Variable 3D Tire Sipe Structure for Stability and Mold Extraction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional sipes in tire treads exhibit constant radial oscillation, leading to a compromise between aggressive radial oscillation that makes tread rubber difficult to extract from a mold and reduced stability between adjacent blocks when loaded, resulting in either difficult extraction or reduced stability.

Innovation Solution

Varying the intensity of radial oscillation of the sipe blade, with higher frequency oscillation at the outer radial location for improved stability and lower frequency oscillation at the inner radial location to facilitate easier mold removal and increased flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If aggressive radial oscillation is used in three-dimensional sipes, then stability between adjacent tread blocks is improved, but extraction of tread rubber from mold becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability between adjacent tread blocksVSAvoidextraction of tread rubber from mold

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sipe blade oscillates with varying intensity at different radial locations: higher frequency oscillation at outer radial locations to improve stability between adjacent tread blocks, and lower frequency oscillation at inner radial locations to facilitate easier mold removal. This localized variation in oscillation intensity resolves the contradiction by applying different oscillation characteristics to different regions of the sipe pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If lower frequency oscillation is used in three-dimensional sipes, then extraction from mold becomes easier, but stability between adjacent blocks is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction from moldVSAvoidstability between adjacent blocks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sipe blade oscillates with varying intensity at different radial locations: higher frequency oscillation at outer radial locations to improve stability between adjacent tread blocks, and lower frequency oscillation at inner radial locations to facilitate easier mold removal. This localized variation in oscillation intensity resolves the contradiction by applying different oscillation characteristics to different regions of the sipe pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If constant radial oscillation is used in sipes, then manufacturing process is simplified, but a compromise must be made between stability and extraction difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process complexityVSAvoidstability between adjacent blocks

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sipe blade transitions from constant oscillation to dynamic oscillation with varying frequency at different radial locations. The oscillation frequency is modulated during the siping process, with higher frequencies applied at outer radial locations and lower frequencies at inner radial locations. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize both stability and extraction ease without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12168372B2Variable oscillation three dimensional sipe

Publication Date: 2024.12.17 BRIDGESTONE BANDAG LLC

AI summary

A tire can include a three-dimensional sipe formed into a tire tread. The three-dimensional sipe can be formed in a tread element of the tire tread and can include a three-dimensional pattern. The three-dimensional sipe can have a first frequency of oscillation at a top end of the three-dimensional sipe and a second frequency of oscillation at a bottom end of the three-dimensional sipe with the first frequency of oscillation being different from the second frequency of oscillation.