Plasma-Generated Rubber Additive Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additives for rubber and plastic products, such as silicon dioxide, aggregate over time, leading to reduced effectiveness and inhomogeneous material properties, and poor mixability with rubber or plastics, necessitating complex and costly processing methods.
Innovation Solution
Producing additives by introducing a precursor into a plasma, where it reacts to form the additive, which is then collected and added to rubber or plastic mixtures in its native state, maintaining specific properties and improving mixability through surface activation and functional groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If additives are produced industrially and stored in containers, then they can be removed and added to rubber or plastic mixtures as required, but they aggregate over time and lose their desired properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by producing the additive directly in the mixing device before use, rather than producing it industrially and storing it. This ensures the additive is generated in its native state with the desired particle size distribution and immediately incorporated into the rubber or plastic mixture, preventing aggregation that would occur during storage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex processing methods are used to de-aggregate aggregated particles, then the additives regain their original size distribution, but the processing becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex de-aggregation processing by producing the additive in its native state directly in the mixing device. The additive is generated with the correct particle size distribution from the beginning and immediately mixed into the rubber or plastic, preventing aggregation before it occurs rather than attempting to reverse it later.
3Productivity
If conventional additives are used, then they can be added to rubber or plastic mixtures, but they mix poorly and require long mixing times or additional additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by producing the additive directly in the mixing device with controlled particle size distribution and native state properties. This changes the physical parameters of the additive at the source, improving its inherent mixability with rubber or plastic and eliminating the need for additional mixing aids or extended mixing times.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additives are produced in advance and stored, then they are available for use, but they aggregate into larger particles and create inhomogeneous distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by producing the additive directly in the mixing device immediately before incorporation into the rubber or plastic mixture. This eliminates storage time and prevents aggregation, ensuring the additive maintains its desired particle size distribution and creates a homogeneous distribution in the final product.
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 method allows for the production of additives with desired properties and size distribution close to their use, preventing aggregation and improving mixability, thus avoiding complex processing and ensuring consistent material quality.
Implementation Method 1
Additive particles can be activated by the plasma, i.e. they can be in an electronically excited or even ionized state
Implementation Method 2
they can be in an electronically excited or even ionized state
Implementation Method 3
bonds can form between the particle and the other material due to the activation energy stored in the particle
Implementation Method 4
the additional particles can have functional groups on their surface in the native state, in particular functional carbon groups
Data Source
AI summary
Producing an additive (35) for rubber or plastic products, preferably motor vehicles, comprises introducing a precursor (34) in a plasma, reacting the precursor in the plasma such that the precursor forms additive, and collecting the additive for further use. An independent claim is also included for a device (1) for processing rubber or plastics, comprising a processing station for processing rubber or plastic, a plasma nozzle (2) for producing an atmospheric plasma beam, and a precursor feeder (3), which is arranged such that the precursor is introduced in the plasma beam generated by the plasma nozzle, where the device is arranged such that the additive, which is emerging from the plasma nozzle or from the plasma beam, is led to the processing station during operation.