Multi-Compound Tread with Protrusions for Tire Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires face a challenge in balancing low rolling resistance and maximum traction, as tread compounds that provide one often compromise on the other, and silica-rich tires are costly and electrically resistive due to high silica-to-carbon black ratios.
Innovation Solution
A tread design featuring a tread base layer, two distinct tread cap layers with different compositions, and an intermediate layer, where the first tread cap layer has protrusions extending into the intermediate layer, allowing for enhanced performance characteristics after wear, and potentially improved electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a silica-rich rubber composition is used in the tread to reduce rolling resistance, then rolling resistance is reduced, but the tire becomes electrically resistive due to high silica-to-carbon black ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rubber compositions to different regions of the tread. The circumferential grooves are filled with a first rubber composition having high electrical conductivity (high carbon black content), while the lateral grooves and other tread portions use a second rubber composition optimized for rolling resistance (silica-rich). This local differentiation allows the tire to have low rolling resistance overall while maintaining electrical conductivity through the groove-filled regions that contact the road surface.
2Force
If a tread compound provides maximum traction, then traction is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses different rubber compositions in different tread regions to optimize for specific functions. Tread portions requiring maximum traction use compounds formulated for grip, while other regions use compounds optimized for low rolling resistance. The circumferential groove fillings use a high-conductivity compound that also provides traction, while lateral grooves use a low rolling resistance compound.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tread running surface is divided into multiple zones with different compositions to optimize performance, then performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tread running surface into multiple zones with different rubber compositions. The circumferential grooves are filled with one composition, lateral grooves with another, and different tread portions may have different compositions. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall tire performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite rubber compositions with different filler ratios (carbon black to silica) in different tread regions. By using composite materials with tailored properties in specific locations, the tire achieves optimized performance characteristics across different operating conditions without requiring a completely complex structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A tread for a pneumatic tire is provided. The tread (100) comprises a tread base layer (140) comprising a tread base compound, a first tread cap layer (110) comprising a first tread cap layer compound and located radially outside of the tread base layer (140), a second tread cap layer (120) comprising a second tread cap layer compound and located radially outside of the tread base layer (140) and axially adjacent the first tread cap layer (110), and a third intermediate tread layer (130) comprising an intermediate tread layer compound and located radially between the tread base layer (140) and the first and the second tread cap layer (110, 120), wherein the first tread cap layer compound is different in composition from the second tread cap layer compound, wherein the intermediate tread layer compound is different in composition from the first and/or the second tread cap layer compound, wherein the tread base layer compound is different in composition from the intermediate tread layer compound, and wherein the first tread cap layer (110) and/or the second tread cap layer (120) has at least one protrusion (152) extending radially inward from an inner surface of the respective first or second tread cap layer (110, 120) having the at least one protrusion (152) into the third intermediate tread layer (130).