Conductive Non-Marking Solid Tire Composition With Carbon Nanotubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid tires with low carbon black content fail to dissipate static electricity effectively, leading to potential sparks and contamination issues due to high electrical resistance, while high carbon black content results in black marks and compromised mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
A rubber composition with a specific formulation containing a mixture of natural and synthetic rubbers, oxide fillers, organic plasticizers, a curing system, and carbon nanotubes, ensuring electrical conductivity without exceeding 1.5 phr of total carbon allotropes, which is sufficient to dissipate static electricity and prevent marking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high carbon black content is added to the rubber composition, then electrical conductivity is improved, but black marks are generated on the floor surface and mechanical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional carbon black fillers with carbon nanotubes at extremely low concentrations (0.01-0.1 phr). This parameter change enables achieving the same electrical conductivity function without the harmful side effect of black marks, as carbon nanotubes do not transfer to the floor surface like conventional carbon black particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating carbon nanotubes into the rubber matrix. This composite approach combines the insulating properties of rubber with the exceptional electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes, creating a material that dissipates static electricity while maintaining a clean appearance and good mechanical properties
2Object-generated harmful factors
If low carbon black content is used in the rubber composition, then black marks are prevented, but electrical conductivity deteriorates and static electricity accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the filler concentration parameter from conventional levels (25-60 phr carbon black) to ultra-low levels (0.01-0.1 phr carbon nanotubes). This dramatic parameter reduction eliminates black marks while maintaining electrical conductivity through the superior efficiency of carbon nanotube conductive networks
Solution Approach 2:
Carbon nanotubes act as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between electrical insulation and conductivity. They provide a conductive pathway through the rubber matrix without the side effects of traditional carbon black, enabling static dissipation while preventing floor contamination
3Reliability
If high carbon black content is added to the rubber composition, then electrical conductivity is improved, but mechanical properties and elongation at break deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material science by dispersing carbon nanotubes within the rubber matrix. This composite structure provides electrical conductivity through the nanotube network while the rubber matrix maintains its mechanical integrity, avoiding the degradation of tensile strength and elongation that occurs with high carbon black loading
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the filler loading parameter from high concentrations (25-60 phr) to trace amounts (0.01-0.1 phr). This parameter change preserves the mechanical properties of the base rubber while achieving the desired electrical conductivity function through the high efficiency of carbon nanotube conductive pathways
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 solution provides a safe, hygienic, and non-marking solid tire with electrical conductivity suitable for potentially explosive environments, maintaining mechanical properties and preventing static electricity accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The necessary electrical conductivity of the tires is provided by adding electrically conductive fillers into the rubber composition, which form a connected electrically conductive network in the composition
Implementation Method 2
These requirements define and provide protection against static electricity due to the dissipation of the static electricity charge, which is continuously accumulating as the tire is operated
Data Source
AI summary
The invention solves the problem of creating a rubber composition that can be used in a solid tyre of an extremely simple and manufacturable design to provide safe and hygienic operation of the tyre without accumulating a static electric charge and without leaving black marks on a floor surface. An electrically conductive rubber composition for non-marking solid tyres is proposed, which composition comprises (1) a rubber or a mixture of at least two rubbers, (2) oxide fillers and modifiers, (3) organic plasticisers and modifiers, (4) a curing system and (5) carbon nanotubes, wherein the total amount of carbon nanotubes and carbon of other allotropic modifications constitutes from 0.05 to 1.5 wt % relative to the amount of rubber. A non-marking solid tyre made from the electrically conductive rubber composition is also proposed.