JP5588286B2 - Pneumatic tire - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire with improved visibility of a mark formed on a sidewall portion of the tire.

  On the surface of the sidewall portion of the tire, a mark that is a character, a symbol, or the like representing the manufacturer name, product name, size, etc. of the tire is formed. In order to improve the visibility of these marks, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, for example, the mark a as a whole is formed one step higher than the surface of the sidewall, A protrusion b is provided along the outline of the chapter a and the mark a is displayed in a bag shape (for example, FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1), and a plurality of ridges c1 are arranged in parallel on the surface of the sidewall portion. There has been proposed a pattern in which a serration pattern c is formed and a part of the ridge c1 is cut out along the outline of the mark a to display the mark a in a bag character (for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, these marks “a” change the reflection of light by a step with the surface of the sidewall portion or a notch of the ridge, and improve the visibility by the brightness, but the reflection surface is flat. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of visibility, such as the light and dark pattern being binarized, the three-dimensional effect being poor, and the light and dark pattern not much changing depending on the viewing angle.

JP-A-9-86106 JP 2003-146025 A

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a plurality of recesses along the length direction of the protrusion provided along the outline of the mark, and at the first cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the protrusion. An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire in which the reflection of light is changed and the visibility of a mark is improved on the basis of forming a convex curved surface portion on at least a part of the surface of the strip.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is a pneumatic tire provided with a protrusion protruding from the surface of the sidewall portion and along the outline of the mark on the sidewall portion of the tire. In the first cross section that is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the ridge, the ridge has a convex curved surface portion that is convex toward the outside of the ridge on at least a part of its surface. with obtaining, on said ridge, the height from the surface of the sidewall portion is a plurality of recessed portions small than the height of the protrusion is spaced in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion, the convex The curved surface portion is characterized in that an apex at which the protrusion protrudes most from the surface of the sidewall portion is included at an intermediate position thereof .

The invention according to claim 2 is a pneumatic tire comprising a ridge protruding from a surface of the sidewall portion and along a contour of a mark on the sidewall portion of the tire, In the first cross section that is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction, the ridge includes a convex curved surface portion that protrudes toward the outside of the ridge on at least a part of the surface thereof, and the ridge includes A plurality of indentations having a height from the surface of the sidewall portion smaller than the height of the ridge are spaced apart in the length direction of the ridge, and the ridge is the most from the surface of the sidewall portion. In the second cross section, which is a cross section in the length direction of the ridge that passes through the projecting vertex and is perpendicular to the surface of the sidewall portion, the concave portion has a concave curve portion that is recessed toward the inside of the concave portion. It is characterized by comprising .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pneumatic tire provided with a protrusion protruding from a surface of the sidewall portion and along a contour of a mark on the sidewall portion of the tire, In the first cross section, which is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction, the protrusions are straight wall surfaces on both sides, and at least a part of the protrusion-like surface protrudes outward from the protrusions. And a plurality of dents having a height from the surface of the sidewall portion smaller than the height of the ridges, spaced apart in the length direction of the ridges. The recessed portion penetrates between the wall surface portions on both sides .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first cross section, the protrusion comprises a linear wall surface portion and an upper surface portion connecting the wall surface portions, and the upper surface portion is the convex curved surface portion. It is characterized by that.

In the invention of claim 5 , the length La of the recess is 1.3 to 2.5 times the width W4 of the ridge .

In the invention of claim 6, the ridge forms a closed curve that makes a round along the contour of the mark, and the number of the recessed portions formed is a dimensionless value of one round length (unit: mm) of the closed curve . It is characterized by being in the range of 1/10 to 1/6 times.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that serrations are formed outside the outline of the mark .

In the invention of claim 8 , serrations are formed outside the contour of the mark, and the height hs of the serration from the surface of the side wall is larger than the height of the wall surface of the protrusion. It is characterized by being.

  In the present invention, the convex curved surface portion is provided on the protrusion along the outline of the mark. Therefore, while the light reflected by the conventional plane becomes a binary light / dark pattern, the light / dark of the light reflected by the convex curved surface can be changed in an analog manner, and the light / dark pattern depends on the viewing angle. Changes, so that the three-dimensional effect of the ridges can be enhanced.

  A plurality of recesses are provided along the length of the protrusion. This dent can complicate the appearance of the ridge, can emphasize the analog change of light and dark in the convex curved surface, and can further increase the change of the light and dark pattern depending on the viewing angle. As a result, the three-dimensional effect and presence of the protrusion can be further increased, and the visibility of the mark can be improved.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a part of a sidewall portion of the pneumatic tire of the present invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows a protrusion. It is sectional drawing of the length direction and the perpendicular | vertical direction of a protrusion. It is sectional drawing of the length direction of the protrusion which passes along the vertex of a protrusion and is orthogonal to a sidewall surface. (A), (B) is a 2nd sectional view showing other examples of a dent part. It is a perspective view which shows a protrusion with a serration. (A)-(C) are 2nd sectional drawings which show the other example of a protrusion. (A)-(C) are the perspective view and front view of the conventional mark. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where the closed area | region is formed in a mark.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a part of a sidewall portion of the pneumatic tire of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a ridge.

  1 and 2, the pneumatic tire 1 is provided on the sidewall portion 2 so as to protrude from the surface 2S (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a sidewall surface 2S) at a small height and along the contour of the mark 3. Provide ridges 4.

  As is well known, the mark 3 is a character, symbol, figure or the like representing the manufacturer name, product name, size, etc. of the tire. Then it is displayed in a bag character. Note that it is not necessary to provide the ridges 4 on all the marks 3, and the ridges 4 may be provided only on specific marks 3 such as product names among the marks 3.

  The ridge 4 forms a closed curve that goes around the outline of the mark 3. For example, when the mark 3 has a closed area Y in the mark 3 such as letters “B”, “D”, “O”, “P”, “Q”, as shown in FIG. 1, as representatively shown in the case of the letter “O”, the outer protrusion 4 </ b> A that goes around the outer contour that is the outer periphery of the mark 3 and the inner contour that is the inner periphery (the above-mentioned It is possible to form the inner ridge 4B that makes a circuit along the outer periphery of the closed region Y). In this case, the mark 3 which is, for example, the letter “O” can be displayed in a bag character shape by the inner and outer protrusions 4A, 4B. Note that only the outer protrusion 4A can be formed as required.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 4 has a plurality of recesses 5 having a height H5 from the sidewall surface 2S smaller than the height H4 of the protrusion 4. Separated in the length direction. As shown in FIG. 3, in the first cross section which is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the ridge 4, the ridge 4 is directed to at least a part of the surface of the ridge 4 toward the outside of the ridge 4. A convex curved surface portion 6 having a convex arc shape (including an elliptical shape) is provided.

  The protrusion 4 includes a vertex P that protrudes most from the sidewall surface 2S, and the height of the vertex P from the sidewall surface 2S is defined as a height H4 of the protrusion 4. Moreover, it is preferable that the convex curved surface portion 6 includes the apex P at an intermediate position thereof. In particular, the ridge 4 is formed between the linear wall surface portions 7 and the upper ends of the wall surface portions 7 and 7. An upper surface portion 8 that joins and the upper surface portion 8 as the convex curved surface portion 6 is preferably employed.

  The height H4 and the width W4 of the ridge 4 are not particularly restricted, but if it is too small, it is difficult to improve the visibility, and conversely, if it is too large, cracks or the like are generated in the ridge 4 due to tire deformation during traveling. Invite the fear. Therefore, the height H4 of the protrusion 4 is preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.8 mm. Further, the width W4 of the protrusion 4 is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 0.07 times the width W3 of the mark 3 in the tire radial direction (shown in FIG. 1) in terms of balance.

  The recess 5 is spaced apart in the length direction of the protrusion 4, and the length La of the recess 5 is preferably in the range of 1.3 to 2.5 times the width W4 of the protrusion 4. . The number n of the recessed portions 5 is preferably in the range of 1/10 to 1/6 times the circumference L0 (unit mm) of the closed curve. The height H5 of the recess 5 is preferably 40% or less of the height H4 of the ridge 4, and its lower limit is 0 mm.

  In this way, the protrusion 4 having the convex curved surface portion 6 changes the brightness of the light reflected by the convex curved surface portion 6 in an analog manner, while the light reflected by the flat surface has a binary light / dark pattern. Can be made. Moreover, since the light and dark pattern changes depending on the viewing angle, the three-dimensional effect and presence of the protrusion 4 can be enhanced.

  The concave portion 5 formed on the ridge 4 complicates the appearance of the ridge 4, can emphasize the analog change of light and darkness in the convex curved surface portion 6, and has a pattern of light and dark depending on the viewing angle. The change can be greater. As a result, the three-dimensional effect and presence of the protrusion 4 can be further increased, and the visibility of the mark 3 can be greatly improved.

  When the number n of the recessed portions 5 is less than 1/10 times the round length L0, the height H5 of the recessed portions 5 exceeds 40% of the height H4, and the length La protrudes. If the width W4 of the strip 4 is less than 1.3 times the width W4, the above-described effect due to the recess 5 is not sufficiently achieved. On the other hand, when the number n of the recessed portions 5 exceeds 1/6 times the round length L0, and when the length La exceeds 2.5 times the width W4 of the protrusion 4, The impression of the peak portion 10 between the recessed portions 5 and 5 is weakened, which causes a disadvantage in improving the visibility of the mark 3.

  When the inner and outer ridges 4A and 4B are formed as in this example, the height H4 and width W4 of the outer ridge 4A, the height H5 of the recess 5 and the length La of the recess 5 are Although it can be made different from H4, W4, H5, and La in the protrusion 4B, it is preferable to form at least H4, W4, and H5 equally from the viewpoint of appearance.

  Next, in the present example, the recess 5 is a second cross section (shown in FIG. 4) that is a cross section in the length direction of the protrusion 4 that passes through the apex P and is perpendicular to the sidewall surface 2S. A concave curve portion 11 having an arc shape (including an elliptical shape) that is recessed toward the inside of the recessed portion 5 is provided in part. In this example, the case where the whole dent part 5 is formed of the concave curve part 11 is shown. The concave curve portion 11 changes its shadow according to the direction of incident light, which is advantageous for improving the visibility of the mark 3. In addition, when it has the concave curve part 11, the height from the sidewall surface 2S in the lowest point Q is defined as the height H5 of the said recessed part 5. FIG. In addition, as the said recessed part 5, as shown to FIG. 5 (A), (B), it consists of a plane and can be formed in the rectangular shape and trapezoid which do not contain the said concave curve part 11, for example.

  In this example, the surface 3S (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the mark 3 bordered by the protrusion 4 is formed as a plane having the same height as the sidewall surface 2S. The However, the surface 3S of the mark 3 can be formed with a plane higher than the sidewall surface 2S, for example, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. In this case, the height H3s of the surface 3S from the sidewall surface 2S is set to be equal to or lower than the height H5 of the recess 5. When H3s = H5, the bottom surface of the recessed portion 5 and the surface 3S of the mark 3 are flush with each other, and the appearance can be changed.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, in order to further improve the visibility of the mark 3, the sidewall portion 2 has one side of the ridge, more specifically, on the side that is outside the mark 3, Preferably, serrations 20 are formed. As is well known, the serration 20 is a decorative body having a vertical stripe pattern. As shown in FIG. 6, the rib-like ridges 20A having a small width and protruding from the sidewall surface 2S are arranged in parallel to each other. It is formed by.

  In this case, the height hs of the serration 20 (ridge 20A) from the sidewall surface 2S is smaller than the height H4 of the ridge 4, and if hs> H4, a part of the ridge 4 is It hides in the serration 20 and reduces the visibility of the mark 3. Further, the height hs of the serration 20 is preferably larger than the height H7 of the wall surface portion 7 of the ridge 4, and in this case, the surface 20S forming the serration 20, the convex curved surface portion 6 and By adjoining, reflection of light changes and visibility can be improved.

  As the ridge 20A, as shown in the figure, a triangular section can be suitably used, but various conventional sectional shapes such as a vertically long rectangular section and a trapezoidal section are adopted. sell. As for the arrangement of the ridges 20A, a radial arrangement at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction, an inclination arrangement at an angle of less than 90 degrees, or a predetermined curve such as an arc shape or an S shape, for example. Various arrangements such as those arranged in a row can be adopted.

  In addition, as the protrusion 4, it shows to the A type (FIG. 7 (A)) which the said upper surface part 8 was formed with the horizontal plane part 8a containing the vertex P, and the convex curved-surface part 6 of the both sides. ), The B type (shown in FIG. 7B), and the ridges 4 of which the upper surface portion 8 is a horizontal flat surface portion 8a including the apex P, and the wall surface portions on both sides are formed by the convex curved surface portions 6. A C type (shown in FIG. 7C) formed entirely by the convex curved surface portion 6 can also be adopted. Of these, the C type has the apex P at an intermediate position of the convex curved surface portion 6, and the A and B types have the apex P at one end of the convex curved surface portion 6.

  As mentioned above, although especially preferable embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to embodiment of illustration, It can deform | transform and implement in a various aspect.

  In order to confirm the effect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a bag-shaped mark (letter “O”) bordered by a ridge is formed on the tire sidewall according to the specifications shown in Table 1. At the same time, the visibility of the mark was tested. The size of the mark (letter “O”) is the same in both the example and the comparative example, and the width W4 (1.3 mm) and the height H4 (0.8 mm) of the ridge are also the same. Further, in Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 8B, no dent is formed on the protrusion.

The specifications other than those shown in Table 1 are substantially the same, and serrations are formed on the outside of the mark and in the closed region Y.
<Serration>
・ Ridge cross-sectional shape --- Triangle (vertical angle 60 degrees)
・ Height hs --0.4mm
The surface of the mark is the same height as the sidewall surface. (H3s = 0)

<Visibility test>
-Evaluation by visual sensory evaluation was performed by a 5-point method with Comparative Example 1 as 3 points. The larger the numerical value, the better the visibility.

  As shown in the table, it can be confirmed that the visibility of the mark is greatly improved in the tire of the example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pneumatic tire 2 Side wall part 2S Side wall surface 3 Mark 4 Projection 5 Depression part 6 Convex curved surface part 7 Wall surface part 8 Upper surface part 11 Concave curve part 20 Serration

Claims (8)

A pneumatic tire having a protrusion protruding from a surface of the sidewall portion and along a contour of a mark on the sidewall portion of the tire,
In the first cross section that is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the ridge, the ridge has a convex curved surface portion that is convex toward the outside of the ridge on at least a part of the surface thereof, and
Wherein the ridges, the plurality of recessed portions small than the height of the height from the surface of the sidewall portion is the protrusion is being spaced in a longitudinal direction of the ridge,
The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein the convex curved surface portion includes, at an intermediate position, an apex at which the protrusion protrudes most from the surface of the sidewall portion . A pneumatic tire having a protrusion protruding from a surface of the sidewall portion and along a contour of a mark on the sidewall portion of the tire,
In the first cross section that is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the ridge, the ridge has a convex curved surface portion that is convex toward the outside of the ridge on at least a part of the surface thereof, and
The protrusions are provided with a plurality of recesses whose height from the surface of the sidewall portion is smaller than the height of the protrusions, and spaced apart in the length direction of the protrusions.
In the second cross section, which is a cross section in the length direction of the ridge that passes through the apex where the ridge protrudes most from the surface of the sidewall portion and is perpendicular to the surface of the sidewall portion, the dent portion is recessed in a part thereof. A pneumatic tire comprising a concave curve portion that is recessed toward the inside of the portion. A pneumatic tire having a protrusion protruding from a surface of the sidewall portion and along a contour of a mark on the sidewall portion of the tire,
In the first cross section, which is a cross section perpendicular to the length direction of the ridge, the ridge protrudes toward the outside of the ridge on a linear wall surface portion and at least a part of the surface of the ridge. And a convex curved surface portion that becomes
The protrusions are provided with a plurality of recesses whose height from the surface of the sidewall portion is smaller than the height of the protrusions, and spaced apart in the length direction of the protrusions.
The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein the recessed portion penetrates between the wall surface portions on both sides. In the first cross section, the ridge is composed of a linear wall surface portion and an upper surface portion connecting between the wall surface portions, and the upper surface portion is the convex curved surface portion. Item 4. The pneumatic tire according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a length La of the recess is 1.3 to 2.5 times a width W4 of the protrusion. The ridges form a closed curve that goes around the outline of the mark, and the number of dents is 1/10 to 1/6 times the dimensionless value of the circumference of the closed curve (unit: mm). The pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein serrations are formed outside the outline of the mark . The serration is formed outside the contour of the mark, and the height hs of the serration from the surface of the side wall portion is larger than the height of the wall surface portion of the ridge. The pneumatic tire according to any one of 1 to 7 .

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