Tyre Tread Land Stiffness via Segmented Sipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires designed for improved steering stability on snowy roads often compromise stiffness, leading to suboptimal performance on dry roads.
Innovation Solution
The tire features first and second lateral grooves arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, with sipes that do not traverse the land portion completely, maintaining high stiffness and enhancing steering stability on dry roads while improving on-snow performance through edge effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sipes traverse the land portion completely to improve on-snow performance, then on-snow performance is improved, but steering stability on dry roads deteriorates due to decreased land portion stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The sipes are segmented into multiple sections (first sipe section, second sipe section, third sipe section) rather than forming continuous traversing lines. This segmentation allows the sipes to provide edge effects for snow traction while avoiding complete traversal that would compromise land portion stiffness and steering stability on dry roads.
Solution Approach 2:
The sipes are strategically positioned and configured to provide localized edge effects at critical contact points with the road surface, rather than uniformly traversing the entire land portion. This localized approach enhances on-snow performance through edge effects while preserving the overall structural integrity and stiffness of the land portion for steering stability.
2Reliability
If multiple lateral grooves are added to enhance on-snow performance, then on-snow performance is improved, but land portion stiffness decreases affecting steering stability
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral grooves are designed to extend only partially across the land portion rather than completely traversing it. This partial action provides sufficient snow shearing capability and edge effects for improved on-snow performance while maintaining adequate land portion stiffness to preserve steering stability on dry roads.
3Reliability
If sipes are configured to provide edge effects for snow traction, then on-snow performance is improved, but the structural integrity of the land portion is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sipes are divided into multiple discrete sections (first sipe section, second sipe section, third sipe section) that are spaced apart rather than forming continuous lines. This segmentation enables the sipes to generate edge effects for enhanced snow traction while preserving the structural integrity of the land portion by avoiding continuous cuts that would compromise stiffness.
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
The tire achieves improved steering stability on dry roads and enhanced on-snow performance by maintaining land portion stiffness and utilizing sipes for edge effects, demonstrating better traction and cornering capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
improving on-snow performance by first sipes which do not traverse the first land portion completely
Data Source
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AI summary
A tyre (1) includes a tread portion (2) including a first land portion (12) having a circumferentially extending first edge (3) and a circumferentially extending second edge (4) on its ground contacting surface. The first land portion (12) is provided with first lateral grooves extending from the first edge and terminating within the first land portion, second lateral grooves extending from the second edge and terminating within the first land portion, and first sipes. Each first sipe extends from a first end thereof opened at the second edge (4) toward the first edge (3), and turns in a direction within the first land portion (12) to extend to a second end thereof opened at the second edge (4) at a different location from the first end.