KR20020053866A - An all-terrain vehicle tire - Google Patents

Abstract

The all-terrain vehicle tire 10 positioned on the drive axle has a tread 12 having three circumferential continuous channels 61, 62, 63. The two channels 62, 63 separate the long lugs 40, 42 into axially inner portions 40A, 42A and axially outer portions 40B, 42B. The channels 61, 62, 63 and the soil discharge channel 60 between the long lugs 40, 42 facilitate the soil removal of the tread 12.

Description

All-terrain vehicle tires {AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE TIRE}

All-terrain vehicles are relatively lightweight and have a low center of gravity. The conventional three-wheeled type had a protruding tire with a small square block element and a relatively shallow tread depth.

State-of-the-art "quad runners" or four-wheeled ATVs have been developed and are being applied more extensively due to their improved stability. The increase in horsepower and improvements in both the vehicle suspension and the chassis make the vehicle relatively fast and much larger. Have load carrying capacity.

Tires used in these vehicles operate at very low pressures in the range of 0.7 bar (10 psi) or less. These tires are very wide and relatively large air chambers that absorb shock and vibration. Tires generally have a nominal outer ring diameter of 36 cm (14 inches) or less and an overall diameter of 69 cm (27 inches) or less.

The rear tires are slightly larger in size than the front tires with less load.

When applied to rough dirt roads, the tires must have a very open tread pattern using long lugs that provide efficient straightness or traction to allow the vehicle to climb hilly rough terrain, as disclosed in US 308,038. In addition, the tread must provide excellent lateral traction for vehicle stability during rotational driving as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,259,429.

The tires disclosed in the patent use long, medium length, short lugs arranged in a repeating pattern to provide improved traction. These lugs are arranged such that each lug completely surrounds the tread shoulder injury. The lugs are also spaced relatively close in the circumferential direction such that a number of lugs are in the tire's footprint in all cases. Tires made according to the prior art are considered one of the best mud tires in the grade according to the manufacturer.

In wet soil full of mud, treads tend to fill mud between long lugs. The circumferential spacing between adjacent lugs is typically regarded as a passage for discharging soil. The channel generally extends past the tread shoulder axially outward from the center surface of the tread. Once these areas are filled with mud, the tread will practically lose its ability to provide all of the traction. This is because the lugs are covered with agglomerated mud, which causes the tire to have a smooth appearance or a grooveless racing tread.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tread pattern that self-cleans in wet mud.

Another purpose is for the tread design to have good maneuvering and towing performance on hard soil.

Summary of the Invention

An all-terrain vehicle tire 10 positioned on a drive axle is disclosed. The tire 10 has a carcass 30 and a tread 12 radially outward of the carcass 30.

The tread has a number of elongated lugs 40, 42, which lugs 40, 42 extend radially outward from the inner tread 13 and are located between the first and second lateral tread edges 14, 16. do. The distance between the lateral tread edges 14, 16 forms the arc width TW of the tread. At half the distance between the lateral tread edges 14, 16, the central surface EP of the tread 12 is formed.

The long lugs 40, 42 are arranged in rows 1, 2 around the circumference of the tread 12. The first row 1 of the elongated lug 40 extends from the axial inner end 41 adjacent to the central plane EP of the tread towards the first side edge ending at the axial outer end 49. The second row of elongated tread lugs extends from the axial inner end adjacent to the center surface of the tread toward the second lateral tread edge terminating at the axial outer end 49, preferably the second row of tread lugs Circumferentially deflected relative to the first row.

The tread has three or more circumferential continuous open channels 61, 62, 63. The first circumferential continuous open channel 61 is located between the axially inner ends 41 of the first and second rows 1, 2 of the elongated lugs 40, 42. The second circumferential continuous open channel 62 is located between the first lateral tread edge 14 and the central plane EP of the tread 12. The third circumferential continuous open channel 63 is located between the second lateral tread edge 16 and the central plane EP of the tread 12.

As used herein, the term circumferential continuous open channel 61, 62, 63 means that each channel has an annular open gap with a minimum axial width of at least the gap S, where the gap S Is preferably at least 1 cm, more preferably 2 cm. Ideally, each open channel has a minimum opening distance S intersected by parallel planes A, B or C, with parallel planes A, B or C parallel to the tread center plane and perpendicular to the tire axis. Do.

The first circumferential continuous open channel 61 is preferably centered on the center plane EP of the tread 12, and the second and third circumferential continuous open channels 62, 63 are tread from the center plane. Located at a distance less than 40% of the arc width TW, preferably in the range from 25% to 40% of the width of the tread arc from the center plane of the tread, most preferably the second and third circumferentially open channels ( 62 and 63 are centered at approximately 33% of the width TW.

The second circumferential continuous open channel 62 penetrates each elongate lug 40 of the first row 1 forming an axially inner portion 40A and an axially outer portion 40B of the lug 40. Similarly, the third circumferential continuous open channel 63 penetrates each elongate lug 42 of the second row 2, which forms an axially inner portion 42A and an axially outer portion 42B of the lug 42. do.

Preferably, the elongated tread lugs 40, 42 have a radial depth D as measured from the radially outer surface to the inner tread 13.

It can be located between the second and third circumferential continuous open channels of the reduced depth tire bar connecting the axial inner portions 40A, 42B to the axial outer portions 40B, 42B of the elongated lugs 40, 42. have. These tire bars preferably have a height h, the height h of which is 50% or less of the depth D as measured at the inner tread 13.

The all-terrain vehicle tire 10 of the present invention has a net-to-gross ratio of less than or equal to 35% of the tread 12 as measured between the side edges 14, 16 around the entire circumferential direction of the tread. It is preferable to have).

Justice

"ATV" is 50 inches (1270 mm) or less in overall width, weighs 600 lbs. (275 kg) or less without load, and operates with four or more low pressure tires. Motor-driven off-road vehicle 50 having a seat designed to allow a chair or operator to sit with legs apart for maneuvering control and to be used only by the operator without other passengers. Width and weight exclude accessories and optional mountings. ATV is divided into four categories as follows.

General Use Model ATVs: General recreational and versatile ATVs;

Sport Model ATVs: Recreational ATVs used only by trained operators;

Utility Model ATV: ATV mainly for practical use;

Youth Model ATV: An ATV used for off-road recreation by an operator under the age of 16 under adult supervision. The children's model ATV can be further subdivided as follows.

Y-6 type ATV: Y-6 type ATV is a children's model ATV used by children over 6 years old.

Y-12-type ATV: The Y-12-type ATV is a children's model ATV used by children 12 years of age and older.

"Aspect ratio" means the ratio of the cross sectional height to the cross sectional width.

"Axial" and "axially" mean a line or direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire.

The “belt structure” or “reinforcement belt” is woven or not woven, lies under the tread, is not secured to the bead, and has at least two right and left cord angles ranging from 17 ° to 27 ° relative to the equator plane of the tire. Plies of two annular layers or parallel cords.

"Bias fly tire" means a reinforcement cord in a carcass ply, extending diagonally across the tire from bead to bead at an angle of approximately 25 ° to 65 ° relative to the equator plane of the tire, with the fly cord being the opposite angle at the alternating layer. Laid out.

"Carcass" means a stack of tire fly materials and other tire components excluding treads and other belt reinforcements, and these additional components may be added to the carcass before being vulcanized to form a molded tire. have.

"Equator plane" means a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire and penetrating the center of the tread.

"Inside" means the inside of the tire, and "outside" means the outside.

"Outside" means facing the outside of the tyre.

"Air tire" means a laminated toroidal (usually open torus) type of stacked machinery having beads and treads, and is made of rubber, chemicals, textiles and steel or other materials. When mounted to an automobile wheel, the tire includes a fluid that provides traction through its tread and supports the load of the automobile.

"Radial direction" and "radial direction" means a direction radially toward or away from the axis of rotation of the tire.

"Radial fly tires" are belted or circumferentially-restricted pneumatic tires in which the fly cord extending from the bead to the bead lies at a cord angle between 65 ° and 90 ° to the equator plane of the tire. Means.

"Section height SH" means the radial distance from the nominal rim diameter to the outer diameter of the tire in the equator plane of the tire.

"Section width (SW)" means the maximum straight distance between the outside of the side wall parallel to the axis of the tire measured at zero load after the tire has been inflated to normal pressure for 24 hours, with a label, decorative or protective band Increase in sidewalls due to

"Sidewall" means the part of the tire between the tread and the bead.

"Tread" means a molded rubber component when attached to a tire casing and includes the portion of the tire that comes into contact with the road surface when the tire is normally inflated and under normal load.

"Tread width or tread arc width" means the length of the arc of the tread surface in the axial direction, ie in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire.

The present invention relates to tires for off-road roads, and more particularly to pneumatic all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tires.

1 is a perspective view of a preferred tire according to the present invention,

2 is a flatness of the tire of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2,

4 is an enlarged partial view of the tire of FIG. 1;

5 is a diagram of a modified lug and block structure of the tire of FIG. 1, FIG.

6 is a view of the soil discharge flow pattern of the footprint of the tire of FIG. 1. FIG.

1, there is shown a preferred tire 10 according to the present invention. The tire 10 has a nominal rim diameter of 36 cm (14 inches) or smaller, a carcass, and a tread 12 disposed radially outward of the carcass.

Reference numerals shown in the drawings are the same as those in the detailed description. In order to achieve the object of the present application, various embodiments are shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, where like reference numerals are used for like elements.

The tread 12 has an inner tread 13 and a plurality of elongated lugs 40, 42, each of which lugs 40, 42 axially inner portion 40A extending radially outward of the inner tread 13. 42A) and axially outer portions 40B and 42B.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a preferred tire 10 is shown.

The tire 10 according to the invention is an ATV tire. The tire 10 is provided with a tread portion 12 that abuts the road surface ending at the side edges 14, 16 of the tread 12 in the shoulder portion. The sidewall portions 18, 20 extend from the tread side edges 14, 16, respectively, and terminate in a pair of bead regions 22, each of which has an annular bead core 26, which cannot be extended. . The tire 10 has a carcass 30 having a reinforcing ply structure 38 extending from the bead region 22 to the bead region 22 through the side wall portion 18, the tread portion 12, and the side wall portion 20. ) Is further provided. The folded ends 32, 34 of the fly structure 38 preferably surround each other around the bead core 26. If the tire is tubeless, the tire 10 may include a conventional inner liner 35 that forms the inner circumferential surface of the tire 10. A pair of tread reinforcement belts or breaker structures 36 may be selectively positioned circumferentially around the radially outer surface of the reinforcement ply structure 38 directly below the tread portion 12. In the particular embodiment shown, each reinforcing band structure 36 includes two cut reinforcing band plies 50, 51, with the cords of the reinforcing band plies 50, 51 being the middle circumferential central surface of the tire. Oriented at an angle of approximately 35 ° relative to.

The cord of the reinforcing strip ply 50 is disposed on the opposite middle circumferential center plane from the middle circumferential center plane of the reinforcing band ply 51. However, if the belt or reinforcing strip structure 36 is used in an ATV tire, it may comprise any of a number of desired belt or reinforcing strip plies, and the cord may be placed at a desired angle. The belt or reinforcing strip structure 36 provides not only resistance to puncture but also lateral stiffness across the belt width to minimize lifting of the tread from the road surface of the tyre. In the embodiment shown, this can be achieved by making the cords of the belts or reinforcing strip plies 50, 51 from nylon and synthetic materials.

The use of belt or reinforcing strip structures can adversely affect ride comfort and maneuverability and therefore may not be desirable for such particular ATV vehicles in many applications. In addition, these belt or reinforcing strip structures may be desirable for front or rear tires, but not for both front and rear tires. Those skilled in the art can readily see when such components should be avoided.

The tire shown in FIG. 3 shows a carcass 30 having at least one reinforcing ply structure 38. The reinforcement ply structure 38 has a ply layer of at least one cord 41 for radial ply tires, the cords 41 being oriented at an angle within the range of 65 ° to 90 ° with respect to the equator plane and on the bias tire. The perimeter structure 38 has a ply layer of at least two cords 41, with the cords of each adjacent layer being the same but oriented opposite 25 ° to 65 ° relative to the equator plane of the tire.

2 and 4, a plan view of the tire 10 and an enlarged partial view of the tread 12 are shown, respectively.

The lateral edges 14, 16 are defined as planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation R and traversing the axial outermost portion of the elongated lugs 40, 42 in the shoulder region. The distance between the side edges forms a tread arc width and a tread width. The intermediate point between the side edges is the equator plane EP of the tire 10. The tread 12 has elongate lugs 40, 42 extending radially outward from the inner tread 13. Each lug 40, 42 has a leading edge 67 and a trailing edge 68. Preferably, the leading and trailing edges are curved.

Lugs 40 and 42 are arranged in rows 1, 2 which repeat in two circumferential directions. The first and second rows 1, 2 extend laterally outward from the center of the tread 12 to the tread side edges 14, 16. The first row is circumferentially deflected with respect to the second row.

As shown in FIG. 6, the volume space above the inner tread 13 between the circumferentially adjacent lugs 40, 42 of the first and second rows 1, 2 is tread from the center of the tread 13. The shoulder defines a soil discharge channel 60 extending axially outward. Each soil discharge channel 60 is opened in both circumferentially adjacent soil discharge channels 60 through a continuous opening channel in the circumferential direction at the axially inner position 61 of the tread central plane, and in the axially outward position 62. In the circumferential continuous open channel in the circumferentially adjacent soil discharge channel 60 is opened. The channel at the axial inner position 61 and the channel at the axial outer position 62 as shown are axially aligned around the circumference of the tread. The minimum axial width of the valence channel at each axial inner position 61 and each axial outer position 62 is in the range of 1 cm to 4 cm, preferably 2 cm. The opening in the axially inner position 61 is between the axially inner end of the elongated shoulder lug 40 and the axially inner end of the elongate lug 42. In contrast, the channel at the axially outward position 62 is between the axially inner portions 40A, 42A and the axially outer portions 40B, 42B of each of the long lugs 40, 42. The minimum opening channel S of the axially inner position 61 extends in the circumferential direction between the lugs 40 and 42 and is parallel to the plane A and the axially inner portions 40A and 42A of the lugs 40 and 42. Intersect the plane B or C between the outermost point in the axial direction and the innermost point in the axial outer portion 40B, 42B.

Each lug 40, 42 of the first and second rows 1, 2 extends in an enlarged circumferential lug head located at the axially outer end 47 of its axially inner portions 40A, 42A. (43) is preferably provided, more preferably the lug heads 43 in rows 1 and 2 are each axially aligned and spaced apart from the equator plane. Preferably, the enlarged lug heads 43 of the lugs 40, 42 in the first and second rows 1, 2 are axially inward of the adjacent axial outer portions 40B, 42B of the lugs 40, 42. Substantially aligned with the end 45. This means that the enlarged lug head 43 of the lugs 40, 42 in the first and second rows has an axial outer position 62 between the lug ends 45 of the axial outer portions 40B, 42B of the lugs 42. Means that it is directed inward in the axial direction.

The lugs 40, 42 extend from the inner tread 13 at a radial distance D of about 1.9 cm or more, preferably about 2.5 cm. This deep slip tread 12 is excellent in traction in wet or smuggling soil. The channel 60 includes a tire 10 that rotates and the lugs 40, 42 that include at least two lugs 42 in the footprint or ground, and two lugs 42 or three dirt discharge channels 60. ) Are arranged to abut soil on one or both tread halves. Soil or mud is quickly discharged through the axial shoulder or through the channel positions 61, 62 in the circumferential direction. Also, a circumferential continuous opening channel at positions 61, 62, 63 between the soil discharge channel 60 which actually prevents agglomeration of mud in the tread pattern as the tire 10 rotates with a particular lug arrangement. This may prevent mud from clumping around these deep lugs 40 and 42.

An important feature of the tread 12 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is an enlarged lug head 43 extending circumferentially. These features ensure that as the tire rotates, enough lugs are in contact with the road surface to prevent wringing as the long lugs 40 and 42 are included or excluded from the tire's footprint or contact patch. In this case, the riding comfort of the tire 10 is improved. In addition, as can be further seen in the figure, lugs 40 and 42 are arranged such that at least two lugs on the tread contact along an axial band one inch wide at all circumferential positions of the tread. That is, if in one figure a band of one inch wide crosses the tread in the axial direction, the band will intersect at least two lugs, and the width of the band is preferably substantially less than one inch.

These features make the driver feel that a large number of treads are in contact with the road surface when a very small percentage of the contact patches actually touch the road surface.

Such a tread according to the invention is 33% or less of the tread area in contact with the paved road, preferably represented by about 25%.

Light tires travel at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less. These ATV tires can reach speeds close to 50 miles per hour. At such speeds, lugs should work in concert to prevent the generation of harsh vibrations that cause problems in riding comfort. This tread pattern reduces these vibrations and allows the tire to run at high speeds. This is made possible by the shape and orientation of the lugs as shown. Each lug 40, 42 has a somewhat axially inclined inner portion 40A, 42A as well as a laterally more inclined axial outer portion 40B, 42B which enhances the traction performance of the tire. As shown, the outer portions 40B and 42B have narrow slots or grooves 70, respectively, to further enhance traction. The inner portions 40A and 42A have narrow axial inner ends, which gradually widen toward the enlarged lug head 43. This narrow end between the leading edge 67 and the trailing edge 68 is designed to dig into the soil due to the reduced axial width. Once the end is dug in the soil, the leading edge 67 is bent with greater lateral inclination to provide an increased fixed edge. The inclined axial medial portions 40A, 42A provide a significant amount of traction improvement while the axial lateral medial portions 40B, 42B provide increased additional forward traction due to lateral inclination.

As further shown in FIG. 5, the position 62 does not have to extend to a sufficient depth as shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. The spacing between the axial inner portions 40A, 42A and the axial outer portion can be bridged by connecting bars 53 of reduced depth. It is important that the connections 53 between the lugs have an opening with a depth of at least 50% of the lug depth D in order to maintain the circumferential continuous open channel soil flow characteristics. The amount of smaller openings is undesirable because it is too limited in terms of flow.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2, it is already clear that the circumferentially continuous opening channel has an opening with an axial minimum width S. FIG. This minimum opening width is preferably at least 1 cm, more preferably at least 2 cm. The axial minimum width S of this opening in each lug 40, 42 of the first or second row is axially aligned around the circumference of the tire. The minimum opening width S in each channel can be crossed by a parallel plane A, B or C parallel to the center plane of the tread. It is not necessary that the three circumferential channels 61, 62, 63 have a minimum opening axially aligned around the circumference of the tread 12 as shown, but at these minimum openings a plane A, B or C. ) Must cross each opening. Preferably the contact patch measured on the hard surface has an outer channel inside the patch, so at least some of the axial outer lugs 40B, 42B are in the contact patch. Since the axial outer openings are too close to tread cleaning through the channels 61, 62, 63 if they are too close to the shoulder portion of the tread, these axial outer openings are shown in the lateral extremes of the contact patch as shown. Is located.

As shown, the opening at position 62 may optionally have a substantially constant width, but in such a case the opening has a large minimum axial spacing S of about 1 cm to 2 cm or more, so that the soil may To ensure rapid flow.

Optionally, at position 62, the channel extending between the axial inner portions 40A, 42A and the axial outer portions 40B, 42B extending from the circumferential position of the minimum opening width S toward the trailing edge 68. The opening of is preferably branched. Branching of the channel in this region between the lug portions not only assists the flow of the mud, but also provides mud discharge features that allow the tire to quickly remove dirt from the tread as it rolls through the mud.

As the tire rotates in wet clay soil, the channel provides a passage forcing the soil discharge channel 60. Since the three circumferentially continuous open channels 61, 62, and 63 provide a circumferential unobstructed passage, the mud falls off the back of the tire as the footprint races on the road surface, so that the three circumferentially open channels 61 , 62, 63). Channels 61, 62, and 63 allow water / moisture to reach below the mud to dissect the mud not only by the rise of the lower but also by the drop of the upper, thereby actually removing the mud between the circumferentially adjacent lugs 40, 42. do. In very humid conditions, the circumferential channels 61, 62, 63 pump water into the soil discharge channel 60 to actually wash the soil out of the channel.

As disclosed, the free portion of the lug engagement edge at the minimum tread allows the tread to continue to provide traction under this worst case condition.

Claims (7)

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tire 10 positioned on a drive axle, wherein the tire 10 is a carcass 30 and a tread 12 radially outward of the carcass 30. Wherein the tread 12 has a plurality of elongated lugs 40, 42, the lugs 40, 42 extending radially outward from the inner tread 13 and having first and second lateral treads. Located between the edges, the distance between the side edges 14, 16 forms the arc width of the tread, in the intermediate position the central surface EP of the tread 12 is present and the elongated lugs 40, 42. Are arranged in rows (1, 2) around the circumference of the tread (12), and the first row of elongated lugs (40) is an axial inner end adjacent to the central plane (EP) of the tread (12). From the long tread lug 42 extending toward the side edge 14 which terminates at an axially outer end from the Two rows of all-terrain vehicle tires extending from the axial inner end adjacent to the center surface EP of the tread 12 toward the second lateral tread edge 16 terminating at the axial outer end 49. To Three or more circumferential continuous open channels 61, 62, 63, wherein a first circumferential continuous open channel 61 comprises the first and second rows 1 of the elongated lugs 40, 42. , Located between the axially inner ends 41 of the second circumferentially continuous open channel 62, the first lateral tread edge 14 and the central surface EP of the tread 12. And a third circumferential continuous channel 63 is located between the second lateral tread edge 16 and the central plane EP of the tread 12. All Terrain Vehicle Tires. The method of claim 1, The second and third circumferentially continuous open channels are located at a distance of 40% or less of the tread arc width TW from the central plane. All Terrain Vehicle Tires. The method of claim 2, The second and third circumferential continuous channels 62, 63 are located in the range of 25% to 40% of the width of the tread arc from the central plane EP of the tread 12. All Terrain Vehicle Tires. The method of claim 1, The second and third circumferential continuous channels 62, 63 are located at about 33% of the tread arc width TW from the central plane EP of the tread 12. All Terrain Vehicle Tires. The method of claim 1, The second circumferential continuous open channel 62 passes through each elongate lug of the first row 1 forming an axial inner portion 40A and an axial outer portion 40B, and the third circumferential continuous opening. Channel 63 penetrates each elongate lug 42 of the second row 2 forming an axial inner portion 42A and an axial outer portion 42B. All Terrain Vehicle Tires. The method of claim 1, The elongated tread lugs 40, 42 have a radial length D measured from a radially outer surface to the inner tread 13 of the tread 12, and the axial inner portions 40A, 42A are described above. The reduced depth of the tire bar 53 connecting to the axial outer portions 40B, 42B reduces the depth of the connecting bar 53 having a height h, the height h being the depth D. 50% or less of All Terrain Vehicle Tires. The method of claim 1, The total amount to net ratio of the tread 12 is measured between the lateral edges 14 and 16, wherein the total circumference of the tread 12 is less than 35%. All Terrain Vehicle Tires.