Colored Tire Sidewall Composition Without Barrier Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tire decorative elements face issues such as discoloration, poor adhesion, scratching, and increased manufacturing complexity due to the migration of staining agents and the use of barrier layers, which affect the durability and productivity of tire production.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring a colored decorative element with a thickness of at least 200 μm, made from a cross-linkable elastomeric composition comprising diene elastomeric polymer, reinforcement filler, and an ozone protection system, applied directly to the tire sidewall and co-vulcanised with the tire during the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier layer comprising halogenated rubbers is used to prevent discoloration, then discoloration resistance is improved, but adhesion between the colored composition and the tyre surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the barrier layer (halogenated rubber layer) that was previously used to prevent discoloration. Instead, it uses a specially formulated elastomeric composition containing non-staining antioxidants and anti-ozonants that directly prevent discoloration without requiring a separate barrier layer, thus eliminating the adhesion problem while maintaining discoloration resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the elastomeric material by incorporating specific non-staining antioxidants (such as hindered phenols) and anti-ozonants (such as ethylene bis stearamide) that provide discoloration protection without the staining effects of traditional aromatic amine-based additives, allowing direct application to the tyre surface without barrier layers
2Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive labels are applied to the sidewall after vulcanisation, then decorative elements can be added, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional cleaning and gluing stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the decorative element application with the tyre vulcanisation process by incorporating the elastomeric composition with colored pigments directly into the tyre building process. The decorative elements are formed simultaneously with the tyre structure during vulcanisation, eliminating the need for separate cleaning and gluing stations required by post-vulcanisation label application methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by applying and vulcanising the elastomeric composition containing decorative elements during the tyre building process before the tyre is completed. This allows the decorative elements to be integrated into the tyre structure in advance, avoiding the need for subsequent complex application processes
3Loss of substance
If the decorative element layer is made thin to reduce material usage, then material consumption decreases, but resistance to scratching and abrasion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating an elastomeric composition that combines colored pigments with reinforcing fillers (such as carbon black, silica, or calcium carbonate) and protective additives. This composite structure provides both color and enhanced mechanical properties including abrasion and scratch resistance, allowing the use of sufficiently thick layers for durability while optimizing material consumption through efficient filler utilization
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 solution provides excellent adhesion, resistance to abrasion and impact, prevents discoloration, and simplifies the manufacturing process by integrating the decorative element directly into the tire production, enhancing durability and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
co-vulcanising said layer together with said green tyre
Implementation Method 2
an ozone protection system
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a tyre comprising a carcass structure, a tread band, a pair of sidewalls and at least one colored decorative element having a thickness equal to or greater than 200 μm applied by co-vulcanization on at least one side of the pair of sidewalls, wherein the pair of sidewalls comprises an elastomeric composition comprising (i) at least one diene elastomeric polymer, and (ii) an ozone protection system, and the at least one colored decorative element is made with a cross-linkable elastomeric composition comprising (i) 100 phr of elastomeric polymer comprising 30 phr to 70 phr of natural and/or synthetic isoprene rubber, and 30 phr to 70 phr of a rubber chosen from butyl rubber, halobutyl rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) 5 phr to 120 phr of at least one reinforcement filler.