Inner Liner Polymer Coating for Tire Curing and Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing tires face challenges in preventing the sticking of the inner liner to the bladder during curing, while also ensuring proper adhesion of components installed radially inward of the inner liner after the tire is cured.

Innovation Solution

A polymer-containing coating is applied to the radially inward-facing surface of the cured inner liner, using a coating composition that includes a silyl-terminated polymer, optional plasticizers, tackifiers, adhesion promoters, moisture scavengers, catalysts, and antioxidants. This coating enhances the adhesion of components installed radially inward of the inner liner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polysiloxane-containing release is applied to the lower surface of the inner liner to prevent sticking to the bladder during curing, then the inner liner does not stick to the bladder, but the release agent remains on the cured inner liner surface and inhibits adhesion of other materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of stickingVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A release agent is applied to the lower surface of the inner liner before curing to prevent sticking to the bladder. After curing, the release agent remains on the surface and prevents adhesion of subsequently installed components. This preliminary action (applying release agent) solves the sticking problem but creates the adhesion problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by incorporating specific polymers (polyester, polyurethane, acrylic), plasticizers, tackifiers, and adhesion promoters. These parameter changes transform the coating from a simple release agent layer to a multi-functional layer that can provide both release during curing and adhesion for subsequent components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If no polysiloxane-containing release is applied to the inner liner, then the adhesion surface remains clean for subsequent component installation, but the inner liner may stick to the bladder during curing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidprevention of sticking

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides release properties during curing (preventing sticking to the bladder) and adhesion properties for subsequent components. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between needing a clean adhesion surface and preventing sticking during curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite coating system combining multiple material types: polymers (polyester, polyurethane, acrylic), plasticizers, tackifiers, adhesion promoters, and optionally polysiloxane release agents. This composite material approach allows simultaneous achievement of release and adhesion properties that single materials cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If a coating composition with multiple ingredients is applied to the inner liner surface, then adhesion of radially inward components is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidcoating process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional ingredients (polymers, plasticizers, tackifiers, adhesion promoters, release agents) are merged into a single coating composition that can be applied in one step. This combining approach reduces the number of separate coating operations needed while maintaining the complex functional properties required for both release and adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 polymer-containing coating effectively prevents the sticking of the inner liner to the bladder during curing and ensures strong adhesion of components installed radially inward of the inner liner, improving the overall manufacturing process and tire performance.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer-containing coating effectively prevents the sticking of the inner liner to the bladder during curing and ensures strong adhesion of components installed radially inward of the inner liner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12285923B2Methods for producing polymer-containing coatings upon cured inner liners, methods for producing tires containing such inner liners, and tires containing such inner liners

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Methods for producing a polymer-containing coating upon a cured tire inner liner using a coating composition of specified composition are provided. Also provided are methods for producing a tire comprising a cured inner liner (with a polymer-containing coating upon its radially inward-facing surface) and at least one component positioned radially inward of the cured inner liner. Tires containing a cured inner liner (with a polymer-containing coating upon its radially inward-facing surface) and at least one component positioned radially inward of the cured inner liner are also disclosed.