Lightweight Tread Rubber Composition for Wet Grip Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light-weight tires with reduced rubber volume face challenges in achieving improved wet grip performance.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with a tread comprising a rubber composition that has a specific ratio of tire weight to maximum load capability, tan δ, and complex modulus, ensuring tan δ is over 0.15 and complex modulus is less than 8.0 MPa, with a reinforcing filler composition that includes silica and a carbon black to silica ratio of 0.21 or less, to enhance wet grip performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the rubber volume is reduced to achieve a light weight tire, then the tire weight decreases and fuel efficiency improves, but the wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the rubber composition, specifically controlling tan δ at 30°C to be 0.15 or more and complex modulus E*30 to be 8.0 MPa or less. These parameter adjustments optimize the rubber's viscoelastic properties to improve wet grip performance while maintaining the reduced rubber volume for light weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition containing specific rubber components (natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber) combined with reinforcing fillers (silica, carbon black) in controlled ratios. This composite structure achieves the desired balance between weight reduction and wet grip performance enhancement.
2Weight of moving object
If the tire weight is reduced to improve fuel efficiency, then the weight decreases, but the ability to convert high-frequency oscillations to thermal energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the tan δ parameter at 30°C to be 0.15 or more, which directly controls the rubber composition's ability to convert mechanical oscillation energy into thermal energy. This parameter change ensures effective energy dissipation through heat generation even with reduced rubber volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the mechanical vibration and oscillation properties of the rubber composition, leveraging its viscoelastic characteristics to convert high-frequency oscillations into thermal energy through internal friction and hysteresis, as indicated by the controlled tan δ value.
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 achieves improved wet grip performance by effectively converting high-frequency oscillations to thermal energy, promoting heat dissipation and enhancing traction on wet surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
tan δ at 30° C. (30° C. tan δ) of the rubber composition is over 0.15, and complex modulus at 30° C. (E*30) of the rubber composition is less than 8.0 MPa
Implementation Method 2
effectively converting high-frequency oscillations to thermal energy, promoting heat dissipation
Implementation Method 3
a rubber composition comprising a rubber component and a reinforcing filler, tan δ at 30° C. (30° C. tan δ) of the rubber composition is over 0.15
Implementation Method 4
promoting heat dissipation and enhancing traction on wet surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A tire comprising a tread part, wherein a ratio (G/WL) of a tire weight G (kg) with respect to a maximum load capability WL (kg) of the tire is 0.0131 or less, the tread comprises at least one rubber layer composed of a rubber composition comprising a rubber component and a reinforcing filler, tan δ at 30° C. (30° C. tan δ) of the rubber composition is over 0.15, and complex modulus at 30° C. (E*30) of the rubber composition is less than 8.0 MPa, and a ratio (30° C. tan δ/G) of the 30° C. tan δ with respect to the G is 0.016 or more.