Non-Pneumatic Tire Spoke Mounting for Impact Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires face challenges in durability and impact resistance, particularly when encountering high-impact events such as hitting curbs or potholes, due to the inability of existing support structures to effectively distribute load among spokes during such events.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire design featuring a support structure with a plurality of spokes arranged into axially spaced groups, where adjacent spokes contact each other during high-impact events, distributing the load among multiple spokes to reduce stress on individual spokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-pneumatic tire uses a support structure with spokes that do not contact each other during normal operation, then the tire provides adequate load support under normal conditions, but the tire cannot effectively distribute load during high-impact events, resulting in excessive stress on individual spokes and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke arrangement allows the support structure to transition from a static configuration to a dynamic one during high-impact events. When impact occurs, the spokes are designed to contact each other, creating a load-distributing mechanism that activates only when needed. This dynamic behavior enables the tire to adapt its structural response based on loading conditions, improving durability without compromising normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple discrete spokes arranged in axially spaced groups rather than a continuous structure. This segmentation allows individual spokes to remain isolated during normal operation, reducing weight and complexity, while enabling load distribution across multiple spokes when they contact during high-impact events, thereby improving stress resistance.
2Reliability
If the spoke structure is designed to allow contact between adjacent spokes during high-impact events, then load distribution among spokes is improved, but the structural complexity of the support structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial parameters of the spoke arrangement, specifically the axial spacing between spoke groups and the radial positioning, to enable controlled contact during high-impact events. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the structure achieves impact resistance through simple geometric configuration rather than complex mechanical mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple axially spaced spoke groups are used to enable load distribution, then durability during high-impact events is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple axially spaced spoke groups, each consisting of discrete spokes. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where spokes can be produced independently and then assembled into the tire structure. The segmented design simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a single complex continuous structure, while still achieving the durability benefits of load distribution during impact events.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. The support structure is made up of a plurality of spokes. The support structure is arranged and configured so that adjacent spokes of the plurality of spokes contact one another upon the occurrence of a high impact event.