Non-Pneumatic Tire Structure for Lateral Flexibility and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-pneumatic tire designs limit lateral flexibility, requiring passenger vehicle manufacturers to redesign suspension components, and are prone to non-linear vehicle response during handling maneuvers due to increased lateral stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire design with annular inner rim beads, structural support units, and a sidewall that encases support members, using fiber-reinforced polymer composite and aramid fiber strands for radial, torsional, and lateral support, allowing compatibility with existing wheel profiles and protection from debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If web structures are oriented laterally across the tire cavity to provide structural support, then tire strength is improved, but lateral flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tire structure is divided into discrete support units spaced circumferentially around the tire cavity, with each unit containing multiple support members arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows localized structural support while preserving lateral flexibility between units, resolving the contradiction between overall strength and lateral flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Support members are concentrated in specific localized regions within support units rather than distributed uniformly. The support members include vertical members for radial support, inclined members for lateral support, and horizontal members for circumferential support, creating locally optimized structural zones that maintain global lateral flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If lateral stiffness is increased to provide structural stability, then tire stability is improved, but vehicle handling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed with inherent flexibility to allow dynamic deformation during vehicle handling maneuvers. The inclined and horizontal support members can flex laterally during cornering while maintaining radial stability, enabling the tire to adapt dynamically to handling demands rather than resisting all lateral movement rigidly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an enclosed structure is used to protect support members from debris, then protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it encloses and protects the support members from debris, provides lateral structural support through integrated support units, and maintains the tire's overall shape. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, simplifying manufacturing despite the enclosed design.
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
Enables flexible tire performance similar to pneumatic tires, reduces suspension redesign costs, and enhances vehicle handling by maintaining lateral flexibility and protecting the tire from foreign objects.
Implementation Method 1
Each support unit can include top and bottom members, and a plurality of flexible curved support members extending between the top member and bottom member
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire comprising a pair of annular inner rim beads disposed parallel to each other and defining a cylinder, wherein the rim beads define the opposing ends of the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an axis of rotation coincident with an axis of rotation of the tire wherein outer and inner are relative to the axis of rotation of the tire, where inner is closer to the axis of rotation and outer is further away from the axis of rotation; an annular outer layer oriented concentric with the circumference of the cylinder and comprising an outermost tread surface, the tread surface comprising tread rubber and tire carcass; a plurality of spaced apart support units, each support unit including: top and bottom members; a plurality of flexible curved support members extending between the top member and bottom member.