Pneumatic Tyre Tread with Variable Fine Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tread profiles for pneumatic vehicle tires have uniform surface structures that are ineffective in distributing water absorption capacity according to the varying thickness of the water film formed between the tire and ice, leading to inefficient frictional force transmission during braking, acceleration, and handling.
Innovation Solution
A tread profile design with fine grooves of varying widths and depths arranged along the radially outer surface, where the groove width and depth increase from one fine groove to the next, allowing for optimized water absorption and force transmission based on the specific requirements of each surface section, thereby matching the absorption capacity to the essential force transmission needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform surface structures are used on the radially outer surface, then manufacturing is simplified, but water absorption capacity cannot be optimized for varying water film thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The radially outer surface is divided into multiple surface sections, each with different groove widths and/or depths. Surface sections with larger water film thicknesses are equipped with larger grooves for greater absorption capacity, while surface sections with smaller water film thicknesses have smaller grooves. This local differentiation optimizes water absorption for each specific area while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic variation.
2Strength
If profile block elements are designed to be as stiff as possible with grooves arranged at large distances, then force transmission during braking and acceleration is improved, but water absorption capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radially outer surface is segmented into multiple surface sections with individually optimized groove characteristics. This segmentation allows each section to contribute to both force transmission (through maintained structural integrity) and water absorption (through locally optimized groove dimensions), resolving the conflict between stiffness requirements and water management needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surface sections have different groove widths and depths tailored to local water film thickness requirements. This local optimization enables effective water absorption in areas with thicker water films while maintaining sufficient structural stiffness for force transmission across the entire profile block element.
3Manufacturing precision
If fine grooves are arranged uniformly across the radially outer surface, then water absorption is distributed evenly, but absorption capacity is insufficient in sections with larger water film thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The groove width and depth are varied across different surface sections based on the local water film thickness characteristics. Surface sections experiencing larger water film thicknesses are equipped with wider and/or deeper grooves to increase absorption capacity, while sections with smaller water films have correspondingly smaller grooves. This non-uniform distribution optimizes overall water absorption effectiveness.
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 design enhances the absorption of the water film on ice, optimizing frictional forces during dynamic driving states by ensuring that surface sections with larger and smaller water film thicknesses have corresponding absorption capacities, improving traction and braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
form additional fine grooves... for absorbing the water film
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A tread profile of a pneumatic vehicle tyre having profile block elements (2) which are spaced apart from one another by profile grooves (3, 4, 5) and which are each bounded outwardly by a radially outer surface (6) which forms the ground contact face, wherein a plurality of additional fine grooves (9, 10, 11, 12), which extend along a second main direction of extent and are embodied with a groove width Bp and with a groove depth TF, are arranged one behind the other in a first main direction of extent in the radially outer surface (6) of the profile block elements (2), characterized in that the groove width Bp is 0.05 mm < BF < 0.4 mm and the groove depth TF where TF is < 0.05 mm, and in that at least the fine grooves (9, 10, 11, 12), arranged one behind the other within a surface section (7) of the radially outer surface (6) of a profile block element (2) are embodied with different groove widths Bp, wherein the groove width Bp of these fine grooves (9, 10, 11, 12), arranged one behind the other in the surface section (7), increases in a first orientation of the first main direction of extent, viewed along the extent of the surface section (7) – in particular from the fine groove (9, 10, 11) to the fine groove (10, 11, 12).