Utility Tire Blocking Ply Steel Cord Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial vehicle tires with a three-layer belt package face challenges in durability and production costs, while also needing to meet the penetration test requirements specified in FMVSS, which existing designs struggle to balance effectively.

Innovation Solution

The use of steel cords with a filament diameter ranging from 0.42 to 0.45 mm and a density of 50 to 80 per decimeter in the barrier layer, arranged in a 3 x filament diameter construction, provides increased specific resistance and cutting resistance, while reducing material usage and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If steel cords with smaller diameter and higher density are used in the barrier layer, then production costs are reduced and durability is improved, but the penetration test requirements may not be met

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidpenetration test compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the filament diameter to a specific range (0.42-0.45 mm) and adjusting the cord density to 50-80 ends per decimeter. These parameter modifications achieve the desired balance between durability improvement and penetration test compliance, resolving the technical contradiction by finding optimal values that satisfy both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If steel cord density is increased to improve specific resistance, then cutting resistance improves, but material distribution becomes less uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific resistanceVSAvoidstress distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameter of filament diameter to a specific range (0.42-0.45 mm) that provides sufficient cutting resistance while maintaining uniform stress distribution. The optimized diameter ensures that individual filaments are robust enough to handle stress concentrations, allowing higher cord density without compromising composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If steel cord filament diameter is increased to improve cutting resistance, then penetration resistance improves, but material usage and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting resistanceVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining an optimal filament diameter range (0.42-0.45 mm) that maximizes cutting resistance per unit of material. This optimized parameter achieves the best efficiency ratio, providing sufficient penetration resistance while minimizing material consumption and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite material principles by combining steel filaments of optimized diameter with rubber matrix in a specific construction (3x filament diameter). This composite structure achieves superior cutting resistance through the synergistic effect of the steel filaments' mechanical strength and the rubber matrix's toughness, reducing the need for excessive material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2969596B1Vehicle pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2969596B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2969596B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire of radial construction, in particular a utility vehicle tire, having a belt assembly (3) made of at least three plies (7, 8, 9), namely two working plies (8, 9) and a blocking ply (7) arranged radially on the inside in relation to the working plies (8, 9), wherein each of said belt plies (7, 8, 9) has strength carriers made of steel cord embedded in elastomer, which are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in each belt ply (7, 8, 9); in order to satisfy the penetration test according to FMVSS and at the same time to reduce the production costs of the vehicle tire, the steel cords (11) of the blocking ply (7) according to the invention to have the construction 1 x 3, wherein the filament diameter (13) is 0.36 mm - 0.45 mm and the steel cords (11) are arranged at a density of 50 - 110 ends per decimeter (EPDM) in the blocking ply (7).