Tire Tread Composition Balancing On-Road Grip and Off-Road Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire manufacturers face the challenge of developing a single tire product that balances high grip performance on both paved (On-road) and unpaved (Off-road) surfaces, as existing solutions often compromise between the two.
Innovation Solution
A tire tread composition featuring a blend of diene elastomers, including a styrene-butadiene copolymer with SiOR functions and polyisoprene, combined with a reinforcing filler system that includes silica and a minimal amount of carbon black, to enhance both On-road and Off-road performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tire tread composition is optimized for high grip on paved roads (On-road), then wet grip performance is improved, but performance on unpaved roads (Off-road) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber blend by incorporating a specific diene elastomer with SiOR functions and controlling the carbon black content to achieve a balance between On-road and Off-road performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite rubber composition combining multiple elastomers (diene elastomer with SiOR functions, polyisoprene) and a specific filler system (inorganic filler with controlled carbon black content) to achieve dual-performance characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tire tread composition is optimized for high grip on unpaved roads (Off-road), then Off-road performance is improved, but grip performance on paved roads (On-road) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adjusts the elastomer composition parameters, specifically using a diene elastomer with SiOR functions and polyisoprene in controlled amounts, to achieve balanced performance across different road conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The composite rubber composition with specific elastomer blends and filler ratios provides the versatility needed for both Off-road and On-road performance without compromising either
3Reliability
If the carbon black content in the reinforcing filler is increased, then grip performance and durability are improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the filler composition parameters by precisely controlling carbon black content to be greater than 0 phr and less than 10 phr, optimizing the balance between grip, durability, and rolling resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an inorganic filler as an intermediary material that provides reinforcement and grip performance without the excessive rolling resistance associated with high carbon black formulations
Data Source
AI summary
A tire has a tread comprising a rubber composition based on at least an elastomer matrix comprising 5 to 95 phr of a first diene elastomer bearing at least one SiOR function, R being a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon radical, the SiOR function not located at the chain ends of the first diene elastomer, and 5 to 95 phr of a second diene elastomer which is a polyisoprene, and a reinforcing filler comprising more than 45 phr of a reinforcing inorganic filler.