Winter Tire Tread Composition for Ice Grip and Snow Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current winter tires face limitations in inhibiting snow clogging and accretion, compromising ice grip performance, abrasion resistance, and fuel efficiency, despite advancements in tread patterns and rubber compositions.
Innovation Solution
A winter tire tread composition incorporating a cyclopentadiene-based resin and silica, along with natural rubber, enhances ice grip, prevents snow clogging, and improves fuel efficiency without sacrificing wet performance or abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sipes are provided on a block surface of a tread to improve grip performance on ice and snow, then gripping force is enhanced, but snow accretion occurs which prevents sipes from contacting the road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the rubber composition by incorporating specific materials (natural rubber, hydrogenated terpene resin, and cyclopentadiene-based resin) in controlled ratios. This modifies the surface properties of the tread to reduce snow adhesion while maintaining sipe functionality for grip performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition combining multiple materials with different properties: natural rubber for elasticity and low-temperature performance, hydrogenated terpene resin for adhesion control, and cyclopentadiene-based resin for snow release characteristics. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between grip and snow accretion prevention.
2Reliability
If transverse grooves are provided on a tread surface to compress and grip snow, then on-snow grip force is obtained, but clogging with snow occurs which prevents repeated gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the rubber composition parameters to create a tread material that facilitates snow release from transverse grooves. The specific combination of natural rubber, hydrogenated terpene resin, and cyclopentadiene-based resin creates surface characteristics that prevent snow accumulation while maintaining compression and grip capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful snow accumulation in transverse grooves into a beneficial effect by using the rubber composition to control snow adhesion. The composition allows snow to be compressed for grip generation while facilitating its release, preventing clogging and enabling repeated gripping cycles.
3Reliability
If the tread pattern shape is designed to inhibit snow clogging and accretion, then grip performance is improved, but the degree of freedom in design is reduced and other performances are sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of constraining the tread pattern design, the patent changes the material parameters of the rubber composition. This allows designers to maintain freedom in tread pattern selection while the modified rubber composition (with natural rubber, hydrogenated terpene resin, and cyclopentadiene-based resin) provides the snow release and grip enhancement properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of constraining tread pattern geometry with a material-based solution. By modifying the rubber composition to inherently prevent snow clogging and accretion, the patent eliminates the need for complex tread pattern restrictions, thereby maintaining design freedom while achieving the desired performance.
4Reliability
If the hardness of rubber composition is decreased to increase adhesive friction force, then low temperature property is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition where natural rubber provides low-temperature flexibility and adhesion, while hydrogenated terpene resin and cyclopentadiene-based resin contribute to abrasion resistance. This material combination resolves the contradiction by achieving both softness for cold-weather performance and durability for wear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the hardness parameter of the rubber composition by controlling the ratios of different materials. The specific formulation (natural rubber 30-80 parts, hydrogenated terpene resin 10-50 parts, cyclopentadiene-based resin 5-30 parts) creates an optimal balance between softness for low-temperature adhesion and durability for abrasion resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a winter tire being excellent in performance on ice and performance for inhibiting clogging with snow and accretion of snow. The present invention relates to a winter tire having a tread composed of a rubber composition comprising 2.5 to 30 parts by mass of a cyclopentadiene-based resin and 5 to 100 parts by mass of silica based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component comprising a natural rubber.