Non-Pneumatic Tire Wheel Assembly for Higher Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires face limitations in load carrying capacity and durability due to the characteristics of polymeric spokes, which restrict their performance compared to pneumatic tires.
Innovation Solution
A tire and wheel assembly design featuring a rim piece with annular ring flanges and cylindrical shafts that engage with the tire's loops, providing enhanced load support through axial and radial engagement, allowing for improved load distribution and stability without the need for air pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymeric spokes are used to carry the load in non-pneumatic tires, then the tire can function without air pressure, but the load carrying capacity and durability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials in the spoke structure, combining polymeric materials with reinforcing elements such as cords or fibers. This composite construction enhances both the load carrying capacity and durability of the spokes while maintaining the non-pneumatic tire's ability to function without air pressure.
2Device complexity
If polymeric spokes are used to transfer load from rim to shear band, then the tire structure is simplified, but performance is limited compared to pneumatic tires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials in the spoke construction to enhance performance while maintaining structural simplicity. The composite spokes provide improved mechanical properties including higher strength-to-weight ratio and better load distribution, enabling the non-pneumatic tire to achieve performance levels comparable to pneumatic tires without increasing structural complexity.
3Reliability
If non-pneumatic tire design is used to prevent air pressure loss, then reliability against pressure loss is improved, but load carrying capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials to the spoke structure to compensate for the reduced load carrying capacity inherent in non-pneumatic designs. The reinforced composite spokes can bear higher loads, enabling the tire to maintain both the pressure retention advantage of non-pneumatic designs and the load carrying capacity required for practical vehicle applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A tire and wheel assembly includes a tire, a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, the rim piece having a first annular ring flange for engaging the tire, a rim piece for engaging the hub member, a second annular ring flange for engaging the tire, and a plurality of cylindrical shafts for each axially engaging the first annular ring flange at one axial end of each of the shafts and the second annular ring flange at another opposite axial end of each of the shafts.