Tread block arrangement having a supporting sipe

Abstract

A tread block arrangement of a tread band or tire forms a tread for rolling contact against a ground surface. The tread block arrangement limits a first number of sipes, with a second number of transversal sipes of which a third number of sipes form a group. For each sipe of the group, the tread block arrangement forms a bottom, first sidewall, second sidewall, and first end wall. The end first end wall of each group sipe is configured such that a distance between the first end wall and a pneumatic tire outer side is less than a distance between the other end and outer side. A sipe first end wall part has a first surface normal of the sipe. The first surface forms a sipe/tread angle≥20 degrees. The second number/first number ratio is ≥75% and the third number/second number ratio is ≥20%.

1 . A tread block arrangement forming a tread configured for forming a rolling contact of the tread against a ground surface, the tread block arrangement comprising
 tread blocks defining a first side of the tread and a second side of the tread, wherein   the tread blocks limit at least one longitudinal groove intermediate the first side and the second side of the tread in a transversal direction of the tread block arrangement and that extends in a direction transverse to the transversal direction, wherein   the tread blocks limit a first number of sipes, wherein a second number of the sipes are transversal sipes, and a third number of the transversal sipes form a group, wherein   for each sipe of the group, the tread block arrangement forms a bottom, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a first end wall, wherein   each sipe of the group either
 is free from a second end wall or 
 comprises a second end wall comprising a different average inclination than an average inclination of the first end wall, and 
   the first end wall of the each sipe of the group is configured such that
 a distance between the first end wall of the each sipe and an outer side of the tread block arrangement is less than a distance between another end of the each sipe and the outer side, wherein 
 the tread block arrangement comprises a first marking defining the outer side such that, in use, the outer side is configured to be located further away from a centre of a vehicle having the tread block arrangement than an opposite inner side of the tread block arrangement, 
 at least a part of the first end wall of the each sipe has a first surface normal of the each sipe, and 
 the first surface normal of the each sipe forms a first minimum angle of the each sipe of at least 20 degrees with the tread, wherein 
   a ratio of the second number of sipes to the first number of sipes is at least 75% and   a ratio of the third number of sipes to the second number of sipes is at least 20%.   
     
     
         2 . The tread block arrangement according to the  claim 1 , wherein
 each transversal sipe extends in a longitudinal direction of the each transversal sipe so that the longitudinal direction of the each transversal sipe
 is parallel to the transversal direction or 
 forms a first angle for the each transversal sipe with the transversal direction, the first angle for the each transversal sipe being at most 45 degrees. 
   
     
     
         3 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a ratio of the second number of sipes to the first number of sipes is at least 90% and/or   a ratio of the third number of sipes to the second number of sipes is at least 30%.   
     
     
         4 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a ratio of the second number of sipes to the first number of sipes is at least 95% and/or   a ratio of the third number of sipes to the second number of sipes is at least 50%.   
     
     
         5 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the tread blocks are formed of a material comprising rubber having shore A hardness less than 70 ShA according to ASTM standard D2240.   
     
     
         6 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the tread blocks are formed of a material consisting of rubber having shore A hardness less than 70 ShA according to ASTM standard D2240.   
     
     
         7 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , comprising
 a stud for improving friction.   
     
     
         8 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first end wall of each sipe of the group is planar.   
     
     
         9 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each sipe of the group has only two ends.   
     
     
         10 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each sipe of the group extends in between the first end wall of the each sipe and the other end of the each sipe, wherein when viewed from top, the each sipe has a zigzag form with at least two bends or has a zigzag form with at least two inner corners.   
     
     
         11 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , comprising
 a second marking indicative of the tread band being suitable for use as a winter tire and/or   a third marking indicative of the tread band being suitable for driving at a speed of at least 106 km/h, whereby the marking may comprise a symbol selected from the group of Q, R, S, T, H, V, W, and Y.   
     
     
         12 . The tread block arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a distance between the first end wall of each sipe of the group and a closest edge of a tread block is at least 0.5 mm and/or   for each sipe of the group, the first angle is at least 30 degrees.   
     
     
         13 . A tire comprising
 a cylindrical part and   a tread block arrangement forming a tread of the tire, the tread configured for forming a rolling contact of the tread against a ground surface, the tread block arrangement comprising   tread blocks defining a first side of the tread and a second side of the tread, wherein   the tread blocks limit at least one longitudinal groove that is left in between the first side and the second side of the tread in a transversal direction of the tread block arrangement and that extends in a direction transverse to the transversal direction, wherein   the tread blocks limit a first number of sipes, wherein a second number of the sipes are transversal sipes, and a third number of the transversal sipes form a group, wherein   for each sipe of the group, the tread block arrangement forms a bottom, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a first end wall, wherein   each sipe of the group either
 is free from a second end wall or 
 comprises a second end wall that has a different average inclination than the first end wall, and 
   the first end wall of each sipe of the group is configured so that
 a distance between the first end wall of the each sipe and an outer side of tread block arrangement is less than a distance between the other end of the each sipe and the outer side, wherein 
 the tread block arrangement comprises a first marking defining the outer side such that, in use, the outer side is configured to be located further away from a centre of a vehicle having the tire than an opposite inner side of the tire, 
 at least a part of the first end wall of the each sipe has a first surface normal of the each sipe, and 
 the first surface normal of the each sipe forms a first minimum angle of the each sipe of at least 20 degrees with the tread, wherein 
   a ratio of the second number of sipes to the first number of sipes is at least 75%, and   a ratio of the third number of sipes to the second number of sipes is at least 20%; and wherein   the tread blocks of the tread block arrangement are arranged on the cylindrical part of the tire, wherein   the tread of the tread block arrangement forms a cylindrical tread of the tire,   the cylindrical tread of the tire is configured to form a rolling contact against the ground surface, and   the longitudinal groove of the tread block arrangement forms a circumferential groove of the tire.   
     
     
         14 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 each transversal sipe extends in a longitudinal direction of the each transversal sipe so that
 the longitudinal direction of the each transversal sipe is parallel to the transversal direction or 
 the longitudinal direction of the each transversal sipe forms a first angle for the transversal sipe in question with the transversal direction, the first angle for the each transversal sipe being at most 45 degrees. 
   
     
     
         15 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 a ratio of the second number of sipes to the first number of sipes is at least 90% and/or   a ratio of the third number of sipes to the second number of sipes is at least 30%.   
     
     
         16 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 a ratio of the second number of sipes to the first number of sipes is at least 95% and/or   a ratio of the third number of sipes to the second number of sipes is at least 50%.   
     
     
         17 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 the tread blocks are formed of a material comprising rubber having shore A hardness less than 70 ShA according to ASTM standard D2240.   
     
     
         18 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 the tread blocks are formed of a material consisting of rubber having shore A hardness less than 70 ShA according to ASTM standard D2240.   
     
     
         19 . The tire of  claim 13 , further comprising
 a stud for improving friction.   
     
     
         20 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 the first end wall of each sipe of the group is planar.   
     
     
         21 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 each sipe of the group has only two ends.   
     
     
         22 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 each sipe of the group extends in between the first end wall of the each sipe and the other end of the each sipe, wherein when viewed from top, the each sipe has a zigzag form with at least two bends or has a zigzag form with at least two inner corners.   
     
     
         23 . The tire of  claim 13 , further comprising
 a second marking indicative of the tire being suitable for use as a winter tire and/or   a third marking indicative of the tire being suitable for driving at a speed of at least 106 km/h.   
     
     
         24 . The tire of  claim 13 , wherein
 a distance between the first end wall of each sipe of the group and a closest edge of a tread block is at least 0.5 mm and/or   for each sipe of the group, the first angle is at least 30 degrees.