TIRE WITH TENSIONED SPOKES

• US 20180170107A1
• Filed: 12/18/2017
• Published: 06/21/2018
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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.

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 each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

4. 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.

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

6. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 5, wherein each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface.

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

8. A nonpneumatic tire and hub assembly comprising:

a hub; and

a tire including;

an 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.

9. The assembly of claim 8, 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.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein each spoke is under tension when the tire is not in contact with a ground surface.

11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the tire is constructed of a plurality of rubber layers.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein each reinforcement is disposed between two of the rubber layers.

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

14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the reinforcements are polyester cords.

15. A nonpneumatic tire comprising:

an 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.

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

17. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 15, wherein each of the spokes extends in a substantially radial direction.

18. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 15, further comprising a lower ring.

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

20. The nonpneumatic tire of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of spokes has a mounting portion.