Non-pneumatic Tire Interwoven Spring Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-pneumatic tires fail to adequately address heat dissipation and load-bearing capabilities, especially at increased vehicle speeds, and are not suitable for extreme temperature variations and radiation exposure, such as those encountered in lunar environments, where they also lose traction and vibration isolation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire design featuring an interwoven toroidal structure of helical springs coated with elastomer, which provides enhanced load distribution, traction, and vibration mitigation, with the ability to contour to varying terrain and withstand extreme temperatures without the need for air support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-pneumatic tires use solid rubber or urethane material, then they eliminate the need for air pressure support, but they accumulate excessive heat due to poor thermal conductivity and localized shock absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer elastomeric layer for shock absorption and traction, an inner metallic mesh layer for structural support and heat dissipation, and an intermediate bonding layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function, with the metallic mesh providing thermal conductivity pathways to dissipate heat generated by the elastomeric material during shock absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines dissimilar materials with complementary properties: elastomeric material (for shock absorption and traction) bonded to a metallic mesh structure (for heat dissipation and structural integrity). This composite construction resolves the thermal conductivity limitation of solid rubber/urethane while maintaining the non-pneumatic advantage of eliminating air pressure dependence.
2Strength
If conventional non-pneumatic tires use thick rubber material for shock absorption, then they provide adequate dampening characteristics, but they accumulate more heat due to reduced thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorption function is segmented between the outer elastomeric layer (which provides dampening through controlled deformation) and the inner metallic mesh structure (which provides structural support and heat dissipation). This allows the elastomeric layer to be optimized for shock absorption without requiring excessive thickness that would impede heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic mesh acts as an intermediary thermal conduit between the elastomeric material and the external environment. It provides dedicated heat transfer pathways that bypass the poor thermal conductivity of the elastomeric material, allowing thick shock-absorbing layers to maintain both their dampening characteristics and thermal management.
3Force
If conventional non-pneumatic tires are designed for load bearing, then they provide adequate support capability, but they fail to dissipate heat efficiently at increased vehicle speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines load-bearing metallic mesh with shock-absorbing elastomeric material. The metallic mesh provides the structural framework for load support while simultaneously serving as a heat dissipation network. At increased vehicle speeds, this dual-function structure maintains both load bearing capability and heat dissipation efficiency through the high thermal conductivity of the metallic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic mesh structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for load bearing, acts as a thermal conduit for heat dissipation, and serves as a bonding substrate for the elastomeric layer. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between load bearing and heat dissipation by integrating both capabilities into a single structural element.
4Reliability
If conventional non-pneumatic tires use solid material construction, then they eliminate air pressure requirements, but they lose vibration isolation capabilities in extreme environments
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material provides vibration isolation and shock absorption capabilities that solid rubber tires lack, while the metallic mesh provides structural integrity. This composite construction maintains the non-pneumatic advantage of operating without air pressure while adding the vibration damping properties of elastomeric materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material is applied locally in the outer layer where vibration and shock absorption are most needed for traction and ride comfort, while the metallic mesh provides the underlying structural support. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes vibration isolation without compromising the air-independent operation.
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 interwoven helical spring design offers improved load capacity, longer cycle life, reduced weight, and enhanced design versatility, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and maintaining performance across diverse terrains and environmental conditions, including lunar surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
A non-pneumatic tire design featuring an interwoven toroidal structure of helical springs
Implementation Method 2
an interwoven toroidal structure of helical springs coated with elastomer, which provides enhanced load distribution, traction, and vibration mitigation
Implementation Method 3
provides enhanced load distribution, traction, and vibration mitigation
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of springs. Each spring comprises 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.