Vehicle tire assembly
US11433708B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F2224/0283
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.