JP4451186B2 - tire - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tire. In particular, the present invention relates to improved tire serrations.

  Inside the sidewall of the pneumatic tire, an end of the ply, a joint between the plies, and the like are located. Due to these influences, a step (referred to as “dent”) occurs on the surface of the sidewall. Dent damages the appearance of the tire. For the purpose of improving the appearance, a decorative portion made up of a large number of ridges arranged in parallel is provided on the surface of the sidewall. In this decorative portion, the ridge causes contrast between the ridge and other regions. Dent is concealed by this contrast. Marks such as the tire trademark and size are marked on the sidewall. The decoration part also plays a role of emphasizing this mark. This decoration part is called serration.

For the purpose of improving the concealing effect on the dent and the visual recognition effect on the mark, various improvements relating to the decorative portion have been proposed. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-255224 discloses a tire in which the cross-sectional shape of the ridge is devised. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-252011 discloses a tire in which the arrangement of the ridge is devised.
JP 2000-255224 A JP 2003-252011 A

  As tires are becoming more sophisticated, further improvements in the appearance of tires are desired. An object of the present invention is to provide a tire having an excellent appearance.

  In the tire according to the present invention, a strip-shaped decorative portion having a large number of ridge-shaped decorative bodies is formed on the surface of the sidewall. The decorative body includes a main ridge having a radially outer end and a radially inner end, and a secondary ridge that smoothly joins the main ridge.

  Preferably, each of the main ridge and the sub ridge includes an upper surface and a pair of side surfaces located on both sides of the upper surface. The cross-sectional shape of the main ridge and the cross-sectional shape of the sub-ridge are substantially trapezoidal. Preferably, the base angle on the sub ridge side of the main ridge and the base angle on the main ridge side of the sub ridge are 60 ° or more.

  Preferably, the angle of the main ridge with respect to the radial direction at the point where the sub-ridge joins the main ridge is 45 ° or more.

  Preferably, the decorative portion includes first and second joining points formed by the secondary ridge smoothly joining the main ridge. The radial position of the first merge point is different from the radial position of the second merge point.

  In this tire, the coexistence of the main ridge and the sub ridge emphasizes the contrast of the decorative portion. In addition, a gradation effect can be obtained by joining the sub ridge to the main ridge. In this tire, the dent is better concealed and the mark is better emphasized. This tire is excellent in appearance.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of a tire 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tire 2 includes a tread 4, sidewalls 6, and beads 8. A decorative portion 10 is provided on the surface of the sidewall 6. The decoration part 10 is strip-shaped. The decoration unit 10 includes a decoration body 12. The decorative body 12 has a ridge shape. A large number of decorative bodies 12 are continuous in the circumferential direction of the tire 2 to form the decorative portion 10. In other words, the decorative portion 10 is annular.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the decorative body 12 of the tire 2 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the vertical direction is the radial direction of the tire 2. The decorative body 12 includes a main ridge 14 and a sub ridge 16. The secondary ridge 16 smoothly joins the main ridge 14 at the point P. The main ridge 14 has an outer end Eo and an inner side surface Ei. The main ridge 14 includes a first arc 18 and a second arc 20. The first arc 18 and the second arc 20 are continuous at the point P. The first arc 18 is in contact with the second arc 20 at the point P. The sub-ridge 16 is also arc-shaped. The secondary ridge 16 and the first arc 18 are convex downward in FIG. The second arc 20 is convex upward in FIG.

  3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3D is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG.

  As is clear from FIG. 3A, the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16 protrude from the reference surface 22 of the sidewall 6. The main ridge 14 includes an upper surface 24 and two side surfaces 26 and 28. The secondary ridge 16 includes an upper surface 30 and two side surfaces 32 and 34. The cross-sectional shapes of the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16 are substantially trapezoidal. In other words, the reference surface 22 and the upper surface 24 are parallel, and the reference surface 22 and the upper surface 30 are also parallel. Since the sidewall 6 is a curved surface, the reference surface 22 is not strictly a flat surface. Depending on circumstances such as processing accuracy, the upper surfaces 22, 30 and the side surfaces 26, 28, 32, 34 may not be strictly flat. In the present invention, the shape that can be visually grasped as a trapezoid is called “substantially trapezoid”. In FIG. 3A, the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16 are separated from each other. A groove 36 is formed between the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16.

  The light rays incident on the sidewall 6 are reflected. In the main ridge 14, the reflection direction by the upper surface 24, the reflection direction by the side surface 26, and the reflection direction by the other side surface 28 are different from each other. In the sub-ridge 16, the reflection direction by the upper surface 30, the reflection direction by the side surface 32, and the reflection direction by the other side surface 34 are different from each other. The difference in reflection direction gives contrast to the sidewall 6. Due to this contrast, the dent is concealed and the mark is emphasized.

  As is apparent from FIG. 2, the angle of the secondary ridge 16 with respect to the radial direction is slightly different from the angle of the first arc 18 with respect to the radial direction. Due to this difference, the direction of reflection by the first arc 18 is different from the direction of reflection by the sub-ridge 16. The decorative body 12 enhances contrast.

  In FIG. 3B, the sub ridge 16 is close to the main ridge 14. The groove 36 is formed by the side surface 26 of the main ridge 14 and the side surface 34 of the sub-ridge 16. The groove 36 shown in FIG. 3B is shallower than the groove 36 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3C, the groove 36 does not exist. The width W of the upper surface of the decorative body 12 is larger than the width Wa of the first arc 18. The width W is larger than the width Wb of the sub ridge 16.

  FIG. 3D shows the second arc 20, that is, the main ridge 14. In FIG. 3D, the secondary ridge 16 does not exist.

  As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C, the depth of the groove 36 gradually decreases from the end Eo toward the confluence P. The depth of the groove 36 affects the intensity of light reflected from the groove 36. A gradation effect is obtained by gradually changing the depth. The gradation effect makes the dent better concealed and the mark better emphasized.

  As the sub ridge 16 moves toward the junction P, the distance between the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16 gradually decreases. On the other hand, the distance between the sub-ridge 16 and the main ridge (not shown) of the adjacent decorative body 12 gradually increases. A change in spacing enhances contrast.

  As described above, in the decorative body 12, the width of the upper surface changes in the radial direction. Due to this change, the contrast between the upper surface and the groove 36 and the contrast between the upper surface and the reference surface 22 change. In the decorative portion 10, a contrast rich in change can be obtained.

  In FIG. 3A, the reference symbol α indicates the base angle of the main ridge 14 on the sub ridge 16 side, and the reference symbol β indicates the base ridge 16 on the main ridge 14 side. It is. The base angle α and the base angle β are preferably 60 ° or more. In the decorative body 12 in which the base angle α and the base angle β are 60 ° or more, the side surface 26 of the main ridge 14 and the side surface 34 of the sub ridge 16 are greatly inclined with respect to the reference surface 22. In the decorative body 12, the light beam entering the groove 36 goes out of the groove 36 after being repeatedly reflected a plurality of times. Multiple reflections weaken the rays. Thereby, the contrast is enhanced. In this respect, the base angle α and the base angle β are more preferably 70 ° or more. The base angle α and the base angle β are preferably 100 ° or less.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a part of the decorative body 12 of FIG. In FIG. 4, a two-dot chain line La indicates a direction line of the first arc 18 in the vicinity of the merge point P, and a two-dot chain line Lb indicates a sub-line in the vicinity of the merge point P. This is a direction line of the ridge 16. In FIG. 4, what is indicated by a double arrow θ is the merging angle between the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16. In the present invention, when the angle θ is 10 ° or less, it is referred to as “the secondary ridge 16 smoothly joins the main ridge 14”. The angle θ is preferably 5 ° or less, and more preferably 3 ° or less. Ideally, the angle θ is zero. When the angle θ is zero, the secondary ridge 16 contacts the main ridge 14.

  The angle of the main ridge 14 with respect to the radial direction at the junction P is preferably 45 ° or more. In the decorative portion 10 including the main ridge 14 having a large angle, the interval Wp (see FIG. 1) between the adjacent decorative bodies 12 is small. Thereby, the contrast is enhanced. In this respect, the angle is more preferably 50 ° or more. The angle is preferably 80 ° or less.

  The upper surface width Wa (see FIG. 3) of the main ridge 14 and the upper surface width Wb of the sub-ridge 16 are preferably 0.1 mm or more. The width Wa and the width Wb are preferably 0.4 mm or less, and more preferably 0.2 mm or less. The height of the main ridge 14 and the height of the sub ridge 16 are preferably 0.2 mm or more, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more. The height is preferably 1.0 mm or less, and more preferably 0.4 mm or less. The central angle pitch between the adjacent decorative bodies 12 is preferably 0.5 ° or more and 1.5 ° or less.

  The shapes of the main ridge 14 and the sub ridge 16 may be curves other than arcs or straight lines. The main ridge 14 divided | segmented into the multiple places between the outer side end Eo and the inner surface Ei may be provided. A sub-ridge 16 divided into a plurality of locations may be provided.

  In the decorative portion 10 shown in FIG. 1, the contrast is particularly emphasized in the vicinity of the junction P. If the junction P is located near the dent, a high concealment effect can be obtained. In FIG. 1, the decorative portion 10 is provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the sidewall 6, but the decorative portion 10 may be provided on the inner side of the sidewall 6. The decorative portion 10 may be provided on the entire surface of the sidewall 6. The decorative portion 10 may be partially provided in the circumferential direction of the tire 2. The decorative portion 10 may be divided into a plurality of pieces in the circumferential direction of the tire 2. The outer height H1 (see FIG. 1) of the decorative portion 10 may vary in the circumferential direction. The inner height H2 (see FIG. 1) of the decorative portion 10 may vary in the circumferential direction. The height H3 (see FIG. 1) of the junction P may vary in the circumferential direction.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing a part of a tire 38 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the decorative portion 40 is shown. The decoration unit 40 includes a large number of decoration bodies 42. These decorative bodies 42 are continuous in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 5, one decorative body 42 is shown for convenience. The decorative body 42 has a width and a height, but in FIG. 5, the decorative body 42 is drawn with lines for convenience.

  The decorative body 42 includes a main ridge 44, a first sub ridge 46, and a second sub ridge 48. The first sub ridge 46 smoothly joins the main ridge 44. The first sub ridge 46 joins the main ridge 44 at the point P1. The second secondary ridge 48 also smoothly joins the main ridge 44. The second secondary ridge 48 merges with the main ridge 44 at the point P2. The radial position of the first merge point P1 is different from the radial position of the second merge point P2. In this decoration part 40, contrast is emphasized at the first merge point P1 and the second merge point P2.

  FIG. 6 is a front view showing a part of a tire 49 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the decorative portion 50 is shown. The decoration unit 50 includes a large number of decoration bodies 52. These decorative bodies 52 are continuous in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 6, one decorative body 52 is shown for convenience. The decorative body 52 has a width and a height, but in FIG. 6, the decorative body 52 is drawn with lines for convenience.

  The decorative body 52 includes a main ridge 54 and a sub ridge 56. The secondary ridge 56 smoothly joins the main ridge 54 at the point P1. The secondary ridge 56 branches off from the main ridge 54 at the point P3, and further smoothly joins the main ridge 54 at the point P2. The radial position of the first merge point P1 is different from the radial position of the second merge point P2. In this decoration part 50, contrast is emphasized at the first junction point P1, the second junction point P2, and the branch point P3.

  FIG. 7 is a front view showing a part of a tire 58 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the decorative portion 60 is shown. The decoration unit 60 includes a large number of first decorative bodies 62 and a large number of second decorative bodies 64. The first decorative body 62 and the second decorative body 64 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 7, one first decorative body 62 and one second decorative body 64 are shown for convenience. Although the first decorative body 62 and the second decorative body 64 have a width and a height, in FIG. 7, the first decorative body 62 and the second decorative body 64 are drawn with lines for convenience.

  The first decorative body 62 includes a main ridge 66 and a sub ridge 68. The sub ridge 68 smoothly joins the main ridge 66. The sub ridge 68 joins the main ridge 66 at the point P1. The second decorative body 64 also includes a main ridge 70 and a sub ridge 72. The secondary ridge 72 smoothly joins the main ridge 70. The secondary ridge 72 joins the main ridge 70 at the point P2. The radial position of the first merge point P1 is different from the radial position of the second merge point P2. In this decoration part 60, contrast is emphasized at the first merge point P1 and the second merge point P2. A plurality of first decorative bodies 62 may be adjacent in the circumferential direction. A plurality of second decorative bodies 64 may be adjacent in the circumferential direction.

  Hereinafter, the effects of the present invention will be clarified by examples. However, the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner based on the description of the examples.

[Example 1]
A tire provided with the decorative portion shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 was obtained. The size of the tire is “195 / 65R15 91S”. The tire decorative body includes a main ridge and a sub-ridge. The base angle α of the main ridge and the base angle β of the sub ridge are 45 °. The width Wa of the upper surface of the main ridge and the width Wb of the upper surface of the sub ridge are 0.2 mm. The height of the main ridge and the height of the sub ridge are 0.4 mm. The pitch between adjacent decorative bodies is 0.72 ° in the central angle.

[Examples 2 and 3]
Tires of Examples 2 and 3 were obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the base ridge base angle α and the sub ridge base angle β were as shown in Table 1 below.

[Example 4]
A tire of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as Example 2 except that a decorative body having two sub-ridges was arranged. This decoration is shown in FIG.

[Example 5]
A tire of Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that a decorative body having a secondary ridge that joined the main ridge twice was arranged. This decoration is shown in FIG.

[Example 6]
A tire of Example 6 was obtained in the same manner as Example 2 except that two decorative bodies having different radial positions at the junction P were arranged. These ornaments are shown in FIG.

[Comparative Example 1]
A tire of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that a decorative body having no sub-ridge was arranged. The shape of the decorative body is the same as the shape of the main ridge in the second embodiment.

[Comparative Example 2]
As Comparative Example 2, a tire having no decorative body was manufactured.

[Appearance evaluation]
The tire was visually observed to evaluate the difficulty of conspicuous dents. The results are shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1, the larger the numerical value, the better the appearance.

  As shown in Table 1, the tires of the examples are excellent in appearance. From this evaluation result, the superiority of the present invention is clear.

  The tire according to the present invention can be mounted on various vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a part of a tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a decorative body of the tire of FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3D is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a part of the decorative body of FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a part of a tire according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a part of a tire according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a part of a tire according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

2, 38, 49, 58 ... Tire 6 ... Side wall 10, 40, 50, 60 ... Decoration part 12, 42, 52 ... Decoration body 14, 44, 54, 66, 70 ... Main ridge 16, 56, 68, 72 ... Sub ridge 18 ... First arc 20 ... Second arc 22 ... Reference surface 24, 30 ... Upper surface 26, 28, 32, 34 ..Side surface 36 ... groove 46 ... first secondary ridge 48 ... second secondary ridge 62 ... first decorative body 64 ... second decorative body P, P1, P2 ... confluence

Claims (8)

A strip-shaped decorative part with many ridge-shaped decorative bodies is formed on the surface of the sidewall,
The ornamental body, the main ridge having a radially outer end and radially inner end, and Nde including a sub ridge,
The secondary ridge merges with the main ridge at a junction located between the radially outer end and the radially inner end .
A tire in which the angle formed by the direction of the main ridge and the direction of the sub-ridge at the junction is 10 ° or less .   2. The main ridge and the sub ridge each include an upper surface and a pair of side surfaces located on both sides of the upper surface, and the cross-sectional shape of the main ridge and the cross-sectional shape of the sub ridge are substantially trapezoidal. Tires.   The tire according to claim 2, wherein a base angle on the sub ridge side of the main ridge and a base angle on the main ridge side of the sub ridge are 60 ° or more.   The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an angle of the main ridge with respect to a radial direction at a point where the sub-ridge joins the main ridge is 45 ° or more. The decorative portion is, the sub ridge comprises first and second converging points formed by coupling flow to the main ridge,
The angle formed by the direction of the main ridge and the direction of the sub ridge at the first junction is 10 ° or less,
The angle formed by the direction of the main ridge and the direction of the sub ridge at the second junction is 10 ° or less,
The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a radial position of the first merging point is different from a radial position of the second merging point. The tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main ridge has a first arc and a second arc continuous to the first arc. The tire according to claim 6, wherein the first arc is convex toward one side of the tire in the radial direction, and the second arc is convex toward the other side in the radial direction of the tire. The tire according to claim 7, wherein the first arc is in contact with the second arc.

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