Winter Tire Tread Hole Groups for Ice and Snow Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatic vehicle tires have limited improvement in braking properties on ice and snow, with existing hole arrangements providing insufficient snow and ice performance, particularly in terms of braking on snowy and icy surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The tire features small holes arranged in groups at close distances, with a maximum depth of 35% to 65% of their diameter, designed to absorb melt water and collect snow, enhancing snow-snow friction and braking properties by optimizing hole arrangement and geometry, such as spherical segments and equilateral triangle patterns, to increase the 'net contact area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If holes with large diameter and deep depth are arranged in the tread blocks, then water evacuation capability is improved, but snow accumulation capacity and snow-on-snow friction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of hole diameter (0.5-1.5 mm) and depth (35-65% of diameter) to optimize the balance between water evacuation and snow accumulation. This specific parameter range allows holes to effectively absorb meltwater while providing sufficient capacity to collect and retain snow for improved braking on snowy surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local structures within the tread block by arranging holes in swarm-like groups with specific spacing (0.25-1.0 mm). This local arrangement optimizes water absorption in certain areas while maintaining snow accumulation capacity in adjacent areas, achieving different functions in different locations of the same tread block.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If holes are arranged in dense groups with small spacing, then water absorption capacity is improved, but manufacturing precision and hole placement accuracy become more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hole arrangement into discrete swarm-like groups rather than continuous dense patterns. Each group contains a specific number of holes (at least five) with defined spacing, making the manufacturing process more controllable while still achieving effective water absorption through the collective action of multiple grouped holes.
3Productivity
If hole depth is increased beyond certain limits, then water evacuation efficiency is improved, but structural integrity of tread blocks and snow retention capacity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes hole depth to be 35-65% of the hole diameter, preventing holes from penetrating completely through the tread block. This parameter range ensures sufficient depth for water absorption while maintaining structural integrity and providing adequate space for snow accumulation, avoiding the harmful effects of excessive depth.
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 configuration effectively absorbs melt water and improves snow grip and braking properties on ice and snow by enhancing snow-snow friction and maintaining a high 'net contact area, thereby improving traction and safety in winter conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a thin layer of meltwater forms between the positive tread profile and the ground as the tire rolls on ice and/or snow. The meltwater formed is quickly and effectively absorbed by the holes in the groups of holes, thereby eliminating the film of water that would otherwise impair braking performance on ice and snow.
Implementation Method 2
At low temperatures, when driving on a snowy road, snow in particular collects in the holes, improving snow grip through the effect of snow-on-snow friction.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Vehicle pneumatic tires with a tread strip having profile positives (1) separated from each other by grooves (2) and having outer surfaces (1a) located at the tread periphery, wherein the profile positives (1) are provided with a number of incisions (3) running parallel to each other in plan view within the profile positives (1) with a width of 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm and a maximum depth of 50% to 100% of the tread depth and with a plurality of holes (5) circular in plan view extending from the outer surface (1a);The holes (5) on the outer surface (1a) of the profile positive (1) have a diameter (dL) of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and a maximum depth of 35% to 65% of the diameter, wherein at least the majority of the holes (5) are arranged in swarm-like groups (G), each group comprising at least five holes (5) having a mutual distance (a1) of at most 1.5 mm, wherein the mutual distance (a1) is the smallest distance between the hole circles.