DE202008018041U1 - Vehicle tires - Google Patents

Abstract

Pneumatic vehicle tires for passenger vehicles, in particular for use under winter driving conditions, with a tread profile with a number of profile elements (2, 2 ', 2' ', 4, 4', 4 '', 11), for example blocks, which run in a row in the circumferential direction the profile elements (2, 2 ', 2 ", 4, 4', 4", 11) have incisions (8, 8 ', 8 ", 8"', 9, 9 ') which at least essentially are oriented in the transverse direction of the profile, the total number of incisions (9, 9 ') in at least one profile element row (4, 4', 4 '') running in the tread center area is greater than the total number of incisions (8, 8 ') in a shoulder-side profile element row (1, 1 '), with all profile elements (2, 2', 2 ", 4, 4 ', 4") each in pitches of the same type (P1, P2; P1' to P4 '; P3 , P4; P5 ', P6') of different circumferential lengths and rows (1, 1 ', 3, 3') of profile elements ((2, 2 ', 2' ', 4, 4', 4 '') are available in which the total number of pitches differs from each other, whereby the total number of ...

Description

The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire for passenger cars, in particular for use under wintry driving conditions, with a tread pattern with a number of circumferential circumferential rows profile elements, such as blocks, wherein the profile elements have incisions, which are oriented at least substantially in the profile transverse direction, the total number the incisions in the tread elements extending in the tread center region is greater than the total number of incisions in profile elements running near the tread shoulder regions, the tread elements each being arranged in circumferentially repeating similar pitches of different circumferential lengths and circumferentially extending rows of tread elements being present the total number of pitches differ from each other, wherein the total number of pitches in at least one of the shoulder-side profile element rows zwisc hen the 1.7 and 3.2 times is greater than the total number of pitches in at least one provided in the tread center region profile element row.

Such a pneumatic vehicle tire is from the EP-A-1 564 029 known. The tread of this tire is divided into profile element or block rows such that in the two shoulder-side profile element rows, the total number of pitches is about 2 times larger than the total number of pitches of the tread element range present in the tread center region. The WO 2004/056588 A , the DE 197 050 156 A1 and the EP-A-0 688 686 each relate to an intended for use in winter driving conditions pneumatic vehicle tire with a tread pattern, which consists entirely or mainly of arranged in rows tread blocks. The total number of pitches in the shoulder block rows coincides with that in the other profile element rows. Due to the arrangement and design of transverse grooves and arranged in the central region of the tread tread blocks or profile elements, the total number of cuts in the tread center region is greater than the total number of cuts in the shoulder-side profile elements.

The from the EP-B-0 671 288 known tire has an asymmetrically shaped tread pattern, which, based on the vehicle, a tread inner and a tread outer portion has. The dividing line between the tread elements in the tread inner and in the tread outer portion is compared with the tire equator, viewed when the tire is mounted offset to the vehicle outer shoulder facing away. The tread elements in the tread outer and in the tread inner portion are each arranged in circumferentially repeating, similar pitches, wherein the total number of pitches in the tread outer portion is smaller than in the tread inner portion, and wherein the running surface in the two tread halves is at least substantially equal. By these measures, a particularly suitable for use under wintry driving conditions tires are provided, in which the advantages of an asymmetric tread design with different total numbers of pitch in the tread inner and in the tread outer section can be exploited and at the same time by the same tread share in the two tread halves the Overall profile can be given a balanced profile stiffness, which has a favorable effect on the driving behavior.

A tire in which the total number of cuts in the tread elements in the tread center region is substantially larger than the total number of treads in the tread elements in the shoulder regions is known from US 5,478,074 DE-A-199 57 915 known. The tread profile is divided by a central circumferential groove and by further circumferential grooves and transverse grooves in a shoulder block row and two middle rows of blocks, wherein the course of the transverse grooves results in a direction-bound profile. The blocks in the middle block rows have a greater extension in the tire transverse direction than the blocks in the shoulder block rows. All the blocks in the middle block rows are coupled to each other in the circumferential direction in the region of the central circumferential groove, wherein each of these blocks is divided by an at least substantially extending in the circumferential direction dividing groove into two substantially equal and also coupled to each other block parts. Through these measures, the profile is stiffened in the central region, whereby the driving behavior can be optimized.

It is known that passenger car tires intended for use in winter driving conditions are advantageous for driving characteristics on snow, when the tread pattern is provided by block rows with a relatively high total block number over the tire circumference and the number of cuts per block is relatively low. The disadvantage of such designed tread consists in a deterioration of the properties of the tire on icy ground. For the ice grip and the handling of the tire on an icy surface, however, it is advantageous if the tread is designed so that it has a relatively small number of blocks in the block rows, but at the same time should have a large number of incisions. Tires with such treads, however, have relatively poor driving characteristics on snowy ground.

The invention has for its object to carry out a tire of the type mentioned in such a way that a simultaneous improvement of driving characteristics on snowy and on icy ground is possible.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the total number of pitches in the shoulder-side profile element row, the total number of pitches is greater than that in at least one profile element row in the tread center area, at least 80, in particular at least 100.

It has been found that tread patterns with a large number of pitches in the shoulder area and a significantly lower number of pitches in the central area of the tread in combination with a large number of cuts in the middle area and a small number of cuts in the shoulder areas improve the handling characteristics and produce particularly balanced driving characteristics on snowy and also on icy ground.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the total number of pitches in at least one of the shoulder-side profile element rows is 2 times the total number of pitches in at least one row of profile elements in the tread center region. This measure is advantageous for an optimal design of the tread pattern.

Another measure which is advantageous for simultaneously improving the driving properties on snow and on ice is that the profile elements in the shoulder-side profile element row whose total pitch number is greater than those in at least one profile element row in the tread center area are separated from one another by transverse grooves which are at an angle from 75 ° to 90 ° to the circumferential direction. The associated with this measure relatively strong transverse orientation of the profile elements in the shoulder-side profile element row causes a high transverse rigidity in this series. This measure is favorable for the properties of the profile on snowy and icy ground.

According to the inventive concept, there are a large number of fine cuts in the tread center area. The profile elements in the shoulder-side profile element row whose total number of pitches is greater than those in at least one profile element row in the tread center region have at most two incisions, which run parallel to the transverse grooves and open into a circumferential groove.

For the driving characteristics, in particular for the grip and braking properties of the tread on an icy surface, it is also advantageous if the tread elements in the tread center region are each provided with a plurality of at least substantially extending in the transverse direction profile and opening in circumferential grooves and / or grooves incisions ,

In pneumatic vehicle tires having tread profiles having a tread inner portion and a tread outer portion relative to the vehicle, it is more advantageous for the simultaneous improvement of driving characteristics on snow and ice when the shoulder side tread row whose total pitch number is greater than that in at least one tread row in FIG Tread center area, located in the tread outer section.

The profile can also be designed to be substantially uniform by the profile element rows - except for the shoulder-side profile element row (s) with the larger total number of pitches - all have a matching total number of pitches.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, which schematically illustrates embodiments. Show

1 a plan view of a portion of a development of a tread with an embodiment of the invention and

2 a plan view of a portion of a settlement of a tread with a further embodiment of the invention.

In the treads shown in the figures, A-A denotes the tire equator and B denotes the width of the ground-contacting portion of the tread.

The in 1 shown tread has a running direction bound designed profile with matching in the two tread halves profile structures. The tread structures in one tread half are slightly offset circumferentially from those in the other tread half as will be described. The tread is made up of shoulder block rows 1 with blocks 2 and two middle rows 3 with block-like profile elements 4 together. The shoulder blocks 2 in the two shoulder block rows 1 are mutually in the circumferential direction by transverse grooves 6 separated, which are rectilinear, widen slightly towards the tread edge each and with the circumferential direction an angle α wear, which is at least 75 °. The shoulder blocks 2 Therefore, they have a pronounced transverse orientation, preferably with a slight inclination relative to the transverse direction, whereby as a result of the directional design of the tread, the inclination in one tread half is opposite to that in the other tread half. The two shoulder block rows 1 are from the middle rows 3 by wide circumferential grooves 5 separated, which in the illustrated embodiment by the orientation of the limiting block edges have a total jagged course.

The two rows 3 of block-like profile elements 4 in the middle area of the tread arise by grooves 7 which each consist of two groove sections enclosing an obtuse angle with each other 7a . 7b consist. This is the continuation of every second cross groove 6 from the shoulder block rows 1 one of the grooves 7 beyond the circumferential grooves 5 so that the number of block-like profile elements 4 per row 3 half the number of shoulder blocks 2 a shoulder block row 1 is. The groove sections 7a are inclined at an angle β to the circumferential direction, which is between 50 ° and 75 °, and go through a kink in the groove sections 7b over which are inclined at an angle γ to the circumferential direction, which is in the order of 5 ° to 15 °. The groove sections 7a have over their extent a constant width, the groove sections 7b become narrower at their baggy-side ends at or near the tire equator AA. Analogous to the transverse grooves 6 are the grooves 7 in one tread half opposite those in the other tread half inclined in opposite directions. The tread structures in one tread half are offset from those in the other tread half in the circumferential direction such that the ends of the trough sections 7b the grooves 7 in the one tread half between the ends of the groove portions 7b the grooves 7 in the other tread half.

Tread elements which repeat in the circumferential direction of the tread, are commonly called pitches, wherein it is common in treads to provide pitches in different circumferential lengths, in so-called pitch lengths. The different pitch lengths arise, for example, in that the circumferential length of the profile elements or blocks and the width of the transverse grooves and the grooves is varied. At the in 1 shown tread profile are in the shoulder block rows 1 and in the middle rows 3 in each case two pitches P ₁ , P ₂ and P ₃ , P ₄ different lengths available. The arrangement of the pitches over the tire circumference is determined by means of a computer program and optimized in such a way that dominating frequencies in the radiated tire / road noise are avoided as far as possible, the pitch sequences of the tread pattern not being the subject of the invention.

The total number of pitches P ₁ , P ₂ in the shoulder block rows 1 is in accordance with the invention designed car tires, which are intended for winter use, at least 80, in an embodiment without spikes, preferably at least 100. The shoulder blocks 2 therefore have a relatively small circumferential length. In every shoulder block 2 are at most two cuts 8th provided, in the short pitches P ₁ each an incision 8th , in the longer pitches P ₂ two incisions each 8th , The cuts 8th run parallel to the transverse grooves 6 about the extent of the shoulder blocks 2 and open into the wide circumferential groove 5 , They are in the illustrated embodiment as rectilinear cuts 8th executed.

In the block-like profile elements 4 in the middle rows 3 are in the transverse direction or almost in the transverse direction of the profile and rectilinear cuts 9 provided, which the block-like profile elements 4 traverse, where also on the tire equator AA running incisions 9 are provided, so that the middle part of the tread in a uniform manner of incisions 9 is traversed. The cuts 9 are arranged at equal mutual distances, wherein per block-like profile element 4 at least six cuts 9 run.

All cuts 8th . 9 have a width of 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, in particular of about 0.4 mm, and a depth of at least 2 mm, wherein they preferably at least partially extend to tread depth.

In a tread according to the invention, the number of pitches P ₁ , P ₂ in the shoulder-side profile structures over the tire circumference is 1.7 to 3.2 times the number of pitches P ₃ , P _{4 of} the profile structures in the middle region. In the shoulder-side profile structures, here the shoulder blocks, the total number of incisions is 8th over the tire circumference much less than the total number of cuts 9 in the middle area of the tread. Viewed across the tread circumference is the total number of cuts 9 3 to 6 times the total number of cuts 8th in the shoulder block rows 1 ,

In the 2 shown embodiment of a tread pattern is also executed directionally bound, but at the same time designed so asymmetrical that a tire with this tread pattern has a defined outside A and a defined inside I. On the outside A there is a shoulder block row 1' , which, analogous to the shoulder block rows 1 of the first embodiment, blocks 2 ' and transverse grooves 6 ' which are divided into pitches P ₁ 'to P ₄ ' of different circumferential lengths, the total number over the tire circumference is at least 80. The straight transverse grooves 6 ' connect with the circumferential direction the mentioned angle α of at least 75 °. The second shoulder block row 1'' made of blocks 2 '' and transverse grooves 6 '' exists, as well as those between the shoulder block rows 1' and 1'' extending profile elements, another block row 10 from blocks 11 and transverse grooves 12 as well as a number 3 ' from double blocks 4 ' . 4 '' , are arranged in a pitch concept with two pitches P ₅ ', P ₆ ' of different lengths. The total number of pitches P ₁ 'to P ₄ ' over the tire circumference is between 1.7 and 3.2 times the total number of pitches P ₅ ', P ₆ '. The shoulder block row 1'' is through a circumferential groove 5 ' from the middle block row 10 separated, which runs in the same tread half as the shoulder block row 1'' , More wide circumferential grooves 5 ' separate the block row 10 from the double block row 3 ' and these from the shoulder block row 1' , The shoulder blocks 1' are, depending on the pitch length, with one or two cuts 8th' provided in the embodiment shown zigzag and run in the profile transverse direction and in the circumferential groove 5 ' lead. The cuts 8th' can with at least one more nick 8th'' combined, not in the circumferential groove 5 ' flows and parallel to the incisions 8th' runs.

The shoulder blocks 2 '' in the shoulder block row 1'' are by slightly arcuate transverse profile transverse grooves 6 '' separated in the circumferential direction. Depending on the pitch length are in each shoulder block 2 '' three or four cuts 8th''' which are at least substantially equidistant from one another, extend in the transverse direction and have zigzag sections in combination with rectilinear sections. At least one of the cuts 8th''' in every shoulder block 2 '' opens into the adjacent circumferential groove 5 ' , The in the double block row 3 ' provided blocks 4 ' . 4 '' are in the transverse and circumferential direction by grooves 7 ' . 7 '' separated. The grooves 7 '' are in the embodiment shown straight grooves, their orientation with the orientation of the transverse grooves 12 matches. In the grooves 7 '' open approximately in the middle sections 7b ' the grooves 7 ' which are mutually to the grooves 7 '' run inclined and include an angle γ 'from 20 ° to 40 ° with the circumferential direction. The sections 7a ' include an angle β 'with the circumferential direction on the order of 40 ° to 60 °. Through the course of the grooves 7 ' arise to the circumferential direction slightly obliquely inclined and elongated blocks 4 ' , In the blocks 4 ' . 4 '' is in each case a number of mutually equally spaced, at least substantially in the profile transverse direction and zigzag running incisions 9 ' provided which blocks 4 ' . 4 '' mostly completely traversed, with per block 4 ' . 4 '' at least five cuts 9 ' are provided.

The total number of cuts 9 ' in the profile elements 4 ' . 4 '' in the middle area is many times, in particular up to 6 times larger than the total number of cuts 8th' in the shoulder blocks 2 ' the shoulder block row 1' ,

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. In particular, there are a large number of possibilities for designing profiles designed according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Shoulder block row

1'

Shoulder block row

1''

Shoulder block row

2

block

2 '

block

2 ''

block

3

line

3 '

Double block row

4

block-like profile elements

4 '

block

4 ''

block

5

circumferential groove

5 '

circumferential groove

6

transverse groove

6 '

transverse groove

6 ''

transverse groove

7

groove

7 '

grooves

7 ''

grooves

7a

groove section

7a '

groove section

7b

groove section

7b '

groove section

8th

cuts

8th'

incision

8th''

incision

8th'''

incision

9

cuts

9 '

cuts

10

block row

11

block

12

transverse groove

14

cuts

α

Angle cross groove

β

Angle groove section 7a

β '

Angle groove section 7a '

γ

Angle groove section 7b

γ '

Angle groove section 7b '

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1564029 A [0002]
• WO 2004/056588 A [0002]
• DE 197050156 A1 [0002]
• EP 0688686 A [0002]
• EP 0671288 B [0003]
• DE 19957915 A [0004]

Claims (7)

Pneumatic vehicle tire for passenger cars, in particular for use in wintry driving conditions, with a tread pattern with a number of circumferentially extending in series profile elements ( 2 . 2 ' . 2 '' . 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' . 11 ), for example blocks, wherein the profile elements ( 2 . 2 ' . 2 '' . 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' . 11 ) Cuts ( 8th . 8th' . 8th'' . 8th''' . 9 . 9 ' ), which are oriented at least substantially in the profile transverse direction, wherein the total number of cuts ( 9 . 9 ' ) in at least one profile element row running in the tread center region ( 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' ) is greater than the total number of cuts ( 8th . 8th' ) in a shoulder-side profile element row ( 1 . 1' ), whereby all profile elements ( 2 . 2 ' . 2 '' . 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' ) are arranged in circumferentially repeating pitches (P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₁ 'to P ₄ ', P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₅ ', P ₆ ') of different circumferential lengths, respectively, and circumferentially extending rows (FIG. 1 . 1' . 3 . 3 ' ) of profile elements (( 2 . 2 ' . 2 '' . 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' ), in which the total number of pitches (P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₁ 'to P ₄ ') in at least one of the shoulder-side profile element rows ( 1 . 1' ) between 1.7 and 3.2 times greater than the total number of pitches (P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₅ ', P ₆ ') in at least one profile element row provided in the tread center region ( 3 . 3 ' ), characterized in that the total number of pitches (P ₁ , P ₂ ; P ₁ 'to P ₄ ') in the shoulder-side profile element row ( 1 . 1' ) whose total number of pitches is greater than those in at least one profile element row ( 3 . 3 ' ) in the tread center area, at least 80, in particular at least 100. Pneumatic vehicle tire according to claim 1, characterized in that the total number of pitches (P ₁ , P ₂ ; P ₁ 'to P ₄ ') in at least one of the shoulder-side profile element rows ( 1 . 1' ) is twice the total number of pitches (P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₅ ', P ₆ ') in at least one row ( 3 . 3 ' ) of profile elements ( 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' ) is in the tread center area. Pneumatic vehicle tire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the profile elements ( 2 . 2 ' ) in the shoulder-side profile element row ( 1 . 1' ) whose total number of pitches is greater than those in at least one profile element row ( 3 ' ) in the tread center area, by transverse grooves ( 6 . 6 ' ) are separated from each other, which extend at an angle (α) of 75 ° to 90 ° to the circumferential direction. Pneumatic vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the profile elements ( 2 . 2 ' ) in the shoulder-side profile element row ( 1 . 1' ) whose total number of pitches is greater than those in at least one profile element row ( 3 ' ) in the tread center area, at most two cuts ( 8th . 8th' ) which are parallel to the transverse grooves ( 6 . 6 ' ) and in a circumferential groove ( 5 . 5 ' ). Pneumatic vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that profile elements ( 4 . 4 ' . 4 '' ) in the tread center region each with a plurality of at least substantially extending in the transverse direction of the profile and in Umgangsnuten ( 5 . 5 ' ) and / or grooves ( 7 . 7 ' . 7 '' ) incisions ( 9 . 9 ' ) are provided. Pneumatic vehicle tire according to one of Claims 1 to 5, the tread pattern of which, relative to the vehicle, has a tread inner section (I) and a tread outer section (A), characterized in that the shoulder-side profiled element row (Fig. 1' ) whose total number of pitches is greater than those in at least one profile element row ( 3 ' ) in the running stiffener area, in the tread outer section (A). Pneumatic vehicle tire according to claim 6, characterized in that the profile element rows - apart from the one or the shoulder-side profile element row (s) ( 1 . 1' ) with the larger total number of pitches - all have a matching total number of pitches.

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