Pneumatic Tire Sealant Layer Particle Shape Factor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealant tires face issues with foreign matter adhering to the inner surface, leading to reduced salability and inadequate sealing performance after punctures, as the sealant material can flow out when a puncture-causing object is removed, resulting in loss of internal pressure.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic tire with a sealant layer containing particles of specific shape factor (F = 5.00 to 1.00) on its inner surface, where the particles are fixed by a string-shaped sealant material, preventing foreign matter adhesion and ensuring effective sealing even after running.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealant material is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the tire, then puncture prevention function is improved, but foreign matter adhesion occurs reducing salability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture prevention functionVSAvoidforeign matter adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A release agent is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the tire before applying the sealant material. This release agent acts as an intermediary layer that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the sealant material while allowing the sealant to effectively seal punctures. The release agent creates a non-stick surface that solves the contradiction between maintaining sealant functionality and preventing foreign matter adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sealant material with high adhesiveness is used, then sealing performance is improved, but foreign matter adhesion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidforeign matter adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The release agent serves as an intermediary layer between the high-adhesiveness sealant material and the tire inner surface. This intermediary prevents foreign matter from directly adhering to the sealant while preserving the sealant's high adhesiveness for effective puncture sealing. The release agent creates a non-stick barrier that decouples the adhesiveness property from foreign matter adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3360701B1Pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3360701B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3360701B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3360701B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a sealant tire that has excellent sealing performance after running while inhibiting foreign matter from adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the tire. A pneumatic tire includes a sealant layer located inward of an inner liner in a tire radial direction, and particles having a shape factor F of 5.00 to 1.00 (F = L/E, L represents a maximum dimension of the particles, E represents a minimum dimension of the particles) are provided on an inner surface of the sealant layer in the tire radial direction.