Non-Pneumatic Tire Structure With Wave Spring Load Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-pneumatic tires lack durability and ride comfort, and they do not effectively address the issues of punctures, blowouts, and limited use after loss of air pressure, which are inherent in pneumatic tires.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire design featuring a continuous-wave shaped composite spring positioned between inner and outer layers of matrix material, where the tensile modulus of the wave shaped spring is significantly higher than that of the matrix materials, providing enhanced load-bearing capabilities and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pneumatic tires are used to provide ride comfort and load support, then ride comfort and fuel economy are improved, but the tires are susceptible to punctures, blowouts, and tears, and require constant inflation monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pneumatic cavity and air pressure dependency from the tire structure, extracting the harmful aspects (punctures, blowouts, inflation monitoring) while retaining the load-bearing and cushioning functions through alternative mechanical means
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials including elastomeric materials with varying durometers, reinforcement layers, and damping materials to achieve both ride comfort and durability without requiring air pressure, combining the benefits of flexibility and structural integrity
2Reliability
If banded run flat tires are used to enable continued use after loss of pressurized air, then durability is improved, but the constant change in axial geometry leads to interlaminar shear stress and fracture of the band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including wave-shaped springs and flexible reinforcement layers that can deform and absorb stress during rotation, allowing the tire to maintain structural integrity while accommodating the changing geometry during operation and rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the reinforcement structure by using wave-shaped springs with specific tensile moduli and elastomeric materials with varying durometers, creating a structure that can withstand repeated deformation without fracture
3Reliability
If solid non-pneumatic tires are used to eliminate air pressure dependency, then puncture resistance is improved, but the tires lack flexibility and desirable cushioning characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porous or cellular elastomeric materials that can compress and expand, providing cushioning characteristics similar to pneumatic tires while maintaining puncture resistance through the solid structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction combining rigid reinforcement layers with flexible elastomeric materials of varying durometers, creating a structure that provides both puncture resistance and desirable cushioning characteristics
4Ease of operation
If band and spoke non-pneumatic tires are used to improve cushioning over solid tires, then ride comfort is improved, but durability and ride comfort issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic wave-shaped springs and flexible reinforcement layers that can deform and absorb stress during rotation, allowing the tire to maintain structural integrity while accommodating the changing geometry during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes material parameters including tensile modulus of the wave-shaped spring (at least five times that of matrix material) and durometer of elastomeric materials to achieve both durability and ride comfort
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 tire achieves improved durability and ride comfort by distributing loads effectively through the wave shaped spring, reducing the risk of punctures and maintaining performance without the need for air pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a wave shaped spring positioned between the inner layer of matrix material and the outer layer of matrix material. In some embodiments, a tensile modulus of the wave shaped spring is at least five times a tensile modulus of at least one of the inner layer of matrix material, the outer layer of matrix material
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire is provided. The non-pneumatic tire includes an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion, and a load bearing ring positioned between the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion, the load bearing ring including an inner layer of matrix material, an outer layer of matrix material, and a wave shaped spring positioned between the inner layer of matrix material and the outer layer of matrix material.