Thermoplastic Elastomer Tire Frame for Low Loss and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tires produced using thermoplastic polymer materials face challenges in achieving a balance between low rolling resistance, elastic modulus, and durability, while also requiring increased production efficiency and reduced costs compared to conventional rubber tires.

Innovation Solution

A tire with a tire frame formed from a thermoplastic elastomer having a structure of alternating hard and soft segments, with a number of repeating units between 2 to 10 and a number average molecular weight of 45,000 to 160,000, which enhances compatibility and reduces the intermediate phase, thereby improving elastic modulus and low loss properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a tire is produced using a thermoplastic polymer material, then production efficiency is improved and cost is reduced, but low rolling resistance (low loss property) deteriorates compared to conventional rubber tires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidlow loss property

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the number average molecular weight (45,000-160,000) and the number of repeating units (2-10) of the thermoplastic elastomer. This optimization of molecular parameters achieves a balance between processing performance (injection moldability) and low loss properties, resolving the contradiction between production efficiency and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a tire is produced using a thermoplastic elastomer, then production efficiency is improved and cost is reduced, but elastic modulus and low loss property cannot be both excellent and well-balanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidelastic modulus

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and repeating unit parameters of the thermoplastic elastomer to achieve desirable elastic modulus while maintaining production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thermoplastic elastomer with a specific segmented structure (hard segments and soft segments repeating alternately) that combines the advantages of both rigid and flexible components, achieving balanced elastic modulus and low loss properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If a tire is produced using a thermoplastic elastomer, then production efficiency is improved, but durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the number average molecular weight (45,000-160,000) and repeating unit number (2-10) to ensure the thermoplastic elastomer has sufficient mechanical strength and durability while maintaining injection moldability and production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10611190B2Tire

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 BRIDGESTONE CORP

AI summary

There is provided a tire comprising a tire frame that is formed of a resin material and has a circular form, wherein the resin material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a structure including a hard segment (HS) and a soft segment (SS), which repeat alternately, in which a number of repeating units in one molecular chain is from 2 to 10, each of the repeating units being a pair of the hard segment (HS) and the soft segment (SS), the thermoplastic elastomer having a number average molecular weight of from 45,000 to 160,000.