Tire Tread Softening Application for Grip and Weatherability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire processing methods, such as removing and replacing the tread portion, are inefficient in improving grip performance and weatherability, especially in studless tires where rubber hardening reduces these properties over time.
Innovation Solution
A tire processing apparatus with a support portion and application mechanism to apply an additive that softens the tread portion, combined with a heating portion to enhance permeation, and a contact member to ensure uniform application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional method of removing and replacing the tread portion is used, then the tire structure can be restored, but the processing complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of tread replacement (restoring rubber flexibility) and implements it through a simplified process: applying a softening agent directly to the hardened tread portion. This eliminates the complex operations of tread removal, surface preparation, and new tread attachment, while achieving the same performance restoration goal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of removing the old tread and adding new material (conventional approach), the invention inverts the process by applying a chemical softening agent to the existing hardened tread. This reverses the hardening effect and restores flexibility without any mechanical removal or addition of tread material.
2Reliability
If the conventional method of removing and replacing the tread portion is used, then the grip performance can be improved, but the time and labor required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of grip performance restoration (softening the rubber) and implements it through direct application of a softening agent. This eliminates the time-consuming steps of tread removal, surface preparation, and new tread attachment, reducing processing time while achieving the same grip performance improvement.
3Reliability
If a heating portion is added to enhance additive permeation, then the softening effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the tread portion by adding a heating portion that heats the tread to a predetermined temperature. This temperature increase enhances the permeation of the softening agent into the rubber, improving the softening effect. The heating function is integrated into the existing application mechanism, minimizing additional complexity.
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 apparatus effectively improves tire performance by softening the tread, enhancing grip and weatherability without the need for tread replacement, and can be used on tires with or without wheels.
Implementation Method 1
the application mechanism can apply the additive to the tread portion heated by the heating portion. This makes it possible to cause the additive to permeate into the tread portion more effectively.
Implementation Method 2
an application mechanism configured to apply an additive that has a softening effect, to a tread portion of the tire supported by the support portion, thereby causing the additive to permeate into the tread portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire repairing apparatus includes: a tire support portion rotatably supporting a pneumatic tire; and an application mechanism configured to apply an additive that has a softening effect, to a tread portion of the pneumatic tire supported by the tire support portion, thereby causing the additive to permeate into the tread portion.