Elastomeric Tire Display Assembly With Barrier Layer Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adding decals or markings to vulcanized rubber articles, such as tires, are limited by their temporary nature, high material and labor costs, and lack of customization options, making it difficult to achieve long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and customizable designs.
Innovation Solution
A display assembly comprising one or more elastomeric display layers, an intermediate elastomeric barrier layer, and an adhesive layer, which is designed to be permanently attached to a vulcanized rubber article, allowing for variations in design and application methods, and ensuring long-term durability without compromising the integrity or appearance of the article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional extrusion or molding techniques with colored inks are used during vulcanization, then the markings are permanently integrated into the tire, but the process requires significant investment in materials, equipment and labor along with sizable wastage costs
Solution Approach 1:
The marking system is divided into separate components: a reusable black rubber base layer and interchangeable colored display layers. This segmentation allows the expensive colored portions to be produced separately with minimal waste and swapped as needed, while the base layer remains permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the display layers from permanently cured integrated markings to uncured elastomeric layers that can be applied and removed. This parameter change allows for customization without the material wastage associated with traditional molding processes.
2Reliability
If traditional extrusion or molding techniques are used, then markings are permanently integrated, but the technique is extremely limiting in terms of customizable designs due to molds and dies required
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the permanent black rubber base from the interchangeable colored display layers, the system eliminates the need for different molds for each design. Customers can customize by selecting different display layers without requiring new tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, mold-fixed designs to dynamic, interchangeable display layers that can be changed according to customer preference or promotional needs, greatly enhancing design versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If decals are applied for temporary service, then customization is easier, but the display assembly does not last for the life of the vulcanized article
Solution Approach 1:
The black rubber base layer is prepared in advance with adhesive properties and can be permanently attached to the tire during manufacturing or later. This preliminary preparation enables both permanent durability and future customization through layer interchangeability.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple layers are combined for permanent attachment, then durability is improved, but the complexity of the display assembly construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adhesive layer and barrier layer into a single intermediate layer, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining the necessary functions of adhesion and protection against adhesive migration to the display surface.
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 display assembly provides a flexible and durable solution for adding customizable designs to vulcanized rubber articles, ensuring long-term attachment and maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of the article.
Implementation Method 1
The material is capable of acting as a barrier to minimize or prevent the migration of any constituents of the adhesive layer and/or the vulcanized rubber article to the one or more display layers
Implementation Method 2
The one or more display layers and the intermediate layer are joined together by vulcanizing
Implementation Method 3
the adhesive layer is formed from a material capable of forming a chemical bond or being vulcanized with a surface of the vulcanized rubber article
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4A
Figure 4B~6
AI summary
Display assemblies (10) as disclosed herein are configured for attachment with a vulcanized rubber article (12) and are provided in the form of different material layers. Display assemblies generally comprise one or more display layers of elastomeric material configured to provide a desired display indicia, an intermediate layer formed from an elastomeric material different from that of the one or more display layers, and an adhesive layer wherein the intermediate layer is interposed between the adhesive layer and the one or more display layers. The one more display layers may be configured to act together or separately to provide a desired display indicia to provide a desired visual display or feature on the surface of the vulcanized rubber article, which may be a sidewall surface (14) of a tire (12).