| 摘要 |
A directional pneumatic tire having improved wet traction has an annular aqua channel (12) and lateral grooves (14,17) which direct water from the footprint to the shoulder area of the tire to help prevent hydroplaning. The aqua channel (12) has an extended U-shape wherein a wall of the aqua channel closer to a shoulder of the tire has a steeper incline than the side of the aqua channel closer to the center of the tire. The aqua channel may have a step between its shoulder side and its center side wherein the center side is higher by a distance d. In one illustrated embodiment, a center tread portion of the tire, bounded by an aqua channel and a center groove, and two lateral grooves, comprises a single block element. <IMAGE>
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