Three-Zone Tire Tread Composition for Normal and Wintry Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tires fail to provide satisfactory performance on both normal and wintry road surfaces, particularly on wintry surfaces like snow-covered roads, while maintaining performance on normal roads, due to limitations in rubber composition and tread design.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with a tread axially divided into three regions, using a center rubber composition with a higher glass transition temperature and shoulder rubber composition, along with reinforcing cords oriented between 35 to 55 degrees relative to the circumferential orientation, to enhance contact patch shape and improve traction on both surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single rubber composition is used for the entire tread, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but performance on both normal and wintry road surfaces cannot be satisfied simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is segmented into three distinct axial regions: a center region and two shoulder regions. Each region is assigned a different rubber composition optimized for specific road conditions. The center region uses a rubber composition with higher glass transition temperature for normal road performance, while the shoulder regions use a composition with lower glass transition temperature for wintry road performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different rubber compositions are applied to different axial regions of the tread based on their specific functional requirements. The center region rubber has higher Tg for stability on normal roads, while the shoulder region rubber has lower Tg for flexibility and grip on snow and ice. This local differentiation allows each region to perform optimally for its intended purpose.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tread is divided into multiple regions with different rubber compositions, then performance on different road surfaces improves, but the complexity of manufacturing and material application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages for applying different rubber compositions to different axial regions. This allows for specialized processing of each region while maintaining overall production efficiency. The clear axial boundaries facilitate systematic material application and quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process applies specific rubber compositions with defined properties to specific axial regions. The center region receives composition optimized for normal roads, while shoulder regions receive composition optimized for wintry conditions. This localized approach enables performance optimization without requiring complete redesign of the entire manufacturing system.
3Speed
If reinforcing cords are oriented at smaller angles to the circumferential direction, then high speed performance and handling are improved, but snow handling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing cord orientation is optimized for the center region to achieve high speed performance and stable handling through smaller angles relative to the circumferential direction. Meanwhile, the shoulder regions maintain configurations that enable effective snow handling. This spatial differentiation allows conflicting performance requirements to be satisfied in their respective zones.
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 design allows for improved performance on both normal and wintry road surfaces by optimizing contact patch geometry and rubber composition, maintaining performance on normal roads while enhancing snow handling and braking on wintry surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a glass transition temperature Tg of the center rubber composition being higher than a glass transition temperature Tg of the shoulder rubber composition
Data Source
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AI summary
Present invention provides a tire comprising a tread, at least one carcass ply placed radially inward of the tread and at least one ply placed radially inbetween the tread and the at least one carcass ply, the tread having a contact face of a contact width CW, the tread being axially divided into 3 regions, 2 shoulder regions located axially outward of the tread being composed of a shoulder rubber composition and a center region axially sandwiched by the 2 shoulder regions being composed of a center rubber composition different than the shoulder rubber composition, the at least one ply comprises a plurality of reinforcing cords extending with an angle A in a range from 35 to 55 degrees relative to circumferential orientation, a glass transition temperature of the center rubber composition is at least equal to 10°C higher than a glass transition temperature of the shoulder rubber composition.