EP-4741178-A1 - VEHICLE TYRE

Abstract

Vehicle tires with a profiled tread with a tread periphery and with a tread depth determined from the level of the tread periphery and with tread blocks (1) which are traversed by at least two incisions (2) extending at an angle ≤ 50° to the axial direction of the tread, which divide the respective tread block into edge block segments (3, 3') and at least one middle block segment with outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a) at different levels, either at a first level located at the level of the tread periphery or at least one further level differing from this level. All block segments (3, 3', 3") have parallel outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a), wherein each block segment (3, 3', 3") with an outer surface (3a, 3'a, 3"a) located at a further level is raised relative to a block segment (3, 3', 3") with an outer surface (3a, 3'a, 3"a) located at the level of the tread periphery, wherein the height difference (d 1 ) of the outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a) in the radial direction is 0.20 mm to 0.60 mm.

Inventors

• BERGER, CHRISTOPH
• SENG, MATTHIAS
• WIESE, KLAUS

Assignees

• Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20251006

Claims (10)

1. Vehicle tires with a profiled tread, a tread periphery, and a tread depth determined from the level of the tread periphery, and with tread blocks (1) separated from one another circumferentially by grooves and traversed by at least two incisions (2) extending at an angle ≤ 50° to the axial direction of the tread, which have a width (b) of 0.40 mm to 1.20 mm and divide the respective tread block (1) into adjacent edge block segments (3, 3') and at least one central block segment (3', 3") with outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a) at different levels, either at a first level located at the level of the tread periphery or at least one further level differing from this level. characterized by that all block segments (3, 3', 3") have parallel outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a), wherein each block segment (3, 3', 3") with an outer surface (3a, 3'a, 3"a) located at a further level is raised relative to a block segment (3, 3', 3") with an outer surface (3a, 3'a, 3"a) located at the level of the tread periphery, wherein the height difference (d 1 ) of the outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a) in the radial direction is 0.20 mm to 0.60 mm.
2. Vehicle tire according to claim 1, characterized in that the height difference (d 1 ) of the outer surfaces (3a, 3'a, 3"a) in the radial direction is up to 0.40 mm.
3. Vehicle tire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that tread blocks (1) are present in the running strip in which at least one middle block segment (3a, 3'a, 3"a) is a raised block segment.
4. Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that profile blocks (1) are present in the tread, in which at least one edge-side block segment (3, 3') is a raised block segment.
5. Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that tread blocks (1) are present in the tread which are traversed by two cuts (2), wherein a single block segment (3, 3') is raised, which is either the middle or one of the edge block segments.
6. Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that profile blocks (1) are present in the tread which are traversed by more than two incisions (2), wherein the two edge-side block segments (3) have outer surfaces (3a) at the level of the tread periphery and the further block segments (3', 3") are raised.
7. Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 4 or 6, characterized in that tread blocks (1) are present in the tread which are traversed by at least four incisions (2), wherein at least two middle block segments (3') are raised and the other block segments (3) have outer surfaces (3a) at the level of the tread periphery.
8. Vehicle tire according to claim 7, characterized in that the two middle block segments (3') are raised equally.
9. Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 8, characterized in that profile blocks (1) are present in the tread which are traversed by at least four cuts (2), wherein the two edge-side block segments (3) have outer surfaces (3a) at the level of the tread periphery and the further block segments (3', 3") adjoining each edge-side block segment (3) are raised in such a way that the height difference of their outer surfaces (3'a, 3"a) increases stepwise up to one or the middle block segment (3').
10. Vehicle tire according to one of claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 8, characterized in that profile blocks (1) are present in the tread which are traversed by at least five incisions (2), wherein the two edge-side block segments (3) and at least the block segment (3) adjoining them have outer surfaces (3a) at the level of the tread periphery and the further block segment(s) (3') is/are raised.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle tire with a profiled tread, a tread periphery, and a tread depth determined from the level of the tread periphery, and with tread blocks which are separated from one another in the circumferential direction by grooves and are each traversed by at least two incisions extending at an angle ≤ 50° to the axial direction of the tread, which have a width of 0.40 mm to 1.20 mm and divide the respective tread block into adjacent edge block segments and at least one central block segment with outer surfaces at different levels, either at a first level located at the level of the tread periphery or at least one further level deviating from this level. Such a vehicle tire is made from the WO 2022/253370 A1 This vehicle tire is known. It has a tread pattern with tread blocks divided into block segments by slits. At least one block segment located between two slits has ribs extending across its outer surface immediately adjacent to the two slits. These ribs have a plateau 0.10 mm to 0.40 mm wide and 0.20 mm to 0.70 mm high relative to the tread periphery. Between the two ribs is a concave, rounded rib flank that slopes down to the level of the tread periphery. The ribs formed on the block segments are intended to provide a sawtooth structure, which ensures effective edge and wiping effects on snow-covered and ice-covered roads. This well-known ribbed structure on the outer surface of tread blocks tends to deform when the tire rolls on the ground and wears down quickly on hard surfaces, so its effect is limited and short-lived. The invention is based on the objective of designing block segments in a vehicle tire of the type mentioned above in such a way that they are significantly less prone to deformation on firm surfaces, so that the traction on soft surfaces, in particular on snow or snow-covered roads, remains permanently good. The problem set out in the invention is solved by all block segments having outer surfaces running parallel to each other, wherein each block segment with an outer surface which is located at a further level is raised relative to a block segment with an outer surface which is located at the level of the tread periphery, wherein the height difference of the outer surfaces in the radial direction is 0.20 mm to 0.60 mm. With block segments raised according to the invention, the block stiffness is maintained, since the raised block segments do not deform or hardly deform when rolling on a solid surface under load, while at the same time particularly effective edges for improving traction, especially on snow or snow-covered surfaces, are retained for longer. In a preferred embodiment, the height difference of the outer surfaces in the radial direction is up to 0.40 mm. Depending on whether the tread has a directional or non-directional profile, certain arrangements of the raised block segment are particularly advantageous. In one of these design variants, which is particularly advantageous for a non-directional tread, the tread is Profile blocks are present in which at least one middle block segment is a raised block segment. In another design, particularly suitable for directional running tracks, profile blocks are present in the running track, in which at least one edge-side block segment is a raised block segment. In a design where the tread has profile blocks that are crossed by two cuts, with a single block segment being raised, this is either the middle block segment or one of the edge block segments that is raised. In tires with treads specifically designed for driving on winter roads, particularly on snow or ice, the tread pattern typically features tread blocks traversed by more than two slits. Advantageously, the two outermost block segments of such tread blocks may have outer surfaces level with the tread periphery, while the other block segments may be raised. Such treads may also contain tread blocks traversed by at least four cuts. For particularly good traction performance, it is advantageous with such tread blocks if at least two central block segments are raised and the remaining block segments have outer surfaces at the level of the tread periphery. For uniform block stiffness, it is advantageous if, in this case, the central block segments are raised equally, i.e., to the same level. In another advantageous and preferred embodiment, profile blocks are present in the running strip, which are characterized by at least four incisions. are traversed, with the two outer block segments having outer surfaces at the level of the tread periphery and the further block segments adjoining each outer block segment being raised in such a way that the height difference of their outer surfaces gradually increases up to one or the middle block segment. Particularly in the treads of vehicle tires designed and suitable for driving under winter driving conditions, there are often tread blocks in the running surface which are traversed by at least five slits, wher