Airless and runflat tire structures, components and assembly techniques
US9908369B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60C7/146
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure. The outermost ring of unit cells is arranged to facilitate rolling terrain contact, such that the stiffness of the structure in the localized region of loading due to terrain contact increases as the wheel rotates. A layer of material may be disposed between the concentric rings of unit cells which in preferred embodiments comprise a plurality of nested-V shapes. A cover may be provided over the outermost ring of unit cells forming a tire which may, or may not, be inflated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.