Rolled Multilayer Tire Inner Liner with Partitioning Sheets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire inner liners face challenges in minimizing air leakage and maintaining internal air pressure due to limitations in air permeability and the complexity of layering processes during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A rolled multilayer tire inner liner product is created through co-extrusion of a film layer and two adhesive layers, with at least one removable partitioning sheet layer added to the outer surface of the adhesive layers, allowing for efficient rolling and preventing adhesion during storage and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple adhesive layers are stacked and placed together to form inner liner sheets, then air leakage is minimized and internal air pressure is maintained, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair leakage preventionVSAvoidlayering process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple adhesive layers and film layers into a single co-extruded multilayer structure. The extrusion device simultaneously forms the film layer and first and second adhesive layers in one continuous process, eliminating the need for separate stacking and placement operations while maintaining the air leakage prevention functionality of multiple layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The co-extruded multilayer structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the film layer provides air impermeability while the integrated adhesive layers provide bonding capability. This multi-functional design achieves both reliability (air leakage prevention) and manufacturing efficiency in a single structure

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

2Strength

If adhesive layers are stacked together, then bonding strength is improved, but the layers stick together during storage and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidhandling during storage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces partitioning sheet layers that divide the continuous multilayer structure into separable sections. These partitioning sheets prevent the adhesive layers from sticking together during storage and transport while allowing easy separation when needed, solving the handling problem without compromising the bonding strength of the adhesive layers themselves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partitioning sheet layers act as intermediary elements between the adhesive layers. These sheets prevent direct contact between adhesive surfaces during storage, eliminating the sticking problem while maintaining the integrity and bonding capability of the adhesive layers when the partitioning sheets are removed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional stacking and placement methods are used to form inner liner sheets, then layer alignment is achieved, but production time and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer alignmentVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the layer formation process into a single co-extrusion operation where the film layer and adhesive layers are formed simultaneously with precise alignment built into the extrusion die design. This eliminates multiple separate operations while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extrusion die is pre-configured with the precise geometry and positioning of all layers before the extrusion process begins. This preliminary arrangement of layers in the die ensures correct alignment is achieved automatically during extrusion, eliminating the need for post-extrusion alignment operations and increasing production speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively reduces air leakage, maintains internal tire pressure, and simplifies the manufacturing process by ensuring the adhesive layers do not stick together during rolling and storage, enhancing the product's functionality and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive layers are based on one or more thermoplastic elastomers and each adhesive layer directly contacts one outer surface of the film layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The process comprises co-extruding a film layer and two adhesive layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Data Source

PatentUS9975378B2Rolled multilayer tire inner liner product and methods for preparing
Publication Date: 2018.05.22 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product and processes or methods for preparing a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product. The product comprises a film layer, two adhesive layers (each directly contacting one outer surface of the film layer) and at least one removable partitioning sheet layer contacting the outer surface of at least one of the adhesive layers. The process includes co-extrusion of a film layer and two adhesive layers, addition of at least one partitioning sheet layer to at least one of the adhesive layers either during the co-extruding step or directly thereafter (and may be a mixture of both if more than one partitioning sheet layer is present) and rolling of the layers together (such that if there is only one partitioning sheet layer it faces inward) to form a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product.