Tire Surface Treatment Using Synthetic Esters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tire treatments for racing performance, primarily using petroleum distillates and coal tar distillates, are hazardous, environmentally unfriendly, and reduce tire life, while offering temporary performance enhancements that fade due to volatility and surface wear.
Innovation Solution
The use of synthetic esters with varying molecular weights and structures to modify tire performance characteristics such as durometer, adhesion, and life, without the drawbacks of traditional chemicals, including water-soluble esters for cleaning and non-volatile esters for enhanced adhesion and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If petroleum distillates and coal tar distillates are used as tire treatments, then tire performance (adhesion, durometer modification) is improved, but environmental harm increases and tire life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petroleum distillates and coal tar distillates with synthetic esters having specific molecular weights and structures. This parameter change maintains the desired tire performance effects (adhesion modification, durometer control) while eliminating the harmful environmental properties of the original chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite ester formulations combining multiple ester compounds with different molecular weights and chemical structures. These composite ester materials provide the necessary performance benefits while maintaining environmental safety, resolving the contradiction between performance improvement and environmental harm.
2Reliability
If volatile solvents are used to draw chemicals out of tires during evaporation, then temporary performance advantage is achieved, but tire life is reduced and structure integrity is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of the treatment chemicals by using synthetic esters with controlled vapor pressures. These esters provide sufficient performance enhancement without the excessive volatility that causes tire structure degradation and reduces tire life, thus resolving the contradiction between temporary performance gain and tire durability.
3Speed
If chemicals with high vapor pressure are applied to tires, then quick evaporation and temporary performance boost are achieved, but adhesion durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the vapor pressure parameter of the ester compounds to achieve a balanced performance profile. The synthetic esters are selected to have appropriate volatility for effective tire surface modification while maintaining sufficient adhesion durability, resolving the contradiction between quick evaporation-driven performance boost and long-lasting adhesion.
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
The application of esters improves tire performance by maintaining enhanced adhesion and reducing durometer without environmental harm, extending tire life and ensuring consistent racing performance.
Implementation Method 1
The chosen solvents have a high enough vapor pressure so that they evaporate relatively quickly. During evaporation, these solvents draw chemicals out of the tires and leave other tire chemicals or components at a higher concentration than normal at the surface of an untreated tire.
Implementation Method 2
These prior art tire treatments include Methyl Naphthalene, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, toluene, Xylene, Creosote, DEET, automatic transmission fluid, WD-40, Naphthenic Solvents, Naphthenic Oils, Paraffinic Solvents, Paraffinic Oils, Aromatic Solvents, Aromatic Oils, Ethyl-Benzene, and various commercial blends of these chemicals and blends.
Data Source
AI summary
This application is directed to a method of treating tires so that the tires will have better performance, especially when used for racing. The method disclosed herein is especially suited for use in go kart racing, although the method can be used for other applications in which the adhesion and hardness of tires, after their manufacture is to be altered. The method also includes cleaning steps and formulations. This method involves the selective use of various esters to alter tire characteristics as desired.