JP2008168872A - Pneumatic tire and tire mold - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a pneumatic tire in which uneven wear is effectively suppressed and durability of a shoulder portion is improved, and a durable tire molding die for molding a pneumatic tire is provided.
In a pneumatic tire in which a plurality of main grooves 1 are carved, ribs 2 are formed at least on a shoulder portion of a tread, and narrow grooves 3 extending in the tire circumferential direction are carved inward in the tire width direction from a ground contact end E. In the tread opening, the narrow groove 3 includes narrow portions 11 and wide portions 12 alternately in the circumferential direction, and the groove bottom 5 of the narrow groove 3 has a circular arc shape in cross section, and the narrow groove 3 on the outer side in the tire width direction. The side wall 3a is substantially perpendicular to the tread surface and connected to the groove bottom 5. The side wall 11a of the narrow portion 11 on the inner side in the tire width direction is inclined so that the groove width becomes wider toward the groove bottom 5. A pneumatic tire connected to the groove bottom 5 is used.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire, and more particularly to a pneumatic tire provided with a thin rib in the vicinity of a ground contact end, in which uneven wear of a shoulder portion of a tread is suppressed, and a tire molding die for molding the pneumatic tire. .

  In the pneumatic tire, since the contact pressure of the shoulder portion of the tread is increased, there is a problem of uneven wear in which the amount of wear of the shoulder portion is larger than that of other portions. In order to suppress such uneven wear, as shown in FIG. 1, a fine groove 3 extending in the tire circumferential direction from the ground contact end E in the tire width direction is engraved, and a narrow rib sandwiched between the narrow groove 3 and the ground contact end E 4 is provided. As a result, the rigidity of the shoulder portion of the tread T is reduced by the thin rib 4, the contact pressure of the shoulder portion is reduced, and uneven wear can be suppressed. As an example of such a pneumatic tire, a pneumatic tire described in Patent Document 1 is known.

JP-A-11-151910 (FIG. 4)

  In the pneumatic tire described above, the thin rib 4 is easily deformed by an input from the road surface. As shown in FIG. 2, when passing through a stepped road surface G, the narrow groove 3 is greatly opened by the step, and if excessively deformed, a crack occurs in the groove bottom of the narrow groove 3 and the durability of the tire decreases. There are things to do. In order to suppress the occurrence of cracks, it is conceivable to narrow the width of the thin rib 4. However, the effect of suppressing uneven wear becomes insufficient, and the thin rib 4 may even be broken. When the thin rib 4 disappears, the effect of suppressing uneven wear also disappears.

  As a means for preventing cracks generated at the groove bottom of the narrow groove 3, it is conceivable to provide the entire groove bottom with a curvature and increase the curvature radius of the groove bottom to prevent cracks. However, when the groove width of the narrow groove 3 on the tread surface is increased, the thin rib 4 is easily caught on the road surface due to an external force from the road surface, and the thin rib 4 is easily deformed. Therefore, there is a limit in increasing the groove width of the narrow groove 3 and increasing the curvature radius of the groove bottom, and the effect of preventing cracks is insufficient.

  If the groove width of the narrow groove becomes narrower toward the tread surface, the narrow groove molding portion (for example, a blade) that molds the narrow groove has a narrow width near the tread molding surface that molds the tread surface and heads toward the tip. The width becomes wider. As a result, the strength of the connecting part between the molding part and the tread molding surface is reduced, and when the mold is opened, the narrow groove molding part may be lost, which is problematic in terms of durability of the mold.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire that effectively suppresses uneven wear and improves the durability of the shoulder portion, and is a durable tire molding for molding such a pneumatic tire. The purpose is to provide molds.

In order to solve the above problems, in the pneumatic tire according to the present invention, a plurality of main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction are engraved on the tread, ribs are formed at least on the shoulder portion of the tread, and the inner side in the tire width direction from the ground contact end. In pneumatic tires with engraved narrow grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction,
In the tread opening, the narrow groove includes narrow portions and wide portions alternately in the circumferential direction, and the groove bottom of the narrow groove has a circular arc shape in cross section,
The side wall of the narrow groove on the outer side in the tire width direction is substantially perpendicular to the tread surface and connected to the groove bottom,
The pneumatic tire is characterized in that a side wall of the narrow portion on the inner side in the tire width direction is inclined and connected to the groove bottom so that the groove width becomes wider toward the groove bottom.

  By cutting a narrow groove extending in the tire circumferential direction on the inner side in the tire width direction from the contact end, the rigidity of the shoulder portion is reduced and the contact pressure is also reduced, thereby suppressing uneven wear. The occurrence of cracks at the groove bottom can be suppressed by making the groove bottom of the narrow groove have a circular arc shape in cross section. Since the side wall of the narrow part on the outer side in the tire width direction is inclined so that the groove width becomes wider toward the groove bottom, the rigidity in the vicinity of the narrow part of the thin rib is further reduced, so that the rigidity of the entire thin rib is reduced. And the rigidity of the shoulder portion of the tread is reduced, and the contact pressure of the shoulder portion is further reduced, so that uneven wear of the shoulder portion is suppressed. Note that “the groove width becomes wider toward the groove bottom” means that the side wall of the narrow part is inclined and the groove width gradually increases, and a certain width is maintained from the tread surface to the middle of the groove. In addition, the width of the groove is increased thereafter.

  Since the narrow groove is provided with a wide portion, as will be described later, the narrow groove molding portion of the mold for molding the narrow groove is reinforced and the loss of the narrow groove molding portion is suppressed. Durability is improved. The width of the narrow portion of the narrow groove at the tread opening is 0.1 to 0.5 times the maximum width of the bottom of the narrow groove, and the maximum width of the wide portion at the tread opening is thin. It is preferably 0.5 to 1.4 times the maximum width of the groove bottom.

The tire molding die according to the present invention is molded by a main groove molding portion that protrudes from the tread molding surface of the die and forms a main groove extending in the tire circumferential direction on the shoulder portion of the tread, and a main groove molding portion. It has at least a narrow groove molding portion that molds a narrow groove extending in the tire circumferential direction on the rib,
In the connection portion with the tread molding surface, the narrow groove molding portion includes a narrow portion and a wide portion alternately in the circumferential direction, and the tip portion of the narrow groove molding portion has a circular arc shape in cross section,
The side wall of the narrow groove molding part on the inner side in the tire width direction is substantially perpendicular to the tread molding surface and connected to the tip part,
The side wall of the narrow groove molding part on the outer side in the tire width direction is substantially perpendicular to the tread molding surface and connected to the tip part,
The tire molding die is characterized in that a side wall of the narrow portion on the inner side in the tire width direction is inclined so as to increase in width toward the tip portion and connected to the tip portion.

  Since the narrow groove molding part of the mold that molds the narrow groove has a narrow part and a wide part, the narrow groove molding part is reinforced at the connection part with the tread molding surface, and the loss of the narrow groove molding part is suppressed. The As a result, the durability of the tire molding die is improved. Note that “the width becomes wider toward the tip” means that the side wall of the narrow portion is inclined and gradually becomes wider, and a certain width is maintained from the tread molding surface to the middle of the tip. In addition, it includes the subsequent widening. Moreover, the width | variety of the narrow part of the narrow groove molding part in a connection part with a tread molding surface is 0.1-0.5 times the maximum width of the front-end | tip part of a narrow groove molding part, The maximum width of the wide portion at the connecting portion is preferably 0.5 to 1.4 times the maximum width of the tip portion of the narrow groove molding portion.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a pneumatic tire according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a shoulder portion of the tire tread, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a narrow groove in FIG. A main groove 1 extending in the tire circumferential direction R is engraved in the tread T. A rib 2 is formed in the shoulder portion by the illustrated outermost main groove 1 in the width direction and the ground contact E. Further, a narrow groove 3 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner side in the tire width direction from the ground contact end E, and a thin rib 4 is formed. In FIG. 3, members such as a belt layer and a belt reinforcing layer are omitted. Moreover, a rib may be arrange | positioned in the area | region inside the main groove 1 of the width direction outermost side of the tread T shown in figure, and a block may be arrange | positioned in part or all.

  The narrow grooves 3 are provided with narrow portions 11 and wide portions 12 alternately in the circumferential direction. The narrow portion 11 is a narrow portion having a constant width, and the wide portion 12 is a portion other than the narrow portion 11. Since the groove bottom 5 has an arc shape, the occurrence of cracks at the groove bottom 5 can be suppressed even if the thin rib 4 is deformed by the force received from the road surface. Moreover, although the side wall 11a of the narrow part 11 is connected to the groove bottom 5, from the viewpoint of preventing cracks, the contact surface of the arc of the groove bottom 5 of the connection part is connected so as to be the same as the side wall 11a. (Tangent) is preferred.

  The side wall 3a on the outer side in the tire width direction of the narrow groove 3 is substantially perpendicular to the tread T. On the other hand, since the side wall 11a of the narrow portion 11 on the inner side in the tire width direction is inclined and the wide portion 12 is provided, the rigidity of the shoulder portion on the narrow groove 3 side of the rib 2 is low. As a result, coupled with the thin rib 4, the rigidity of the shoulder portion of the tread T is reduced, and the contact pressure of the shoulder portion is further reduced, so that uneven wear of the shoulder portion is suppressed. In the present application, “substantially perpendicular” refers to a range of 85 degrees to 95 degrees.

  The side wall 12a of the wide portion 12 on the inner side in the tire width direction is V-shaped at the tread opening, and at least a portion (ridge line 12b in the figure) is perpendicular to the surface of the tread T and It is connected. Considering the narrow groove molding portion of the mold that molds the narrow groove, the narrow groove molding portion is reinforced by the portion where the wide portion 12 is molded and the loss of the narrow groove molding portion is suppressed. The durability of the tire mold for molding the tire is improved. In addition, the wide part 12 should just be formed in the tire width direction inner side, and the ridgeline 12b may incline in the tire width direction outer side, and may incline in the tire width direction inner side. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing cracks, the ridge line 12b and the groove bottom 5 are preferably connected so that the ridge line 12b is on the contact surface of the arc of the groove bottom 5 of the connecting portion.

  In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the V-shaped apex portion of the wide portion 12 at the tread opening portion constitutes a side wall 12c having a constant width L1, and the side wall 12a is narrower than the side wall 12c. 11 side walls 11a. The side wall 12c may be inclined outward in the tire width direction, or may be inclined inward in the tire width direction. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing cracks, it is preferable that the contact surface of the arc of the groove bottom 5 of the connecting portion is tangent so as to be the same as the side wall 12c.

  In other embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wide portion 12 has a constant width at the tread opening to form the side wall 12 c, and the side wall 12 a is the side wall of the side wall 12 c and the narrow portion 11. 11a is connected. The side wall 12 a is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the narrow groove 3. Also in this case, the side wall 12c may be inclined outward in the tire width direction, or may be inclined inward in the tire width direction. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing cracks, it is preferable that the contact surface of the arc of the groove bottom 5 of the connecting portion is tangent so as to be the same as the side wall 12c.

  In other embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the groove width of the narrow portion 11 of the narrow groove 3 has a constant width from the surface of the tread T toward the groove bottom 5 in the equal width portion 3b. Then, the point that the groove width of the narrow portion 11 is widened is different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. From the viewpoint of preventing cracks, the equal width part 3b and the groove bottom 5 are smoothly connected. For example, the equal width portion 3b and the groove bottom 5 may be connected by a curved surface 3c that protrudes inward of the groove. An inclined surface may be provided from the groove bottom side end of the equal width portion 3b, and the inclined surface may be brought into contact with the groove bottom as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this case, if D1 = 0, FIGS. It becomes the form of the narrow groove shown in FIG. The depth D1 of the equal width portion 3b of the narrow portion 11 is preferably 70% or less of the groove depth D of the narrow groove 3. If it exceeds 70%, the groove width is suddenly widened, so that cracks are likely to occur. Also in this case, the side wall 12c may be inclined outward in the tire width direction, or may be inclined inward in the tire width direction. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing cracks, it is preferable that the contact surface of the arc of the groove bottom 5 of the connecting portion is tangent so as to be the same as the side wall 12c.

  In any of the above embodiments, the width W2 of the narrow portion 11 of the narrow groove 3 at the tread opening is 0.1 to 0.5 times the maximum width W of the groove bottom portion 5 of the narrow groove 3. The maximum width W1 of the wide portion 12 at the tread opening is preferably 0.5 to 1.4 times the maximum width W of the groove bottom 5 of the narrow groove 3. When the width W2 of the narrow portion 11 exceeds 0.5 times the maximum width W of the groove bottom portion 5, the thin rib 4 is easily caught on the road surface due to external force from the road surface, and cracks are easily generated. Prone to damage. On the contrary, when the width W2 of the narrow portion 11 is less than 0.1 times the maximum width W of the groove bottom portion 5, it is difficult to process the narrow groove molding portion for molding the narrow groove 3. Further, when the mold after vulcanization molding is opened, a force is applied to cause the narrow portion 11 sandwiched between the wide portions 12 to bend like a bow, thereby reducing the durability of the narrow groove molded portion. If the maximum width W1 of the wide portion 12 is less than 0.5 times the maximum width W of the groove bottom portion 5, the portion corresponding to the wide portion 12 of the narrow groove molded portion hardly reinforces the narrow groove molded portion. On the contrary, when the maximum width W1 of the wide portion 12 exceeds 1.4 times the maximum width W of the groove bottom portion 5, the narrow portion is formed in the thin rib 4 by the wide portion 12, and cracks or cracks are generated in the portion. The thin rib 4 may be damaged. Further, from the viewpoint of effectively suppressing uneven wear and reinforcing the narrow groove molding portion, the maximum width W1 of the wide portion 12 of the narrow groove 3 and the width W2 of the narrow portion 11 and the difference W1-W2 are determined by the groove bottom portion 5. The maximum width W is preferably 0.2 times or more.

  Further, the maximum width W of the groove bottom 5 is preferably 3.0 mm or more from the viewpoint of securing a sufficient radius of curvature of the groove bottom 5 and preventing cracks. From the viewpoint of securing the width of the thin rib 4, the maximum width W of the groove bottom 5 is preferably 6.0 mm or less. As shown in the drawing, the ridgeline on the tread surface outside the narrow groove 3 in the tire width direction is preferably a straight line. If the ridgeline has a notch or the like, the rigidity of the shoulder portion of the rib 2 changes in the circumferential direction. As a result, uneven wear may occur from the portion where the rigidity of the rib 2 changes.

Further, from the viewpoint of reinforcing the narrow groove molding portion of the mold, it is preferable that there are 20 or more wide portions 12 on the entire circumference of the narrow groove 3, and the length L of the wide portion 12 is 0.5 mm to 25.0 mm. The total length L is preferably 10 to 30% of the circumferential length of the narrow groove 3. If it is less than 10%, the reinforcement of the narrow groove molded portion is insufficient, and if it exceeds 30%, the movement from the road surface of the fine rib 4 becomes large, and the crack prevention effect is insufficient.

  Next, a tire molding die for molding the pneumatic tire according to the present invention will be described. 9 to 11 and 14 are views showing molds for molding the shoulder portions shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, FIGS. 5 to 6, FIGS. 7 to 8, and FIGS. From the tread molding surface 120 of the mold M, a main groove molding portion 101 that forms a main groove 1 extending in the circumferential direction on the shoulder portion of the tread T, and a rib 2 that is molded by the main groove molding portion 101 extend in the tire circumferential direction. A narrow groove molding portion 103 for molding the narrow groove 3 protrudes. The mold M may be a two-piece mold or a sector mold.

  The tip portion 105 of the narrow groove molding portion 103 has a circular arc shape in cross section, and suppresses the generation of cracks in the groove bottom 5 of the narrow groove 3 to be molded. The side wall 103a on the outer side in the tire width direction of the narrow groove molding portion 103 is substantially perpendicular to the tread molding surface 120, but the narrow groove molding portion 103 is provided with narrow portions 111 and wide portions 112 alternately in the circumferential direction. Yes. Since the side wall 111a of the narrow portion 111 is inclined, as described above, the rigidity of the shoulder portion on the side of the narrow groove 3 of the rib 2 to be formed becomes low. Since the contact pressure of the shoulder portion becomes lower, uneven wear of the shoulder portion of the tread is suppressed.

  The narrow groove molding portion 103 is reinforced at the connection portion with the tread molding surface 120 by the wide portion 112, and the loss of the narrow groove molding portion 103 that may occur when the mold M is opened is suppressed. As a result, the durability of the tire molding die M is improved. As described above, from the viewpoint of preventing cracks, it is preferable that the ridge line 112b and the distal end portion 105 are connected such that the ridge line 112b of the wide portion 112 is on the contact surface of the arc of the distal end portion 105. It is preferable that the arc contact surface of the tip end portion 105 is tangent so as to be the same as the side wall 112c.

  The width of the narrow portion 111 of the narrow groove molding portion 103 at the connection portion with the tread molding surface 120 (corresponding to the width W2 of the narrow portion 11 of the narrow groove 3) is the maximum of the tip portion 105 of the narrow groove molding portion 103. 0.1 to 0.5 times larger (maximum width W of the groove bottom portion 5 of the narrow groove 3), and the maximum width of the wide portion at the connection portion with the tread molding surface (the maximum width of the wide portion 12 of the narrow groove 3). The large width W1) is preferably 0.5 to 1.4 times the maximum width of the front end portion 105 of the narrow groove molding portion 103. Further, from the viewpoint of reinforcement of the narrow groove molding portion 103, it is preferable that there are 20 or more wide portions 112 on the entire circumference of the narrow groove molding portion 103, and the circumferential length of the wide portion 112 is 0.5 mm to 25.0 mm. The total sum of the circumferential lengths is preferably 10 to 30% of the circumferential length of the narrow groove molding portion 103.

  When the narrow groove molding portion 103 shown in FIG. 11 is manufactured, the triangular plate forming the wide portion 112 is integrally cast with the narrow groove molding portion 103 main body, or the groove is cut into the narrow groove molding portion 103 main body. Although a method of inserting a triangular plate forming the wide portion 112 is conceivable, the strength of the joint portion between the wide portion 112 and the narrow groove molding portion 103 main body is lowered. Therefore, it is preferable that the wide portion 112 of the narrow groove molding portion 103 is integrated with the main body of the narrow groove molding portion 103 continuous in the tire circumferential direction. For example, it is manufactured by engraving by NC processing, precision casting by lost wax, or the like. It is preferable.

  As an example, a pneumatic tire according to the present invention and a tire of a comparative example were prototyped and mounted on a front wheel of a trailer towing tractor (axle arrangement: 2D) for evaluation. The tire size was 295 / 75R22.5, and the air pressure was 720 kPa. Examples 1 to 3 are tires having shoulder portions shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, FIGS. 5 to 6 and FIGS. 7 to 8, respectively, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are provided with narrow grooves without wide portions in the shoulder portions. Tire. Although the dimensions of each narrow groove are shown in Table 1, in Example 4, the equal width portion of the narrow groove and the groove bottom are connected by a curved surface convex to the inside of the groove having a radius of curvature of 4.5 mm.

  The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. The uneven wear resistance is an index in which the width of the local wear of the edge of the rib 2 on the narrow groove 3 side after traveling for 160,000 km is 100 as Comparative Example 2, and the larger the number, the narrower the local wear width. It shows that the wear suppression effect is high. The presence or absence of cracks at the groove bottom is the result of visually confirming the tire after running for 160,000 km. The deflection of the narrow groove molding part is a result of measuring the deflection amount of the narrow groove molding part 103 of the mold M after 1000 vulcanization moldings of tires according to Examples and Comparative Examples. Although measured, deflection could not be measured in the examples. According to Table 1, while improving durability, the uneven wear suppression effect could be improved. In addition, the durability of the mold to be molded could be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows the tread shoulder part of the conventional pneumatic tire. It is sectional drawing which shows the grounding state on the road surface with a level | step difference in the conventional pneumatic tire. It is a perspective view which shows the tread shoulder part of the pneumatic tire which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the narrow groove in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the tread shoulder part of the pneumatic tire which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the narrow groove in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the tread shoulder part of the pneumatic tire which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the narrow groove in FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a tire molding die according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a tire molding die according to the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a tire molding die according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the tread shoulder part of the pneumatic tire which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the narrow groove in FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a tire molding die according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main groove 2 Rib 3 Narrow groove 4 Narrow rib 5 Narrow groove bottom 11 Narrow part 12 Wide part

Claims (4)

In a pneumatic tire in which a plurality of main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction are engraved on the tread, ribs are formed at least on the shoulder portion of the tread, and narrow grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction are engraved on the inner side in the tire width direction from the ground contact end.
In the tread opening, the narrow groove includes narrow portions and wide portions alternately in the circumferential direction, and the groove bottom of the narrow groove has a circular arc shape in cross section,
Side walls of the narrow grooves on the outer side in the tire width direction are substantially perpendicular to the tread surface and connected to the groove bottom
A pneumatic tire characterized in that a side wall of the narrow portion on the inner side in the tire width direction is inclined and connected to the groove bottom so that the groove width becomes wider toward the groove bottom.   The width of the narrow portion of the narrow groove at the tread opening is 0.1 to 0.5 times the maximum width of the groove bottom of the narrow groove, and the maximum width of the wide portion at the tread opening is 2. The pneumatic tire according to claim 1, which is 0.5 to 1.4 times the maximum width of the groove bottom of the narrow groove. The main groove molding part that forms the main groove extending in the tire circumferential direction on the shoulder part of the tread that protrudes from the mold tread molding surface, and the narrow groove that extends in the tire circumferential direction is molded on the rib formed by the main groove molding part And at least a narrow groove molding part
In the connection portion with the tread molding surface, the narrow groove molding portion includes a narrow portion and a wide portion alternately in the circumferential direction, and the tip portion of the narrow groove molding portion has a circular arc shape in cross section,
The side wall of the narrow groove molding part on the outer side in the tire width direction is substantially perpendicular to the tread molding surface and connected to the tip part,
A tire molding die characterized in that a side wall of the narrow portion on the inner side in the tire width direction is inclined so as to increase in width toward the tip portion and connected to the tip portion.   The width of the narrow portion of the narrow groove molding portion at the connection portion with the tread molding surface is 0.1 to 0.5 times the maximum width of the tip portion of the narrow groove molding portion. The tire molding die according to claim 3, wherein a maximum width of the wide portion at the connection portion is 0.5 to 1.4 times a maximum width of a tip portion of the narrow groove molding portion.

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