Goodyear Patente

A composition is disclosed comprising: an elastomer, the elastomer comprising from 25 phr to 75 phr of a natural rubber and from 25 phr to 75 phr of a synthetic elastomer; an accelerator, comprising from 0.1 phr to 5 phr of a first accelerator and 0.1 phr to 5 phr a second accelerator, the second accelerator being different from the first accelerator; and from 0.1 phr to 10 phr of a hydrogenated gum rosin. The hydrogenated gum rosin has an acid value of 140 mg KOH/g to 200 mg KOH/g and a softening point as determined in accordance with ASTM E28 in a range of from 70 °C to 125 °C. Also disclosed is an article such as a tire or a tire component comprising such a composition and a method of mixing such a rubber composition.

A tire comprising a circumferential tread portion including at least one sipe extending in an elongated direction transversely to a direction of rotation of the tire and having a pair of opposite sidewalls is disclosed. In a first aspect, the pair of opposite sidewalls includes a leading sidewall and a trailing sidewall with respect to the direction of rotation of the tire, wherein the trailing sidewall extends essentially linearly along its radial height, and the leading sidewall comprises protrusions along its radial height, which extend along the elongated direction and have radially outer top sides, and wherein at least a majority of the protrusions are chamfered along their radially outer top sides. In a second aspect, the pair of opposite sidewalls extends along the elongated direction, wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprises protrusions along its radial height, which extend along the elongated direction and have radially outer sides, wherein at least a majority of the protrusions are chamfered along their radially outer sides, and wherein (i) a radially outermost edge of one of the sidewalls comprising protrusions is chamfered over a majority of its length along the elongated direction and/wherein (ii) at least one of the sidewalls comprises at least one radially elongated bump stop extending along a majority of a radial height of the sipe and protruding towards an opposite sidewall of the sidewalls.

A method is disclosed comprising: adding an additive (116) to a release agent (113), the additive (113) having an extinction coefficient or a maximum extinction coefficient above a predefined threshold for electro-magnetic radiation having a predefined wavelength or a predefined wavelength range; disposing the release agent (113) comprising the additive (116) between a preformed tire (109) and a curing bladder (106) of a tire curing press (100); curing the preformed tire (106) in the tire curing press (100), thereby resulting in a cured tire (111); and performing a laser cleaning of an innerliner (123) of the cured tire (111) using a laser (126) that generates a laser beam (129) at the predefined wavelength or the predefined wavelength range. Also, a composition is disclosed comprising a release agent (113) that prevents a curing bladder (106) of a tire curing press (100) from adhering to an innerliner (123) of a cured tire (111) and an additive (116) added to the release agent (113). The additive (116) has an extinction coefficient or a maximum extinction coefficient above a predefined threshold for electro-magnetic radiation having a predefined wavelength or a predefined wavelength range. The additive (116) promotes or increases ablation of the release agent (113) compared to the same composition without the additive (116) when a laser beam (129) having the predefined wavelength or having the predefined wavelength range is applied to a surface of the innerliner (123) of the cured tire (111) comprising the release agent (113).

In one aspect of the invention, a tire curing method is disclosed comprising: engaging at least a portion of a first bead engaging projection (20) with a first tire bead (205) of a green tire (200) and engaging at least a portion of a second bead engaging projection (20) with a second tire bead (206) of the green tire (200); providing at least one pump in fluid communication with a chamber (150) defined by an inner surface (202) of the green tire (200) and the first and second bead engaging projections (20), the at least one pump being configured to circulate a heated fluid through the chamber (150); causing the at least one pump to circulate the heated fluid through the chamber (150) such that the heated fluid flows through the chamber (150) at a flow rate for a period of time; and at least partially curing the green tire (200) using the heated fluid flowing through the chamber (150).

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a tire comprising a conductive rubber composition strip having an end, which is i) axially between a first sidewall and an adjacent axially outer surface of a tread base layer, and ii) radially below a tread cap layer, wherein the strip extends along the sidewall from said end at least to an electrically conductive chafer. In another aspect, a tire also has a second conductive rubber composition layer having an edge adjacent an axially outer end region of a belt portion, and extending along a radially inner surface of the tread portion towards a first conductive rubber composition layer. In a third aspect, a tire comprises a conductive circumferential ring portion extending through a shoulder rib and/or row of tread blocks, and/or an adjacent rib or row of tread blocks, and which is in contact with a conductive rubber composition layer.

A wear estimation system (10) and method for a tire (12) supporting a vehicle (14) is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a processor being in electronic communication with a CAN bus system of the vehicle and means for determining a total frictional energy of the tire. The processor is configured to: receive the total frictional energy of the tire; divide the total frictional energy into a longitudinal frictional energy estimation and a lateral frictional energy estimation with a separator; receive the longitudinal frictional energy estimation in a longitudinal acceleration classifier; determine at least one of a low, medium, and high longitudinal frictional energy estimate with the longitudinal acceleration classifier; receive the lateral frictional energy estimation in a lateral acceleration classifier; determine at least one of a low, medium, and high lateral frictional energy estimate with the lateral acceleration classifier; generate an output notification including the at least one of the low, medium, and high longitudinal frictional energy estimate and the at least one of the low, medium, and high lateral frictional energy estimate; and determine at least one of an estimated wear rate of the tire and an estimated wear state of the tire from the output notification.

A composition is disclosed comprising at least one elastomer; 10 phr to 150 phr of a silica selected from a conventional silica and a pretreated silica; 0.5 phr to 15 phr of a reinforcing agent, wherein the reinforcing agent is a bismaleimide compound or a derivative thereof; and 0.5 phr to 25 phr of a coupling agent, wherein the coupling agent comprises an organosilane compound or a derivative thereof. The composition may be used in a tire as a vulcanized composition. Also disclosed is a method for mixing rubber, the method comprising a nonproductive stage and a productive stage, wherein the nonproductive stage comprises: combining together at least one elastomer, 10 phr to 150 phr of a conventional silica, 0.5 phr to 25 phr of a coupling agent comprising an organosilane compound, and 0.5 phr to 15 phr of an alkoxysilane, thereby forming an initial mixture; and mixing the initial mixture at a temperature of 100 °C to 170 °C, thereby forming a nonproductive mixture; and wherein the productive stage comprises: combining together the nonproductive mixture with 0.5 phr to 15 phr of a reinforcing agent, wherein the reinforcing agent is a bismaleimide compound or a derivative thereof, and a curing agent, thereby forming an intermediate mixture; and mixing the intermediate mixture at a temperature of 70 °C to 120 °C, thereby forming a productive mixture.

A system and method or estimating mileage of a tire (12) supporting a vehicle (14) is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a processor (38); means for measurements of a tread depth (52) of the tire (12); and means for transmitting the measurements of tread depth (52) to the processor (38). The processor (38) is configured to receive the measurements of tread depth (52), to determine an estimate of mileage of the tire (12) with an inverse treadwear model (54) from the measurements of tread depth (52), to generate a notification (76) when the estimate of mileage of the tire (12) is determined, and to transmit the notification (76) to at least one of a vehicle control system and a device (50) for actuation of the vehicle (14) in response to the notification.

An uncured rubber composition is disclosed comprising 40 phr to 70 phr of a styrene butadiene elastomer; 25 phr to 55 phr of a polybutadiene elastomer; 70 phr to 110 phr silica; and 25 phr to 55 phr of a plasticizer. The rubber composition may be used as a vulcanized rubber composition in a tire.

A rubber composition comprising one or more thermoplastic polyurethanes and at least 75 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of one or more solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubbers is disclosed. The rubber composition may be used in a tire.

A composition is disclosed comprising an elastomer; 1 phr to 100 phr of a recovered carbon or carbon particle, the recovered carbon or carbon particle being disbursed in a masterbatch or freely added material; 1 phr to 20 phr of a silica selected from a conventional silica and a pretreated silica; and 0.5 phr to 15 phr of a reinforcing agent, wherein the reinforcing agent is a bismaleimide compound or a derivative thereof. The composition may be used as a vulcanized rubber composition in a tire. Also, a method for mixing rubber, comprising a nonproductive stage and a productive stage is disclosed.

A system and method for detection of a pressure leak rate in a tire (12) supporting a vehicle (14) is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a sensor (30) mounted on the tire (12) for measuring a pressure (52) of the tire (12) and means for transmitting measured pressure data from the sensor (30) to a processor (38, 48). The processor (38, 48) is configured to: receive a plurality of measured tire pressures; batch the plurality of measured tire pressures according to a batch commencing on a batch starting point (62); detect a changepoint in measured tire pressures with a changepoint detection module (66); add a current measured tire pressure to the batch (78) in a storage queue (70) when the detection module (66) does not detect the changepoint; calculate a leak rate (80) for the batch (78) with a leak rate determination module (86) when the storage queue (70) reaches a predetermined size; compare the leak rate (80) to a predetermined threshold with a comparison module (88); issue an alert with an alert module (92) when the leak rate (80) crosses the predetermined threshold; and transmit the alert to at least one of a vehicle control system and a display device (50) for actuation of the vehicle (14) in response to the alert.

A system and method for detection of a leak rate in a tire (12) supporting a vehicle (14) is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a sensor (30) mounted on the tire (12) for measuring a pressure (58) of the tire (12); means for transmitting measured pressure data from the sensor (30) to a processor (38, 48); and a filter module (54) configured for being executed on the processor (38, 48). The filter module (54) includes: a leak rate determination module (70), the leak rate determination module (70) being configured for receiving the measured pressure data and including a filter algorithm (72), the filter algorithm (72) being configured for determining a leak rate of the tire (12) from the measured pressure data; an accumulator (88) configured for calculating a cumulative leak score (92) from a plurality of leak rates; and a flag (90) configured for being generated by the filter module (54) when the cumulative leak score (92) exceeds a predetermined leak score threshold and for being transmitted to at least one of a vehicle control system and a display device (50) for actuation of the vehicle (14) in response to the flag (90).

A real time tire pressure monitoring system and method is disclosed. It includes a sensor measuring a pressure of a first tire and a sensor measuring a pressure of a second tire. The measured pressures are transmitted from the sensors to a processor, and a fusion module is executed on the processor. The fusion module includes a filter module that receives the first tire pressure, determines a leak rate of the first tire, and generates a filter module flag when the leak rate falls below a predetermined leak threshold. The fusion module also includes a comparative module that receives the first and second tire measured pressures, compares the measured pressures, and generates a comparative module flag when a deviation exceeds a predetermined deviation threshold. The fusion module generates a system notification when both the filter module flag and the comparative module flag indicate a pressure leak.

A system and method for improving energy dissipation analysis of a tire by presenting transient rolling resistance relative to standard rolling resistance is disclosed. The system comprises: a computing device comprising a processor and a memory; and machine-readable instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to at least: obtain rolling resistance data collected during a rolling resistance test of a tire, the rolling resistance data being collected during a warm-up period and a measurement period of the rolling resistance test; determine at least one transient indicator based at least in part on the rolling resistance data collected during the warm-up period of the rolling resistance; generate a user interface including at least one graphical representation associated with rolling resistance of the tire over a period of time, the at least one graphical representation comprising an energy dissipation graph illustrating the at least one transient indicator of the tire relative to a standard rolling resistance of the tire, the standard rolling resistance corresponding to the rolling resistance data collected during the measurement period; and cause the user interface to be rendered on a display device.

A sensor unit for a tire (103) or for measuring one or more parameters associated with a tire (103) is disclosed. The sensor unit (200) comprises: (i) a printed circuit board (210); an electrical component (272, 274); and an elastomer connector (250) in contact with the printed circuit board (210) and the electrical component (272, 274); or (ii) a first electrical component (272); a second electrical component (274); and an elastomer connector (250) in contact with the first electrical component (272) and the second electrical component (274). The elastomer connector (250) comprises a plurality of conductive layers (258) and a plurality of nonconductive layers (256) disposed alternatingly among the plurality of conductive layers (258) along a length of the elastomer connector (250). Also disclosed is a tire comprising such a sensor unit (200).

A system is disclosed comprising a tire (103), at least one sensor patch (106) cured into an inner side of the tire (103), the sensor patch (106) comprising a bonding layer (136, 136a) and a substrate layer (139) applied to the bonding layer (136, 136a), the substrate layer (139) including one or more sensor connections, and a sensor or sensor component (143) connected to the sensor patch (106) via the one or more sensor connections. Also, an apparatus is disclosed comprising a first layer (136, 136a) of green rubber, a thermoplastic layer (139) calendered onto the first layer (136, 136a) of green rubber, and one or more sensor components (143) engraved into the thermoplastic layer (139). Finally, a method for printing a sensor in a tire is disclosed.

A sensor unit (10) and a method using such a sensor unit (10) for detection of a rapid pressure loss in a tire (12) is disclosed. The sensor unit (10) is attached to the tire (12) and comprises an integrated circuit (62), a microcontroller unit (64) in electronic communication with the integrated circuit (62), an antenna (68) in electronic communication with the integrated circuit (62) and configured for transmitting a signal from the sensor unit (10), a power source (70) in electronic communication with the integrated circuit (62) to power the sensor unit (10), and a discrete analog component (72) in electronic communication with the integrated circuit (62) and the microcontroller unit (64). The discrete analog component (72) includes an analog pressure sensor (74) to generate a signal of pressure indication (76), a differentiator (82) configured for receiving the signal of pressure indication (76) and calculating a rate of pressure change (84) and a level detector (86) configured for storing a threshold value (88) of a rate of pressure change. The level detector (86) is configured to generate an interrupt request (90) when the calculated rate of pressure change (84) exceeds the threshold value (88), indicating a rapid air loss event. The sensor unit (10) is configured to send the interrupt request (90) from the analog component (72) through the integrated circuit (62) to the microcontroller unit (64) to actuate or interrupt the microcontroller unit (64).

A method is disclosed comprising: affixing a first textured material (113) to an innerliner (106) of a tire (100); affixing a second textured material (123) to a sensor unit (133); and mounting the sensor unit (133) on the innerliner (106) of the tire (100) by fastening the first textured material (113) to the second textured material (123) via a touch fastener configuration. Also, a tire (100) is disclosed comprising an innerliner (106), a sensor unit (133), a first textured material affixed to the innerliner (113), and a second textured material (123) affixed to the sensor unit (133) and the first textured material (133), wherein the sensor unit (133) is mounted on the innerliner (106) of the tire (100) by fastening the first textured material (113) to the second textured material (123) via a touch fastener configuration.

A tire monitoring device (10) is disclosed comprising a sensor unit (100) and a sensor unit holder (200). The sensor unit (100) comprises a sensor assembly (110) and an encapsulation material (120), wherein the sensor assembly (110) is at least predominantly enclosed by the encapsulation material (120). The sensor unit holder (200) includes i) a bottom portion (223) comprising a bottom surface, and ii) a top portion (224), which is opposite to the bottom portion (223). The sensor unit (100) is embedded in and bonded to the top portion (224). Also disclosed is a tire (1) comprising such a tire monitoring device (10).

In one aspect, a system (100) is disclosed comprising a tire (106) disposed on a rim (109) of a wheel (103); an array of light-based sensors (113) disposed circumferentially about the rim (109), each light-based sensor (113) of the array of light-based sensors directed toward the tire (106); a computing device (403) comprising a processor and a memory; and machine-readable instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device (403) to at least: receive one or more distance readings from the array of light-based sensors (113); generate a parabola approximating a contact area (116) of the tire (106) based at least in part on the one or more distance readings; approximate a shape of the contact area (116) based at least in part on the parabola; and determine a static load estimation based at least in part on the shape of the contact area (116). In another aspect, a system (100) is disclosed comprising a tire (106) disposed on a rim (109) of the wheel (103); a computing device (403) comprising a processor and a memory; and machine-readable instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device (403) to at least: determine tire data corresponding to the tire (106); determine a minimum number of distance sensors (113) needed to measure a load estimate based at least in part on the tire data; and send a notification to install at least the minimum number of distance sensors (113).

A tire (10) is disclosed having a tread (12), an inner shoulder (14) and an outer shoulder (16). The tread (12) comprises V-shaped grooves (18) projecting in a tire circumferential direction and extending from the inner shoulder (14) to the outer shoulder (16), the V-shaped grooves (18) being arranged along the tire circumferential direction. The tire (10) further comprises tread blocks (20) separated said V-shaped grooves (18), each of the tread blocks (20) comprising a leading edge (40) and a trailing edge (42), wherein at least one of the leading edges (40) and the trailing edges (42) of the tread blocks (20) comprises a chamfer.

A method for making a masterbatch material comprising a surface-modified silica and rubber latex is disclosed. The method comprises admixing the surface-modified silica with water and ultrasonicating the surface-modified silica and water to produce a silica solution; admixing the silica solution with the rubber latex to obtain a second solution; and removing water from the second solution to obtain a masterbatch material. The surface-modified silica comprises fewer surface-exposed hydrogen bonding groups than an otherwise identical unmodified silica. Also disclosed is such a masterbatch material and its use in a cured or uncured rubber composition for use in an article or tire.

A system and a method for determining a tire health of a tire (106) is disclosed. The system comprises a tire observing sensor system (112) affixed to a wheel well (109) of a vehicle (103), the tire observing sensor system (112) comprising a sensor configured to perform measurements on an outer surface of a tire (106); a computing device (115) comprising a processor and a memory, the tire observing sensor system (112) being communicatively coupled to the computing device (115); and machine-readable instructions stored in the memory. The machine-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device (115) to at least: obtain sensor data from the tire observing sensor system (112); determine a tire health of a tire (106) based at least in part on the sensor data; and generate an alert in an instance in which the tire health is below a predefined threshold.

A tire (1) is disclosed comprising a tread (20) and a belt portion (100) located radially below the tread (20). The tread (20) has two shoulder portions, each shoulder portion comprising a shoulder groove (21). The belt portion (100) comprises an intermediate belt (120) and a pair of working belts comprising a first working belt (110) and a second working belt (130) arranged radially above the first working belt (130). The intermediate belt (120) is arranged between the first working belt (110) and the second working belt (130) and has elongated reinforcement elements making an angle of less than 5° with a circumferential direction of the tire (1). The intermediate belt (120) comprises a first layer (121) and one or more further layers (122, 123). The first layer (121) of the intermediate belt (120) extends over at least 70% of the axial width of an axially largest working belt (110, 130) of the pair of working belts. Each layer of the one or more further layers (122, 123) of the intermediate belt (120) is arranged radially below one of the shoulder grooves (21) and extends over at most 50% of the axial width of the axially largest working belt (110, 130). The belt portion (100) further comprises a top belt (140) arranged radially above the second working belt (130). The top belt (140) comprises reinforcement cords having an impact energy absorption higher than 7 J/mm<2>.

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A pneumatic radial tire (1) comprising a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire (1) comprises a tread portion comprising a tread (3) disposed on the tire carcass; a pair of sidewall portions (4) adjacent to the tread portion;=a carcass ply (5, P<C>) extending circumferentially about the tire (1) and exhibiting two ply ending portions (20), wherein each ply ending portion (20) comprises a first ply contact section (21, Si) adjacent to a ply turn-up section (22, S<T>), said ply turn-up section (22, S<T>) being adjacent to a second ply contact section (23, S<2>), said second ply contact section (23, S<2>) forming or including the end of the ply ending portion (20); and a pair of bead portions adjacent to the sidewall portions (4). Each bead portion comprises a bead core (7), one or more apex elements (6) and one of the two ply ending portions (20) of said carcass ply (5, P<C>). In each bead portion, the ply ending portion (20) comprised therein forms a sealed enclosure (30) containing the bead core (7), said sealed enclosure (30) exhibiting a ply-to-ply contact section (11, Sc) formed by the first ply contact section (21, Si) and the second ply contact section (22, S<2>), and further exhibiting a surrounding section formed by the ply turn-up section (22, S<T>). In each bead portion, at least one apex element (6, E<A>) of the one or more apex elements (6) is located axially outwards from the ply-to-ply contact section (11, Sc) and at least a portion of the axially inward surface of said at least one apex element (6, E<A>) is in direct contact with an axially outward surface of the ply-to-ply contact section (11, Sc).

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A tire with printed sensors is disclosed. The tire comprises a pair of bead areas; a ground-contacting tread disposed radially outwardly of the pair of bead areas; a pair of sidewalls, including an inboard sidewall extending from a first one of the bead areas to the tread, and an outboard sidewall extending from a second one of the bead areas to the tread; a carcass extending toroidally between each of the bead areas radially inwardly of the tread; an innerliner formed on an inside surface of the carcass; and a set of sensors consisting of a plurality of sensors printed on the innerliner, wherein the plurality of sensors are printed in a sidewall zone of the inboard sidewall and/or in a sidewall zone of the outboard sidewall. The plurality of sensors is configured to measure deformation in the sidewall zone. The plurality of sensors is daisy-chained so that the set of sensors provides a single deformation signal, the single deformation signal being based on the measured deformations of the plurality of sensors.

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