Patent classifications
B60C7/22
STATIC DISCHARGE ELEMENT FOR A TIRE
A tire includes a cylindrical hub with a central axis, an annular supporting structure disposed radially outward from the hub, an annular shearband disposed radially outward from the supporting structure, an annular tread disposed radially outward from the shear band, and a conductive ink collectively applied to the shearband, supporting structure, and the hub to create a path for the discharge of electricity through the conductive ink. The conductive ink provides a substrate for conducting electricity with up to 50 percent strain applied to the substrate.
TIRE STRUCTURE
A tire includes a radially inner annular rim with a central axis, an annular shearband disposed radially outward from the inner rim, an annular supporting structure disposed radially outward from the inner rim, the supporting structure radially interconnecting the inner rim and the shearband, and an annular tread disposed radially outward from the shearband. The supporting structure includes a plurality of spokes each having a radially outer teardrop loop and a radially inner triangular structure with a radially inner vertex of the teardrop loop and a radially outer vertex of the triangular structure converging at a single location. A ratio of a maximum radial height of the teardrop loop to a maximum circumferential width of the teardrop loop is in a range between 0.99 and 0.50.
Tire tread with a band layer
A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a band layer constructed of a single material and a tread rubber layer directly attached to the band layer.
Tire tread with a band layer
A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a band layer constructed of a single material and a tread rubber layer directly attached to the band layer.
NON-PNEUMATIC TIRE HAVING REINFORCED SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a support structure extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The support structure has a reinforcement layer disposed therein, where the reinforcement layer has cords containing multiple filaments or strands of filaments, and the cord satisfies the following relationship: x*y<18,000, where x is the stiffness of cord measured in Megapascals, and y is the diameter of the largest filament in the cord measured in mm. The reinforcement layer may contain cords having a Lang Lay construction.
TIRE TREAD WITH A BAND LAYER
A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a band layer constructed of a single material and a tread rubber layer directly attached to the band layer. The band layer has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and a first axial edge and a second axial edge, the first and second axial edges spacing the first face from the second face. At least one of the first edge and the second edge has a geometry that provides the band layer with a nonrectangular cross section.
TIRE TREAD WITH A BAND LAYER
A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a band layer constructed of a single material and a tread rubber layer directly attached to the band layer. The band layer has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, and a first axial edge and a second axial edge, the first and second axial edges spacing the first face from the second face. At least one of the first edge and the second edge has a geometry that provides the band layer with a nonrectangular cross section.
Non-pneumatic tire with a flexible looped spoke and method of forming
A nonpneumatic tire has at least one spoke loop structure connected to a shear band, wherein the spoke loop structure has a plurality of loops extending inward from the shear band, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. A method for forming the nonpneumatic tire includes the step of forming a base and loop subassembly by providing a base having a plurality of grooves, inserting a layer of elastomer strip into each groove and forming a loop between each of the grooves; and inserting the base and loop subassembly which has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from a shearband so that the base is positioned adjacent the shear band; curing the base and loop subassembly formed from a strip of elastomeric material into the shearband; providing a wheel, and then connecting each loop to the wheel.
Non-pneumatic tire with a flexible looped spoke and method of forming
A nonpneumatic tire has at least one spoke loop structure connected to a shear band, wherein the spoke loop structure has a plurality of loops extending inward from the shear band, and wherein each loop is connected to a wheel. A method for forming the nonpneumatic tire includes the step of forming a base and loop subassembly by providing a base having a plurality of grooves, inserting a layer of elastomer strip into each groove and forming a loop between each of the grooves; and inserting the base and loop subassembly which has a plurality of flexible loops extending inward from a shearband so that the base is positioned adjacent the shear band; curing the base and loop subassembly formed from a strip of elastomeric material into the shearband; providing a wheel, and then connecting each loop to the wheel.
Shear band having ultra-low hysteresis rubber
A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration. The shear layer formed from a rubber composition having a very low hysteresis reinforced with silica.