Winter Tire Incision Design for Water Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic vehicle tire designs for wintry conditions face challenges in maximizing water absorption in tread incisions without compromising the contact surface area, leading to reduced frictional contact and stability.
Innovation Solution
The design features a local axial depression within the incision wall, positioned radially at 50% of the profile depth, surrounded by a 2mm edge, with connecting channels to enhance water absorption, maintaining the contact surface area and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the incisions are made thicker to increase water absorption capacity, then the water absorption capacity increases, but the contact surface area of the tread positives is reduced and the tread elements become smaller and more prone to tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating depressions only in specific areas of the incision walls rather than uniformly thickening the entire incision. The depressions are positioned at specific locations (e.g., at least one on each incision wall, or alternatively only on the outer incision wall) to provide localized water reservoirs while preserving the overall thin profile of the tread elements. This allows enhanced water absorption at critical locations without compromising the contact surface area and structural integrity of the tread positives.
2Quantity of substance
If the incisions are made thicker to increase water absorption capacity, then the water absorption capacity increases, but the tread elements become smaller and more prone to tilting
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating the water absorption function in localized depressions rather than uniformly thickening the incisions, the patent maintains the structural stability and size of the tread elements. The depressions are designed with specific dimensions (e.g., depth between 0.2-2.0mm, width between 0.1-1.0mm) that provide sufficient water reservoir volume while minimizing impact on the overall tread element geometry and resistance to tilting.
3Quantity of substance
If extensions are added to incision sections to increase water absorption capacity, then the water absorption capacity increases, but the contact area of the tread block elements to the ground is reduced and uneven wear pattern occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves upon previous extension designs by using localized depressions within the incision walls rather than extensions that protrude into the contact area. The depressions are positioned radially inward at specific depths (e.g., within the central incision section or distributed across different sections) and do not extend to the tread surface, thereby preserving the full contact area of the tread block elements while still providing effective water absorption capacity.
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 increases the water absorption capacity of the incisions, enhancing the coefficient of friction and maintaining the stability and rigidity of the tread elements, especially at temperatures around freezing point.
Implementation Method 1
the depression is designed as a local depression oriented in the axial direction, which is located radially within a depth of 50% of the profile depth... which increases the water absorption capacity of the incision
Implementation Method 2
at least one connecting channel running in the radial direction is formed in the incision wall between the recess and the outside of the tread strip
Implementation Method 3
the frictional energy between the tire tread and the ice creates a film of water, which is largely wiped away by profile element edges, for example the block edges in transverse grooves
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3a~4c
Figure 5a~7
AI summary
The invention relates to vehicle tires, in particular for use under winter driving conditions, comprising a tread with profiled positives, for example profiled blocks (1) or tread strips, which are separated from one another by grooves (2) that circulate in the circumferential direction, transverse grooves (3), and the like and in which incisions (4) with a small width (b) are formed, said incisions running substantially in the axial direction, crossing through the profiled positives, and being delimited by two incision walls (5, 5'). Each of the incisions (4) has a depth of at least 70% of the profile depth (Tp), and at least one of the incision walls (5, 5') has a depression (6, 6') in the incision interior, said depression increasing the water absorption capability of the incision (4). The depression (6, 6') is located radially within a depth of 50% of the profile depth (Tp) and is surrounded on the edge side by at least 2 mm of the incision wall (5, 5').