Tire with tensioned spokes

• US 10,639,935 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Costlow, Douglas B., Haidet, Andrew V., Nesbitt, Adam K., Reinhardt, Sharon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Charleston, Jean W
• Application Number:
  US15/844,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20180170107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 152246
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/02 Solid tyres ; Moulds therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 1/042 Attaching spokes to hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2360/50 Rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/111 Weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 5/02 made of synthetic material
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 2007/005 made by casting, e.g. of polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/08 built-up from a plurality of arcuate parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/107 comprising lateral openings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/14 using springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/143 having a lateral extension disposed in a plane parallel to the wheel axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 7/18 disposed radially relative to wheel axis

Abstract

A nonpneumatic tire includes an upper ring and a plurality of spokes extending from the upper ring. At least one reinforcement embedded in each spoke, wherein each reinforcement is constructed of a material that shrinks in length by 0.1% to 10% when subjected to a temperature between 38° C. to 260° C. and a pressure between 0.10 mPa to 0.70 mPa.

Claims

1. A nonpneumatic tire comprising:

a plurality of rubber layers having a substantially circular shape,

wherein each rubber layer includes an upper ring defining a tread portion, and

wherein each rubber layer further includes a plurality of spoke portions extending from the upper ring; and

a plurality of elongated reinforcements extending in a substantially radial direction, each reinforcement being disposed between the spoke portions of adjacent rubber layers,

wherein each reinforcement is constructed of a material that shrinks in length by 0.1% to 10% when subjected to a temperature between 38°

C. to 260°

C. and a pressure between 0.10 mPa to 0.70 mPa, and

wherein each spoke portion is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface.

2. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount configured to engage a corresponding hub mount.

3. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 2, wherein at least some of the plurality of spoke portions are under tension when the tread portion is in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

4. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein each spoke extends between the upper ring and a lower ring.

5. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 1, wherein each reinforcement is constructed of polyester.

6. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 1, further comprising an electronic device embedded in the tire and a conductive filament connected to the electronic device and disposed in at least one spoke portion.

7. A nonpneumatic tire and hub assembly comprising:

a hub; and

a tire including;

an upper ring,

a tread disposed about the upper ring;

a plurality of spokes extending between the upper ring and the hub, and

at least one reinforcement embedded in each spoke, wherein each reinforcement is constructed of a material that shrinks in length by 0.1% to 10% when subjected to a temperature between 38°

C. to 260°

C. and a pressure between 0.10 mPa to 0.70 mPa, and wherein each spoke is under tension when the tread is not in contact with a ground surface.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the hub includes a plurality of hub mounts and each spoke includes a spoke mount that is mounted to one of the hub mounts.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the tire is constructed of a plurality of rubber layers.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein each reinforcement is disposed between two of the rubber layers.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein each rubber layer is constructed of the same material.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the reinforcements are polyester cords.

13. The assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of spokes has an opening disposed therein.

14. A nonpneumatic tire comprising:

an upper ring;

a tread disposed about the upper ring;

a plurality of spokes extending from the upper ring; and

at least one reinforcement embedded in each spoke, wherein each reinforcement is constructed of a material that shrinks in length by 0.1% to 10% when subjected to a temperature between 38°

C. to 260°

C. and a pressure between 0.10 mPa to 0.70 mPa, and wherein each spoke is under tension when the tread is not in contact with a ground surface.

15. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 14, wherein the at least one reinforcement is a radially extending polyester cord.

16. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 14, wherein each of the spokes extends in a substantially radial direction.

17. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 14, further comprising a lower ring.

18. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 17, wherein the spokes extend from the upper ring to the lower ring.

19. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of spokes has a mounting portion.

20. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 14, further comprising at least one sidewall connected to the upper ring.