Vehicle Tyre Sidewall Hatching for 3D Character Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tire sidewall hatching designs fail to effectively reproduce characters and numbers with a clear three-dimensional effect, which is necessary for visibility and uniformity, while also concealing construction-related unevenness and providing a contrast to smooth surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The design employs sections of elevations from the base hatching to form surface elements that reproduce characters or numbers, with these sections offset in the circumferential direction and angled relative to the base hatching, combined with additional surface elements to create a three-dimensional effect and simulate shadows, enhancing visibility and uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If sections of elevations are deflected to form surface elements reproducing characters or numbers, then a three-dimensional effect is achieved, but the uniformity and clarity of the characters may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional effect of charactersVSAvoiduniformity of characters
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different deflection angles to different sections of elevations based on their position within the character structure. Internal sections use one angle range while border sections use another, allowing each local area to have optimized properties for its specific function - creating three-dimensional effect where needed while maintaining uniformity where required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies the deflection angle parameter of elevation sections based on their location and function within the character. By changing this geometric parameter according to a structured scheme (different angles for internal vs border sections), the patent achieves both three-dimensional visualization and uniform character appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If multiple deflection angles are used to enhance three-dimensional effect, then visibility of characters is improved, but the complexity of the hatching design increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of charactersVSAvoidcomplexity of hatching design
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the character structure into distinct segments - internal sections and border sections - each with specific deflection angle characteristics. This segmentation allows the complex three-dimensional effect to be achieved through systematic, repeatable patterns rather than arbitrary design, reducing overall design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric deflection angles specifically for border sections (100°-170°) compared to internal sections, creating visual depth and three-dimensional effect. This controlled asymmetry enhances visibility while maintaining a systematic approach that prevents excessive design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Manufacturing precision

If sections are offset in the circumferential direction to form characters, then character definition is enhanced, but the smoothness of the sidewall surface is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefinition of charactersVSAvoidsmoothness of sidewall
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies offsetting and deflection actions only to specific sections of elevations that contribute to character formation, rather than to the entire sidewall hatching. This partial application maintains character definition while preserving the smooth appearance of the overall sidewall surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3427977B1Vehicle tyre with side wall hatching
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3427977B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Vehicle tires with a sidewall (2) with a hatched area (4) with a basic hatching (5) with a plurality of straight and parallel or largely parallel elevations (6), wherein within the basic hatching (5) locally limited hatched area elements (8, 9, 10) are formed from sections (6a, 6b, 6c) of the elevations (6) of the basic hatching (5).Sections (6a) of the elevations (6) of the basic hatching (5) form a surface element (8) which represents a character (7) or a numeral, wherein these sections (6a) run parallel to the elevations (6) of the basic hatching (5) and are offset relative to them in the circumferential direction by up to 1.5 times their mutual distance, wherein further sections (6b) of the elevations (6) of the basic hatching (5) form surface elements (9) which represent an outline or a partial outline of the character (7) or the numeral, wherein in these surface elements (9) the sections (6b) of the elevations (6) of the basic hatching (5) run at an obtuse angle (β) to the elevations (6) of the basic hatching (5).