Three-Layer Tire Tread Structure for Wet Grip and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tires face challenges in achieving a balanced improvement in fuel efficiency, wet grip performance, and abrasion resistance due to the contradictory requirements of low hysteresis loss and high wet skid resistance, as well as the decrease in reinforcing properties and durability when reducing the weight of fillers like silica and carbon black.
Innovation Solution
A tire design featuring three or more predetermined rubber layers with specific compounding ratios, where the groove depth in the intermediate layer is set to a predetermined proportion relative to the circumferential groove depth, utilizing silica and a mercapto-based silane coupling agent in the rubber compositions to enhance adhesion and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the weight of filler (silica, carbon black) is reduced, then rolling resistance decreases and fuel efficiency improves, but reinforcing property, abrasion resistance, and wet grip performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The tread is divided into three layers with different silica contents: the first layer (tread surface) has high silica content (50-130 parts) for wet grip, the second layer has moderate silica content (30-80 parts) for balanced performance, and the third layer has lower silica content (10-50 parts) for abrasion resistance. This local differentiation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function while maintaining overall performance balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite filler system combining silica with specific silane coupling agents (mercapto-based silane in amounts of 0.5-5 parts per 100 parts silica) to enhance the reinforcing properties of reduced filler loads. This composite approach allows lower overall filler content while maintaining or improving wet grip and abrasion resistance through enhanced silica-rubber interfacial bonding.
2Reliability
If the groove depth at the intermediate layer increases beyond a predetermined proportion, then wet grip performance improves, but durability decreases due to strain concentration at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the groove depth parameter by setting H2/H1 ≥ 0.20, where H2 is the groove depth in the second layer and H1 is the total groove depth. This parameter control ensures sufficient groove depth for wet grip while preventing excessive depth that would cause strain concentration and durability issues. The silica content gradient also changes with depth to manage strain distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The second layer (intermediate layer) is designed with specific silica content (30-80 parts per 100 parts rubber) that differs from the first and third layers, creating a transition zone that locally optimizes both wet grip performance and durability by reducing strain concentration at layer interfaces.
3Use of energy by moving object
If different types of rubber layers are used in the tread, then fuel efficiency and wet grip performance can be optimized, but strain concentrates around the interface and adhesiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a gradual transition in silica content across the three layers, with the second layer having intermediate silica content between the first and third layers. This gradient structure locally manages strain distribution at interfaces, preventing concentration of strain while maintaining the benefits of differentiated rubber compositions for fuel efficiency and wet grip.
Solution Approach 2:
Silica with mercapto-based silane coupling agents is used as a composite material system that enhances interfacial adhesiveness between different rubber layers. The silane coupling agent creates strong chemical bonds at the silica-rubber interface, improving layer adhesion and preventing strain concentration even when different rubber types are used in each layer.
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 achieves improved overall performance in fuel efficiency, wet grip performance, abrasion resistance, and durability by optimizing the rubber layer composition and groove depth ratio, thereby balancing the conflicting requirements of tire performance.
Implementation Method 1
the rubber compositions constituting the first layer and the second layer comprise silica and a mercapto-based silane coupling agent
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide a tire having an improved overall performance of fuel efficiency, wet grip performance, abrasion resistance, and durability. The tire has a tread part with three or more predetermined rubber layers having a specific compounding ratio, and the groove depth in an intermediate layer with respect to the depth of a circumferential groove is a predetermined proportion.