Commercial Vehicle Tire Tread Base Segmentation for Rolling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle tires face challenges in reducing rolling resistance and heat buildup, particularly in the shoulder areas, which affect tire life and performance, while maintaining good wet grip properties.
Innovation Solution
The tread base is designed with an electrically conductive central base part and electrically non-conductive shoulder base parts, using silica or silica with carbon black as fillers, where the shoulder base parts have an electrical resistance greater than 10^8 ohms, and the side walls are made of non-conductive rubber material, optimizing rolling resistance and thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tread base is made from an electrically conductive rubber mixture containing carbon black to dissipate electrostatic charge, then electrical conductivity is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases and rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is divided into multiple regions with different filler compositions: the central region uses carbon black for electrical conductivity, while the shoulder regions use silica for low rolling resistance and good wet grip. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different filler types are applied to different locations within the tread base. The central area receives carbon black to handle electrostatic discharge, while the shoulder areas receive silica to reduce rolling resistance and improve wet grip performance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by giving each region the material properties it needs.
2Loss of energy
If silica is used as filler in the rubber mixture to reduce rolling resistance and improve wet grip, then rolling resistance and wet grip are improved, but electrical conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is segmented into central and shoulder regions with different filler compositions. Silica is placed in the shoulder regions to reduce rolling resistance, while carbon black is placed in the central region to ensure electrical conductivity for dissipating electrostatic charges.
Solution Approach 2:
Silica filler is applied locally in the shoulder areas where low rolling resistance and good wet grip are most beneficial, while carbon black is applied in the central area where electrical conductivity is critical. This local quality differentiation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the shoulder areas use carbon black-filled rubber mixture to ensure electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases and heat build-up increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread base is segmented into central and shoulder regions. The shoulder regions use silica-filled rubber mixture which provides better thermal conductivity to dissipate heat, while the central region uses carbon black-filled mixture for electrical conductivity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by giving the shoulder areas the material properties needed for heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
Silica filler is used in the shoulder areas where heat build-up is most problematic during vehicle operation, providing local thermal management. The central area maintains carbon black for electrical conductivity. This local differentiation allows optimal performance in both thermal and electrical properties.
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 reduces rolling resistance and heat buildup, improves wet grip, and enhances tire life by optimizing the rubber compound distribution in the tread, specifically through improved thermal conductivity and electrical resistance properties.
Implementation Method 1
improve thermal conductivity in the shoulder areas
Implementation Method 2
having an electrical resistance greater than 10^8 ohms
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Commercial vehicle tire of radial construction with a tread (1) having two straight circumferential grooves (7) extending in the circumferential direction on the shoulder side, each of which delimits a shoulder-extending profile rib on the inner side of the tread, wherein the tread (1) is constructed in two layers in the radial direction and is composed of a tread cap (5) containing the tread pattern and a tread base (6) extending radially within the tread cap (5), wherein the tread cap (5) is made of an electrically non-conductive rubber material and the tread base (6) has a base part (6a) made of an electrically conductive rubber material, wherein a circumferential rubber strip (9) made of an electrically conductive rubber material extends radially through the tread cap (5) and establishes an electrically conductive connection between the base part (6a) and the outer surface of the tread cap (5).wherein the base part (6a) occupies the central area of the tread strip base (6), and wherein a further shoulder-side extending base part (6b) made of a silica-containing rubber material is attached to each side of this base part (6a).