The present disclosure provides a compound wheel assembling apparatus including a tensioning and fixing component and a locating ring; the tensioning and fixing component is arranged to extend into a center hole of a flange to tension and fix a flange; the tensioning and fixing component includes a base plate, a flange plate, springs, expanding petals and an expanding core; the locating ring is arranged around the base plate, and has a center axis overlapping a center axis of the base plate; the locating ring has a circle of circular-ring-shaped protrusion on its outer side.

A method and apparatus for forming a nonpneumatic tire is described. The method includes the steps of: mounting a rim on a spindle; providing a spoke structure having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, expanding the inner diameter and mounting the spoke structure over the rim; compressing the outer diameter of the spoke structure and then mounting a tread and shearband assembly over the outer diameter to form a nonpneumatic tire.

This disclosure relates to a wheel component (1, 20) for a wheel of a vehicle, having a hub (2), which can be connected in a rotationally secure manner to a hub flange of the vehicle and which at least partially comprises a metal material, a rim (4, 21) for receiving a tire of the wheel, and spokes (7) which connect the hub (2) to the rim (4, 21). The wheel component includes at least one spoke (7) including a spoke portion (8, 24), which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material, and further including a spoke reinforcement element (9, 25) at least partially embedded into the spoke portion. The spoke reinforcement element at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (56) and an intermediate section (14) that has a supporting structure (16). The intermediate section (14) is collapsed from an uncollapsed state to a collapsed state. The intermediate section in the collapsed state is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. Compression of the intermediate section (14) is released when the intermediate section (14) is inside of the outer shear band ring (56) so that the intermediate section returns to the uncollapsed state from the collapsed state. In one embodiment, the compressing step of the intermediate section (14) is performed by a compression device (68) that has a plurality of gripping members.

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12) that has an inner diameter. An intermediate section (14) is provided that has a supporting structure. An outer diameter (102) of the intermediate section (14) in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter (70) of the outer shear band ring (12). The intermediate section is compressed from the uncompressed state to a compressed state, and is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring (12). Compression of the intermediate section is released when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring, and the intermediate section (14) moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring (12).

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12), an intermediate section (14) with a supporting structure (16), and an inner shear band ring. The intermediate section (14) is positioned inside of the outer shear band ring (12) such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. A hub (20) is positioned inside of the intermediate section such that the intermediate section (14) is located outward from the hub (20) in the radial direction.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a plurality of spokes attached within slots in a hub, the slots having a first retaining surface and a second retaining surface, the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface possesses a flared edge such that the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface curves away from the radially outer portion of the second retaining surface.

A method of constructing a non-pneumatic wheel by securing a plurality of spokes around the outer circumference of a hub, positioning at least one spoke support at the radially outer end of each spoke such that the at least one spoke support holds the radially outer end of each spoke in a radially outward annular orientation, placing an outer annular band concentrically over the radially outer ends of the spokes, bonding the spokes to the outer annular band, contracting the at least one spoke support radially inward; and separating the at least one spoke supports from the non-pneumatic wheel.

In a method for manufacturing a spoke unit, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from a middle supporting portion to a first supporting portion along the front surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the first supporting portion to the middle supporting portion along the back surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the middle supporting portion to a second supporting portion along the front surface of the mandrel. Subsequently, the continuous fiber reinforced plastic is led from the second supporting portion to the middle supporting portion along the back surface of the mandrel.

A laced wheel manufactured from a one-piece casting, including both the hub portion and the rim portion. After casting and machining spoke interfaces, the hub and rim portions are separated and wire spokes are assembled.