Shaped Tire Tread Structure With Embedded Reinforcements and Voids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire manufacturing methods face challenges in efficiently utilizing space within the tire mold during vulcanization, leading to suboptimal distribution and curing of rubber, which can result in uneven tire performance and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple sheets of green rubber with embedded reinforcements and voids, constructed using additive manufacturing techniques, allows for a composite layer tire design where objects such as steel, polyester, or carbon fibers are sandwiched between the sheets to enhance tread structure and traction, while voids within the tread maintain shape during curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional tire manufacturing methods are used with green tire and mold features, then the tire can be vulcanized, but the space utilization in the mold is inefficient leading to suboptimal rubber distribution and curing
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is divided into multiple discrete components including tread blocks, voids, and reinforcement elements that can be independently positioned and optimized within the mold. This segmentation allows for efficient space utilization and improved rubber distribution during vulcanization.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcement elements and tread structures are pre-positioned within the green tire before vulcanization. This preliminary arrangement ensures optimal spatial distribution and eliminates the need for complex mold features, improving both curing efficiency and space utilization.
2Reliability
If multiple sheets of green rubber with embedded objects are used, then tread structure and traction are enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sheets of green rubber are stacked and nested together with reinforcement elements embedded between the sheets. This nesting approach creates a complex tread structure through simple layering, enhancing reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire incorporates composite construction by combining multiple rubber sheets with embedded reinforcement elements such as steel, polyester, nylon, or carbon fiber. This composite approach enhances tread structure and traction while maintaining manufacturability through standardized assembly procedures.
3Productivity
If voids are created within the tread region, then rubber distribution and curing are optimized, but the tread structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tread incorporates voids or porous structures that facilitate optimal rubber distribution and curing during vulcanization. These voids are strategically positioned to improve productivity while maintaining an organized tread pattern through controlled porosity rather than random complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, with each sheet having a tread region disposed along a circumference. A plurality of objects are sandwiched between adjacent sheets of green rubber in the tread region. Each object is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, polyester, nylon, carbon fiber, aramid, fiber glass, cotton, hemp, polyurethane and other plastic, other synthetic or natural fibers and other metal materials.