Non-Pneumatic Tire Meta Structure for Load and Noise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-pneumatic tires face challenges in maintaining strong load support, durability, riding comfort, noise reduction, and aerodynamics due to their open web spoke structure, which affects maneuverability and fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A non-pneumatic tire with a meta structure where web spokes are formed in the rotational direction, creating a closed tube shape with specific joint arrangements and thicknesses to enhance load support, shock absorption, and aerodynamics, using a structural reinforcing material to improve steering performance and reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If web spokes are formed in the rotational direction to create a closed tube shape, then aerodynamics is improved and noise is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the meta structure with specific joint arrangements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and aerodynamic dragVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tire is divided into multiple unit structures, each containing web spokes arranged in the rotational direction. These unit structures are repeated around the circumference, allowing the complex meta structure to be manufactured through systematic repetition of standardized components rather than as a single complex piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The web spokes are positioned within unit structures that are nested within the overall tire structure. The joints connect multiple layers of structural elements (tread, web spokes, bead circles), creating a nested configuration where simpler elements are contained within more complex assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the meta structure specifies joint direction and thickness in accordance with use and position, then load supporting force is strengthened, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload supporting forceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The meta structure implements varying joint thicknesses and orientations at different positions within the tire. Joints near the tread have different characteristics than those near the bead circles, optimizing load support at each location based on the specific stress conditions encountered during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The web spoke structure employs asymmetric joint configurations where the direction and thickness of joints differ based on their position and functional requirements. This asymmetric design allows the structure to better handle the asymmetric loading conditions experienced during vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If web spokes are open in the rotational axis direction, then manufacturing is simplified, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates and fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging web spokes radially outward from the center (open structure), the invention inverts the approach by positioning them in the rotational direction to form closed tubes. This inversion creates a structure that is aerodynamically efficient while still being manufacturable through systematic assembly of unit structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If a structural reinforcing material is added to improve steering performance, then maneuverability is enhanced, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering performanceVSAvoidtire weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tire combines the structural reinforcing material with the elastic material of the web spokes and unit structures to create a composite construction. This composite approach enhances steering performance and maneuverability while distributing the weight across multiple functional components rather than adding a single heavy element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 meta structure provides strong load support, improved durability, reduced noise, enhanced aerodynamics, and increased riding comfort by smoothly absorbing shocks and maintaining structural rigidity, thus maximizing maneuverability and steering characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

this non-pneumatic tire has an advantage in that it is possible to have high durability and riding comfort and reduce noise as a non-pneumatic tire by smoothly absorbing various shocks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

as the joints inside web spokes form a meta structure, it is possible to maintain strong load supporting force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3686032B1A non-pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 HANKOOK TIRE & TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3686032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686032B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a non-pneumatic tire, particularly, a non-pneumatic tire that has maneuverability similar to a pneumatic tire even without using air pressure, and can support the load of a vehicle and can guide performance-oriented tire deformation behavior by using a meta structure. The present invention provides a non-pneumatic tire including a tread 100 that comes in contact with the ground, a rim 300 that is connected with an axle, and a spoke unit 200 that functions as a structural support between the rim 300 and the tread 100, in which the spoke unit 200 is formed in a meta structure in which unit structures 210 are repeated.