Tyre Noise-Reducing Layer Structure for Sealant Flowability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for reducing tyre cavity resonance noise and maintaining sealing integrity are ineffective as they cause physical interaction between the foam material and sealant layer, hindering the flowability of the sealant.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a fibre-reinforced rubber or pre-preg structure with anti-sticking elements, arranged in a staggered honeycomb pattern, is used to create a noise-reducing layer that can be integrated with the sealant layer without compromising sealing or noise-reducing properties, utilizing a vulcanization step under controlled pressure and temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a foam material layer is arranged in contact with the sealant layer to reduce noise, then noise reducing action is improved, but the sealant layer flowability is hindered due to physical interaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavity resonance noiseVSAvoidsealant layer flowability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reducing layer is segmented into multiple fibre-reinforced rubber layers with through-cells, creating a structured porous material that reduces noise while maintaining sealant flowability through the distributed cellular structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite fibre-reinforced rubber layers combining different materials (fibres and rubber matrix) to create a noise reducing layer that simultaneously provides acoustic damping and allows sealant penetration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If fibre-reinforced rubber layers are vulcanized together to create structural integrity, then strength is improved, but chemical bonding between layers occurs which prevents sealant flowability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity of noise reducing layerVSAvoidsealant layer flowability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reducing layer is divided into multiple discrete fibre-reinforced rubber layers separated by spacing elements, maintaining structural integrity through the layered construction while preventing chemical bonding between layers that would block sealant flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spacing elements act as intermediaries between fibre-reinforced rubber layers during vulcanization, preventing direct chemical bonding while maintaining the structural framework necessary for noise reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach allows for effective noise reduction while maintaining the sealing performance by preventing chemical bonding between rubber layers and ensuring the structural integrity of the fibre-reinforced structure, allowing for efficient removal and integration with the sealant layer.

Implementation Method 1

the anti-sticking elements being in a liquid state... prevents chemical bonding between rubber layers and ensuring the structural integrity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding prevention: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a vulcanization step, during which said stack (1) of fibre-reinforced rubber or pre-preg layers is subjected to a compacting pressure and to a fibre-reinforced rubber or pre-preg vulcanization temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVulcanization: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 3

The porous material works by reducing the section available to the propagating pressure waves and contributes by dissipating the pressure waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP4013629B1A process for manufacturing a noise reducing layer and a tyre comprising said noise reducing layer
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 BRIDGESTONE EURO NV SA
  • EP4013629B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4013629B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4013629B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A process for manufacturing a noise reducing layer designed to be housed inside the cavity of a tyre and comprising: • - a stacking step, during which a stack (1) of fibre-reinforced rubber layers is created, in which between one layer and the other there is interposed a plurality of anti-sticking elements (2) spaced apart from one another; said anti-sticking elements being arranged in a staggered position along the two faces of a same fibre-reinforced rubber layer; • - a vulcanization step, during which said stack (1) of fibre- reinforced rubber or pre-preg layers is subjected to a compacting pressure and to a fibre-reinforced rubber or pre-preg vulcanization temperature; • said anti-sticking elements (2) being in a liquid state.