tweels
INTRODUCTION
Tyre is a rubber member which gives the cushion to the automobile. It consists of outer cover i.e. tyre proper and tube inside. The tyre-tube assembly is mounted over the wheel rim and air inside the tube carries entire load and provides cushion.
Functions of tyre
To support the vehicle load.
To provide cushion against the shocks.
To transmit driving and braking forces to the road. To provide cornering power for smooth steering.
Properties of tyres
Non-skidding Uniform wear Load-carrying Cushioning Power consumption Tyre noise Balancing
Types of tyres
Conventional tubed tyre. Tubeless tyre.
Advantages of tubeless tyres:
Better cooling. Lesser rolling resistance. Comfortable ride. Slower leakage of air. Simpler assembly.
Improved safety.
NON PNEUMATIC TYRES
Bridgestone Corporation announced it has developed Air Free Concept (Non-Pneumatic) Tire at the 43 Tokyo Motor Show 2013.
3D model of airless tire
INTRODUCTION
Since the earlier invention of a non-pneumatic wheel in 1920s, the non-pneumatic tire (NPT) is getting more attention due to its advantages over the pneumatic counterpart. Many design studies are still needed from the viewpoint of material, pattern, and structures. Michelin first announced the Tweel.
Michelin first announced the Tweel in 2005. The name is a combination of the words tire and wheel because the Tweel doesnt use a traditional wheel hub assembly. A solid inner hub mounts to the axle. Thats surrounded by polyurethane spokes arrayed in a pattern of wedges. A shear band is stretched across the spokes, forming the outer edge of the tire (the part that comes in contact with the road).
When the Tweel is put to the road, the spokes absorb road impacts the same way air pressure does in pneumatic tires. The tread and shear bands deform temporarily as the spokes bend, then quickly spring back into shape.
What makes tyres AIR LESS
Structure of spokes stretching along the inner sides of the tires supporting the weight of the vehicle. A synthetic resin that becomes flexible when heated, can be processed into a variety of shapes, and becomes hard when cooled. The changes from heating and cooling can generally be repeated, making it easy to both mold and recycle the material.
Flexing of spokes
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TWEEL by Michelin
Tweel for Segway.
Tweel for construction vehicle
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ADVANTAGES
The tires require less maintenance The worry of punctures is eliminated. The materials used in the tires and the spoke structure are 100% recyclable. Provides low rolling resistance and contributing to reductions in co2 emissions. Nothing to do with fuel efficiency in a direct way, only offering the benefit that it will never influence consumption.
DRAWBACKS
The Tweel can also withstand a police spike strip, making it hard for hard for law enforcement to catch a suspect with a Tweel. The Tweel does have several flaws, however, the worst being vibration. Above 50 mph, the Tweel vibrates considerably. That in itself is a big problem. It also causes two other things: noise and heat. A fast moving Tweel is unpleasantly loud .Also long distance, driving at high speeds generates more heat than engineers would like, which might lead to premature failure.
Bridgestone vs Michelin
Bridgestones prototype version looks very similar to that of Michelin. In Michelins design the thermoplastic fins are staggered so that the connections to the hub and the rim wont torque causing complete structural breakdown.
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FUTURE CHALLENGES
Goodyear in collaboration with NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), develop non-pneumatic tyres for use first on the moon, and eventually on Mars.
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THANK YOU
