Carbon Black Reinforced Polyurethane Tire Cut Growth Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyurethane-based vehicular tires lack sufficient resistance to cut growth propagation due to inadequate reinforcement from rubber reinforcing carbon black, as the low shear mixing conditions during polyurethane reaction do not effectively break down compacted carbon black pellets into small aggregates, and moisture on the carbon black surface interferes with chemical interaction with isocyanate groups.

Innovation Solution

Pulverizing compacted rubber reinforcing carbon black into small granules and mixing them with a desiccant like molecular sieves to reduce moisture, then incorporating these granules into the polyurethane reaction mixture to create chemically interactive reinforcement, enhancing the polyurethane's physical properties through covalent linkages and improved dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If compacted carbon black pellets are used for reinforcement, then reinforcement capability is improved, but mixing effectiveness deteriorates under low shear conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut growth propagation resistanceVSAvoidcarbon black dispersion quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the compacted carbon black pellets into smaller granules through pulverization before mixing. This segmentation allows the carbon black to disperse more effectively in the polyurethane reaction mixture under low shear conditions while maintaining the reinforcement capability provided by the carbon black structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-pulverizing the carbon black pellets into smaller granules before incorporating them into the polyurethane reaction mixture. This preliminary size reduction ensures that the carbon black is ready for effective dispersion and chemical interaction during the low shear mixing process, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reinforcement and achieving proper dispersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If compacted carbon black pellets are used, then reinforcement is improved, but moisture interference worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut growth propagation resistanceVSAvoidmoisture interference with isocyanate reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-drying the pulverized carbon black granules to remove surface moisture before incorporating them into the polyurethane reaction mixture. This preliminary moisture removal prevents interference with the isocyanate groups during the reaction process while maintaining the reinforcement benefits of the carbon black.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful moisture from the carbon black surface through drying processes before use. This extraction of the harmful element (moisture) allows the carbon black to provide reinforcement without interfering with the isocyanate-polyol reaction, resolving the contradiction between reinforcement and moisture interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If low shear mixing is used for polyurethane reaction, then process simplicity is improved, but carbon black breakdown effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing process simplicityVSAvoidcarbon black aggregate size reduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pulverizing the carbon black pellets into smaller granules before mixing, so that the low shear mixing conditions sufficient for polyurethane reaction also effectively disperse the pre-sized carbon black granules. This preliminary size reduction allows the simple low shear mixing process to achieve both polyurethane formation and carbon black dispersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the carbon black into smaller granules beforehand, which allows the low shear mixing process to effectively disperse them without requiring high shear forces. This segmentation adapts the carbon black form to match the capabilities of the simple low shear mixing process, resolving the contradiction between process simplicity and dispersion effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of pulverized carbon black granules with molecular sieves in the polyurethane reaction mixture significantly enhances the tire's resistance to cut growth propagation, as evident from increased Ross flex values, tensile strength, and tear resistance, while maintaining consistent Shore A hardness, indicating improved dynamic performance.

Implementation Method 1

containing a dispersion of molecular sieve desiccant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

create covalent linkages between the carbon black and isocyanate of the polyurethane reaction mixture, perhaps also in a sense of crosslinking

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9815962B2Tire with carbon black reinforced polyurethane
Publication Date: 2017.11.14 THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO

AI summary

This invention relates to a vehicular tire containing at least one carbon black reinforced polyurethane component.