Van Tire Tread Compound and Reinforcement for Grip-Rolling Resistance Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light truck tires face a compromise between rolling resistance and antagonistic performances such as grip and wear, with a drop in rolling resistance often detrimental to other key performance metrics like grip and behavior.
Innovation Solution
A radial tire design featuring a tread with a specific elastomeric compound, an intermediate layer, and reinforcement structures that optimize tread height, volume indentation rate, and reinforcement angles to balance rolling resistance, grip, and wear, incorporating a modified diene elastomer with a silicon atom and a thermoplastic resin for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tread compound is softened to improve grip, then grip performance is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the elastomeric compound within the range of -50°C to -30°C, and by specifying the dynamic loss tgδ at 23°C to be between 0.20 and 0.35. These parameter optimizations allow the tread compound to achieve an optimal balance between softness for grip and energy efficiency for rolling resistance, resolving the contradiction between grip performance and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating an elastomeric compound that combines at least one elastomer with specific reinforcing fillers and a crosslinking system. This composite structure enables the material to simultaneously achieve the required mechanical properties for grip and the viscoelastic properties for optimized rolling resistance, effectively balancing the contradictory requirements.
2Reliability
If the tread height is increased to improve grip, then grip performance is improved, but rolling resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the tread height (Hs) within the specific range of 6.5 mm to 9 mm. This controlled parameter adjustment ensures that the tread has sufficient height to maintain effective contact with the road surface for improved grip, while preventing excessive height that would increase deformation and rolling resistance.
3Reliability
If the volumetric notch ratio is increased to improve water evacuation, then hydroplaning resistance is improved, but tread volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the volumetric notch ratio (TEV) within the range of 18% to 23%. This controlled adjustment ensures sufficient groove volume for effective water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance, while maintaining adequate tread volume to preserve grip and structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between water evacuation capability and tread volume.
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 achieves a reduction in rolling resistance without degrading grip and wear performance, with a balanced compromise between these metrics through the use of a modified diene elastomer and optimized reinforcement structures.
Implementation Method 1
The tread comprises at least one elastomeric compound having a glass transition temperature Tg, a Shore A hardness and a dynamic loss tgδ at 23°C
Implementation Method 2
The dynamic loss tgδ at 23°C, at least equal to 0.15 and at most equal to 0.27
Implementation Method 3
a working reinforcement, radially inside the reinforcing layer, comprising at least two working layers, radially superimposed, comprising metallic reinforcements embedded in an elastomeric compound, parallel to each other in each layer and crossed from one layer to the next, forming, with the circumferential direction XX' of the tire, an angle (AT1, AT2), measured in the equatorial plane XZ of the tire, the absolute value of which is at least 23° and at most 30°
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a tyre for a van and aims to improve the trade-off between rolling resistance and antagonistic performances such as the various types of grip (longitudinal/transversal, on dry/wet ground) and the wear. The tread (2) comprises raised elements (22) having a radial height Hs at least equal to 6.5 mm and at most equal to 9 mm, and having a volume groove rate TEV at least equal to 18% and at most equal to 23%. The at least one elastomeric mixture of the tread (2) has a glass transition temperature Tg at least equal to -18°C and at most equal to -21°C, a Shore A hardness at least equal to 64 and at most equal to 65 and a dynamic loss tgδ at 23°C at least equal to 0.15 and at most equal to 0.27. The tyre also has an intermediate layer of an elastomeric mixture, having a dynamic loss tgδa at 23°C at least equal to 0.05 and at most equal to 0.15, at most equal to the dynamic loss tgδ of the materials of the tread.