Pneumatic Tyre Tread Blocks with Oblique Branches and Elevated Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic tires face challenges in traction on wet and soft ground due to sinking tread patterns, while large grooves improve traction but compromise rolling performance and wear on hard surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The tire features a tread section with obliquely positioned tread blocks, supported by auxiliary grooves, which alternate between two rows, creating smaller surface areas for increased friction and reduced deformation, enhancing traction without compromising rolling performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the tread pattern has large grooves or sparsely placed patterns to prevent sinking in soft ground, then traction capacity is improved, but rolling properties deteriorate and wear-out failure risk increases on hard ground

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraction capacityVSAvoidrolling properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tread pattern is segmented into multiple small tread blocks arranged in rows, separated by grooves. This segmentation creates numerous small contact areas that prevent sinking in soft ground while maintaining structural integrity for good rolling properties on hard surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tread blocks are positioned with specific local characteristics - oblique positioning and specific spacing - to optimize performance for different ground conditions. The pattern density and groove depth are locally optimized to balance traction and rolling resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the tread blocks are positioned obliquely and supported by auxiliary grooves to reduce deformation, then rolling performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling performanceVSAvoidtread pattern complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tread is segmented into modular blocks with standardized oblique positioning. The auxiliary grooves are systematically arranged to provide support while maintaining a repeating pattern that simplifies manufacturing despite the complex geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tread blocks are positioned obliquely at specific angles rather than symmetrically, creating an asymmetric pattern that optimizes rolling performance by reducing deformation. The asymmetric positioning is systematically repeated across the tread surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3412475B1Pneumatic vehicle tyre
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 NOKIAN RASKAAT RENKAAT OY
  • EP3412475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412475B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A pneumatic tyre whose tread section (10) comprises oblique tread blocks (28). The tread section (10) defines a central line (12), a central zone (14), intermediate zones (20, 22), and edge zones (16, 18) for the tyre. A tread block (28) comprises a first branch (28a) having an end (28b) in the central zone (12) and extending obliquely across the intermediate zone (20, 22) to the edge zone (16, 18), and a second branch (28c) having an end (28d) in the intermediate zone (20, 22) and extending obliquely to the edge zone (16, 18). In the edge zone (16, 18), the first and second branches (28a, 28c) are separated from each other by a first auxiliary groove (32) between them. In the intermediate zone (20, 22), the first and second branches (28a, 28c) are separated from each other by a second auxiliary groove (34) between them. The bottom of the second auxiliary groove (34) is elevated to form a support (36) attached to the first and second branches (28a, 28c) and connecting them to each other.