TIRE WITH TREAD HAVING VARIABLE SIPE DENSITY AND ROUND CROWN

摘要

This invention relates generally to tires having treads that have a configuration and/or properties for maintaining hydroplaning performance, dry braking performance and improved wear resistance, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a tread that N has a variable sipe density, i.e a higher sipe density in its central portion and a lower sipe density in its shoulder portions, as well as a round crown with a predetermined inflated profile droop. Another embodiment of the present invention further includes the addition of a member that provides more structural stiffness across the crown of a tire, such that better compromises between hydroplaning, dry braking, and wear performances can be obtained.

主权项

1. An apparatus that comprises a tread for use with a tire defining lateral and longitudinal directions, said tread having central and shoulder portions and tread elements with sipes that are located in its central and shoulder regions, wherein:
the distance from one sipe to an adjacent sipe in a tread element found in the center region is in the range of 5-9 mm; the distance from one sipe to an adjacent sipe in a tread element found in a shoulder region is in the range of 15-35 mm; and the inflated profile droop is in the range of 5-9 mm as measured from the center of the tread to an edge of the rolling tread width.