Pneumatic Tyre Tread Wavy Sipe Radial Wavelength Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires with existing tread designs experience a deterioration in winter performance and handling characteristics due to increased stiffness with tread wear, as the snow pockets formed by incisions reduce in size, affecting snow grip and traction.
Innovation Solution
The wavelength of the wavy incisions in the tread strip increases radially from the outer surface to the base, maintaining larger snow pockets and interlocking capabilities across all wear conditions, while the amplitude decreases to influence circumferential and transverse rigidity, ensuring consistent winter performance and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If incisions with constant wavelength are used in the tread, then the manufacturing is simple, but the snow grip deteriorates with tread wear due to reduced snow pocket capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The incision wavelength varies locally along its radial extent, with shorter wavelengths near the tread surface and longer wavelengths deeper in the profile element. This local variation optimizes snow pocket capacity at different wear stages, maintaining reliable snow grip throughout the tire's service life while addressing the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance consistency.
2Reliability
If incisions with increasing wavelength towards the base are used, then the snow grip is maintained with wear, but the handling properties on dry ground deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The incision wavelength parameter changes continuously along the radial direction, creating an optimized gradient that balances snow grip and handling properties. This parameter variation allows the incision to provide both adequate snow pocket capacity for winter performance and sufficient structural integrity for handling on dry surfaces, resolving the contradiction between these two performance requirements.
3Reliability
If straight incisions are used in the tread, then the snow grip is improved through larger snow pockets, but the handling properties deteriorate due to increased tread block deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The incision follows a wavy or sinusoidal path rather than a straight line, creating a curved geometry that simultaneously provides adequate snow pocket capacity and maintains tread block structural integrity. This curvature allows the incision to deliver both good snow grip through sufficient snow retention and acceptable handling properties by preventing excessive tread block deformation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread with profile elements (1), such as for example profile blocks or profile ribs, wherein at least one profile element (1) is provided with at least one sipe (2) which runs in a transverse direction and which is of undulating form in plan view at least over a section of the extent thereof and which has at least one wavelength (λ) which, while maintaining the undulating form, extends in a radial direction (r) from the tread outer surface into the interior of the profile element (1), wherein the wavelength (λ) changes in the direction of the interior of the profile element. The wavelength (λ) of the undulating form of the sipe (2) increases continuously in a radially inward direction proceeding from the tread outer surface.