Abstract:
The invention provides a method for balancing tire performance with both increased and decreased numbers of lugs on the ribs while also having desirable tire noise performance. This method allows the tire designer to take advantage of the benefits of both high and low pitch count patterns while minimizing undesirable tire noise. The method involves the design of the fundamental pitch of the tire tread pattern and the design of the tread pattern for the tire. The invention also provides tires incorporating the fundamental pitch and tread patterns.
Abstract:
A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern. The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.
Abstract:
A tire testing apparatus and method for measuring the local stiffness of a tire. The apparatus includes a force producing mechanism, a force measuring device, a force transmitting member, and a measuring device. The force transmitting member applies a force to a tire surface and the measuring device measures the distance of the displacement of the tire surface caused by the force. A tire testing method comprising mounting a tire on a tire testing apparatus to measure a local stiffness of the tire. The method further comprises inflating the tire, applying a force to a local area of the tire, monitoring the force, measuring a distance corresponding to the local deflection, and calculating a local stiffness.
Abstract:
A tire having a tread comprising two shoulder ribs and at least one main rib, wherein the two shoulder ribs and the at least one main rib form at least two shoulder grooves. The two shoulder grooves each have a plurality of inboard walls and a plurality of outboard walls, each disposed at a substantially constant angle from a base of the shoulder groove to a shoulder rib surface. Further, the plurality of inboard walls includes a first set of walls disposed at a first angle from the base of the shoulder groove to a main rib surface and a second set of walls disposed at a second angle from the base of the shoulder groove to the main rib surface.
Abstract:
A tire mold design method includes determining the values and parameters of various mold components used in a mold and utilizing these mold components in a mold. The parameters of the mold components may vary in length and edge geometry, amongst other things. Additionally, the number of mold components utilized in a mold may vary. Optionally, various mold components may be rotated 180 degrees.
Abstract:
A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass. The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.
Abstract:
A tire design method is provided for a tire having a tire tread with a plurality of circumferential ribs separated by circumferential continuous grooves where at least two circumferential ribs are unlocked by at least one circumferential groove. The method may include modeling a lug in each of the at least two circumferential ribs to determine a circumferential shear stiffness and a circumferential shear stiffness per unit length for each rib. The tire design method may further include determining an ideal rib stiffness, an optimal rib stiffness, and a corresponding ideal number of lugs and an optimal number of lugs for each of the at least two circumferential ribs. In one embodiment, the tire design method includes modifying the tire design so the number of lugs in each rib is equal to the optimal number of lugs determined in the tire design method.
Abstract:
A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass. The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.