Zigzag Tire Groove Geometry for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic vehicle tires with zigzag circumferential grooves face a challenge in maintaining good traction while minimizing rolling noise, as the pronounced zigzag course tends to generate excessive tire noise.

Innovation Solution

Designing circumferential grooves with a less pronounced zigzag course on the profile surface by adjusting the axial offset of the edge edges to be less than that of the groove base, and incorporating a 'softer' zigzag shape to reduce rolling noise, with specific preferred embodiments including axial offsets of 2 mm to 5 mm for edges and 4 mm to 8 mm for groove bases, and convex curves in the long sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If circumferential grooves are designed with a pronounced zigzag course to ensure good traction on rough terrain, then traction is improved, but rolling noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetractionVSAvoidrolling noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different zigzag characteristics to different parts of the groove structure. The groove base has a more pronounced zigzag course with larger axial offset to ensure traction, while the edge edges have a softer zigzag course with smaller axial offset to reduce rolling noise. This local differentiation allows each part to optimize its function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential groove is segmented into distinct functional zones: the groove base with pronounced zigzag for traction and the edge regions with softer zigzag for noise reduction. This segmentation allows the patent to address both traction and noise requirements through differentiated design of groove components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the axial offset of the zigzag at the edges is increased to improve traction, then good traction is achieved, but the rolling noise increases due to more transverse edges

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetractionVSAvoidrolling noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different zigzag characteristics to different parts of the groove structure. The groove base has a more pronounced zigzag course with larger axial offset to ensure traction, while the edge edges have a softer zigzag course with smaller axial offset to reduce rolling noise. This local differentiation allows each part to optimize its function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3230089B1Vehicle tire with zig zag pattern
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3230089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3230089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3230089B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire, comprising a tread having at least two circumferential grooves (2), which extend circumferentially in the circumferential direction and are bounded by boundary edges (6, 7) on profile positives, which extend substantially in a zig-zag shape with an alternating sequence of short and long segments (2a, 2b), wherein each of the circumferential grooves (2) has two opposite groove flanks (8, 9) and a groove base (10), which is formed between the groove flanks (8, 9) and the zig-zag course of which follows the zig-zag course on the profile surface. Both the boundary edges (6, 7) and the groove base (10) extend along a rounded zig-zag shape, wherein the axial offset (a1, a1') of the zig-zag at the boundary edges (6, 7) of the circumferential grooves (2) is less than the axial offset (a2) of the zig-zag of the groove base (10).