Luminescent Tire Noise Absorber Marking for Recycling Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The difficulty in recognizing and separating pneumatic vehicle tires with noise absorbers from those without during recycling due to the absorbers' dark color and dirty condition, making material separation challenging and slowing down the recycling process.

Innovation Solution

Applying a luminescent agent to the radially inwardly directed surface of the noise absorber, allowing for easier distinction using a detector or visually, without the need for individual operator inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a noise absorber is attached to the inner surface of the tire to reduce driving noise, then the noise level is improved, but the recognition and separation of the tire during recycling becomes difficult due to the dark color and dirty condition of the absorber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving noiseVSAvoidrecognition of noise absorber
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a luminescent agent to the radially inwardly directed surface of the noise absorber, causing it to emit light in the visible range (350-800 nm) when excited by UV or visible light (200-700 nm). This luminescent property creates a visual contrast that enables easy detection and differentiation of tires with noise absorbers during recycling, directly resolving the recognition difficulty caused by the dark and dirty appearance of the absorbers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If material separation is performed manually by individual operator inspection, then the separation accuracy is improved, but the recycling process becomes time-consuming and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation accuracyVSAvoidrecycling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection by operators with automated optical detection using photodiodes. The luminescent agents on the noise absorbers emit detectable light signals that can be automatically sensed by photodiode detectors, enabling automated identification and separation of tires with noise absorbers. This substitution of manual mechanical inspection with automated optical detection simultaneously achieves high separation accuracy and maintains high recycling productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the entire noise absorber is made luminescent, then the detectability is improved, but the material consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetectability of noise absorberVSAvoidluminescent agent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the luminescent agent only to the radially inwardly directed surface of the noise absorber, which is the surface that can be detected during recycling operations. This localized application provides sufficient detectability for automated detection systems while minimizing the quantity of luminescent agent required, thereby reducing material consumption and cost compared to making the entire noise absorber luminescent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables efficient and automated differentiation and separation of tires with and without noise absorbers, simplifying the recycling process by utilizing photoluminescent agents that absorb light in the 200-700 nm range and emit in the 350-800 nm range, detectable by photodiodes.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing photoluminescent agents that absorb light in the 200-700 nm range and emit in the 350-800 nm range, detectable by photodiodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP4103411B1Pneumatic vehicle tire with noise absorber, and method for detecting a pneumatic vehicle tire with noise absorber and for recycling a pneumatic vehicle tire with noise absorber
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4103411B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4103411B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP4103411B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire with at least one noise absorber adhesively attached to the inner surface opposite the tread in the interior of the pneumatic vehicle tire. The invention additionally relates to a method for detecting a pneumatic vehicle tire with a noise absorber and to a method for recycling a pneumatic vehicle tire with a noise absorber. According to the invention, at least one luminescence agent is applied onto the noise absorber surface facing radially inwards. The tire according to the invention is detected via the luminescence agent.