Tire Base Rubber Composition for High-Speed Ride Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tires lack improved ride comfort during high-speed running, as they do not effectively absorb shocks and maintain heat generation capabilities without increasing rolling resistance.
Innovation Solution
A tire design with a base rubber layer composed of a specific rubber composition where the product of the thickness (T mm) and total styrene amount (S % by mass) is greater than 0.50, incorporating silica and carbon black with specific particle sizes, and a balanced ratio of isoprene-based rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and butadiene rubber to form a phase-separated structure for enhanced shock absorption and heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If carbon black with large particle size is used in the rubber composition, then rolling resistance is improved and steering stability is improved, but ride comfort during high-speed running deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a phase-separated structure where styrene-rich domains are distributed within the rubber matrix. This local concentration of styrene in specific regions provides shock absorption capabilities without compromising the overall rolling resistance performance achieved through large particle size carbon black. The phase-separated structure allows different regions to perform different functions: carbon black for low rolling resistance and styrene domains for ride comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining rubber, carbon black, and styrene-containing compounds to create a multi-phase system. The composite structure consists of a rubber matrix reinforced with carbon black particles and embedded styrene-rich domains. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of low rolling resistance (from carbon black) and improved ride comfort (from styrene domains) that cannot be obtained with single-material systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the base rubber layer thickness is increased to improve shock absorption, then ride comfort is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and microstructure of the rubber material rather than changing its physical dimensions. Specifically, it adjusts the styrene content and creates phase-separated structures to enhance shock absorption capability. This allows improvement in ride comfort through material property changes without increasing the base rubber layer thickness, thereby avoiding increased rolling resistance.
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 tire achieves improved ride comfort during high-speed running by effectively absorbing shocks and managing heat, reducing stress on the base rubber layer, and maintaining fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a domain in which styrene gathers is formed in the base rubber layer... a shock from the outside of the base rubber layer can be mitigated at the styrene domain part
Implementation Method 2
Since a temperature inside the rubber becomes higher than room temperature during high-speed running and a molecular mobility of a styrene domain is improved
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire having improved ride comfort during high-speed running. Provided is a tire comprising a tread having a base rubber layer, wherein the base rubber layer is composed of a rubber composition comprising a rubber component, wherein a product (T × S) of a thickness T (mm) of the base rubber layer and a total styrene amount S (% by mass) in the rubber component is greater than 0.50.