Tire Tread Rubber Composition for Stable Hardness Over Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rubber compositions used in pneumatic tires experience increased hardness over time, leading to decreased grip performance.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition for tire treads, comprising a copolymer of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene compound, with 30 parts by mass or more of a softener per 100 parts by mass of rubber, and a heat aging resistance index of 10 or less, as defined by a specific equation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rubber compositions are used in tire treads, then initial grip performance is achieved, but hardness increases over time leading to performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip performanceVSAvoidhardness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the softener content (30-150 parts per 100 parts rubber) and selecting specific softener types to modify the rubber composition's physical and chemical parameters. This optimization ensures the rubber maintains stable hardness characteristics over time while preserving grip performance, directly resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining rubber base polymers with specific softeners and fillers in optimized ratios. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the softener components prevent excessive hardening over time while maintaining the rubber's adhesive properties, thus preserving grip performance throughout the tire's service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If softener content is increased to maintain softness, then grip performance is improved, but heat aging resistance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip performanceVSAvoidheat aging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the softener content parameter within a specific range (30-150 parts per 100 parts rubber) and selects softener types with appropriate molecular structures. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient softness for grip performance while the controlled composition prevents excessive softness that would compromise heat aging resistance, balancing both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The softener acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the rubber polymer chains, maintaining flexibility and grip performance. By carefully selecting softener types and controlling their content, the patent ensures the intermediary provides sufficient plasticization for grip while not compromising the rubber's thermal stability and aging resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3763783B1Rubber composition and pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3763783B1 patent drawing
  • EP3763783B1 patent drawing
  • EP3763783B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The purpose is to provide rubber compositions and pneumatic tires which have reduced changes in hardness over time. The present invention relates to a rubber composition containing a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene compound, the rubber composition having a heat aging resistance index defined by equation (1) of 10 or less.