Self-Sealing Tire Sealant Layer Width for Low Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-sealing pneumatic tires face challenges in maintaining good sealing properties while minimizing tire weight and rolling resistance, as the viscosity of the sealant affects its flow and distribution, leading to inadequate sealing when it deviates from the tire center.
Innovation Solution
The tire design includes a sealant layer with a width that is equal to or greater than the actual ground contact width but less than the inner belt layer width, combined with a specific thickness ratio of the sealant to the tread portion, and the use of an adhesive sealant with a low tan δ at 60°C, ensuring sufficient sealing without excessive weight or rolling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealant layer is provided on the tire inner surface, then sealing properties are improved, but the weight of the entire tire increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the sealant layer thickness to 1.0 mm or more, which provides sufficient sealing capability while controlling the overall weight increase. This thickness parameter ensures adequate sealant availability for sealing without excessive weight addition to the tire.
2Reliability
If the sealant layer is provided on the tire inner surface, then sealing properties are improved, but the rolling resistance tends to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the sealant layer thickness to 1.0 mm or more and controlling the sealant viscosity within 100 to 500 Pa·s. These parameter optimizations ensure sufficient sealing performance while minimizing the negative impact on rolling resistance by avoiding excessive sealant layer thickness.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses sealant flow during travel, maintains good sealing properties, and reduces tire weight and rolling resistance, while ensuring adequate coverage of potential through-holes.
Implementation Method 1
when the viscosity of the sealant is low, the sealant easily flows into the through-hole
Implementation Method 2
the sealant flows toward a tire center side due to the effects of heat and centrifugal force applied during travel
Data Source
AI summary
In a pneumatic tire including belt layers on an outer circumferential side of a carcass layer in a tread portion and a sealant layer made of an adhesive sealant provided on an inner surface of the tread portion, a width SW of the sealant layer, a width BW1 of an inner belt layer disposed adjacent to the carcass layer of the belt layers, and an actual ground contact width CW satisfy a relationship CW≤SW≤BW1.