Zigzag Tread Sipe Phase Inversion for Ice Traction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tires do not provide optimal on-ice/on-snow performance, as they lack effective tread designs that enhance traction and durability on icy and snowy surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A tire design featuring two main grooves extending in zigzag shapes with aligned phases, a longitudinal sipe in a zigzag pattern opposite to the main grooves, and lateral grooves that create blocks and small block pieces, enhancing friction and rigidity by varying block widths and sipe orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the land region is provided with a longitudinal sipe extending straight (as in prior art), then the structure is simple, but the on-ice/on-snow performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-ice/on-snow performanceVSAvoidtread pattern complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal sipe is configured with a zigzag shape whose phase is opposite to that of the main grooves, rather than extending straight or following the same zigzag pattern. This inverted phase relationship creates complementary deformation patterns that enhance traction on ice and snow while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal sipe and main grooves are both designed with zigzag curved patterns instead of straight lines. The curved geometry increases surface area contact and creates multiple edges for biting into icy surfaces, improving mechanical interlocking and friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the longitudinal sipe has the same zigzag phase as the main grooves, then the pattern is uniform, but traction on ice and snow is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction on ice and snowVSAvoidphase alignment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal sipe is deliberately designed with a zigzag phase opposite to that of the main grooves. This phase inversion ensures that when the main grooves deform in one direction, the longitudinal sipe deforms in the opposite direction, creating complementary mechanical actions that enhance grip on slippery surfaces through varied edge orientations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11040573B2Tire

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A tire includes a tread portion. The tread portion includes two main grooves extending continuously in a tire circumferential direction and a land region defined between the two main grooves. The two main grooves extend in a zigzag manner with phases thereof aligned with each other. The land region is provided with a longitudinal sipe extending in the tire circumferential direction in a zigzag manner with a phase thereof opposite to the phases of the zigzags of the two main grooves.