Non-Pneumatic Tire Spoke Indicators for Overload Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires face challenges in detecting overloading and determining the end of their useful life, as excessive deflection and material deterioration can lead to damage, and existing systems lack effective monitoring solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a non-pneumatic tire design with a ground-contacting annular tread, central rim, spoke disks, and a shear band, featuring indicating means such as notches, dots, or sensors on the outboard surface of the spokes to visually or audibly indicate when the tire is overloaded or nearing the end of its life, allowing for timely unloading or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-pneumatic tires are used to eliminate air pressure maintenance issues, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but the ability to detect overloading and tire deterioration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tire structure itself serves as the detection mechanism through the flange-spoke indicating system. The flange and spokes form a self-monitoring system where the physical state of the tire (overloading or deterioration) automatically translates into visible indication through the interaction between flange and spoke indicating means, eliminating the need for external sensors or electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating means on the spokes utilize visual changes to signal tire condition. When the flange interfaces with the indicating means under overload or deterioration conditions, it creates a visible change in the appearance or position of the indicating features, providing clear visual feedback about tire status without requiring electronic displays or complex signaling systems.
2Strength
If polymer webbing is used to absorb and distribute forces, then tire durability is improved, but excessive deflection under overload damages the webbing and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The flange-spoke indicating system provides advance warning of dangerous conditions before they cause damage. By detecting and indicating overload or deterioration early, the system allows operators to take corrective action (reduce load or replace tire) before the polymer webbing suffers excessive deflection or damage, thus preserving tire durability and reliability.
3Loss of information
If indicating means are added to detect tire loading, then loading detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating means are integrated directly into the existing spoke structure of the non-pneumatic tire. Rather than adding separate external sensors or monitoring devices, the indication features are combined with the structural spokes, and the flange-spoke interaction leverages the existing mechanical framework to provide detection functionality, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire's own structural components (flange and spokes) perform the detection function. The system uses the natural mechanical interaction between these existing parts under load to generate the indication, rather than requiring external power sources, sensors, or electronic systems. The structure serves both its mechanical support function and the detection function simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for detection of non-pneumatic tire loading is disclosed. The system (50) comprises a non-pneumatic tire (10). The non-pneumatic tire includes a ground-contacting annular tread (12); a central rim (20); at least one spoke disk (18) disposed between the rim (20) and the tread (12), the at least one spoke disk (18) including an inner ring (24) mounted on the central rim (20), an outer ring (26), and a plurality of spokes (22) extending radially between the inner ring (24) and the outer ring (26); a shear band (14) disposed between the outer ring (26) of the at least one spoke disk (18) and the tread (12); and a flange (42) disposed on an outboard surface (52) of the plurality of spokes (22) of the at least one spoke disk (18). The system (50) further includes indicating or sensing means (54, 54a, 54b) formed or located on the outboard surface (52) of the plurality of spokes (22) of the at least one spoke disk (18) radially outwardly of the flange (42), wherein the flange (42) interfaces with the indicating or sensing means (54, 54a, 54b) when the tire (10) is in an overloaded state or is in need of replacement.