Preform Device for Multi-Compound Tire Tread Extrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire technologies face challenges in simultaneously optimizing tread properties such as adhesion, grip, braking, and rolling resistance across various surface conditions, as different rubber mixtures often conflict with each other, making it difficult to achieve ideal performance on both dry and snow-covered roads.

Innovation Solution

A preform device with multiple tread channels and mouth openings allows for the precise production of endless strips with differently composed rubber components, enabling independent adjustment of tread properties by varying the widths and heights of the mouth opening sections, resulting in a tread with annular rubber components that can be optimized for specific surfaces and conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single rubber compound is used in the tread, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it is impossible to simultaneously optimize performance on both dry and snow-covered roads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetread manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtread performance across different surface conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tread is segmented into multiple zones with different rubber compounds. The preforming device divides the tread channel into multiple sections, each receiving a different rubber mixture. This creates distinct tread zones: a first zone with a first rubber compound optimized for dry road performance, and a second zone with a second rubber compound optimized for snow-covered road performance. This segmentation allows each zone to independently optimize for its specific operating conditions without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the tread are assigned different rubber compound properties tailored to local performance requirements. The preforming device enables precise spatial distribution of rubber compounds with different compositions, curing characteristics, and physical properties to specific tread zones. This local quality approach ensures that each area of the tread has the optimal compound characteristics for its intended function and operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If different rubber compounds are used to optimize specific surface conditions, then performance on those surfaces improves, but the properties of the rubber compounds influence each other and prevent an ideal compound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling performance on specific surfacesVSAvoidoverall tread performance across conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tread is segmented into multiple zones with different rubber compounds. The preforming device divides the tread channel into multiple sections, each receiving a different rubber mixture. This creates distinct tread zones: a first zone with a first rubber compound optimized for dry road performance, and a second zone with a second rubber compound optimized for snow-covered road performance. This segmentation allows each zone to independently optimize for its specific operating conditions without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the tread are assigned different rubber compound properties tailored to local performance requirements. The preforming device enables precise spatial distribution of rubber compounds with different compositions, curing characteristics, and physical properties to specific tread zones. This local quality approach ensures that each area of the tread has the optimal compound characteristics for its intended function and operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If rubber compounds with different properties are combined in the tread, then specific surface performance improves, but the manufacturing precision required to achieve precise geometry and composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving characteristics on specific surfacesVSAvoidprecision of rubber component geometry and composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The preforming device performs preliminary action by pre-shaping and pre-positioning multiple rubber compounds with different compositions and properties in their respective zones before final tire assembly. The device includes multiple preforming sections that independently form each rubber compound zone with precise geometry, ensuring correct spatial arrangement and dimensional accuracy before the compounds are vulcanized together. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for complex post-assembly adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The preforming device is designed as a multi-functional system that simultaneously handles multiple rubber compounds with different properties. It integrates multiple preforming sections, heating zones, and shaping mechanisms into a single device that can process and position different rubber compounds in one operation, thereby managing the complexity of manufacturing precision requirements through unified multi-functional equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the tread is designed to optimize snow handling, then snow-covered road performance improves, but rolling resistance may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesnow handling performanceVSAvoidrolling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the tread are assigned different rubber compound properties tailored to local performance requirements. The preforming device enables precise spatial distribution of rubber compounds with different compositions, curing characteristics, and physical properties to specific tread zones. This local quality approach ensures that each area of the tread has the optimal compound characteristics for its intended function and operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tread is segmented into multiple zones with different rubber compounds. The preforming device divides the tread channel into multiple sections, each receiving a different rubber mixture. This creates distinct tread zones: a first zone with a first rubber compound optimized for dry road performance, and a second zone with a second rubber compound optimized for snow-covered road performance. This segmentation allows each zone to independently optimize for its specific operating conditions without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables unprecedented control over tire properties, allowing for improved snow handling and dry road performance without compromising rolling resistance, by decoupling conflicting objectives and ensuring precise geometry and composition of rubber components, leading to enhanced driving behavior and braking capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a preforming device for use in an extrusion device (22), comprising at least a first tread channel (2) with a first mouth opening (4) and a second tread channel (3) with a second mouth opening (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Data Source

PatentEP3653360B1Preform device and method for producing a vehicle tyre with a strip comprising at least two rubber components
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3653360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3653360B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3653360B1 patent drawingFigure 3c~3d

AI summary

Preforming device for use in an extrusion device (22), vehicle pneumatic tires, method for producing a vehicle pneumatic tire with a tread section comprising at least two rubber components (11) and corresponding uses. The invention relates to a preforming device for producing an extrudate (10) in the form of an endless strip with at least two rubber components (11) arranged one after the other in a horizontal direction (9), comprising at least a first tread channel (2, 3) with a first opening (4, 5) and a second tread channel (2, 3, ) with a second opening (4, 5), characterized in that the opening sections (6, 7) of the first opening (4, 5) and the opening sections (6, 7) of the second opening (4, 5) are arranged on the side of the preforming device intended for contact with an end forming device such thatthat an extrudate (10) with a profile cross-section comprising at least two, at least three, or at least four rubber components (11) arranged successively in the horizontal direction (9) in the form of strips extending in the extrusion direction (15) can be produced. The invention also relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire, a method for producing a vehicle pneumatic tire with a tread section comprising at least two rubber components (11), and the use of the preforming device and a terminal partition (14) of the preforming device.