US 9,004,127 B2 · Tension-based non-pneumatic tire

Abstract

A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner surface, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a hub and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface may assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load. With the portion of the tire in the footprint region not bearing a significant portion of the load, non-pneumatic tire may exhibit a more comfortable ride subject to less noise and vibration and improved handling capabilities.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A non-pneumatic tire comprising:

a generally annular inner surface that attaches to a hub,
a generally annular outer ring,
an interconnected web between said generally annular inner surface and said generally annular outer ring and defining a plurality of generally polygonal openings,
an axis of rotation;
and
a tread layer coupled to a radially external surface of the outer ring and comprising:
a first axially-extending reinforcing belt extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation and coupled to the outer ring;
a second axially-extending reinforcing belt extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation and spaced apart from the first axially-extending reinforcing belt;
at least one radially-extending reinforcing belt extending in a generally radial direction and generally perpendicularly to the first and second axially-extending reinforcing belts;
and
a support material positioned generally between the first axially-extending reinforcing belt and the second axially-extending reinforcing belt.

8 more elements

A non-pneumatic tire comprising:

a generally annular inner surface that attaches to a hub,
a generally annular outer ring,
an interconnected web between said generally annular inner surface and said generally annular outer ring,
an axis of rotation;
and
a tread layer coupled to the outer ring and comprising:
a first axially-extending reinforcing belt extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation and having a first end and a second end;
a second axially-extending reinforcing belt extending generally parallel to the first axially-extending reinforcing belt and spaced apart therefrom, the second axially-extending reinforcing belt having a first end and a second end;
a first radially-extending reinforcing belt extending in a generally radial direction and generally perpendicularly to the first and second axially-extending reinforcing belts, the first radially-extending reinforcing belt having a first end coupled to the first end of the first axially-extending reinforcing belt and a second end coupled to the first end of the second axially-extending reinforcing belt;
a second radially-extending reinforcing belt extending in a generally radial direction and spaced apart from the first radially-extending reinforcing belt, the second radially-extending reinforcing belt being generally perpendicular to the first and second axially-extending reinforcing belts, the second radially-extending reinforcing belt having a first end coupled to the second end of the first axially-extending reinforcing belt and a second end coupled to the second end of the second axially-extending reinforcing belt, and the first axially-extending reinforcing belt, the second axially-extending reinforcing belt, the first radially-extending reinforcing belt, and the second radially-extending reinforcing belt cooperating with each other to define a rectangular opening within the tread layer;
and
a support material positioned within the rectangular opening.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tension-based non-pneumatic tire

Life of this patent

Tension-based non-pneumatic tire

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28