Tyre Sidewall Mark Inclined Surface Geometry

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tyre marks on sidewalls have a monotonous appearance and insufficient contrast, leading to poor legibility due to constant height and lack of design variation.

Innovation Solution

The tyre features marks with inclined surfaces, including concave and convex portions, and small protruding elements, which provide a change in appearance, contrast, and stereoscopic effect, improving design and legibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the mark is formed to be one step higher than the surface of the sidewall portion and a ridge is provided on the surface of the mark, then the legibility is improved, but the appearance becomes monotonous and contrast remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelegibilityVSAvoidappearance monotony
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different surface characteristics at different locations of the mark. The mark surface is divided into inclined portions with varying slopes, where some areas have steeper inclines and others have gentler slopes. This local variation in surface geometry creates diverse light reflection patterns across different regions of the same mark, enhancing both visual interest and legibility without requiring uniform structural changes throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional flat marks to three-dimensional inclined surface marks. By tilting the mark surface relative to the sidewall at specific angles (e.g., 10-45 degrees), the invention adds a dimensional element that creates shadow effects and light reflection variations. This dimensional change transforms the mark from a simple raised feature into a multi-faceted surface structure that dynamically interacts with light sources, simultaneously improving appearance and legibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the mark has constant height, then the manufacturing is simple, but the appearance is monotonous and legibility is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlegibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the inclination angle parameter of the mark surface. Instead of using a uniform vertical raise, the mark surface is inclined at specific angles (e.g., 10 degrees, 30 degrees, or 45 degrees) relative to the sidewall surface. This angular parameter variation creates different light reflection characteristics and shadow patterns, significantly enhancing legibility and visual appeal while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized molding processes that can accommodate angled surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the surface of the mark is inclined in the tyre radial direction, then the contrast and stereoscopic effect are increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontrastVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the inclination angle design into the mold cavity structure before the actual tire manufacturing process. The mold is pre-configured with the desired inclination angles (e.g., 10-45 degrees) for the mark surfaces, allowing the inclined geometry to be formed directly during vulcanization. This preliminary structuring of the molding tooling eliminates the need for post-manufacturing machining or complex assembly steps, thereby achieving enhanced contrast and stereoscopic effect without proportionally increasing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3511180B1tyre
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3511180B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3511180B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3511180B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mark indicating portion 3 arranged on a sidewall portion 2 is provided with a reference surface (X) provided on a surface (2s) of the sidewall portion 2 and a mark 4 formed on the reference surface (x). A surface (4s) of the mark 4 is inclined in a tyre radial direction. Further, the mark 4 is provided with a concave portion 6 in which the surface (4s) is lower than the reference surface (X) and a convex portion 7 in which the surface (4s) is higher than the reference surface (x). The concave portion 6 is arranged on one side in the tyre radial direction and the convex portion 7 is arranged on the other side in the tyre radial direction.