Tyre Tread Co-Extrusion Coating for Functional Elastomer Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the manufacturing of tyres, the incorporation of additional elastomeric materials to impart specific properties, such as electrostatic charge dissipation, can lead to deformations and compromises in the basic properties of the tyre components during the moulding and vulcanisation process.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus for building tyres where a continuous elongated element is extruded with a coating or covering layer made of a second elastomeric material, which surrounds an inner core of a first elastomeric material. This configuration allows for the imparting of additional properties without significantly affecting the basic properties of the tyre components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional elastomeric materials are incorporated to impart specific properties (such as electrostatic charge dissipation), then the functional properties of the tyre component are improved, but the basic properties of the tyre component are compromised due to deformations during moulding and vulcanisation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric component is divided into multiple layers: a first layer made of basic elastomeric material providing fundamental properties, and a second layer made of additional elastomeric material providing specific functional properties. This segmentation allows each layer to independently contribute its intended function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between adding functional properties and maintaining basic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional elastomeric material is applied locally as a coating or covering layer on specific portions of the tyre component rather than throughout the entire component. This localized application provides the desired functional properties (such as electrostatic charge dissipation) only where needed, while preserving the basic properties of the main component structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional elastomeric materials are incorporated to impart specific properties, then the functional properties are improved, but the equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The process of applying the additional elastomeric material is merged with the existing tyre manufacturing process. The coating or covering layer is applied during the same production line operations, combining multiple functions (basic structure formation and functional property imparting) into a single integrated process, thereby avoiding additional equipment complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional elastomeric materials are incorporated to impart specific properties, then the functional properties are improved, but the production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional elastomeric material is applied as a coating or covering layer during the initial formation of the tyre component, before the final moulding and vulcanisation steps. This preliminary application ensures that the functional properties are established early in the process, and subsequent processing steps simultaneously complete both the structural and functional requirements without requiring separate operations.
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 enables the achievement of qualitative improvements in tyre components by optimizing the quantity and distribution of additional elastomeric material, simplifying equipment, reducing production time, and maintaining the basic properties of the tyre components.
Implementation Method 1
said continuous elongated element being made by the action of extruding a first material through an extrusion nozzle, to form an inner core of said continuous elongated element exiting from an outlet opening of the extrusion nozzle
Implementation Method 2
said second material being conveyed around said first material, at said extrusion nozzle and upstream of the outlet opening, to form a coating layer which surrounds the inner core
Data Source
AI summary
In a process for building tyres for vehicle wheels, at least one tread band (9) or other elastomeric component of a tyre (2) is made by applying at least one continuous elongated element (14) according to a plurality of turns (C) around a forming drum (15) rotating around a geometric rotation axis (X) thereof. The continuous elongated element (14) is made by the action of extruding a first material through an extrusion nozzle (16), to form an inner core (33) of said continuous elongated element (14) exiting from an outlet opening (18) of the extrusion nozzle (16). During the extrusion, a second material different from the first material is conveyed around the first material, at the extrusion nozzle (16) and upstream of the outlet opening (18), to form a coating layer (32) which entirely surrounds the inner core (33).