Patents by Inventor Mikko Liukkula
Mikko Liukkula has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240375446Abstract: A tyre includes a tread having tread blocks such that grooves are arranged between the tread blocks and studs installed into at least some of the tread blocks. The tread blocks define a land portion of the tread, and an envelope surface consisting of the land portion of the tread and a sea portion. An average land ratio of the tyre defined as a ratio of total land area to total envelope area, is 55% to 78%.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJInventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Aappo LAITILA, Lauri HEIKKINEN
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Publication number: 20240375455Abstract: A tyre includes a tread having tread blocks; a plurality of stud holes; and a plurality of studs installed in at least some of the stud holes. A constellation of the studs is such that less than two studs are in a line perpendicular to a rolling direction of the tyre. Less than two studs within an area of a footprint are in the same line parallel to the rolling direction. A distance between two adjacent studs is more than 20 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: Nokian Renkaat OyjInventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Hannu ONNELA, Aappo LAITILA, Lauri HEIKKINEN
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Publication number: 20240375452Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a studded pneumatic tire for a vehicle, the tire comprising studs, at least one ply, at least one metal belt, a cap layer forming at least part of a running surface of the studded pneumatic tire, an underlayer made of a first rubber compound, and an intermediate layer made of a second rubber compound, the intermediate layer being arranged, at least partially, between the underlayer and the cap layer, wherein the method comprises steps of forming an annular belt comprising a metal belt, the underlayer, the intermediate layer, and the cap layer, then arranging the annular belt onto an annular carcass comprising the at least one ply to form a preform, vulcanizing the preform, and installing studs. The invention further relates to a studded pneumatic tire for a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Jouko ILOMÄKI, Lauri HEIKKINEN, Noora KEMPPAINEN, Aappo LAITILA, Alexandra SHAKUN
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Publication number: 20240375454Abstract: A tyre includes a tread having tread blocks such that grooves are arranged between the tread blocks and studs installed into at least some of the tread blocks. A central region of the tread is arranged between a first shoulder region of the tread and a second shoulder region of the tread. A land ratio of the central region of the tread of the tyre is 1 to 30 percentage points greater than either or both of a land ratio of the first shoulder region of the tread of the tyre and a land ratio of the second shoulder region of the tread of the tyre.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: Nokian Renkaat OyjInventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Aappo LAITILA, Lauri HEIKKINEN
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Publication number: 20240375451Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a studded pneumatic tire, the method comprising steps of producing an annular carcass by providing a first ply material comprising first cords), wherein the first cords comprise aramid, aramid content of the first cords being at least 50 wt. % of total weight of the first cords, winding at least a layer of the first ply material onto a carcass drum, thereby forming a cylindrical carcass preform, arranging two cables to the cylindrical carcass preform, and expanding the preform, thereby forming the annular carcass, forming a preassembly of belts and a tread, arranging the preassembly of belts and a tread onto the annular carcass to form a preform, vulcanizing the preform, and installing studs. The invention further relates to a studded pneumatic tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: Aappo LAITILA, Mikko LIUKKULA
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Publication number: 20240375456Abstract: A stud is for improving grip of a tyre. The stud includes a body having a base flange and a second part, the second part being joined to the base flange, and a pin protruding from the second part in the longitudinal direction (Sz) of the stud. The pin is made of hard metal or ceramic. The base flange has a first cross-section having a first area. The pin has a second cross-section having a second area. A ratio of the first area to the second area is 6.5 to 21. Moreover, the pin protrudes a first height from the second part such that a ratio of the first area to the first height is 20 to 50 mm2/mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJInventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Lauri HEIKKINEN
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Publication number: 20240375453Abstract: A tyre (200) includes a tread (210) having tread blocks (220); a plurality of stud holes (250); and a plurality of studs (100) installed in at least some of the stud holes (250). Studs (100b) in a centre area (CR) of the tyre (200) have higher protrusion from a surface of the tread block (220) than studs (100a) in a shoulder area (SR1, SR2) of the tyre (200).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJInventors: Lauri HEIKKINEN, Mikko LIUKKULA, Aappo LAITILA
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Publication number: 20240375439Abstract: A pneumatic tyre contains a structure wherein a thermally adaptive underlayer is positioned beneath a tread layer and an intermediate layer. The thermally adaptive underlayer is based on a polymer system that containing elastomers with distinct glass transition temperatures sufficiently far apart which exhibit low miscibility towards each other. Due to the tyre construction and the thermally adaptive underlayer, while driving a vehicle, the performance characteristics of the pneumatic tyre adapt to the driving conditions on the road based on the temperature experienced by the thermally adaptive underlayer. This is of particular relevance for a winter tyre, wherein the thermally adaptive underlayer may be used to design an improved tread layer and for a studded pneumatic tyre, wherein the composition and thickness of the thermally adaptive underlayer may control dynamic impact of the stud on a driving surface, when the tyre is in motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Jouko ILOMÄKI, Lauri HEIKKINEN, Noora KEMPPAINEN, Aappo LAITILA, Alexandra SHAKUN
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Publication number: 20240375449Abstract: A tyre (200) includes a tread (210) having tread blocks (220) with grooves (230) arranged between the tread blocks (220) and studs (100, 100a, 100b) installed into at least some of the tread blocks (220). A central region (CR) of the tread (210) is arranged between a first shoulder region (SR1) of the tread (210) and a second shoulder region (SR2) of the tread (210). At least some of the tread blocks (220) are provided with sipes (240). The tyre (200) has a first density of sipes (240) in the central region (CR), a second density of sipes (240) in the first shoulder region (SR1), and a third density of sipes (240) in the second shoulder region (SR2). The first density of sipes (240) is at least 15% greater than either or both of the second density of sipes (240) and the third density of sipes (240).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJInventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Aappo LAITILA, Lauri HEIKKINEN
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Publication number: 20240375457Abstract: A tyre (200) includes a tread (210) and multiple studs (100) in the tread (210) such that at least pins (110) of the studs (100) are exposed on the tread (210). The tyre (200) is configured such that a load index (LI) of the tyre (200) as defined in The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization Standards Manual (2023) table G.7 is from eighty-six to one hundred sixteen (from 86 to 116). The tyre (200) is further configured such that a road wear of the tyre (200) as measured according to the standard SFS7503:2022:en is less than the value calculatable by the polynomial formula ?0.000139×LI2+0.0431×LI?1.90.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: Mikko LIUKKULA, Lauri HEIKKINEN, Aappo LAITILA, Noora KEMPPAINEN, Alexandra SHAKUN, Jouko ILOMÄKI, Jarkko KULMALA
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Patent number: 11560021Abstract: Disclosed is a tire stud comprising a stainless steel body with a flange and a blind hole and further comprising a spike installed in said hole, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the hole is different from the cross-sectional shape of the spike at least at one of: the opening, the lower surface of the spike, and a depth between the opening lower surface of the spike; whereby only protrusions of the spike are attached to the side wall of the hole with friction joints where the cross-sectional shape of the hole is different from the cross-sectional shape of the spike.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Nokian Renkaat OyjInventors: Juha Pirhonen, Mikko Liukkula, Tommi Ajoviita
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Publication number: 20200223262Abstract: Disclosed is a tire stud comprising a stainless steel body with a flange and a blind hole and further comprising a spike installed in said hole, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the hole is different from the cross-sectional shape of the spike at least at one of: the opening, the lower surface of the spike, and a depth between the opening lower surface of the spike; whereby only protrusions of the spike are attached to the side wall of the hole with friction joints where the cross-sectional shape of the hole is different from the cross-sectional shape of the spike.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: Nokian Renkaat OyjInventors: Juha Pirhonen, Mikko Liukkula, Tommi Ajoviita
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Patent number: 10513152Abstract: A method for installing a stud in a tyre. The method includes identifying a stud hole for the stud in the tyre; imaging the vicinity of at least the stud hole, whereby information is received about the pattern in the vicinity of the stud hole, and using the received information to determine [i] the stud type suitable for the stud suitable in the stud hole and/or [ii] the suitable stud orientation of the stud suitable in the stud hole. The method includes providing a stud and installing it in a stud hole. The stud type of the stud is the same as the suitable stud type of a stud suitable in the stud hole; and/or the stud is installed in the stud hole in such a way that the main direction of the stud is parallel with the suitable stud orientation. Further a tyre studded by the method.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJInventors: Tommi Ajoviita, Mikko Liukkula, Esko Kukkonen, Jukka Alajuuma
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Publication number: 20170368889Abstract: A method for installing a stud in a tyre. The method includes identifying a stud hole for the stud in the tyre; imaging the vicinity of at least the stud hole, whereby information is received about the pattern in the vicinity of the stud hole, and using the received information to determine [i] the stud type suitable for the stud suitable in the stud hole and/or [ii] the suitable stud orientation of the stud suitable in the stud hole. The method includes providing a stud and installing it in a stud hole. The stud type of the stud is the same as the suitable stud type of a stud suitable in the stud hole; and/or the stud is installed in the stud hole in such a way that the main direction of the stud is parallel with the suitable stud orientation. Further a tyre studded by the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Tommi AJOVIITA, Mikko LIUKKULA, Esko KUKKONEN, Jukka ALAJUUMA
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Patent number: 9849731Abstract: A vehicle tire including a tread intended for a rolling contact against a foundation, the tread having a tread pattern which includes circumferential and transverse grooves for removing water from a contact patch between the foundation and the tire, and anti-skid studs mounted in the tread and including a stud body and a hard metal pin secured thereto. An end of the metal pin, intended against a foundation, is formed as an inclined surface, whereby the metal pin has its end provided with the inclined surface acting on the foundation in an axial direction of the metal pin to a varying depth and the inclined surface being placed relative to a rotating direction of the tire in such an orientation that, as the tire is rolling freely forward, a leading edge of the hard metal pin to impinge first on the foundation is lower than a trailing edge.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: NOKIAN RENKAAT OYJInventor: Mikko Liukkula
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Publication number: 20150197122Abstract: A vehicle tire including a tread intended for a rolling contact against a foundation, the tread having a tread pattern which includes circumferential and transverse grooves for removing water from a contact patch between the foundation and the tire, and anti-skid studs mounted in the tread and including a stud body and a hard metal pin secured thereto. An end of the metal pin, intended against a foundation, is formed as an inclined surface, whereby the metal pin has its end provided with the inclined surface acting on the foundation in an axial direction of the metal pin to a varying depth and the inclined surface being placed relative to a rotating direction of the tire in such an orientation that, as the tire is rolling freely forward, a leading edge of the hard metal pin to impinge first on the foundation is lower than a trailing edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventor: Mikko LIUKKULA
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Patent number: D902138Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: NOKIAN TYRES PLCInventors: Tommi Ajoviita, Mikko Liukkula, Lauri Heikkinen
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Patent number: D902139Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: NOKIAN TYRES PLCInventors: Tommi Ajoviita, Mikko Liukkula, Lauri Heikkinen
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Patent number: D1034427Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: NOKIAN TYRES PLCInventors: Lauri Heikkinen, Mikko Liukkula
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Patent number: D1045770Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: NOKIAN TYRES PLCInventors: Lauri Heikkinen, Tommi Ajoviita, Mikko Liukkula