Pneumatic Tire Sidewall Cover Layer Wax-Free Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tire sidewall compounds containing waxes and antiozonants hinder proper adhesion of paints or inks, leading to premature disbonding and degradation of designs or wording applied to the tire.

Innovation Solution

A sidewall configuration featuring a wax-free cushion layer and a cover layer with a thermoset material or polymers having an ozone-resistant backbone, both with minimal concentrations of wax and antiozonants, ensuring proper bonding and protection from degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tire sidewall compounds containing waxes and antiozonants are used, then the sidewall provides adequate protection and flexibility, but the adhesion of paints or inks to the sidewall deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection and flexibility of sidewallVSAvoidadhesion of paints or inks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall is divided into two distinct layers: a cushion layer containing waxes and antiozonants for protection and flexibility, and a cover layer with minimal wax and antiozonant concentrations for paint/ink adhesion. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sidewall are given different compositions tailored to their specific functions. The cushion layer (inner region) has high wax and antiozonant content for protection, while the cover layer (outer region) has minimal concentrations to enable proper paint/ink bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If traditional tire sidewall compounds containing waxes and antiozonants are used, then the sidewall maintains its protective properties, but the durability of applied designs or wording deteriorates due to premature disbonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective properties of sidewallVSAvoiddurability of applied designs or wording
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall structure is segmented into a cushion layer for protection and a cover layer for durable design application. The cover layer's minimal wax and antiozonant content ensures long-term adhesion of paints or inks, while the cushion layer maintains protective functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover layer is prepared in advance with specific material properties (minimal wax and antiozonants) that pre-establish proper bonding conditions for paints or inks, preventing premature disbonding before the tire is even put into service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional tire sidewall compounds containing waxes and antiozonants are used, then the sidewall provides adequate chemical protection, but the quality of applied paints or inks deteriorates due to discoloration and staining

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical protection of sidewallVSAvoidquality of applied paints or inks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover layer is formulated with minimal wax and antiozonant concentrations specifically at the surface region where paints or inks are applied. This local quality control prevents discoloration and staining of designs or wording while the cushion layer below maintains overall chemical protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewall is segmented so that the cover layer (surface region) has composition optimized for paint/ink quality, while the cushion layer (inner region) contains full protective additives. This segmentation isolates the protective chemical functions from the surface quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3177466B1Pneumatic tire having sidewall cover layer
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC
  • EP3177466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3177466B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3177466B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A pneumatic tire having a sidewall cover layer for application of a printing ink and/or paint is provided. In one embodiment, the tire comprises: a sidewall portion including a cushion layer and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer is oriented axially outwardly of the cushion layer, wherein the cover layer is bonded to the cushion layer, wherein the cover layer is formed from a material that contains wax in a concentration of less than 0.03 pph, and wherein the cushion layer does not contain a wax.