U.S. patent application number 17/118052 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-01 for tire having a conductivity path.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC. Invention is credited to Kathleen A. CLEMMER, Benjamin C. GALIZIO, Justin M. GEHRES, Anup D. KHEKARE, Ruben L. MADRID, Seth M. MILLER, Russell A. MOSER, Amy M. RANDALL, Andrew J. SVENSON, Ross W. WIDENOR, David J. ZEMLA.
Application Number | 20210094365 17/118052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005264269 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210094365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOSER; Russell A. ; et
al. |
April 1, 2021 |
TIRE HAVING A CONDUCTIVITY PATH
Abstract
A tire includes a body ply sheet having a rubber core defined by
a top surface having a length and a width, a bottom surface having
substantially the same length and width, and side surfaces having a
common height. The body ply sheet includes reinforcement cords
spaced 0.1-4.0 mm apart from each other and spanning the width of
the body ply sheet. Bleeder cords are disposed on the body ply
sheet and spaced are 8-12 cm apart from each other. Conductive
cords are also disposed on the body ply and are spaced 20-80 cm
apart from each other. At least one of the conductive cords has a
first end and a second end, the first end being located in a region
within a middle 80% of a width of the circumferential tread.
Inventors: |
MOSER; Russell A.;
(Louisville, OH) ; ZEMLA; David J.; (Canal Fulton,
OH) ; RANDALL; Amy M.; (Brentwood, TN) ;
WIDENOR; Ross W.; (Munroe Falls, OH) ; GALIZIO;
Benjamin C.; (Kent, OH) ; CLEMMER; Kathleen A.;
(Akron, OH) ; SVENSON; Andrew J.; (Wadsworth,
OH) ; GEHRES; Justin M.; (Uniontown, OH) ;
MADRID; Ruben L.; (Copley, OH) ; KHEKARE; Anup
D.; (Doylestown, OH) ; MILLER; Seth M.;
(Wooster, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC |
Nashville |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005264269 |
Appl. No.: |
17/118052 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15735965 |
Dec 13, 2017 |
10894449 |
|
|
PCT/US2016/035004 |
May 31, 2016 |
|
|
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17118052 |
|
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|
62175486 |
Jun 15, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29K 2311/10 20130101;
B60C 9/04 20130101; B29D 30/0601 20130101; B29D 2030/3071 20130101;
B60C 2009/2083 20130101; B60C 19/082 20130101; B60C 2009/0035
20130101; B29D 2030/526 20130101; B60C 9/00 20130101; B60C 19/084
20130101; B60C 9/20 20130101; B60C 19/088 20130101; B60C 2009/0441
20130101; B29C 43/24 20130101; B29D 2030/1671 20130101; B29K
2995/0005 20130101; B29D 2030/582 20130101; B29D 30/38
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60C 19/08 20060101
B60C019/08; B60C 9/04 20060101 B60C009/04; B60C 9/20 20060101
B60C009/20; B29D 30/38 20060101 B29D030/38; B60C 9/00 20060101
B60C009/00 |
Claims
1. A tire comprising: a first annular bead and first abrasion area,
wherein the first abrasion area has a resistivity of at least
5.9.times.10.sup.7 ohm-cm; a second annular bead and second
abrasion area, wherein the second abrasion area has a resistivity
of at least 5.9.times.10.sup.7 ohm-cm; a body ply extending between
the first annular bead and the second annular bead, wherein the
body ply contains reinforcement cords; a circumferential belt
disposed radially upward of the body ply and extending axially
across a portion of the body ply; at least one reinforcement ply
disposed radially upward of the circumferential belt and extending
axially across a portion of the body ply; at least one cap ply
disposed radially upward of the at least one reinforcement ply and
extending axially across a portion of the body ply, wherein the cap
ply has a resistivity of at least 13.0.times.10.sup.7 ohm-cm; a
circumferential tread disposed radially upward of the
circumferential belt and extending axially across a portion of the
body ply, wherein the circumferential tread has resistivity of at
least 13.7.times.10.sup.7 ohm-cm; a first sidewall extending
between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first
shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread, wherein
the first sidewall has a resistivity of at least
11.9.times.10.sup.7 ohm-cm; a second sidewall extending between the
second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder
being associated with the circumferential tread, wherein the second
sidewall has a resistivity of at least 11.9.times.10.sup.7 ohm-cm;
and a plurality of bleeder cords associated with the body ply and
disposed circumferentially about the tire, wherein the plurality of
bleeder cords includes at least one conductive bleeder cord
disposed radially between the circumferential tread and the body
ply, wherein 10-40% of the cords in the plurality of bleeder cords
are conductive bleeder cords that dissipate electric charge in the
tire.
2. The tire of claim 1, wherein the tire lacks a conductive
antenna.
3. The tire of claim 1, wherein the conductive bleeder cord is
infused with carbon black.
4. The tire of claim 1, wherein the conductive bleeder cord is a
cotton cord coated with carbon black.
5. The tire of claim 4, wherein the carbon black has conductivity
between 0 .OMEGA..sup.-1m.sup.-1 and 300
.OMEGA..sup.-1m.sup.-1.
6. The tire of claim 5, wherein the carbon black coating is
disposed linearly along a cotton cord.
7. The tire of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive bleeder
cord has a first end and a second end, the first end being located
in a region within a middle 80% of a width of the circumferential
tread.
8. The tire of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive bleeder
cord engages one other of the plurality of bleeder cords.
9. The tire of claim 8, wherein the at least one conductive bleeder
cord and the one other of the plurality of bleeder cords that are
in engagement extend parallel to one another.
10. The tire of claim 8, wherein the at least one conductive
bleeder cord and the one other of the plurality of bleeder cords
that are in engagement have substantially identical cross
sections.
11. The tire of claim 8, wherein the at least one conductive
bleeder cord has an irregular cross section.
12. The tire of claim 8, wherein the at least one conductive
bleeder cord and the one other of the plurality of bleeder cords
that are in engagement are joined to one another.
13. The tire of claim 8, wherein a cross sectional area of the at
least one conductive bleeder cord is 10% of a cross sectional area
of the one other of the plurality of bleeder cords.
14. A tire comprising: a circumferential tread; and a body ply
sheet disposed radially downward of the circumferential tread, the
body ply sheet having a rubber core defined by a top surface having
a length and a width, a bottom surface having substantially the
same length and width, and side surfaces having a common height,
wherein the rubber core is further defined by a top rubber layer
and a bottom rubber layer, the body ply sheet further including:
reinforcement cords disposed between the top rubber layer and the
bottom rubber layer, wherein the reinforcement cords are spaced
0.1-4.0 mm apart from each other and span the width of the body ply
sheet, bleeder cords configured to vent gas from the tire during
vulcanization, wherein the bleeder cords are disposed on the body
ply sheet and spaced 8-12 cm apart from each other, and conductive
cords configured to dissipate electric charge from the tire after
vulcanization, wherein the conductive cords are disposed on the
body ply and spaced 20-80 cm apart from each other, at least one of
the conductive cords having a first end and a second end, the first
end being located in a region within a middle 80% of a width of the
circumferential tread.
15. The tire of claim 14, wherein the conductive cord further
comprises a segment that extends from the body ply sheet.
16. The tire of claim 14, wherein one of every five bleeder cords
is a conductive cord.
17. The tire of claim 16, wherein the conductive cords are infused
with carbon black.
18. A method of preparing a conductive tire comprising: providing
body ply cords; calendaring rubber around the body ply cords to
form a body ply; providing conductive cords selected from the group
consisting of conductive bleeder cords and infused cords, wherein
the conductive bleeder cords are formed by wetting bleeder cords
and introducing the wetted bleeder cords to conductive carbon black
to form conductive bleeder cords, and wherein the infused cords are
formed by infusing cords with conductive carbon black; positioning
the conductive cords with respect to the body ply cords; providing
beads, sidewalls, a circumferential belt, and a tire tread, at
least one of the conductive cords being positioned such that a
first end of the at least one conductive cord is located in a
region within a middle 80% of a width of the tire tread; forming
the body ply into an annulus in connection with the beads and
sidewalls; stitching the circumferential belt and tire tread to the
annulus; molding the body ply, beads, sidewalls and tire tread into
a cured tire by placing the body ply, beads, sidewalls and tire
tread into a mold and vulcanizing the tire; removing the tire from
the mold.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the conductive cords are
positioned with respect to the body ply cords prior to calendaring
rubber around the body ply cords.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the conductive cords are
positioned on a body ply surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/735,965, filed on Dec. 13, 2017, which in
turn is a national stage entry of PCT/US2016/35004, filed on May
31, 2016, which in turn claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/175,486, filed on Jun. 15, 2015,
each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to tires having
conductivity paths for conducting electric charge. More
particularly, the present disclosure is directed to tires having a
cord that conducts an electric charge.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Known tires contain materials that inhibit the conduction of
electric charge. For example, tires having relatively high amounts
of silica are known to accumulate static charge, which is
undesirable for vehicle operation. Tires having relatively high
amounts of silica previously used antennas to dissipate charge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment, a tire includes a first annular bead and
first abrasion area. The first abrasion area has a resistivity of
at least 5.9.times.107 ohm-cm. The tire further includes a second
annular bead and second abrasion area. The second abrasion area has
a resistivity of at least 5.9.times.107 ohm-cm. A body ply extends
between the first annular bead and the second annular bead. The
body ply contains reinforcement cords. A circumferential belt is
disposed radially upward of the body ply and extends axially across
a portion of the body ply. At least one reinforcement ply is
disposed radially upward of the circumferential belt and extends
axially across a portion of the body ply. At least one cap ply is
disposed radially upward of the at least one reinforcement ply and
extends axially across a portion of the body ply. The cap ply has a
resistivity of at least 13.0.times.107 ohm-cm. A circumferential
tread is disposed radially upward of the circumferential belt and
extends axially across a portion of the body ply. The
circumferential tread has resistivity of at least 13.7.times.107
ohm-cm. A first sidewall extends between the first annular bead and
a first shoulder. The first shoulder is associated with the
circumferential tread. The first sidewall has a resistivity of at
least 11.9.times.107 ohm-cm. A second sidewall extends between the
second annular bead and a second shoulder. The second shoulder is
associated with the circumferential tread. The second sidewall has
a resistivity of at least 11.9.times.107 ohm-cm. The tire further
includes a plurality of bleeder cords associated with the body ply
and disposed circumferentially about the tire. The plurality of
bleeder cords includes at least one conductive bleeder cord
disposed radially between the circumferential tread and the body
ply. 10-40% of the cords in the plurality of bleeder cords are
conductive bleeder cords that dissipate electric charge in the
tire.
In another embodiment, a tire includes a circumferential tread and
a body ply sheet disposed radially downward of the circumferential
tread. The body ply sheet has a rubber core defined by a top
surface having a length and a width, a bottom surface having
substantially the same length and width, and side surfaces having a
common height. The rubber core is further defined by a top rubber
layer and a bottom rubber layer. The body ply sheet further
includes reinforcement cords disposed between the top rubber layer
and the bottom rubber layer. The reinforcement cords are spaced
0.1-4.0 mm apart from each other and span the width of the body ply
sheet. The body ply sheet further includes bleeder cords configured
to vent gas from the tire during vulcanization. The bleeder cords
are disposed on the body ply sheet and spaced 8-12 cm apart from
each other. The body ply sheet further includes conductive cords
configured to dissipate electric charge from the tire after
vulcanization. The conductive cords are disposed on the body ply
and spaced 20-80 cm apart from each other. At least one of the
conductive cords has a first end and a second end, the first end
being located in a region within a middle 80% of a width of the
circumferential tread.
[0005] In yet another embodiment, a method of preparing a
conductive tire includes providing body ply cords and calendaring
rubber around the body ply cords to form a body ply. The method
further includes providing conductive cords selected from the group
consisting of conductive bleeder cords and infused cords. The
conductive bleeder cords are formed by wetting bleeder cords and
introducing the wetted bleeder cords to conductive carbon black to
form conductive bleeder cords. The infused cords are formed by
infusing cords with conductive carbon black. The method also
includes positioning the conductive cords with respect to the body
ply cords, and providing beads, sidewalls, a circumferential belt,
and a tire tread. At least one of the conductive cords is
positioned such that a first end of the at least one conductive
cord is located in a region within a middle 80% of a width of the
tire tread. The method further includes forming the body ply into
an annulus in connection with the beads and sidewalls. The method
also includes stitching the circumferential belt and tire tread to
the annulus, and molding the body ply, beads, sidewalls and tire
tread into a cured tire by placing the body ply, beads, sidewalls
and tire tread into a mold and vulcanizing the tire. The method
further includes removing the tire from the mold.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated
that, together with the detailed description provided below,
describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like
elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should
be understood that elements shown as a single component may be
replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple
components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings
are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be
exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a peel-away perspective view of one embodiment of
a tire featuring a conductivity path;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a peel-away perspective view of one embodiment of
a conductive body ply;
[0009] FIGS. 3a-d are cross-sections of alternative embodiments of
conductivity paths; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing a method of making a tire
featuring a conductivity path.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The following includes definitions of selected terms
employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or
forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that
may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be
limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the
definitions.
[0012] "Axial" and "axially" refer to a direction that is parallel
to the axis of rotation of a tire.
[0013] "Circumferential" and "circumferentially" refer to a
direction extending along the perimeter of the surface of the tread
perpendicular to the axial direction.
[0014] "Radial" and "radially" refer to a direction perpendicular
to the axis of rotation of a tire.
[0015] "Sidewall" as used herein, refers to that portion of the
tire between the tread and the bead.
[0016] "Tread" as used herein, refers to that portion of the tire
that comes into contact with the road or ground under normal
inflation and normal load.
[0017] "Tread width" refers to the width of the ground contact area
of a tread which contacts with road surface during the rotation of
the tire under normal inflation and load.
[0018] Directions are stated herein with reference to the axis of
rotation of the tire. The terms "upward" and "upwardly" refer to a
general direction towards the tread of the tire, whereas "downward"
and "downwardly" refer to the general direction towards the axis of
rotation of the tire. Thus, when relative directional terms such as
"upper" and "lower" or "top" and "bottom" are used in connection
with an element, the "upper" or "top" element is spaced closer to
the tread than the "lower" or "bottom" element. Additionally, when
relative directional terms such as "above" or "below" are used in
connection with an element, an element that is "above" another
element is closer to the tread than the other element.
[0019] The terms "inward" and "inwardly" refer to a general
direction towards the equatorial plane of the tire, whereas
"outward" and "outwardly" refer to a general direction away from
the equatorial plane of the tire and towards the sidewall of the
tire. Thus, when relative directional terms such as "inner" and
"outer" are used in connection with an element, the "inner" element
is spaced closer to the equatorial plane of the tire than the
"outer" element.
[0020] While similar terms used in the following descriptions
describe common tire components, it is understood that because the
terms carry slightly different connotations, one of ordinary skill
in the art would not consider any one of the following terms to be
purely interchangeable with another term used to describe a common
tire component.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a peel-away perspective view of one embodiment of
a tire 100. Tire 100 features a first annular bead 105 and a second
annular bead 110. The annular beads, in part, secure the tire to a
wheel. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tire comprises
four or more beads.
[0022] The tire 100 further includes a body ply 115, which imparts
shape to the tire, extending between first annular bead 105 and
second annular bead 110. The body ply 115 extends around the first
annular bead 105 and the second annular bead 110. In the
illustrated embodiment, turn-up portions of the body ply 115
terminate in the bead regions of the tire. In alternative
embodiments, turn-up portions of the body ply may terminate in the
sidewall regions or crown regions of the tire. As one of ordinary
skill in the art will understand, body ply 115 may contain
reinforcing cords or fabric (not shown). In an alternative
embodiment (not shown), multiple body plies are utilized.
[0023] A circumferential belt 120 is disposed radially upward of
body ply 115 and extends axially across a portion of body ply 115.
As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand,
circumferential belt 120 may contain steel cords and reinforcing
cords (both not shown). In an alternative embodiment (not shown),
the circumferential belt lacks metal.
[0024] A reinforcement ply 125 is disposed radially upward of
circumferential belt 120 and extends axially across a portion of
body ply 115. As one of ordinary skill will understand, additional
reinforcement plies may be utilized. The reinforcement plies
strengthen and stabilize the tire. In alternative embodiments (not
shown), the tire contains one or three or more reinforcement plies.
In another embodiment, the reinforcement plies are omitted.
[0025] A cap ply 130 is disposed radially upward of circumferential
belt 120 and second reinforcement ply 130. Cap ply 130 extends
axially across a portion of body ply 115. In an alternative
embodiment (not shown), a sealing gel layer is provided in the cap
ply region.
[0026] The tire 100 also includes an undertread 135 disposed
radially upward of circumferential belt 120 and cap ply 130. The
undertread 135 extends axially across a portion of body ply 115. An
undertread is typically comprised of rubber, and its thickness may
vary depending on tire application. For instance, in retreading
applications, a thicker undertread is desired to accommodate
buffing. In passenger tire applications, by comparison, a thinner
undertread is desired.
[0027] The tire 100 further comprises a first sidewall 140 and a
second sidewall 145. First sidewall 140 extends between the first
annular bead 105 and a first shoulder 150, which is proximately
associated with an edge of circumferential tread 160. Second
sidewall 145 extends between the second annular bead 110 and a
second shoulder 155, which is proximately associated with the
opposite edge of circumferential tread 160. In an alternative
embodiment (not shown), the sidewall is proximately associated with
an undertread (not shown).
[0028] The tire 100 further includes a circumferential tread 160.
In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential tread 160 is
separated by circumferential grooves 165, which divide
circumferential tread 160 into five ribs. However, it should be
understood that the circumferential tread may include any
combination of grooves, ribs, block, lugs, or other tread elements.
In most applications, the circumferential tread is affixed to the
tire when the tire is new. In an alternative embodiment, the
circumferential tread is affixed as a retread.
[0029] Tire 100 further comprises a conductive cord 170. Conductive
cord 170 is disposed radially between circumferential tread 160 and
body ply 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive cord
170 has a first end located in the center of the tread region of
the tire 100, and the conductive cord 170 terminates at a second
end located in the second annular bead region 110 of the tire 100.
In other embodiments, the conductive cord has a first end located
anywhere between the first bead region of the tire and the second
belt edge of the tire, and the conductive cord terminates at the
second bead region of the tire. While a bead-to-bead configuration
would provide a maximum conductivity path for a given cord, a
bead-to-belt edge may provide an adequate conductivity path for a
given tire.
[0030] In one particular embodiment, the conductive cord 170
extends from a region within the middle 80% of the width of the
circumferential tread 160, over body ply 115 and through the second
shoulder region 155 and second sidewall region 145, to an abrasion
area associated with the second annular bead 110. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will understand, the abrasion area is a
rubber region that is situated between the body ply and a wheel
rim.
[0031] In another embodiment (not shown), the tire further
comprises a second conductive filament that extends from a region
within the middle 80% of the width of the circumferential tread,
over a body ply and through the second shoulder region and second
sidewall region, to the abrasion area associated with the second
annular bead. In this embodiment, the second conductive cord is
disposed opposite circumferentially to the conductive cord. Thus,
approximately 170-190.degree. separate the first and second
cords.
[0032] In yet another embodiment (also not shown), the tire further
comprises a second conductive cord and a third conductive cord. In
this embodiment, the second and third conductive cords are disposed
generally equidistantly around a tire circumference. Thus,
approximately 110-130.degree. separate the first, second, and third
cords. In other embodiments, any number of conductive cords may be
employed. The conductive cords may be regularly spaced about the
tire, or they may be irregularly spaced about the tire.
[0033] Conductive cord 170 may be constructed from a variety of
textile materials, such as yarns or cords, including, without
limitation, bleeder cords. In one embodiment, the cord is coated or
infused with carbon black. The cord may be coated or infused with
carbon black through an immersion, dipping, powdering, or spraying
process. In a coating process, the carbon black may be disposed
linearly along a cotton cord. In another alternative embodiment,
the cord features a continuous path of carbon black. In any of
these embodiments, the carbon black has conductivity between 0 and
300 .OMEGA..sup.-1m.sup.-1.
[0034] In one specific embodiment of the tire described in FIG. 1,
the first and second abrasion areas each have a resistivity of at
least 5.9.times.10.sup.7 ohms, the sidewalls have a resistivity of
at least 11.9.times.10.sup.7 ohms, the cap ply skim has a
resistivity of at least 13.0.times.10.sup.7 ohms, and the
circumferential tread has resistivity of at least
13.7.times.10.sup.7 ohms.
[0035] While a pneumatic tire is shown in FIG. 1, the annular hoop
may also be employed in the tread of a non-pneumatic tire. The
basic structure of non-pneumatic tires is known in the art, and is
not presented here.
[0036] While FIG. 1 illustrates a conductive cord 170 that is
separate from the body ply 115, in alternative embodiments, the
body ply may include a conductivity path. FIG. 2 is a peel-away
perspective view of one embodiment of a conductive body ply 200.
Body ply 200 has a rubber core 205 defined by a top surface TS and
a bottom surface BS. Both the top surface TS and bottom surface BS
have substantially the same length L and a width W. Rubber core 205
is further defined by side surfaces having a common height H. In
FIG. 2, rubber core 205 is divided into a top rubber layer 210 and
a bottom rubber layer 215. In scaled production, a body ply sheet
may be between 10-60 inches (0.25-1.5 m) wide and 3,000 yards
(2,700 m) long. The body ply sheet may then be cut into smaller
sheets.
[0037] Body ply 200 further comprises reinforcement cords 220.
Reinforcement cords 220 are disposed between top rubber layer 210
and bottom rubber layer 215. In one embodiment, the body ply cords
span the width of the body ply and are spaced approximately 0.1-4.0
mm apart from each other.
[0038] Body ply 200 also comprises bleeder cords 225. Bleeder cords
225 are configured to vent gas from a tire during vulcanization.
The bleeder cords 225 are disposed in connection with the body ply
and spaced approximately 8-12 cm apart from each other. In one
embodiment, the bleeder cords are disposed on the upper surface of
the top rubber layer. In another embodiment, the bleeder cords are
disposed between the top rubber layer and the bottom rubber layer.
While the bleeder cords are illustrated as following straight,
parallel paths, it should be understood that one or more of the
bleeder cords may follow a wavy path.
[0039] Body ply 200 further includes conductive cords 230.
Conductive cords 230 are configured to dissipate electric charge
from the tire after the tire has been vulcanized. Conductive cords
230 are disposed in connection with the body ply, and spaced
approximately 20-80 cm apart from each other. In one embodiment,
the conductive cords are disposed on the upper surface of the top
rubber layer. In another embodiment, the conductive cords are
disposed between the top rubber layer and the bottom rubber layer.
In an alternative embodiment, the conductive cords border the
bleeder cords. In yet another embodiment, the conductive cords are
infused cords, which are cords that have been infused with carbon
black. The infused cords may be bleeder cords that have been
infused with carbon black.
[0040] The conductive cords 230 may be disposed independently of
the bleeder cords. In a specific embodiment, the conductive cords
substitute for a bleeder cords at a given interval (e.g., one
conductive cord replaces, without limitation, every fifth, seventh,
or tenth bleeder cord).
[0041] A protruding segment of the conductive cords 230 may extend
outward from the body ply. The protruding segment may extend into
other components of the tire or lie passively on the surface of the
body ply.
[0042] FIGS. 3a-d are cross sections of exemplary configurations of
the bleeder cords, conductive cords, and infused cords described in
regard to FIG. 2. In one embodiment, one of every 10 bleeder cords
from FIG. 2 is joined, as shown in FIGS. 3a-d, with a conductive
cord. In an alternative embodiment, one of every 5 bleeder cords is
joined with a conductive cord.
[0043] FIG. 3a depicts one embodiment of a bleeder cord 225 and a
conductive cord 230. In this embodiment, the bleeder cord 225 and
conductive cord 230 have identical cross sections and touch
tangentially. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand,
the cross sections of each cord do not need to be identical, and
the cords may deform so that they touch across a segment rather
than just a point. In one embodiment, the bleeder cord and
conductive cord run parallel to each other. In an alternative
embodiment, the conductive cord is wound around the bleeder
cord.
[0044] FIG. 3b shows one embodiment of a bleeder cord 225 and
conductive cord 230, in which the bleeder cord 225 is encased by
the conductive cord 230. As one of ordinary skill in the art will
understand, the diameter of the conductive cord does not need to be
significantly larger than the diameter of the bleeder cord. In a
specific embodiment, the radius of the conductive cord is 5-10%
greater than the bleeder cord's radius. In an alternative
embodiment, the conductive cord partially encases the bleeder cord.
In a different alternative embodiment, the conductive cord contains
perforations.
[0045] FIG. 3c illustrates one embodiment of a bleeder cord 225 and
conductive cord 230, in which the conductive cord 230 is joined to
the bleeder cord 225. In this embodiment, the conductive cord has
an irregular cross section. As one of ordinary skill in the art
will understand, a variety of shapes are suitable for the cross
section of the conductive cord. In one specific embodiment, the
cross sectional area of the conductive cord is 10% of bleeder
cord's cross sectional area.
[0046] FIG. 3d shows an infused cord 305. Infused cord 305 is a
cord that has been infused with a conductive substance, such as
carbon black. In a specific embodiment, infused cord 305 is a
bleeder cord that has been infused with carbon black.
[0047] As an alternative to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3a-d,
the bleeder cord may be constructed of a conductive material.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing a method 400 of making a
tire featuring a conductivity path. The method 400 starts with
providing body ply cords 410. The body ply cords are arranged in an
orderly manner and then calendared or extruded with rubber to form
a body ply. In an alternative embodiment, the body ply cords are
provided as part of a complete body ply.
[0049] In addition to providing body ply cords, method 400 further
includes providing 420 at least one conductive cord. The providing
of a conductive cord may be executed prior to, concurrently with,
or subsequent to providing body ply cords. A conductive cord is
provided such that the conductive cord is disposed within the body
ply or on a top surface of the body ply. In one embodiment, the
conductive cord is a conductive bleeder cord. The conductive
bleeder cord is formed by wetting the bleeder cords and introducing
the wetted bleeder cords to conductive carbon black (generally as a
powder). The wetted bleeder cord may be twisted in the conductive
carbon black. In an alternative embodiment, the conductive cord is
an infused cord. An infused cord is formed by infusing cords with
conductive carbon black, such as by introducing a cord into a
liquid containing carbon conductive black. Additional infusion
methods are known to those skilled in the art and are not recounted
here.
[0050] The conductive cord is optionally woven 430 through the body
ply cords. In one embodiment, the conductive cord is woven through
each body ply cord in a first plurality of body ply cords. In
another embodiment, the conductive cord is woven through at least
three body ply cords. In an alternative embodiment, adhesive is
used to secure the conductive cord to the body ply cords. In
another alternative embodiment, a conductive filament is twisted
around one or more body ply cords.
[0051] The method 400 also includes providing 440 additional tire
components and forming 450 the body ply into an annulus. Exemplary
components include, without limitation, beads, runflat inserts,
belts, reinforcement plies, cap plies, non-conductive sealing gels,
and treads. In one embodiment, a second body ply may be provided
for forming the annulus. In one embodiment, all of the components
needed to construct a finalized tire are provided. In one
embodiment, the circumferential belt and tire tread are stitched to
the annulus. In another embodiment, the tread is not provided.
[0052] The method 400 further includes molding 460 the tire, by
placing the body ply, beads, sidewalls and tire tread into a mold
and vulcanizing the tire. Molding step 460 may be a final molding
process or a preliminary molding process. The tire is then removed
from the mold. After the tire is removed, it may be tested to
determine its conductivity performance.
[0053] As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, the
tire embodiments described in this disclosure may be configured for
use on a vehicle selected from the group consisting of motorcycles,
tractors, agricultural vehicles, lawnmowers, golf carts, scooters,
airplanes, military vehicles, passenger vehicles, hybrid vehicles,
high-performance vehicles, sport-utility vehicles, light trucks,
heavy trucks, heavy-duty vehicles, and buses. One of ordinary skill
in the art would also understand that the embodiments described in
this disclosure may be utilized with a variety of tread patterns,
including, without limitation, symmetrical, asymmetrical,
directional, studded, and stud-less tread patterns. One of ordinary
skill in the art would also understand that the embodiments
described in this disclosure may be utilized, without limitation,
in high-performance, winter, all-season, touring, non-pneumatic,
and retread tire applications.
[0054] To the extent that the term "includes" or "including" is
used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be
inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as that term
is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is employed (e.g., A
or B) it is intended to mean "A or B or both." When the applicants
intend to indicate "only A or B but not both" then the term "only A
or B but not both" will be employed. Thus, use of the term "or"
herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A.
Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).
Also, to the extent that the terms "in" or "into" are used in the
specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean
"on" or "onto." Furthermore, to the extent the term "connect" is
used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not
only "directly connected to," but also "indirectly connected to"
such as connected through another component or components.
[0055] While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the disclosure, in its broader aspects, is not limited
to the specific details, the representative apparatus and method,
and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,
departures may be made from such details without departing from the
spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
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