Winter Tire Tread Compound for Snow Grip and Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winter tires compromise on abrasion resistance, snow grip performance, and wet grip performance when using rubber components with low glass transition temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A tire composition comprising a rubber component with 20-90% styrene-butadiene rubber, silica, and a resin component, with a glass transition temperature below -30°C and a styrene content product (t×S) less than 300, enhancing snow grip and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If styrene-butadiene rubber content is increased to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but snow grip performance may deteriorate due to increased rigidity at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by controlling the glass transition temperature to be -30°C or lower, which ensures that even with 20-90 mass% styrene-butadiene rubber content, the rubber remains sufficiently soft at low temperatures for snow grip while maintaining abrasion resistance through the optimized composition and t×S product control.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the tread part thickness is increased to improve durability, then durability is improved, but wet grip performance decreases due to increased rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the product of tread thickness (t) and styrene content (S) to be less than 300. This allows optimization of tread thickness for durability while the controlled styrene content and glass transition temperature ensure the rubber remains soft enough for good wet grip performance.
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
Improves overall performance by reducing tread part rigidity, improving snow grip and abrasion resistance, and maintaining wet grip through reduced styrene contact and enhanced silica dispersibility.
Implementation Method 1
a glass transition temperature of the rubber composition is -30°C or lower
Implementation Method 2
the rubber composition comprises greater than 50 parts by mass and 150 parts by mass or less of silica based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component
Implementation Method 3
the resin component comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a terpene-based resin, a C5/C9-based resin, and a dicyclopentadiene-based resin
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided is a tire comprising a tread part, wherein the tread part is composed of a rubber composition comprising a rubber component, silica, certain resin component, and a vegetable oil, wherein the rubber component comprises 20% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less of a styrene-butadiene rubber, wherein the rubber composition comprises greater than 50 parts by mass and 150 parts by mass or less of silica based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, wherein a glass transition temperature of the rubber composition is -30°C or lower, and wherein t×S is less than 300, where t represents a thickness, in mm, of the thickest part of the tread part and S represents a styrene content, in % by mass, of the styrene-butadiene rubber.