WO2011048516A1

WO2011048516A1 - A vehicle tyre

Info

Publication number: WO2011048516A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/054275
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ertugrul Yilmaz
Original assignee: Ertugrul Yilmaz
Priority date: 2009-10-21
Filing date: 2010-09-22
Publication date: 2011-04-28
Also published as: TR200907931A2

Abstract

This invention is related with a new vehicle tyre (1) and/or a retreaded vehicle tyre (1) which has a special groove (3) and tread block (2) profile which is facilitated with a detachable filler element (6). The groove (3) of this invented vehicle tyre (1) is comprised of two or more parts (A,B) which lay one on top of the other. The part which is placed at the lower side is called part (B) and is surrounded by lower sidewalls (23) surface (24) and the base (25) and applied with the filler element(6) along the circumference of the tyre (1). These two parts (A,B) of the groove (3) esthablishes the so called tread depth (A+B) or in other words skid depth of the vehicle tyre (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION

A VEHICLE TYRE The field of invention

The invention is related to a new vehicle tyre or a retreaded vehicle tyre of which grooves and channels at the tread portion are provided with a mountable and demountable filler element.

Previous Technique:

Wear life is one of the most important performance parameters of tyres. Many studies, and considerable expenditures have been done on tread patterns and tread compounds to improve wear performance.

Uneven wear is the result of deformations and slippages on the tread elements (tread blocks and ribs) which is caused by uneven force distribution in the foot print of the tyre during running. Once uneven wear has initiated on a tyre then its propogation is usually very fast which will end the tyre life much earlier then the designed life and also causing many other problems like excess vibrations and unbalance, excess noise, poor traction and poor brake performance.

As a countermeasure for wear life usually the first design parameter change considered is the tread depth increase which increases the potential for uneven wear, in turn the expected improvement on wear life generally not met due to increased uneven wear.

To offset the effect of increased uneven wear due to increased tread depth, as the known level of technique what is called "tie bar"s are used between the tread elements so called tread blocks and tread ribs. These tie bars are the protrusions provided as elements of curing mold of the tyre which are inside the tread grooves connecting the neighbouring tread elements (blocks and ribs) at a higher level over the groove bottom which inturn improves the deformation and vibration of the tread elements to a certain extent. However this results with also early finishing of tyre life at those locations of the tire due to less tread depth which is the result of aforementioned tie bars.

Summary of Invention The main aim of the invention is to realize a vehicle tyre whose grooves and channels on its tread area are provided with a detachable filler element.

One purpose of the invention is to realize a vehicle tyre with less vibration and deformation on its tread elements namely tread blocks and ribs by means of the special groove profile along with the filler element.

Another purpose of this invention is to improve noise, wear life, uneven wear, and cutting and chunking resistance and retreadability of the tyre without any extra effort and expenditure on it.

Description of the Invention

The vehicle tyre(l) which has been realised to achieve the purpose of the invention is described in detail on the attached figures. These figures are:

Figure 1. The crossectional view of vehicle tyre and the circumferential filler element which is attached to the tyre.

Figure 2. The side view of Vehicle Tyre and corresponding filler element Figure 3. Perspective view of filler element used in the vehicle tyre

Figure 4. Multiple (one on top of other) usage of filler element used in the vehicle tyre.

Figure 5. Top and bottom crossectional views of the tyre tread groove and corresponding filler element shapes which have varying crossections The parts pertaining to the invention are numbered one by one on these figures and their names and explanations are as given below.

1. Tyre

2. Tread Block

21. Tread block surface

22. Upper sidewall of the groove

23. Lower sidewall of the groove

24. Surface

25. Groove base

3. Groove (channel)

4. Lateral groove base

5. Space

6. Filler element

61. Base

62. Side wall

63. Top surface

64. Front Wall

65. Filler element channel.

7. Growth space

The invented vehicle tyre(l) has,

— at least one tread block(2) which is in contact with the road surface and tread block(2) having at least one upper sidewall(22) starting with tread block surface(21) end and extending downwards, and have at least one lower sidewall(23) starting from end of upper sidewall(22) and extending downwards, and have at least one surface(24) which starts at the end of upper sidewall(22) and finishes at the start of lower sidewall(23) and parallel or at an acute angle to the tread block surface(21); a groove base(25) extending between the two lower sidewalls(23) — at least one groove (channel)(3) extending between the two upper & lower sidewalls(22&23)

— at least one lateral groove (channel) base(4) which is in contact with the groove base(25) and surrounded by the two lower sidewalls(23)

— at least a groove space(5) under the groove(3)in which a filler element(6) is placed which is surrounded by the two lower sidewalls(23), surface(24), groove base(25).

The invented vehicle tyre(l) has a growth space(7) between the filler element(6) and the groove base circumferentially to accommodate the growth of the tyre as a result of inflation and also the tyre(l) growth taking place during the service life.

In one preferred application of the the invented vehicle tyre, the tread block(2) is made of two parts (A,B) These two parts(A,B) are placed one on top of the other and the part which is placed at the bottom and surrounded by lower sidewalls(23), the space(24), and the groove base(25), is named as (B) and the filler element(6) is applied to this lower part(B) along the circumference of the tyre(l). These two parts placed one on top of the other (A,B) are provisions for the tread depth or skid depth (A+B) of the vehicle tyre(l) (Figure 1)

In one preferred application of the invented vehicle tyre(l) the tread block(2) depth(A+B) is approximately twice the height of the filler element(6). However the height of the filler element(6) is not limited to the half of the groove(3) depth and can be adjusted based on the service conditions of the vehicle tyre(l). The purpose of this adjustment is to reduce and optimise the extra vibrations and deformations of tread blocks(2) which may occur due to depth of the tread block(2) and corresponding service conditions of the tyre(l), and thus the uneven wear is reduced or prevented. In another application of the invention the height of the filler element(6) is 1/3 to 2/3 of the depth(A+B) of the tread block(2) in which it is placed. The shape and the proflile of the filler element(6) is designed based on the groove(3) profile of the vehicle tyre(l). Filler element(6) has at least one base(61) and the extensions from the both sides of the base are the sidewalls(62), and a wider top surface(63) compared to a narrower base(61), and a front wall(64) which provides a closed volume. A concave profiled channel(65) is provided at the top surface(63) of the filler element. The filler element' s(6) sidewalls(62) and base(61) have protrusions to fit into the groove(3) of the trye(l) so that it wll not move and get out of the tyre during the running of tyre(l) under the vehicle.

The similar protrusions of filler element(6) are also provided in the lower sidewalls(23), base(25) of the groove(3) of the tyre(l). With this surface geometry of groove(3) and the filler element(6) both are fit closely with each other and, filler element' s(6) sidewalls(62) and base(61) are seized by the corresponding sidewasll(23) and base(25) of the groove(3) and thus the movement of the filler element(6) is limited inside the tyre(l) groove(3)

The top surface(63) of the filler element is in contact with the corresponding surface(24) of the tyre(l). By provision of this contact, outward movement of the filler element(6) is prevented. The filler element(6) is placed in both grooves(3) of the tyre(l) in both lateral and circumferential directions.

The center part of top surface(63) of the filler element is shaped like a small concave channel(65) to accomodate for the dust and small stones from the road surface to not to go under the filler element and also to prevent stress concentration on the tread blocks. (2)

In another preferred application of the invention, tyre(l) groove(3) depth is comprised of 3 or more parts(A,B,C) as shown figure4. With this type of groove(3) and filler element(6) design, the tyre(l) is protected thgrough out its life against cutting and drilling and retreadability of the tyre is kept at best condition.

The vehicle tyre(l) which features 3 or more parts tread block(3) as shown in figure4, has number of filler elements(6) which are put on top of another, and they are one less in number compared to the number of parts that the corresponding tread block(2) has.

Towards the end of the life of the tyres(l) tread block(2) which is in contact with road surface, the filler element(6) is displaced and the next part of the groove(3) is put into the operation. The finishing of 1st part(A) of the groove(3) will be visible by the feathering at the edges of tread block(2) and once these indications are seen then the filler element(6) is taken out of the tyre and the 2nd part(B) of the groove(3) and the tread block(2) is in operation from then on. Following that when the 2nd part(B) of the tread block(2) is finished also, the corresponding 2nd part of the filler element(6) is taken out of the tyre and the 3rd part(C) is put in operation.

The filler elements(6) put into the circumferential grooves(3) are limiting the movement and deformation of the tread blocks(2) in lateral direction, whereas the filler elements(6) put into the lateral grooves(3) limit the movement and deformation of the tread blocks in circumferential direction (the same direction of tyre's rotation). The concave channel(65) formed on the top surface(64) of the filler element(6), and the angle provided at the groove(3) sidewalls(23) will facilitate, foreign objects such as dust and small stone particles not to penetrate between the filler element(6) and the groove(3) base(25) and sidewalls(23), thus preventing the damage of tyre(l) and the filler element(6) during running of tyre. The filler element(6) used in the invented vehicle tyre(l) is not in direct contact with the road surface and therefore will not be subject to any load from the road side. However the foreign objects such as loose stones and particles which might come in contact with the filler element(6) during running of tyre(l) may damage it. Actually in this case the filler element is behaving like a protective layer over the tyre(l) tread groove(3) and prevent tyre to get cuts inside the grooves(3). When the filler element is cut and damaged it can be replaced with a new one and tyre(l) is provided with a continuous protection against cuts and damages during its service life.

The filler element(6) can be in the same color as the tyre(l) itself however it can also be in different colors, as this will provide a unique look and appearance for the invented tyre(l) in the eyes of customer. These different colors used in different filler elements(6) placed at the neighbouring circumferential grooves will provide a color coding system which can be used also as tyre's size and pattern identification coding which would be used during lojistic arrangements.

In one preferred application of the invention, sidewalls(22) are making an angle with the tread block surface(21) of the tyre(l) which is between 10 deg and 170 deg . Also similarly, the surface(24) will make an angle with sidewalls(23) which is between 10 deg and 180 deg.

The upper(A) and lower(B) parts of the tread block(2) can be of completely the same profile and design and they can as well be of completely different design and profile as shown in figure5.

As it has been explained and characterized above, the tyre pattern and groove(3) shape and the corresponding filler element(6) system can also be applied to retreading technology, which is actually re -use of tyre(l) carcass after the tread(2) area of the tyre is worn out, by re-capping of tyre(l) carcass with a precured tread. In other words this invented groove(3) profile consisting of 2-3 parts along with the filler element can also be applied to retread patterns for tyres. By this way it is also possible to prolong the wear life of retreaded tyres and obtain considerable savings in terms of economics and environment. Within the context of this concept, varying applications of the invention are possible to be developed and implemented and the invention is not limited with the above description and given examples and is further defined by the claims explained below.

Claims

1. A vehicle tyre (1) comprising;

— at least one tread block (2) having at least one tread block surface (21) which is in contact with the road, at least one upper sidewall (22) starting from the end of the tread block surface (21) and extending downwards, at least one lower sidewall (23) extending from the bottom of the upper sidewall (22) downwards, at least one surface (24) parallel to the tread block surface with one end being at the endpoint of the upper sidewall (22) and the other end at the start of the lower sidewall, and at least one groove base (25) extending between the two lower sidewalls (23) facing each other,

— at least one groove (3) located between the two upper sidewalls (22),

— at least one lateral groove base (4) which is in contact with the groove base (25) and surrounded by the two lower sidewalls (23);

characterised by

— at least one space (5) in which a filler element (6) is placed and which is surrounded by two lower sidewalls (23), surface (24) and the groove base (25).

2. A vehicle tyre (1) according to claim 1, characterised by a growth space (7) provided between the filler element (6) and the groove base (25).

3. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised by a tread block (2) comprising two parts (A,B), one on top of the other.

4. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised by the lower part (B) of the two parts (A,B) in which the filler element (6) is placed and which is surrounded by the lower sidewalls (23), surface (24) and the groove base (25).

5. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of claims 3 to 4, characterised by a tread block (2) of which depth (A+B) is twice the height of the filler element (6).

6. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised by a lower sidewall (23) which is contact with the filler element (6) in the tyre (1) and has a ribbed form.

7. A vehicle tyre (1) according to claim 6, characterised by a groove base (25) which is in contact with the filler element (6) and has a ribbed form.

8. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised by a surface (24) which contacts the top surface (63) of the filler element (6) such that there is left a small gap between itself and the top surface (63) of the filler element (6).

9. A vehicle tyre (1) according to claim 8, characterized by a surface (24) which limits the motion of the filler element (6) inside the tyre (1).

10. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised by upper sidewalls (22) which make an angle of 10° to 170° with the tread block surface (21).

11. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised by lower sidewalls (23) which make an angle of 10° to 180° with the surface (24).

12. A vehicle tyre (1) according to any of the above claims, characterised in that it is a retreaded tyre.