JP-2026076277-A - Non-pneumatic tire having curved spokes and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

[Problem] This disclosure relates to a non-pneumatic tire having curved steel spokes and a method for manufacturing the same. [Solution] The non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a plurality of curved steel spokes extending between the lower ring and the upper ring. Each of the plurality of curved steel spokes has a 0.2% yield strength of at least 1300 MPa, a tensile strength of at least 1400 MPa, and a hardness of at least 50 HRC. [Selection Diagram] Figure 2

Inventors

• フィスク，ジョナサン ダブリュー

Assignees

• ブリヂストン アメリカズ タイヤ オペレーションズ、 エルエルシー

Dates

Publication Date

20260511

Application Date

20260128

Priority Date

20211229

Claims (5)

1. Non-pneumatic tires, A lower ring having a first diameter, An upper ring having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and substantially coaxial with the lower ring, It comprises a plurality of curved steel spokes extending between the lower ring and the upper ring, A non-pneumatic tire in which each of the plurality of curved steel spokes has a 0.2% yield strength of at least 1300 MPa, a tensile strength of at least 1400 MPa, and a hardness of at least 50 HRC.
2. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of curved steel spokes has a carbon content of 0.28% to 0.50%.
3. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of curved steel spokes has a variable thickness.
4. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of curved steel spokes having variable thickness has a minimum thickness of 1.2 mm and a maximum thickness of 4.5 mm.
5. The non-pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of curved steel spokes has a rounded edge.

Description

This disclosure relates to a non-pneumatic tire having curved spokes and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a non-pneumatic tire having curved steel spokes and a method for manufacturing the same. The attached drawings illustrate structures illustrating exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention, along with the detailed description provided below. Similar elements are identified by the same reference numeral. It should be understood that elements shown as single components may be replaced by multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced by single components. The drawings are not to exact scale, and the proportions of certain elements may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire.Figure 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing spokes for non-pneumatic tires.Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the method shown in the flowchart of Figure 2.Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an alternative embodiment of a method for fabricating spokes for non-pneumatic tires.Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the method shown in the flowchart of Figure 4. The following includes definitions of optional terms used herein. These definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of the terms and may be used for implementation. Examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may fall within the scope of the definitions. "Axial" and "in the axial direction" refer to the direction parallel to the tire's axis of rotation. "Circumferential" and "circumferentially" refer to the direction extending along the outer circumference of the tread surface, perpendicular to the axial direction. "Radial" and "radially" refer to the direction perpendicular to the tire's axis of rotation. As used herein, "tread" refers to the portion of the tire that is in contact with the road or ground under normal inflation and load conditions. While common tire components are described using similar terminology in the following explanation, it should be understood that, naturally, the terms have slightly different implications, and those skilled in the art will not consider any of the following terms to be purely interchangeable with other terms used to describe common tire components. In this specification, direction is described with respect to the tire's axis of rotation. The terms “upward” and “towards” refer to the general direction toward the tire's tread, while “downward” and “towards” refer to the general direction toward the tire's axis of rotation. Therefore, when relative directional terms such as “upper” and “lower” or “top” and “bottom” are used in relation to elements, the “upper” or “top” element is spaced further away from the tread than the “lower” or “bottom” element. Additionally, when relative directional terms such as “up” or “down” are used in relation to elements, an element “above” another element is closer to the tread than the other element. The terms "inward" and "inward" refer to the general direction toward the tire's equatorial plane, while "outward" and "outward" refer to the general direction toward the tire's sidewall, away from the tire's equatorial plane. Therefore, when relative directional terms such as "internal" and "external" are used in relation to elements, "internal" elements are positioned closer to the tire's equatorial plane and further apart than "external" elements. Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire 100. The non-pneumatic tire 100 includes a lower ring 130 having a first diameter and an upper ring 140 having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The upper ring 140 is coaxial with the lower ring 130. The lower ring 130 can engage with a vehicle hub (not shown) for mounting the non-pneumatic tire 100 to a vehicle. The spokes 200 extend between the lower ring 130 and the upper ring 140, connecting the lower ring 130 to the upper ring 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the spokes 200 are curved. In an alternative embodiment, the spokes may have a more pronounced curve, such as being substantially C-shaped. In yet another alternative embodiment, the spokes may have any desired shape. For example, the spokes may be substantially V-shaped or meandering. In yet another alternative embodiment, the non-pneumatic tire may include two or more spokes of different shapes. For example, the non-pneumatic tire may include C-shaped spokes alternating with V-shaped spokes along the circumferential direction of the non-pneumatic tire. In yet another alternative embodiment, the spokes may be replaced by webbing or other support structures. The circumferential tread 210 is attached to the upper ring 140. The circumferential tread 210 may be made of rubber or other elastomer material and may include tread elements (not shown) such as groove