Tire Conductivity Path for Static Charge Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires with high silica content accumulate static charge, leading to undesirable static electricity issues during vehicle operation, which existing solutions like using antennas to dissipate charge do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductive metal filament or path along specific regions of the tire, such as between the tread and the body ply, and around the bead areas, to facilitate the dissipation of electric charge, with the filament extending from the middle belt region to the abrasion areas and wrapping around the bead and sidewall regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high silica content materials are used in tires, then tire durability and wear resistance are improved, but static charge accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive filament is introduced as an intermediary element within the tire structure, specifically positioned between the belt and the body ply. This filament acts as a mediator that provides a dedicated pathway for static charge dissipation without altering the high silica content tread compound, thus maintaining durability while resolving the static charge issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire structure is segmented to include a separate conductive filament component distinct from the main tire body. This segmentation allows the conductive element to be independently optimized for charge dissipation while the rest of the tire maintains its high silica composition for durability, resolving the contradiction between these two functions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If antennas are added to dissipate static charge, then charge dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive filament is merged into the existing tire ply structure, specifically positioned between the belt and body ply layers. This integration eliminates the need for separate antenna components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective charge dissipation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive filament utilizes the tire's own structural layers (belt and body ply) as its mounting substrate, making the tire structure itself serve the dual purpose of structural support and charge dissipation pathway, thereby eliminating the need for additional dedicated components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conductive filament is added between belt and body ply, then static charge dissipation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive filament is incorporated into the tire structure during the vulcanization process itself, rather than being added as a post-manufacturing component. This preliminary action integrates the conductive element into the tire's curing process, ensuring proper adhesion and positioning without requiring additional manufacturing steps.
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 conductive paths effectively dissipate static charge, reducing static electricity accumulation and improving vehicle operation safety and efficiency by ensuring better conductivity and charge dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
A metal filament extends from an area below a middle 30% of the belt region to at least one of the abrasion areas
Data Source
AI summary
A tire includes a pair of beads and a crown region including a circumferential tread disposed radially above a circumferential belt. The tire further includes a pair sidewalls extending from the pair of beads to the crown region. A body ply wraps around the pair of beads and terminates in a pair of turn up ends in the crown region, below the middle 30% of the circumferential belt. A conductive substance is disposed along a strip of the body ply.