Multi-Compound Tire Tread Extrusion for Wet Grip and Rolling Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire tread compounds struggle to simultaneously achieve low rolling resistance and good wet grip performance, as compounds with low hysteresis loss are required for low rolling resistance, while those with higher hysteresis loss are needed for good wet grip.
Innovation Solution
A process and plant for manufacturing a tread with blocks composed of different rubber portions having varying hysteresis losses, achieved through a die-cutting, mixing, and extrusion process that maintains the chemical and physical individuality of the fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single rubber compound with low hysteresis loss is used in the tread, then rolling resistance is reduced, but wet grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into multiple blocks, where each block contains a specific proportion of first and second rubber compounds. This local variation in compound composition allows different regions to contribute differently to rolling resistance and wet grip, achieving an optimal balance across the entire tread structure
Solution Approach 2:
Each tread block is formed as a composite material containing both first rubber compound (with lower hysteresis loss for reduced rolling resistance) and second rubber compound (with higher hysteresis loss for improved wet grip). The synergistic combination of these two compounds within each block enables simultaneous optimization of both performance characteristics
2Reliability
If a single rubber compound with high hysteresis loss is used in the tread, then wet grip performance is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread structure incorporates blocks with controlled proportions of high-hysteresis and low-hysteresis compounds, allowing wet grip-critical regions to have higher hysteresis while other regions maintain lower hysteresis for rolling resistance efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite rubber compounds containing both first and second rubber compounds in specific proportions enables each block to contribute to wet grip performance while the overall tread composition maintains acceptable rolling resistance through the balancing effect of the lower-hysteresis component
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 results in a tread that achieves significant improvements in wet grip performance without adversely affecting rolling resistance, by leveraging the synergistic effects of different hysteresis loss compounds.
Implementation Method 1
different dynamic properties in terms of: dynamic modulus at 30° C., tand at 0° C., tand at 30° C. and tand at 60° C.
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the manufacture of a tread band for pneumatic tyres, wherein the blocks thereof comprise different rubber portions characterized by a different hysteresis loss. The process comprises a shredding step, wherein from a first and from a second rubber tread compound a plurality of fragments is manufactured with dimensions of between 6 and 30 mesh; a mixing step, wherein the fragments from the first and second compound are mixed together in order to obtain a mixture wherein the fragments are distributed in a random manner and retain their chemical/physical individuality; and an extrusion step, wherein the mixture from the preceding step is extruded for the manufacture of the tread band. The first and second compounds have different dynamic properties in terms of: dynamic modulus at 30° C., tanδ at 0° C., tanδ at 30° C. and tanδ at 60° C. The fragments retain a chemical/physical individuality both within the mixture formed during the mixing step and within the tread band formed during the extrusion step.