Thermoplastic Elastomer Underlayer for Tire Drift Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire manufacturers face the challenge of increasing tire drift rigidity without significantly increasing hysteresis, which is typically accompanied by a loss of rigidity, in the manufacturing of radial tires for vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a radially internal elastomeric underlayer with a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer composition, comprising elastomer and thermoplastic blocks, within a specific molecular weight range and glass transition temperature profile, between the tread and the crown reinforcement, to enhance drift rigidity while minimizing hysteresis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rigidity of the underlayer is increased to improve handling, then drift rigidity is improved, but hysteresis increases which reduces rolling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The underlayer uses a composite material formulation combining thermoplastic elastomer (65-100 phr) with conventional elastomers and fillers. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both high rigidity (from the thermoplastic elastomer's block copolymer structure) and low hysteresis (from the elastomeric phases), resolving the contradiction between strength and energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the underlayer by incorporating thermoplastic elastomer at specific concentrations (65-100 phr). This parameter change fundamentally alters the material's viscoelastic properties, achieving high drift rigidity while maintaining low hysteresis through the unique phase-separated structure of the block copolymer
2Loss of energy
If conventional elastomers are used in the underlayer to maintain flexibility, then hysteresis is reduced, but drift rigidity is insufficient for improved handling
Solution Approach 1:
The underlayer combines thermoplastic elastomer with conventional elastomers in a composite formulation. The thermoplastic elastomer provides the necessary rigidity while the conventional elastomer components maintain low hysteresis, achieving both requirements simultaneously through material composition rather than using either material alone
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 underlayer composition effectively increases tire drift rigidity without a substantial increase in hysteresis, thereby improving vehicle handling and road behavior.
Implementation Method 1
said underlayer comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer, said thermoplastic elastomer being a block copolymer comprising at least one elastomer block and at least one thermoplastic block
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a radial tyre (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a crown (29 comprising a tread (3) provided with at least one radially outer part (3a) that comes into contact with the road; two non-extendable beads (4), two sidewalls (5) connecting the beads (4) to the tread (3), a casing ply (6) extending over the two sidewalls (5) and anchored in the beads (4); a bracing ply or belt (7) arranged circumferentially between the radially outer part (3a) of the tread (3) and the casing ply (6); and a radially inner elastomer layer (8), called an "underlayer", that has a different formulation from the formulation of the radially outer part (3a) of the tread, said underlayer being itself arranged circumferentially between the radially outer part (3a) of the tread (3) and the casing ply (6). The invention is characterised in that said underlayer comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer, said thermoplastic elastomer being a block copolymer comprising at least one elastomer block and at least one thermoplastic block, the total thermoplastic elastomer content being within a range varying from 65 to 100 pcs (parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer).