elements (3), which directly follow one another in the circumferential direction of the sidewall (1), are identical and are oriented in a radial direction, together with largely matching ribs (6, 7), wherein each of the pattern elements (3) is laterally delimited by two ribs (7) which extend in the radial direction, in parallel or largely in parallel with one another, and largely uniformly in a zig-zag shape, wherein the folds of the ribs (6, 7) are formed along connecting lines between the projecting corners (Ev) and between the receding corners (Ee) of the two ribs (6) laterally delimiting each pattern element (3) such that the surface elements (4, 5) in the radial direction are successive non-uniform squares in which the ribs (6, 7) extend in a fan-like manner.