Vehicle Tyre Tread Groove Design for Wet Grip

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic vehicle tires with tread profiles divided by circumferential grooves have insufficient water drainage capacity, particularly in sports tires designed for high speeds, leading to inadequate wet handling and aquaplaning performance.

Innovation Solution

The second groove section in the circumferential direction has a smaller depth than the first, with a V-shaped cross-sectional design and a chamfer along the first groove section, facilitating water inflow and drainage, while the first groove section features chamfers that widen to the surface, enhancing water absorption and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If grooves are composed of two groove sections running at an obtuse angle with the second groove section extending in the circumferential direction, then water drainage capacity is improved, but the drainage performance is still insufficient for high-speed sports tires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage capacityVSAvoidwet handling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The groove sections are designed with different depths - the first groove section has a greater depth than the second groove section. This local variation in depth allows the first groove section to effectively channel water laterally while the second groove section provides sufficient depth for water collection and drainage in the circumferential direction, optimizing overall drainage performance for high-speed applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The groove structure employs asymmetrical design where the two groove sections running at an obtuse angle have different depths. This asymmetry creates optimal flow paths for water drainage, with the deeper first groove section capturing water and the shallower second groove section directing it circumferentially, significantly improving wet handling and reducing aquaplaning risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If groove sections are oriented primarily in the circumferential direction, then water drainage capacity is improved, but structural stability under transverse forces may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage capacityVSAvoidtread profile stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is divided into two distinct groove sections running at an obtuse angle to one another. The first groove section handles lateral water channeling while the second groove section manages circumferential drainage. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while collectively maintaining tread stability under transverse forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the groove structure serve different functions - the first groove section with greater depth provides structural support and lateral water channeling, while the second groove section with smaller depth optimized for circumferential drainage. This local differentiation maintains overall structural integrity while achieving superior drainage performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2892736B1Vehicle pneumatic tyre
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2892736B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2892736B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2892736B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tyre with a tread pattern consisting of profile strips (1) and/or profile block rows. At least one tread lug (1) in which grooves (4) are formed is provided, each groove being composed of two groove sections (5, 6) which extend essentially straight and form an obtuse angle in relation to each other. The first groove section (5) leads into a peripheral groove (2, 3, 3') defining the tread lug (1) and extends forming a maximum angle of 15° with respect to the axial direction and the second groove section (6) extends at least essentially in the peripheral direction and has a shallower depth than the first groove section (5), and it is defined in the cross-section by two groove flanks (6a, 6b) forming a V with respect to each other. The groove flank (6a) facing the peripheral groove (2, 3, 3') extending in the radial direction, and the groove wall of the first groove section (5), facing the second groove section (6) comprise a bevel (7) formed on the longitudinal extension of the groove section (5).