Rubber-Reinforced Tire Composite With Thin Airtight Inner Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rubber-reinforced composites face challenges in achieving high airtightness and mechanical strength with minimal material thickness and homogeneity, particularly in components like pneumatic tires and air springs, while maintaining low heat generation and reducing inhomogeneities.

Innovation Solution

A rubber-strength carrier composite is designed with a gas-tight inner layer made of a rubber compound and a carcass layer with strength carriers encased by a carcass rubber coating layer, utilizing calendering to form a thin inner layer and reducing splices, with optional asymmetric or symmetric arrangements of the carcass rubber lining layer to enhance force transmission and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If the inner layer is made thinner to reduce material thickness and mass, then heat generation decreases and airtightness improves, but manufacturing difficulty increases and reject rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner layer thicknessVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carcass rubber layer is prepared in advance with the inner layer already positioned and secured before the final assembly process. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the inner layer is calendered, it is already correctly aligned, preventing manufacturing defects and reducing reject rates despite the thinness of the inner layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The carcass rubber layer serves as an intermediary medium that facilitates the manufacturing process. By calendering the inner layer around and encasing the carcass rubber layer, the process uses the carcass layer as a form or mediator to achieve uniform thinness without direct manipulation of the fragile thin inner layer, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty and rejects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the inner layer is made thinner to reduce material thickness, then heat generation during deformation decreases, but airtightness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generationVSAvoidairtightness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining the thin inner layer with the carcass rubber layer. The inner layer provides the airtight barrier function, while the carcass rubber layer provides structural support and reinforcement. This composite approach allows the inner layer to be extremely thin (reducing heat generation) while the carcass layer ensures airtightness is maintained through its encasement and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The inner layer is calendered around and encases the carcass rubber layer, creating a nested structure. This nesting arrangement allows the thin inner layer to conform precisely to the carcass layer's shape, ensuring complete enclosure and maintaining airtightness even at minimal thickness, while the carcass layer provides the structural backbone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the number of splices is reduced to improve homogeneity, then inhomogeneities decrease, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehomogeneityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carcass rubber layer is designed as a continuous structure that extends along the entire length of the pneumatic component. This continuity eliminates the need for multiple splices or joints in the carcass layer, ensuring homogeneous properties throughout the component. The continuous carcass layer maintains structural integrity and uniform performance without requiring complex splicing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 composite achieves high airtightness and mechanical strength with minimal thickness, reduced heat generation, and improved homogeneity, enabling efficient production with low material waste and enhanced durability.

Implementation Method 1

This problem is solved by calendering the inner layer around and encasing a carcass rubber layer during its production or shaping.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCalendering:

Implementation Method 2

The carcass rubber liner is typically a sulfur-curable rubber compound. Its high dynamic and mechanical resistance, as well as its low tendency to crack formation and propagation, contribute significantly to the durability of the rubber-support composite.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSulfur curing: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4414182B1Rubber/reinforcing adhesive-backing-member composite
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4414182B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a rubber-strength carrier composite (1), in particular a pneumatic tire component, with a gas-tight inner layer (2) made of a rubber compound and a carcass layer (3) with strength carriers (4), wherein the strength carriers (4) are encased by a carcass rubber coating layer (5).