Vehicle Tyre Optoelectronic Code on Tread Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle tires with optoelectronically readable codes on the sidewall face durability issues due to the relief depth, which can weaken the tire, especially in the thin sidewall area, compromising the tire's structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

The optoelectronically readable code is integrated into the tread surface with a relief depth of at most 0.5 mm, using a matrix arrangement of first and second surface areas with distinct depth profiles, ensuring the code is robust and durable without significantly reducing the tread's material thickness, thus maintaining the tire's stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an optoelectronically readable code is formed as a relief on the sidewall surface, then the code is robust against stretching and heat, but the relief depth weakens the tire structure in the thin sidewall area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode robustnessVSAvoidtire structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the location of the optoelectronically readable code from the sidewall to the tread surface. By placing the relief code on the tread instead of the sidewall, the code maintains its robustness against environmental factors while avoiding the structural weakness issue in the sidewall area. The tread has greater material thickness and structural support from the belt and carcass layers, making it suitable for relief formations without compromising tire strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the relief depth is increased to improve optoelectronic readability, then the code becomes more readable, but the material thickness of the sidewall is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptoelectronic readabilityVSAvoidsidewall material thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the conventional approach by positioning the optoelectronically readable code on the tread surface rather than the sidewall. This inversion allows for sufficient relief depth to achieve good optoelectronic readability while maintaining adequate material thickness in the tread area, which is structurally supported by the belt and carcass reinforcements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the optoelectronically readable code is placed on the tread surface, then the durability is improved, but the code may be less visible when the tire is mounted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire durabilityVSAvoidcode visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a relief formation that creates optical contrast through depth variations rather than relying on visual prominence. The relief code on the tread surface can be read optoelectronically through the depth profile differences, and the tire can be positioned in various orientations (stacked or upright) to allow reading, effectively copying the functionality of sidewall placement while maintaining durability advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances the durability of the vehicle tire by maintaining the tread's material thickness while ensuring good optoelectronic readability, even when the tire is stacked or upright, and provides a robust representation of information like product details or Internet addresses.

Implementation Method 1

the first surface areas differ from the second surface areas in their depth profile in such a way that they are designed to be optoelectronically distinguishable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3495166B1Vehicle tyre comprising an opto-electronically readable code
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3495166B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3495166B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3495166B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle tire having an outer surface (10), wherein the outer surface (10) has an optoelectronically readable code formed by a relief (11) from a matrix arrangement of a plurality of first surface areas (12) having a depth profile and a plurality of second surface areas (13) having a depth profile, wherein the first surface areas (12) and the second surface areas (13) differ in their depth profile such that they are optoelectronically distinguishable, and wherein the relief (11) has a relief depth (14) of a maximum of 0.5 mm. The object is to provide a vehicle tire with an optoelectronically readable code, wherein the vehicle tire has improved durability. This is achieved by having the outer surface (10) having the optoelectronically readable code form a surface of a tread (6) of the vehicle tire.