A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

A spoke (100) for a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke comprises a reinforcement structure (124) having reinforcement elements (130) and can comprise one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors (112, 114) that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel.

A spoke (100) for a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke comprises a reinforcement structure (124) having reinforcement elements (130) and can comprise one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors (112, 114) that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel.

A non-pneumatic tire having a compliant tread band (58) and a plurality of spokes (100) each having a web-like body (102), and each body (102) containing a number of elongate reinforcement elements (124) oriented in the radial direction of the tire. The radially-outer portion of each spoke extends proximate to the adjacent radially-outer portion of the adjacent spoke.

A non-pneumatic tire having a compliant tread band (58) and a plurality of spokes (100) each having a web-like body (102), and each body (102) containing a number of elongate reinforcement elements (124) oriented in the radial direction of the tire. The radially-outer portion of each spoke extends proximate to the adjacent radially-outer portion of the adjacent spoke.

A system for detection of non-pneumatic tire loading includes a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes a ground-contacting annular tread, a central rim, and at least one spoke disk disposed between the rim and the tread. The spoke disk includes an inner ring mounted on the central rim, an outer ring, and spokes extending radially between the inner ring and the outer ring. A shear band is disposed between the outer ring of the spoke disk and the tread. A flange is disposed on an outboard surface of the spokes of the spoke disk. Indicating means are formed on the outboard surface of the plurality of spokes of the spoke disk radially outwardly of the flange. The flange interfaces with the indicating means when the tire is in an overloaded state or is in need of replacement.

The disclosed technology generally relates to a tire, and more particularly to a non-pneumatic tire that has handling performance similar to a pneumatic tire, supports the load of a vehicle and improves riding comfort by employing a parametric structure. In one aspect, a non-pneumatic tire includes a tread that comes in contact with the ground, a rim that is connected with an axle, and a spoke unit that functions as a structural support between the rim and the tread, in which the spoke unit is formed by circularly arranging spokes. The spokes have a single closed-loop longitudinal cross-section circumscribed to the rim and around the center of the tire.

A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a rigid inboard cover ring coupled to an inboard side of the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim. A flexible inboard seal may be coupled between the rigid inboard cover ring and the inner rim.

A tire for a mobile vehicle includes an outer flexible ring mounted to an inner central rim and a spoke structure extending radially between the inner central rim and the outer flexible ring. The spoke structure is constructed from a plurality of elements disposed side-by-side such that the elements extend circumferentially around the perimeter of the inner central rim and radially inside the outer flexible ring. The spoke structure further defines a plurality of triangular openings disposed between the outer flexible ring, a first element of the plurality of elements and a second element of the plurality of elements. The first element is circumferentially adjacent the second element.