Sealing Agent Production Process for Latex Aggregate Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing sealing agents for pneumatic tires fail to completely inhibit the formation of latex aggregates, leading to premature gelling and reduced sealing effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a solution preparation step where rubber latex and an anti-freeze agent are mixed, followed by an aggregate growing step where the mixture is left still for 24 hours or more, and an aggregate removing step using a mesh filter finer than 50 mesh to remove latex aggregates, ensuring the sealing agent remains liquid and effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If propylene glycol is injected into the mixed solution of rubber latex and tackiness agent, then the sealing agent acquires anti-freeze properties, but moisture is rapidly absorbed from the rubber latex causing latex particles to aggregate and form gels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting propylene glycol into the mixed solution before the latex particles have a chance to aggregate. By pre-establishing the anti-freeze property in the mixed solution, the patent prevents the harmful interaction between propylene glycol and rubber latex particles that would otherwise cause rapid moisture absorption and aggregation. This sequential ordering of operations resolves the contradiction by ensuring the anti-freeze property is acquired before latex instability can occur.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sealing agent contains latex aggregates, then the aggregation phenomenon occurs during production, but the sealing agent gels over time deteriorating sealing ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by removing latex aggregates from the sealing agent through filtration. After the sealing agent is produced and latex aggregates have formed, the patent extracts these harmful aggregates by passing the sealing agent through a filter. This separation process removes the cause of gelation while preserving the functional sealing agent, thus extending shelf life without compromising the ease of manufacture.
3Productivity
If stirring is continued for a definite time after anti-freeze agent injection, then fine latex aggregates may be formed, but these aggregates are more readily removed by filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by intentionally forming latex aggregates through extended stirring before filtration. By pre-forming the aggregates during the production process, the patent makes them larger and more easily removable by filtration. This preliminary aggregation step simplifies the subsequent filtration operation and improves overall productivity, while the added stirring time does not significantly increase device complexity.
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 process efficiently removes latex aggregates, preventing the sealing agent from gelling and maintaining its sealing ability for extended periods, ensuring effective puncture repair without premature solidification.
Implementation Method 1
since propylene glycol that is used as an anti-freeze agent is a viscous liquid very strong in the compatibility with water, when propylene glycol is injected in the mixed solution, moisture is rapidly absorbed from the neighboring rubber latex in contact with the propylene glycol
Implementation Method 2
an aggregate removing step for removing the latex aggregates from the sealing agent stock solution by filtering the sealing agent stock solution which has undergone the aggregate growing step
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A sealing agent stock solution 20 is prepared by preparing a mixed solution 14 by mixing a rubber latex, a resin emulsion and a surfactant, and a predetermined amount of water in a solution preparation vessel 12, followed by adding an anti-freeze agent 18 to the mixed solution 14. The sealing agent stock solution 20 is held (left standing still) at least over for 24 hr or more and preferably over for 48 hr or more without stirring in the solution preparation vessel 12, followed by filtering the sealing agent stock solution 20 with a filter member 26 made of a mesh filter having the mesh number from 50 to 400 mesh to remove latex aggregates 36 generated in the sealing agent stock solution 20, and thereby a sealing agent 10 that does not contain the latex aggregates 36 is produced.