KR20000023794A - An all-terrain-vehicle tire - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A relatively light tire of all terrain having a relatively low weight center is provided to prevent a bad affect on the stability of traveling and the abrasion of a tread. CONSTITUTION: A tire(10) of all terrain vehicle is prepared with a specially designed tread(12) for mud traction having long rugs(40,42), two shoulder rows(1,2) and four circumferential directionally repeated rows(1,2,3,4) of two central rows(3,4). Herein, a shoulder block(44) is close to the end (45) on the shaft directional outside of the rug(42) of the central rows(3,4), and the tread has a soil discharging channel(60) extended between the rugs in a shaft direction. In addition, each channel is aligned in one or more than one shaft direction and is opened in two positions to the soil emitting channel, and it is desirable for each position to have 20% of shaft directional arc width of the half of the tread so that the washing force of the tread is improved when a tire rotates since the soil can freely move to a rear channel from a front channel.

Description

Multi-Phase Car Tires {AN ALL-TERRAIN-VEHICLE TIRE}

Multi-floor vehicles have a relatively low center of gravity and are relatively lightweight. Initially, the three-wheel version was equipped with a knobby tire with a small rectangular block element and a relatively shallow tread depth.

Later versions of "quad runners" or four-wheel ATVs have been developed and have been used more widely because of their improved stability. The increase and improvement of horsepower in both the vehicle suspension and the chassis has resulted in a vehicle with relatively high speeds and greater load bearing performance.

Tires used in such vehicles operate at very low pressures in the range of 0.7 bar (10 psi) or less. This tire is a wide tire with a relatively large air chamber to help absorb shocks and vibrations. These tires typically have a typical rim diameter of 36 cm (14 inches) or less and an overall diameter of 66 cm (26 inches) or less.

Mainly the rear tires are slightly larger in size than the front tires that are lighter in load.

In the case of drastic off-roads, the tire should have a very open tread pattern, as shown in US 308,038, which provides an effective straight or drawbar traction. Use long lugs that allow vehicles to climb valleys and rough areas. Moreover, the tread must provide excellent lateral traction for vehicle stability during turning movements, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,259,429.

The tires disclosed in this patent use repeating patterns of long lengths, medium lengths and short lugs arranged to provide improved traction. This arrangement of lugs is such that each lug completely encloses the tread shoulder portion. The lugs are also relatively closely spaced in the circumferential direction such that a number of lugs are in the tire's footprint at any time. Tires made according to the prior art are considered one of the best mud tires in the grade according to their manufacturer.

Summary of the Invention

The multi-vehicle tire 10 has a typical rim diameter of 36 cm (14 inches) or less, and one or more cord reinforcement plies that wrap around and extend between the pair of annular beads 22 and the two beads. The carcass 30 which has 38 is provided. The tire 10 further includes a tread 12 located radially outward of the carcass 30. The tread 12 has an inner tread 13, a plurality of short blocks 44 and a plurality of elongated lugs 40, 42 extending radially outward from the inner tread 13.

Lugs 40, 42 are arranged in four circumferential repeating rows 1, 2, 3, 4. The first and second shoulder rows 1, 2 extend laterally inward from the shoulder portion of the tread 12. The third and fourth central rows 3, 4 extend laterally from the center of the tread 12 towards one of the tread shoulders. Lugs 42 in the central third and fourth rows 3, 4 are axially spaced axially inward of adjacent blocks 44 located in the shoulder portion of the tread 12 and also adjacent blocks 44. And axially outer ends 45 aligned circumferentially, respectively. Each lug 42 of the third central row 3 is circumferentially interposed between the pair of shoulder lugs 40 of the first row 1. Similarly, each lug 42 of the fourth central row 4 is interposed between a pair of shoulder lugs 40 of the second row 2. Lugs 40, 42 in the first and third rows 1, 3 are similar to, but inclined opposite to lugs 40, 42 in the second and fourth rows 2, 4.

The volume space above the inner tread 13 between the circumferentially adjacent lugs 40, 42 in the first, second, third and fourth rows 1, 2, 3, 4 and the shoulder block 44 is tread. A soil discharge channel 60 is formed extending axially outward from the central portion of 12 to the tread shoulder. Each channel 60 is open at one or more axially aligned and circumferentially adjacent soil discharge channels 60 at two positions 61, 62. The two positions are arranged 44 in the axially inner position 61 of the central portion, the lugs 42 in the third or fourth rows 3 and 4 and the respective lugs 42 in the third or fourth rows. ) Is an axial outward position 62. Each of these positions 61, 62 represents about 20% of the axial arc width of one half of the tread as measured between the equator plane and the tread edge.

Preferably each lug 40, 42 of the first, second, third and fourth rows has an enlarged circumferentially extending lug head located at the axially inner end 47 of the lugs 40, 42. 43, more preferably the lug heads 43 in the third and fourth rows 3, 4 are axially aligned. Moreover, the enlarged lug head 43 of the lugs 40 in the first row is generally axially aligned with the axially outer end 45 of the circumferentially adjacent lugs 42 in the third row. Lugs 40 in the second row are similarly positioned relative to lugs 42 in the fourth row. This means that the enlarged lug heads 43 in the first and second rows are located axially inward of the axially outward position 62 between the lug end 45 and the alignment block 44.

Term Definition

"All Terrain Vehicle" (ATV) is 50 inches (1,270mm) or less in overall width and 600lbs (275kg) or less unloaded dry weight and is designed to be driven by four low pressure tires. It is an arbitrary off-highway vehicle with a seat and steering wheel for steering adjustment designed for the driver to sit with legs apart and intended for use by a single driver without passengers. Width and weight will be excluded from accessories and optional devices. ATVs are subdivided into four categories:

Category G (commonly used models) ATVs: Typical recreational and multipurpose ATVs.

Category S (Sport Models) ATV: An ATV used by recreation only by seasoned drivers.

Category U (multipurpose model) ATV: mainly multipurpose ATV.

Category Y (younger models) ATV: ATV for recreational unpaved roads, used under adult supervision by drivers under 16 years of age. The young model ATV can be further subdivided as follows.

Category Y-6 ATV: Category Y-6 ATV is a young ATV model for children ages 6 and up.

Category Y-12 ATV: Category Y-12 ATV is a young ATV model for children ages 12 and older.

"Aspect Ratio" means the ratio of section height to section width.

"Axial" and "axially" mean a line or direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire.

"Belt Structure" or "Reinforcing Belts" means at least two annular layers or plies of parallel cords, woven or non-woven, disposed under the tread, It is not fixed to the beads and has left and right cord angles ranging from 17 ° to 27 ° relative to the equator plane of the tire.

"Bias Ply Tire" means that the reinforcement cord in the carcass layer extends diagonally across the tire from a bead-to-bead angle of about 25-65 ° to the equator plane of the tire. Fly cords are formed at opposite angles in different layers.

"Carcass" means a stack of tire ply materials and other tire components that have been cut to length suitable for splicing or already spliced into a cylindrical or annular shape. Additional components may be added to the carcass prior to vulcanization to produce molded tires.

"Equatorial Plane (EP)" means a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire and passing through the center of the tread.

"Inner" means facing the inside of the tire, and "outer" means facing the outside of the tire.

"Outer" means facing the outside of the tyre.

"Pneumatic tire" means a generally annular (usually open-torus) stacked mechanical device having beads and treads and made of rubber, chemicals, textiles and steel or other materials do. When mounted on a wheel of an automobile, the tire provides traction through the tread and receives fluid that supports the vehicle load.

"Radial" and "radially" refer to directions that are radially or spaced from the axis of rotation of the tire.

"Radial Ply Tire" means a belted or circumferentially restricted pneumatic tire with a ply cord extending between beads placed at a cord angle between 65 and 90 degrees with respect to the equator plane of the tire.

"Section Height (SH)" means the radial distance from the normal rim diameter to the outer diameter of the tire at the equator plane.

The "Section Width (SW)" is parallel to the tire's axis and inflated to normal pressure for 24 hours, but unloaded except for the height of the sidewalls due to labeling, decoration or protective bands. It refers to the maximum linear distance existing between the time and the interior of the later side wall.

"Sidewall" means the portion of the tire between the tread and the bead.

"Tread" means a molded rubber component attached to a tire casing that includes a portion of the tire that contacts the road surface when the tire is normally inflated and under normal load.

"Tread Width (TW or Arc Width)" means the arc length of the tread surface in the axial direction, ie in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire.

The present invention relates to a multi-vehicle automobile pneumatic tire.

1 is a perspective view of a preferred tire according to the present invention,

2 is a plan view of the tire of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire cut along the line 3-3 of FIG.

4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the tire of FIG. 1, FIG.

5 illustrates a modified lug and block configuration of the tire of FIG. 1, FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a soil discharge flow pattern of the footprint of the tire of FIG. 1. FIG.

1, there is shown a preferred tire 10 according to the present invention. The tire 10 has a typical rim diameter of 36 cm (14 inches) or less and has a carcass 30 and a tread 12 disposed radially outward of the carcass.

Reference numerals shown in the drawings are the same as reference numerals according to the present specification. For this application, the various embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 use the same reference numerals for the same components.

The tread 12 has an inner tread 13, a plurality of short blocks 44 and a plurality of elongated lugs 40, 42 extending radially outwardly of the inner tread 13.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a preferred tire 10 is shown.

The tire 10 according to the invention is an ATV tire. The tire 10 has a ground-engaging tread portion 12 that terminates within the shoulder portion at the lateral edges 14, 16 of the tread 12. The sidewall portions 18, 20 extend from the tread lateral edges 14, 16 and terminate in a pair of bead regions 22 each having an annular inextensible bead core 26. The tire 10 further includes a reinforcing fly structure 38 extending from the bead region 22 through the side wall portion 18, a tread portion 12, and a side wall portion 20 for the bead region 2. do. The turnup ends 32, 34 of the fly structure 38 preferably wrap around the bead core 26, respectively. If the tire is a tubeless type, the tire 10 may include a conventional inner liner 35 that forms the inner circumferential surface of the tire 10. A pair of tread reinforcement belts or breaker structures 36 may optionally be disposed about the circumferential direction of the radially outer surface of the reinforcement ply structure 38 directly below the tread portion 12. In the particular embodiment shown, the breaker structure 36 comprises two cutting breaker plies 50, 51, respectively, with the cords of the breaker plies 50, 51 being the central circumferential centerplane of the tire. It is oriented at an angle of about 35 degrees relative to.

The cord of the breaker ply 50 is arranged in a direction opposite to the central circumferential center plane of the cord of the breaker ply 51 and from the central circumferential center plane. However, if used in ATV tires, the belt or breaker structure 36 may include a belt or breaker ply of any desired configuration, and the cord may be disposed at any desired angle. The belt or breaker structure 36 not only provides puncture protection but also lateral strength across the belt width to minimize lifting of the tread from the road surface during operation of the tire. In the illustrated embodiment, this can be achieved by making a cord of belts or breaker plies 50, 51 of nylon or similar synthetic material.

It should be understood that the use of belt or breaker structures adversely affects ride and handling, such that in various applications the use of such features may be undesirable, especially for ATV vehicles. Such a belt or breaker structure may also be desirable for front or rear tires, but not for both front and rear tires. Those skilled in the art will readily understand when to use these components and when to avoid them.

The tire shown in FIG. 3 shows a carcass 30 with at least one reinforcing ply structure 38. The reinforcement ply structure 38 has at least one ply layer of radially fly tire cords 41, the cords 41 being oriented at an angle of 65 ° to 90 ° with respect to the equator plane and for bias tires. The structure 38 has at least two layers of cords 41, the cords of adjacent layers being identical but oriented oppositely at an angle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees with respect to the equator plane of the tire.

2 and 4, a partially enlarged view of the tread 12 is shown as a top view of the tire 10.

The lateral edges 14, 16 are defined as planes orthogonal to the axis of rotation R of the tire and intersect with the axial outermost portion of the lug or block in the shoulder area. The distance between the lateral edges defines the tread arc width and the tread width. The ½ spaced distance between the lateral edges is the equivocal centerplane (EP) of the tire 10. The tread 12 has elongated lugs 40, 42 and short blocks 44 extending radially outward from the inner tread 13.

Lugs 40, 42 are arranged in four circumferential repeating rows 1, 2, 3, 4. The first and second shoulder rows 1, 2 extend laterally inward from the shoulder portion of the tread 12. The third and fourth central rows 3, 4 extend laterally from the center of the tread 12 towards one of the tread shoulders. Lugs 42 in the central third and fourth rows 3, 4 are axially spaced or circumferentially aligned axially inwardly of an adjacent block 44 located within the shoulder portion of the tread. 45) each. Each lug 42 of the third central row 3 is circumferentially interposed between the pair of shoulder lugs 40 of the first row 1. Similarly, each lug 42 of the fourth central row 4 is interposed between a pair of shoulder lugs 40 of the second row 2. The lugs 40 and 42 in the first and third rows are similar, but are inclined opposite to the lugs 40 and 42 in the second and fourth rows.

As shown in FIG. 6, the inner tread between the circumferentially adjacent lugs 40, 42 of the first, second, third and fourth rows 1, 2, 3, 4 and the shoulder block 45 ( 13) The upper volumetric space defines an soil discharge channel 60 extending axially outward from the center of the tread 13 to the tread shoulder. Each channel 60 is open at one or more axially aligned and circumferentially adjacent soil discharge channels 60 at two positions 61, 62. The two positions 61, 62 are blocks 45 which are aligned with the axially inward position 61 in the central position and the lugs 42 in the third or fourth row and the respective lugs 42 in the third or fourth row. ) Is an axial outer side disposed between them. Each of these positions 61, 62 represents an open space of length equal to about 20% of the axial arc width of one half of the tread as measured between the equator plane and the tread edge.

Preferably each lug 40, 42 of the first, second, third and fourth rows 1, 2, 3, 4 is located at the axially inner end 47 of the lugs 40, 42. Which has an enlarged circumferentially extending lug head 43, more preferably the lug heads 43 of the third and fourth rows 3, 4 are axially aligned and located on the equator plane. Moreover, the enlarged lug head 43 of the lugs 40 of the first row 1 is substantially axially with the axially outer end 45 of the circumferentially adjacent lugs 42 of the third row 3. It is aligned. Similarly, the lugs 40 of the second row 2 are arranged relative to the lugs 42 of the fourth row 4. This means that the enlarged lug head 43 of the lugs 40 in the first and second rows is axially inward of the axial outer position 62 between the lug end 45 of the lug 42 and the enlarged block 44. That means it's on.

The lugs 40, 42 and the block 44 extend from the inner tread 13 at a radial distance D of about 2.0 cm or more, preferably 2.5 cm. This deep, nonskid tread 12 is excellent in traction in wet or inclined soil conditions. As the tire 10 rotates, lugs 40 and 42 enter the footprint or ground contact at least two lugs 40, and two lugs 42 or three soil discharge channels 60 are one or both. Channel 60 is aligned to engage the tread halves. Soil or mud is quickly released axially upwards of the shoulder or is quickly released circumferentially through positions 61 and 62. In addition, the mud cannot fill around these deep lugs 40, 42 due to the integrated lug space and the circumferential openings at positions 61, 62 between the channels 60, and the channels do not allow the tire 10 to be filled. As you rotate, you actually pull the mud out of the tread pattern.

An important feature of the tread 12 of the present invention is an enlarged lug head 43 extending circumferentially. These features will squirm when the lugs are sufficiently in contact with the road surface when the ground is firm so that these large lugs 40 and 42 enter or exit the tire's footprint or contact patch as the tire rotates. The running of the tire 10 is improved by ensuring that it is prevented. In addition, as can be seen from the figure, lugs 40 and 42 cause at least two lugs on the tread to contact along an axial band one inch wide at any circumferential position of the tread. That is, if a 1 inch wide band is pulled axially across the tread, the band will intersect at least two lugs and the band width is generally less than 1 inch.

In fact, in the case where a very small percentage of the contact patches come in contact with the road surface, this feature gives the driver the feeling that a large amount of tread is in contact with the road surface.

This tread according to the invention is 25% or less, preferably 20% or less, of the tread in contact with the paved road surface and 17% as shown.

It is different from agricultural tires traveling at less than 25 miles per hour on the road. These ATV tires must be capable of running at speeds close to 50 mph. At these speeds, the lugs must work consistently to prevent severe vibrations that can occur in unstable vehicles. This tread pattern when operated at low pressure sufficiently dampens this vibration, allowing the tire to be operated at high speed. This is possibly made by the shape and direction of the lug as shown. Each lug 40, 42 has a somewhat circumferential slope as well as a lateral slope that improves the running performance of the tire.

As shown in FIG. 5, the location 62 does not extend to a sufficient depth as shown in the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. The space between the lug 42 and the short block 44 can be bridged by tie bars 53 of reduced speed. It is important that this connection 53 between the lug 42 and the block 44 is an opening having a depth of at least 50% of the lug depth D for the soil channel flow characteristic to maintain the soil channel flow characteristic. Is considered. The smaller sized openings limit those due to flow and the smaller the desired.

As can be seen from the above description, a new tread with improved off-road traction of ATV tires is disclosed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that minor changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These features are used for the lugs 40, 42 and shallow flaws 70, 72, 73 in the block 44, respectively. These groove openings 70, 72, 73 of reduced depth provide additional traction edges. This feature should be shallow to prevent the long lugs 40 and 42 from becoming too elastic, which adversely affects running stability and tread wear.

Claims (10)

A carcass having a pair of annular beads and having one or more cord reinforcing plies that wrap around and extend between the two beads, and a tread located radially outward of the carcass, the tread having a plurality of short A multi-purpose car tire having a nominal rim diameter of 36 cm (14 inches) or less, having a block and a plurality of elongated lugs extending radially outward from the inner tread, The lugs are arranged in four circumferential repeating rows, the first and second shoulder rows extending laterally inward from the shoulder portion of the tread, and the third and fourth central rows extending from the center portion of the tread to the tread shoulder portion. Extending laterally towards one, said lugs of said third and fourth central rows are axially spaced axially inwardly of adjacent blocks located in shoulder portions of said tread and are also circumferentially aligned with said adjacent blocks; Having an axial outer end, each lug of the third central row is interposed between the pair of shoulder lugs of the first row, each lug of the fourth central row is the pair of shoulder lugs of the second row Interposed between, the lugs of the first and third rows are similar to the lugs of the second and fourth rows but inclined oppositely Characterized by Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 1, The volumetric space above the inner tread between the circumferentially adjacent lugs of the first, second, third and fourth central rows and the shoulder block extends axially outward from the center of the tread to the tread shoulder. Each channel being open to the soil release channel at two or more axially aligned and circumferentially adjacent positions. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 2, The two positions are an axially inner position of the central portion of the tread and an axially outer position located between the lugs of the third or fourth row and each lug of the third or fourth row and the alignment block. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 3, wherein Each of the axial inward positions and each of the axial outboard positions represents about 20% of the axial arc width of the half tread. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 3, wherein Each lug of the first, second, third and fourth rows has an enlarged circumferentially extending lug head located at an axially inner end of the lug. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 5, The enlarged lug heads of the lugs of the third and fourth rows are axially aligned Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 5, The enlarged lug heads of the lugs of the first row are generally axially aligned with the axially outer ends of the circumferentially adjacent lugs of the third row. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 5, The enlarged lug heads of the lugs of the second row are generally axially aligned with the axially outer ends of the circumferentially adjacent lugs of the fourth row. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 7, wherein The enlarged lug head in the first row of lugs is located axially inward in an axial outward position between the circumferentially adjacent lugs of the third row and the alignment block. Multi-Terrain Car Tires. The method of claim 7, wherein The enlarged lug head of the second row of lugs is located axially inward of the axially outward position between the circumferentially adjacent lug of the fourth row and the alignment block. Multi-Terrain Car Tires.