Tire with conductive rubber strips

Abstract

A tire includes a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a respective bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers. Furthermore, the tire comprises at least one rubber strip having a volume resistivity of less than 108 ohm * cm and extending from a radially inner location of the tread along one of the sidewalls towards the respective bead portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire comprising a tire having a thickness of less than 10 8 The invention relates to a rubber strip having a volume resistivity of 100 ohm·cm, in particular for conducting electrical charges from the bead portion of a tire to the tread of the tire. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a tire. Background Art

[0002] Tires require a certain electrical conductivity to allow static charge to be conducted from the vehicle to the environment. In particular, this helps prevent static shocks, such as when contacting a car. This conductivity is usually achieved by a sufficient amount of carbon black in the rubber composition of multiple tire components to provide a conductive path between the rim and the road surface. However, in many cases, the presence of carbon black is detrimental to reducing rolling resistance. It is desirable to provide a tire with reduced rolling resistance while ensuring that the tire has sufficient electrical conductivity.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005 / 0103412A1 discloses a tire having a rubber sidewall that includes an internal conductive rubber strip. The strip extends from a conductive tread base layer in an area axially outward and radially below the belt portion of the tire into the bead area of ​​the tire. The purpose of this design is to conduct the charge from the conductive tread base layer through the rubber strip arranged next to the carcass ply to the area adjacent to the bead, which is also in contact with the conductive chafer. Although this design can provide an electrical path for some tire types, it is not suitable for other tire types. In addition, it is desirable to provide a further improved conductive path through the tire. Summary of the invention

[0004] In a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a respective bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in the crown region of the tire. The tread comprises a tread strip having a thickness of less than 10 mm. 8 ohm·cm and extends from the radially outer surface of the tread to a radially inner position of the tread, wherein the radially inner position is radially above the belt layer. In addition, the tire comprises at least one rubber strip having a volume resistivity of less than 10 8 The volume resistivity is ohm·cm and extends from a radially inner position of the tread along the radially inner side of the tread toward one of the sidewalls and along one of the sidewalls toward the corresponding bead portion.

[0005] In a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a respective bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in the crown region of the tire. The tread comprises a plurality of sidewalls having a thickness of less than 10 mm. 8 ohm·cm. In addition, the tire comprises at least one rubber strip having a volume resistivity of less than 10 8 The tread base has a volume resistivity of 0.1 ohm·cm and extends from the radially inner side of the tread base along the axially outer surface of the sidewall toward the corresponding bead portion.

[0006] The present invention discloses the following scheme:

[0007] Solution 1. A tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a corresponding bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in a crown region of the tire,

[0008] wherein the tread comprises a layer having less than 10 8 ohm·cm and extending from the radially outer surface of the tread to a radially inner position of the tread, wherein the radially inner position is radially above the belt layer; and

[0009] The tire further comprises at least one rubber strip having a thickness of less than 10 8 The volume resistivity is ohm·cm and extends from a radially inner position of the tread along the radially inner side of the tread and along one of the sidewalls toward the corresponding bead portion.

[0010] Embodiment 2. The tire according to embodiment 1, wherein the rubber strip extends radially over the radially outermost belt layer over at least 10% of the total axial width of the radially outermost belt layer.

[0011] Embodiment 3. The tire according to embodiment 1, wherein the tread strip extends across the tread transversely to the axial direction.

[0012] Option 4. A tire according to Option 1, wherein the tread comprises one or more of the following: i) at least one tread cap layer and a tread base layer, ii) at least one tread cap layer but no tread base layer; and wherein the tread strip extends through the entire thickness of the tread.

[0013] Solution 5. A tire according to Solution 4, wherein, in addition to the tread strip, the tread has a thickness greater than 10 10 Volume resistivity of ohm·cm.

[0014] Option 6. The tire according to Option 1, wherein the tire is free of a tread base layer.

[0015] Aspect 7. The tire according to aspect 1, wherein one or more of the components of i) the tread strip, ii) the rubber strip, and iii) the bead portion comprises one or more of the following:

[0016] a) has less than 10 7 A rubber composition having a volume resistivity of ohm·cm;

[0017] b) a rubber composition comprising more than 50 phr of carbon black; and

[0018] c) A rubber composition comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of at least 100 g / kg.

[0019] Embodiment 8. The tire according to embodiment 4, wherein one or more of i) a tread cap layer, ii) a tread base layer, iii) one or more sidewalls, iv) one or more belt layers, v) a cover layer of the tire, and vi) at least one carcass ply comprises one or more of the following:

[0020] a) has a value higher than 10 9 A rubber composition having a volume resistivity of ohm·cm;

[0021] b) a rubber composition having less than 45 phr of carbon black; and

[0022] c) A rubber composition comprising a carbon black having an iodine absorption of less than 90 g / kg.

[0023] Solution 9. The tire according to Solution 1, wherein the rubber strip extends substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0024] Solution 10. The tire according to solution 1, wherein the rubber strip comprises one or more of the following:

[0025] Width measured perpendicular to its length in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm;

[0026] Thickness measured perpendicular to its length in the range of 0.2 mm to 3 mm;

[0027] A cross section of a basic rectangle perpendicular to its length;

[0028] A flat cross section perpendicular to its length;

[0029] A rectangular cross section perpendicular to its length having an aspect ratio of thickness to width in the range of 1:5 to 1:100.

[0030] Aspect 11. The tire according to aspect 1, wherein the tread strip has a maximum width measured in the axial direction of the tire in the range of 0.2 mm to 9 mm.

[0031] Embodiment 12. The tire of embodiment 1, wherein the rubber strip extends within the tire along one of the sidewalls and between one of the sidewalls and the at least one carcass ply.

[0032] Solution 13. The tire according to solution 12, wherein the tire has a chafer having a thickness of less than 10 8 The rubber strip has a volume resistivity of 0.1 ohm·cm and is arranged at least at the axially outer side of the corresponding bead portion in contact with the rubber strip.

[0033] Option 14. A tire according to Option 1, wherein the rubber strip extends radially below and along the tread from the radially inner position of the tread strip to the axially outermost position of the tread, and extends along the sidewall on the axially outer surface of the sidewall, and optionally extends along the axially outer surface of the tire's bead cover to a position radially below the corresponding bead portion.

[0034] Aspect 15. The tire according to aspect 14, wherein the rubber strip extends at least to a radially innermost position on the tire surface.

[0035] Option 16. The tire according to Option 1, wherein the tire comprises one of the following:

[0036] two rubber strips, one of which is provided on each axial side of the tire;

[0037] Two rubber strips, wherein the two rubber strips are provided on one axial side of the tire at opposite circumferential positions.

[0038] 17. A tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a corresponding bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in a crown region of the tire.

[0039] wherein the tread comprises a layer having less than 10 8 ohm·cm volume resistivity of the tread base layer, and

[0040] The tire further comprises at least one rubber strip having a thickness of less than 10 8 The tread base has a volume resistivity of 0.1 ohm·cm and extends from the radially inner side of the tread base along the axially outer surface of the sidewall toward the corresponding bead portion.

[0041] Aspect 18. The tire according to Aspect 17, wherein the rubber strip has a maximum width measured in the circumferential direction of less than 100 mm.

[0042] Solution 19. The tire according to Solution 17, wherein the tread base further comprises an integrally formed tread strip having a thickness of less than 10 8 The volume resistivity is ohm·cm and extends through the tread from the radially outer surface of the tread transversely to the axial direction.

[0043] Embodiment 20. The tire according to embodiment 17, wherein the tread further comprises at least one tread cap layer, wherein at least one tread cap layer and the sidewall comprise one or more of the following:

[0044] a) one or more rubber compositions having a 9 Volume resistivity in ohm·cm;

[0045] b) one or more rubber compositions comprising less than 45 phr of carbon black; and

[0046] c) One or more rubber compositions comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of less than 90 g / kg. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The present invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tire of a first embodiment including a rubber strip;

[0049] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of another tire of the second embodiment including the rubber strip;

[0050] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of yet another tire of the third embodiment including the rubber strip;

[0051] Figure 4 It is already shown in Figure 3 A schematic side view of a tire in FIG. ; and

[0052] Figure 5 is another schematic side view of a tire according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the tire has two rubber strips. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a corresponding (one or more) bead portion(s), at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in the crown region of the tire. The tread comprises a tread strip having a thickness of less than 10 mm. 8 ohm·cm and extends from a radially outer surface of the tread (which contacts the road when running) to a radially inner position of the tread (preferably through the tread, such as transversely through the tread), wherein the radially inner position is radially above the belt layer. In addition, the tire comprises at least one rubber strip having a volume resistivity of less than 10 8 ohm·cm, and extends from a radially inner (or innermost) position of the tread strip along the radially inner side (or bottom) of the tread, preferably toward one of the sidewalls, and along one of the sidewalls (e.g., in a radially inner direction) toward the corresponding bead portion.

[0054] The present invention provides an effective conductive path between the tread surface and the bead portion of the tire. In particular, the present invention according to the first aspect does not require a conductive tread cap and / or tread base layer as in the prior art. This helps to provide a tire with even less conductive material, which allows a construction with further reduced rolling resistance.

[0055] Volume resistivity is measured herein according to ASTM D257-98 or an equivalent method.

[0056] In a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a respective bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in the crown region of the tire. The tread comprises a plurality of sidewalls having a thickness of less than 10 mm. 8 ohm·cm. In addition, the tire comprises at least one rubber strip having a volume resistivity of less than 10 8 The tread base has a volume resistivity of 0.1 ohm·cm and extends from the radially inner side of the tread base (and at least partially along the radially inner side of the tread base) along the axially outer surface of the sidewall toward the corresponding bead portion.

[0057] In this second aspect, electrical conduction is provided by fully utilizing the conductivity of the tread base layer in combination with a conductive rubber strip to provide a conductive path between the rim / bead portion and the tire tread or road.

[0058] Various embodiments are mentioned below, which may be combined with the first aspect, the second aspect, or both.

[0059] In one embodiment, the rubber strip has a maximum width, preferably measured in the circumferential direction, which is less than 100 mm or even less than 50 mm. Thus, the rubber strip does not extend over the entire circumference of the tire and / or over a major part of the entire circumference of the tire.

[0060] In another embodiment, particularly with respect to the second aspect, the tread base layer further comprises an integrally formed tread strip having a thickness of less than 10 8 ohm·cm and extends through the tread from the radially outer surface of the tread (or in other words, to the radially outer surface / side of the tread) and preferably transversely to the axial direction. In other words, the tread strip is preferably composed of the same rubber composition as the tread base.

[0061] In another embodiment, the tread further comprises at least one tread cap layer (e.g., two tread cap layers), wherein at least one tread cap layer and / or one or both sidewalls comprise one or more of the following:

[0062] a) one or more rubber compositions having a 9 Volume resistivity in ohm·cm;

[0063] b) one or more rubber compositions comprising less than 45 phr of carbon black; and

[0064] c) One or more rubber compositions comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of less than 90 g / kg.

[0065] In one embodiment of the invention, the rubber strip extends radially over the radially outermost belt layer (e.g. along the bottom of the tread and / or along the radially outermost belt layer) over at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, of the total axial width of the radially outermost belt layer. Optionally, it extends over less than 55%, preferably less than 50%, or even less than 25% of the total axial width of the radially outermost belt layer. It is not necessary to have a conductive tread base layer extending over the entire axial width of the tread.

[0066] In another embodiment, the tread band extends transversely to the axial direction, for example substantially in the radial direction or through the tread in this radial direction. Optionally, the tread band also extends circumferentially through the tread, for example over the entire circumference of the tread. Optionally, the tread band electrically connects the radially outer surface of the tread (intended to contact the road) with the radially inner surface or bottom of the tread. In other words, it provides an electrically conductive path from the surface of the tread to the radially inner bottom (surface) of the tread. Preferably, transverse to the axial direction in this document means extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, i.e. in the radial direction and / or extending in a direction at an angle to the radial direction, such as less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, less than 5°, or even less than 2°.

[0067] In another embodiment, the tread strip extends straight or substantially straight across the tread.

[0068] In yet another embodiment, the tread comprises one or more of: i) at least one tread cap layer and / or a tread base layer, and ii) at least one tread cap layer but no tread base layer. Thus, the tread may have a cap-base construction. Alternatively, the tread may have only a cap without a base. In both cases, the tread cap may comprise a plurality of tread layers. Optionally, the tread band extends (e.g., laterally or radially) through the entire thickness of the tread. In other words, in the case of a tread cap and tread base construction, the tread band extends completely through the tread cap and tread base to reach the radially inner bottom of the tread. Thus, the tread band preferably extends through all layers of the tread to reach the bottom of the tread.

[0069] In yet another embodiment, the tread (optionally each of its tread layers) has, in addition to the tread strip, a thickness greater than 10 10 ohm·cm, preferably higher than 10 11 ohm·cm or higher than 10 12 ohm·cm. Optionally, the volume resistivity is at most 10 14 If the tread comprises a plurality of tread rubber compositions, it is preferred that each of the tread rubber compositions has a volume resistivity within one of the above ranges.

[0070] In yet another embodiment, the tire is devoid of a tread base layer.

[0071] In yet another embodiment, the tire has no conductive tread base layer, and / or has no conductive tread layer having less than 10 8 The volume resistivity of the tread base layer is ohm·cm.

[0072] In yet another embodiment, one or more of i) the tread strip, ii) the rubber strip, and iii) the bead portion member or rubber component (e.g., chafer) has one or more of the following: a) less than 10 7 ohm·cm, preferably less than 0.5×10 7ohm·cm volume resistivity; b) a rubber composition having at least 39 phr, or 40 phr, or 50 phr, preferably at least 60 phr of carbon black; c) a rubber composition comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of at least 100 g / kg, preferably 100 g / kg to 300 g / kg, even more preferably 100 g / kg to 250 g / kg, or 110 g / kg to 200 g / kg. In other words, one or more of components i) to iii) each have a rubber composition having said volume resistivity. The tread strip may comprise or consist of a tread strip rubber composition, the rubber strip may comprise or consist of a rubber strip rubber composition, and the member of the bead portion may comprise or consist of a bead portion member rubber composition, such as a bead chafer rubber composition.

[0073] Iodine absorption or iodine absorption value (sometimes also referred to as iodine value or iodine absorption value) is measured herein according to ASTM D1510 or an equivalent method.

[0074] In yet another embodiment, i) a tread cap layer, ii) a tread base layer, iii) one or both sidewalls, iv) one or more belt layers, and v) a tire cover layer, vi) one or more chafers of the tire (if conductivity is not required), and vii) at least one carcass ply comprises one or more of the following: a) having a thickness greater than 10 9 ohm·cm, preferably higher than 10 10 ohm·cm or even higher than 10 12 ohm·cm; b) a rubber composition having a volume resistivity of less than 45 phr of carbon black, preferably less than 40 phr of carbon black, more preferably less than 20 phr of carbon black, or even less than 10 phr of carbon black; and c) a rubber composition comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of less than 90 g / kg, preferably less than 80 g / kg, or less than 50 g / kg. In other words, each of these components comprises or consists of a rubber composition having such a volume resistivity and / or carbon black content. In particular, the tread cap layer may comprise or consist of a tread cap layer rubber composition, the tread base layer may comprise or consist of a tread base layer rubber composition, the sidewall may comprise or consist of a sidewall rubber composition, one or more belt layers may comprise a belt layer (coating) rubber composition, the carcass ply may comprise a carcass ply (coating) rubber composition, the covering ply may comprise a covering ply (coating) rubber composition, and the bead wrapper may comprise a bead wrapper rubber composition. Each of these rubber compositions is preferably within the required resistivity range and / or has the mentioned amount of carbon black. In one or more of the above compositions, the minimum amount of carbon black is preferably 0.1 phr. However, it can also be zero, especially in components that are not visible on the tire surface.

[0075] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip extends perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the circumferential direction of the tire. In other words, preferably, the length of the strip does not extend in the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0076] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip has one or more of the following:

[0077] a width measured perpendicular to its length in the range of 5 mm to 100 mm, preferably 10 mm to 80 mm, or more preferably 15 mm to 70 mm or to 50 mm;

[0078] a thickness measured perpendicular to its length in the range of 0.2 mm to 3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 2 mm, or to only 1 mm;

[0079] A substantially flat and / or rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its length; and

[0080] A rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its length having an aspect ratio of thickness to width in the range of 1:5 to 1:100, or preferably 1:10 to 1:80.

[0081] In yet another embodiment, the tread strip has a (preferably maximum) width, measured in the axial direction of the tyre, ranging from 0.2 mm to 9 mm.

[0082] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip extends between the sidewall and the carcass ply and / or within the tire along the sidewall. Thus, the strip is not visible on the outside of the tire and / or is protected by the sidewall of the tire from damage and weather conditions such as UV light.

[0083] In yet another embodiment, the tire has a chafer having a thickness of less than 10 8 The rubber strip has a volume resistivity of 0.1 ohm·cm and is arranged at least at the axially outer side of the bead portion which is in contact with (preferably in direct contact with) the rubber strip.

[0084] In yet another embodiment, the radially lower end of the rubber strip contacts the radially upper end of the chafer.

[0085] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip radially overlaps the chafer: i) by less than 10 mm, and ii) by less than 20%, preferably less than 10% of the total radial height of the chafer.

[0086] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip radially overlaps the chafer by at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, 5 mm or 10 mm.

[0087] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip extends radially below and along the tread (e.g., the bottom of the tread) from said radially inner position of the tread strip to an axially outermost position of the tread, and / or along the sidewall, on the axially outer surface of the sidewall, and optionally along the axially outer surface of the bead filler of the tire to the bead portion or a position radially below the bead portion.

[0088] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip extends at least to the radially innermost position on the tire surface (at the corresponding bead portion). This further improves the electrical contact with the corresponding rim on which the tire can be mounted.

[0089] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip comprises a surface pattern (at least partially visible on the axially outer surface of the tire). Such surface pattern may comprise one or more of the following: stripes, hatching, one or more logos, letters, numbers, barcodes, QR codes and combinations thereof. In particular, such pattern may comprise information for identifying the tire and / or its (technical) properties.

[0090] In yet another embodiment, the tire comprises two rubber strips.

[0091] In yet another embodiment, one rubber strip is provided on each lateral / axial side of the tire.

[0092] In yet another embodiment, two rubber strips are provided in the same circumferential portion or circumferential / angular sector of the tire. In other words, they are arranged (axially) oppositely, which can help avoid mass imbalance.

[0093] In yet another embodiment, both rubber strips are provided on (only) one transverse / axial side of the tire, preferably at opposite circumferential positions, or in other words, at opposite angular sectors of the tire.

[0094] In yet another embodiment, the tire has a defined direction of rotation (as shown on the tire sidewall), wherein at least one rubber strip is provided on the (axial) inner side of the tire. Such an arrangement can further protect the rubber strip(s) from potential damage.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the tire is selected from one or more of a radial tire, a pneumatic tire, and a passenger car tire.

[0096] In another embodiment, the rubber composition may include at least one or more and / or one or more additional diene-based rubbers, such as one or more of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR, such as S-SBR or E-SBR), natural rubber (NR), synthetic polyisoprene (PI) and polybutadiene rubber (BR).

[0097] In one embodiment, synthetic or natural polyisoprene rubber may be used. Synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene and natural rubber are known per se to those skilled in the rubber art. In particular, the cis 1,4-microstructure content may be at least 90%, and typically at least 95% or even higher.

[0098] In one embodiment, cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber (BR or PBD) is used. Suitable polybutadiene rubbers can be prepared, for example, by organic solution polymerization of 1,3-butadiene. BR can be conveniently characterized, for example, by having a cis-1,4-microstructure content of at least 90% ("high cis" content) and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of -95°C to -110°C. Suitable polybutadiene rubbers are commercially available, such as from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. 1207, 1208, 1223 or 1280. These high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubbers can be synthesized, for example, using a nickel catalyst system comprising a mixture of (1) an organonickel compound, (2) an organoaluminum compound, and (3) a fluorine-containing compound, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,643 and 5,451,646, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0099] The glass transition temperature or Tg of an elastomer refers to the glass transition temperature of the corresponding elastomer in its uncured state. The glass transition temperature of an elastomeric composition refers to the glass transition temperature of the elastomeric composition in its cured state. Tg is determined as the peak midpoint by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to ASTM D3418 or an equivalent method at a heating rate of 20°C per minute.

[0100] The term "phr" as used herein means according to conventional practice "parts by weight of the corresponding material per 100 parts by weight of rubber or elastomer". Typically, using this convention, a rubber composition contains 100 parts by weight of rubber / elastomer. The claimed composition may contain other rubbers / elastomers in addition to those explicitly mentioned in the claims, provided that the phr value of the claimed rubber / elastomer conforms to the claimed phr range and the amount of all rubbers / elastomers in the composition results in a total of 100 parts of rubber. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "compound" and "composition" and "formulation" are used interchangeably herein. The terms "rubber" and "elastomer" are also used interchangeably herein.

[0101] In another embodiment, the rubber composition comprises 1 to 80 phr, or 5 to 80 phr of a resin, preferably having a glass transition temperature Tg greater than 20°C. The Tg of the resin is determined as the peak midpoint by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 10°C / minute according to ASTM D6604 or an equivalent method. Preferably, the resin has a softening point measured by ASTM E28 above 70°C, which may sometimes be referred to as the ring and ball softening point. In one embodiment, the rubber composition comprises 10 to 60 phr, or 20 to 60 phr, or 30 to 60 phr of a resin, particularly if the rubber composition is a tread cap rubber composition.

[0102] In another embodiment, the resin is selected from coumarone-indene resins, petroleum hydrocarbon resins, terpene polymers / resins, styrene / alpha methyl styrene resins, terpene phenol resins, rosin derived resins, and copolymers and / or mixtures thereof.

[0103] The coumarone-indene resin preferably contains coumarone and indene as monomer components constituting the resin skeleton (main chain). Monomer components other than coumarone and indene that can be introduced into the skeleton are, for example, methylcoumarone, styrene, α-methylstyrene, methylindene, vinyltoluene, dicyclopentadiene, cyclopentadiene, and dienes such as isoprene and piperylene. The coumarone-indene resin preferably has a softening point (measured by the ring and ball method) of 10° C. to 160° C. Even more preferably, the softening point is 30° C. to 100° C.

[0104] Suitable petroleum resins include aromatic and non-aromatic types. Several types of petroleum resins are available. Some resins have low unsaturation and high aromatic content, while some are highly unsaturated, and others do not contain aromatic structures at all. The difference in resins is mainly due to the olefins in the raw materials from which the resins are derived. Conventional derivatives in such resins include any C5 species (olefins and dienes containing an average of five carbon atoms) such as cyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene, dienes such as isoprene and piperylene, and any C9 species (olefins and dienes containing an average of 9 carbon atoms) such as vinyl toluene, α-methyl styrene and indene. Such resins are made from any mixture of the above-mentioned C5 and C9 species and are referred to as C5 / C9 copolymer resins. Petroleum resins with a softening point of 10°C to 120°C are generally available. Preferably, the softening point is 30 to 100°C.

[0105] In one embodiment, the C5 resin is an aliphatic resin made from one or more of the following monomers: 1,3-pentadiene (eg, cis or trans), 2-methyl-2-butene, cyclopentene, cyclopentadiene, and dicyclopentadiene.

[0106] In another embodiment, the C9 resin is a resin made from one or more aromatic monomers, preferably selected from indene, methylindene, vinyltoluene, styrene and methylstyrene (eg, alpha-methylstyrene).

[0107] In yet another embodiment, the C9 modified resin is a resin (such as a C5 resin) that has been modified or functionalized with one or more aromatic monomers, preferably selected from indene, methylindene, vinyltoluene, styrene and methylstyrene (such as α-methylstyrene).

[0108] The terpene resin preferably comprises a polymer of at least one of limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene and δ-3-carene. Such resins having a softening point of 10° C. to 135° C. are useful.

[0109] Terpene-phenol resins can be derived by copolymerization of phenol monomers with terpenes such as limonene, pinene and delta-3-carene.

[0110] Representatives of resins derived from rosin and its derivatives are, for example, gum rosin, wood rosin and tall oil rosin. Gum rosin, wood rosin and tall oil rosin have similar compositions, although the amounts of the components of the rosin may vary. Such resins may be dimerized, polymerized or disproportionated. Such resins may be in the form of esters of rosin acid and polyols such as pentaerythritol or ethylene glycol.

[0111] Styrene / α-methylstyrene resins are considered herein to be (preferably relatively short-chain) copolymers of styrene and α-methylstyrene in a styrene / α-methylstyrene molar ratio of about 0.05 to about 1.50. In one aspect, such resins can be suitably prepared, for example, by cationic copolymerization of styrene and α-methylstyrene in a hydrocarbon solvent. Thus, a contemplated styrene / α-methylstyrene resin can be characterized, for example, by its chemical structure, i.e., its styrene and α-methylstyrene content, and by its glass transition temperature, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution.

[0112] In one embodiment, the resin is partially or fully hydrogenated.

[0113] In one embodiment, the rubber composition includes oil, such as processing oil. Oil can be included in the rubber composition as a filler oil commonly used to fill elastomers. By directly adding oil during rubber compounding, oil can also be included in the rubber composition. The oil used can include the extender oil present in the elastomer, and the (processing) oil added during the compounding process. Suitable oil can include various oils known in the art, including aromatic oils, paraffin oils, naphthenic oils, vegetable oils and low PCA oils, such as MES, TDAE, SRAE and heavy naphthenic oils. Suitable low PCA oils can include those with a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of less than 3 weight % measured by the IP346 method. The procedure of the IP346 method can be found in Standard Methods for Analysis & Testing of Petroleum and Related Products and British Standard 2000 Parts, 2003, the 62nd edition, published by Institute of Petroleum, United Kingdom. Some representative examples of vegetable oils that can be used include soybean oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed (rapeseed) oil, corn oil, coconut oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil and safflower oil. Soybean oil and corn oil are generally preferred vegetable oils. If used, the rubber composition may also include up to 40phr of processing oil, preferably 1phr to 25phr. Or it may be up to 10phr of oil, preferably less than 5phr. According to ASTM E1356 or an equivalent method, the glass transition temperature Tg of the oil is measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at a heating rate of 10°C per minute as the peak midpoint.

[0114] In one embodiment, the rubber composition comprises silica, particularly if it is a tread rubber composition. The silica can be, for example, pyrolyzed / forged or precipitated silica. In a preferred embodiment, precipitated silica is used. Silica can be characterized, for example, by having a BET surface area measured using nitrogen. In one embodiment, the BET surface area can be 40 to 600 square meters per gram. In another embodiment, the BET surface area can be 50 to 300 square meters per gram. The BET surface area is determined according to ASTM D6556 or an equivalent method and is described in Journal of the American Chemical Society, Volume 60, Page 304 (1930). Silica can also be characterized by having a 100 cm 3 / 100g to 400cm 3 / 100g, or 150cm 3 / 100g to 300cm 3The silica can be characterized by the dibutyl phthalate (DBP) absorption value of 1 / 100 g, which is determined according to ASTM D 2414 or an equivalent method. The silica can have an average final particle size of 0.01 to 0.05 microns, for example, as determined by electron microscopy, although the size of the silica particles may be even smaller or may be larger. The silica can be used in a range of, for example, 1 to 200 phr, preferably 10 to 70 phr in this context. Various commercially available silicas can be used, such as, by way of example only and not limitation, silicas commercially available from PPG Industries under the Hi-Sil trademark and with references 210, 315G, EZ160G, etc.; silicas available from Solvay, such as references Z1165MP and Premium200MP, etc.; and silicas available from Evonik AG with references such as VN2 and Ultrasil 6000GR, 9100GR, etc.

[0115] Some non-limiting examples of pre-treated silicas (i.e., silicas that have been pre-surface treated with silanes) that may be used in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to, silicas that have been pre-treated with mercaptosilanes. 255LD and LP (PPG Industries) silica, and as an organosilane bis (triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide (Si69) with The product of the reaction between VN3 and silica 8113 (Degussa), and 6508, from PPG Industries 400 Silica, from PPG Industries 454 Silica and from PPG Industries 458Silicon dioxide.

[0116] In one embodiment, the rubber composition may include carbon black. Representative examples of such carbon black include N110, N121, N134, N220, N231, N234, N242, N293, N299, N315, N326, N330, N332, N339, N343, N347, N351, N358, N375, N539, N550, N582, N630, N642, N650, N683, N754, N762, N765, N774, N787, N907, N908, N990, and N991 grades.

[0117] In one embodiment, the rubber composition may contain a sulfur-containing organosilicon compound or silane. Examples of suitable sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds have the following formula:

[0118] Z-Alk-S n -Alk-Z I

[0119] Where Z is selected from:

[0120]

[0121] Where R 1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cyclohexyl group or a phenyl group; R 2 is an alkoxy group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or a cycloalkoxy group of 5 to 8 carbon atoms; Alk is a divalent hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 2 to 8. In one embodiment, the sulfur-containing organosilicon compound is 3,3'-bis(trimethoxy or triethoxysilylpropyl)polysulfide. In one embodiment, the sulfur-containing organosilicon compound is 3,3'-bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)disulfide and / or 3,3'-bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide. Therefore, for Formula I, Z can be

[0122]

[0123] Where R 2 is an alkoxy group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or 2 carbon atoms; Alk is a divalent hydrocarbon of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or 3 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 2 to 5, or 2 or 4. In another embodiment, suitable sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds include compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,125. In one embodiment, the sulfur-containing organosilicon compound includes 3-(octanoylthio)-1-propyltriethoxysilane CH3(CH2)6C(=O)-S-CH2CH2CH2Si(OCH2CH3)3, which can be used as NXT TM Available from Momentive Performance Materials. In another embodiment, suitable sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 0130535. In one embodiment, the sulfur-containing organosilicon compound is Si-363 from Degussa. The amount of the sulfur-containing organosilicon compound in the rubber composition can vary depending on the level of other additives used. The amount of the compound can be from 0.5phr to 20phr, particularly in the case of tread rubber compositions. In one embodiment, the amount will be from 1phr to 10phr.

[0124] In another embodiment, the rubber composition comprises 0.1 to 5 phr of a cobalt salt, and more preferably 0.2 phr to 2 phr of a cobalt salt. If used for a ply coating compound, this content may be of particular interest because it can improve the adhesion of the rubber coating to the ply or belt material, especially if such material is a metal, preferably a brass coated metal such as steel. However, in another embodiment, the rubber composition may be substantially free of cobalt, for example, comprising less than 0.1 phr of a cobalt salt or 0 phr of a cobalt salt. The cobalt compound will typically be a cobalt salt of a fatty acid or a cobalt salt of an aliphatic or alicyclic carboxylic acid containing 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Some representative examples of cobalt compounds that can be used include cobalt salts, cobalt naphthenate, cobalt linoleate, cobalt stearate, cobalt oleate, cobalt acetate, cobalt neodecanoate, cobalt tallate, cobalt resinate, cobalt pyruvate, or an in-situ salt prepared from cobalt hydroxide and an organic acid such as naphthenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, acetic acid, linoleic acid, etc. The trade name of the additional cobalt compound that can be used is Manobond TM C. Manobond TM C is a cobalt complex containing a boron organic acid manufactured by Manchem Company. TM C is described in British Patent No. 972,804, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0125] It is readily understood by those skilled in the art that the rubber composition can be compounded by methods commonly known in the rubber compounding field, such as mixing various sulfur-vulcanizable component rubbers with various commonly used additive materials, such as sulfur donors, curing aids such as activators and retarders, and processing additives such as oils, resins including tackifying resins and plasticizers, fillers, pigments, fatty acids, zinc oxide, waxes, antioxidants and antiozonants and peptizers. As known to those skilled in the art, according to the intended use of sulfur-vulcanizable and sulfur-vulcanized materials (rubbers), the above-mentioned additives are selected and usually used in conventional amounts. Some representative examples of sulfur donors include elemental sulfur (free sulfur), disulfide amines, polymerized polysulfides and sulfur olefin adducts. In one embodiment, the sulfur vulcanizing agent is elemental sulfur. The sulfur vulcanizing agent can be used, for example, in an amount of 0.5phr to 8phr or 1.5phr to 6phr. If used, the typical amount of tackifying resins includes, for example, 0.5phr to 10phr, typically 1phr to 5phr. If used, the typical amount of processing aids includes, for example, 1phr to 50phr (this can particularly include oil). If used, the typical amount of antioxidants can, for example, include 1phr to 5phr. Representative antioxidants can be, for example, diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, etc., such as those disclosed in The Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook (1978), pages 344 to 346. If used, the typical amount of antiozonants can, for example, include 1phr to 5phr. If used, the typical amount of fatty acids (which can include stearic acid) can, for example, include 0.5phr to 3phr. If used, the typical amount of wax can, for example, include 1phr to 5phr. Microcrystalline wax is generally used. If used, the typical amount of peptizing agents can, for example, include 0.1phr to 1phr. Typical peptizing agents can, for example, include pentachlorothiophenol and dibenzamidodiphenyl disulfide.

[0126] Accelerators can be preferably but not necessarily used to control the time and / or temperature required for vulcanization, and to improve the properties of vulcanized rubber. In one embodiment, a single accelerator system, i.e., a primary accelerator, can be used. (One or more) primary accelerators can be used in a total amount of 0.5phr to 4phr or 0.8phr to 1.5phr. In another embodiment, a combination of a primary accelerator and an auxiliary accelerator can be used, and the auxiliary accelerator is used in a smaller amount, such as 0.05phr to 3phr, to activate and improve the properties of the vulcanized rubber. The combination of these accelerators can be expected to produce a synergistic effect on the final properties, and is slightly better than the effect produced by using any accelerator alone. In addition, a delayed action accelerator can be used, which is not affected by the normal processing temperature, but produces satisfactory solidification at ordinary vulcanization temperatures. Vulcanization retarders can also be used. Accelerators of suitable types that can be used for the present invention are, for example, amines, disulfides, guanidines, thioureas, thiazoles, thiurams, sulfenamides, dithiocarbamates and xanthates. In one embodiment, the primary accelerator is a sulfenamide. If a secondary accelerator is used, the secondary accelerator may be, for example, a guanidine, a dithiocarbamate or a thiuram compound. Suitable guanidines include diphenylguanidine and the like. Suitable thiurams include tetramethylthiuram disulfide, tetraethylthiuram disulfide and tetrabenzylthiuram disulfide.

[0127] The mixing of the rubber composition can be achieved by methods known to those skilled in the art of rubber mixing. For example, the ingredients can be mixed in at least two stages, i.e., at least one non-productive stage and a subsequent productive mixing stage. The final vulcanizing agent comprising a sulphur vulcanizing agent can be mixed in the final stage, which is generally referred to as a "productive" mixing stage, wherein the mixing is generally carried out at a temperature or final temperature lower than the (one or more) mixing temperature of the previous non-productive mixing stage (one or more). The terms "non-productive" and "productive" mixing stages are well known to those skilled in the art of rubber mixing. In one embodiment, the rubber composition can be subjected to a thermomechanical mixing step. The thermomechanical mixing step is generally included in a mechanical process in a mixer or extruder for a period of time, such as being suitable for producing a rubber temperature of 140°C to 190°C. The appropriate duration of thermomechanical processing varies with operating conditions and the volume and properties of the components. For example, thermomechanical processing can be 1 to 20 minutes.

[0128] The vulcanization of the pneumatic tire of the present invention can be carried out, for example, at conventional temperatures of 100° C. to 200° C. In one embodiment, the vulcanization is carried out at a temperature of 110° C. to 180° C. Any conventional vulcanization method can be used, such as heating in a press or mold, heating with superheated steam or hot air. Such tires can be built, shaped, molded and vulcanized by various methods known and obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0129] In a third aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a tyre, preferably using a tyre building drum, wherein the method comprises one or more of the following steps:

[0130] providing an inner liner, optionally carrying a chafer and / or a toe guard, preferably onto a tire building drum;

[0131] applying one or more carcass plies (e.g. to an innerliner), optionally carrying a chafer and / or toe guard;

[0132] Applying two (bead) apexes (preferably to one or more carcass plies);

[0133] applying two beads, or in particular bead rings, and optionally folding one or more carcass plies at least partially around the beads or bead rings;

[0134] applying two sidewalls to the carcass ply or plies, the two sidewalls optionally carrying chafers and / or toe guards;

[0135] applying one or more belt layers (preferably two or more belt layers) to the one or more carcass plies and optionally partially to (the respective axially inner ends of) each sidewall;

[0136] Preferably one or more cover layers or cover layer fabric strips are applied to one or more belt layers;

[0137] applying at least one rubber strip (preferably one or two rubber strips) to at least one of the sidewalls (e.g. extending in the axial direction over its length) and optionally to the chafer and / or toe guard (preferably overlapping the chafer and / or toe guard), the cover layer (if present) and / or at least one belt layer;

[0138] The tread is applied to (the axially inner portion of) at least one rubber strip, preferably such that the axially inner end of the (or each) rubber strip contacts the radially inner end of a tread strip of the tread (preferably extending laterally through the tread from a radially outer tread surface to a radially inner tread surface), wherein the rubber strip optionally extends at least to the radially innermost position of the tire.

[0139] In a fourth aspect of the invention, the invention relates to another method for manufacturing a tire (e.g. using a tire building drum), comprising one or more of the following steps:

[0140] providing an inner liner, optionally carrying a pair of chafers and / or toe guards, for example, onto a tire building drum;

[0141] applying one or more carcass plies, optionally carrying a pair of chafers and / or toe guards (e.g. applied to an innerliner);

[0142] Applying two (bead) apexes (e.g. to one or more carcass plies);

[0143] Applying two beads or bead rings and optionally folding one or more carcass plies around the beads / bead rings;

[0144] Optionally, applying chafer and / or toe guard (e.g., to the folded carcass ply);

[0145] Applying a belt layer (e.g., to one or more carcass plies);

[0146] applying a covering layer;

[0147] applying a rubber strip to one or more carcass plies and optionally to the chafer, and / or cover plies, and / or at least one belt ply;

[0148] applying a tread onto the rubber strip (wherein the tread optionally includes a skirt portion at one or both of its axial ends), preferably such that the axially inner end of the rubber strip contacts the radially inner end of a tread strip of the tread, wherein the tread strip preferably extends transversely through the tread from a radially outer tread surface to a radially inner tread surface;

[0149] The two sidewalls are applied, optionally together with a chafer and / or a toe guard (particularly if not already applied), for example so that each sidewall contacts and / or covers an axially outer end of the tread (optionally including a skirt portion).

[0150] In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to another method of manufacturing a tire, preferably using a tire building drum, wherein the method comprises one or more of the following steps:

[0151] providing an inner liner, optionally carrying a chafer and / or a toe guard, preferably onto a tire building drum;

[0152] applying one or more carcass plies, optionally carrying chafers and / or toe guards (e.g. to an innerliner);

[0153] Applying two (bead) apexes (preferably to one or more carcass plies);

[0154] applying two beads or bead rings and optionally folding one or more carcass plies at least partially around the beads or bead rings;

[0155] applying two sidewalls, optionally together with a chafer and / or a toe guard (one of the sidewalls, and optionally one of the chafer and / or toe guard, optionally formed as an extrusion profile or calendared assembly, wherein the extrusion profile or assembly optionally carries at least one rubber strip) to one or more carcass plies;

[0156] applying one or more belt layers to the one or more carcass plies and optionally partially to (the respective axially inner ends of) each sidewall;

[0157] Preferably one or more cover layers or cover layer fabric strips are applied to one or more belt layers;

[0158] applying at least one rubber strip (preferably one or two rubber strips) to at least one of the sidewalls (e.g. extending in the axial direction over its length on the tire building drum) and optionally to the chafer and / or toe guard (if not already applied to the sidewall, chafer and / or toe guard, such as to a sidewall, chafer and / or toe guard extrudate or calendared assembly), the cover layer (if present) and / or at least one belt layer;

[0159] The tread is applied to (the axially inner portion of) at least one rubber strip, preferably so that the axially inner end of the (or each) rubber strip contacts the radially inner end of a tread strip of the tread (preferably extending laterally through the tread from a radially outer tread surface to a radially inner tread surface), wherein the rubber strip optionally extends at least to the radially innermost position of the tire.

[0160] In one embodiment, the rubber strip is applied to one of: i) the surface of the sidewall and chafer extrusion, or ii) the surface of the calendered sidewall and / or chafer.

[0161] In another embodiment, the belt layer is applied before the rubber strips.

[0162] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip is applied before the belt layer.

[0163] In yet another embodiment, the rubber strip may be formed from at least two overlapping strips, preferably partially overlapping along their length, such as from two adjacent strips.

[0164] In another embodiment, a plurality of rubber strips are applied at preferably substantially equal distances, or in other words at intervals of 0.5 m to 3 m, wherein the rubber strips preferably extend substantially in a direction perpendicular to the extruded profile or calendered sidewall, optionally including chafers and / or toe guards. Thus, the sidewall, optionally including chafers and / or toe guards, can be produced continuously in extrusion or calendering, wherein the rubber strips are applied at a certain distance. An advantage of such an embodiment is that the further manufacture of the tire, for example on a building drum, remains substantially unchanged.

[0165] In one embodiment, the method of the third, fourth or fifth aspect is used to manufacture a tyre according to the first or second aspect, and optionally according to one or more of the embodiments thereof.

[0166] The methods according to the third, fourth and fifth aspects of the invention and the corresponding tires manufactured by such methods may comprise all elements and features of the tires according to other aspects of the invention mentioned herein and one or more of their embodiments. In addition, the features of the various embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other.

[0167] Figure 1 A tire 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The tire 1 has a tread 10, a sidewall 2, a first carcass ply 3, a second carcass ply 4, a first belt layer 5, a second belt layer 6, a bead portion 7, a bead 8, a bead chafer 9, a tread strip 11, a rubber strip 12, an apex 13 and a cover layer 15.

[0168] According to this embodiment of the invention, the tread 10 comprises a single cap tread layer. In particular, it does not comprise a tread base in this example. However, in another embodiment, the tread 10 may comprise a plurality of horizontal tread cap layers, for example two tread cap layers and / or a tread base layer. Preferably, the rubber composition of such layers is non-conductive, or in other words electrically insulating. Non-conductive is understood here as having a conductivity greater than 10 10 Volume resistivity of ohm·cm.

[0169] In order to allow electrical conduction of electric charges through the tread 10, the tread has an electrically conductive tread strip 11 (comprising or consisting of an electrically conductive tread strip rubber composition) extending transversely across the tread 10. Electrically conductive is herein understood to mean having a conductivity of less than 10 8ohm·cm volume resistivity. A conductive strip 11 extending circumferentially around the tire 1 contacts a conductive rubber strip at its radially inner end. In other words, the conductive rubber strip contains or consists of a rubber strip rubber composition, which is conductive. The rubber strip 12 then extends between the tread 10 and the belt 6 from a position contacting the tread strip 11 (as an option, covered here by the covering layer 15) until it reaches the axially outermost portion of the tread 10, where it continues to extend (and is visible) along the axially outer side of the sidewall 2 toward the bead portion 7. In another embodiment (not shown), the rubber strip can also be made of two elements for ease of manufacture. In this non-limiting embodiment, the tire 1 has a chafer 9 in contact with the sidewall 2, wherein the rubber strip 12 continues to advance (and is visible) along the axially outer surface of the chafer 9 to reach the radially innermost position of the tire 1. In this embodiment, the sidewall 2 and the chafer 9 are composed of a non-conductive rubber compound so that the rubber strip 12 allows electrical conduction toward the rim, which corresponds to the tire 1 and on which the tire 1 can be mounted. In other embodiments, the chafer can be made of or include two chafer components, such as a radially upper component and a radially lower component. The radially lower component can be a toe guard. Alternatively, such a chafer can also be described as having a radially upper chafer component and a radially lower chafer component. The conductive rubber strip 12 has a substantially rectangular cross-section with a width of 3.5 cm and a thickness of 0.5 mm in one example. Thus, the rubber strip 12 is quite thin / flat and can be regarded as a design element of the tire in addition to its technical function of providing an electrical path. The rubber strip can also include a surface pattern (at least partially visible on the axial outer surface of the tire) such as stripes, hatching, one or more logos, letters, numbers, bar codes, QR codes and combinations thereof.

[0170] In a preferred embodiment, the rubber composition of the rubber strip 12 has more than 50 phr of carbon black.

[0171] The rubber strip 12 according to the present embodiment comprises 25 phr of natural rubber, 75 phr of polybutadiene, 70 phr of carbon black, 14 phr of oil, 2 phr of stearic acid, 7 phr of antidegradant, 2.5 phr of zinc oxide, 2 phr of sulfur and 1.7 phr of accelerator. The volume resistivity of the rubber composition has been determined to be less than 1×10 5 ohm·cm. In addition, the hysteresis index, tan δ, of the compound has been determined to be about 0.19. The hysteresis index of the compound was determined based on ASTM D5289 or equivalent method at 10% strain, 1 Hz frequency and 100°C temperature using an RPA 2000 from Alpha Technologies. TM The tan δ and G' were measured by a rubber process analyzer.

[0172] Other non-limiting embodiments of such rubber compositions for rubber strip 12 include 20 to 50 phr of natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene, 50 to 80 phr of polybutadiene rubber, 50 to 90 phr (preferably 60 phr or 65 phr to 85 phr or 80 phr) of carbon black. Optionally, such compositions further include one or more of the following: 1 to 25 phr of oil, 3 to 15 phr of antidegradants (preferably 5 to 10 phr of antidegradants, which may optionally include one or more of phenylenediamine, trimethylquinoline and wax), 0.5 to 5 phr of one or more tackifiers (such as phenolic resins), 0.5 to 5 phr of stearic acid, 0.5 to 5 phr of zinc oxide, 0.5 to 5 phr of sulfur, 0.5 to 4 phr of one or more vulcanization accelerators. Although the above compositions provide ranges of amounts of natural rubber / synthetic polyisoprene and polybutadiene rubber, more natural rubber and / or polyisoprene may be used, such as up to 100 phr of such polymers, i.e., no polybutadiene rubber is present. Alternatively, up to 80 phr of polybutadiene rubber and / or optionally up to 50 phr of styrene butadiene rubber may be used.

[0173] Preferably, the carbon black used has a high surface area as measured by iodine absorption as described above. In one example, the carbon black is N234 carbon black having an iodine absorption of 120 g / kg.

[0174] In the present embodiment, the rubber strip 12 is not reinforced, but in different embodiments may be reinforced cords and / or fabrics, for example to further enhance its robustness.

[0175] Considering the low resistivity of the rubber strip 12, a non-conductive sidewall and / or chafer can be used. In one embodiment, the sidewall 2 and / or chafer 8 has a rubber composition comprising 40 phr natural rubber, 60 phr polybutadiene, 40 phr carbon black, 4 phr oil, 1 phr stearic acid, 3 phr tackifier (e.g., phenolic resin), 8 phr anti-degradant, 2 phr zinc oxide, 3.5 phr sulfur, 1 phr accelerator. The volume resistivity of this rubber composition has been determined to be approximately 1.2×10 12 The hysteresis index tangent at 10% strain has been determined to be 0.07, which is significantly lower than the hysteresis of the rubber composition of the rubber strip 12, and in this embodiment, the same composition has been used for the chafer 9. Preferably, the entire tire casing and / or carcass may be non-conductive, for example including the cover layer(s), belts and one or more carcass plies.

[0176] In alternative embodiments, the (non-conductive) sidewall and / or chafer rubber may contain 20 to 50 phr of natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene, 50 to 80 phr of polybutadiene rubber, 0.1 to 45 phr (preferably 1 to 40 phr) of carbon black. Optionally, such compositions further contain one or more of the following: 1 to 10 phr of oil, 3 to 15 phr of antidegradants (preferably 6 to 10 phr of antidegradants), 0.5 to 5 phr of one or more tackifiers (such as phenolic resins), 0.5 to 5 phr of stearic acid, 0.5 to 5 phr of zinc oxide, 0.5 to 5 phr of sulfur, 0.5 to 4 phr of one or more vulcanization accelerators. Although such compositions are preferred, other compositions may also be used. In particular, other amounts of natural rubber, polyisoprene and / or polybutadiene rubber may be used. Optionally, as mentioned above, a certain amount of styrene butadiene rubber may also be added.

[0177] Preferably, according to Figure 1 The tire of the embodiment can be manufactured in a building process, such as on a tire building drum, the building process comprising one or more of the following steps:

[0178] Providing an inner liner, preferably comprising a chafer 9 and / or a toe guard, for example onto a tire building drum;

[0179] Applying one or more carcass plies 3, 4 (e.g. to an innerliner);

[0180] Applying two (bead) apex rubbers 13 (e.g. to one or more carcass plies 3, 4);

[0181] Applying two beads 8 and optionally folding one or more carcass plies 3 , 4 around the beads 8 ;

[0182] applying two sidewalls 2 and optionally a chafer 9, optionally already carrying a rubber strip 12 (whereby the sidewall assembly or the combined sidewall and chafer assembly can be constructed in an earlier step, such as extrusion or calendaring, wherein the rubber strip 12 is already connected to the assembly after the extrusion or calendaring step);

[0183] Applying the belt layers 5, 6 to the carcass ply or plies 3, 4 and optionally partly to the sidewalls 2;

[0184] applying a cover layer 15;

[0185] applying the rubber strip 12 to the sidewall 2 (e.g. in the axial direction) and the chafer 9, the cover layer 15, provided that the sidewall and / or the chafer do not already carry the rubber strip 12;

[0186] The tread 10 is applied onto the rubber strip 12 , preferably such that the axially inner end of the rubber strip 12 contacts the radially inner end of the tread strip 11 of the tread 10 .

[0187] It should be noted that other elements and / or tire components may be provided during the installation process, such as, but not limited to, flippers, chippers, cushions, additional carcass plies, additional belts, additional coverings, covering ply strips, and additional ply strips. In addition, it is also mentioned that a person skilled in the art of tire manufacturing will know how to operate the building drum according to the above steps, including rotation, changes in the axial expansion of the building drum, and / or expansion of the tire during the construction process. In addition, it should be emphasized that not all of the above steps are mandatory. For example, a tire can be built without an overlay.

[0188] exist Figure 1 In the tire 1 of the present invention, a tread 10, or in other words a tread assembly, is applied to a sidewall 2, or in other words a sidewall assembly, which may also be described as a tread-over-sidewall (TOS) construction.

[0189] Now turn to Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the tire 1' has a tread 10', a sidewall 2', a first carcass ply 3', a second carcass ply 4', a first belt layer 5', a second belt layer 6', a bead portion 7', a bead 8', a bead chafer 9', a tread strip 11', a rubber strip 12', an apex 13' and a cover layer 15'. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of these components may be present twice in the tire 1 ', for example on each axial / lateral side of the tire 1 '.

[0190] and Figure 1 Compared with the implementation scheme, Figure 2 The tire 1' has a similar tread construction 10', which includes a tread strip 11', but has a different rubber strip 12', which extends from a radially inner position of the tread strip 11' towards the bead portion 7' ​​axially covered by the sidewall 2'. Thereby, the rubber strip 12' extends along the radial inner side of the tread 10' (here above the covering layer 15'), and further extends along the sidewall 2' and extends below / covered by the sidewall 2' so as to terminate in contact with the bead cover 9', which is also conductive in this embodiment. Thereby, electric charges can be transferred to the conductive rubber strip 12' via the conductive bead cover 9', into the tread strip 11' and to the road. The rubber strip 12' is not visible on the surface of the tire 1'. In addition, its ratio according to Figure 1The rubber strip 12 of the embodiment is short and the tire 1' does not have a conductive tread cap layer and / or a conductive tread base layer. In this embodiment, the tread has a skirt portion 14', but it is optional and not mandatory for this embodiment. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the tire 1' may also be without the skirt portion 14'. Figure 1 In the axial direction a, radial direction r and circumferential direction c are also Figure 2 Shown in.

[0191] The rubber composition of the rubber strip 12' can be Figure 1 This applies to the composition of the sidewall 2', respectively. The chafer 9' may, for example, have an electrically conductive rubber composition that is the same or similar to that of the rubber strips 12, 12'.

[0192] according to Figure 2 The method for constructing a tire may include the following steps:

[0193] Providing an inner liner, preferably comprising a chafer 9' and / or a toe guard, for example onto a tire building drum;

[0194] Applying one or more carcass plies 3', 4' (e.g. onto an innerliner);

[0195] Applying two (bead) apex rubbers 13' (e.g. to one or more carcass plies 3', 4');

[0196] applying two beads 8' and optionally folding one or more carcass plies 3', 4' around the beads 8';

[0197] Optionally applying a chafer 9';

[0198] Applying the belt layer 5 ′, 6 ′ to the carcass ply or plies 3 ′, 4 ′;

[0199] applying a cover layer 15;

[0200] applying a rubber strip 12' to one or more carcass plies 3', 4' and optionally to the chafer 9', the cover 15' and / or to at least one belt ply 5', 6';

[0201] applying the tread 10', optionally including the skirt portion 14', onto the rubber strip 12', preferably so that the axially inner end of the rubber strip 12' contacts the radially inner end of the tread strip 11' of the tread 10';

[0202] The two sidewalls 2 ′ and the optional chafer 9 ′ are applied (particularly if not already applied) such that each sidewall 2 ′ contacts and / or covers an axially outer end of the tread 10 ′ (optionally including the skirt portion 14 ′).

[0203] In tire 1 ', a sidewall 2', or in other words a sidewall assembly, is applied to the axially outer ends of a tread 10', optionally with a skirt 14' portion therebetween, which may also be described as a sidewall-on-tread (SOT) construction.

[0204] Figure 3 A third preferred embodiment according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 Similar to Figure 3 The tire 1" has a tread 10", a sidewall 2", a bead portion 7" each having a bead 8", a bead chafer 9" and a bead apex 13". In addition, the tire 1" has two carcass plies 3", 4", two belt layers 5", 6" and a cover layer 15". Figure 1 Compared to the implementation shown in Figure 3 The tire 1 ″ has a tread 10 ″ including a tread base layer 11 ″′ and a tread cap layer. The tread base layer 11 ″′ includes a tread strip 11 ″, which is formed integrally with the tread base layer 11 ″′ in this example. The tread strip may also be a separate component that physically contacts the tread base layer. The tread base layer 11 ″′ and the tread strip 11 ″ have a thickness of less than 10 8 The rubber strip 12" preferably contacts the tread base layer 11"' in an axially outer portion of the tread base layer 11"' (and radially below the tread base layer 11"') to provide a conductive path from the tread surface intended to contact the road through the tread strip 11", the tread base layer 11"' and into the rubber strip 12". Figure 3 As shown, the rubber strip 12" preferably extends at least partially along the (visible) outer surface of the tire 1" to a radially inner position of the bead portion 7". Figure 3 As shown, the rubber strip 12" extends at least to the radially innermost surface of the tire 1" and / or the chafer 9" (and optional toe guard, not shown here).

[0205] Similar to other embodiments mentioned herein, the conductive rubber strip 12" has a substantially rectangular cross-section, which in one non-limiting example has a width of 3.5 cm (measured in the circumferential direction) and a thickness of 0.5 mm. Thus, the rubber strip 12" is relatively thin / flat.

[0206] Figure 4 A schematic side view is shown Figure 31. The tire 1" is shown having a tread 10" and a rubber strip 12" extending (in a radial direction) from beneath the tread 10" along the sidewall 2" and the chafer 9". Although in this embodiment the rubber strip 12" extends toward the radially innermost position of the tire 1", alternatively the strip may be radially shorter while still in contact with the rim when the tire is mounted on the rim. As a further option, the rubber strip may be provided and / or visible on each (axial) side of the tire (not shown), preferably at the same circumferential position as described above. Two rubber strips may help to provide an even more reliable electrical path between the rim and the road. Although Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 ” but note that the side view of tire 1 will be similar.

[0207] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a tire 1'" is shown in a schematic side view. In this embodiment, the tire 1'" has two rubber strips 12'" (the same or similar to those described in the previous embodiments). In addition, the tire 1'" has a tread 10'", a sidewall 2'" and a bead filler 9'"'. Providing two rubber strips 12'" at relative angular positions on the same (axial) side of the tire 1'" helps to reduce imbalance and / or provide a more reliable electrical path than providing only one rubber strip.

[0208] For better understanding, the electrical path through the tire is shown with the same shading in the figures. However, this does not mean that the components along the path, such as the tread strip, tread base, rubber strip and bead filler, need to have the same rubber composition.

[0209] The present invention provides an advanced electrical path between the bead portion and / or the rim and the tread and / or the road. Such an electrical path can be provided at a limited cost and / or with a limited amount of material. Furthermore, such a tire can be manufactured efficiently. By providing the proposed electrical path between the rim and the tire tread, a tire with reduced rolling resistance can be provided.

[0210] According to the description provided herein, variations of the present invention are possible. Although certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that changes may be made in the specific embodiments described, and these changes will be within the full expected scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a respective bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in a crown region of the tire, wherein the tread comprises a layer having less than 10 8 ohm·cm and extending from the radially outer surface of the tread to a radially inner position of the tread, wherein the radially inner position is radially above the belt layer; and The tire further comprises at least one rubber strip having a thickness of less than 10 8 The volume resistivity is ohm·cm and extends from a radially inner position of the tread along the radially inner side of the tread and along one of the sidewalls toward the corresponding bead portion.

2. The tire of claim 1, wherein the rubber strip extends radially over the radially outermost belt layer over at least 10% of the total axial width of the radially outermost belt layer.

3. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tread strip extends across the tread transversely to the axial direction.

4. The tire of claim 1 , wherein the tread comprises one or more of: i) at least one tread cap layer and a tread base layer, ii) at least one tread cap layer but no tread base layer; and wherein the tread strip extends through the entire thickness of the tread.

5. The tire according to claim 4, wherein, in addition to the tread strip, the tread has a thickness greater than 10 10 Volume resistivity of ohm·cm.

6. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tire is devoid of a tread base layer.

7. The tire of claim 1, wherein one or more of the components of i) the tread strip, ii) the rubber strip, and iii) the bead portion comprises one or more of the following: a) has less than 10 7 A rubber composition having a volume resistivity of ohm·cm; b) a rubber composition comprising more than 50 phr of carbon black; and c) A rubber composition comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of at least 100 g / kg.

8. The tire of claim 4, wherein one or more of i) a tread cap layer, ii) a tread base layer, iii) one or more sidewalls, iv) one or more belt layers, v) a cover layer of the tire, and vi) at least one carcass ply comprises one or more of the following: a) has a value higher than 10 9 A rubber composition having a volume resistivity of ohm·cm; b) a rubber composition having less than 45 phr of carbon black; and c) A rubber composition comprising a carbon black having an iodine absorption of less than 90 g / kg.

9. A tire comprising a tread, a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, wherein each sidewall extends from the tread to a respective bead portion, at least one carcass ply, and one or more belt layers radially arranged between the tread and the at least one carcass ply in a crown region of the tire, wherein the tread comprises a layer having less than 10 8 ohm·cm volume resistivity of the tread base layer, and The tire further comprises at least one rubber strip having a thickness of less than 10 8 The tread base has a volume resistivity of 0.1 ohm·cm and extends from the radially inner side of the tread base along the axially outer surface of the sidewall toward the corresponding bead portion.

10. The tire of claim 9, wherein the tread further comprises at least one tread cap layer, wherein at least one tread cap layer and the sidewall comprise one or more of the following: a) one or more rubber compositions having a 9 Volume resistivity in ohm·cm; b) one or more rubber compositions comprising less than 45 phr of carbon black; and c) One or more rubber compositions comprising carbon black having an iodine absorption of less than 90 g / kg.

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