Non-Pneumatic Tire Assembly With Contiguous Sidewalls for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-pneumatic tires lack mechanical stability and aesthetic appeal due to their spoked design, which leads to issues with load-bearing capacity and debris accumulation, and are not effectively designed to minimize road noise.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire assembly featuring complementary annular inboard and outboard tire casing segments with a contiguous and resilient sidewall, made from copolyether-ester material, which provides improved mechanical stability and an aesthetic look while maintaining the non-pneumatic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-pneumatic tires are designed with openings between spokes to maintain non-pneumatic structure, then the tire can function without air pressure, but mechanical stability and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is divided into multiple segments including a wheel portion and a tread portion that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows the tire to maintain structural integrity through proper interlocking while preserving the non-pneumatic open-spoke design, resolving the contradiction between functional adaptability and mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire incorporates a composite structure combining the wheel portion and tread portion made from complementary materials. This composite design enhances load-bearing capacity and mechanical stability while maintaining the non-pneumatic characteristic, as the combined structure distributes stresses more effectively than a single-piece design.
2Device complexity
If non-pneumatic tires use a spoked design with openings, then the tire structure is simplified for non-pneumatic operation, but debris accumulates between spokes and aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of debris accumulation is addressed by extracting or removing the problematic open-spoke configuration from the final assembled tire. While individual segments may have simplified structures, the complete tire assembly presents a closed, continuous appearance that prevents debris entrapment, thus eliminating the harmful factor while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel portion and tread portion are merged into a unified continuous structure when assembled. This merging creates a closed aesthetic appearance that prevents debris accumulation between spokes, while the modular assembly process maintains manufacturing simplicity. The combined structure eliminates gaps where debris could lodge.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing non-pneumatic tires are designed with open spokes, then manufacturing is simplified, but the tire lacks aesthetic appeal for certain vehicle applications
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is segmented into manufacturable portions that can be produced using simplified processes, then assembled to create the final aesthetic form. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured easily while the assembled whole achieves the desired continuous, spoke-free aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple manufactured segments are merged into a unified tire assembly that presents a continuous, aesthetically pleasing appearance without visible spokes or gaps. The merging process transforms simple manufactured components into a sophisticated final product that meets aesthetic requirements while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If non-pneumatic tires lack contiguous sidewalls, then the open spoke design is achieved, but road noise is not minimized and mechanical instability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel portion and tread portion are merged to form a contiguous sidewall structure in the assembled tire. This continuous sidewall acts as a noise barrier that minimizes road noise while maintaining the non-pneumatic open-spoke design functionality. The merged structure provides mechanical stability and noise reduction simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of road noise is converted into a benefit by using the assembled continuous sidewall structure as a noise barrier. The very structure that provides mechanical stability and continuous appearance also serves as an acoustic barrier, transforming what could be a harmful noise transmission path into a noise-reducing feature.
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 enhances mechanical stability and aesthetic appeal while ensuring the tire remains non-pneumatic, addressing issues of load-bearing capacity and road noise, and is suitable for various vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
a closed end and an open end, a peripheral band comprising exterior and interior surfaces, and an inner band comprising exterior and interior surfaces... the closed end comprises a resilient and contiguous sidewall
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a non-pneumatic tire assembly having a sidewall portion made from a copolyether-ester. The non-pneumatic tire assembly comprises complementary annular inboard and outboard tire casing segments. Each segment comprises: a closed end and an open end, a peripheral band comprising exterior and interior surfaces, and an inner band comprising exterior and interior surfaces, the inner band being coaxially spaced radially inward from the interior surface of the peripheral band, wherein the closed end comprises a resilient and contiguous sidewall extending radially between the interior surface of the peripheral band and the exterior surface of the inner band, the sidewall comprising convex or concave exterior and interior surfaces, wherein the open end comprises a void defined by the interior surfaces of the peripheral band, the exterior surface of the inner band, and the sidewall; wherein the inner band interior surfaces of the inboard and outboard tire casing segments are configured to be disposed on an exterior rim surface of a wheel such that the open ends of each segment do not form a sealed void within the inboard and outboard segments; and wherein the annular inboard and outboard tire casing segments are each made from a composition comprising a copolyether-ester. The present disclosure is also directed to a wheel and non-pneumatic tire assembly.