A wheel for a vehicle is non-pneumatic (i.e., airless), may be designed to enhance its use and performance and/or use and performance of the vehicle, and may be manufactured efficiently, including by a single non-pneumatic tire molding operation that can allow rigid rim incorporation and complex tread implementation.

A non-pneumatic tire includes: an outer annular portion; an inner annular portion; and a plurality of link parts. The plurality of link parts include first and second link parts. The first link parts each extend from one side in a tire width direction of the outer annular portion toward one other side in the tire width direction of the inner annular portion. The second link parts each extend from the other side in the tire width direction of the outer annular portion toward the one side in the tire width direction of the inner annular portion. The plurality of link parts each have a thickness which is smaller in the vicinity of the inner annular portion than in the vicinity of the outer annular portion and a width which is larger in the vicinity of the inner annular portion than in the vicinity of the outer annular portion.

A non-pneumatic tire includes: an outer annular portion having an outer periphery including a tread provided thereon; an inner annular portion provided inside the outer annular portion; and a plurality of link parts that each connect the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion, and are provided along a tire circumferential direction. The tread includes a cap rubber disposed on an outermost side in a tire radial direction, a first base rubber disposed more inwards in the tire radial direction than the cap rubber, and a second base rubber disposed more inwards in the tire radial direction than the first base rubber. When a rubber hardness of the first base rubber is defined as Gb1 and a rubber hardness of the second base rubber is defined as Gb2, Gb1<Gb2 is satisfied.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub (12), an outer tread band (200) and a plurality of spokes (100) connecting the hub (12) with the outer tread band (200), each of the plurality of spokes (10) having first and second support elements joined by a first elastomeric joint body (130) connecting the first support element to the second support element.

A variable compliance non-pneumatic wheel which comprises a stationary tubular body (32) attached to the vehicle chassis. A tubular member is freely rotatable relative to the stationary tubular body and has a series of peripheral mounting rods (12, 13) on sides of the wheel. A plurality of interconnected and freely rotating caterpillar-like tiles (5), which are in contact with the ground during wheel operation, are coupled to the outer periphery of the wheel. A plurality of connecting spring members, (3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), each connecting a specific mounting rod on a side of the hub (1, 2) are configured to connect the tiles (5) to the hub. The tubular member is split in two parts (1, 2) which are each free to rotate relative to one another. Each part carries approximately half number of mounting rods and connecting springs on a respective side of the wheel.

A wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, a first rim piece for engaging the hub member, a second rim piece for engaging the first rim piece, and a plurality of cylindrical sleeves for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece. The first rim piece has cylindrical first shafts each engaging a first end of one of the sleeves. The second rim piece has cylindrical second shafts each engaging a second opposite end of one of the sleeves. An outer cylindrical surface of each sleeve engages a separate and distinct part the tire.

A system cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes an annular hub member slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface, a plurality of elongate spacer members for maintaining corresponding uniform cavity dimensions by fastening the spacer members to the hub member with flap members thereby enclosing a radially outermost surface of each of the spacer members, a first annular curing platen for axially securing the hub member and spacer members relative to each other, a second annular curing platen for axially securing the hub member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts.

A non-pneumatic tire includes an annular inner ring, an annular outer ring, and a support structure positioned between the annular inner ring to the annular outer ring. The support structure includes a multilayer structure of a rubber skim layer and a cord embedded in the rubber skim layer. The rubber skim layer has resistance to ozone exposure without need for a protective layer overlying the rubber skim layer. The rubber skim layer exhibits adhesion to embedded metallic cords. Methods of making a non-pneumatic tire include forming a multilayer structure by applying a skin layer directly over one or more cords.

An assembly has a wheel and a nonpneumatic tire. The nonpneumatic tire includes a plurality of helical springs. Each helical spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each helical spring being is interlaced with at least one other helical spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the nonpneumatic tire. The toroidal structure supports an entire load placed on the nonpneumatic tire. The plurality of helical springs are constructed of a predetermined material that maintains strength and ductility down to 17 K.

A non-pneumatic tire defining axial, radial, and circumferential directions. The tire includes an annular lattice structure extending radially between an inner circumferential edge and an outer circumferential edge. The lattice structure exhibits topological polarization, with the inner circumferential edge being stiffer than the outer circumferential edge. The topological polarization includes asymmetry in mechanical response to opposing forces applied to the inner and outer circumferential edges. The lattice structure which provides topological polarization endows the tire with localized softness along the outer radius, which enables extreme absorption of asperities, without transferring significant forces to the axle. In some embodiments, the lattice structure further exhibits topological protection, including the topological polarization characteristics being maintained upon experiencing wear at the outer circumferential edge. In some embodiments, the lattice structure is, or is akin to, a Kagome lattice arrangement.