Vehicle tyre with polymer-based tyre sealant and use of tyre sealant in vehicle tyre

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle tire having a polymer-based tire sealant applied to the inside of the vehicle tire wherein the average layer thickness of the applied tire sealant is greater than 4 mm. The invention also relates to the use of such a polymer-based tire sealant in vehicle tires.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle tire comprising a polymer-based tire sealant according to the preamble of claim 1, and to the use of such a tire sealant in a vehicle tire according to claim 7. Background Technology

[0002] Prior art discloses polymer-based tire sealants. For example, DE102007023094B4 discloses a method for producing tires with polymer-based sealants, wherein a high-viscosity first sealant component is mixed with at least one second sealant component to form a tire sealant, the high-viscosity first sealant component comprising a rubber component either unmixed or mixed with at least one other rubber component, and a mixture component free of solvents and activators, the at least one second sealant component comprising a separately produced low-viscosity medium containing at least one activator, a crosslinking reaction occurring during the process, associated with the tire sealant subsequently penetrating the inner side of the tire.

[0003] What is unknown in the prior art is the use of this tire sealant for tires with a high load index, particularly Class C tires (commercial tires), such as van tires and light truck tires. Vans are known in the prior art and, more broadly, are referred to as vehicles with high bodies, high-roof station wagons, and minibuses. Light trucks are also known in the prior art. It is also unknown to use this tire sealant for Class D, Class E, and Class F tires. Class C, D, E, and F tires have a higher load capacity than Class P (passenger car) tires and therefore require a reinforced structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of this invention is to provide a vehicle tire, preferably a type C, D, E, or F tire, particularly a vehicle tire with a load index of at least 86, which is preferably used for vans or light trucks and has improved sealing performance. Another object of this invention is to improve the driving safety of motor vehicles equipped with vehicle tires (preferably type C, D, E, or F tires, preferably vehicle tires with a load index of at least 86).

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by a vehicle tire having the features of claim 1. The object of the present invention is also achieved by the use of such a tire having the features of claim 7.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a vehicle tire having a polymer-based tire sealant applied to the inside of the vehicle tire, wherein the average layer thickness of the applied tire sealant is greater than 4 mm.

[0007] It has been unexpectedly discovered that the use of polymer-based tire sealants in the vehicle tires of the present invention, particularly in vehicle tires with a load index of at least 86, improves sealing performance. Furthermore, such vehicle tires are advantageous for use in vans and / or light trucks, improving driving safety.

[0008] The average ply density of this invention is an average result over the entire inner area of ​​the vehicle tire where the tire sealant is applied. For example, ply thickness can be detected by analyzing X-ray images of the vehicle tire. Detailed Implementation

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle tire comprises a polymer-based tire sealant, which is produced, in particular, by the method described in DE102007023094B, in which the tire sealant is produced by a method for producing the tire sealant as follows: wherein a high-viscosity first sealant component is mixed with at least one second sealant component to form the tire sealant, the high-viscosity first sealant component comprising a rubber component unmixed or mixed with at least one other rubber component, and a mixture component free of solvent and activator, the at least one second sealant component comprising a separately produced low-viscosity medium containing at least one activator, a crosslinking reaction occurs in the process, and associatedly, the tire sealant subsequently enters the inner side of the tire, characterized by at least the following method steps:

[0010] – The first sealant component was prepared using a twin-screw extruder;

[0011] – The second sealant component is produced separately in the mixing system;

[0012] – The first sealant component and the second sealant component are supplied separately to the metering device by pumping, wherein the first sealant component is pumped and metered by a diaphragm dispenser, and the second sealant component is pumped and metered by means of a diaphragm dispenser;

[0013] – The high-viscosity first sealant component is then mixed with the low-viscosity second sealant component in a mixing device to form a tire sealant;

[0014] – Then preheat the tire before it comes into contact with the tire sealant. This will accelerate the cross-linking reaction of the tire sealant and thus accelerate the full reaction of the tire sealant.

[0015] – Then, tire sealant is introduced into the interior of the rotating tire. The introduction of tire sealant causes an annular bead to be laid in the tire, which covers the inner side of the tire to be covered by means of a coil pattern.

[0016] – Finally, the tire sealant is cured, achieving a sealing effect.

[0017] Advantageously, the use of this tire sealant in vehicle tires with a load index of at least 86 improves driving safety for vans and light trucks.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the layer thickness of the tire sealant is in the range of 4 mm to 8 mm, preferably in the range of 4.5 mm to 8 mm, and more preferably in the range of 5 mm to 8 mm. A surprising key aspect is that this layer thickness improves the sealing performance of vehicle tires, especially those with a load index of at least 86. Also preferably, the vehicle tire has a layer thickness of at least 4.5 mm or at least 5 mm. A layer thickness of at least 4.5 mm or at least 5 mm is advantageous for type C, type D, type E, or type F tires. It has been found that a larger layer thickness is beneficial for improving the sealing performance of these tires.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the tan d of the tire sealant at 100°C is in the range of 0.2 to 0.9, particularly in the range of 0.4 to 0.6. It has been found advantageous that tire sealants having the density of the invention are beneficial for vehicle tires with a load index of at least 86 and improve vehicle safety.

[0020] tan d was measured using a rheometer (such as the HAAKERheoStress 6000 from Thermo Scientific) or verified by cross-checking via MSE CME. Measurements were performed using the following parameters: normal force F 1700 N, temperature 100°C, shear stress 200 Pa, and frequency 10.00–0.01 Hz.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the creep of the tire sealant is in the range of 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm, particularly in the range of 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Advantageously, tire sealants with this creep result in significantly better sealing performance of vehicle tires, especially those with a load index of at least 86.

[0022] The following apparatus was used to measure the vertical creep of tire sealant after vulcanization: a 10 mm diameter punch, millimeter paper approximately 100 mm x 150 mm in diameter, a precision balance accurate to ±0.01 g, a camera, a 400 ml low-profile beaker, a stopwatch, and a 125°C drying oven. The procedure included the following steps: punching out a 10 mm diameter sample piece using the punch; tare the balance in the presence of the millimeter paper; placing the sample on the upper third of the millimeter paper and weighing it. The sample weight must be within the specified tolerance of ±0.05; photographing the sample on the millimeter paper; placing the millimeter paper in a 400 ml beaker with the sample side up and heating it in a 125°C drying oven for 30 minutes, then checking the flow characteristics; photographing the sample again after heating.

[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle tire has a load index of at least 86, preferably at least 90, more preferably at least 95, and most preferably at least 100. Specifically, tires with labels selected from the group consisting of C, D, E, and F labels have such a load index; these tires are also referred to as type C tires, type D tires, type E tires, or type F tires. Vehicle tires with the C label are primarily used for commercial vehicles. They are standardized according to ECE R 54 and differ from passenger car tires. For example, the letter C stands for commercial and is an indication of a reinforced carcass structure; both the carcass and belt layers have a particularly robust design. Preferably, such a belt layer construction has 2+2x0.32 HT, but other belt layer constructions are also conceivable. The use of the aforementioned tire sealant in these vehicle tires results in better sealing performance. Such tires are manufactured with multi-layer tire substructures and are used in trucks, vans, off-road vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, and in some cases, SUVs. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the vehicle tire has a load index in the range of 86 to 131, preferably in the range of 90 to 131, and more preferably in the range of 95 to 131. Advantageously, vehicle tires including such a tire sealant are advantageous for tires with relatively high load indices, as this exhibits improved sealing. Type C tires have a ply rating of 6 PR, Type D tires have a ply rating of 8 PR, Type E tires have a ply rating of 10 PR, and Type F tires have a ply rating of 12 PR. The ply rating is an indicator of the tire's load-carrying capacity.

[0024] This invention further relates to the use of a polymer-based tire sealant for the described vehicle tires, wherein the vehicle tires have an internal pressure in the range of 375 kPa to 575 kPa, and wherein the vehicle tires preferably have a load index of at least 86. It has been found that the use of this tire sealant in such vehicle tires is beneficial for improving vehicle safety. The internal pressure of the vehicle tire can preferably be associated with the ply rating. For example, the internal pressure of a 6 PR tire is approximately 375 kPa. The internal pressure of an 8 PR tire is approximately 475 kPa, and the internal pressure of a 10 PR tire is approximately 575 kPa. Preferably, the vehicle tires having the polymer-based tire sealant are tires labeled in the range between 6 PR and 10 PR.

[0025] Further benefits and features of the vehicle tire and its use according to the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims relating to advantageous configurations of the invention, and therefore should not be construed as limiting. The invention also covers combinations of features of technically possible different dependent claims, even if these dependent claims are unrelated to each other or belong to different claim classes. Furthermore, preferred and particularly preferred embodiments may be combined with each other, provided it is technically feasible.

Claims

1. A vehicle tire having a polymer-based tire sealant, the polymer-based tire sealant being applied to the inside of the vehicle tire, Its features are, The average layer thickness of the applied tire sealant is greater than 4 mm.

2. The vehicle tire as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the tire sealant layer is in the range of 4 mm to 8 mm, preferably in the range of 4.5 mm to 8 mm, and more preferably in the range of 5 mm to 8 mm.

3. The vehicle tire as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The tan d of this tire sealant at 100°C is in the range of 0.2 to 0.9, and particularly in the range of 0.4 to 0.

6.

4. The vehicle tire as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The creep of this tire sealant ranges from 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm, and particularly from 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm.

5. The vehicle tire as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The vehicle tires have a load index of at least 86, preferably at least 90, more preferably at least 95, and most preferably at least 100.

6. The vehicle tire as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The vehicle tires are selected from at least one of the following groups: C-type tires, D-type tires, E-type tires, and F-type tires.

7. Use of a polymer-based tire sealant for use in vehicle tires as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein, The vehicle tire has an internal pressure in the range of 375 kPa to 575 kPa, wherein the vehicle tire preferably has a load index of at least 86.