Neutral pH Tire Wheel Cleaner Surfactant Blend

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire wheel cleaners are either highly corrosive, toxic, or ineffective at removing brake dust and road soils without damaging metal surfaces like aluminum, and they often leave residues or strip paint, posing safety and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous tire wheel cleaner composition comprising water, a surfactant blend of alcohol amine and ethoxylate phosphate ester, alkylene glycol, and a salt of dialkyl sulfosuccinate, which maintains a neutral pH of 6.5 to 9.5, effectively removing grime without harming metal substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If strong acids or highly alkaline cleaners are used to remove brake dust and road soils, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but corrosion to metal surfaces and damage to paint/chrome occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcorrosion and damage to wheel surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter of the cleaner from highly acidic or highly alkaline to a neutral range (pH 6.5-9.5). This is achieved by selecting specific surfactant components (dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts, ethoxylated phosphate esters, alcohol amines) that provide effective cleaning within the neutral pH range, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and surface safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining multiple ingredients (dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts, ethoxylated phosphate esters, alcohol amines, and auxiliary surfactants) that work synergistically to provide both effective cleaning and surface protection. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve cleaning power typically associated with stronger chemicals while maintaining neutral pH

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional tire wheel cleaners are used to remove grime, then cleaning power is improved, but residues are left on surfaces and paint is stripped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning powerVSAvoidresidues and paint stripping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by using neutral pH surfactants that do not leave insoluble residues. The specific selection of dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts and ethoxylated phosphate esters ensures complete water solubility and rinsability, eliminating the residue problem while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs surfactants that are designed to be rinsed away completely with water, leaving no persistent residue. The formulation prioritizes complete removal of cleaning agents after use, ensuring no long-term harmful effects on wheel surfaces or paint finishes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If highly corrosive cleaners are used to effectively remove brake dust, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but safety concerns for handling and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter to a neutral range (6.5-9.5) and selects biocompatible surfactant components that are less toxic to aquatic life and safer for human handling. The dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts and ethoxylated phosphate esters are chosen specifically for their favorable safety and environmental profiles while maintaining cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the traditional approach of using harsh chemicals into a benign formulation by utilizing neutral pH surfactants that provide effective cleaning without the harmful side effects. The formulation transforms the cleaning mechanism from acid/alkali corrosion to surfactant-based emulsification and suspension, which is inherently safer and more environmentally friendly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 cleaner effectively removes brake dust and road soils from various wheel materials without causing corrosion or damage, maintaining the original finish and resisting damage from environmental contaminants, while being safer for handling and the environment.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant comprising: (i) alcohol amine; and (ii) an ethoxylate phosphate ester

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

Organic dirt includes mineral oil, vegetable oil, animal fat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS7390773B2Tire wheel cleaner comprising a dialkyl sulfosuccinate and ethoxylated phosphate ester surfactant mixture

Publication Date: 2008.06.24 PENNZOIL QUAKER STATE CO

AI summary

An aqueous tire wheel cleaner composition useful for cleaning automobile tires are provided. The aqueous tire wheel cleaner composition contains an alkylene glycol, a salt of dialkyl sulfosuccinate, and as surfactants ethanol amine and an ethoxylate phosphate ester.