JP2011230699A - Pneumatic tire - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrict deterioration of high-speed durability and conicity in a pneumatic tire having an asymmetry pattern different in a groove area ratio on both sides of a tire equation surface in a tread surface thereof.SOLUTION: The pneumatic tire 1 includes: a bead core; a bead filler; at least one carcass and belt layer; a belt cover layer formed by spirally winding a reinforcing cord of an organic fiber cord along the tire circumferential direction outside of the belt layer in the tire radial direction; and a tread portion having the tread surface 21 different in the groove area ratio on both sides of the tire equation surface C. The tread surface 21 has a tread profile TP where the outermost position P in the tire radial direction is disposed on a smaller groove area ratio side of the tire equation surface C in a meridian cross section, and the amount of offset DL and DR of the tread profile TP in the tire radial direction from the outermost position P in the tire radial direction are formed equal to each other in the outermost end E of each tire in the cross direction thereof.

Description

  The present invention is a pneumatic tire that has an asymmetric pattern with different groove area ratios on the tread surface across the tire equator surface to achieve both drainage and steering stability, and suppresses deterioration in high speed durability and conicity It relates to a pneumatic tire.

  In general, a pneumatic tire having an asymmetric pattern with a different groove area ratio on the tread surface across the tire equator surface is known in order to achieve both drainage performance and steering stability. In such a pneumatic tire, when the groove area ratio is greatly different between the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side when mounted on the vehicle, the conicity becomes a large value, and there is a possibility that a steering wheel flow in which the vehicle is biased in the left-right direction during driving may occur. is there.

  As a countermeasure, it can be considered that the pattern rigidity of the tread portion is made uniform by setting the belt cover material, the belt tension, and the like. However, in this measure, in the asymmetric pattern, the groove area is small and the tread rubber volume is large, so that the binding force by the belt cover material on the side where the pattern rigidity is high (the side where heat generation due to hysteresis loss is large) is relatively reduced. Therefore, since it is difficult to adopt when high-speed durability is required in high-speed running (for example, Y range), another countermeasure is desired.

  In addition, for example, the pneumatic tire (pneumatic radial tire) described in Patent Document 1 includes a tread portion including a cylindrical main tread and auxiliary treads that are rounded from both ends thereof and continuous in the radial direction. In a tire having a large number of main grooves and land portions divided by these main grooves, at least the main tread is an auxiliary in tires having different negative rates defined by the ratio of the groove area to the total area in the left and right regions. The radius of curvature of the contour with the tread roundness is different from left to right, and the side connected to the main tread region having a small negative rate is formed larger.

  Further, for example, the pneumatic tire described in Patent Document 2 (a flat radial tire having an asymmetric tread pattern in an asymmetric profile) is divided into an outer shoulder portion and an outer mediate portion by dividing the outer half surface of the tread into two equal parts, The inner half of the tread is divided into two equal parts, the inner shoulder part and the inner mediate part, the radius of curvature of the inner shoulder part is set to 60 to 90% of the outer shoulder part, and the groove area ratio of the outer half of the tread is set to the inner half of the tread. The groove area ratio is smaller.

  In addition, for example, in the pneumatic tire (the tire / rim wheel assembly and the pneumatic tire) described in Patent Document 3, one tread outer surface and the other tread outer surface are seen in a meridional section across the tire equator plane. And the amount of fall to the shoulder end on the outside of the vehicle is set larger than the amount of fall on the shoulder end on the inside of the vehicle.

JP-A-8-164715 JP-A-9-300906 JP 2002-192906 A

  According to the pneumatic tires described in Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 3 described above, in the pneumatic tire having an asymmetric pattern with different groove area ratios on the tread surface across the tire equator surface, the radius of curvature of the tread surface is different. This tends to improve high-speed durability and conicity problems. However, with the recent improvement in vehicle performance, it is desired to further improve the problem of high-speed durability and conicity.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and suppresses deterioration of high-speed durability and conicity in a pneumatic tire having an asymmetric pattern with a different groove area ratio on the tread surface across the tire equator surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the pneumatic tire of the present invention includes at least one carcass and a belt layer, and a reinforcing cord made of an organic fiber cord on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the belt layer. In a pneumatic tire comprising a belt cover layer spirally wound along a direction and a tread portion having a tread surface having a different groove area ratio across the tire equator surface, the tread surface is a tire equator in a meridional section. The tread has a tread profile in which the outermost position in the tire radial direction is arranged on the side having a smaller groove area ratio across the surface, and the tread from the outermost position in the tire radial direction to the tire radial direction at each outermost end in the tire width direction It is characterized in that the amount of profile drop is formed equally.

  According to this pneumatic tire, by providing the tread portion having a tread surface having a different groove area ratio across the tire equatorial plane, drainage performance can be obtained on the side having the larger groove area ratio (that is, the side having more grooves). At the same time, since the steering stability on the dry road surface can be obtained on the side having a small groove area ratio (that is, the side having few grooves and high rigidity), both drainage performance and steering stability can be achieved. Moreover, according to this pneumatic tire, the tread surface has a tread profile in which the outermost position in the tire radial direction is arranged on the side where the groove area ratio is small across the tire equatorial plane in the meridional section, that is, the side where the rigidity of the tread portion is high. Since the contact pressure is increased on the high-rigidity side to make the contact pressure uniform throughout the contact area, the rigidity of the tread part that sandwiches the tire equator surface without deteriorating durability at high speeds The deterioration of conicity caused by the difference can be suppressed. In addition, in the general tread profile where the outermost position in the tire radial direction is on the tire equatorial plane, pseudo toe-out or toe-in that is not expected due to the influence of conicity during turning will be attached, but the above tread profile should be applied This eliminates the pseudo toe-in and toe-out, so that the steering stability can be improved. Moreover, according to this pneumatic tire, each of the tire equatorial planes is sandwiched by forming the tread profile drop amount from the outermost position in the tire radial direction at the outermost end in the tire width direction to the tire radial direction. The grounding shape of the grounding region can be made uniform.

  In the pneumatic tire of the present invention, the relationship between the tire width direction dimension WA from the tire equator plane to the outermost position in the tire radial direction and the tire width direction dimension WB from the tire equator plane to the ground contact edge is 0. [%] <WA / WB ≦ 20 [%] is set.

  When WA / WB exceeds 20%, the outermost position in the tire radial direction is closer to the grounding end, so that it is difficult to adjust the grounding shape and conicity of the grounding region, and the grounding end on the side with a smaller groove area ratio Since the contact pressure on the side becomes too high, high-speed durability and conicity deteriorate. Therefore, according to this pneumatic tire, by optimizing WA / WB, it is possible to achieve both the drainage performance and the steering stability, and at the same time, the effect of suppressing the deterioration of high speed durability and conicity can be obtained. .

  In the pneumatic tire of the present invention, the radius of curvature RS of the tread profile connected to the outermost end in the tire width direction on the side having a smaller groove area ratio from the outermost position in the tire radial direction, and the outermost position in the tire radial direction. The relationship with the curvature radius RL of the tread profile connected to the outermost end in the tire width direction on the side with a larger groove area ratio is set in a range of 60 [%] ≦ RS / RL ≦ 100 [%]. And

  If the RS / RL is less than 60%, the curvature of the tread profile connected from the outermost position in the tire radial direction to the outermost end in the tire width direction on the side where the groove area ratio is small is too small. Adjustment becomes difficult. On the other hand, if RS / RL is 100 [%] or more, it is necessary to provide a bending point in the tread profile in order to equalize the amount of depression, and it is difficult to adjust the grounding shape of the grounding region. Thus, when adjustment of the grounding shape of the grounding region becomes difficult, high-speed durability and conicity deteriorate. Therefore, according to this pneumatic tire, by optimizing the RS / RL, it is possible to achieve both the drainage performance and the steering stability, and at the same time, the effect of suppressing the high speed durability and the deterioration of the conicity. .

  In the pneumatic tire of the present invention, the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio [%] sandwiching the tire equatorial plane in the contact area of the tread surface is set in a range of 5 ≦ ΔG ≦ 15. To do.

  If the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio across the tire equatorial plane is less than 5, it becomes difficult to achieve both drainage performance and steering stability. On the other hand, when the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio across the tire equatorial plane exceeds 15, adjustment of conicity becomes difficult. Therefore, according to this pneumatic tire, by optimizing the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio, the drainage performance and the steering stability are both compatible, and the effect of suppressing the high speed durability and the deterioration of the conicity is remarkably obtained. be able to.

  In the pneumatic tire of the present invention, the groove area ratio Gout of the tread surface outside the vehicle is set in the range of 20 [%] ≦ Gout ≦ 30 [%] when the tire is mounted on the vehicle. In addition, the groove area ratio Gin of the tread surface inside the vehicle is set in a range of 25 [%] ≦ Gin ≦ 40 [%], and Gout <Gin.

  According to this pneumatic tire, the groove area ratio Gout of the tread surface outside the vehicle across the tire equator plane is made smaller than the groove area ratio Gin of the tread surface inside the vehicle, thereby ensuring drainage performance and turning. It is possible to improve steering stability during traveling, particularly steering stability during high-speed traveling (for example, the Y range). In addition, by optimizing Gout and Gin, the effect of achieving both drainage performance and steering stability can be remarkably obtained.

  The pneumatic tire according to the present invention can suppress high-speed durability and deterioration of conicity in a pneumatic tire having an asymmetric pattern with a different groove area ratio on the tread surface across the tire equatorial plane.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pneumatic tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a meridional sectional view of the pneumatic tire according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a tread profile in a meridional section of a pneumatic tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a chart showing the results of the performance test of the pneumatic tire according to the example of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The constituent elements of this embodiment include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same. In addition, a plurality of modifications described in this embodiment can be arbitrarily combined within a range obvious to those skilled in the art.

  In the following description, the tire radial direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis (not shown) of the pneumatic tire 1, and the tire radial direction inner side refers to the side toward the rotation axis in the tire radial direction, the tire radial direction outer side. The term “side away from the rotation axis” in the tire radial direction. The tire width direction means a direction parallel to the rotation axis, the inner side in the tire width direction means the side toward the tire equator plane (tire equator line) C in the tire width direction, and the outer side in the tire width direction means the tire width. The side away from the tire equatorial plane C in the direction. The tire circumferential direction is a circumferential direction with the rotation axis as a central axis. The tire equatorial plane C is a plane that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the pneumatic tire 1 and passes through the center of the tire width of the pneumatic tire 1. The tire equator line is a line on the tire equator plane C and along the circumferential direction of the pneumatic tire 1. In the present embodiment, the same sign “C” as that of the tire equator plane is attached to the tire equator line.

  The pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment is a tire used for a passenger car, and is particularly suitable for high-speed running (for example, the Y range). As shown in FIG. 1, the pneumatic tire 1 has a tread portion 2. The tread portion 2 is made of a rubber material, and is exposed at the outermost side in the tire radial direction of the pneumatic tire 1, and the surface (hereinafter referred to as a tread surface) 21 becomes the contour of the pneumatic tire 1.

  A plurality of main grooves 22 extending along the tire circumferential direction are arranged in parallel on the tread surface 21 in the tire width direction. In the present embodiment, four main grooves 22 are provided on the tread surface 21. In the present embodiment, the main groove 22 is formed so that the outermost one in the tire width direction has the narrowest groove width compared to the other three. The tread surface 21 is formed with a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) rib-like land portions 23 extending along the tire circumferential direction and parallel to the tire equator line C by a plurality of main grooves 22. Yes. Further, a plurality of sub-grooves 24 having an edge component in the tire circumferential direction are arranged in the land portion 23 in the tire circumferential direction.

  In the present embodiment, in the central land portion 23a formed on the tire equatorial plane C, the auxiliary groove 24 has one end communicating with the main groove 22 on one side and facing the main groove 22 with the narrowest groove width. The other end that extends while inclining with respect to the width direction is formed in a one-end closed type that does not communicate with the main groove 22 on the other side.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sub-groove 24 has one end communicating with the main groove 22 on one side in the intermediate land portion 23b on both sides in the tire width direction of the central land portion 23a, and the main groove 22 with the narrowest groove width. The other end that extends obliquely toward the tire width direction is formed in a one-end closed type that does not communicate with the main groove 22 on the other side.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sub-groove 24 is formed so as to penetrate the main groove 22 in one outer land portion 23c formed by the main groove 22 having the narrowest groove width on the outermost side in the tire width direction. The inner end in the tire width direction is closed at the intermediate land portion 23b adjacent to the outer land portion 23c. The closed end in the tire width direction of the sub-groove 24 is formed independently without communicating with the sub-groove 24 of the intermediate land portion 23b. Further, in the present embodiment, the sub-groove 24 is formed so as not to communicate with the main groove 22 in the other outer land portion 23c on the outermost side in the tire width direction and is closed at the inner end in the tire width direction. Moreover, the edge part of the tire width direction outer side of the sub-groove 24 provided in each outer side land part 23c is bent and formed in the tire circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the position of the outer end in the tire width direction of the sub-groove 24 formed in each outer land portion 23 c is defined as the outermost end E in the tire width direction of the tread portion 2.

  Here, the main groove 22 refers to a groove whose opening width on the tread surface 21 is 3 [mm] or more and a groove depth is 4 [mm] or more. In addition, the narrow groove included in the sub-groove 24 refers to a groove whose opening width in the tread surface 21 is defined to be 1.2 [mm] or less. Further, the lug groove included in the sub-groove 24 refers to everything that does not belong to the definition of the main groove 22 and the narrow groove. The definition of the groove is based on a tire new time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the pneumatic tire 1 according to the present embodiment includes shoulder portions 3 on both sides of the tread portion 2, and sidewall portions 4 and bead portions 5 that are sequentially continuous from the shoulder portions 3. is doing. Further, the pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment includes a carcass 6, a belt layer 7, and a belt cover layer 8.

  The shoulder portion 3 is a portion on both outer sides in the tire width direction of the tread portion 2. The sidewall portion 4 is exposed on the outermost side in the tire width direction of the pneumatic tire 1. The bead unit 5 includes a bead core 51 and a bead filler 52. The bead core 51 is formed by winding a bead wire, which is a steel wire, in a ring shape. The bead filler 52 is a rubber material disposed in a space formed by folding the end portion in the tire width direction of the carcass 6 at the position of the bead core 51.

  The carcass 6 is provided with at least one layer, and each end portion in the tire width direction is folded back from the inner side in the tire width direction to the outer side in the tire width direction by a pair of bead cores 51 and is wound in a toroidal shape in the tire circumferential direction. It constitutes the skeleton of the tire. The carcass 6 is formed by coating a cord such as organic fiber (nylon or polyester) or steel with a coat rubber. The cord has a tire circumferential direction, that is, an angle with respect to the tire equatorial plane C that is substantially 90 degrees, and a range of −5 degrees to +5 degrees with respect to 90 degrees with respect to the tire equatorial plane C. Including the angle.

  The belt layer 7 is provided with at least one layer, and is disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction which is the outer periphery of the carcass 6 in the tread portion 2, and covers the carcass 6 in the tire circumferential direction. The belt layer 7 is formed by coating a cord such as organic fiber (nylon, polyester, etc.) or steel with a coat rubber. The cord of the belt layer 7 is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction, that is, the tire equatorial plane C. When the belt layer 7 has a multilayer structure having belts 71 and 72 as shown in FIG. 2, the cords are arranged so as to cross each other.

  The belt cover layer 8 is provided in at least one layer, and is disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction that is the outer periphery of the belt layer 7 in the tread portion 2, and covers the belt layer 7 in the tire circumferential direction. The belt cover layer 8 is formed by coating a reinforcing cord of organic fiber (such as nylon or polyester) with a coat rubber. The reinforcing cord has a tire circumferential direction, that is, an angle with respect to the tire equatorial plane C that is substantially 0 [degree], and is from −5 [degree] to +5 [degree] with respect to 0 [degree] with respect to the tire equatorial plane C. Includes range angles. The belt cover layer 8 is configured such that a strip material having a width (for example, 10 mm width) narrower than its own dimension in the tire width direction is spirally wound in the tire circumferential direction.

  In the pneumatic tire 1 described above, in the present embodiment, the tread portion 2 has a tread surface 21 having a different groove area ratio G across the tire equatorial plane C.

  The groove area ratio G is a ratio of the total groove area Y of the main groove 22 and the sub groove 24 opened in the tread surface 21 to the area (ground area) X of the ground area 25 in the ground area 25 shown in FIG. (G = Y / X × 100 [%]).

  The ground contact area 25 means that the tread surface 21 of the pneumatic tire 1 contacts the flat surface when the pneumatic tire 1 is assembled to a normal rim and filled with a normal internal pressure and 70% of the normal load is applied. An area. Further, both outermost ends of the contact area 25 in the tire width direction are referred to as contact ends T. In FIG. 1, the contact ends T are continuously shown in the tire circumferential direction. Further, the distance between the ground contact ends T in the tire width direction is defined as a ground contact width WT.

  The regular rim is “standard rim” defined by JATMA, “Design Rim” defined by TRA, or “Measuring Rim” defined by ETRTO. The normal internal pressure is “maximum air pressure” defined by JATMA, the maximum value described in “TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES” defined by TRA, or “INFLATION PRESSURES” defined by ETRTO. The normal load is “maximum load capacity” defined by JATMA, a maximum value described in “TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES” defined by TRA, or “LOAD CAPACITY” defined by ETRTO.

  In the present embodiment, the groove area ratio G of the tread surface 21 sandwiching the tire equatorial plane C is GL <GR, where GL is the left region and GR is the right region in FIGS. That is, the left region GL is set to have a total groove area Y smaller than that of the right region GR.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tread surface 21 has a tread profile in which the outermost position P in the tire radial direction is arranged on the side where the groove area ratio G is small (left side region GL) across the tire equatorial plane C in the meridional section. Has TP.

  The outermost position P in the tire radial direction is the outermost position in the tire radial direction, and the tire outer diameter H (the tire radial direction) in a no-load state in which the pneumatic tire 1 is mounted on a regular rim and has a prescribed air pressure. (Dimension) The position of the tread profile TP on the top.

  Further, the tread surface 21 has DL = DR as the relationship between the drop amounts DL and DR of the tread profile TP from the outermost position P in the tire radial direction at the tire width direction outermost end E to the tire radial direction. DL and DR are formed equally.

  As described above, in the pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment, at least one carcass 6 and the belt layer 7 and the reinforcing cord made of the organic fiber cord spirally along the tire circumferential direction outside the belt layer 7 in the tire radial direction. And a tread portion 2 having a tread surface 21 having a different groove area ratio G across the tire equatorial plane C. And in this pneumatic tire 1, the tread surface 21 has a tread profile TP in which the outermost position P in the tire radial direction is arranged on the side where the groove area ratio G is small across the tire equatorial plane C in the meridional section, and The drop amounts DL and DR of the tread profile TP in the tire radial direction from the tire radial direction outermost position P at each tire width direction outermost end E are formed to be equal.

  According to this pneumatic tire 1, the tread portion 2 having the tread surface 21 having a different groove area ratio G across the tire equatorial plane C is provided, so that the side having the larger groove area ratio G (that is, the side having more grooves). In addition to being able to obtain drainage performance, it is possible to obtain steering stability on the dry road surface on the side where the groove area ratio G is small (that is, the side where there are few grooves and high rigidity), so drainage performance (WET braking performance) and steering stability ( DRY operability) can be achieved at the same time.

  Moreover, according to the pneumatic tire 1, the tread surface 21 is located at the outermost position in the tire radial direction on the side where the groove area ratio G is small across the tire equatorial plane C in the meridional section, that is, on the side where the rigidity of the tread portion 2 is high. By having the tread profile TP in which P is arranged, the ground pressure is increased on the rigid side and the ground pressure is made uniform throughout the ground area 25, so that the durability (high speed durability) at high speeds is deteriorated. Without being accompanied, it becomes possible to suppress the deterioration of the conicity caused by the difference in rigidity of the tread portion 2 sandwiching the tire equatorial plane C. In addition, in a general tread profile in which the outermost position P in the tire radial direction is on the tire equatorial plane C, a pseudo toe-out or toe-in that is not expected due to the influence of conicity is given during turning, but the tread of the present embodiment By applying the profile TP, pseudo toe-in and toe-out are eliminated, so that the steering stability can be improved.

  Moreover, according to this pneumatic tire 1, by forming the drop amounts DL and DR of the tread profile TP in the tire radial direction from the tire radial direction outermost position P at each tire width direction outermost end E to be equal, It is possible to make the contact shape of each contact region 25 across the tire equatorial plane C uniform.

  Further, in the pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the tire width direction dimension WA from the tire equatorial plane C to the tire radial direction outermost position P, and from the tire equatorial plane C to the ground contact end T. Is preferably set in a range of 0 [%] <WA / WB ≦ 20 [%].

  When WA / WB exceeds 20 [%], the outermost position P in the tire radial direction is closer to the ground contact end T, so that it is difficult to adjust the ground contact shape and conicity of the ground contact region 25 and the groove area ratio G is small. Since the contact pressure near the contact end T on the side (closer to the shoulder portion 3) becomes too high, high-speed durability and conicity are deteriorated. Therefore, according to this pneumatic tire 1, by optimizing WA / WB, it is possible to achieve both drainage performance (WET braking performance) and steering stability (DRY stability), as well as high-speed durability and conicity. It is possible to obtain a remarkable effect of suppressing deterioration.

  Further, in the pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the curvature of the tread profile TP continuous from the tire radial direction outermost position P to the tire width direction outermost end E on the side where the groove area ratio G is small. The relationship between the radius RS and the curvature radius RL of the tread profile TP connected to the tire width direction outermost end E on the side where the groove area ratio G is larger from the tire radial direction outermost position P is 60 [%] ≦ RS / RL < It is preferably set in the range of 100 [%].

  When RS / RL is less than 60%, the curvature of the tread profile TP continuous from the tire radial direction outermost position P to the tire width direction outermost end E on the side where the groove area ratio G is small is too small. It becomes difficult to adjust the grounding shape of 25. On the other hand, when RS / RL is 100 [%] or more, it is necessary to provide a bending point in the tread profile TP in order to equalize the drop amounts DL and DR, and it becomes difficult to adjust the grounding shape of the grounding region 25. Thus, when adjustment of the grounding shape of the grounding region 25 becomes difficult, high-speed durability and conicity deteriorate. Therefore, according to this pneumatic tire 1, by optimizing RS / RL, it is possible to achieve both drainage performance (WET braking performance) and steering stability (DRY stability), as well as high-speed durability and conicity. It is possible to obtain a remarkable effect of suppressing deterioration.

  Further, in the pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment, the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio G [%] sandwiching the tire equatorial plane C in the contact area 25 of the tread surface 21 is set in a range of 5 ≦ ΔG ≦ 15. It is preferable.

  If the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio G across the tire equatorial plane C is less than 5, it becomes difficult to achieve both drainage performance (WET braking performance) and steering stability (DRY stability). On the other hand, if the difference ΔG in the groove area ratio G across the tire equatorial plane C exceeds 15, adjustment of conicity becomes difficult. Therefore, according to this pneumatic tire 1, by adjusting the difference ΔG of the groove area ratio G, both the drainage performance (WET braking performance) and the steering stability (DRY stability) are achieved, and the high speed durability is achieved. It becomes possible to obtain the effect which suppresses deterioration of property and conicity remarkably.

  Further, in the pneumatic tire 1 of the present embodiment, when mounted on the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tire equatorial plane C is set such that the left region described above is the vehicle outer side and the right region is the vehicle inner side. The groove area ratio Gout of the tread surface 21 outside the vehicle is set in a range of 20 [%] ≦ Gout ≦ 30 [%], and the groove area ratio Gin of the tread surface 21 inside the vehicle is 25 [%]. ≦ Gin ≦ 40 [%] is preferably set, and Gout <Gin.

  According to the pneumatic tire 1, the drainage performance (WET) is reduced by making the groove area ratio Gout of the tread surface 21 on the vehicle outer side of the tire equatorial plane C smaller than the groove area ratio Gin of the tread surface 21 on the vehicle inner side. It is possible to improve steering stability (DRY stability) during turning while maintaining steering performance (DRY stability) especially at high speed (for example, Y range) while ensuring braking performance. Become. Moreover, by setting the ranges 20 [%] ≦ Gout ≦ 30 [%] and 25 [%] ≦ Gin ≦ 40 [%], drainage performance (WET braking performance) and steering stability (DRY stability) It is possible to obtain a remarkable effect of achieving both.

  In this example, drainage performance (WET braking performance), steering stability (DRY stability), high-speed durability, and conicity (uniformity: UF (conity: CON)) for a plurality of types of pneumatic tires with different conditions. A performance test was conducted (see FIG. 4).

  In this performance test, a pneumatic tire having a tire size of 255 / 40R18 was assembled to a rim of 18 × 8.5J.

  In the WET braking performance evaluation method, the test tire was filled with a specified air pressure (front 250 [kPa] / rear 220 [kPa]) and mounted on a test vehicle (European 3 liter class FR vehicle). Then, the braking distance from the traveling speed of 100 [km / h] on the WET paved road surface is evaluated with a test vehicle. This evaluation is indicated by an index value based on the conventional pneumatic tire as a reference (100), and a larger index value is preferable.

  In the DRY stability evaluation method, the driver can control the initial responsiveness when the driving lane is changed while traveling on a straight test course at 100 [km / h] with the above test vehicle. The conventional example is evaluated as a standard. In this case, an average of evaluations by five drivers is used as an evaluation point, and an index value with the conventional pneumatic tire as a reference (100) is shown, and a larger index value is preferable.

  In the high-speed durability evaluation method, the test tire is filled with a normal internal pressure, a normal load is applied, and a speed is 180 [km / h] using a high-speed tester with a camber (camber angle: −4.0 [degrees]). The test is started and the speed is increased by 10 [km / h] every 10 minutes, and the evaluation is based on the running time until the tire breaks. This evaluation is indicated by an index value based on the conventional pneumatic tire as a reference (100), and a larger index value is preferable.

  In the UF (CON) evaluation method, the test tire is filled with a normal internal pressure, a normal load is applied, a radial variation (RFV) based on the JASO C607 standard is measured by a force variation tester, and An average value [N] of forces acting in the axial direction of the tire is measured and compared. The measured value is preferably as the numerical value is smaller.

  The pneumatic tire of the conventional example has an asymmetric tread surface having different groove area ratios across the tire equator surface. In the conventional pneumatic tire, the amount of depression of the tread profile is equal and the groove area ratio on the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side is within the specified range, but the outermost position in the tire radial direction is on the tire equator plane (WA = 0). Arranged and out of specification, and the relationship between the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL) and the groove area ratio difference are out of specification.

  The pneumatic tire of Comparative Example 1 has a symmetrical tread surface with an equal groove area ratio across the tire equatorial plane. The pneumatic tire of Comparative Example 1 has the same amount of depression in the tread profile, and the groove area ratio on the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side is within the specified range, but the outermost position in the tire radial direction is on the tire equatorial plane (WA = 0). The relationship between the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL) and the groove area ratio difference are outside the specification. The pneumatic tire of Comparative Example 2 has an asymmetric tread surface with different groove area ratios across the tire equator surface. In the pneumatic tire of Comparative Example 2, the amount of depression of the tread profile is the same, and the groove area ratio and the groove area ratio difference between the vehicle inner side and the vehicle outer side are within the specified range, but the outermost position in the tire radial direction is the groove area ratio. It is arranged on the larger side and is out of specification, and the relationship of the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL) is out of specification.

  On the other hand, the pneumatic tires of Examples 1 to 11 have asymmetric tread surfaces having different groove area ratios across the tire equatorial surface, and the amount of depression of the tread profile is equal, and the tire radial direction The outermost position is located on the side where the groove area ratio is small and is within the specified range. In the pneumatic tires of Example 2 and Example 3, the outermost position in the tire radial direction is further within the prescribed range of (WA / WB) with respect to Example 1. Further, in Example 4 and Example 5, the relationship of the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL) is within the specified range compared to Example 1. Further, in Example 6 and Example 7, the groove area ratio difference is further within the specified range with respect to Example 1. Further, in the eighth embodiment, the groove area ratio difference and the groove area ratios on the vehicle outer side and the vehicle inner side are within the specified range compared to the first embodiment. Further, in Example 9, the outermost position in the tire radial direction (WA / WB) and the relationship between the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL) are within the specified range compared to Example 1. Further, in Example 10, the tire radial direction outermost position (WA / WB), the relationship between the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL), and the groove area ratio difference are further specified as compared with Example 1. Is within. Further, in Example 11, the tire radial direction outermost position (WA / WB), the relationship between the radius of curvature of the tread profile (RS / RL), the groove area ratio difference, the vehicle outside and The groove area ratio inside the vehicle is within a specified range.

  As shown in the test results of FIG. 4, in the pneumatic tires of Examples 1 to 11, both the drainage performance (WET braking performance) and the handling stability (DRY stability) are compatible, and the high-speed durability is achieved. It can also be seen that conicity is maintained.

  As described above, the pneumatic tire according to the present invention suppresses deterioration of high-speed durability and conicity in a pneumatic tire having an asymmetric pattern with a different groove area ratio on the tread surface across the tire equatorial plane. Is suitable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pneumatic tire 2 Tread part 21 Tread surface 22 Main groove 23 Land part 23a Central land part 23b Middle land part 23c Outer land part 24 Subgroove 25 Grounding area 3 Shoulder part 4 Side wall part 5 Bead part 51 Bead core 52 Bead filler 6 Carcass 7 Belt layer 71, 72 Belt 8 Belt cover layer C Tire equator surface (tire equator line)
T Ground contact edge WT Ground contact width E Tire width direction outermost edge H Tire outer diameter TP Tread profile P Tire radial outermost position DL, DR Tread profile drop amount WA Tire width from tire equatorial plane to tire radial outermost position Directional dimension WB Tire width direction dimension from tire equatorial plane to ground contact edge Y Groove area G Groove area ratio GL (Gout) Groove area ratio of left area (vehicle outside) GR (Gin) Groove area of right area (vehicle inside) Ratio ΔG Difference in groove area ratio RS Curvature radius of tread profile in left region (vehicle outside) RL Curvature radius of tread profile in right region (vehicle inside)

Claims (5)

At least one carcass and belt layer, a belt cover layer in which a reinforcing cord made of an organic fiber cord is spirally wound along the tire circumferential direction on the outer side in the tire radial direction of the belt layer, and a groove across the tire equatorial plane In a pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion having a tread surface with different area ratios,
The tread surface has a tread profile in which the outermost position in the tire radial direction is arranged on the side where the groove area ratio is small across the tire equatorial plane in the meridional section, and the tire radial direction outermost end in each tire width direction. A pneumatic tire, wherein the amount of depression of the tread profile from the outer position to the tire radial direction is formed to be equal.   The relationship between the tire width direction dimension WA from the tire equator plane to the outermost position in the tire radial direction and the tire width direction dimension WB from the tire equator plane to the ground contact edge is 0 [%] <WA / WB ≦ 20 [ %] Is set in the range of [%].   The radius of curvature RS of the tread profile that extends from the outermost position in the tire radial direction to the outermost end in the tire width direction on the side where the groove area ratio is small, and the tire width direction on the side where the groove area ratio is larger from the outermost position in the tire radial direction The relationship with the curvature radius RL of the tread profile connected to the outermost end is set in a range of 60 [%] ≦ RS / RL ≦ 100 [%]. Pneumatic tire.   4. The difference ΔG in the groove area ratio [%] sandwiching the tire equatorial plane in the contact area of the tread surface is set in a range of 5 ≦ ΔG ≦ 15. 5. Pneumatic tire described in one.   When mounted on the vehicle, the groove area ratio Gout of the outer tread surface across the tire equator surface is set to a range of 20 [%] ≦ Gout ≦ 30 [%], and the groove on the inner tread surface of the vehicle The area ratio Gin is set in a range of 25 [%] ≦ Gin ≦ 40 [%], and Gout <Gin, wherein the air content according to any one of claims 1 to 4 tire.

Images