Conductive Strip for Pneumatic Tire Static Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires accumulate static electricity due to internal friction, which can interfere with vehicle electronics and pose safety risks, and existing conductive materials are costly and require tire design modifications.
Innovation Solution
An electrical conductive strip made of conductive materials is applied to the outer surface of the tire, extending from one bead portion to the other, in contact with the sidewalls, tread, and rim, providing a path for static discharge to the ground without requiring significant manufacturing changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive materials are incorporated into tire components, then static electricity discharge is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive path is segmented into multiple components: conductive bead portions at the tire beads, conductive sidewall portions extending upward, and conductive tread portions at the ground contact surface. This segmentation allows the conductive function to be distributed across existing tire structures rather than requiring a complete redesign of the tire as a single integrated conductive component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conductive additives (such as carbon black or metal particles) as intermediary materials that bridge the electrical connection between the tire components and the ground. These additives are incorporated into the rubber compounds of the bead, sidewall, and tread portions, enabling static electricity discharge without requiring fundamental changes to tire design or manufacturing equipment.
2Reliability
If conductive materials are incorporated into tire components, then static electricity discharge is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrical conductivity parameter of existing tire components by incorporating conductive additives into the rubber compounds. Instead of using expensive bulk conductive materials throughout the entire tire, the invention adjusts the conductivity parameter locally at critical points (bead, sidewall, tread) by adding small amounts of conductive fillers such as carbon black or metal particles, thereby achieving static discharge functionality at lower cost.
3Reliability
If tire design modifications are implemented for electrical resistivity, then static electricity discharge is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive properties are built into the tire components during the original manufacturing process rather than requiring subsequent modifications. The conductive additives are mixed into the rubber compounds before molding, and the conductive bead, sidewall, and tread portions are formed simultaneously with the rest of the tire in standard tire manufacturing equipment, eliminating the need for separate post-manufacturing steps.
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 conductive strip effectively reduces static electricity buildup, enhancing safety and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for tire design modifications and equipment upgrades.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical conductive strip that continuously extends around an outer surface of the pneumatic tire from the first bead portion to the second bead portion, the electrical conductive strip being in contact with the outer surface of the first and second sidewalls, the first and second bead portions and the tread portion
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic tire is described as having one or more electrical conductive strips for discharging electrical build up in the tire. The electrical conductive strips provide a static electricity conductive path from the tire rim to a ground-contacting surface. The strips are arranged around the outer surface of the tire from a first bead portion to a second bead portion. The strips can lay over the outer surface of the sidewalls and the tire tread. As positioned over the tire tread, a portion of the electrical conductive strip remains in contact with the ground as the tread wears during use to provide continued dissipation of static electricity away from the tire.