Solid Tyre Conductive Path Retrofitting After Vulcanization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial trucks with non-marking solid tires face temporary electronics failure due to sudden voltage discharges, necessitating extensive grounding, which existing methods for creating electrically conductive paths in solid tires are prone to defects during vulcanization.
Innovation Solution
A method involving drilling a through-connection in a vulcanized solid tire, spreading it, and introducing electrically conductive material to create a reliable conductive path without friction, ensuring conductivity from the tread to the rim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically conductive path is created by removing material from the unvulcanized tire and filling with conductive material, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but the path is prone to defects due to subsequent molding vulcanization and associated flow processes
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive path is created after vulcanization rather than before, eliminating the harmful flow processes during molding. The through-hole is drilled and filled with conductive material in a separate post-vulcanization step, preventing defects that would otherwise occur during the molding process
Solution Approach 2:
The tire manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: first vulcanization of the tire structure, then separate creation of the conductive path through drilling and filling. This separation allows each process to be optimized independently without interfering with the other
2Reliability
If the elongated through-connection is spread and electrically conductive material is introduced, then the reliability of the conductive path is improved and friction during material introduction is avoided, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spreading means is introduced as an intermediary tool to expand the through-connection and facilitate friction-free introduction of conductive material. This mediator enables reliable material placement without direct friction contact, improving path reliability while keeping the process manageable
3Reliability
If grounding chains are installed underneath the vehicle to prevent electrostatic charges, then electronics failure is prevented, but the vehicle complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tire itself becomes self-sufficient by containing an intrinsic conductive path that provides grounding protection. The conductive material in the tire eliminates the need for external grounding chains, as the tire autonomously conducts away static charges during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tire serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, traction, and now also electrical grounding protection. The conductive path integrates grounding capability into the tire structure, eliminating the need for separate grounding systems
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 method enhances the reliability of electrical conductivity from the tire tread to the road surface, preventing electronics failure and allowing easy, cost-effective retrofitting of new or used tires.
Implementation Method 1
c) Spreading the elongated through-connection by using a spreading means
Implementation Method 2
e) Removing the spreading means, whereby the electrically conductive material forms an electrically conductive path connecting the tread to the radially inner surface
Implementation Method 3
After removal of the spreading means, the electrically conductive material can be fixed in the elongated through-connection at least by a press fit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a vehicle tire, comprising the following steps: a) providing a vulcanized vehicle tire (1), wherein the vehicle tire is a solid tire, having a tread (2) comprising an electrically non-conductive rubber compound (13) which at least partially forms a running surface (3) of the tread, and having a radially inner surface (15) provided as a contact surface to a rim; b) removing material from the solid tire (1) by using a drilling means to create an elongated through-connection (6) from the running surface (3) to the radially inner surface (15); c) spreading the elongated through-connection (6) by using a spreading means (7); d) introducing electrically conductive material (8) into the spread elongated through-connection (6) from the running surface (3) to the radially inner surface (15); e) removing the spreading means.the electrically conductive material forms an electrically conductive path (9) connecting the running surface with the radially inner surface.