Rubber Compound Dithiol Resin Rolling Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rubber compounds face a challenge in reducing rolling resistance without compromising mechanical characteristics, particularly tensile strength, when the quantity of reinforcing filler is reduced, and existing vulcanization systems trade off between long-term thermal and mechanical stability and production flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A rubber compound incorporating a cross-linkable polymer base, a reinforcing filler, and a vulcanization system that includes a dithiol chemical with the formula SHRSH and a reinforcing resin, allowing for reduced reinforcing filler content while maintaining mechanical characteristics and enhancing long-term stability through the synergistic effect of a dithiol chemical and a reinforcing resin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the quantity of reinforcing filler is reduced to improve rolling resistance, then rolling resistance is improved, but mechanical characteristics such as tensile strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling resistanceVSAvoidmechanical characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the compound by introducing a dithiol chemical with specific formula (I) where R is an aliphatic or aromatic group composed of 3-12 atoms. This chemical parameter change enables the compound to achieve both low rolling resistance and maintained mechanical strength by modifying the molecular structure and cross-linking characteristics of the rubber compound.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining the cross-linkable polymer base, reinforcing filler, vulcanization system, and the specific dithiol chemical. This composite approach allows the dithiol chemical to act as a cross-linking agent that bridges the polymer chains, providing structural integrity even with reduced reinforcing filler content, thus resolving the contradiction between rolling resistance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If peroxide-based vulcanization systems or Efficient Vulcanization systems are used to improve long-term thermal and mechanical stability, then long-term stability is improved, but fatigue resistance and process flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term thermal and mechanical stabilityVSAvoidfatigue resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dithiol chemical with formula (I) acts as an intermediary cross-linking agent between the polymer base and the vulcanization system. It facilitates controlled cross-linking that balances the competing requirements: providing sufficient cross-link density for long-term stability while maintaining adequate chain mobility for fatigue resistance and processing flexibility. The specific molecular structure (with R groups of 3-12 atoms) mediates between these opposing demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the vulcanization chemistry parameters by incorporating the dithiol chemical, which changes the cross-linking mechanism and kinetics. This parameter change in the vulcanization system allows achieving a balanced network structure that simultaneously provides long-term stability and fatigue resistance, resolving the trade-off between these properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 combination of a dithiol chemical and a reinforcing resin in the rubber compound effectively reduces rolling resistance without deteriorating mechanical properties and significantly improves long-term thermal and mechanical stability, as demonstrated by experimental tests showing improved hysteresis and toughness values even after ageing.

Implementation Method 1

a dithiol chemical with formula (I) SHRSH wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic group composed of 3-12 atoms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a chemical able to function as a cross-linking agent by means of methylene bridges in the presence of a 'methylene acceptor' chemical

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMethylene bridge formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

experimental tests showing improved hysteresis and toughness values

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Implementation Method 4

long-term thermal and mechanical stability of the component rubber compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal degradation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 5

long-term thermal and mechanical stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical degradation: Fatigue

Data Source

PatentEP3155043B1Rubber compound to produce tyres
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 BRIDGESTONE CORP

AI summary

A rubber compound for tyres comprising at least one cross- linkable polymer base, a reinforcing filler, a vulcanization system, a reinforcing resin and a dithiol chemical with formula (I) SHRSH (I) wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic group composed of 3-12 atoms.