Winter Tyre Tread Using Rice Husk Ash Microspikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Winter tires face challenges in achieving high performance and safety on icy roads without using spike tires, which are prohibited by traffic laws, and in balancing traction, braking, and wear resistance in elastomer compounds.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating rice husk ash, rich in silica, into the tire tread compounds to create a microspike effect that enhances traction, braking, and handling on ice without compromising wear resistance or other tire characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spike tyres are used to improve performance on icy roads, then traction and braking performance are improved, but they are prohibited by traffic laws and cause excessive wear on road surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces durable metal spikes with numerous short-lived silica particles that can be replenished through wear. The tread compound incorporates 5-20 parts by weight of silica per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, creating a surface layer that progressively transfers silica to the road, providing continuous anti-icing action without the permanent damage of metal spikes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical penetration mechanism of metal spikes with a chemical/physical mechanism where silica particles modify the friction characteristics of the road surface. The silica acts as a dry lubricant or anti-icing agent that reduces adhesion between ice and tire, providing controlled slip rather than mechanical biting
2Reliability
If elastomer compounds are softened to improve flexibility and traction on ice, then performance on icy roads is improved, but resistance to wear and abrasion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different functional zones within the tread: a softer base elastomer compound (with glass transition temperature below -30°C) provides flexibility and traction, while embedded silica particles (5-20 parts by weight per 100 parts elastomer) in the surface layer provide wear resistance and anti-icing properties. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both softness and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite tread material combining elastomer base polymers (such as polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene rubber, or natural rubber) with silica particles. The composite structure allows the elastomer matrix to provide flexibility and adhesion while the dispersed silica particles provide structural integrity, wear resistance, and controlled surface properties for ice interaction
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 use of rice husk ash in tire tread compounds improves traction, braking, and handling on icy surfaces while maintaining resistance to wear and abrasion, providing a safer and more effective alternative to spike tires.
Implementation Method 1
The Applicant has found that rice husk ash can advantageously be added to the compound used for production of a tyre tread to obtain a microspike effect on the tyre tread, improving its performance in traction, braking and handling on ice.
Implementation Method 2
The Applicant has found, moreover, that rice husk ash can easily be dispersed in the compound, even though it has no organic components, such as cellulose or cellulose derivatives.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Tyre (1) for vehicle wheels, comprising a carcass structure (2), a belt structure (6) applied in a radially outer position to said carcass structure, a tread band (7) applied in a radially outer position to said belt structure (6), in which said tread band (7) comprises a crosslinked elastomeric composition comprising a finite number of particles of rice husk ash of coarse size.