KR102324191B1 - Tire Tread Having N-Shaped Sipe Pattern and Tire Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The tire tread 1 having an N-shaped sipe pattern applied to the tire 10 of the present invention is a block cell partitioned into a Longitudinal Groove 4A and a Lateral Groove 4B dug into the tread surface. The block (3) forming the tread pattern and the narrowing of the water absorption space caused by the single-shaped sipe of a straight line or a curve by having a sipe (5) cut in an N-shaped sipe pattern in the block (3) and block binding force weakening, and in particular, tire braking/driving performance and handling performance are sufficiently exhibited by securing block torsional rigidity while improving tire drainage performance through an N-shaped sipe pattern.

Description

Tire Tread Having N-Shaped Sipe Pattern and Tire Thereof

The present invention relates to a tread of a tire, and more particularly, to a tire in which drainage performance and handling are improved at the same time by a tread to which an N-Shaped Sipe Pattern is applied.

In general, the tread of a vehicle tire is an external rubber layer for the carcass and breaker, and it is in contact with the road surface during vehicle driving and has a great influence on the traction force of the tire on a wet road surface.

For example, the tread forms a groove, a block, and a sipe as components. In this case, the sipe is a very important factor in the function of reducing traction force and tire noise on a wet road surface.

Furthermore, the tread applies a groove pattern change method, a tie bar application method, and a sipe pattern method so that the rigidity of the block portion is appropriately matched.

For example, in the groove pattern changing method, the depth, number, and width of the lateral grooves among the Longitudinal Groove and the Lateral Groove dividing the groove are appropriately changed so that the rigidity of the block portion is appropriately adjusted. The method of applying the tie bar is a method of protruding a tie-bar to the floor so that the rigidity of the block receiving external force applied during cornering is appropriately matched, and the sipe pattern method This is a method that appropriately modifies the straight or curved shape of the sipe to properly match the rigidity of the block area.

Therefore, as for the tread, water in the center of the block can move quickly on a wet road surface through a block whose rigidity is adjusted for a desired part by a combination of sipes and longitudinal/transverse grooves.

In particular, the function of the tread is very important in the all-season tire.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Patent JP 2020-001540 A (2020.1.9)

However, the groove pattern change method, the tie bar application method, and the sipe pattern method have the following limitations.

For example, in the groove pattern change method, when the depth, number, or width of grooves is increased in order to increase drainage performance, the decrease in block rigidity is very severe, so that the durability of all-season tires is lowered. Alternatively, it appears as a phenomenon in which drainage performance deteriorates due to the locking phenomenon of the groove when the width is reduced.

For example, in the tie bar application method, excessive block rigidity is formed by applying the tie bar, thereby increasing abnormal noise and decreasing traction on a wet road surface that is not suitable for all-season tires. In this case, the abnormal noise increase is intensified by the air pumping phenomenon that causes air inflow and outflow in the groove that forms an enclosed space due to the displacement of the tread tread.

For example, the sipe pattern method reduces the drainage performance of the tread on a wet road surface due to the narrowing of the water absorption space due to the closing of the sipe during vehicle driving by adjusting the block rigidity of the tire tread in a simple straight line or curved shape, especially when driving the vehicle. The weakening of the inter-block bonding force against the tire torsional stress that occurs when the vehicle is in operation deteriorates the handling performance of the vehicle.

Accordingly, in the present invention in consideration of the above points, a sipe pattern deviating from a single shape of a straight line or a curve is applied to the tread surface, and the water absorption space narrowing phenomenon and block bonding force weakening phenomenon by applying the sipe pattern in an N-shape The purpose of this is to provide a tire tread and tire with an N-shaped sipe pattern that can fully demonstrate the braking/driving performance and handling performance of the tire by securing block torsional rigidity while improving drainage performance on wet road surfaces.

The tire tread of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that it includes a sipe that is dug into a block in contact with a road surface to form a water discharge part, and forms the water discharge part in an N-shaped sipe pattern.

In a preferred embodiment, the N-shaped sipe pattern is formed in the block in the transverse direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the sipe is divided into an outer channel connected to one side and an inner channel connected to the other side of the intermediate channel located in the middle section, and the N-shaped sipe pattern is formed by the intermediate channel, the outer channel, and the inner channel do.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer channel and the inner channel are spaced apart from each other by the length of the intermediate channel, the intermediate channel is made of a straight line, and each of the outer channel and the inner channel is formed with a gentle curve. .

In a preferred embodiment, the middle channel, the outer channel, and the inner channel have the same width, the outer channel and the inner channel have the same length, and the outer channel and the inner channel have the same depth. make it happen

In a preferred embodiment, the sipe forms a bottom connection surface to the inner space of the intermediate channel, and the bottom connection surface has an arc-shaped convex structure extending toward the outer channel and the inner channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the block is formed of block cells divided by longitudinal and transverse grooves dug into the tread surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the block cell is formed in a tread pattern on the tread surface, and the sipe is formed in the N-shaped sipe pattern in the block cell.

In addition, the tire of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a block in which block cells divided by grooves dug into the tread surface form a tread pattern, and a tire tread having sipes dug in an N-shaped sipe pattern in the block. characterized by being.

In a preferred embodiment, the N-shaped sipe pattern is formed in a transverse direction of the tire tread.

In a preferred embodiment, the groove consists of a longitudinal groove and a transverse groove to divide the block into the block cells.

In a preferred embodiment, the tire tread forms a tire central portion in which the blocks are divided into left-right symmetrical shapes.

In a preferred embodiment, the tire tread is connected to a sidewall constituting a side portion of the tire.

The tire to which the tire tread of the present invention is applied realizes the following actions and effects.

First, by making the sipe pattern an N-shape, it can be deviated from the single shape of a straight line or a curved line as in the past. Second, by optimizing the sipe volume of the tread compared to the block with an N-shaped sipe pattern, it is possible to efficiently remove moisture between the block surface and the road surface on a wet road, thereby improving drainage performance and increasing traction on a wet road surface. Third, the N-shaped sipe pattern ensures sufficient rigidity against block torsion of the tread, so that the handling performance along with the braking/driving performance of the tire can be sufficiently exhibited. Fourth, the intermediate section of the sipe formed by the N-shaped sipe pattern forms a depth that increases from the center of the sipe to the sipe in the transverse direction, thereby giving flexibility to the block and increasing the tread stiffness by restraining the block deformation against the torsional stress of the tread block. rises Fifth, the quality of all-season tires is greatly improved by solving all the shortcomings caused by the single-shaped sipe pattern of straight or curved tires with an N-shaped sipe pattern.

1 is an example of an N-shaped sipe pattern applied to a tire tread according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a layout example of an N-shaped sipe pattern according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a tire tread having an N-shaped sipe pattern according to the present invention. is the A of the tire applied, FIG. 4 is a torsional stress state generated in an N-shaped sipe pattern during driving of a tire according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sipe water discharge space through an intermediate channel section during torsional stress according to the present invention. is maintained.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, and since such an embodiment may be implemented in various different forms by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains as an example, it will be described herein It is not limited to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a tire tread 1 forms a block 3, a groove 4, and a sipe 5 in a left-right symmetric section with respect to the tire central part 2 as a reference. do.

For example, the block 3 forms a tread pattern on the tread surface as a block cell to form a road surface traction force. The groove 4 is dug into the tread surface to form a drainage function, and the tread surface is formed with a Longitudinal Groove 4A and a Lateral Groove 4B to form the block 3 into a block cell of a predetermined size. compartmentalize

For example, the sipe 5 is formed in an N-shaped sipe pattern divided into an intermediate channel 6, an outer channel 7, and an inner channel 8, and for each block cell constituting the block 1 to adjust the block rigidity. is formed

In particular, the sipe 5 forms the sipe start position (①) with respect to the tire running direction as the outer channel 7, and the sipe end position (②) forms the inner channel 8, and the sipe start position (①) ) and the sipe end position (②) to form an intermediate channel (6).

Therefore, the intermediate channel 6 is formed by connecting the outer channel 7 at one end and the inner channel 8 at the opposite end, thereby forming the length of the intermediate channel 6 (ie, the sipe width W in FIG. 2 ). to form a constant width interval (or a constant phase difference) in the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 .

Further, the sipe 5 is provided with a bottom connection surface 6-1 in the intermediate channel 6, and the bottom connection surface 6-1 is convex in an arc shape, so that the sipe center in the transverse direction ( That is, the depth increases toward the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 side), so that the block 3 can secure greater flexibility.

In this way, the sipe 5 forms an N-shaped sipe pattern with the intermediate channel 6, the bottom connection surface 6-1, the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8, so that the tire tread 1 meets the It is possible to secure a space for discharging water inside the block 3 while increasing the tread rigidity by restraining block deformation in any running state.

In addition, the sipe 5 forms an N- shaped sipe pattern into an oblique N-shaped sipe pattern by giving an oblique inclination angle to the intermediate channel 6 and an oblique inclination angle to each of the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 . In particular, the intermediate channel 6 applies a straight shape while each of the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 applies a gentle curved shape.

Specifically, the N-shaped sipe pattern optimization of the sipe 5 is exemplified by the design layout as shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the N-shaped sipe pattern is optimized as a layout for the reciprocal ratio between the intermediate channel 6 , the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 .

Hereinafter, T is the tread thickness of the tire tread 1, Ta is the sipe side depth of the sipe 5, Tb is the sipe middle depth of the sipe 5, L is the block unit length of the block 3, La is the sipe outer length of the sipe 5, and Lb is the sipe inner length of the sipe 5. W is the sipe width of the sipe 5, and Wa is defined as the sipe channel width, respectively. In this case, tread thickness (T), sipe side depth (Ta), sipe median depth (Tb), block unit length (L), sipe outer length (La), sipe inner length (Lb). Since the sipe width (W) and the sipe channel width (Wa) vary according to the tire size, they are not limited to specific values.

For example, in the N-shaped sipe pattern, the sipe width W is formed by the length of the intermediate channel 6 connecting the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 with both ends, and the sipe channel width Wa ) in the middle channel 6, the outer channel 7, and the inner channel 8 equally, the sipe channel width Wa is formed thinner than the sipe width W. In this case, the sipe channel width Wa is applied to about 5 to 10% when the sipe width W is 100%, and the % ratio may be applied as an appropriate value in consideration of the tire size and performance.

For example, the outer channel 7 forms a sipe outer length La from the outside of the tread towards the intermediate channel 6, and the inner channel 8 has an inner sipe length Lb from the intermediate channel 6 side to the inside of the tread. The sipe outer length (La) and the inner length (Lb) of the sipe are formed to cross the block (3) in the transverse direction.

Therefore, the sum of the sipe outer length La and the inner sipe length Lb is equal to the block unit length L of the block 3 , so that the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 form the block 3 . Divide into two longitudinally partitioned parts.

For example, the outer channel 7 and the inner channel 8 form a sipe lateral depth Ta, and the sipe lateral depth Ta is formed by being dug into the tire tread 1 to form the sipe lateral depth Ta. is formed to be thinner than the tread thickness T of the tire tread 1 . In this case, the sipe lateral depth Ta is applied as about 40 to 60% when the tread thickness T is 100%, and the % ratio may be applied as an appropriate value in consideration of the tire size and performance.

For example, in the intermediate channel 6, the sipe side depth Ta is formed to be deeper than the sipe intermediate depth Tb by occupying the inner space by the bottom connection surface 6-1 protruding convexly in an arc shape. In this case, the intermediate depth Tb of the sipe is applied as about 50 to 60% when the lateral depth Ta of the sipe is 100%, and the % ratio may be applied as an appropriate value in consideration of the tire size and performance.

Meanwhile, FIG. 3 shows an example of the tire 10 to which the tire tread 3 having the N-shaped sipe pattern 3 is applied.

As shown, the tire 10 includes a tire tread 3 that forms road surface traction and a sidewall 9 that connects to the tread and forms a tire side portion. In particular, the tire 10 forms a tire central portion 2 recessed in the middle section of the tire tread 3 , and the block 3 of the tire tread 1 is divided into a left-right symmetrical shape with the tire central portion 2 . It can be characterized as an all-season tire by forming each safre 3 of an N-shaped sipe pattern.

For example, the tire tread 3 is the same as the tire tread 3 described in FIGS. 1 and 2 , and in particular, the tire tread 3 is bonded (ie, vulcanized) to a breaker and a carcass not shown. In this case, the breaker is a cord belt located between the tread and the carcass to prevent damage to the inner cord of the tire from external impact or interference, and the carcass is a bead which is an iron wire wound on both ends of the carcass cord belt over the entire circumference of the tire. (ie, divided into inner bead and outer bead), it is possible to support external load, absorb external shock, and maintain tire air pressure while forming the tire skeleton.

For example, the sidewall 9 protects the carcass from the side of the tire 10 and enables improvement of steering precision related to ride comfort by increasing tire rigidity by adjusting the sidewall height.

Therefore, the tire 10 generates the effect as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 through the N-shaped sipe pattern of the sipe 5 applied to the tire tread 3 while forming road surface traction with the tire tread 3 during driving. give.

4 is a state in which torsional stress received in the block 3 of the tire tread 3 when the tire 10 rotates according to the turning driving. In this case, the N-shaped sipe pattern of the sipe 5 is the intermediate channel 6 ) to form a constant phase difference between the sipe start position (①) of the outer channel 7 and the sipe end position (②) of the inner channel 8 through The sipe closing time of the channel 8 may be delayed by the phase difference.

Therefore, the N-shaped sipe pattern of the sipe 5 allows the sipe space to be maintained in the block 3 .

5 is a state in which the sipe space deformation force received by the block 3 of the tire tread 3 when the tire 10 is driven is generated. Even if (7) and the inner channel (8) are closed toward the intermediate channel (6), the bottom connection surface (6-1) occupying the inner space of the intermediate channel (6) for a certain section suppresses the closing phenomenon. Make sure that the water discharge space is secured in the block (3).

Therefore, the N-shaped sipe pattern of the sipe 5 allows the water discharge space to be secured in the block 3 to be maintained.

As a result, the securing sipe space of FIG. 4 and the securing of water discharge space of FIG. 5 increase traction while improving the drainage performance of the tire tread 1 on a wet road surface, which is a characteristic that the tire 10 is suitable for all-season tires. to have

As described above, the tire tread 1 having an N-shaped sipe pattern applied to the tire 10 according to this embodiment has a Longitudinal Groove 4A and a Lateral Groove ( The block cells partitioned by 4B) have a block (3) forming a tread pattern, and a single shape sipe of a straight line or a curved line by having a sipe (5) cut in an N-shaped sipe pattern in the block (3). It solves the phenomenon of narrow water absorption space and weakening of block bonding force, and in particular, tire braking/driving performance and handling performance can be fully exhibited by improving the tire drainage performance through the N-shaped sipe pattern and securing the torsional rigidity of the block.

1: tire tread 2: central part of tire
3: Block 4: Groove
4A: Longitudinal Groove
4B: Lateral Groove
5: Sipe 6: Middle channel
6-1: bottom connection surface 7: outer channel
8: inner channel 9: side wall
10 : tire

Claims (19)

A sipe is included to form a water discharge part by being dug into a block in contact with the road surface, and to form the water discharge part in an N-shaped sipe pattern,
The sipe is formed of an outer channel connected to one side and an inner channel connected to the other side of the intermediate channel located in the middle section, and a depth at a location where the outer channel and the intermediate channel meet is equal to the depth of the outer channel, and the inner channel The tire tread, characterized in that a depth at a location where the intermediate channel and the intermediate channel meet is equal to the depth of the inner channel, and the bottom of the intermediate channel is convex in an arc shape while forming a stage with the bottom of the inner channel and the outer channel. .
The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the N-shaped sipe pattern is formed in the block in a transverse direction.
delete The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the outer channel and the inner channel are spaced apart from each other by a length of the intermediate channel.
The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate channel is formed in a straight line, and each of the outer channel and the inner channel is formed in a curved shape.
The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate channel, the outer channel, and the inner channel have the same width.
The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the outer channel and the inner channel have the same length.
The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the outer channel and the inner channel have the same depth.
The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the sipe forms a floor connecting surface to the inner space of the intermediate channel.
delete delete The tire tread according to claim 1, wherein the block is formed of block cells divided into longitudinal grooves and lateral grooves dug into the tread surface.
The tire tread according to claim 12, wherein the block cells are formed in a tread pattern on the tread surface.
The tire tread of claim 12 , wherein the sipe is formed in the N-shaped sipe pattern in the block cell.
a block in which block cells partitioned by grooves dug into the tread surface form a tread pattern, and a tire tread having sipes dug in an N-shaped sipe pattern in the block;
The sipe is formed of an outer channel connected to one side and an inner channel connected to the other side of the intermediate channel located in the middle section, and a depth at a location where the outer channel and the intermediate channel meet is equal to the depth of the outer channel, and the inner channel and a depth at a location where the intermediate channel and the intermediate channel meet is equal to the depth of the inner channel, and the bottom of the intermediate channel is convex in an arc shape while forming a step with the bottom of the inner channel and the outer channel.
The tire of claim 15, wherein the N-shaped sipe pattern is formed in a transverse direction of the tire tread.
The tire according to claim 15, wherein the groove is composed of a longitudinal groove and a lateral groove to divide the block into the block cells.
The tire according to claim 15, wherein the tire tread forms a central portion of the tire in which the blocks are divided into left-right symmetrical shapes.
The tire according to claim 15, wherein the tire tread is connected to a sidewall constituting a side portion of the tire.

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