Radial Tire Conductive Sidewall Pathways for Static Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires made from silica-filled or carbon black-filled rubber mixtures exhibit high electrical resistance, leading to inadequate dissipation of electrostatic charges, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed through simple and efficient means.
Innovation Solution
The integration of electrically conductive filaments with coatings, such as carbon black or graphite, into the sidewalls and bead regions of tires, forming vulcanized conductive passages that connect the sidewalls to the tread and conductive components in the bead area, allowing for efficient electrostatic charge dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If silica-filled or carbon black-filled rubber mixtures are used to manufacture tire components, then rolling resistance is reduced, but electrical conductivity becomes too low to dissipate electrostatic charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining electrically nonconductive rubber mixtures (containing silica or carbon black) with electrically conductive filaments. The filaments are embedded in the rubber mixture during tire manufacturing, creating a composite structure where the rubber provides low rolling resistance while the filaments provide electrical conductivity for charge dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing electrically conductive filaments specifically in regions where charge dissipation is needed, such as the sidewalls and bead areas, while maintaining the electrically nonconductive rubber mixture in other regions for optimal rolling resistance. This localized approach allows different parts of the tire to have different electrical properties.
2Reliability
If electrically conductive components are added to achieve charge dissipation, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical conductivity function with the existing tire structure by embedding conductive filaments directly into the rubber mixture during the tire manufacturing process. This integration means that the conductivity enhancement becomes part of the tire itself rather than being added as a separate component, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by using the tire manufacturing process itself to embed the conductive filaments, rather than requiring a separate post-manufacturing step. The filaments are incorporated into the rubber mixture and vulcanized together with the tire, making the conductivity enhancement an intrinsic part of the tire production process.
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 solution provides durable, easily integratable electrically conductive passages in tires, enabling effective dissipation of electrostatic charges and maintaining the rolling resistance and durability benefits of nonconductive rubber materials.
Implementation Method 1
the electrically conductive coating of the filaments forms vulcanized electrically conductive passages
Implementation Method 2
the coating of which forms electrically conductive passages between the tread or the component and the at least one electrically conductive component or element in the bead region
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic vehicle tyre of radial type of construction, having a tread (1), having a carcass inlay (3), having electrically nonconductive sidewalls (7) and having at least one electrically conductive component (8) or element in a bead region, which component or element, in the case of a tyre mounted on a wheel rim, comes into contact with said wheel rim, wherein either the tread (1) is electrically conductive or, in the tread region, at least one electrically conductive component (10) is provided which is overlapped on the outside by the sidewalls (7) and which is connected in electrically conductive fashion to the tread outer surface, and wherein filaments provided with an electrically conductive coating are incorporated at least in a sidewall region, the coating of which filaments forms electrically conductive passages between the tread (1) or the component (10) and the at least one electrically conductive component (8) or element in the bead region.