Pneumatic Tire Belt Conductive Pathways for Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic vehicle tires face challenges in reducing rolling resistance while maintaining electrostatic charge dissipation and ensuring durability against cuts and tears.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electrically conductive material through two adjacent windings of the belt bandage, with locally formed circumferentially bounded passages, using silica-filled rubber mixtures for the tire components, and connecting these passages to the rim's electrically conductive sidewall, ensuring durable and conductive connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If silica-filled rubber mixtures are used for belt layers and belt bandage to reduce rolling resistance, then rolling resistance is reduced, but electrical conductivity is lost preventing electrostatic charge dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The belt structure is segmented into electrically insulating components (belt layers and belt bandage made from silica-filled rubber) and electrically conductive components (conductive material forming local passages). This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function: the majority provides low rolling resistance while the conductive segments ensure charge dissipation pathways exist
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical conductivity is introduced locally rather than throughout the entire belt structure. Conductive material is placed specifically in local passages between belt layers and connected to the conductive tread element, creating targeted conductive pathways within an otherwise insulating silica-filled rubber structure
2Reliability
If electrically conductive material is applied extensively to ensure charge dissipation, then electrostatic charge dissipation is ensured, but manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Conductive material is applied locally only where needed to create passage ways between belt layers and to connect to the conductive tread element. This localized application minimizes the amount of conductive material required and simplifies the overall configuration compared to extensive conductive coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive material is configured to extend in multiple dimensions: radially between belt layers, circumferentially to connect to the conductive element, and axially through the belt structure. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures comprehensive charge dissipation pathways without requiring excessive material
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 approach effectively reduces rolling resistance, enhances durability, and ensures reliable electrostatic charge dissipation, maintaining tire uniformity and performance.
Implementation Method 1
electrically conductive material in contact with the belt assembly connects the electrically conductive element to the electrically conductive side wall passage
Implementation Method 2
In order to reduce the rolling resistance of pneumatic vehicle tires, it is favorable to manufacture as many of the tire components that have rubber as possible from rubber mixtures filled with silica
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire with a tread (1), a belt assembly of at least two layers (2), optionally a belt assembly (2c) preferably designed as a coil bandage, furthermore with at least one electrically conductive element (8) arranged in the tread (1), penetrating it and extending to the outer surface of the tread, wherein at least one electrically conductive sidewall passage in contact with the rim is provided, wherein electrically conductive material (11, 12) in contact with the belt assembly (2) connects the electrically conductive element (8) with the electrically conductive sidewall passage.The belt layers (2a, 2b) and the belt bandage (2c) have electrically non-conductive rubber coatings, wherein the electrically conductive material (11, 12) forms at least one local electrically conductive passage extending in the axial direction and limited in the circumferential direction between the electrically conductive element (8) in the tread and the electrically conductive sidewall passage.