Porous Tire Plug with Accelerant for Rapid Sealant Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing puncture repair methods for tubeless tires are time-consuming, require removal of the tire from the rim, and often result in a temporary seal that may not withstand environmental conditions, as they rely on non-porous plugs and adhesives that take a long time to cure and may not bond effectively.
Innovation Solution
A plug comprising a porous material that absorbs water and an impregnated accelerant, such as a salt or acid, to reduce the curing time of a sealant, allowing for a rapid and strong seal without the need to remove the tire from the rim, using materials like microfibre suede, leather, or mesh laminates that can absorb over 0.02 grams of water per gram of material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-porous plugs are used for puncture repair, then the plug structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealant curing time is long and the repair duration is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous material to the plug structure, which contains numerous tiny pores that can absorb and retain sealant. This increases the surface area and porosity of the plug, allowing the sealant to be absorbed more quickly and cure faster, thereby reducing the repair time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the plug from non-porous to porous, which fundamentally alters how the sealant interacts with the plug. The porous structure enables faster sealant absorption and distribution, directly reducing the curing time without complicating the manufacturing process
2Ease of operation
If adhesive-based mechanical sealing is used, then the plug can be easily inserted, but the seal strength is insufficient under environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining porous plug material with sealant that penetrates into the pores. This creates a multi-component system where the porous structure provides mechanical interlocking while the sealant fills the pores to create chemical bonding, resulting in a seal that is both easy to apply and highly reliable under environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure of the plug allows sealant to penetrate deeply into the material, creating extensive bonding surfaces. This increases the effective bond area and creates a more robust seal that can withstand environmental degradation, while the plug remains easy to insert due to its flexible porous structure
3Device complexity
If non-porous plugs are used, then the plug material is simple, but the repair longevity is limited due to poor environmental resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The porous plug material provides a structure that can absorb and retain sealant, creating a more durable bonded interface. The porous structure allows for better distribution of stress and resistance to environmental degradation, extending the repair longevity while maintaining relatively simple material composition
Solution Approach 2:
The porous plug is pre-prepared with a structure optimized for sealant absorption before insertion. This preliminary structuring ensures that when the sealant is applied, it is immediately absorbed and distributed throughout the porous matrix, creating a durable bond that resists environmental conditions over time
4Ease of operation
If the tyre is removed from the rim for repair, then the puncture can be accessed more easily, but the air seal between bead and rim may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The porous plug is designed to be self-contained and self-effective, requiring no tyre removal for insertion. The plug can be inserted through the puncture hole while the tyre remains on the rim, and the porous structure allows the sealant to work effectively in situ, maintaining the air seal between bead and rim while providing easy puncture access
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 enables a quick, effective, and long-lasting seal of punctures in tubeless tires, reducing repair time to under 10 minutes and ensuring the seal remains intact during use and exposure to environmental conditions, without damaging the tire or rim.
Implementation Method 1
a porous material that absorbs >0.02 grams of water per gram of porous material
Implementation Method 2
an accelerant selected from the group consisting of a salt, solvent and acid, or a combination thereof impregnated in the porous material, wherein the accelerant reduces curing time of a sealant
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a plug for sealing a puncture in a tyre, whereby the plug comprises a head portion and a tail portion, the head portion comprising: a porous material that comprises open pores and capable of absorbing >0.02 grams of water per gram of porous material; and an accelerant selected from the group consisting of a salt, a polar solvent, an acid, and any combinations thereof, wherein the accelerant is retained in the pores of the porous material and is configured to react on contact with a curable sealant selected from the group consisting of anionic stabilized sealants, steric stabilized sealants and anionic colloidal dispersions thereby reducing curing time of the sealant, and wherein the porous material does not comprise the sealant.