Tire Inner Liner Coating for Post-Cure Component Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in creating a method to effectively apply a polymer-containing coating to the radially inward-facing surface of a cured tire inner liner, allowing for the subsequent installation of components like noise barriers, air barriers, or electronic modules without interference from polysiloxane releases, which inhibit adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a coating composition comprising a silyl-terminated polymer, optional plasticizers, tackifiers, adhesion promoters, moisture scavengers, catalysts, and antioxidants is applied to the lower surface of the cured inner liner, creating a polymer-containing coating that enhances adhesion and supports the integration of additional tire components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polysiloxane-containing release is applied to the lower surface of the inner liner to prevent sticking to the bladder, then adhesion between the inner liner and bladder is prevented, but adhesion of other materials to the lower surface of the cured inner liner is inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of stickingVSAvoidadhesion of additional components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A release agent is applied to the lower surface of the inner liner before curing to prevent sticking to the bladder. After curing, a polymer-containing coating is applied to the same surface to restore adhesion properties for additional components. This preliminary action sequence resolves the contradiction by temporarily providing release properties during curing, then restoring adhesion properties for subsequent component installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the inner liner are changed through the application of a polymer-containing coating after curing. This coating modifies the surface parameters (adhesion, tackiness) to enable component attachment while maintaining the release function during the curing process. The parameter change occurs in two stages: first applying release properties, then restoring adhesion properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If no polysiloxane-containing release is applied to the lower surface of the inner liner, then adhesion of additional components to the lower surface is maintained, but sticking to the bladder during curing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion of additional componentsVSAvoidprevention of sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The release agent is applied as a preliminary measure before curing to ensure proper detachment from the bladder. After curing, the polymer-containing coating is applied to restore adhesion properties. This sequential approach allows each function (release and adhesion) to be optimized at the appropriate time in the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The release agent acts as an intermediary during the curing process to prevent sticking, while the polymer-containing coating serves as an intermediary after curing to enable component adhesion. These intermediary substances allow the inner liner surface to fulfill different functional requirements at different stages of manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a polymer-containing coating is applied to the lower surface of the cured inner liner to enable component adhesion, then adhesion properties are improved, but additional manufacturing steps and materials are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion of additional componentsVSAvoidcoating application process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer-containing coating serves multiple functions: it provides adhesion for component attachment, maintains the release properties needed for bladder detachment, and protects the inner liner surface. By combining multiple functions into a single coating layer, the solution reduces overall process complexity despite adding a manufacturing step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The final inner liner surface consists of a composite structure: the cured rubber inner liner combined with a polymer-containing coating layer. This composite material provides both the release properties of the underlying rubber and the adhesion properties of the polymer coating, enabling both functions without requiring separate treatment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 polymer-containing coating improves the adhesion properties of the inner liner, enabling the secure installation of components radially inward of the cured inner liner, while minimizing the impact of polysiloxane releases and ensuring effective adhesion without the need for additional adhesives.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer-containing coating improves the adhesion properties of the inner liner, enabling the secure installation of components radially inward of the cured inner liner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11794430B2Methods for producing polymer-containing coatings upon cured inner liners, methods for producing tires containing such inner liners, and tires containing such inner liners
Publication Date: 2023.10.24 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Methods for producing a polymer-containing coating upon a cured tire inner liner using a coating composition of specified composition are provided. Also provided are methods for producing a tire comprising a cured inner liner (with a polymer-containing coating upon its radially inward-facing surface) and at least one component positioned radially inward of the cured inner liner. Tires containing a cured inner liner (with a polymer-containing coating upon its radially inward-facing surface) and at least one component positioned radially inward of the cured inner liner are also disclosed.