Tyre Tread Sipe Constrictions for Void Volume Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle tire tread profiles face challenges in maintaining constant void volume over their service life while enhancing winter and braking properties on both wet and dry roads.

Innovation Solution

The tread profile features fine incisions with radially extending constrictions that act as spacers, preventing complete closure during deformation, thereby maintaining open spaces for improved snow adhesion and water absorption, and enhancing dry and wet braking performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the tread profile void volume decreases due to abrasion, then the tire service life extends, but wet and winter properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidwet and winter properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The constrictions are pre-formed into the fine incision structure before the tire is put into service. These constrictions act as spacers that maintain open volume throughout the tire's service life, proactively preventing the void volume loss that would normally occur due to abrasion and deformation over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If constrictions are added to the fine incision to prevent complete closure, then winter properties are improved, but the fine incision structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinter propertiesVSAvoidfine incision structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The constrictions are formed by varying the width parameter of the fine incision at specific locations. This parameter change creates the spacer effect without requiring additional components or complex structures - the same incision geometry serves both as the snow/water retention feature and as the spacer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution ensures consistent winter properties and improved braking performance by maintaining open spaces for snow and water absorption, while preventing complete closure of fine incisions, thus maintaining optimal tire performance throughout its service life.

Implementation Method 1

As the tire passes over the road surface, the positive profile of the tread deforms. The type and intensity of this deformation is determined, among other things, by the geometry of the fine incisions arranged in this profile positive.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the water on the road surface can be absorbed well despite the lower profile depth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

by the snow absorbed in the fine incisions increasing the tire's adhesion Snow-to-snow interlock increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2864137B1Tread portion of a tyre
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2864137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2864137B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a tread profile of a vehicle tyre comprising profile positives, such as profile blocks or tread bars, which have at least one sipe (1), which extends from the tread periphery (5) radially inwards and in terms of its depth consists substantially of two portions (6, 7): - a first portion (6), which begins from the tread periphery (5) and in which the sipe (1) has an approximately constant width (b1), - a second portion (7), which adjoins the first portion (6) and in which the sipe (1) has a greater width (b2) than in the first portion (b1), and wherein the transition from the first portion (6) to the second portion (7) is formed by radii. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the sipe (1) has radially running constrictions (8), which are arranged at a distance from one another over the longitudinal extent of the sipe (1).