High-Vinyl Tire Rubber Composition for Long-Term Fuel Economy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire rubber compositions fail to effectively maintain fuel economy and abrasion resistance over time, indicating a need for improved durability and performance.

Innovation Solution

A tire rubber composition comprising styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene with a vinyl content of 53 mol % or higher, combined with fillers and vulcanizing agents, specifically utilizing high vinyl content to reduce molecular chain breakage and enhance binding sites for silica-coupling agents, thereby improving fuel economy and abrasion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rubber compositions are used, then initial fuel economy and abrasion resistance are achieved, but fuel economy and abrasion resistance deteriorate over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel economy retentionVSAvoidtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber, specifically using a vinyl content of 53 mol% or higher based on butadiene-based structural units, and combining SBR and polybutadiene in a specific ratio (90% by mass or more). This parameter optimization reduces molecular chain breakage and maintains fuel economy retention over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite rubber system by combining styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene in specific proportions, along with silica fillers and coupling agents. This composite structure provides both initial performance and long-term stability, preventing deterioration of fuel economy and abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If conventional rubber compositions are used, then initial abrasion resistance is achieved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidtime
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the vinyl content parameter to 53 mol% or higher and controls the ratio of SBR to polybutadiene (90% by mass or more), which enhances the molecular structure's resistance to breakage. This maintains abrasion resistance over extended periods while preserving initial strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of focusing on adding more reinforcing agents to improve initial abrasion resistance, the patent inverts the approach by optimizing the base rubber composition's vinyl content and structure. This fundamental change in composition provides inherent long-term abrasion resistance without relying solely on filler loading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If high vinyl content rubber is used, then fuel economy retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel economy retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a vinyl content of 53 mol% or higher based on butadiene-based structural units, which can be achieved through controlled polymerization processes. While this requires precise parameter control, it avoids the need for complex multi-component systems, thereby balancing manufacturing feasibility with performance improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If specific rubber composition ratios are used, then abrasion resistance retention is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistance retentionVSAvoidcomposition precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines a specific composition ratio where SBR and polybutadiene together constitute 90% by mass or more of the rubber components, with vinyl content of 53 mol% or higher. These clearly defined parameters provide a target for manufacturing while allowing some flexibility in the remaining 10% for other rubber components, balancing precision requirements with performance benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 tire rubber composition significantly reduces deterioration of fuel economy and abrasion resistance over time, achieving improved performance through enhanced molecular stability and silica-coupling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

having a vinyl content of 53 mol % or higher based on 100 mol % of a combined amount of butadiene-based structural units in a butadiene portion of the styrene-butadiene rubber and the polybutadiene... excellent ability to reduce deterioration of fuel economy and abrasion resistance over time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular chain stability:

Implementation Method 2

enhance binding sites for silica-coupling agents, thereby improving fuel economy and abrasion resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11772422B2Tire rubber composition and tire
Publication Date: 2023.10.03 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure aims to provide a tire rubber composition and a tire which have an excellent ability to reduce deterioration of fuel economy and abrasion resistance over time. The present disclosure relates to a tire rubber composition which contains one or more rubber components having a combined content of styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene of 90% by mass or more, one or more fillers, and one or more vulcanizing agents, the rubber composition as a whole having a vinyl content of 53 mol % or higher based on 100 mol % of the combined amount of the butadiene-based structural units in the butadiene portion of the styrene-butadiene rubber and the polybutadiene.