Resin Tire Frame Composite for Rim Fitability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tires with polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin frames face challenges in achieving optimal fitability to a rim, water pressure resistance, and low-temperature impact resistance.

Innovation Solution

A tire frame composed of a resin composition containing polypropylene with a melting temperature of 160°C or higher, ethylene-propylene rubber, and a styrene-containing elastomer, with specific mass content ratios to enhance mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin is used for tire frame to reduce weight and cost, then weight and raw material cost are improved, but fittability to rim, water pressure resistance, and low-temperature impact resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire frame weightVSAvoidfittability to rim
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite resin composition containing polypropylene (60% or less by mass), ethylene-propylene rubber (10-60 parts by mass), and styrene-containing elastomer (5% or more by mass). This composite material combines the weight advantages of polyolefin with the functional properties of rubber and elastomer components, achieving both weight reduction and improved fittability to rim through the synergistic effects of the multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise compositional parameters: polypropylene content of 60% or less by mass, ethylene-propylene rubber of 10-60 parts by mass, and styrene component of 5% or more by mass. By controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the invention optimizes the balance between weight reduction and fittability to rim, ensuring the tire frame achieves both lightweight performance and proper rim engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of moving object

If polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin is used for tire frame to reduce weight and cost, then weight and raw material cost are improved, but water pressure resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire frame weightVSAvoidwater pressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite resin composition combining polypropylene with ethylene-propylene rubber (10-60 parts by mass) and styrene-containing elastomer (5% or more by mass). The rubber and elastomer components provide enhanced strength and elasticity, enabling the lightweight tire frame to achieve sufficient water pressure resistance while maintaining weight reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention controls specific compositional parameters: polypropylene at 60% or less by mass, ethylene-propylene rubber at 10-60 parts by mass, and styrene component at 5% or more by mass. These parameter controls ensure the composite material achieves the necessary strength for water pressure resistance while preserving the weight advantages of polyolefin-based resins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin is used for tire frame to reduce weight and cost, then weight and raw material cost are improved, but low-temperature impact resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire frame weightVSAvoidlow-temperature impact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite resin composition with polypropylene (60% or less by mass), ethylene-propylene rubber (10-60 parts by mass), and styrene-containing elastomer (5% or more by mass). The rubber and elastomer components provide superior low-temperature impact resistance, allowing the lightweight tire frame to maintain durability under cold conditions while achieving weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention specifies precise compositional parameters: polypropylene content of 60% or less by mass, ethylene-propylene rubber of 10-60 parts by mass, and styrene component of 5% or more by mass. By controlling these parameters, the composite material achieves optimal low-temperature impact resistance while preserving the weight benefits of polyolefin-based resins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3354686B1tire
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3354686B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3354686B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3354686B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A tire including a circular tire frame containing a resin composition, the resin composition containing a polypropylene having a melting temperature of 160°C or higher, an ethylene-propylene rubber, and a styrene-containing elastomer, in which a content of the polypropylene having a melting temperature of 160°C or higher being 60% by mass or less with respect to the resin composition as a whole, and a content of a styrene component being 5% by mass or more with respect to the resin composition as a whole.