Non-pneumatic Tire Vibration Isolation via Rubber Mediators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-pneumatic tires suffer from poor vibration isolation between the polyurethane spoke and the aluminum wheel, leading to reduced riding comfort due to the transfer of impact forces from the road surface.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating vibration isolators made of a material with a soft modulus of elasticity into depressed grooves on the aluminum wheel, which connects with a polyurethane spoke to absorb shocks and reduce vibration transmissibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a non-pneumatic tire uses a polyurethane spoke directly contacting an aluminum wheel, then the structure is simplified and adhesion is improved, but vibration isolation performance deteriorates and riding comfort worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration isolator made of rubber material as an intermediary component between the polyurethane spoke and the aluminum wheel. This mediator absorbs vibrations and impacts, preventing direct transmission from the rigid aluminum wheel to the polyurethane spoke, thereby improving riding comfort while maintaining the simplified non-pneumatic structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines different materials with complementary properties: the rigid aluminum wheel provides structural strength, the polyurethane spoke provides shock absorption, and the rubber vibration isolator provides vibration damping. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by leveraging the advantages of each material while mitigating their individual disadvantages
2Strength
If a non-pneumatic tire uses a polyurethane spoke directly contacting an aluminum wheel, then the adhesion between spoke and wheel is improved, but vibration isolation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber vibration isolator serves as a mediator that maintains the adhesive connection between the spoke and wheel while simultaneously filtering out vibrations. The isolator's elastic properties allow it to bond the two components while absorbing harmful vibrational energy, thus preserving adhesion strength while improving vibration isolation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters at the interface between spoke and wheel by introducing the vibration isolator. This modifies the contact characteristics from direct rigid contact to elastic-mediated contact, altering the transmission of mechanical energy while maintaining the necessary adhesive bond for structural integrity
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 solution effectively reduces vibration transmissibility by up to 66%, enhancing riding comfort and maintaining the adhesion performance between the spoke and the wheel.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of vibration isolators made of vibration isolation material is inserted into the grooves
Implementation Method 2
a polyurethane spoke configured to perform a shock absorbing action while connecting the tread with the aluminum wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pneumatic tire is disclosed herein. The non-pneumatic tire includes a cylindrical tread configured to come into contact with a road surface, an aluminum wheel configured to form a circumference smaller than that of the tread and concentrically disposed inside the tread, and a polyurethane spoke configured to perform a shock absorbing action while connecting the tread with the aluminum wheel. The aluminum wheel includes a plurality of depressed grooves formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential surface of the aluminum wheel. A plurality of vibration isolators made of vibration isolation material is inserted into the grooves.