Pneumatic Tire Conductive Thread Grid for Electrostatic Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tires with rubber materials in low rolling resistance mixtures have insufficient electrical conductivity, leading to electrostatic charge issues when the tread comes into contact with the road surface, as they are either non-conductive or have low conductivity, requiring new solutions for creating electrically conductive pathways between the tread and the metallic tire rim.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electrically conductive threads within the belt bandage and belt layers, which form a grid-like conductor, allowing for an electrically conductive connection between the carbon center beam and the tire rim, enabling effective electrostatic discharge through known conductive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If low rolling resistance rubber compounds are used in the tread and belt layers, then rolling resistance is reduced, but electrical conductivity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining low rolling resistance rubber compounds with electrically conductive threads in the belt bandage and belt layers. This creates a multi-component structure where the rubber provides low rolling resistance while the conductive threads provide electrical conductivity, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically conductive threads act as an intermediary element between the non-conductive rubber compounds and the metallic rim. These threads are embedded in the rubber layers and extend to contact the rim, serving as a mediator that enables electrostatic discharge without requiring the rubber itself to be conductive.
2Reliability
If electrically conductive material is added to achieve electrostatic discharge, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive threads serve multiple functions simultaneously: they reinforce the rubber layers structurally (acting as belt plies) and provide electrical conductivity for electrostatic discharge. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining structural and electrical functions in a single element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural reinforcement function and electrical conduction function into a single integrated system. The conductive threads are embedded within the rubber compound of the belt bandage and belt layers, combining what would otherwise be separate components into one unified structure.
3Reliability
If conductive threads are embedded in belt bandage and belt layers, then electrical pathways are established, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive threads are pre-embedded in the rubber compound during the vulcanization process rather than being added as a separate post-manufacturing step. This preliminary action integrates the conductive elements into the tire structure during normal production, avoiding additional complex manufacturing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conduction system is segmented into multiple independent conductive threads distributed throughout the belt bandage and belt layers. This segmentation allows each thread to function independently and simplifies the manufacturing process, as the threads can be individually positioned and embedded without requiring complex integrated structures.
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 solution provides a simple and effective means to establish electrically conductive pathways between the tread and the rim, ensuring efficient electrostatic discharge while maintaining low rolling resistance, even with non-conductive rubber coatings in the belt bandage and belt layers.
Implementation Method 1
electrically conductive threads run on the upper side of the radially outermost belt layer, which together with the thread on the underside of the bandage strip form a grid-like electrical conductor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Radial-type pneumatic vehicle tires comprising: - a radially constructed tread (1) with at least two layers, the outer tread layer (1a) being made of an electrically non-conductive rubber material; - a carbon center beam (12) made of an electrically conductive rubber material in the tread (1); - a belt (2) with at least two layers, the outermost radial belt layer (2b) having reinforcing elements embedded in an electrically non-conductive rubber coating; - a belt bandage (9) designed as a coil bandage with reinforcing elements embedded in an electrically non-conductive rubber coating, wherein the belt bandage (9) with edge sections (9a) covers and extends beyond the edge edges of the outermost radial belt layer (2b); - sidewalls (7) made of an electrically non-conductive rubber material.The belt bandage (9) has at least one bandage strip (9b) on the underside of which at least one electrically conductive thread (13) runs parallel to its reinforcing elements, and electrically conductive threads run on the upper side of the radially outermost belt layer (2b), which together with the thread (13) on the underside of the belt bandage (9) form a grid-like electrical conductor, wherein the belt bandage (9) has at least one gap (10) in the circumferential direction, through which either the electrically conductive rubber material of the carbon center beam (12) is in contact with the upper side of the radially outermost belt layer (2b), and wherein the thread (13) on the underside of the belt bandage (9) extends at least to one of the edge sections (9a) and, when the tire is mounted on a rim, is in electrically conductive contact with the rim via electrically conductive components located in the tire.