A polyurethane microcellular elastomer, a non-pneumatic tire and a preparation process and use thereof are provided. The polyurethane microcellular elastomer is obtained from a polyurethane reaction system comprising components such as isocyanate, trimethylolpropane-started polycaprolactone triol, a catalyst and a foaming agent. The non-pneumatic tire produced from the polyurethane microcellular elastomer has very strong fatigue resistance and can be used for non-motor vehicles running at high speed.

A method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels is provided. The exemplary method and apparatus allow for the use of the same molding system to manufacture wheels with different hub constructions. Different configurations of removable mold elements are utilized within the same molding system to provide wheels with different hub constructions.

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

The present invention is directed to a moldable reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane and a non-pneumatic wheel made therefrom, a process for preparing the same and an non-pneumatic wheel obtained therefrom which exhibits a high modulus, low creep, and high fatigue life.

A non-pneumatic tire, comprising a polyurethane composite layer which comprises a polyurethane matrix material and a thermoplastic expandable polymer material dispersed in the polyurethane matrix material. The polyurethane matrix material is obtained by a reaction comprising the following components: (A1) a polyisocyanate composition; (B1) at least one polyalkylene oxide-based polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of 2000-7000 g/mol, calculated according to GB/T 7383-2007: test method for hydroxyl value, and containing 15-35 wt % of solid particles based on the total weight of the polyether polyol; (B2) one or more chain extenders; (B3) one or more catalysts; and (B4) one or more foaming agents. Also provided herein is a method for preparing a non-pneumatic tire, a process for manufacture of a non-motor vehicle, and a non-motor vehicle.

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

A wheel for an autonomous cleaning robot that maneuvers the robot on a floor surface includes a tire having first and second opposing outer edges and a middle portion having a tread pattern between the first and second outer edges, the tread pattern comprising a plurality of raised tread having trenches therebetween. Each of the plurality of raised tread includes a first raised tread portion extending from the first outer edge to the middle portion and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges; a second raised tread portion extending at an angle away from the first raised tread portion; and a third raised tread portion extending from the second raised tread portion to the second outer edge and substantially perpendicular to the first and second outer edges, the third raised tread portion being laterally offset from the first raised tread portion.

A method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels is provided. The exemplary method and apparatus allow for the use of the same molding system to manufacture wheels with different hub constructions. Different configurations of removable mold elements are utilized within the same molding system to provide wheels with different hub constructions.

In a non-pneumatic tire, an outer ring comprises a laminate having a plurality of fiber layers, and at least one elastomer layer interposed between an adjacent pair of a plurality of fiber layers, the plurality of fiber layers include an outermost layer which among the plurality of fibers is that which is arranged in outwardmost fashion in a tire radial direction, and an innermost layer which among the plurality of fibers is that which is arranged in inwardmost fashion in the tire radial direction, and at least one of the outermost layer and the innermost layer contains a first fiber array at which fibrous material is arrayed so as to extend in the long direction of a joint.

A non-pneumatic tire may include a polyurethane matrix and expanded thermoplastic elastomer particles. The non-pneumatic tire has 60 to 90 wt. % of the polyurethane matrix and 10 to 40 wt. % of the expanded thermoplastic elastomer particles. The non-pneumatic tire may be produced in a production method. The non-pneumatic tire may be used in a low-speed vehicle.