Patent Application
20240100886
This application claims priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-153455 filed in Japan on Sep. 27, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to tires for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain.
The tread of a tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain has a plurality of blocks. The tire obtains frictional force by scratching a road surface with the blocks. High frictional force increases the grip force of the tire. High grip force contributes to improvement of traction performance.
The blocks are worn. As the frictional force decreases due to the wear, the grip force decreases. In order to obtain a tire that can stably exert high grip force, it has been proposed to control the shapes of the blocks (e.g., PATENT LITERATURE 1 below).
In an approach from the viewpoint of shape, the shapes of the blocks are limited in terms of durability. Even if the grip force can be improved, the durability of the blocks may be reduced. Establishment of a technology capable of improving traction performance without impairing durability is required.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a tire, for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain, which can have improved traction performance without impairing durability.
A tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain according to the present invention includes a tread formed from a crosslinked rubber and having a tread surface that comes into contact with a road surface. The tread includes a plurality of blocks each having a land surface forming a part of the tread surface. The plurality of blocks include a plurality of center blocks located on an equator plane. The plurality of center blocks include a main center block having, in the land surface thereof, a center of gravity of the land surface. At the center of gravity of the land surface of the main center block, an axial length of the main center block is not less than twice a circumferential length thereof. The main center block has a hardness of not greater than 70. The main center block has a 300% modulus of not less than 8.5 MPa.
According to the present invention, a tire, for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain, which can have improved traction performance without impairing durability, is obtained.
The following will describe in detail the present invention based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.
A tire of the present disclosure is fitted on a rim. The interior of the tire is filled with air to adjust the internal pressure of the tire. The tire fitted on the rim is also referred to as tire-rim assembly. The tire-rim assembly includes the rim and the tire fitted on the rim.
In the present disclosure, a state where a tire is fitted on a normal rim, the internal pressure of the tire is adjusted to a normal internal pressure, and no load is applied to the tire is referred to as a normal state.
In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions and angles of each component of the tire are measured in the normal state.
The dimensions and angles of each component in a meridian cross-section of the tire, which cannot be measured in a state where the tire is fitted on the normal rim, are measured in a cross-section of the tire obtained by cutting the tire along a plane including the rotation axis of the tire. In this measurement, the tire is set such that the distance between right and left beads is made equal to the distance between the beads in the tire that is fitted on the normal rim.
The normal rim means a rim specified in a standard on which the tire is based. The “standard rim” in the JATMA standard, the “Design Rim” in the TRA standard, and the “Measuring Rim” in the ETRTO standard are normal rims.
The normal internal pressure means an internal pressure specified in the standard on which the tire is based. The “highest air pressure” in the JATMA standard, the “maximum value” recited in the “TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES” in the TRA standard, and the “INFLATION PRESSURE” in the ETRTO standard are normal internal pressures.
A normal load means a load specified in the standard on which the tire is based. The “maximum load capacity” in the JATMA standard, the “maximum value” recited in the “TIRE LOAD LIMITS AT VARIOUS COLD INFLATION PRESSURES” in the TRA standard, and the “LOAD CAPACITY” in the ETRTO standard are normal loads.
In the present disclosure, a rubber composition refers to a composition that is obtained by mixing a base rubber and chemicals in a kneading machine such as a Banbury mixer and that contains the uncrosslinked base rubber. A crosslinked rubber refers to a crosslinked product, of the rubber composition, obtained by pressurizing and heating the rubber composition. The crosslinked rubber contains a crosslinked product of the base rubber. The crosslinked rubber is also referred to as vulcanized rubber, and the rubber composition is also referred to as unvulcanized rubber.
Examples of the base rubber include natural rubber (NR), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), isoprene rubber (IR), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM), chloroprene rubber (CR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), and isobutylene-isoprene-rubber (IIR). Examples of the chemicals include reinforcing agents such as carbon black and silica, plasticizers such as aromatic oil, fillers such as zinc oxide, lubricants such as stearic acid, antioxidants, processing aids, sulfur, and vulcanization accelerators. Selection of a base rubber and chemicals, the amounts of the selected chemicals, etc., are determined as appropriate according to the specifications of components such as a tread and sidewalls for which the rubber composition is used.
In the present disclosure, a 300% modulus of a component formed from a crosslinked rubber, of the components included in the tire, means the tensile stress at 300% elongation specified in JIS K6251. The 300% modulus is measured according to the standards of JIS K6251. In this measurement, a test piece is sampled from the tire such that the length direction thereof coincides with the circumferential direction of the tire. When a test piece cannot be sampled from the tire, a test piece is sampled from a sheet-shaped crosslinked rubber (hereinafter, also referred to as rubber sheet) obtained by pressurizing and heating a rubber composition, which is used for forming the component to be measured, at a temperature of 170° C. for 12 minutes.
In the present disclosure, the 300% modulus is represented as a 300% modulus at 75° C.
In the present disclosure, the hardness of a component formed form a crosslinked rubber, from among the components included in the tire, is measured according to JIS K6253 under a temperature condition of 23° C. using a type A durometer.
In the present disclosure, the land surface is a part of a tread surface other than grooves included in the tread surface. In the case of a tread having a block pattern, the top surface of each block is the land surface. Of the tread surface, a portion other than the land surface corresponds to the grooves and is also referred to as sea surface. The ratio of the total area of the land surface included in the tread surface to the area of the tread surface is a land ratio. In the present disclosure, the land ratio is calculated on the basis of a development of the tread surface. The area of the tread surface is equal to the sum of the total area of the land surface and the total area of the sea surface.
In the present disclosure, a tread portion of the tire is a portion of the tire that comes into contact with a road surface. A bead portion is a portion of the tire that is fitted to a rim. A sidewall portion is a portion of the tire that extends between the tread portion and the bead portion. The tire includes a tread portion, a pair of bead portions, and a pair of sidewall portions as portions thereof.
[Configuration 1]
A tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a tread formed from a crosslinked rubber and having a tread surface that comes into contact with a road surface, wherein: the tread includes a plurality of blocks each having a land surface forming a part of the tread surface; the plurality of blocks include a plurality of center blocks located on an equator plane; the plurality of center blocks include a main center block having, in the land surface thereof, a center of gravity of the land surface; at the center of gravity of the land surface of the main center block, an axial length of the main center block is not less than twice a circumferential length thereof; the main center block has a hardness of not greater than 70; and the main center block has a 300% modulus of not less than 8.5 MPa.
By forming the tire as described above, in the tire, while the stiffness of the main center block is ensured, the amount by which the main center block scratches a road surface can be increased when the main center block comes into contact with the road surface. The grip force is improved, so that the tire can have improved traction performance.
Furthermore, the main center block can be easily deformed in a low strain region. Thus, in the tire, the contact area between the main center block and a road surface when the main center block comes into contact with the road surface can be increased. The tire can increase the grip force and thus can have further improved traction performance.
The main center block has high strength in a high strain region. Thus, even if the main center block is greatly deformed and the side surfaces of the main center block are greatly stretched, damage, such as cracks, to the main center block is less likely to occur.
The tire can have improved traction performance without impairing durability.
[Configuration 2]
Preferably, in the tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain described in [Configuration 1] above, a ratio of the axial length of the main center block to the circumferential length of the main center block is not less than 2.0 and not greater than 2.9.
By forming the tire as described above, the contact area between the main center block and a road surface when the main center block comes into contact with the road surface can be sufficiently increased. The tire can have further improved traction performance. The tire can optimize the force acting on the main center block, and thus can suppress occurrence of damage to the main center block (especially damage from the root thereof).
[Configuration 3]
Preferably, in the tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain described in [Configuration 1] or [Configuration 2] above, half or more of the plurality of center blocks are each the main center block.
By forming the tire as described above, the tire can have further improved traction performance without impairing durability.
[Configuration 4]
Preferably, in the tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain described in any one of [Configuration 1] to [Configuration 3] above, a block height of the main center block is not less than 15 mm and not greater than 20 mm in a state where the tire is fitted on a normal rim, an internal pressure of the tire is adjusted to a normal internal pressure, and no load is applied to the tire.
By forming the tire as described above, in the tire, the contact area between the main center block and a road surface when the main center block comes into contact with the road surface can be sufficiently increased. The tire can have further improved traction performance. The tire can suppress occurrence of damage to the main center block and thus can maintain good durability.
[Configuration 5]
Preferably, in the tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain described in any one of [Configuration 1] to [Configuration 4] above, the tread surface has a land ratio of not less than 13% and not greater than 60%.
By forming the tire as described above, the main center block can sufficiently perform its function. The tire can have improved traction performance without impairing durability.
The tire 2 includes a tread 4, a pair of sidewalls 6, a pair of beads 8, a carcass 10, and an inner liner 12.
Although not described in detail, the tire 2 can include components such as a belt and insulations in addition to these components.
The tread 4 is formed from a crosslinked rubber. The tread 4 has a tread surface 14 which comes into contact with a road surface. In
The tread 4 includes a plurality of blocks 18 demarcated by grooves 16. These blocks 18 form a block pattern. Each block 18 has a land surface 20 which forms a part of the tread surface 14.
Each sidewall 6 is connected to an end of the tread 4. The sidewall 6 extends radially inward along the carcass 10. The sidewall 6 is formed from a crosslinked rubber for which cut resistance is taken into consideration.
Each bead 8 is located radially inward of the sidewall 6. The bead 8 includes a core 22 and an apex 24. The core 22 has a ring shape and includes a steel wire. The apex 24 is located radially outward of the core 22. The apex 24 is formed from a crosslinked rubber having high stiffness. The apex 24 is tapered outward.
The carcass 10 is located inward of the tread 4 and the pair of sidewalls 6. The carcass 10 extends on and between the pair of beads 8. The carcass 10 includes at least one carcass ply 26. The carcass 10 of the tire 2 is composed of one carcass ply 26. The carcass ply 26 is turned up at each bead 8. The carcass ply 26 includes a large number of carcass cords aligned with each other, which are not shown.
The inner liner 12 is located inward of the carcass 10. The inner liner 12 forms an inner surface of the tire 2. The inner liner 12 is formed from a crosslinked rubber that has a low gas permeability coefficient. The inner liner 12 maintains the internal pressure of the tire 2.
In the present disclosure, for convenience of description, the shape of each block 18 is represented on the basis of the dimensions of the tire 2.
In
In
In
A region from a first division line TL to a second division line TL is also referred to as center region ZC. Regions from the division lines TL to the ends TE of the tread surface 14 are also referred to as side regions ZS.
In
In each side region ZS, a region from the division line TL to the division line BL is also referred to as middle region ZSM. A region from the division line BL to the end TE of the tread surface 14 is also referred to as shoulder region ZSS.
In the center region ZC, a plurality of center blocks 28 are provided. These center blocks 28 are located on the equator plane CL. The plurality of blocks 18 provided in the tread 4 include the plurality of center blocks 28 located on the equator plane CL. The plurality of center blocks 28 are placed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
Each center block 28 has a shape that is long in the axial direction of the tire 2 and short in the circumferential direction of the tire 2. In
An edge 32 of the center land surface 30 includes a pair of circumferential edges 32t and a pair of axial edges 32y. The pair of circumferential edges 32t each extend in the circumferential direction. The pair of axial edges 32y each extend between the pair of circumferential edges 32t.
As shown in
Each center block 28 of the tire 2 has a slot 34 provided in an axially center portion thereof so as to traverse the center block 28 in the circumferential direction. The slot 34 divides the center land surface 30 into two sub land surfaces 36. The depth, the opening width, etc., of the slot 34 are not particularly limited, and are determined as appropriate according to the specifications of the tire 2. The center block 28 may not necessarily have the slot 34.
An edge 38 of each sub land surface 36 includes a pair of circumferential edges 38t and a pair of axial edges 38y. Of the pair of circumferential edges 38t, the axially outer circumferential edge 38t is the circumferential edge 32t of the center land surface 30. The axially inner circumferential edge 38t is the boundary between the slot 34 and the sub land surface 36. The pair of axial edges 38y each form a part of the axial edge 32y of the center land surface 30. Each axial edge 38y is tilted relative to the axial direction. A tilt angle of the axial edge 38y is not less than 1 degree and not greater than 3 degrees. The tilt angle of the axial edge 38y is represented as an angle of the axial edge 38y with respect to the axial direction.
A plurality of side blocks 40 are provided in each of the side regions ZS. These side blocks 40 are located outward of the center blocks 28 in the axial direction. In the tire 2, the plurality of blocks 18 provided in the tread 4 include the plurality of side blocks 40 located outward of the center blocks 28 in the axial direction.
As shown in
As shown in
In the tire 2, the middle blocks 42 are located between the center blocks 28 and the shoulder blocks 44 in the axial direction. Each shoulder block 44 includes the end TE of the tread surface 14.
In each side region ZS, the middle blocks 42 and the shoulder blocks 44 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. A tie bar 46 is located between a middle block 42 and a shoulder block 44 located near the middle block 42. The tie bar 46 extends between the middle block 42 and the shoulder block 44.
In the tire 2, the shape of each side block 40 is not particularly limited. A well-known shape that is applied to side blocks of a tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain is applied to the shape of each side block 40 of the tire 2.
The arrangement of the side blocks 40 in each side region ZS shown in
In the tire 2, if the main center blocks 28m are arranged at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction, the plurality of center blocks 28 may include, in addition to the main center blocks 28m, other blocks having different specifications such as shape and material from the main center blocks 28m.
In
The center of gravity CG of the land surface 20 of each main center block 28m of the tire 2 is located on a center line of the opening width of the slot 34.
In the present disclosure, in the case where a slot 34 is formed on a land surface 20 as in the land surface 20 of the main center block 28m shown in
In
In the tire 2, the position of each main center block 28m is not particularly limited. The main center block 28m may be provided in the tread 4 such that the center of gravity CG of the main center block 28m is shifted from the equator plane CL. From the viewpoint of exhibiting good traction performance, the main center block 28m is preferably provided in the tread 4 such that the center of gravity CG thereof is located on the equator plane CL.
As shown in
In the present disclosure, the axial length a of the land surface 20 at the center of gravity CG is the axial length of the main center block 28m at the center of gravity CG. The circumferential length b of the land surface 20 at the center of gravity CG is the circumferential length of the main center block 28m at the center of gravity CG. In the case where a slot 34 is formed on the land surface 20 of a main center block 28m and the center of gravity CG thereof is located on the slot 34 as in the tire 2, the axial length a and the circumferential length b of the land surface 20 at the center of gravity CG are specified on the assumption that the slot 34 is not formed on the land surface 20.
In the tire 2, at the center of gravity CG of the land surface 20 of the main center block 28m, the axial length a of the main center block 28m is not less than twice the circumferential length b thereof. In other words, the ratio (a/b) of the axial length a to the circumferential length b of the main center block 28m is not less than 2.
Accordingly, in the tire 2, while the stiffness of the main center block 28m is ensured, the length of each axial edge 32y (specifically, each axial edge 38y) thereof can be increased. In the tire 2, when the main center block 28m comes into contact with a road surface, the amount by which the main center block 28m scratches the road surface can be increased. The grip force is improved, so that the tire 2 can have improved traction performance.
Furthermore, in the tire 2, the hardness of the main center block 28m is not greater than 70. The main center block 28m can be easily deformed in a low strain region. The main center block 28m of the tire 2 can be easily deformed as soon as the axial edge 32y on the leading edge side in the rotation direction comes into contact with a road surface. In the tire 2, the contact area between the main center block 28m and a road surface when the main center block 28m comes into contact with the road surface can be increased. The tire 2 can increase the grip force and thus can have further improved traction performance.
Meanwhile, the rider drives the vehicle while controlling the traction of each tire. When the tire is generating a large amount of traction, a large force acts on the main center block 28m. When a large force acts on the main center block 28m, for example, the side surfaces of the main center block 28m may be greatly stretched, causing damage, such as cracks, to the main center block 28m.
However, in the tire 2, the 300% modulus of the main center block 28m is not less than 8.5 MPa. The main center block 28m has high strength in a high strain region. Even if the main center block 28m is greatly deformed and the side surfaces of the main center block 28m are greatly stretched, damage, such as cracks, to the main center block 28m is less likely to occur.
In the tire 2, at the center of gravity CG of the land surface 20 of the main center block 28m, the axial length a of the main center block 28m is not less than twice the circumferential length b thereof. Further, the hardness of the main center block 28m is not greater than 70, and the 300% modulus of the main center block 28m is not less than 8.5 MPa.
The tire 2 can have improved traction performance without impairing durability.
In the tire 2, the ratio (a/b) of the axial length a of the main center block 28m to the circumferential length b of the main center block 28m is preferably not less than 2.0 and not greater than 2.9.
When the ratio (a/b) is set to be not less than 2.0, in the tire 2, each axial edge 32y can be formed with a length that allows the axial edge 32y to contribute to generation of traction, so that the contact area between the main center block 28m and a road surface when the main center block 28m comes into contact with the road surface can be sufficiently increased. The tire 2 can have further improved traction performance. From this viewpoint, the ratio (a/b) is more preferably not less than 2.4. If the ratio (a/b) is less than 2, the length of each axial edge 32y of the main center block 28m is insufficient. In this case, the main center block 28m cannot scratch a road surface, and the tire 2 may spin.
When the ratio (a/b) is set to be not greater than 2.9, the tire 2 can optimize the force acting on the main center block 28m. The tire 2 can suppress occurrence of damage to the main center block 28m (especially damage from the root thereof). If the ratio (a/b) exceeds 2.9, the tire 2 can increase the amount by which the main center block 28m scratches a road surface and the contact area between the main center block 28m and the road surface, which is expected to enhance traction performance. However, on the other hand, there is a possibility that the risk of occurrence of damage increases and the main center block 28m cannot perform its function.
In the tire 2, when the ratio (a/b) is not less than 2.4 and not greater than 2.9, further preferably, the hardness of the main center block 28m is not greater than 67, and the 300% modulus of the main center block 28m is not less than 9.0 MPa. Accordingly, the tire 2 can have further improved traction performance without impairing durability.
As described above, the main center block 28m of the tire 2 has, at the center of gravity CG of the land surface 20 thereof, an axial length a of not less than twice the circumferential length b thereof, a hardness of not greater than 70, and a 300% modulus of not less than 8.5 MPa. The main center block 28m contributes to improving traction performance without impairing durability.
In the tire 2, from the viewpoint that the main center block 28m can sufficiently perform its function, the ratio (a/WT) of the axial length a of the main center block 28m to the development width WT of the tread surface 14 is preferably not less than 20% and not greater than 40%, more preferably not less than 25% and not greater than 35%, and further preferably not less than 30% and not greater than 35%.
As described above, the tread 4 of the tire 2 includes the plurality of blocks 18, the plurality of blocks 18 include the plurality of center blocks 28, and the plurality of center blocks 28 include the main center block 28m. From the viewpoint of being able to further improve traction performance without impairing durability, half or more of the plurality of center blocks 28 are preferably main center blocks 28m, and all of the plurality of center blocks 28 are more preferably main center blocks 28m.
In
In the tire 2, in the normal state, the block height h of the main center block 28m is preferably not less than 15 mm and not greater than 20 mm.
When the block height h is set to be not less than 15 mm, in the tire 2, the contact area between the main center block 28m and a road surface when the main center block 28m comes into contact with the road surface can be sufficiently increased. The tire 2 can have further improved traction performance. From this viewpoint, the block height h is more preferably not less than 16 mm.
When the block height h is set to be not greater than 20 mm, the tire 2 can suppress occurrence of damage to the main center block 28m. The tire 2 can maintain good durability. From this viewpoint, the block height h is more preferably not greater than 19 mm and further preferably not greater than 18 mm.
In the tire 2, the land ratio of the tread surface 14 is preferably not less than 13% and not greater than 60%. Accordingly, each main center block 28m can sufficiently perform its function. The tire 2 can have improved traction performance without impairing durability.
If the land ratio is less than 13%, the load acting on each block 18 is increased. At the main center block 28m, there is a concern that damage to the root thereof on which strain is concentrated may occur.
If the land ratio exceeds 60%, a situation in which gravel and the like easily become trapped between the blocks 18 occurs. In this case, at the main center block 28m, there is a possibility that movement thereof is restrained and the main center block 28m cannot sufficiently perform its function.
As described above, according to the present invention, the tire 2 for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain, which can have improved traction performance without impairing durability, is obtained.
The following will describe the present invention in further detail by means of examples, etc., but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
A tire for a motorcycle for running on rough terrain (size=120/90-19) having the basic structure shown in
The entire tread was formed from a single crosslinked rubber, and all the center blocks were formed as main center blocks.
The ratio (a/b), the 300% modulus of each main center block: M300, the hardness of each main center block: H, and the block height of each main center block: h were set as shown in Table 1 below.
Tires of Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were obtained in the same manner as Example 1, except that the ratio (a/b), the 300% modulus of each main center block: M300, the hardness of each main center block: H, and the block height of each main center block: h were set as shown in Table 1 below. The tread of Example 4 is formed from a crosslinked rubber that is the same as the crosslinked rubber of the tread of Example 1. The crosslinked rubber of the tread of Example 2 is the same as the crosslinked rubber of the tread of Example 3. The crosslinked rubber of the tread of Comparative Example 1 is the same as the crosslinked rubber of the tread of Comparative Example 2.
[Traction Performance]
A test tire was fitted onto a rim (size=19×2.15) and inflated with air to adjust the internal pressure of the tire to 80 kPa. The tire was mounted to the rear wheel of a test vehicle (motorcycle for motocross racing with an engine displacement of 450 cc). A commercially available tire (80/100-21) fitted onto a rim (size=21×1.60) and having an internal pressure adjusted to 80 kPa was mounted to the front wheel. The test vehicle was caused to run on a test course for motocross racing, and a test rider having professional equivalent skills made evaluations (sensory evaluations) for traction performance during straight running. The results are shown as indexes in Table 1 below. The higher the value is, the better the traction performance is.
[Damage to Main Center Blocks]
A test tire was fitted onto a rim (size=19×2.15) and inflated with air to adjust the internal pressure of the tire to 80 kPa. The tire was mounted to the rear wheel of a test vehicle (motorcycle for motocross racing with an engine displacement of 450 cc). A commercially available tire (80/100-21) fitted onto a rim (size=21×1.60) and having an internal pressure adjusted to 80 kPa was mounted to the front wheel. A test rider having professional equivalent skills drove the test vehicle on a test course for motocross racing for 30 minutes. After driving, the surfaces of the main center blocks were observed to check the presence/absence of damage. The results are shown in Table 1 below with “G” for the case where no damage was observed and with “NG” for the case where damage was observed.
As shown in Table, 1, it is confirmed that in each Example, no damage occurred and traction performance was improved, so that improvement of traction performance is achieved without impairing durability. From the evaluation results, advantages of the present invention are clear.
The above-described technology capable of improving traction performance without impairing durability can be applied to various tires.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-153455 | Sep 2022 | JP | national |
