Non-Pneumatic Tire Interwoven Spring Heat Dissipation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-pneumatic tires fail to adequately address the need for heat dissipation and load-bearing capability, especially at increased vehicle speeds, and are not suitable for extreme temperature variations and radiation exposure, as seen in lunar exploration vehicles, where they also lose traction and vibration isolation capabilities when scaled for higher loads.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire design featuring a toroidal structure composed of interwoven helical springs coated with elastomer, which provides enhanced load distribution, traction, and vibration mitigation, with the ability to contour to various terrains and operate in extreme conditions without the need for air, using a segmented mold and two-part polyurethane for curing and traction generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional non-pneumatic tires use solid rubber or elastomeric material to provide load support, then the tire structure can maintain shape and provide basic cushioning, but the tire accumulates excessive heat and cannot adequately dissipate energy at increased vehicle speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The tire incorporates a foam core material with cellular structure that provides both mechanical support and thermal management. The porous foam structure allows heat to conduct through the material while maintaining structural integrity, solving the heat accumulation problem of solid rubber tires
Solution Approach 2:
The tire uses a composite structure combining foam core material with elastomeric coating and reinforcement layers. This composite approach provides load-bearing capability from the foam, thermal management properties, and surface traction from the elastomer, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation and energy dissipation
2Strength
If conventional non-pneumatic tires increase material thickness to improve load-bearing capability, then the tire can support higher vehicle weights, but the tire accumulates more heat due to reduced air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The foam core material provides load-bearing capability through its cellular structure rather than relying on thick solid material. The porous structure maintains mechanical strength while allowing heat conduction and air circulation, eliminating the need to increase material thickness for load support
3Strength
If lunar exploration vehicles scale up non-pneumatic tire size to support higher loads, then the tire can carry heavier vehicle weights, but the tire loses traction and vibration isolation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The tire combines foam core for load support with elastomeric coating for surface interaction. This composite structure maintains traction and vibration isolation properties even at large scales, as the elastomer layer provides surface compliance independent of the overall tire size
Solution Approach 2:
The tire design allows different regions to have different properties: the foam core provides structural support and shock absorption, while the elastomeric surface layer provides traction. This local differentiation maintains operational capabilities across various tire sizes
4Reliability
If conventional non-pneumatic tires use interwoven wire or spring structures to provide mechanical support, then the tire can operate without air pressure, but the tire generates excessive heat from wire stress and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The tire replaces the mechanical wire/spring support system with a foam core structure that provides mechanical support through material elasticity and cellular structure. This substitution eliminates wire friction and stress concentration points, reducing heat generation while maintaining airless operation reliability
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 design achieves higher load capacity, longer cycle life, improved traction, and reduced energy loss, with the interwoven helical spring structure distributing wire stresses uniformly and allowing for enhanced load distribution and adaptability, while maintaining low weight and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Communication of a non-pneumatic tire with a road/contact surface in the area of the tire footprint, or contact patch, provides the only force input to the vehicle from the contact surface
Implementation Method 2
a non-pneumatic tire typically absorbs shocks and deflects locally within the footprint or contact patch. Such localized deflection of a non-pneumatic tire must therefore also exhibit high dampening characteristics
Implementation Method 3
Each spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each spring is interwoven with at least one other spring thereby forming a toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the non-pneumatic tire. The toroidal structure is at least partially coated with an elastomer. One end portion of at least one spring is wrapped around a first bead structure adjacent a rim.