Non-Pneumatic Wheel Edge Guard with Static Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires face issues with complexity, maintenance requirements, susceptibility to damage, and static electrical charge buildup, while non-pneumatic tires lack sufficient electrical conductivity, leading to potential shocks and increased rolling resistance.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic wheel design featuring a support structure with softer edge guards for damage resistance and integrated static discharge elements to reduce electrical charge buildup, using conductive materials and configurations such as edge guard portions with lower Shore hardness and static discharge filaments or tapes for conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If load bearing members are constructed from hard materials to provide structural strength, then strength is improved, but susceptibility to damage from incidental contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load bearing member is constructed as a composite structure with a hard main body portion (providing structural strength) and a softer edge guard portion (providing damage resistance). This composite approach allows the member to simultaneously achieve high strength and resistance to incidental contact damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the load bearing member have different material properties: the main body portion uses hard material for structural integrity while the edge guard portion uses softer material for damage resistance. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes both strength and damage resistance where needed.
2Reliability
If carbon black is added to tire rubber to provide electrical conductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but rolling resistance and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical conductivity function from the tire rubber compound (where carbon black would be added) and relocates it to the edge guard portion, which can incorporate conductive materials without significantly impacting rolling resistance since it is not the primary ground-contacting element.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge guard portion acts as an intermediary element that provides electrical conductivity through integrated conductive materials, allowing charge dissipation without requiring carbon black in the main tire rubber, thus avoiding the associated increase in rolling resistance and heat generation.
3Loss of energy
If non-pneumatic tire materials with less electrical conductivity are used, then rolling resistance is reduced, but static charge retention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tire structure incorporates different electrical conductivity properties in different locations: the main tire body uses low-conductivity materials for low rolling resistance, while the edge guard portion incorporates conductive materials specifically for static charge dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive edge guard portion serves as an intermediary pathway for static charge dissipation, allowing the main tire body to maintain low-conductivity materials for optimal rolling resistance while still providing a route for charge depletion through the edge guards.
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 enhances durability against incidental impacts and reduces static electrical charge accumulation, providing improved safety and performance by minimizing damage and shock risks while maintaining low rolling resistance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the spokes may extend parallel to the axial direction or at angles therefrom. For example, each spoke may include a main body portion located between a pair of edges and at least one of the edges may include an edge guard portion having a lower Shore hardness than the main body portion.
Implementation Method 2
The non-pneumatic wheel may include one or more static discharge elements for reducing a build-up of electrical charge on a vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic wheel having one or more features for protecting edges of a support structure located radially between a wheel hub and an annular shear band. A softer material is provided along certain edges of the support structure for providing resistance to damages from incidental impact. One or more electrically conductive features may also be provided to reduce or prevent the accumulation of electrical charge on a vehicle using the non-pneumatic wheel.