Conductive Spoke Structure for Static Discharge in Non-Pneumatic Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires experience fatigue and static charge retention issues due to poor electrical conductivity, leading to potential shocks when vehicles come into contact with people, as they lack effective static discharge pathways like those found in pneumatic tires.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrically conductive static discharge element, such as a filament or electrically conductive tape, within the spokes of non-pneumatic tires to facilitate the transfer of electricity from the hub to the tread, enhancing conductivity and reducing static charge retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon black is added to the sidewalls of tires to provide electrical conductivity, then static charge retention is reduced, but hysteresis increases leading to increased rolling resistance and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing conductive elements (carbon black or conductive fabric) specifically in the sidewall region where electrical conductivity is needed for static discharge, while keeping other regions of the tire with different properties. This localized approach provides the necessary electrical conductivity pathway from the road surface through the sidewall to the tread, reducing static charge retention without requiring carbon black throughout the entire tire structure, thereby minimizing unnecessary hysteresis and rolling resistance.
2Weight of moving object
If spokes are made of polyurethane to reduce weight and improve flexibility, then electrical conductivity decreases, but static charge retention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polyurethane (providing lightweight and flexible properties) with conductive elements such as carbon black or conductive fabric (providing electrical conductivity). This composite structure maintains the advantages of polyurethane while adding the necessary electrical conductivity pathway through the spoke, allowing static charge to be discharged without significantly increasing spoke weight or reducing flexibility.
3Reliability
If an electrically conductive cord is placed between tire bead regions and tread region in pneumatic tires, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical conductivity function with existing tire structures by incorporating conductive elements into the sidewall and spoke components that are already part of the tire assembly. Instead of adding a separate conductive cord system between bead regions and tread as in pneumatic tires, the conductivity is integrated directly into the structural elements (sidewall and spokes) that naturally form the electrical pathway, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining electrical conductivity.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of static shocks by providing a conductive pathway through the tire, improving electrical conductivity and extending the life of the tire by reducing fatigue from deformation cycles.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive static discharge element, such as a filament or electrically conductive tape, within the spokes of non-pneumatic tires to facilitate the transfer of electricity from the hub to the tread
Implementation Method 2
Vehicles accumulate static electrical charge when driven. If there is sufficient electrical conductivity between the vehicle and ground through the tires then the charge will be continually depleted.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire is provided that has a hub with a central axis. A supporting structure is located outward from the hub in a radial direction, and a shear band is located outward from the supporting structure in the radial direction. Tread is located outward from the shear band in the radial direction. A static discharge element extends from a first radial end of the supporting structure to a second radial end of the supporting structure. The first radial end is located closer to the central axis than the second radial end in the radial direction. The static discharge element is electrically conductive to conduct electricity through the supporting structure.