CA2971918C

CA2971918C - Pneumatic vehicle tire

Info

Publication number: CA2971918C
Application number: CA2971918A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Torsten Heinhaupt
Original assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2015-01-12
Filing date: 2015-11-12
Publication date: 2022-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-12
Also published as: EP3245078A1; CA2971918A1; DE102015200234A1; CN107107675A; WO2016113017A1; EP3245078B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire, comprising a profiled tread having a circumferential groove (3), which separates radially raised profile elements (5, 7) arranged adjacent to each other from each other, wherein the circumferential groove (3) is bounded inwardly in the radial direction R by a groove base and axially by a groove wall on each of both sides of the groove base, wherein each of the profile elements (5, 7) separated by the circumferential groove (3) is bounded outwardly in the radial direction R of the tire by a radially outer surface and in the axial direction A toward the circumferential groove (3) by a flank (8, 9), which flanks extend in the radial direction R from the groove base (16) to the radially outer surface and each form one of the two groove walls, wherein extensions (10, 13) are formed toward the circumferential groove (3) on both flanks (8, 9), which extensions continuously broaden toward the groove base (16) and extend stepped in a saw-tooth shape in the circumferential direction U of the tire with alternatingly arranged first extension segments (11, 14) of the length L measured in the circumferential direction U, the greatest extension direction component of which is oriented in the circumferential direction U, and second extension segments (12, 15) of the length b measured in the circumferential direction U, the greater extension direction component of which is oriented in the axial direction A, wherein L > b, wherein the first extension segments (11, 14) of the saw-tooth-shaped course on the two flanks (8, 9) are oriented with the same inclination direction along the extent in the circumferential direction U, in such a way that an angle of inclination a is included together with the circumferential U in each case.

Description

Description Pneumatic vehicle tire The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire having a profiled tread with a circumferential channel which separates mutually adjacently arranged, radially elevated profile elements from one another, wherein the circumferential channel is delimited inward in a radial direction R by a channel base and axially to both sides of the channel base in each case by a channel wall, wherein the profile elements separated by the circumferential channel are delimited outward in the radial direction R of the tire by a radially outer surface and toward the circumferential channel in an axial direction A in each case by a flank, which flanks extend in the radial direction R from the channel base to the radially outer surface and form in each case one of the two channel walls, wherein projections toward the circumferential channel are formed on both flanks, which projections widen in continuous fashion toward the channel base and, in a circumferential direction U of the tire, run in sawtooth-shaped stepped fashion with alternately arranged first extent sections, which have a length U measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in the circumferential direction U, and with second extent sections, which have a length b measured in the circumferential direction U
and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in an axial direction A, where L > b.
Pneumatic vehicle tires of said type are known for example from DE4138687AL By means of such an embodiment, it is possible, owing to the sawtooth structure, for additional grip edges to be realized which can improve grip on snow. In the case of the pneumatic vehicle tire known from DE4138687A1, the sawtooth structures of the two opposite flanks in the circumferential channel are in this case formed such that the relatively long extent sections extend substantially in a circumferential direction and run in inclined fashion so as to enclose an angle with the circumferential direction.
Here, along the circumferential extent direction, in each case the first extent sections of one flank are, in terms of their profile, oriented so as to be inclined toward one axial side, and the first

- 2 - PCT/EP2015/076416 extent sections of the other flank are oriented so as to be inclined toward the other axial side. Owing to the opposing inclination orientation of the first extent sections, it is duly the case that additional edges are realized by means of the sawtooth configuration. However, this is associated with a reduction of the open throughflow duct, in particular in the region of the channel base. In this way, the water flow through the circumferential channel, and thus the aquaplaning suitability, are adversely affected. Specifically in the case of relatively narrow circumferential channels, it is thus possible for the aquaplaning characteristics to be impaired to an undesirably great extent.
The invention is based on the object, in the case of pneumatic vehicle tires of said type, of further reducing both undesired rolling-in effects and non-uniform wear.
The object is achieved according to the invention by means of the embodiment of a pneumatic vehicle tire having a profiled tread with a circumferential channel which separates mutually adjacently arranged, radially elevated profile elements from one another, wherein the circumferential channel is delimited inward in a radial direction R by a channel base and axially to both sides of the channel base in each case by a channel wall, wherein the profile elements separated by the circumferential channel are delimited outward in the radial direction R of the tire by a radially outer surface and toward the circumferential channel in an axial direction A in each case by a flank, which flanks extend in the radial direction R from the channel base to the radially outer surface and form in each case one of the two channel walls, wherein projections toward the circumferential channel are formed on both flanks, which projections widen in continuous fashion toward the channel base and, in a circumferential direction U of the tire, run in sawtooth-shaped stepped fashion with alternately arranged first extent sections, which have a length L
measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in the circumferential direction U, and with second extent sections, which have a length b measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in an axial direction A, where L > b, as per the features of claim 1, in which the first extent sections of the sawtooth-shaped profile on the two flanks are oriented with the same inclination direction along the extent in the

- 3 - PCT/EP2015/076416 circumferential direction in each case so as to enclose an inclination angle a with the main extent direction of the circumferential channel ¨ in particular with the circumferential direction U.
By means of this embodiment, a situation is made possible in which, by means of the sawtooth-like structure on both flanks sides of the channel, effective additional grip edges are created, which specifically remain effective with progressive service life and progressive wear of the tire, and here, owing to the selected uniform orientation direction of the first, relatively long extent sections of the two flanks, a uniformly wide open duct for the throughflovv of water remains effective, even in the case of relatively narrow channels, as far as the channel base. It is thus possible to easily realize both good grip on snow and improved aquaplaning characteristics.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 2 is particularly advantageous, in which in each case one first extent section of one flank, in terms of its circumferential positioning, overlaps, with at least 50% of its extent length L, a first extent section of the other flank. In this way, the open throughflow duct can be easily and reliably realized with a uniform width even in the region of the channel base, and a substantially interference-free, fast discharge of the water in the circumferential channel can be further promoted.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 3 is particularly advantageous, wherein the inclination angle a is configured such that a <5g.
In this way, despite additional effective grip edges, it is possible for the water expulsion to be easily ensured in optimized fashion over the service life, while maintaining the effective profile pattern of the tire in the region of the circumferential channel.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 4 is particularly advantageous, wherein, outward along the extent of the flank in the radial direction proceeding from the channel base, the sawtooth-shaped profile is, proceeding from a maximum inclination angle an., formed with a continuously decreasing inclination angle

- 4 - PCT/EY2015/076416 a of the first extent sections as far as a minimum inclination angle rtmn, in particular where an*, = 00. In this way, a large effective volume for accommodating water can be provided in the radially outer extent region, which volume decreases uniformly with wear.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 5 is particularly advantageous, wherein, outward along the extent of the flank in the radial direction proceeding from the channel base, the savvtooth-shaped profile is, proceeding from a maximum inclination angle aõ,a,õ formed as far as the radially outer surface with a continuously decreasing inclination angle a of the first extent sections. In this way, it is easily possible for grip edges which have an increasing effect over the entire service life to be provided, and at the same time for a large effective volume for accommodating water to be provided in the radially outer extent region, which volume decreases uniformly with wear.
I 5 The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 6 is particularly advantageous, wherein the extent lengths L of the first extent sections are configured such that 5 mm <L < 10 mm. In this way, it is possible to easily realize the targeted guidance of the water through the circumferential channel while ensuring sufficiently effective grip edges.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 7 is particularly advantageous, wherein the extent lengths L of the first extent sections, arranged in series in the circumferential direction, of a flank are of different magnitudes.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 8 is particularly advantageous, wherein the second extent sections are formed in each case with an extent length a measured in the axial direction, where 1 mm < a <2 mm. In this way, it is possible to easily realize a substantially interference-free throughflow while providing effective grip edges. Furthermore, in the event of closing of the channel during the rolling movement on the road owing to acting lateral forces (for example during handling), reliable interlocking

- 5 -between the two flanks which delimit the circumferential channel, and thus an effective positive locking action, can be made possible.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 9 is particularly advantageous, wherein one profile element is a profile block element of a first profile block row and the other profile element is a profile block element of a second profile block row, wherein the profile block elements, arranged in series in the circumferential direction U, of the first profile block row are separated from one another in each case by an oblique channel which opens into the circumferential channel and which with its main extent to direction, at the opening-in point, encloses an obtuse angle with the circumferential channel across one profile block element situated adjacent in the circumferential direction and encloses an acute angle with the circumferential channel across the other profile block element situated adjacent in the circumferential direction, wherein the profile block elements, arranged in series in the circumferential direction U, of the second profile block row are separated from one another in each case by a transverse channel which extends, as an elongation of an oblique channel of the first profile block row, from the circumferential channel through the second profile block row. In this way, the introduction and conducting of the water onward into the transverse channel can be facilitated.
The embodiment of a vehicle tire as per the features of claim 10 is particularly advantageous, in which the inclination direction of the angle a of the first extent sections is defined proceeding from the oblique channel in that circumferential orientation direction which points toward the profile block element delimited by oblique channel and circumferential channel with an obtuse angle, wherein the inclination direction toward that .. profile block element of the first profile block row which is delimited by oblique channel and circumferential channel with an obtuse angle is selected. In this way, a situation can be easily made possible in which the water flowing into the circumferential channel from the oblique channel flows into the circumferential channel in directed, interference-free, optimized fashion.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-05 WO 2016/113017 - 5a -In one aspect of this invention, there is provided a pneumatic vehicle tire having a profiled tread with a circumferential channel which separates mutually adjacently arranged, radially elevated profile elements from one another, wherein the circumferential channel is delimited inward in a radial direction R by a channel base and axially to both sides of the channel base in each case by a channel wall, wherein the profile elements separated by the circumferential channel are delimited outward in the radial direction R of the tire by a radially outer surface and toward the circumferential channel in an axial direction A in each case by a flank, which flanks extend in the radial direction R from the channel base to the radially outer surface and form in each case one of the two channel walls, wherein to .. projections toward the circumferential channel are formed on both flanks, which projections widen in continuous fashion toward the channel base and, in a circumferential direction U of the tire, run in sawtooth-shaped stepped fashion with alternately arranged first extent sections, which have a length L measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in the circumferential direction U, and with second extent sections, which have a length b measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in the axial direction A, where L > b, wherein the first extent sections of the sawtooth-shaped profile on the two flanks are oriented with the same inclination direction along the extent in the circumferential direction U in each case so as to enclose an .. inclination angle a with a main extent direction of the circumferential channel, wherein, outward along the extent of the flank in the radial direction R proceeding from the channel base, the sawtooth-shaped profile is, proceeding from a maximum inclination angle amax, formed with a continuously decreasing inclination angle a of the first extent sections as far as a minimum inclination angle amin.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-05

- 6 - PCT/EP2015/076416 The invention will be discussed in more detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in figures I to 6. In the figures:
figure 1 shows a plan view of a section of a tread profile of a pneumatic vehicle tire, figure 2 shows a detail of the pneumatic vehicle tire illustrated in figure 1 in an enlarged illustration in plan view, figure 3 shows a profile block element of the tread profile of figures 1 and 2 in a perspective illustration for the purposes of explaining the flank design, figure 4 shows a detail of the tread profile from figure tin an enlarged illustration in plan view, figures 5a to 5d illustrate the section, illustrated in figure 2, of the tread profile from figure 1 in various section planes indicated in figure 3, wherein figure 5a illustrates the section in the section plane Va-Va, which corresponds to the illustration of figure 2, figure 5b illustrates the section in the section plane Vb-Vb of figure 3, figure 5c illustrates the section in the section plane Vc-Vc of figure 3, and figure 5d illustrates the section in the section plane Vd-Vd of figure 3.
The figures show a tread profile of a pneumatic vehicle tire for passenger motor vehicles of known type, in the case of which ¨ as illustrated in figure 1 ¨ a profile block row 1 extending over the circumference of the pneumatic vehicle tire and a profile block row 2 extending over the circumference of the pneumatic vehicle tire are arranged adjacent to one another in an axial direction A and are separated from one another by a circumferential channel 3 which extends over the circumference of the pneumatic vehicle tire and which is oriented substantially in a circumferential direction U. The profile block row I is, in a known manner, formed from profile block elements 5 which are distributed over the circumference of the pneumatic vehicle tire, which are arranged in series in the circumferential direction U of the pneumatic vehicle tire, and which are separated from one another in each case by oblique channels 4. The profile block row 2 is, in a known manner,

- 7- PCT/EP2015/076416 formed from profile block elements 7 which are distributed over the circumference of the pneumatic vehicle tire, which are arranged in series in the circumferential direction U, and which are separated from one another in each case by transverse channels 6.
The oblique channels 4 extend over the entire width of the profile block row 1, are oriented with their main extent direction at an inclination angle 6 with respect to the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire, and open into the circumferential channel 3.
The transverse channels 6 are formed so as to extend through the entire profile block row 2 and likewise open into the circumferential channel 3. The transverse channels 6 are in each case oriented such that their main extent direction encloses an inclination angle a with the axial direction A, where ö> a. The angle 6 is configured such that 200 < 6 <
40 . For example, 6 = 33 is selected. The angle a is selected such that 0 < E < 150.
For example, = 110 is selected.
is The transverse channel 6 forms an elongation of the oblique channel 4 across the circumferential channel 3. The oblique channel 4 thus transitions, in its elongation through the circumferential channel 3, into the transverse channel 6.
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the orientation of the inclination direction of the oblique channels 4 and of the transverse channels 6 is selected such that, along their extent direction in the axial direction A from the oblique channel 4 toward the transverse channel 6, both the oblique channel 4 and the transverse channel 6 assigned thereto slope upward in the circumferential direction U illustrated as pointing upward in figure 1.
The oblique channel 4 and the transverse channel 6 are delimited inward in a radial direction R in each case by a channel base. On both sides of the channel base, the oblique channel 4 is delimited in each case by a channel wall. Likewise, the transverse channel 6 is delimited on both sides of its channel base in each case by a channel wall.

Cl. 02971918 2017-06-22

- 8 - PCT/EP2015/076416 The circumferential channel 3 is delimited inward in the radial direction R by a channel base 16. On both sides of the channel base 16, the circumferential channel 3 is delimited in each case by a channel wall.
The profile block elements 5 of the profile block row 1 and the profile block elements 7 of the profile block row 2 are delimited outward in the radial direction R in each case by a radially outer surface 17, which forms the road contact surface.
Each profile block element 5 is delimited in the circumferential direction U
of the pneumatic vehicle tire, in each case in both orientation directions, by a flank 20 and 21 respectively, which forms in each case the channel wall, directed toward the profile block element 5, of the oblique channel 4 which delimits the profile block element 5 toward said side. Here, the flank 20 or 21 respectively and thus the channel wall extends outward in the radial direction R from the channel base of the oblique channel 4 to the radially outer surface 17, and intersects the latter in each case at an intersection line 24 or 25 respectively. The profile block elements 5 are delimited toward the circumferential channel 3 in the axial direction A in each case by a flank 8, which flank forms that channel wall of the circumferential channel 3 which points toward the profile block element 5, and which flank extends outward in the radial direction R from the channel base 16 of the .. circumferential channel 3 to the radially outer surface 17 of the profile block element 5 and intersects the latter at an intersection edge 18, as illustrated for example in figures 1, 2 and 3.
Analogously, the profile block element 7 of the profile block row 2 is in each case .. delimited toward the circumferential channel 3 in the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire by a flank 9, which flank forms that channel wall of the circumferential channel 3 which is directed toward the profile block element 7. and which flank extends outward in the radial direction R from the channel base 16 of the circumferential channel 3 to the radially outer surface 17 of the profile block element 7 and intersects the latter at an intersection edge 19.

- 9 - PCT/EP2015/076416 Each profile block element 7 is delimited in the circumferential direction U
of the pneumatic vehicle tire, in each case in both orientation directions, by a flank 22 and 23 respectively, which forms in each case the channel wall, directed toward the profile block element 7, of the transverse channel 6 which delimits the profile block element 7 toward said side. Here, the flank 22 or 23 respectively and thus the channel wall extends outward in the radial direction R from the channel base of the oblique channel 6 to the radially outer surface 17, and intersects the latter in each case at an intersection line 26 or 27 respectively.
1lere, the circumferential channel 3 and the oblique channel 4 enclose, in each case with their extent direction along their extent to the opening-in point of the oblique channel 4 into the circumferential channel 3, an obtuse angle y extending across one of the two profile block elements 5 delimited by the oblique channel 4 and the circumferential channel 3. That flank 20 of the profile block element 5 which delimits the oblique channel 4 from the direction of said profile block element 5 intersects the radially outer surface at an intersection line 24, which intersects the intersection line 18 at an intersection point S2.
The extent direction of the oblique channel 4 and the extent direction of the circumferential channel 3 enclose an acute angle (180 - y) extending across the other profile block element 5 that delimits the oblique channel 4. The flank 21 that delimits said profile block element 5 toward the oblique channel 4 intersects the radially outer surface 17 of said profile block element 5 at an intersection edge 25 which intersects the intersection edge 18 of said profile block element 5 at an intersection point Si.
Viewed in the circumferential direction U toward that side of the oblique channel 4 at which the latter encloses an obtuse angle y with the extent direction of the circumferential channel 3 across an adjacent profile block element 5 ¨ that is to say upward in the illustration of figure I ¨ the flank 22, which delimits the adjacent transverse channel 6, of the profile block element 7 which is adjacent on said side is also formed with its intersection edge 26, which intersects the intersection edge 19 of said profile block element 7 at an intersection point S3.

The flank 23, which delimits the transverse channel 6 in the opposite circumferential direction U, of the other profile block element 7 which delimits the transverse channel 6 intersects the radially outer surface of said profile block element 7 at an intersection edge 27 which intersects the intersection edge 19 of said profile block clement 7 at an intersection point S4.
Thus, in the region of the junction of circumferential channel 3, on the one hand, and oblique channel 4 with its elongation in the form of transverse channel 6 ¨as shown in to figure 4 ¨, the four intersection points St, Sz ,S3, Si are arranged in the radially outer surface, wherein, viewed in the axial direction A of the tire, the intersection point Si is arranged between the intersection points S2 and S3 and the intersection point S3 is arranged between the intersection points Si and S4. Viewed in the circumferential direction U of the pneumatic vehicle tire, the intersection point 54 is arranged between the intersection points S1 and S2 and the intersection point S2 is arranged between the intersection points S4 and S3.
Thus, it is also the case that each profile block element 5 is formed with an intersection point Sz at its interface between circumferential channel 3 and one delimiting oblique channel 4 and with an intersection point Si at its interface with the other oblique channel 4.
Likewise, each profile block element 7 is correspondingly formed with an intersection point S3 and an intersection point S4. This is also illustrated for example in figure 2.
That flank 8 which delimits the profile block element 5 toward the circumferential channel 3 is, as viewed in the circumferential direction U of the pneumatic vehicle tire, formed with multiple projections 10 arranged in series and extending into the circumferential channel 2, which projections protrude into the channel and, here, widen in V-shaped fashion from the outside inward in the radial direction R from the intersection edge 18 to the channel base 16. The projections 10 are formed, in terms of their extent in the circumferential direction U, with a zigzag-shaped profile composed of first extent sections 11 and second extent sections 12, wherein each protruding projection 10 has in each case one first extent section 11 and one second extent section 12. The first extent section 11 is configured in each case with an extent length L measured in the circumferential direction U, and the second extent section 12 with an extent length b measured in the circumferential direction U, wherein L is considerably greater than b. The short second extent sections 12 are formed with an extent length a measured in the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire. Here, the projections 10 are arranged in series such that the first extent sections 11 and the second extent sections 12 of the flank 8 are positioned in series in an alternating sequence and thus form the zigzag-shaped profile.
Here, the first extent sections ll are, along their extent in the extent direction proceeding from the intersection point S2, which is enclosed in the obtuse angle, in the direction of the intersection point Si, which is enclosed in the acute angle, of the profile block element 5, inclined in the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire toward the side pointing away from the circumferential channel 3, in each case so as to enclose an inclination angle a with the circumferential direction U. The short second extent sections 12 are, along their extent in the extent direction proceeding from the intersection point S2, which is enclosed in the obtuse angle, in the direction of the intersection point Si, which is enclosed in the acute angle, of the profile block element 5, inclined in the axial direction A
of the pneumatic vehicle tire toward the side pointing toward the circumferential channel 3, in each case so as to enclose an inclination angle a with the circumferential direction U.
Analogously, the flank 9 of the profile block element 7 which delimits the circumferential channel 3 opposite the profile block element 5 is formed with projections 13 arranged in series along the circumferential extent from the intersection point S3 to the intersection point S4 of the profile block element 7, which projections protrude into the channel and, here, widen in V-shaped fashion from the outside inward in the radial direction R from the intersection edge 19 to the channel base 16. The projections 13 are formed, in terms of their extent in the circumferential direction U, with a zigzag-shaped profile composed of first extent sections 14 and second extent sections 15, wherein each protruding projection 13 has in each case one first extent section 14 and one second extent section 15. The first extent section 14 is configured in each case with an extent length L measured in the circumferential direction U, and the second extent section 15 with an extent length b measured in the circumferential direction U, wherein L is considerably greater than b. The short second extent sections 15 are formed with an extent length a measured in the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire. here, the projections 13 arc arranged in series such that the first extent sections 14 and the second extent sections 15 of the flank 9 are positioned in series in an alternating sequence and thus form the zigzag-shaped profile.
Ilere, the first extent sections 14 are, along their extent in the extent direction proceeding from the intersection point S3 in the direction of the intersection point S4 of the profile to block element 7, inclined in the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire toward the side pointing toward the circumferential channel 3 and thus towards the adjacent profile block element 5, in each case so as to enclose an inclination angle a with the circumferential direction U. The short second extent sections 15 are, along their extent in the extent direction proceeding from the intersection point S3 in the direction of the intersection point S4 of the profile block element 7, inclined in the axial direction A of the pneumatic vehicle tire toward the side pointing away from the circumferential channel 3 and thus away from the adjacent profile block element 5, in each case so as to enclose an inclination angle a with the circumferential direction U.
The relatively long first extent sections 14 are, along their extent in the circumferential direction proceeding from the intersection point S3 in the direction of the intersection point S4 of the profile block element 7, formed with the same inclination orientation as the first extent sections 11 of the adjacent profile block element 5.
Likewise, the relatively short second extent sections 15 are, along their extent in the circumferential direction proceeding from the intersection point S3 in the direction of the intersection point S4 of the profile block element 7, formed with the same inclination orientation as the second extent sections 12 of the adjacent profile block element 5.
The individual first extent sections 11, arranged in series, of the flank 8 of the profile block element 5, and the individual first extent sections 14, arranged in series, of the flank 9 of the adjacent profile block element 7 are in this case each positioned such that each first extent section 14, along its extent in the circumferential direction, overlaps a first extent section 11 with an overlap length of at least 50% of the extent length L of the extent section 14, and, in its extent in the extent direction as viewed proceeding from the intersection point S2 in the direction of the intersection point Si of the profile block element 5, ends with a spacing k, measured in the circumferential direction U
of the pneumatic vehicle tire, behind the extent end of the extent section 14. This is illustrated for example in figure 4. Here, the spacing k is selected such that k > a.
In this way, a minimum spacing k measured in the circumferential direction U
is formed in each case between each short second extent section 15 and the closest short second extent section 12 formed correspondingly thereto.
The extent lengths I. are selected in each case such that 5 mm < L < 10 mm.
The extent is lengths a are selected in each case such that 1 mm <a < 2 mm. The angle a is selected in each case such that a < 5 .
As can be seen in figures 3, 5a, 5b, Sc and 5d, the inclination angle a is, at the channel base 16, formed with its maximum value ama, for example with amm, = 5 . Along the extent of the flank 8 radially outward from the radial inside to the radially outer surface 17, the inclination angle a decreases continuously, and reaches its minimum at the intersection line 18. Analogously, the inclination angle a of the flanks 9 decreases continuously, from its maximum value am,õ at the channel base 16 of the circumferential channel 3, radially outward in the radial direction along the extent of the flank 9 to the radially outer surface 17, and reaches its minimum at the intersection line 19.
Figure 5a shows the illustration corresponding to the illustration of figure 2. It can be seen in figure 5d that the intersection edge profile, formed at that radial position, of the zigzag-shaped contours forms first extent sections 11 and 14 and second extent sections 12 and 15, wherein the inclination angle a of the first extent sections 11 and 14 at said radial position is smaller than the inclination angle a at the channel base 16. Figure Sc shows the intersection position at a position radially above the intersection position shown in figure 5d. The inclination angle a, formed by the zigzag-shaped intersection contours, of the first extent sections 11 and 14 at said intersection position is smaller than at the radial position illustrated in figure 5d. In the intersection position formed even further above as shown in figure 5b, the remaining inclination angle a is even smaller than the inclination angle a in the section plane illustrated in figure 5c. In the radially outermost position likewise illustrated in figure 5a, in which the intersection contour corresponds to the intersection edges 18 and 19, the inclination angle a is at its smallest.
to It can be seen in figure 2 that water that enters the circumferential channel 3 from the oblique channel 4 around the intersection point S2 issues at an obtuse angle into the wide duct formed between the adjacent zigzag-shaped lines, and is conducted along the first extent sections 11 and 14. The positioning of the points Si and S3 promotes the introduction of the water from the oblique channel into the circumferential channel and at the same time the discharge of water flowing out of the preceding circumferential section of the circumferential channel 3 into the section of the transverse channel 6.
In one embodiment, the intersection edges 18 and 19 arc oriented parallel to one another.
Likewise, the first extent sections 11 and 12 between the adjacent profile block elements 5 and 7 are oriented in each case parallel to one another.
In another embodiment illustrated in figure 2, the intersection lines 18 and 19 are of slightly divergent form along their extent in the circumferential direction from the intersection points Sz or S3 respectively to the intersection points Si or St respectively, with this also applying analogously to the first extent sections 11 and 14.
In the example embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures, the obtuse angle y is selected such that 1200 <7 < 1400. For example, the angle 7 is configured such that y=1280.

List of designations (Part of the description) 1 Profile block row 2 Profile block row 3 Circumferential channel 4 Oblique channel Profile block clement 6 Transverse channel 7 Profile block element 8 Flank 9 Flank Projection 11 First extent section 12 Second extent section 13 Projection 14 First extent section Second extent section 16 Channel base 17 Radially outer surface 18 Intersection line 19 Intersection line Flank 21 Flank 22 Flank 23 Flank 24 Intersection line Intersection line 26 Intersection line 27 Intersection line

Claims

1) A pneumatic vehicle tire having a profiled tread with a circumferential channel which separates mutually adjacently arranged, radially elevated profile elements from one another, wherein the circumferential channel is delimited inward in a radial direction R by a channel base and axially to both sides of the channel base in each case by a channel wall, wherein the profile elements separated by the circumferential channel are delimited outward in the radial direction R of the tire by a radially outer surface and toward the circumferential channel in an axial direction A in each case by a flank, to which flanks extend in the radial direction R from the channel base to the radially outer surface and form in each case one of the two channel walls, wherein projections toward the circumferential channel are formed on both flanks, which projections widen in continuous fashion toward the channel base and, in a circumferential direction U of the tire, run in sawtooth-shaped stepped fashion with alternately arranged first extent sections, which have a length L measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in the circumferential direction U, and with second extent sections, which have a length b measured in the circumferential direction U and the greatest extent direction component of which is oriented in the axial direction A, where L > b, wherein the first extent sections of the sawtooth-shaped profile on the two flanks are oriented with the same inclination direction along the extent in the circumferential direction U in each case so as to enclose an inclination angle a vvith a main extent direction of the circumferential channel, wherein, outward along the extent of the flank in the radial direction R
proceeding from the channel base, the sawtooth-shaped profile is, proceeding from a maximum inclination angle am., formed vvith a continuously decreasing inclination angle a of the first extent sections as far as a minimum inclination angle amin.

2) The pneumatic vehicle tire of claim 1, wherein the main extent direction of the circumferential channel corresponds to the circumferential direction U.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-05

3) The pneumatic vehicle tire of claim 1 or 2, wherein the minimum inclination angle arnin = 0 .

4) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in each case one first extent section of one flank, in terms of its circumferential positioning, overlaps, with at least 50% of its extent length L, a first extent section of the other flank.

5) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inclination angle a is configured such that a < 5 .

6) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, outward along the extent of the flank in the radial direction R proceeding from the channel base, the sawtooth-shaped profile is, proceeding from the maximum inclination angle amax, formed as far as the radially outer surface with a continuously decreasing inclination angle a of the first extent sections.

7) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the extent lengths L
of the first extent sections are configured such that 5 mm < L < 10 mm.

8) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the extent lengths L
of the first extent sections, arranged in series in the circumferential direction, of at least one of the flanks are of different magnitudes.

9) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second extent sections are formed in each case with an extent length a measured in the axial direction, vvhere 1 mm < a < 2 mm.

10) The pneumatic vehicle tire of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one profile element is a profile block element of a first profile block row and the other profile element is a profile block element of a second profile block row, wherein the profile block elements, arranged in series in the circumferential direction U, of the first profile block row are separated from one another in each case by an oblique channel which Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-05 opens into the circumferential channel and which with its main extent direction, at an opening-in point, encloses an obtuse angle y vvith the circumferential channel across one profile block element situated adjacent in the circumferential direction and encloses an acute angle with the circumferential channel across the other profile block element situated adjacent in the circumferential direction U, wherein the profile block elements, arranged in series in the circumferential direction U, of the second profile block row are separated from one another in each case by a transverse channel) which extends, as an elongation of the oblique channel of the first profile block row, from the circumferential channel through the second profile block row.
to

11) The pneumatic vehicle tire of claim 10, in which the inclination direction of the angle a of the first extent sections is defined proceeding from the oblique channel in that circumferential orientation which points toward the profile block element delimited by the oblique channel and the circumferential channel with an obtuse angle y, wherein the inclination direction toward that profile block element of the first profile block row which is delimited by the oblique channel and circumferential channel with an obtuse angle is selected.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-05