Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A hub (300) for a non-pneumatic wheel (102) and the non-pneumatic wheel (102) incorporating such hub (300). The hub (300) includes an annular receiver (302) with a plurality of projections (312) and grooves (318) arranged in an alternating manner along the circumferential direction of the hub (300). The grooves (318) are configured to receive tension-transmitting elements or spokes (106) of the non-pneumatic wheel (102). The annular receiver (302) may be manufactured from a single sheet of metal that .sub.2 is folded and welded to create the projections (312) and grooves (318).

A hub (300) for a non-pneumatic wheel (102) and the non-pneumatic wheel (102) incorporating such hub (300). The hub (300) includes an annular receiver (302) with a plurality of projections (312) and grooves (318) arranged in an alternating manner along the circumferential direction of the hub (300). The grooves (318) are configured to receive tension-transmitting elements or spokes (106) of the non-pneumatic wheel (102). The annular receiver (302) may be manufactured from a single sheet of metal that .sub.2 is folded and welded to create the projections (312) and grooves (318).

A non-pneumatic wheel having spokes that are constructed such that collectively the plurality of spokes exhibit a fractional radial stiffness value within a range of 1 N/mm/deg to 10 N/mm/deg and a non-linearity of less than 20% when deflected under normal loading conditions.

A non-pneumatic wheel having spokes that are constructed such that collectively the plurality of spokes exhibit a fractional radial stiffness value within a range of 1 N/mm/deg to 10 N/mm/deg and a non-linearity of less than 20% when deflected under normal loading conditions.

The present invention includes: an elastically deformable tire part (7) which includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder (4) configured to surround the inner cylinder from the outside in a tire radial direction, and a linking member (3) configured to link the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder (4) and a tread member (5) externally fitted onto the outer cylinder (4), wherein an elastic modulus of a material forming the tread member (5) is smaller than an elastic modulus of a material forming a tire part (7), an outer circumferential surface of the tread member (5) is formed in a curved shape in which the outer circumferential surface thereof protrudes outward in the tire radial direction when viewed in a vertical cross-sectional view in both a tire width direction and the tire radial direction, the outer cylinder (4) includes an outer circumferential section (41) positioned on a tire equatorial section, side sections (42) positioned on both sides in the tire width direction with respect to the outer circumferential section (41), and a shoulder section (43) configured to connect the outer circumferential section (41) to the side sections (42), the outer circumferential section (41) is formed in a straight line shape in which the outer circumferential section (41) extends in the tire width direction when viewed in the vertical cross-sectional view, and the shoulder section (43) gradually extends inward in the tire radial direction as it goes outward in the tire width direction.

The present invention includes: an elastically deformable tire part (7) which includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder (4) configured to surround the inner cylinder from the outside in a tire radial direction, and a linking member (3) configured to link the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder (4) and a tread member (5) externally fitted onto the outer cylinder (4), wherein an elastic modulus of a material forming the tread member (5) is smaller than an elastic modulus of a material forming a tire part (7), an outer circumferential surface of the tread member (5) is formed in a curved shape in which the outer circumferential surface thereof protrudes outward in the tire radial direction when viewed in a vertical cross-sectional view in both a tire width direction and the tire radial direction, the outer cylinder (4) includes an outer circumferential section (41) positioned on a tire equatorial section, side sections (42) positioned on both sides in the tire width direction with respect to the outer circumferential section (41), and a shoulder section (43) configured to connect the outer circumferential section (41) to the side sections (42), the outer circumferential section (41) is formed in a straight line shape in which the outer circumferential section (41) extends in the tire width direction when viewed in the vertical cross-sectional view, and the shoulder section (43) gradually extends inward in the tire radial direction as it goes outward in the tire width direction.

A non-pneumatic wheel having one or more features for protecting edges of a support structure located radially between a wheel hub and an annular shear band. A softer material is provided along certain edges of the support structure for providing resistance to damages from incidental impact. One or more electrically conductive features may also be provided to reduce or prevent the accumulation of electrical charge on a vehicle using the non-pneumatic wheel.

Provided is a non-pneumatic tire in which a plurality of curved sections (21d) to (21 f) and (22d) to (22f) curved inward in a tire circumferential direction are formed at elastic connecting plates (21) and (22) in an extension direction in which the elastic connecting plates (21) and (22) extend when seen in a tire side view such that curved directions are alternately opposite to each other in the extension direction, outer curved sections (21e) and (22e), inner curved sections (21d) and (22d), and extension sections (21i) (22i) extending throughout both of the curved sections and in which inflection sections (21g) and (22g) formed between both of the curved sections are disposed, are formed at the elastic connecting plates (21) and (22), and the extension sections (21i) and (22i) extend along reference lines having radii of curvature larger than that of the outer curved sections (21e) and (22e) and the inner curved sections (21d) and (22d) when seen in the tire side view and extend from first end portions (21a) and (22a) of the elastic connecting plates (21) and (22) connected to an outer tubular body (13) to arrive at a central portion in at least the extension direction.