Tire Sidewall Insert with Recycled Elastomer and Protective Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire technologies face limitations in using recycled tire materials effectively, as they often result in reduced performance and increased costs, with limited integration of recycled materials due to concerns about durability, chemical resistance, and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring sidewalls with a high proportion of recycled tire-derived elastomeric composition, exceeding 40%, integrated within a reinforcing structure and protected by a protective layer of elastomer or bi-elastic fabric to enhance durability and resistance to chemical and UV attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If high proportion of recycled tire powder is used in tire sidewalls, then environmental sustainability and waste reduction are improved, but resistance to chemical attack and UV degradation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tire sidewall is divided into two distinct layers: an inner layer containing high proportion of recycled tire powder (≥40%) for environmental benefits, and an outer protective layer free of recycled materials for durability. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sidewall are assigned different material compositions based on functional requirements. The inner layer uses recycled material where structural support is needed, while the outer layer uses virgin material where protection against environmental degradation is critical.
2Quantity of substance
If high proportion of recycled tire powder is used in tire sidewalls, then raw material costs are reduced, but performance and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall is segmented into cost-effective inner layer using recycled materials and performance-critical outer layer using virgin materials, optimizing the balance between cost and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire sidewall employs a composite structure combining recycled elastomeric composition (≥40%) in the inner layer with virgin elastomeric composition in the outer layer, creating a multi-material system that leverages the advantages of both material types.
3Ease of manufacture
If recycled elastomeric composition is used without protective coating, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but resistance to ozone and chemical degradation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall is divided into an inner layer with recycled materials and an outer protective layer that acts as a barrier against environmental harmful factors, with each layer having specific compositional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer protective layer serves as an intermediary barrier between the recycled elastomeric composition in the inner layer and environmental harmful factors (ozone, UV, chemicals), protecting the recycled materials from degradation.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
A tire (1) comprising sidewalls (2), a crown zone (3) with a tread (4), a reinforcing structure (5) extending between the sidewalls and passing through the crown zone, the portion of the sidewalls (2) that is axially exterior to the reinforcing structure (5) comprising an insert (6) that includes a first elastomer composition serving as a matrix in which a second elastomer composition derived from recycled tires is distributed in a substantially uniform manner, the proportion of the second composition being greater than or equal to 40%, and the insert (6) being axially exteriorly covered by a protective layer (7).