Angled Projections in Non-Pneumatic Tire Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires with spokes often buckle or deflect upon contact with the ground due to material limitations, leading to inefficient load distribution and structural integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly featuring angled projections and surfaces that apply either tensile or compressive forces to the wheel, combined with a tread profile shaper, to enhance structural support and stability, utilizing flexible materials for the tire and sidewalls with reinforcement structures for added strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spokes are made of material stronger in tension than compression to distribute load, then load distribution improves, but structural integrity deteriorates due to buckling and deflection upon ground contact
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is divided into multiple discrete spokes radiating from the central hub to the rim, allowing each spoke to independently bear load while distributing forces across the entire structure. This segmentation enables the tire to maintain structural integrity while accommodating individual spoke deflection without compromising overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spokes are constructed from composite materials exhibiting anisotropic mechanical properties, specifically engineered to be stronger in tension than in compression. This material selection optimizes load distribution through the tire while the geometric design compensates for compression weaknesses by preventing buckling through appropriate spoke thickness and arrangement.
2Reliability
If angled projections and tread profile shaper are added to improve load distribution and prevent buckling, then structural integrity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tread profile shaper incorporates curved and angled surfaces that conform to the natural deformation patterns of the tire under load. These geometric features distribute stresses more evenly across the tire structure, preventing buckling and improving structural integrity while maintaining a relatively simple overall design through the use of smooth, continuous surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Angled projections are added to the tire structure, introducing a new dimensional element that interacts with the road surface at optimized angles. This dimensional addition improves load distribution and prevents buckling by creating favorable stress paths, while the projections themselves are simple geometric features that do not significantly increase manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If flexible materials are used for tire and sidewalls to provide durability and flexibility, then ease of operation improves, but strength deteriorates due to material limitations causing buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The tire and sidewalls are constructed from flexible materials that allow the structure to adapt to road conditions and absorb shocks. This flexibility improves ease of operation by allowing the tire to conform to surfaces and reduce vibrations, while the flexible nature of the material actually helps prevent buckling by allowing controlled deformation rather than rigid failure.
Solution Approach 2:
Composite materials are used to create a multi-layered structure combining flexible outer layers for durability and flexibility with reinforced internal structures. This composite construction maintains the flexibility needed for ease of operation while the internal reinforcement prevents buckling and maintains strength under load.
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 angled projections and tread profile shaper improve load distribution and structural integrity, preventing buckling and enhancing the tire's ability to maintain contact with the ground, while the flexible materials and reinforcement structures provide durability and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
each projection is adapted to exert an upward, tensile force on the wheel
Implementation Method 2
utilizing flexible materials for the tire and sidewalls with reinforcement structures for added strength
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A tire is configured to be received by a wheel having at least one angled surface. The tire includes a tread portion, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall has a first outer surface, a first inner surface, and a first projection extending inwardly from the first inner surface. The first projection has a first angled surface configured to engage a first corresponding surface of a wheel. The second sidewall has a second outer surface, a second inner surface, and a second projection extending inwardly from the second inner surface. The second projection has a second angled surface configured to engage a second corresponding surface of the wheel.