Tyre Insert With Recycled Elastomer Composite

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tire industry faces challenges in utilizing recycled tire materials effectively, as their incorporation is limited to low proportions to maintain performance and safety, while also being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, and there is a need to enhance durability and resistance to chemical and UV attacks.

Innovation Solution

A tire design featuring a reinforcing structure with a matrix composed of a first elastomeric composition and a second elastomeric composition derived from recycled tires, where the dynamic shear modulus of the first composition is greater than the second, and the second composition constitutes at least 20% of the insert's mass, with a protective layer providing additional protection against chemical and UV attacks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a high proportion of recycled tire powder is used in tire manufacturing, then environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but tire performance and durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycled material usageVSAvoidtire performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining recycled tire powder (filler) with virgin elastomeric matrix material to create a hybrid composition. This composite structure allows the tire to incorporate high proportions of recycled content (improving environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness) while the virgin matrix material maintains the necessary mechanical properties, durability, and performance characteristics. The interface between the recycled powder particles and the virgin matrix creates a composite material that balances eco-friendliness with structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If recycled tire materials are used in high proportions, then raw material costs are reduced, but tire resistance to chemical and UV attacks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveraw material costVSAvoidchemical and UV resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the elastomeric matrix material surrounding the recycled tire powder particles possesses enhanced protective properties. The matrix acts as a protective medium that locally shields the recycled powder from chemical and UV attacks. By controlling the quality and composition of the matrix material in direct contact with the recycled content, the tire achieves resistance to harmful environmental factors while maintaining high recycled material proportions and reduced raw material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of substance

If recycled elastomeric composition is distributed uniformly in the insert, then environmental benefits are maximized, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycled material integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the recycled tire materials into fine powder form before integration into the elastomeric matrix. This pre-preparation of the recycled content (grinding, sizing, and drying into uniform powder particles) simplifies the subsequent mixing and distribution processes during tire manufacturing. By performing the complex size reduction and purification of recycled materials in advance, the actual tire production process becomes more straightforward, achieving uniform distribution of recycled content without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3515726B1Tyre with an insert having a high modulus
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP3515726B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3515726B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8
  • EP3515726B1 patent drawingFigure 9a~9b

AI summary

A tyre (1) with sidewalls (2), a crown area (3) provided with a tread (4), a reinforcing structure (5) extending between the sidewalls and passing through the crown area, at least one portion of one of the sidewalls and/or the crown comprising an insert (6) comprising a first elastomer composition serving as a matrix in which a second elastomer composition derived from recycled tyres is distributed in a substantially uniform manner, the modulus of the first composition being at least 10% greater than the modulus of the second composition, and the proportion of the second composition being greater than or equal to 40%.