Abstract: A tire includes a circumferential tread having a tread element disposed thereon, wherein the tread element includes a top surface that defines a first plane. The tire further includes at least one substantially helicoid-shaped sipe disposed in the tread element. The substantially helicoid-shaped sipe is defined by an opening in the top surface extending in a first direction in the first plane when the tire is new, and is further defined by a base extending in a second direction in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The second direction is disposed at an angle between 45° and 135° with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A tire includes a tread having a first plurality of tread blocks on a first side of an equatorial plane and a second plurality of tread blocks on the second side. Each of the first plurality of tread blocks has a first leading lug wall, a first trailing lug wall, a first leading sipe proximate to the first leading lug wall, and a first trailing sipe proximate to the first trailing lug wall. Each of the second plurality of tread blocks has a second leading lug wall, a second trailing lug wall, a second leading sipe proximate to the second leading lug wall, and a second trailing sipe proximate to the second trailing lug wall. The first leading sipes have a depth greater that of the first trailing sipes. The second leading sipes have a depth less than that of the second trailing sipes.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to methods, systems, devices, and non-transitory media for increasing repeatability and reliability of tire testing trials including one or more of the following: capturing position data from a position sensor, wherein the capture of the position data is indicative of alignment with the desired testing area along the first axis; determining whether the position data indicates that the testing wheel is aligned with the desired testing area along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, and when the position data indicates that the testing wheel is aligned with the desired testing area along a second axis, effecting initiation of a testing event.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to methods, systems, devices, and non-transitory media for increasing repeatability and reliability of tire testing trials including one or more of the following: capturing position data from a position sensor, wherein the capture of the position data is indicative of alignment with the desired testing area along the first axis; determining whether the position data indicates that the testing wheel is aligned with the desired testing area along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, and when the position data indicates that the testing wheel is aligned with the desired testing area along a second axis, effecting initiation of a testing event.

Abstract: A tire includes a tread having a first plurality of tread blocks on a first side of an equatorial plane and a second plurality of tread blocks on the second side. Each of the first plurality of tread blocks has a first leading lug wall, a first trailing lug wall, a first leading sipe proximate to the first leading lug wall, and a first trailing sipe proximate to the first trailing lug wall. Each of the second plurality of tread blocks has a second leading lug wall, a second trailing lug wall, a second leading sipe proximate to the second leading lug wall, and a second trailing sipe proximate to the second trailing lug wall. The first leading sipes have a depth greater that of the first trailing sipes. The second leading sipes have a depth less than that of the second trailing sipes.

Abstract: A tire includes a circumferential tread having a tread element disposed thereon, wherein the tread element includes a top surface that defines a first plane. The tire further includes at least one substantially helicoid-shaped sipe disposed in the tread element. The substantially helicoid-shaped sipe is defined by an opening in the top surface extending in a first direction in the first plane when the tire is new, and is further defined by a base extending in a second direction in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The second direction is disposed at an angle between 45° and 135° with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A tire having a circumferential tread includes a plurality of tread elements. At least one tread element has a sipe disposed therein. The sipe is defined by a first sipe wall, a second sipe wall, and a curved sipe surface extending from the first sipe wall to a top surface of the at least one tread element.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the efficiency of an ABS controller. The method may comprise performing a first test on a first tire using a first ABS controller at a first inflation pressure, gathering a first data set, using a digital computer to generate a first function from the first data set, and using a digital computer to calculate a first efficiency based on the first function. The first data set may comprise data about the first test. The first function may describe normalized mu versus time for a first time period.

Abstract: Provided is a method for testing a tire. The method may comprise performing a first stopping distance test on a tire of a first specification at a first inflation pressure and gathering data about the first stopping distance test. The method may further comprise performing a second stopping distance test on a tire of the first specification at a second inflation pressure and gathering data about the second stopping distance test. The method may further comprise performing a first traction test on a tire of the first specification at either the first inflation pressure or the second inflation pressure and gathering data about the first traction test.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the efficiency of an ABS controller. The method may comprise performing a first test on a first tire using a first ABS controller at a first inflation pressure, gathering a first data set, using a digital computer to generate a first function from the first data set, and using a digital computer to calculate a first efficiency based on the first function. The first data set may comprise data about the first test. The first function may describe normalized mu versus time for a first time period.

Abstract: Provided is a method for testing a tire. The method may comprise performing a first stopping distance test on a tire of a first specification at a first inflation pressure and gathering data about the first stopping distance test. The method may further comprise performing a second stopping distance test on a tire of the first specification at a second inflation pressure and gathering data about the second stopping distance test. The method may further comprise performing a first traction test on a tire of the first specification at either the first inflation pressure or the second inflation pressure and gathering data about the first traction test.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an asymmetrically chamfered tread that promotes desired plysteer residual aligning torque and/or plysteer residual cornering force. The tire comprises a tread having a set of first blocks on a first side of an equatorial plane, and a set of second blocks on a second side of the equatorial plane. The first and second blocks are defined at least in part by a top surface, one or more circumferentially extending grooves, and a plurality of laterally extending grooves. The laterally extending grooves define leading edges and trailing edges of the blocks. The boundaries between the leading edges and top surfaces of a plurality of the first blocks, and between the trailing edges and top surfaces of a plurality of the second block, are chamfered. The boundaries between the trailing edges and top surfaces of the first blocks, and between the boundaries between the leading edges and top surfaces of the second blocks, are substantially unchamfered.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for measuring the local stiffness of a tire. The apparatus includes a force producing mechanism, a force measuring device, a force transmitting member, and a measuring device. The force transmitting member applies a force to a tire surface and the measuring device measures the distance of the displacement of the tire surface caused by the force. A tire testing method comprising mounting a tire on a tire testing apparatus to measure a local stiffness of the tire. The method further comprises inflating the tire, applying a force to a local area of the tire, monitoring the force, measuring a distance corresponding to the local deflection, and calculating a local stiffness.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for measuring the local stiffness of a tire. The apparatus includes a force producing mechanism, a force measuring device, a force transmitting member, and a measuring device. The force transmitting member applies a force to a tire surface and the measuring device measures the distance of the displacement of the tire surface caused by the force. A tire testing method comprising mounting a tire on a tire testing apparatus to measure a local stiffness of the tire. The method further comprises inflating the tire, applying a force to a local area of the tire, monitoring the force, measuring a distance corresponding to the local deflection, and calculating a local stiffness.