Tire Tread Composition Using Dandelion Rubber for Uniform Kneading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber tends to have large molecular weight, making it difficult to knead uniformly with other rubber components, leading to poor dispersibility of fillers and reduced mechanical strength, which in turn decreases abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency of tires.

Innovation Solution

A tire composition using a rubber component that includes Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber and butadiene rubber, with an average domain width of 370 nm or less, as measured by atomic force microscopy, to improve uniformity and filler dispersibility, enhancing abrasion resistance and fuel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber with large molecular weight is used, then the supply stability is improved and price stability is achieved, but the kneadability with other rubber components deteriorates and filler dispersibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply stabilityVSAvoidkneadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber by selecting rubber with weight-average molecular weight of 3,000,000 or less, which improves kneadability while maintaining supply stability benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber with large molecular weight is used, then the supply stability is improved, but the mechanical strength of the rubber composition decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply stabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter to 3,000,000 or less, which balances mechanical strength requirements with the supply stability advantages of Russian dandelion-derived rubber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite rubber composition combining Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber with other rubber components in specific ratios, achieving both mechanical strength and supply stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber with large molecular weight is used, then the supply stability is improved, but the abrasion resistance of the tire decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply stabilityVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the weight-average molecular weight at 3,000,000 or less to ensure proper filler dispersibility and rubber composition homogeneity, which maintains abrasion resistance while utilizing Russian dandelion-derived rubber for supply stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intensive kneading processes to achieve uniform dispersion of fillers and rubber components, ensuring abrasion resistance despite using Russian dandelion-derived rubber with potentially varying molecular characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Stability of the object's composition

If Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber with large molecular weight is used, then the supply stability is improved, but the fuel efficiency of the tire decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply stabilityVSAvoidfuel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter to minimize hysteresis loss and energy dissipation, achieving fuel efficiency while maintaining supply stability benefits of Russian dandelion-derived rubber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4406758A1tire
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4406758A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4406758A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4406758A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire composed of a rubber composition comprising a Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber, the tire having improved overall performance of fuel efficiency and abrasion resistance. Provided is a tire comprising a tread part, wherein the tread part is composed of a rubber composition comprising a rubber component, wherein the rubber component comprises a Russian dandelion-derived natural rubber and a butadiene rubber, and wherein an average domain width D, which is measured by ternarizing an image of the butadiene rubber obtained using an atomic force microscope (AFM), is 370 nm or less.