Non-pneumatic Tire Spoke Strain Limiting via Bump Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires experience compressive and tensile deformation issues when rolling over road obstacles, leading to spoke fatigue and deterioration due to uneven load distribution.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating bump stops between the wheel and tread ring portions of the tire, such as tower, triangular, or roof-top shaped bump stops, to limit deformation and strain on the spokes, thereby enhancing durability by controlling maximum transmitted loads and spring rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-pneumatic tire spokes are designed to be flexible for comfort and deformation absorption, then ride comfort is improved, but spoke durability deteriorates due to excessive compressive and tensile strain when rolling over obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
A bump stop is introduced as an intermediary element between the wheel portion and tread ring portion. This bump stop acts as a mediator that limits the maximum compression distance of the spokes when the tire encounters obstacles, thereby preventing excessive strain while maintaining the flexible deformation characteristics needed for ride comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The bump stop is positioned in advance between the wheel and tread ring to provide predetermined cushioning limitation. Before the spokes can undergo excessive compressive deformation during obstacle impact, the bump stop engages to restrict further compression, thus protecting the spokes from damaging strain levels while allowing controlled deformation for comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tire structure allows maximum deformation for obstacle absorption, then obstacle impact resistance is improved, but load distribution becomes uneven causing spoke fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The bump stop serves as a mediator that intervenes in the load transmission path between the tread ring and wheel portion. By limiting the compression distance, it ensures more uniform load distribution across multiple spokes during obstacle impact, preventing any single spoke from bearing excessive strain that would lead to fatigue.
3Reliability
If bump stops are added to limit spoke deformation, then spoke durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bump stop is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it limits spoke compression to prevent durability issues, provides controlled cushioning for ride comfort, and helps distribute loads more evenly across the tire structure. This multi-functionality justifies the addition by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The bump stop is constructed as a flexible, elastomeric component that can deform elastically to accommodate normal tire operations while providing hard limits on maximum compression. This flexibility allows it to integrate smoothly into the tire structure without requiring rigid, complex mechanical systems.
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 use of bump stops reduces compressive and tensile strain on the spokes, enhancing their durability and the overall tire performance by limiting deformation and fatigue caused by road irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
A bump stop is positioned between the wheel portion and the tread ring portion and the bump stop is configured to limit deformation and/or compressive strain of the plurality of flexible spokes
Implementation Method 2
When a non-pneumatic tire rolls over an object on a road surface such as a speed bump, a pot hole, and the like, some of the spokes of the tire are subjected to compressive loads
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion, a tread ring portion, a plurality of flexible spokes extending between and attached to the wheel portion and the tread ring portion, and plurality of bump stops positioned between the wheel portion and the tread ring portion. The bumps stops are configured to limit deformation and/or compressive strain of the plurality of flexible spokes. The plurality of bump stops includes a plurality of tower bump stops, a plurality of triangular-shaped bump stops, and/or a plurality of roof-top shaped bump stops.