An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

This non-pneumatic tire is provided with a tread ring, a wheel which is arranged radially inside of the tread ring, and spokes which are interposed between the tread ring and the wheel. Further, the wheel has a disc part to which the vehicle shaft is linked, and a rim part which is connected on the inner peripheral side to the disc part and is joined on the outer peripheral side to the spokes. In this configuration, the average thickness (T1) of the disc part is set to be less than the average thickness (T2) of the rim part. In other words, the relation T1<T2 holds.

This non-pneumatic tire is provided with a tread ring, a wheel which is arranged radially inside of the tread ring, and spokes which are interposed between the tread ring and the wheel. Further, the wheel has a disc part to which the vehicle shaft is linked, and a rim part which is connected on the inner peripheral side to the disc part and is joined on the outer peripheral side to the spokes. In this configuration, the average thickness (T1) of the disc part is set to be greater than the average thickness (T2) of the rim part. In other words, the relation T1>T2 holds.

A non-pneumatic tire assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes an inner circumferential ring and an outer circumferential ring defining an annular space and a cylindrical space inside the inner circumferential ring. A plurality of partitions connect the circumferential rings within the annular space. A ground-contacting tread is located on the outer circumferential ring. A rim, including a plurality of pieces, is located within the cylindrical space. The non-pneumatic tire assembly further includes a hub that is removably connected to the rim.

An airless tire includes an inner wheel including flanges having fin fastening holes, an outer wheel receiving the inner wheel and including a tread part molded into the outer surface of a drum with at least one of through holes and irregularities to be united with the drum, with the inner periphery of the tread part embedded in the through holes or irregularities, a middle wheel including elastomers, a peripheral part having fin fastening holes and formed on the inner periphery of the elastomers, and ribs in the middle of the elastomers, a fixing device attaching the inside of the outer wheel to the outside of the middle wheel and then detachably uniting the middle wheel and the outer wheel, and coupling fins that allow the inner wheel and the middle wheel to be detachably held together by being inserted through the fin fastening holes and the fin fastening holes.

An airless tire includes an inner wheel including flanges having fin fastening holes, an outer wheel receiving the inner wheel and including a tread part molded into the outer surface of a drum with at least one of through holes and irregularities to be united with the drum, with the inner periphery of the tread part embedded in the through holes or irregularities, a middle wheel including elastomers, a peripheral part having fin fastening holes and formed on the inner periphery of the elastomers, and ribs in the middle of the elastomers, a fixing device attaching the inside of the outer wheel to the outside of the middle wheel and then detachably uniting the middle wheel and the outer wheel, and coupling fins that allow the inner wheel and the middle wheel to be detachably held together by being inserted through the fin fastening holes and the fin fastening holes.

An adjustable airless tire system includes spring-loaded shock absorbers to provide suspension to absorb impact energy and damp spring oscillations; and a metallic hawser loop to transfer the impact energy from the spring-loaded shock absorbers of the ground contact surface of the tire to whole spring-loaded shock absorbers within the tire to maximize their suspension potential. A control component adjusts a tension and a size of the ground contact surface of the tire according to the road conditions, which improve its oil efficiency, comfortability, controllability and safety. An enhanced rim of a wheel keeps an appropriate distance from the tire to protect the spring-loaded shock absorbers and provide limited moving ability for the vehicle if the airless system loses their functions. A curved tire forms a closed space between the tire and the rim to prevent foreign objects from sticking between them.

An adjustable airless tire system includes spring-loaded shock absorbers to provide suspension to absorb impact energy and damp spring oscillations; and a metallic hawser loop to transfer the impact energy from the spring-loaded shock absorbers of the ground contact surface of the tire to whole spring-loaded shock absorbers within the tire to maximize their suspension potential. A control component adjusts a tension and a size of the ground contact surface of the tire according to the road conditions, which improve its oil efficiency, comfortability, controllability and safety. An enhanced rim of a wheel keeps an appropriate distance from the tire to protect the spring-loaded shock absorbers and provide limited moving ability for the vehicle if the airless system loses their functions. A curved tire forms a closed space between the tire and the rim to prevent foreign objects from sticking between them.

An adjustable airless tire with an air sac within a wheel includes an air sac located within a wheel to transfer a load of a vehicle from a ground contacting area of a tire to whole walls of the tire through a plurality of spoke structure of rods that connect with the walls of the air sac and the tire. A sensor detects a tension of the tire and a variation of a tension during driving. A control component adjusts the tension of the tire according the load of the vehicle and road conditions to improve its fuel efficiency, comfortability, controllability and safety. A rim of the wheel keeps an appropriate distance from the tire to limit the maximal level of upward movement of the rods. A transversely curved tire mounted to the rim of the wheel to form closed space between the tire and the wheel.