Patent Description:
The pneumatic tire has a tread which is a portion that contacts a road surface. The tread includes a plurality of blocks. Each block has sipes formed therein. The sipes provide an edge effect and a water removing effect on icy and snowy roads. The sipes on the pneumatic tire are molded by using sipe blades arranged in a tire mold.

For example, <CIT> discloses a waveform sipe where the pitch of the waveform increases and the amplitude of the waveform decreases from a block surface side to a block bottom side. <CIT> also discloses a waveform sipe where the amplitude of the waveform decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side.

However, the pneumatic tires disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> have room for improvement in steering stability performance and braking performance. <CIT> discloses a pneumatic tire provided with a tread pattern in which at least one sipe is formed, the sipe having a wavy portion, and the wavelength of the wavy portion is gradually increased from the tire surface side toward the deepest part side of the sipe. <CIT> discloses a pneumatic vehicle tire with a tread with profile elements, wherein at least one profile element is provided with at least one incision which runs in the transverse direction and is wave-shaped and has at least one wavelength. <CIT> discloses a pneumatic vehicle tire with a tread which is composed of profile elements, wherein at least one profile element is provided with a fine sipe which extends in the radial direction from the tread periphery into the profile element interior and which has corresponding fine sipe walls in the form of a sinusoidal wave. <CIT> discloses a pneumatic vehicle tire with a profiled tread which has two shoulder block rows with profile blocks, wherein in the profile blocks uniformly step-shaped or wave-shaped incisions are formed.

In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention to provide a pneumatic tire that can improve the steering stability performance and improve the braking performance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tire mold for molding the pneumatic tire that can improve the steering stability performance and improve the braking performance.

A pneumatic tire according to the present invention is a pneumatic tire having a tread including a block in which a waveform sipe is formed. The waveform sipe is formed such that the pitch increases and the amplitude decreases from a block surface side to a block bottom side. The pitch increases with respect to a center of the block in a tire axial direction.

The pneumatic tire according to the present invention makes it possible to improve the steering stability performance and improve the braking performance. Furthermore, the tire mold according to the present invention makes it possible to mold the pneumatic tire that can improve the steering stability performance and improve the braking performance.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the following figures, wherein:.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter. In the description below, specific shapes, materials, directions, numerical values, etc. are provided as illustrations for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to applications, purposes, specifications, etc..

A pneumatic tire <NUM>, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pneumatic tire <NUM> has a tread <NUM> that includes blocks <NUM>. The block <NUM> has waveform sipes <NUM> formed therein. The pneumatic tire <NUM> can improve the steering stability performance and improve the braking performance (described in detail below).

Components of the pneumatic tire <NUM> will be described below with reference to a tire axial direction W, tire circumferential direction S, and tire depth direction D. An equator CL with respect to the tire axial direction W may also be used. The tire depth in the tire depth direction D may be described by using words "block surface side" and "block bottom side".

The tread <NUM> is a portion of the pneumatic tire <NUM> that contacts a road surface. The tread <NUM> has a plurality of blocks <NUM> separated by major grooves <NUM> and minor grooves <NUM>. Each of the plurality of blocks <NUM> is formed to have a rectangular shape. The blocks closer to the equator CL in a plan view have a smaller length in the tire axial direction W. The blocks <NUM> are arranged into lines in the tread <NUM>. It should be noted that the block <NUM> according to the present invention is not limited to the rectangular shape according to the present embodiment. The blocks <NUM> according to the present invention may have a rhombic or parallelogram shape, as long as they are separated by the major grooves <NUM> and the minor grooves <NUM>.

The major groove <NUM> is a groove that extends along the tire circumferential direction S. The major groove <NUM> is formed linearly along the tire circumferential direction S. The minor groove <NUM> is a groove that extends along the tire axial direction W. The minor groove <NUM> is formed linearly along the tire axial direction W. It should be noted that the shape of the major grooves <NUM> or the minor grooves <NUM> according to the present invention is not limited to that of the major grooves <NUM> or the minor grooves <NUM> according to the present embodiment. In the present invention, the major groove <NUM> may be formed at an angle to the tire circumferential direction S, and the minor groove <NUM> may be formed at an angle to the tire axial direction W.

The waveform sipes <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveform sipes <NUM> are formed in the block <NUM>. For example, three waveform sipes <NUM> are formed at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction S of the block <NUM>. The depth of the groove of the waveform sipe <NUM> is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% of the length of the block <NUM> in the tire depth direction D.

It should be noted that the waveform sipes <NUM> according to the present invention are not limited to the three waveform sipes <NUM> formed at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction S according to the present embodiment. In the present invention, three to five waveform sipes <NUM> may be formed in the block <NUM>. The waveform sipes <NUM> according to the present invention may also be formed at an angle to the tire axial direction W. Furthermore, the waveform sipes <NUM> according to the present invention may be open sipes that penetrate the sides of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W or closed sipes that do not penetrate the sides of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W.

The waveform sipes <NUM> soften the block <NUM> to increase the area of the surface that contacts with the road surface, and thereby increase friction with the road surface. The waveform sipes <NUM> also provide an edge effect and a water removing effect on an icy and snowy road. The edge effect is the effect of increasing grip by scratching the surface of the icy and snowy road with the corners of the blocks <NUM> or the waveform sipes <NUM>. The water removing effect is the effect of capturing water in a gap in the waveform sipe <NUM> on the icy and snowy road.

The waveform sipe <NUM> is formed in a waveform from the block surface side to the block bottom side when viewed from the tire depth direction D. Compared with a general straight sipe, the waveform sipe <NUM> can further enhance the above edge effect. The waveform according to the present embodiment is similar to a sinusoidal wave when viewed from the tire depth direction D. However, the waveform according to the present invention is a waveform that is a combination of alternate straight and curved lines.

The waveform sipe <NUM> is formed such that the pitch P increases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. Here, the pitch P is the wavelength of the waveform that is, for example, the length of the waveform sipe <NUM> in the tire axial direction W from a portion of the waveform sipe <NUM> that bulges most significantly to one side in the tire circumferential direction S to an adjacent portion of the waveform sipe <NUM> that bulges most significantly to the one side in the tire circumferential direction S.

The pitch P increases with respect to the center of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W. In other words, the pitch P is formed such that it increases with respect to the center of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D.

The waveform sipe <NUM> is also formed such that the amplitude A decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. Here, the amplitude A is the amplitude of the waveform, that is, for example, the length of the waveform sipe <NUM> in the tire circumferential direction S from a portion of the waveform sipe <NUM> that bulges most significantly to one side in the tire circumferential direction S to an adjacent portion of the waveform sipe <NUM> that bulges most significantly to the other side in the tire circumferential direction S.

The amplitude A decreases with respect to a reference line RL. Here, the reference line RL is a line extending along the direction in which the waveform sipe <NUM> is formed, at the center of the thickness (length in the tire circumferential direction S) of the waveform sipe <NUM>. In other words, the amplitude A is formed such that it decreases with respect to the reference line RL from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D.

The above configuration of the waveform sipes <NUM> makes it possible to improve the block stiffness of the block <NUM> on its end sides in the tire axial direction W. This results in improved steering stability performance and improved braking performance of the pneumatic tire <NUM>.

More specifically, the above configuration of the waveform sipes <NUM> allows the unevenness due to the waveform on the end sides of the block <NUM> to be widened diagonally toward the end sides in the tire axial direction W from the block surface side to the block bottom side. On the end sides of the block <NUM>, this makes it possible to increase the tightening force among smaller blocks (portions of the block <NUM> separated by the waveform sipes <NUM>) against the load applied in the tire circumferential direction S and prevent inclination of the smaller blocks, thereby improving the block stiffness.

Although, in general, the block stiffness is lower on the end sides of the block <NUM> than in the center of the block <NUM>, the above configuration of the waveform sipes <NUM> makes it possible to improve the block stiffness on the end sides of the block <NUM>. This results in improved steering stability performance and braking performance of the pneumatic tire <NUM>.

Waveform sipes <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveform sipe <NUM> is formed in a waveform from the block surface side to the block bottom side when viewed from the tire depth direction D. Hereinafter, only components of the waveform sipes <NUM> that differ from those of the above waveform sipes <NUM> will be described, and description of the components similar to those of the waveform sipes <NUM> will be omitted.

The waveform sipe <NUM> is formed such that the pitch P increases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. The pitch P increases with respect to one side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W. In other words, the pitch P is formed such that it increases with respect to the one side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. The one side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W is preferably on an equator CL side in the tire axial direction W.

The waveform sipe <NUM> is also formed such that the amplitude A decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. The amplitude A decreases with respect to the reference line RL. In other words, the amplitude A is formed such that it decreases with respect to the reference line RL from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D.

The above configuration of the waveform sipes <NUM> makes it possible to improve the block stiffness of the block <NUM> on the other side in the tire axial direction W. This results in improved steering stability performance and braking performance of the pneumatic tire <NUM>.

More specifically, the above configuration of the waveform sipes <NUM> allows, on the other side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W, the unevenness due to the waveform to be widened diagonally toward the other side in the tire axial direction W from the block surface side to the block bottom side. Thus, on the other side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W, the tightening force among the smaller blocks increases against the load applied in the tire circumferential direction S and prevents inclination of the smaller blocks, thereby improving the block stiffness.

In particular, by providing the one side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W on the equator side in the tire axial direction W, it is possible to improve the block stiffness of the block <NUM> on its shoulder side in the tire axial direction W. This prevents the blocks from inclining to the shoulder side during cornering, thereby improving the cornering force of the pneumatic tire <NUM>.

Other embodiments will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the waveform sipe <NUM> of the above Embodiment <NUM>, the thickness (length in the tire circumferential direction S) of the waveform sipe <NUM> on the block bottom side may be greater than that on the block surface side. The thickness of the waveform sipe <NUM> may also be continuously increased from the block surface side to the block bottom side.

In general, as the blocks <NUM> wear, they tend to move more slowly, and the block stiffness becomes generally higher than necessary. In consideration of this, by forming the waveform sipe <NUM> such that the thickness of the waveform sipe <NUM> on the block bottom side is greater than that on the block surface side, it is possible to prevent the block stiffness from being higher than necessary.

In addition, the waveform sipe <NUM> according to the above Embodiment <NUM> is formed such that the pitch P increases and the amplitude A decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side, and thus, wear of the blocks shortens the edge length and reduces the edge effect. In consideration of this, by forming the waveform sipe <NUM> such that the thickness of the waveform sipe <NUM> on the block bottom side is greater than that on the block surface side, the water removing effect after the wear of the blocks is improved, thereby preventing degradation of the steering stability performance and the braking performance on wet road surfaces.

In the waveform sipe <NUM> of the above Embodiment <NUM>, the thickness of the waveform sipe <NUM> on the block bottom side may be greater than that on the block surface side.

As shown in <FIG>, the waveform sipe <NUM> according to the above Embodiment <NUM> may further include a curved portion 41A and a straight portion 41B. The waveform sipe <NUM> may also be formed such that the thickness of the straight portion 41B is greater than that of the curved portion 41A.

By forming the waveform sipe <NUM> in this manner, when the waveform sipe <NUM> is closed, the curved portion 41A fits closely with its corresponding portion before the straight portion 41B fits with its corresponding portion, resulting in a gap between the straight portion 41B and the corresponding portion. This can improve the edge effect and the water removing effect. In particular, the waveform sipe <NUM> according to the above Embodiment <NUM> is formed such that the pitch P increases and the amplitude A decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side, and wear of the blocks thus shortens the edge length and reduces the edge effect. By forming the waveform sipe <NUM> so as to have the above configuration, the water removing effect after the wear of the wave sipe <NUM> is improved, thereby preventing degradation of the steering stability performance and the braking performance on wet road surfaces.

The waveform sipe <NUM> according to the invention further include a curved portion and a straight portion. The waveform sipe <NUM> is also formed such that the thickness of the straight portion is greater than that of the curved portion.

A tire mold <NUM>, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The mold <NUM> is a mold for forming the above pneumatic tire <NUM>. The pneumatic tire <NUM> has the tread <NUM> including the blocks <NUM>, in which the waveform sipes <NUM> are formed as described above, and sidewalls (not shown) forming side surfaces. By using the mold <NUM>, it is possible to mold the pneumatic tire <NUM> that can improve the braking performance and improve the steering stability on wet road surfaces.

Components of the mold <NUM> will be described below with reference to the tire axial direction W, the tire circumferential direction S, and the tire depth direction D of the above pneumatic tire <NUM> molded by means of the mold <NUM>.

The mold <NUM> has a tread mold <NUM> for molding a surface of the tread <NUM> of the pneumatic tire <NUM> and a pair of side molds <NUM> for molding surfaces of the sidewalls.

The tread mold <NUM> has a body <NUM> having a tread forming surface <NUM>, projections <NUM> protruding from the tread forming surface <NUM>, and sipe blades <NUM> protruding from the tread forming surface <NUM> and provided between the projections <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy preferably includes AC4 or AC7 aluminum, for example. The projections <NUM> are portions for molding the major grooves <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The projections <NUM> are made of the same material as the body <NUM>.

The sipe blades <NUM> for Embodiment <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The sipe blades <NUM> are provided for molding the above waveform sipes <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. The sipe blades <NUM> protrude in the tire depth direction D from the tread forming surface <NUM> between the protrusions <NUM>. The sipe blade <NUM> may be flat and made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel. The stainless steel preferably includes, for example, SUS303, SUS304, SUS630, and SUS631. When a three-dimensional molding machine is used, <NUM>-4PH which is equivalent to SUS304L and SUS630 may be preferably used.

In general, a method of processing the sipe blade <NUM> includes forming the shape of the sipe blade <NUM> by using a press molding machine. To cause a change in shape of the sipe blade <NUM> in the thickness direction as in the sipe blade <NUM> of the present embodiment, the method may include cutting the sipe blade by machining. A three-dimensional molding machine may be used to make a complicated shape that is difficult to achieve by machining.

As shown in <FIG>, the sipe blade <NUM> is formed in a waveform from the block surface side to the block bottom side when viewed from the tire depth direction D. The waveform in the present embodiment is similar to a sinusoidal wave when viewed from the tire depth direction D. However, the waveform according to the present invention is a waveform that is a combination of alternate straight and curved lines.

The sipe blade <NUM> is formed such that the pitch P increases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. Here, the pitch P is the wavelength of the waveform that is, for example, the length of the sipe blade <NUM> in the tire axial direction W from a portion of the sipe blade <NUM> that bulges most significantly to one side in the tire circumferential direction S to an adjacent portion of the sipe blade <NUM> that bulges most significantly to the one side in the tire circumferential direction S.

The pitch P increases with respect to the center of the sipe blade <NUM> in the tire axial direction W. In other words, the pitch P is formed such that it increases with respect to the center of the sipe blade <NUM> in the tire axial direction W from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D.

The sipe blade <NUM> is also formed such that the amplitude A decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. Here, the amplitude A is the amplitude of the waveform that is, for example, the length of the sipe blade <NUM> in the tire circumferential direction S from a portion of the sipe blade <NUM> that bulges most significantly to one side in the tire circumferential direction S to an adjacent portion of the sipe blade <NUM> that bulges most significantly to the other side in the tire circumferential direction S.

The sipe blade <NUM> for Embodiment <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the sipe blade <NUM> is formed in a waveform from the block surface side to the block bottom side when viewed from the tire depth direction D. The sipe blades <NUM> are provided for molding the above waveform sipes <NUM> in the pneumatic tire <NUM>. Hereinafter, only components of the sipe blade <NUM> that differ from those of the above sipe blade <NUM> will be described, and description of the components similar to those of the sipe blade <NUM> will be omitted.

The sipe blade <NUM> is formed such that the pitch P increases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. The pitch P increases with respect to one side of the sipe blade <NUM> in the tire axial direction W. In other words, the pitch P is formed such that it increases with respect to the one side of the sipe blade <NUM> in the tire axial direction W from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D. The one side of the block <NUM> in the tire axial direction W is preferably on the equator CL side in the tire axial direction W.

The sipe blade <NUM> is also formed such that the amplitude A decreases from the block surface side to the block bottom side along the tire depth direction D.

Claim 1:
A pneumatic tire (<NUM>) having a tread (<NUM>) comprising a block (<NUM>) in which a waveform sipe (<NUM>) is formed, wherein
the waveform sipe (<NUM>) is formed such that the amplitude (A) decreases from a block surface side to a block bottom side,
characterized in that the waveform sipe (<NUM>) is also formed such that the pitch (P) which is the wavelength of the waveform increases with respect to a center of the block (<NUM>) in a tire axial direction (W) from the block surface side to the block bottom side along a tire depth direction (D), and
the waveform sipe (<NUM>) includes a curved portion (41A) and a straight portion (41B) and is formed such that the thickness of the straight portion (41B) is greater than that of the curved portion (41A).