Foam Tire Composition Using Olefin Block Copolymer Blend
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire technologies face issues such as punctures, air leakage, excessive weight, lack of elasticity, hydrolysis, poor durability, low grip forces, and temperature sensitivity, particularly in ethylene copolymer foam tires used for vehicles like baby carriages and children's bicycles.
Innovation Solution
A composition for foam tires comprising a blend of olefin block copolymer and rubber as a polymer matrix, combined with a crosslinking agent and a foaming agent, processed through injection molding and foaming, to produce a tire with high temperature resistance, improved grip force, and elasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If ethylene copolymer foam is used for tire material, then weight is reduced and cushioning is improved, but grip force decreases and temperature resistance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system combining ethylene copolymer foam with specific additives including silane-modified polymers, crosslinking agents, and fillers. This composite approach allows the tire to maintain the lightweight advantage of foam while gaining temperature resistance through the synergistic effects of the composite components, particularly the crosslinked network structure that stabilizes the material at high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure and physical properties of the foam material through controlled crosslinking density, foam cell structure parameters, and compositional ratios. By adjusting crosslinking degree and foam density parameters, the material achieves both lightweight properties and improved high-temperature stability, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and temperature resistance.
2Weight of moving object
If ethylene copolymer foam is used for tire material, then weight is reduced, but grip force and braking performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the tire structure. The surface layer is formulated with specific compositional ratios and crosslinking densities to optimize grip force and friction characteristics, while the inner foam structure maintains lightweight properties. This spatial differentiation of material properties allows the tire to be lightweight overall while having high-grip surfaces for improved braking performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional foam materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but durability and elasticity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical crosslinking methods with chemical crosslinking through silane modification and peroxide crosslinking agents. This substitution enables better elastic recovery and durability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The chemical crosslinks provide permanent structural integrity that mechanical bonding cannot achieve, significantly improving durability without prohibitively increasing manufacturing complexity.
4Reliability
If solid rubber tires are used, then puncture resistance is improved, but weight increases and cushioning is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous foam materials with controlled cell structures to achieve a balance between puncture resistance and weight reduction. The foam matrix provides puncture protection through its structural integrity and elastic recovery, while the porous structure maintains low density for weight reduction. The crosslinked network within the foam further enhances puncture resistance without significantly increasing weight, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
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 results in a tire that maintains hardness and elasticity even at high temperatures, offering enhanced grip force and suitability for various vehicles, while reducing weight and improving durability compared to existing foam tire technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a crosslinking agent
Implementation Method 2
a foaming agent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a composition for a foam tire. The composition includes 100 parts by weight of a blend of an olefin block copolymer and a rubber as a polymer matrix, 0.02 to 4 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent, and 1 to 6 parts by weight of a foaming agent. The olefin block copolymer and the rubber are present in amounts of 50 to 80% by weight and 20 to 50% by weight, respectively, based on the total weight of the polymer matrix.