ASYMMETRICAL TYRE FOR VEHICLE WHEELS

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tyre for vehicle wheels, intended for being used for sports events and for high performances, that is capable of guaranteeing - under any running conditions - of time, as well as of the road, the best road-behaviour characteristics. The tyre of the invention presents a tread pattern that is axially subdivided into two circumferential adjacent sections of blocks (12, 13, 14) and grooves (16, 17) respectively; and a tread-band - comprised by two circumferential portions (10, 11) that are axially adjacent, made from diverse elastomeric compositions and having a diverse thickness where the line of separation between the two sections of the pattern, does not coincide with the line of separation between the two portions made of elastomeric compositions. The said tread-band is supported by a mixed textile/­ metallic breaker structure (4, 5), having an asymmetrical profile - with respect to the equatorial plane of the tyre.

Description: The present invention refers to tyres for vehicle wheels and more specifically, it concerns a tread structure (a combination of the elastomeric composition and the tread pattern) apt for guaranteeing - especially in the tyres for motor-cars, the highest road-holding assets, under every sort of running conditions. A good tread for tyres, should collaborate with the tyre structure for allowing the latter to satisfy diverse requirements with regard to safety, road-behaviour, and costs. In particular, what are required, for example, of every good tyre, is a good road-holding quality, even at high speeds - whether in straightaway driving or in cornering, when accelerating or when braking; a strong directional stability; an excellent rendering in the milage covered and also a considerable degree of riding comfort. As far as concerns the road-holding asset, in its complex whole this characteristic must be guaranteed under all conditions of the road surface - i.e. both, on dry and wet roads, as well as under snow-covered or frozen ground. However, in a single tread, these requirements prove to be in contrast - and generally, incompatible with one another, so much so that the solution commonly followed is to create a relatively specialized tyre for a prevelent working condition. Thus, on the market, diverse types of tread patterns are available, amongst which there can be recalled - for example, those of the siped type, those with raised-blocks, the winter type, the all-seasons type, the on-and-off the road type, and so on. In spite of this, the attention of the one skilled in the art has been dedicated for some time past, to searching for a tread that was simultaneously and in the best possible way able to supply all these diverse requirements. Thus, diverse tyres were proposed, that were essentially characterized by a tread pattern, divided circumferentially, into two axially adjacent and very diverse sections - for example: smooth, in one section, raised-blocks in the adacent section, and/or a tread-band comprised by two or more axially adjacent portions - with each portion being realized out of a specific elastomeric composition - which is diverse to that of the portion adjacent it, and studied expressly for collaborating in the best manner, with the type of pattern moulded on it. A tyre of this sort, that proved to be quite satisfactory under every aspect, was already described by the same Applicant in his previous Italian Patent Application No. 27 861 A/77, dated 23 September 1977, which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1. The Applicant has now, quite surprisingly, discovered that this type of tyre can be still improved further, by reciprocally combining together, in a new way, not just the diverse sections of the pattern and the diverse portions of elastomeric composition, but even in correlation with a modified geometry of the tyre carcass structure, so much so that, the aim of the present invention is a tyre for vehicle wheels - specifically for motor-cars destined for high performances, above all in the sports events field, which maintain substantialy unaltered its considerable assets of road-behaviour under any whatsoever running conditions and in all kinds of weather. Therefore, what forms the object of the present invention is a tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising a radial carcass of a substantially toric profile, a tread-band placed in the crown zone of said tyre, and a breaker-structure inserted in-between said tread-band and said carcass, said tread-band being comprised by two circumferentially adjoining, contiguous portions made of diverse elastomeric compositions and being provided with a pattern having raised-blocks in a first circumferential zone in correspondence with the first portion of elastomeric composition, and of a grooved type, in a second circumferential zone in correspondence with the second portion of elastomeric composition, characterized by the fact that the axial development of said first circumferential zone, is less than that of said first portion and that said substantially toric profile, at least in correspondence with said tread-band, is asymmetrical with respect to the equatorial plane of said tyre. According to a convenient form of realization for this invention, the tyre is characterized by the fact that the ratio between the axial development of said first zone and that of the said second zone is, at most 50/50, and that the ratio between the axial development of said first portion and that of said second portion, is at least 55/45. The tyre presents the above-said toric profile with having its maximum distance from the tyre axis, in corresponence at least of a meridian plane that is distinct from the equatorial plane. Moreover, said first portion is conveniently realized from an elastomeric composition having an elastic rebound of not less than 25%; while said second portion is realized from an elastomeric composition having an elastic rebound of not over 20%. Preferably, the ratio - between the maximum thicknesses, of said first portion and of said second portion, is not less that 55/45; in particular, the maximum thickness of said second portion is equal to the minimum thickness of said first portion. Quite conveniently, the above-said toric profile in correspondence of said tread, comprises three sections connected to one another - the two lateral sections being concave towards the inside of the tyre, with the central section being concave towards the outside of the tyre. In a particular form of embodiment for the tyre of the invention, the section having the grooved-type of pattern, comprises two rectilineal circumferential grooves that define three continuous circumferential ribs, the central ribs being provided, on each wall, with a plurality of cavities apt for interrupting the continuity of the rib wall, with the axially outer rib presenting its axially inner wall provided with a plurality of cavities which are spaced apart circumferentially with that of the facing rib, with the surface, that slopes towards the tyre sidewall, being provided with a plurality of transversal grooves, as wide as the said cavities, circumferentially distanced apart, with the cavities disposed on the opposite wall. In any case, the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description as well as of the attached figures made solely by way of non-limiting example, wherein: FIG. 1 - shows the cross-section of a tyre according to the invention, during the phase of moulding and of vulcanizing, in a first form of embodiment; FIG. 2 - shows a cross-section of the tyre of the invention in a second form of embodiment, once again during the phase of moulding and of vulcanizing; FIG. 3 - shows a particular form of embodiment for the tyre of the inven- tion, during exercise; FIG. 4 - shows the plane view of a circumferential portion of the tread pattern for the tyre according to the invention. Therefore, FIG.1 shows a cross-section of the tyre of the invention - i.e. a section obtained with a radial plane passing through the tyre axis. Whereas the geometry of the carcass results as being substantially modified with respect to that of usual tyres, the carcass structure does not shift away substantially, from the actual commonly known structures. It comprises at least one reinforcing ply 1 - having cords disposed radially, extending axially - from bead-heel to bead-heel, with presenting its extremities, turned up around a bead-core 2 surmounted by a hard-rubber filler 3. In the crown zone of the tyre, in a radially outer position to that of the above-said carcass ply, there is disposed a breaker-structure which is substantially inextensible both, circumferentially as well as axially, with comprising two rubberized-fabric strips 4 and 5 - having their reinforcing cords disposed parallelly to one another - in each strip, and crossed with the reinforcing cords of the adjacent strip; the said cords being disposed (during manufacturing the tyre) preferably symmetrically inclined - with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tyre itself. Outside said breaker-structure, there is disposed an elastomeric band 6 commonly known as a tread-band. Since said tread-band extends axially, beyond the breaker's extremities till uniting with the elastomeric material, disposed on sidewalls 7 of the tyre, herebelow the width of the tread-band and of the corresponding tread pattern, will be considered as being the maximum axial dimension L of the breaker-structure. The thickness of this tread-band varies, from a minimum to a maximum, along its axial lay-out - and, in particular, it substantially presents all of the maximum values assembled on one side of the equatorial plane, and all of the minimum values assembled on the other side of the same plane. Said distribution of the thicknesses, has its correspondence even in the formation of the tread-band, which is divided into two portions 8 and 9 - each comprised by a specific elastomeric composition that is diverse to that of the adjacent portion. The axial development of the portion 8 - which is the one that presents the maximum thickness - extends from one extremity of the breaker to beyond the equatorial plane - with thus reducing the axial development of the adjacent portion 9. According to the invention, the ratio L2/L - is never less than 0.55 - with L2 being measured between the breaker extremity and the mid-point of the line of separation, between the portions 8 and 9. Preferably, the ratio between the maximum thicknesses of the two portions - respectively, the first and second, is never less than 55/45. For example, in a tyre having a size 225/50 VR16, the thicknesses of portions 8 and 9, are respectively 17 mm and 12 mm. Hence, with a value of said ratio being equal to 58.6/41.4. As far as concerns the breaker-structure, this can be realized out of fabric strips that are reinforced exclusively with metallic cords, or with a combination of metallic and textile cords. Vice-versa, the realization of a breaker-structure made exclusively out of textile cords, which is also possible, does not prove to be adequate for obtaining the level of service-life required today, of this type of tyre - since, as is well known, textile cords do not resist compressional stresses, whereas the effects of such a state of stress, become important under certain running conditions such as, for example, when cornering. Quite conveniently, in the tyre of the invention the breaker structure comprises a radially outer strip 4 with metallic cords, to which, in a radially inner-position, there is coupled a strip of textile cords having a high ultimate tensile stress - in particular, aramid cords - for example, those textile fibres known as KEVLAR - which is DU PONT's registered trade name for them. This structure has a lesser transversal rigidity - with respect to the breaker that is realized totally from metallic cords - and the importance of this expedience, will appear clear from the considerations given below. The carcass of the tyre of the invention is prepared in the conventional way, on a building drum, in a symmetrical form. In the radially outer position to the breaker-structure, there is assembled the already described dissymmetrical tread-band - of a thickness that is variable, from one extremity to the other. Next, the tyre is moulded and vulcanized inside a traditional mould - this, in particular, also being symmetrical. Owing to the effect of the moulding pressure that acts inside the carcass, and as a consequence of the diverse thickness of the tread-band along its axial development, the breaker tends to become disposed as in FIG. 1 - i.e. according to a profile that presents three curvilinear tracts joined to one another, in such a way that the laterally disposed tracts present their concavity turned to face the inside of the tyre, while instead, the central tract presents its concavity turned to face the outside. Owing to the effect of this disposition of the breaker, the belt strips undergo a diverse degree of circumferential expansion - and hence, the reinforcing cords vary their laying-angle, with becoming disposed in the same strip according to the diverse angular values respectively, in the two axial portions of the breaker, with reference to the tyre's equatorial plane. For example, with starting from a mixed textile/steel breaker-structure, for a tyre of size 225/50 VR16, realized as described - with cords (steel) disposed (during building the tyre) at an angle of 25°, subsequent to the moulding-phase, the said angle acquired values of 22° and 20° respectively, in the portions 8 and 9, of the finished tyre. The textile cords undergo a similar behaviour. Therefore, the transversal rigidity of the breaker, conditions the profile, according to which the breaker becomes disposed - during the moulding and vulcanizing phase, and determines what the tyre profile will be - during tyre exercise. In fact, if the breaker is very flexible, there will be no difficulty had at all, in disposing it according to the profile shown in FIG. 1 - and in maintaining this configuration, during exercise, even in the vulcanized tyre. But, as the rigidity of the breaker continues increasing gradually, it will have even more difficulty in realizing the profile portion concave towards the outerside of the tyre, situated in a central position - so much so that this portion will always be less accentuated - till entirely disappearing, just as in the cross-sections shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 - moreover, with forcing the tread-band to acquire its same profile, with thus rendering the variation of the thickness to be more gradual, along its axial development. In this way, a tread-band is realized (FIG. 2) presenting diverse thickness values - with gradually passing from the minimum value, to the maximum value. In fact, it can be noted in the form of realization of FIG.2, that said inner profile is comprised by a continuous curved line, whose maximum radial distance from the tyre axis lies in correspondence of a meridian plane t1 , that does not coincide with the equatorial plane; the axial distance L1 between these two planes, that never exceeds 20% of the width L , is conveniently ranged between 12% and 16% of said length. Finally - and still as a consequence of the transversal rigidity of the breaker, the tyre - mounted on the rim and inflated to exercise pressure, can maintain the perfectly symmetrical outer profile, that was conferred to it by the mould - just as shown in the case of FIGS. 1 and 2; however, it can also acquire an asymmetrical profile as with respect to the equatorial plane, precisely as is shown in the case in FIG. 3 - where the tyre of the invention has an asymmetrical profile, even in the radially outer position. Naturally, this dissymmetry towards the outer side of the tyre - which is verified owing to the thrusts exercised by the breaker on the tread, under the effect of the tyre's inflation pressure, renders the dissymmetry of the radially inner profile to be less accentuated. Finally, it must also be specified that the breaker-structure is not strictly limited to just the comprising elements described above, but that it can be integrated with added elements, according to any whatsoever known scheme. For example, in the tyre of the invention, quite conveniently, the above-said breaker comprises a further fabric strip - in a radially outer position, reinforced with cords made of a heat-shrinkable material - nylon in particular, oriented parallelly or according to angles of a low value (not over 12°) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tyre. Coming now to the tread pattern (shown in FIG. 4) with which the tyre of the invention is provided, this pattern is divided into two circumferential adjacent sections - one presenting a raised-blocks type of pattern, and the other a grooved type of pattern. The raised-blocks section - is made in the thickness of the portion 8 (FIG. 1) or else, portion 10 (FIG. 2), and it is destined for guaranteeing the roadability and road-gripping, on snowed-over and frozen terrain. In accordance with this function, the elastomeric composition of the portion 8 is of the type that is capable of exercising excellent road-holding assets, under the above-said conditions and, in particular, it is counter-signed by an elastic rebound of not less than 25%. The pattern is counter-signed by three, circumferential rows of raised- blocks 12, 13, 14, disposed on the same side of the equatorial plane m-m, and separated one from the other by two large circumferential grooves 23 and by a plurality of grooves 24, 25, 26, that are inclined transversally with respect to the above-said plane. One important characteristic of the above-said pattern, is that the grooves that divide from one another the raised-blocks of the axially inner row, are inclined in the opposite sense - with respect to the grooves that divide the raised-blocks of the two outer adjacent rows - at least in the zone of the ground-contact area. In other words, in row 12 of the raised-blocks - separated one from the other by the transversal grooves 24 - constituted by two contiguous tracts that are inclined reciprocally in the opposite sense, the groove tract that is always present on the ground-contact area, is the axially innermost one; the axially outermost one is normally outside the ground-contact area of the tyre - i.e. during straightaway running, with its only being occasionally able to touch the ground-contact area, in cornering. It is found that this characteristic design of the transversal grooves, provides the tyre with an excellent rendering in the milage covered and a regularity and uniformity in the wearing-out - even under extremely severe running conditions. In an alternative embodiment for the above-said pattern, the row 12 of raised-blocks, could be subdivided into two adjacent rows of raised blocks, separated one from the other by a circumferential groove made in correspondence of the angle between the two tracts 24, of the transversal groove. The grooved section is made (further on, a remark will be made in this respect) in the thickness of the portions 9 (FIG. 1), or 11 (FIG. 2), and it is intended for assuring an optimum tyre behaviour under clear, dry or wet road conditions. The corresponding pattern, comprises two circumferential grooves 16 and 17, which divide the corresponding mid-plane of the tyre into three large circumferential ribs 18, 19, 20, and a plurality of short axial grooves 21, disposed on the axially outer edge of the rib 20. The walls of the rib 19 and the axially inner wall of the rib 20, are again provided with cavities 22 - as deep as that of the adjacent groove, distributed, with being circumferentially distanced-apart from one another, along the lay-out of the ribs. In particular, the grooves 21 are disposed in axial correspondence with the cavities - that are made on the axially outer wall of the rib 19. To be more precise, it is the axially inner extremity of the grooves 21 that is found in correspondence of the said cavities - since the grooves 21 can have any whatsoever inclination, less than 80°, with respect to the tyre axis. All these grooves and cavities, are considerably less deeper than the grooves of the adjacent tread-section (about half, or a little more - but not over 70%) and rather narrow - in such a way as to confer to the corresponding tread section a massive aspect with having a very high value for the solid/hollow ratio. The value of the solid/hollow ratio for the entire tread, varies from between 0,5 and 0,8 - while the said value, in just the grooved section of the pattern, varies, from between 5 and 8. As a function of the grooved section, the elastomeric composition of the relative tread portion, is of the type having a high hysteretic loss, which is better suited for guaranteeing the assets of roadability and road-holding on dry and wet roads. In particular, this type of elastomeric composition in the tyre of the invention, is a composition which is counter-signed by an elastic rebound of not over 20%. The Applicant has found that the value of the elastic rebound - is a critical parameter with respect to the road-performance of the compound in question. As regards the rebound "per se", said characteristic of the elastomeric compositions is well-known to technicians of the field. For having a definition and evaluation of this, it is opportune and usual, to refer to the Norm ISO 4662. Solely by way of non-limiting example, there shall now be given herebelow, an example of a recipe for the elastomeric compositions - apt for realizing the above-said portions A and B of the tread - i.e. respectively the portion having a greater thickness A (first portion) and the portion having a lesser thickness B (second portion). Concerning the remark mentioned previously, this regards the fact that the grooved pattern extends beyond the compound-B portion - and that it is partially also made in the compound-A. In other words, whereas the percentual ratio - between the axial dimensions of the two sections of the pattern, is conveniently 50/50 - although it can even be upto 45/55 (45 - for the raised-block section), the percentual ratio between the axial dimensions of the two tread-band portions, is never less than 55/45 (55 - for the portion having a greater thickness), and conveniently, equal to 60/40. The importance of this fact will result evident when considering that, in the known tyres, each section of the pattern was made in the corresponding portion of elastomeric composition, with consequent simultaneous variations in the axial dimensions of both the characteristics - i.e. both, the pattern, as well as its elastomeric composition. This involved the fact that - under every determined condition of the ground, the tyre's road-holding assets were developed, almost exclusively, from the corresponding tread portion, with the other portion collaborating only to a minimum extent - so much so that, at a parity of the axial width of the two tread sections, under any whatsoever running conditions, only 50% of the tread was utilized. Nevertheless, with the compounds adopted in the known tyres, a width - for the raised-blocks section, that was equal to 50% of the tread, proved to be insufficient, for guaranteeing a good road-behaviour of the tyre upon snowed over and frozen terrain, for which reason the width of the raised-blocks portion, had to prevail over the grooved portion. Unfortunately, for guaranteeing just as good a road-behaviour on dry roads, the grooved part - on having its width reduced, had to become more solid, with a consequent elimination of the grooves - till it eventually even became almost smooth. Thus, this variation in the pattern, clearly involved a deterioration of the tyre in the instance of the aquaplane phenomenon - and this negative consequence was partially remedied - by decreasing even further, the width of the smooth portion - till creating, on the corresponding portion of the tyre's ground-contact area, a specific pressure having such a value as to break (di per se) the liquid film which forms during the rain, between the road and tread - and, in this way, to guarantee ground-contact. This restoration of the assets of tyre-behaviour, was thus compensated through a lesser rendering in the milage covered, or through a greater disposition for having a more rapid and irregular wearing-out of the tread. The Applicant has now discovered that these defects could have been substantially eliminated - through having a particular combination in the choice of the elastomeric compositions for the tread patterns, through the axial dimensions of the diverse parts - and preferably, with also coupling a particular profile for the supporting structure underlying the tread. In this way, a tread is realized that is utilizable for running substantially - upon 100% of its axial development, in any whatsoever exercise conditions. In particular, this result was obtained through a disassociating of the functions of the elastomeric material from that of the corresponding tread section - so much so that, in the tyre of the invention, the raised-blocks section has an axial dimension that is always less than that of the corresponding elastomeric portion. In particular, while the width of said raised-blocks section never exceeds 50% of the tread, the width of said portion of the tread-band is never less than 55% of the tread width. In accordance with what is given above, in the pattern shown in FIG. 4, the rib 18 is formed of precisely the same elastomeric composition as that of the raised-blocks section. Moreover, the surface of the tread-band portion being quite ample, with having a low elastic rebound (width not less than 50% of the tread width), grooves can be made in it, that improve the tyre's resistence with regard to the aquaplane phenomenon. The specific pressure - acting upon the ground-contact area, in correspondence of the grooved section, is now in the same order of magnitude - or even less (given the diverse solid/hollow ratio) than that acting upon the raised-blocks section, with a considerable improvement in the rendering of the milage covered, with respect to the known tyres. Nevertheless, in relation to the characteristics of the compound adopted for the corresponding portion of tread-band, there still exists the possibility that, under particularly heavy duty conditions, the tyre can result as being sensible to the phenomenon of an irregular and premature wearing-out on the ribs - above all along their edges - where a particular tendency towards lacerations exists. Nevertheless, even this particular aspect of the problem, was solved by the Applicant - through the adoption of the cavities 22 (described above), that increase the flexibility at the edges of the ribs, under the ground-contact area, with thus guarding them against ruptures, lacerations and any premature wearing-out. To end with, the particular profile of the supporting structure of the tyre, under the tread-band, minimizes the thickness of the elastomeric composition with a high hysteretic loss - i.e. that thickness wherein the grooved pattern is impressed, and whose compound results as being most apt for guaranteeing a good tyre behaviour on dry and wet roads. Hence, it sensibly reduces the heat developed by said portion of the tread during the running of the vehicle, and also favours the heat dispersion therein - with thus preventing any development of high temperatures - that prove to be extremely harmful not only for the resistence of the said compound, but also for the resistence of the tyre structure, and consequently, for the service-life of the tyre itself. Besides this, the above-said profile renders the road-behaviour of the tyre to be extremely outstanding. In fact, the dissymmetry in the profile of the breaker structure - with respect to the tyre's equatorial plane, has conferred to the tyre a high sensibility to the steering action and a high promptness in steering response - with moreover, demonstrating excellent road-holding assets, in cornering. The Applicant holds that these surprising results, are owed to the fact that the above-said dissymmetry in the profile, gives rise in the tyre to a system of forces acting upon the wheel-axis, that opposes - by compensating them, the forces originated owing the effect of the variations in the trajectory of the vehicle; with conferring to the tyre a very high directional stability and a great capacity for re-aligning itself. As far as concerns the mounting of the tyre of the invention onto the vehicle, the mounting suggested as being that preferred - is that with the section having raised-blocks axially inwardly. As far as concerns the said raised-blocks section, this could also be moulded on the tyre - by having its transversal grooves disposed as in specular-reflection with respect to the axial direction - i.e. with reference to FIG. 4, with the transversal grooves 24 and 25 sloping downwards, and with the grooves 26 sloping upwards. Should both these types of tyres - or more precisely their pattern, be disposable, the tyre shown in FIG. 4, should preferably be mounted on the two motive wheels, with the tyres - provided with a pattern in specular-reflection, mounted on the driven wheels. Herebelow, the results will be given of some tests - that were carried out with the scope of comparing the tyre of the invention - with the Applicant's best already-manufactured tyres, which were available on the market at the time of the invention. TEST No. 1 - ROAD-HOLDING ON WET ROADS TEST The test consists in taking the running-time of a mixed circuit, on an artificially flooded course - covered at the highest speed possible. The car used for the test - was a LANCIA (Delta Turbo with a four-wheel drive) fitted on its front-axis with a tyre of size 205/55 VR16 and on its rear-axis with a tyre of size 225/50 VR16. TEST RESULTS TYRE RUNNING TIME PIRELLI P7 59".97 PIRELLI P77 57".94 TYRE of the INVENTION 56".25 TEST No. 2 - TYRE ROAD-BEHAVIOUR TEST The test consists in evaluating (subjectively and expressed in grades from 1 to 10) the determined behaviour characteristics of the tyre and in taking (objectively) the running time of a given circuit - on a course covered at the maximum speed possible. The car used for the test was a PORCHE 928S, fitted with tyres of size 225/50 VR16. The tyres that were compared with it, are identified as follows: PIRELLI P7 - monocompound tread of a symmetrical structure and pattern A TYRE of the INVENTION B TEST RESULTS Characteristics A B Lateral stability 7.0 7.5 Handling/controllability 6.0 7.5 Steering-release in cornering 6.0 8.0 Tractive capacity 6.5 7.5 Aquaplane 6.0 8.0 Running-time (average of 8 circuits) 61".30 58".97 To end with, the present description is intended as being given solely by way of non-limiting example.

Claims: Tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising a radial carcass (1) of a substantially toric profile, a tread-band (6) placed in the crown zone of said tyre and a breaker-structure (4,5) inserted in-between said tread-band and said carcass, the said tread-band being comprised by two circumferentially adjoining, continguous portions (10, 11) made of diverse elastomeric compositions and being provided with a pattern having raised blocks (12, 13, 14) in a first circumferential zone in correspondence with the first portion (10) of elastomeric composition, and being of a grooved type (16, 17) in a second circumferential zone in correspondence with the second portion (11) of elastomeric composition, characterized by the fact that the axial development of said first circumferential zone is less than that of said first portion (10), and that said substantially toric profile, at least in correspondence with said tread-band, is asymmetrical with respect to the equatorial plane (E-E) of said tyre. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that the ratio (L2/L3) between the axial development (L2) of said first portion (10) and that (L3) of said second portion (11), is at least 55/45. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that the ratio between the axial development of said first zone and that of said second zone, is at most 50/50. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said toric profile presents its maximum distance from the tyre axis, in correspondence of at least a distinct meridian plane (t1) of said equatorial plane. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said first portion (10) is realized with an elastomeric composition having an elastic rebound of not less than 25%. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said second portion (11) is realized with an elastomeric composition having an elastic rebound of not over 20%. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that the ratio between the maximum thickness of said first portion and that of said second portion, is not less than 55/45. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that the maximum thickness of said second portion is equal to the minimum thickness of said first portion. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said toric profile in correspondence of said tread, comprises three sections connected to one another, the two lateral sections being concave towards the tyre inside, the central section being concave towards the outside of the tyre. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said grooved type of pattern comprises two circumferential rectilineal grooves (16, 17) that define three continuous circumferential ribs, the central rib (19) being provided, on each wall, with a plurality of cavities (22) apt for interrupting the continuity of the wall, the axially outer rib (20) presenting its axially inner wall provided with a plurality of cavities (22) distanced apart circumferentially from those of the facing rib and the surface sloping towards the tyre sidewall provided with a plurality of transversal grooves (21) as wide as said cavities, circumferentially distanced apart from the cavities disposed on the opposite wall. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said raised-blocks type of pattern, comprises three circumferential rows of raised-blocks (12, 13, 11) created by three circumferential rectilineal grooves (23) and by a plurality of transversal grooves (24, 25, 26), the transversal grooves of the axially inner row being oriented in the opposite sense - with respect to the axial direction, to that of the grooves of the axially outer rows. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that its outer toric profile, in a cross-section, is asymmetrical with respect to the equatorial plane - at leat in correspondence of said tread. Tyre, according to CLAIM 1, characterized by the fact that said breaker structure comprises a first strip (4) of rubberized fabric, reinforced with metallic cords, and a second strip (5) of rubberized fabric, in a radially inner position, reinforced with textile cords, said cords being parallel to one another in each strip, and crossed with the cords of the adjacent strip. Tyre, according to CLAIM 13, characterized by the fact that the said textile cords, are aramid cords. Tyre according to CLAIM 13, characterized by the fact that the angle of inclination of the said reinforcing cords is diverse in the same breaker strip in correspondence respectively of said two tread portions.

Inventors: MEZZANOTTE, MARIO
Applicants: PIRELLI COORDINAMENTO PNEUMATICI SOCIETA PER AZIONI
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60C11
IPC codes: B60C11, B60C9, B60C3