Tire Tread Sidewall Coating for Snow and Ice Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winter tires lack optimal grip and rolling performance on both snowy and icy surfaces, particularly under melting ice conditions, due to insufficient traction and surface interaction.
Innovation Solution
A tire tread composition featuring a base material with a copolymer based on styrene and butadiene units, combined with a covering material containing a high glass transition temperature, reinforcing filler, metal oxide or carbide microparticles, and a hydrocarbon-based plasticizing resin, which enhances grip and traction by providing improved surface interaction and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a highly filled rubber composition with high glass transition temperature is used to increase rigidity for snowy ground adhesion, then adhesion on snowy ground is improved, but adhesion on melting ice deteriorates due to insufficient surface interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rubber compositions to different parts of the tread: a highly filled, rigid base material for the contact face to provide snowy ground adhesion, and a softer cover material with lower glass transition temperature and metal oxide/carbide microparticles for the sidewalls to provide melting ice adhesion through enhanced surface interaction and micro-roughness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite rubber compositions combining different elastomers (styrene-butadiene copolymer with other diene elastomers), multiple fillers (reinforcing filler plus metal oxide or carbide microparticles), and different plasticizers to create a cover material that balances rigidity and surface interaction properties for dual-condition performance
2Reliability
If a soft rubber composition is used to improve adhesion on melting ice through surface interaction, then adhesion on melting ice is improved, but adhesion on snowy ground deteriorates due to insufficient rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rubber compositions to different parts of the tread: a highly filled, rigid base material for the contact face to provide snowy ground adhesion, and a softer cover material with lower glass transition temperature and metal oxide/carbide microparticles for the sidewalls to provide melting ice adhesion through enhanced surface interaction and micro-roughness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite rubber compositions combining different elastomers (styrene-butadiene copolymer with other diene elastomers), multiple fillers (reinforcing filler plus metal oxide or carbide microparticles), and different plasticizers to create a cover material that balances rigidity and surface interaction properties for dual-condition performance
3Reliability
If liquid plasticizing agents are used to improve flexibility and surface interaction, then adhesion on icy surfaces is improved, but rolling resistance increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the plasticizing agent parameter by using hydrocarbon plasticizing resins with high glass transition temperature (above 20°C) instead of conventional low-Tg liquid plasticizers, creating a composition that remains flexible at icy temperatures while maintaining lower rolling resistance and better energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the phase transition behavior of hydrocarbon plasticizing resins with high glass transition temperature, which remain in a flexible state at icy temperatures (below 0°C) but transition to a more rigid state at higher temperatures, thereby providing temperature-dependent performance optimization
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 tire tread composition significantly improves grip on snowy and icy surfaces, including melting ice, by enhancing traction and surface interaction, resulting in better rolling performance and vehicle stability.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure of the tires when a vehicle passes causes a superficial melting of the ice which becomes covered with a thin film of water detrimental to the adhesion of these tires
Implementation Method 2
a highly filled composition having a high glass transition temperature, or a composition with a very high sulfur content) capable of giving the cover layer a very high rigidity after vulcanization
Implementation Method 3
a formulation which unexpectedly makes it possible to significantly improve the compromise of adhesion on snowy ground and adhesion on melting ice
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a tire, the tread of which comprises a plurality of tread pattern features (1) that are formed from a first rubber material, a so-called "base" material (MB), and defined by cut-outs (3, 4). Said tread pattern features include a contact surface (2), for making contact with the road while the tire is rolling, and at least one sidewall (13, 14, 15, 16). On at least one sidewall of all or part of said tread pattern features, the base material is at least partially coated with a layer of a second rubber material, a so-called "coating" material (MR), different from the base material and comprising at least one rubber composition. Said tire is characterized in that said rubber composition of the coating material comprises at least: - 50 to 100 phr of a styrene unit and butadiene unit copolymer, the glass transition temperature of which is greater than -40°C; - optionally, 0 to 50 phr of another diene elastomer; - more than 50 phr of a reinforcing filler; - between 5 and 70 phr of metal oxide or metal carbide microparticles; - more than 25 phr of a plastifying hydrocarbon resin, the glass transition temperature of which is greater than 20°C; and - optionally, 0 to less than 20 phr of a liquid plastifying agent.