Tyre Sidewall Hatching for Character Contrast and Defect Masking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire sidewall designs struggle to maintain high contrast between characters and background while effectively concealing construction-related unevenness and defects.
Innovation Solution
A background design with loosely arranged elevations and/or depressions, occupying two to ten times the area of the elevations/depressions, spaced at intervals two to five times the rib spacing, is used to create a hatched pattern that distracts from unevenness and defects without impairing visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a smooth background surface is used on the sidewall, then the visibility and contrast of characters is improved, but construction-related unevenness and defects become more visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions: the character areas maintain smooth surfaces for optimal visibility, while the background areas incorporate hatched patterns with elevations and depressions to conceal defects. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hatched background pattern acts as an intermediary element between the smooth character surfaces and the underlying sidewall defects. The patterned background serves as a visual mask that distracts from and conceals construction-related unevenness while maintaining overall aesthetic appeal and character legibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hatched background pattern is used to conceal defects, then the visibility of sidewall imperfections is reduced, but the contrast and legibility of characters may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The background hatching is designed with specific parameters (elevation height of 0.05-0.20mm, spacing of 0.20-0.50mm) that provide defect concealment while maintaining sufficient light reflection and visual clarity. The character regions remain smooth and prominent, ensuring they stand out against the textured background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the hatched pattern (elevation height, spacing, angle) to achieve the right balance between defect masking and character visibility. By carefully controlling these parameters, the background provides sufficient texture to conceal defects without creating excessive visual noise that would reduce character legibility.
3Illumination intensity
If closely spaced ribs are used in character hatching to improve visibility, then character legibility is enhanced, but the sidewall becomes more susceptible to airflow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The character regions use closely spaced ribs for high visibility, while the background uses more widely spaced hatching elements. This local differentiation allows the critical character areas to have fine detail for legibility, while the background provides sufficient texture without excessive surface area that would increase airflow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The hatched background pattern is designed with moderate spacing (0.20-0.50mm) that provides adequate defect concealment and visual appeal without being so dense as to create excessive surface area. This partial hatching approach achieves the necessary visual functions while minimizing impact on airflow characteristics and fuel consumption.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle tyre comprising two sidewalls (1), wherein: on at least one sidewall (1), at least one character (2), for example a letter, a number or an image-like element, is formed from a hatching composed of a plurality of parallel ribs (4) which extend relative to one another with mutual spacings of at most 0.60 mm; and the character(s) (2) is/are embedded in a sidewall portion (1a) having a background design (3) which consists of a smooth base surface (5) as well as raised portions (6, 6') and/or depressions (7) that extend without crossing and with mutual spacings, and that form a hatching-like pattern. In the background design (3), the base surface (5) takes up two to ten times the area covered by the raised portions (6, 6') and/or depressions (7), with at least 50% of the raised portions (6, 6') and/or depressions (7) extending with mutual spacings which amount to two to five times the mutual spacing of the ribs (4).