Tread Rubber Composition with Particle-Encapsulating Microcapsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire technologies that improve wet performance on a wet road surface often compromise fuel consumption and wear-resistance, as seen in previous solutions using hollow particulate styrene-acryl-type cross-linked polymer and microparticle-containing organic particles.
Innovation Solution
A tread rubber composition incorporating particle-encapsulating microcapsules with organic shells and encapsulated particles, which absorb high-frequency vibration energy during braking, enhancing wet performance without degrading fuel consumption and wear-resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hollow particulate styrene-acryl-type cross-linked polymer is used to improve wet performance, then wet performance is improved, but fuel consumption and wear-resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the functional requirements by using different particle types in specific regions: superfine particles (0.1-10 μm) in the tread surface layer for wet performance, and finer particles (1-10 μm) in the tread groove filler for fuel efficiency. This spatial segmentation allows each region to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different particle characteristics to different locations within the tread rubber. The tread surface layer contains superfine particles for wet braking, while the tread groove filler contains finer particles for rolling resistance reduction. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between wet performance and fuel consumption.
2Reliability
If hollow particulate styrene-acryl-type cross-linked polymer is used to improve wet performance, then wet performance is improved, but wear-resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the particle distribution into two zones: superfine particles (0.1-10 μm) in the tread surface for wet performance, and finer particles (1-10 μm) in the tread groove filler for durability. This segmentation enables the tread surface to provide wet braking while the groove filler maintains wear-resistance over time.
Solution Approach 2:
Different particle sizes are assigned to different locations: superfine particles in the tread surface layer for wet performance, and finer particles in the tread groove filler for wear-resistance. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between improving wet performance and maintaining durability.
3Reliability
If microparticle-containing organic particles are used to improve wet performance, then wet performance is improved, but fuel consumption and wear-resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments particle distribution by size and location: superfine particles (0.1-10 μm) in the tread surface for wet performance, and finer particles (1-10 μm) in the tread groove filler for fuel efficiency. This segmentation avoids the fuel consumption penalty associated with microparticle-containing organic particles while maintaining wet performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by placing superfine particles in the tread surface layer for wet braking and finer particles in the tread groove filler for rolling resistance reduction. This localized approach improves wet performance without the fuel consumption penalty of microparticle-containing organic particles.
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 with particle-encapsulating microcapsules exhibits improved wet performance, maintaining or improving fuel efficiency and wear-resistance compared to previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
absorption of high-frequency (around 10 kHz) vibration energy acting on tread rubber from fine surface irregularities in the road surface during braking on a wet road surface as a result of conversion of the vibration energy to the kinetic energy of the particles encapsulated therewithin
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a tread rubber composition permitting improvement in wet performance without causing worsening of performance with respect to reduction in fuel consumption and/or wear-resistance. Relates to a tread rubber composition comprising a rubber component and particle-encapsulating microcapsules. The particle-encapsulating microcapsules comprise particles and capsule-like organic compound that encapsulates the particles.