Patent Application
20160016434
This disclosure particularly relates to a motorcycle pneumatic tire that has improved grip performance when turning and that also has improved ride comfort.
In recent years, there has been a demand for increased power and a faster top speed in racing motorbikes. Therefore, engines that generate large torque are sometimes mounted in motorbikes.
As a result, there is a demand for the tires mounted on racing motorbikes to have the durability to withstand high speeds and to have good grip performance when turning.
To meet this demand, one known motorcycle pneumatic tire is provided with a belt, in the tire tread, that includes a circumferential belt layer formed by cords extending in the tread circumferential direction and covered by rubber and a width direction belt layer, provided outward in the tire radial direction from the circumferential belt layer, formed by cords extending in the tire width direction and covered by rubber.
WO2007/058116 (PTL 1), for example, discloses providing a pneumatic tire with the above structure with comparatively hard base rubber as inner rubber among the tread rubber.
PTL 1: WO2007/058116
In a conventional motorcycle pneumatic tire, the tire durability can be improved, yet the grip performance when the tire turns is insufficient.
Therefore, it could be helpful to provide a motorcycle pneumatic tire that has improved grip performance when turning and also has improved ride comfort.
I attempted to improve the grip performance when a tire turns by providing cushion rubber between the belt and the tread rubber. The cushion rubber has a lower elastic modulus than the tread rubber, which is provided further outward in the tire radial direction than the belt.
In a tire in which cushion rubber was provided between the belt and the tread rubber, shear deformation of the tread became mild, thereby improving the grip performance when the tire turned. Furthermore, the cushion rubber deforms more easily than the tread rubber. Therefore, the amount of heat generated in the tread increased.
On the other hand, in a tire provided with a belt composed of a circumferential belt layer and a width direction belt layer (layered belt structure), a plurality of cord layers overlap in the tire radial direction, making it easy for heat generated in the tread to accumulate. In particular, I discovered that as compared to shoulder areas, such a tire exhibits high heat accumulation in the central area of the tread.
Therefore, by providing cushion rubber across the entire area of the tread in the tire width direction, rubber deformation increases in the central area which exhibits high heat accumulation, causing heat accumulation to progress in this area. As a result, I learned that the shear rigidity of the rubber degrades due to the rubber reaching a high temperature, and the ride comfort of the tire diminishes.
I thus conceived of limiting the area in which cushion rubber is provided between the belt and the tread rubber to an area constituting a portion of the tread in the tire width direction.
In other words, the main features of this disclosure are as follows.
An exemplary motorcycle pneumatic tire includes a belt, in a tire tread, including a circumferential belt layer formed by a plurality of cords extending in a tread circumferential direction and covered by rubber and a width direction belt layer, provided outward in a tire radial direction from the circumferential belt layer, formed by a plurality of cords extending in a tire width direction and covered by rubber; sections of cushion rubber, disposed outward in the tire radial direction from the belt, separated in the tire width direction with a tire equatorial plane therebetween; and base rubber, disposed in an area of separation (cushion rubber separation area) between the sections of cushion rubber or outward in the tire radial direction from the area of separation, having a higher elastic modulus than the cushion rubber, wherein Wn>Wb, where Wn is a length of the area of separation (length of cushion rubber separation) in a tire width direction cross-section and Wb is a length of the base rubber in a tire width direction cross-section.
This pneumatic tire improves grip performance when the tire turns and has improved ride comfort.
“Extends in the tread circumferential direction” does not strictly refer to extending in a direction parallel to the tread circumferential line, but rather refers to extending in a direction having a component in the tread circumferential direction. Similarly, “extends in the tire width direction” does not strictly refer to extending in the tire width direction, but rather refers to extending in a direction having a component in the tire width direction. The “elastic modulus” refers to the rebound resilience calculated with a Lupke rebound resilience tester in conformance with JIS K6255-1996. Furthermore, the “length Wb of the base rubber in a tire width direction cross-section” refers to the length measured along the base rubber, and the “the length Wn of cushion rubber separation in a tire width direction cross-section” refers to the length measured along the belt. The dimensions of the disclosed pneumatic tire refer to the dimensions when the tire is mounted on an applicable rim, with predetermined air pressure applied and no load applied, unless otherwise indicated. An “applicable rim” refers to a rim specified by valid industrial standards for the region in which the tire is produced or used, such as the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) Year Book in Japan, the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) Standards Manual in Europe, and the Tire and Rim Association, Inc. (TRA) Year Book in the United States of America. “Predetermined air pressure” refers to air pressure (maximum air pressure) corresponding to a predetermined load in a tire of applicable size. A “predetermined load” refers to the maximum tire load in the above standards by JATMA or the like.
This motorcycle pneumatic tire has improved grip performance when the tire turns and also has improved ride comfort.
In the accompanying drawings:
With reference to the drawings, the following describes exemplary embodiments of a motorcycle pneumatic tire.
The pneumatic tire 1 of this exemplary embodiment is provided with a two-ply radial carcass 5 (5a and 5b in
While
The exemplary embodiment of a pneumatic tire 1 is provided with a belt 6 that includes a circumferential belt layer 6c formed by a plurality of cords disposed in parallel, extending in the tread circumferential direction and covered by rubber, and a width direction belt layer 6w, provided outward in the tire radial direction from the circumferential belt layer 6c, formed by a plurality of cords disposed in parallel, extending in the tire width direction and covered by rubber.
The cords constituting the circumferential belt layer 6c need not extend strictly in the tread circumferential direction and may, for example, be inclined at an angle of 0° to 5° with respect to the tread circumferential direction. Similarly, the cords constituting the width direction belt layer 6w need not extend strictly in the tire width direction and may, for example, be inclined at an angle of 70° to 90° with respect to the tread circumferential direction.
In this exemplary pneumatic tire 1, the belt 6 includes only the circumferential belt layer 6c and the width direction belt layer 6w, yet in the motorcycle pneumatic tire of this disclosure, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Furthermore, in the area 7d that separates the sections of cushion rubber 7a and 7b (cushion rubber separation area) and outward in the tire radial direction from this area 7d, base rubber 8 having a higher elastic modulus than the cushion rubber 7 is disposed.
In the motorcycle pneumatic tire of this disclosure, the base rubber may be provided either in the cushion rubber separation area or outward in the tire radial direction from the cushion rubber separation area.
In this exemplary pneumatic tire 1, cap rubber 9 is disposed outward in the tire radial direction from the sections of cushion rubber 7a and 7b and the base rubber 8.
In this exemplary motorcycle pneumatic tire 1, the relationship Wn>Wb needs to be satisfied, where Wn is the length of cushion rubber separation and Wb is the length of the base rubber.
In general, the thickness in the tire radial direction is relatively large in a layered belt structure. Hence, this structure exhibits high heat accumulation. As the speed of the motorcycle is higher, repetition of tread warping increases. Therefore, heat easily accumulates in the central area that includes the tire equatorial plane and is in contact with the road when the motorcycle is being ridden at a high speed.
The sections of cushion rubber 7a and 7b that have a low elastic modulus are not provided in the central area (which includes the tire equatorial plane CL). Therefore, as compared to when the sections of cushion rubber 7a and 7b are provided across the entire area of the tread in the tire width direction, the amount of deformation in this area is reduced, and an increase in the amount of heat generated in this area can be suppressed. Furthermore, by providing the base rubber 8 that has a high elastic modulus and generally has a low heat accumulation in the central area, in which the sections of cushion rubber 7a and 7b are not provided, an increase in the amount of heat generated in this area can be further suppressed. Accordingly, a degradation in the rigidity of the tread due to heat can be suppressed.
On the other hand, the effect obtained by providing the cushion rubber is achieved in the shoulder areas. In other words, the shear deformation produced in the rubber positioned between the belt, which has high rigidity, and the tread surface can be made mild, and the grip performance when the tire rotates can be improved.
When providing high-elastic modulus base rubber that is highly rigid, the rigidity of the tread increases, and setting Wn>Wb yields a structure in which no cushion rubber is disposed inward from the base rubber in the tire radial direction, thus improving the ride comfort of the tire. If Wn/Wb is 1.0 or less, then low-elastic modulus cushion rubber is disposed inward from the base rubber in the tire radial direction, and the effect of improving the ride comfort of the tire is suppressed.
By providing the base rubber in the cushion rubber separation area 7d and outward from the area 7d in the tire radial direction, an increase in the amount of heat generated in the central area can be even further suppressed. A degradation, due to heat, in the ride comfort of the tire can thus be further suppressed.
In this exemplary pneumatic tire 1, Wn and Wb preferably satisfy the relationship Wn/Wb≦1.8.
By setting Wn/Wb to be 1.8 or less, base rubber can be provided not only near the tire equator, but also on the outer sides of the tire equator in the tire width direction across a predetermined tire width area, thus further improving the ride comfort of the tire.
Furthermore, in another exemplary embodiment of a pneumatic motorcycle tire as illustrated in
By setting the belt widthwise outermost edge-cushion widthwise outermost edge length L1 to be 0.1 Wr or less, the cushion rubber that has a relatively low elastic modulus can be provided up to the outer sides in the tire width direction. This improves the ground contact performance of the tire when the motorcycle on which the tire is mounted turns and further improves the grip performance of the tire when turning.
The exemplary pneumatic tire illustrated in
The belt widthwise outermost edge-cushion widthwise outermost edge length L1 is preferably 0.1 Wr or less. By setting L1 to be 0.1 Wr or less, the cushion rubber that has a relatively low elastic modulus can be provided up to the outer sides in the tire width direction. This improves the ground contact performance of the tire when the motorcycle on which the tire is mounted turns and further improves the grip performance of the tire when turning.
For the same reasons as above, L1 more preferably satisfies the relationship 0≦L1≦0.05 Wr.
The “length Wr of the belt in a tire width direction cross-section” refers to the longer length between the length of the circumferential belt layer and the length of the width direction belt layer. The length of each belt layer refers to the length measured along each belt layer. The “belt widthwise outermost edge” refers to whichever is further out in the tire width direction: the outermost edge of the circumferential belt layer in the tire width direction, or the outermost edge of the width direction belt layer in the tire width direction.
In the exemplary pneumatic tire illustrated in
In
Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment of a motorcycle pneumatic tire illustrated in
The exemplary pneumatic tire illustrated in
By setting the tread ground contact edge-cushion widthwise outermost edge length L2 to be 0.1 Wt or less, the cushion rubber that has a relatively low elastic modulus can be provided up to the outer sides in the tire width direction. This improves the ground contact performance of the tire when the motorcycle on which the tire is mounted turns and further improves the grip performance of the tire when turning.
For the same reasons as above, L2 more preferably satisfies the relationship 0≦L2≦0.05 Wt.
The “length Wt between tread ground contact edges in a tire width direction cross-section” refers to the length measured along the tread surface. The “tread ground contact edge-cushion widthwise outermost edge length” refers to the length between the foot of a perpendicular from a tread ground contact edge to the cushion rubber and the cushion widthwise outermost edge as measured along the cushion rubber.
In the exemplary pneumatic tire illustrated in
In
Furthermore, in this exemplary pneumatic tire 1, the elastic modulus (kcu) of the cushion rubber 7a and 7b is preferably 50% or more to 95% or less of the elastic modulus (kb) of the base rubber 8.
By setting kcu to be 50% or more of kb, the separation between the cushion rubber and the base rubber due to input to the tire from the road surface can be suppressed. Furthermore, setting kcu to be 95% or less of kb guarantees the above effect achieved by providing cushion rubber.
For the same reasons as above, kcu is more preferably 60% or more to 75% or less of kb.
Furthermore, in this exemplary pneumatic tire 1, the elastic modulus (kcu) of the cushion rubber 7a and 7b is preferably 105% or more to 180% or less of the elastic modulus (kca) of the cap rubber 9.
Setting kcu to be within the above range of kca, i.e. setting kcu to be 105% or more of kca yields the relationship kca<kcu (<kb), prevents degradation of tread rigidity, and suppresses degradation in driving/braking performance when the tire turns (that is, the cap rubber positioned outward in the tire radial direction thus has a low elastic modulus, preventing degradation of rigidity). Setting kcu to be 180% or less of kca allows the cushion rubber to function as a cushion and to achieve the effects obtained by providing the cushion rubber. In other words, the shear deformation produced in the rubber positioned between the belt, which has high rigidity, and the tread surface can be made mild, and the grip performance when the tire rotates can be improved.
For the same reasons as above, kcu is more preferably 140% or more to 170% or less of kca.
The motorcycle pneumatic tire of this disclosure may adopt a structure that uses one sheet of a base rubber member of a predetermined thickness, with the base rubber portion inserted into the cushion rubber separation area. This structure allows for easy manufacturing of the motorcycle pneumatic tire of this disclosure.
In the motorcycle pneumatic tire of this disclosure, the rubber provided in the cushion rubber separation area is not limited to being base rubber and may be a different rubber member instead.
The thickness Dcu of each of the sections of cushion rubber 7a and 7b is preferably 0.1 mm or more to 1.0 mm or less. Setting Dcu to 0.1 mm or more makes it easier to guarantee the effects yielded by providing the cushion rubber. Setting Dcu to 1.0 mm or less suppresses deformation of the cushion rubber and suppresses heat generated in the central area. Therefore, deterioration of rubber due to heat can be suppressed, making it even easier to guarantee durability of the tire.
The radial carcass plies 5 (5a and 5b) of this exemplary pneumatic tire 1 are formed by a plurality of ply cords that are disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the tread circumferential direction, such as 70° to 90°, and are covered by rubber. Examples of the cords that constitute the radial carcass include textile cords (synthetic fiber cords) that have relatively high elasticity.
The cords constituting the circumferential belt layer 6c may extend along the tread circumferential line linearly, in zigzag fashion, in a wave pattern, or the like. The cords may also extend at a predetermined angle with respect to the tread circumferential direction, such as 0° to 5°, and in spiral fashion with respect to the tire width direction. Examples of the cords constituting the circumferential belt layer 6c include nylon fiber cords, aromatic polyamide fiber cords (such as Kevlar (registered trademark)), steel cords, and the like. Steel cords are particularly preferable.
Furthermore, the cords constituting the width direction belt layer 6w may extend along the tire width direction linearly, in zigzag fashion, in a wave pattern, or the like. Examples of the cords constituting the width direction belt layer 6w include nylon fiber cords, aromatic polyamide fiber cords, steel cords, and the like. Aromatic polyamide fiber cords are particularly preferable.
Furthermore, the cords constituting the inclined belt layers 6i1 and 6i2 included in the intersecting belt layer 6i may extend linearly, in zigzag fashion, in a wave pattern, or the like. These cords are disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the tread circumferential direction, such as 60° to 90°, and are covered by rubber. Examples of the cords constituting the inclined belt layers 6i1 and 6i2 include nylon fiber cords, aromatic polyamide fiber cords, steel cords, and the like. Aromatic polyamide fiber cords are particularly preferable.
The intersecting belt layer is structured so that, for example, the inclination with respect to the tread circumferential direction of the cords in the inclined belt layer 6i1 and the inclination with respect to the tread circumferential direction of the cords in the inclined belt layer 6i2 are opposite with regard to the tread circumferential direction.
The following provides further detail by way of examples, yet this disclosure is in no way limited to the following examples.
A pneumatic tire with the specifications listed in Table 1 was prepared, and the following evaluations were made using the pneumatic tire.
A pneumatic tire with the specifications listed in Table 1 was prepared, and the following evaluations were made using the pneumatic tire, as in Example 1.
A rim-mounted tire (test tire 1) was produced by mounting a motorcycle tire (190/650R17) onto an applicable rim (6.00) prescribed by JATMA standards. Another rim-mounted tire (test tire 2) was produced by mounting a motorcycle tire (120/600R17) onto an applicable rim (3.50) prescribed by JATMA standards. Under the conditions of predetermined internal pressure and a predetermined load, the test tire 1 was mounted onto the front wheel of a racing motorbike, and the test tire 2 was mounted onto the rear wheel.
(1) Test of Ride Comfort
A test driver took various test drives on a dry course and subjectively evaluated the ride comfort of the tire during the test drives. Specifically, an index serving as a comparative evaluation was calculated by taking the evaluation result for Comparative Example 1 to be 100. Table 1 lists the evaluation results. A higher index indicates that the tire has better ride comfort.
(2) Test of Grip Performance
Test drivers rode a motorbike on a dry course, entered corners and turned, and performed a subjective evaluation. The average score of the subjective evaluation by multiple drivers was calculated to assess the grip performance of the above pneumatic tire when turning on a dry road. Specifically, an index serving as a comparative evaluation was calculated by taking the evaluation result for Comparative Example 1 to be 100. A higher index indicates better grip performance when turning.
This motorcycle pneumatic tire has improved grip performance when the tire turns and also has improved ride comfort.
1 Pneumatic tire
2 Tread
3 Sidewall
4 Bead
5, 5a, 5b Radial carcass
6 Belt
6
c Circumferential belt layer
6
w Width direction belt layer
6
i Intersecting belt layer
6
i
1, 6i2 Inclined belt layer
6
s Belt widthwise outermost edge
7 Cushion layer area
7
a,
7
b Cushion rubber
7
d Cushion rubber separation area
7
s Cushion widthwise outermost edge
8 Base rubber
9 Cap rubber
CL Tire equatorial plane
Db, Dc Rubber thickness
L1 Belt widthwise outermost edge-cushion widthwise outermost edge length
L2 Tread ground contact edge-cushion widthwise outermost edge length
Wb Length of base rubber We Length of cushion layer area
Wn Length of cushion rubber separation
Wr Belt length
Wt Length between tread ground contact edges
P Foot of perpendicular
TG Tread ground contact edge
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-076885 | Apr 2013 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2014/001907 | 4/1/2014 | WO | 00 |
