Inclined Stud Layout in Winter Tires for Ice Grip and Stud Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Winter tires with studs often experience stud loss on non-ice surfaces due to lateral and vertical forces, and there is a need for improved gripping performance on ice during braking and acceleration.
Innovation Solution
The tire features inclined studs that extend into the tread at specific angles in the circumferential and width directions, with varying orientations and tip end shapes, to enhance traction and durability, and are made of materials like tungsten carbide for improved retention and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If studs are installed perpendicular to the tread surface, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the gripping performance on ice during braking and acceleration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by inclining studs at specific angles (e.g., 15-30 degrees) relative to the perpendicular direction of the tread surface. This asymmetric orientation creates different effective surface areas for force distribution, improving mechanical interlocking with ice during braking and acceleration while maintaining a relatively simple installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the inclination angles and orientations of studs in different regions of the tread. Specific stud patterns are optimized for braking zones, acceleration zones, and steering zones, allowing each local area to provide targeted gripping performance for its specific function while the overall manufacturing process remains feasible.
2Device complexity
If studs are made with standard orientation, then the device complexity is low, but the traction and durability on ice are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stud population into multiple groups with different orientations and inclinations. Rather than using a uniform stud configuration, the tread is divided into functional zones (braking, acceleration, steering) with optimized stud patterns in each zone, improving overall traction and durability without requiring complete redesign of all studs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes geometric parameters of the studs, specifically the inclination angle relative to the tread surface normal. By adjusting these parameters within optimal ranges (e.g., 15-30 degrees inclination, specific azimuthal orientations), the studs achieve improved penetration and mechanical interlocking with ice while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire is disclosed having a tread (1) which is divided in the tire width direction into a first shoulder region (5), a second shoulder region (7) and a central region (3). The tire comprises a first plurality of studs (9) installed in the first shoulder region (5), a second plurality of studs (11) installed in the second shoulder region (7) and a third plurality of studs (13) installed in the central region (3), each of said studs (9, 11, 13) comprising a body (21) and a stud pin (19) with a pin end protruding out of the body (21), the body (21) being at least partially embedded in the tread (1) and the pin end having a pin end size. In one aspect, at least a part of the third plurality of the studs (13) extends longitudinally into the tread (1) in a direction inclined by a first angle (α) in the circumferential direction of the tire, and at least a part of the first and/or second plurality of studs (9, 11) extends longitudinally into the tread (1) in a direction inclined in a direction different from the direction of the third plurality of the studs (13). In another aspect, at least a part of the first plurality of studs (9) installed in the first shoulder region (5) and/or at least a part of the second plurality of studs (11) installed in the second shoulder (7) extends longitudinally into the tread in a direction inclined by a second angle (β) in the tire width direction. In yet a further aspect, at least a part of the third plurality of the studs (13) extends longitudinally into the tread (1) in a direction inclined by a first angle (α) in the circumferential direction of the tire and the pin end size of the third plurality of studs (13) is smaller than the pin end size of the first and/or second plurality of studs (9, 11).