Non-pneumatic Wheel Continuous Loop Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-pneumatic tires lack the performance advantages of pneumatic tires, such as compliance, traction, and maintenance-free operation, while pneumatic tires are complex, require maintenance, and are susceptible to damage.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic wheel with a continuous loop reinforcement assembly that includes flexible cylindrical bands and a resilient spacer, providing structural reinforcement and compliance similar to pneumatic tires without the need for air inflation, using materials like metal, carbon, and glass fibers, and a matrix material like polyurethane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pneumatic tires are used, then compliance and comfort are improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pneumatic air chamber from the tire structure, extracting the compliance function from the removed element and transferring it to the resilient material layer that remains. This eliminates the complexity of air inflation systems while maintaining compliance through the solid resilient material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic pressure system with a solid resilient material system. The compliance previously achieved through air pressure is now achieved through the elastic properties of the resilient material layer, substituting a mechanical pneumatic system with a solid mechanical system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pneumatic tires are used, then comfort is improved, but susceptibility to damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vulnerable pneumatic air chamber from the tire structure, removing the source of damage susceptibility. The comfort function is preserved through the resilient material layer which does not rely on air pressure and therefore cannot suffer from punctures or blowouts.
3Ease of repair
If solid tires are used, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but shock absorbing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the tire structure by using a resilient material with specific elastic properties. This resilient layer provides shock absorption similar to pneumatic tires while maintaining the solid construction that eliminates maintenance requirements.
4Ease of repair
If spring tires are used, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but compliance and traction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible resilient material layer as the primary compliance element. This continuous flexible layer provides uniform compliance and traction across the entire ground contact area, unlike discrete spring elements, while maintaining the maintenance-free solid construction.
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 offers improved compliance, stiffness, and resistance to damage, reducing maintenance needs while maintaining performance characteristics similar to pneumatic tires, suitable for various applications including vehicles and sensitive equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first flexible cylindrical band and a second flexible cylindrical band positioned apart from, and radially outward of, the first flexible cylindrical band. One or both of the first flexible cylindrical band and the second flexible cylindrical band can include a coil comprising one or more materials wound into a helix
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic wheel is provided having a continuous loop reinforcement assembly that can support a load and have performance similar to pneumatic tires. Various configurations of a non-pneumatic wheel, including variations of the continuous loop reinforcement assembly, are provided. One or more resilient spacers can be positioned with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly and can be configured for the receipt of a matrix material.