Profile Insert Bonding in Pneumatic Tyre Tread
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for embedding profile inserts into vulcanized tire treads fail to provide a durable connection that withstands various weather conditions throughout the tire's service life, as known adhesives prove ineffective under different environmental exposures.
Innovation Solution
A reactive adhesive system with a crosslinking component that sublimates under external heat is applied to the recess and profile insert, forming a strong bond between the rubber materials when heated, using systems like Parlock®, Chemlock®, or Chemosil®, ensuring permanent integration with a thin layer thickness of 2 μm to 60 μm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If known adhesives (cyanoacrylate, silicone, polyurethane, urethane) are used to connect profile inserts to the tread, then the insertion process is simple, but the connection durability deteriorates under different weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of the adhesive system by using components that sublimate under heat, transforming from a liquid adhesive to a vapor-phase crosslinking system. This parameter change enables permanent chemical bonding between the profile insert and tread rubber, resolving the durability issue while maintaining application simplicity through the sublimation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive system utilizes phase transition (sublimation) of its components under heat to migrate from the adhesive layer into the rubber materials. This phase transition enables deep penetration and permanent crosslinking, ensuring reliable connection that withstands weather conditions while keeping the initial application process simple
2Strength
If a thick layer of adhesive is applied to ensure strong bonding, then connection strength improves, but the amount of material increases and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sublimation process allows the adhesive components to transition from solid to vapor phase under heat, enabling deep penetration into the rubber materials with minimal material. This phase transition ensures strong bonding through crosslinking while requiring only a thin layer (2-60 μm) of adhesive material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adhesion (which would require thick adhesive layers) with chemical crosslinking through sublimation. The vapor-phase components penetrate and form chemical bonds within the rubber matrix, achieving superior bonding strength with minimal material application
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional adhesives are used for profile insert insertion, then the process is simple, but the connection fails to withstand various weather conditions throughout service life
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system undergoes parameter change through heat-induced sublimation, transforming from a surface-level liquid adhesive to a vapor-phase crosslinking system that penetrates deeply into the rubber. This creates permanent chemical bonds that maintain connection durability throughout the tire's service life under all weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive components are applied in advance as a thin layer on the profile insert or recess surface. During subsequent heating, these pre-applied components sublimate and migrate into the rubber materials, creating permanent bonds that ensure long-term durability without requiring complex application procedures
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 achieves a durable and permanent connection of profile inserts to the tire tread, enhancing their integration and performance across all weather conditions and the tire's lifespan, allowing for varied shapes, sizes, and materials, including spikes with temperature-dependent stiffness for improved traction and reduced road damage.
Implementation Method 1
a reactive adhesive system, which has at least one component that sublimes under the influence of external heat, penetrates into the boundary layers of rubber materials and crosslinks there
Implementation Method 2
the tread strip is heated at least in the area or around the area of the profile insert in order to bring about the sublimation and migration of the component of the reactive adhesive system
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The method involves forming recess (2) on tread portion (1) of pneumatic tire during the vulcanization of tire mold. A tire cavity (3) inserted into the recess in pneumatic tire is connected using reactive adhesive system. A component that sublimes under external influence of heat is configured to penetrate boundary layers of pneumatic tire. The tread portion of pneumatic tire is made of rubber material having stiffness different from rubber material surrounding the tire. An independent claim is included for pneumatic tire of vehicle.