Non-Pneumatic Tire Electrode Layout for Efficient Power Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-pneumatic tires formed with non-metallic materials have lower conductivity, resulting in reduced power transmission efficiency when using an electric field power supply method.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a conductor electrode portion and wiring within the non-pneumatic tire structure, specifically a metal tape-like electrode portion radially inside the tread and a conductor wiring connecting it to the inner annular body, enhances power transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If pneumatic tires are used, then rolling performance and impact absorption are improved, but structural complexity and susceptibility to damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling performanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the pneumatic chamber and air-filled structure from the tire design. The non-pneumatic tire uses a solid or semi-solid elastic body instead of enclosed air pressure, removing the vulnerable pneumatic components while maintaining rolling functionality through the elastic properties of the alternative material structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the pneumatic pressure-based shock absorption mechanism with an elastic material-based mechanical system. The solid or semi-solid elastic body provides impact absorption through its inherent elastic deformation and recovery properties, substituting the gas-pressure mechanism with a material-property-based mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If pneumatic tires are used, then impact absorption is improved, but susceptibility to punctures and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorptionVSAvoidsusceptibility to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the pneumatic chamber that is susceptible to punctures and damage. By eliminating the enclosed air-filled structure, the tire becomes immune to punctures, bursts, and pressure loss while maintaining impact absorption capabilities through the elastic body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a solid or semi-solid elastic body that is inherently more durable and resistant to damage compared to pneumatic structures. This alternative material approach provides a reliable, damage-resistant solution that does not require maintenance for puncture prevention or pressure monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If non-pneumatic tires with solid elastic body are used, then puncture resistance is improved, but rolling performance and impact absorption deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture resistanceVSAvoidrolling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the elastic body, specifically ensuring that the modulus of elasticity is within the range of 1 to 100 MPa. This parameter optimization allows the solid elastic material to provide both puncture resistance and adequate rolling performance, overcoming the traditional trade-off between solidity and rollability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a solid or semi-solid elastic body that may incorporate composite material structures to achieve the desired balance between puncture resistance and rolling performance. The composite nature of the elastic body allows optimization of both durability and mechanical performance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If non-pneumatic tires with solid elastic body are used, then puncture resistance is improved, but impact absorption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture resistanceVSAvoidimpact absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the modulus of elasticity parameter of the solid elastic body to fall within 1 to 100 MPa, and controls the density within 0.3 to 1.5 g/cm³. These parameter adjustments enable the material to simultaneously provide puncture resistance and adequate impact absorption, resolving the contradiction between durability and shock absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves power transmission efficiency by maintaining conductivity despite using non-metallic materials, allowing effective power supply during vehicle movement without significant deformation or increased manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the modulus of elasticity of the solid or semi-solid elastic body is 1 to 100 MPa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3984784B1Non-pneumatic tire
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3984784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984784B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984784B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A non-pneumatic tire (10) has an inner annular body centered on a rotation axis portion, an outer annular body provided radially outward of the inner annular body, a wheel portion including a connecting member elastically deforming and for connecting the inner annular body and the outer annular body, and a tread portion provided radially outward of the outer annular body and in contact with a road (200). The non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided with an electrode portion which is in contact with the tread portion and is provided on the radially inner side of tread portion, and a wiring portion (80) which connects the electrode portion and the inner annular body and is formed of a conductor. At least a part of the wheel portion is formed of a nonmetallic material, and the electrode portion is formed of a conductor having a prescribed width in tire width direction and a prescribed length in tire circumferential direction.