Elastomer Marking Durability via Raised Area and Laser Engraving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating markings on elastomeric products, such as tire sidewalls, face challenges with durability and detectability, especially with thin sidewall thicknesses, as they either lead to layer detachment or material thinning that can cause cracking.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a raised area on the elastomeric product with a depression of greater depth than the raised area, achieved through laser engraving, ensuring sufficient material thickness for durability and detectability, while maintaining a small overall layer thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If material is removed by laser engraving to create a marking with sufficient depth for detectability, then the detectability and brightness difference of the marking is improved, but the material thickness between reinforcements and the depression base is reduced, leading to potential cracking and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a raised area that protrudes from the surface, creating a three-dimensional structure. By forming a depression within this raised area rather than directly on the original surface, the marking achieves sufficient depth for detectability while the raised area provides additional material thickness to prevent cracking and improve durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised area is formed as a preliminary structure before the depression is created. This preliminary action of building up material in the marking region ensures that when the depression is later formed to the required depth, sufficient material remains between the depression base and the reinforcements to prevent cracking.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sidewall thickness is reduced to improve rolling resistance and meet thin gauge trends, then the rolling resistance is improved, but the material thickness becomes insufficient to accommodate deep enough markings without causing cracking
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall sidewall thickness, the patent creates a localized raised area that protrudes from the surface. This dimensional approach allows the marking to be formed with sufficient depth within the raised area while maintaining the overall thin sidewall design for reduced rolling resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised area creates a localized region with increased material thickness specifically where the marking is needed. This local quality change allows the marking to be formed with sufficient depth without increasing the overall sidewall thickness, thus maintaining low rolling resistance while ensuring durability at the marking location.
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
This approach enhances the durability and detectability of markings on elastomeric products, particularly tires, by maintaining a sufficient material thickness between reinforcements and the depression, even with thin sidewall designs, and allows for precise and automated positioning of the markings.
Implementation Method 1
material removal, preferably material removal by means of laser engraving by irradiating the layer surface with laser light
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elastomer product (1), in particular a vehicle pneumatic tire (2), comprising a reinforcing layer (2) with reinforcing elements (3), wherein a layer (5) comprising elastomeric material is arranged on a first side (4) of the reinforcing layer (2) adjacent to the reinforcing elements (3), wherein the layer (5) has a surface (6) facing away from the reinforcing layer (2), which forms part of the surface of the elastomer product (1), and wherein the surface (6) has a marking area (7) with at least one depression (8) of a depth T. The object is to provide an elastomer product with a marking that exhibits improved durability at a low thickness.This is achieved by having the layer surface (6) have a raised area (9) by a height B, by arranging the marking area (7) within the raised area (9), and by making the depth T of the at least one depression (8) greater, preferably by 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm, and particularly preferably by 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, than the height B of the raised area (9). The invention further relates to a manufacturing method wherein the depression (8) is produced by material removal.