Tread Rubber Composition and Groove Geometry for Chip-Resistant Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tires lack sufficient chip and cut resistance, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses.
Innovation Solution
A tire formulation with a rubber composition containing at least 65% isoprene-based rubber and 1.0% to 8.0% total styrene content, along with a filler content exceeding the styrene content, and a groove design with an inner part having a larger width than the outer part in the tread face, enhancing impact cushioning and crack resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tire formulations are used, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are maintained, but chip and cut resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the isoprene-based rubber content (>65% by mass) and total styrene content (1.0-8.0% by mass) in the rubber composition. These specific parameter ranges optimize the balance between chip/cut resistance and manufacturing feasibility, resolving the contradiction by defining clear compositional boundaries that improve reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining isoprene-based rubber with styrene-butadiene rubber in specific proportions, where the isoprene-based rubber provides toughness and impact resistance while the SBR contributes to耐磨性 and structural stability. This composite approach enhances chip and cut resistance through synergistic material properties while maintaining manageable manufacturing processes
2Reliability
If higher filler content is used to improve chip and cut resistance, then wear resistance improves, but rubber composition flexibility and crack resistance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the filler content to be greater than the total styrene content (1.0-8.0% by mass), which ensures sufficient filler reinforcement for chip and cut resistance while maintaining rubber composition flexibility. This parameter control prevents over-reinforcement that would compromise the rubber's ability to absorb impacts and resist cracking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform groove structure where the groove width varies between the outer part (tread face side) and inner part. The inner part has a larger groove width than the outer part, providing localized stress distribution that enhances crack resistance in critical areas while maintaining overall structural integrity and composition stability
3Reliability
If uniform groove width is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but crack resistance and structural integrity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing a groove structure where the groove width is not uniform but rather varies between the outer part and inner part. Specifically, the inner part has a larger groove width than the outer part, creating an asymmetric geometry that optimizes stress distribution and crack resistance. This asymmetric design improves reliability without requiring complex manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the groove structure into distinct parts: an outer part on the tread face side and an inner part with larger width. This segmentation allows each part to serve different functional purposes - the outer part maintains structural integrity while the inner part provides enhanced crack resistance through its larger width, achieving improved reliability with manageable structural complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided is a tire with excellent chip and cut resistance. Included is a tire including a tread, the tread containing at least one rubber component including at least one isoprene-based rubber, and at least one filler including at least one carbon black, the tire satisfying the following relationships: (1) Isoprene-based rubber content > 65% by mass; (2) 1.0% by mass ≤ Total styrene content ≤ 8.0% by mass; and (3) Filler content > Total styrene content, wherein Isoprene-based rubber content and Total styrene content represent an amount (% by mass) of the isoprene-based rubber and a total styrene content (% by mass), respectively, based on 100% by mass of the rubber component, and Filler content represents an amount (parts by mass) of the filler per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.