JP6498731B2 - Shear band with interlaced reinforcement - Google Patents

Description

  The subject of the present invention relates to the reinforcement of shear bands that can be used in non-pneumatic tires.

  Details and advantages of non-pneumatic tire construction are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,769,465, US Pat. No. 6,994,134, US Pat. No. 7,013,939, and US Pat. No. 7,201. , 194. Some non-pneumatic tire structures have proposed incorporating shear bands, embodiments of which are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,769,465, US Pat. No. 7,201,194, which are Incorporated herein by reference. Such non-pneumatic tires benefit tire operation without relying on tire gas pressure to support the load applied to the tire.

  As a background to the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire 100 incorporating a shear band 110. Tire 100 also includes a plurality of tension transmitting elements, which are shown as web spokes 150 extending inwardly from shear band 110 across. The attachment band 160 is disposed at the radially inner end of the web spoke. The attachment band 160 firmly fixes the tire 100 to the hub 10. The tread portion 105 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shear band 110, and may have grooves or ribs thereon, for example.

The shear band 110 of the tire 100 includes a shear layer, an innermost reinforcing layer fixed to the radially innermost extending portion of the shear layer, and an outermost reinforcing layer fixed to the radially outermost extending portion of the shear layer. Since the reinforcing layer has a tensile stiffness that is stronger than the shear stiffness of the shear layer, the shear band resists shear deformation under normal load. More specifically, as described in US Pat. No. 7,201,194, the ratio of the elastic modulus of the reinforcing layer to the shear coefficient of the shear layer (E ′ _membrane / G) is As represented by No. 194, when relatively low, deformation of the shear band 110 under load is close to that of the homogeneous band, resulting in non-uniform ground pressure. As an alternative, when this ratio is high enough, the deformation of the shear band 110 under load is basically due to the shear deformation of the shear layer with the short vertical extension or the compression of the reinforcement layer. As shown in FIG. 1, the load L applied to the rotation axis X of the tire is transmitted to the annular band 110 by the tension of the web spoke 150. The annular shear band 110 functions in a manner similar to an arch and provides circumferential compression stiffness and longitudinal bending stiffness at the tire equatorial plane that is high enough to function as a load support member. Under load, the shear band 110 deforms in the contact area CA with the ground through a mechanism including shear deformation of the shear band 110. The ability to deform with shear is similar to that of pneumatic tires and provides a flexible contact area CA that provides similar benefits.

  In addition to the embodiment shown in US Pat. No. 7,201,194, there are several non-pneumatic tire structures that can incorporate shear bands. For example, US Pat. No. 6,769,465 relates to a structurally supported elastic tire that supports loads without internal air pressure. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-pneumatic tire includes a ground plane portion and a sidewall portion that extends radially inward from the tread portion and securely enters a bead portion that remains fixed to the wheel during tire rotation. Is provided. The reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. The shear band includes at least one homogeneous shear layer, a first film fixed to the radially inner extension of the shear layer, and a second film fixed to the radially outer extension of the shear layer. Each of these membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus that is sufficiently greater than the dynamic shear modulus of the shear layer so that when a load is applied, while maintaining a constant length of the membrane, The contact surface portion of the tire is deformed with respect to a flat contact region through the shear strain of the shear layer. The relative displacement of the membrane is substantially caused by the shear strain of the shear layer. The invention of US Pat. No. 6,769,465 provides several advantages including, for example, the ability to operate without tire pressure and the flexibility to adjust the tire's vertical stiffness to some extent independent of ground pressure.

  It is desirable to improve tire fuel efficiency in both pneumatic and non-pneumatic tires. Such an improvement can be achieved, for example, by reducing the overall size or mass of the tire and / or by using a material with less loss in the tire. Non-pneumatic tires that employ shear bands with a homogeneous shear layer face difficulties in making such reductions. For example, the use of shear layer materials with low energy consumption can cause unacceptable offset increases in the mass of materials required due to the generally low shear modulus of these materials. .

  Thus, for example, shear bands that can provide improved fuel efficiency due to reduced mass and / or rolling resistance are beneficial. Such shear bands that can be incorporated into various non-pneumatic tire structures would be particularly useful.

  Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or will be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an annular shear band that defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The annular shear band has an annular shear layer composed of at least one elastomeric material. A plurality of discrete annular reinforcing elements are arranged along a plurality of axially oriented rows throughout the annular shear layer. Reinforcing elements are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance W _s. The reinforcing elements are interlaced along the axial or radial direction of the shear band.

  These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

  All possible disclosures of the present invention, including its best mode, are directed to those skilled in the art, but are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a tire incorporating a shear band. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tire incorporating a shear band of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view (taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2) of an exemplary embodiment of a shear band that may be used in a non-pneumatic tire as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary positioning (eg, interlaced) of a reinforcing element of the present invention that may be used, for example, in the shear band of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a reinforcing element that is not interlaced. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a reinforcing element that is not interlaced. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a shear band that may be used with a non-pneumatic tire as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary positioning (eg, interlaced) of a reinforcing element of the present invention that may be used, for example, in the shear band of FIG.

  The same or similar reference numbers in different drawings refer to the same or similar features.

  The present invention provides a shear band that can be used, for example, in non-pneumatic tires. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements disposed within the shear layer of elastomeric material. Various structures can be applied to create an interlaced arrangement of reinforcing elements. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, reference will now be made to the details of embodiments and / or methods of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in or in conjunction with the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features or steps shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used with other embodiments or steps to produce further embodiments or methods. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to cover such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

  For purposes of this disclosure, the following terms are defined as follows:

  “Axial” or letter “A” in the figure refers to, for example, a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the shear band, tire, and / or wheel as it moves along the ground.

  The “radial direction” or the letter “R” in the figure refers to a direction extending in the same direction as an arbitrary radius that is orthogonal to the axial direction and extends orthogonally from the axial direction.

  “Equatorial plane” means a plane that passes perpendicular to the axis of rotation and bisects the shear band and / or wheel structure.

  “Interlaced” refers to the manner in which distributed reinforcement or reinforcement elements of shear bands are arranged in a shear layer, as further described with reference to the drawings. When the reinforcing elements are interlaced in the axial direction, the imaginary line extending between the central points of adjacent axially oriented rows of reinforcing material is a diamond or a horizontal diamond having a non-orthogonal angle between the sides of the diamond. Will form a shape. In this interlaced horizontal diamond configuration, the reinforcing elements in adjacent axially oriented rows are closer to each other than the reinforcing elements in adjacent axially oriented rows. When the reinforcing elements are interlaced along the radial direction, the imaginary line extending between the center points of adjacent axially oriented rows of reinforcing material is perpendicular with a non-orthogonal angle between the rhombus or rhombus sides It will form a diamond shape. In this interlaced vertical diamond configuration, the reinforcing elements along adjacent axially oriented rows will be closer to each other than non-neighboring, axially oriented rows of reinforcing elements. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art using the teachings disclosed herein, the perfect placement of the reinforcing elements in a vertical or horizontal diamond shape during tire manufacture is, for example, that of the material during the manufacturing process. Due to movement, it can be impossible. As a result, a slight displacement can occur in the reinforcing elements of any diamond construction.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire 201 that can incorporate the shear band of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire 201 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. The tire 201 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has an annular shear band 205 and a plurality of tension transmitting elements, which are shown as web spokes 220 and inward from the band 205 at the radially inner end of the web spokes 220. Extends to the attachment band 225. The attachment band 225 firmly fixes the tire 201 to the hub 230 through the attachment hole 235. The tire 201 can be attached to the hub 230 or can be configured integrally with the hub 230.

  The tread portion 210 is formed on the outer periphery of the band 205. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the tread portion 210 is an additional rubber layer bonded to the band 205 to provide different traction and wear characteristics than the material used for the component band 205. Good. As an alternative, the tread portion 210 can be formed as part of the outer periphery of the flexible band 205. In yet a further alternative, the band 205 may be enclosed within one or more rubber materials that are coupled to the tread portion 210. A tread feature can be formed in the tread portion 210 and can include a block 215 and a groove 240.

  As noted above, the web spokes 220 in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 extend across the wheel 201, which is within the context of the web spoke 220 from side to side of the wheel 201. It means that it may extend to and be aligned with the axis of rotation, or may be oblique to the wheel axis. Furthermore, “inwardly extending” means that the web spokes 220 extend between the band 205 and the mounting band 225 and may lie in a radial plane relative to the wheel axis, or a radial plane thereof. It means that it may be diagonal to. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the web spokes 220 may actually have spokes with different angles with respect to the radial plane. Various shapes and patterns can be used, for example, as shown in US Pat. No. 7,013,939 and WO 2008/118983. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the radial spokes shown in the figures, and other shapes and orientations may be used and differ in number from the spokes shown. Spokes can also be used.

  Annular shear band 205 supports the load on wheel 201 and elastically deforms to conform to the road (or other support surface) to provide traction, comfort, and throughput. More specifically, as described in US Pat. No. 7,013,939, when load L is applied to wheel 201 through hub 230, band 205 bends it, otherwise ground (see It deforms for the arrow G) in FIG. 3 and functions adaptively in that it forms a grounding patch that is the part of the wheel 201 that contacts the ground under such a load. The portion of the band 205 that does not contact functions in a manner similar to an arch, providing circumferential compression stiffness and longitudinal bending stiffness that are sufficiently high at the equatorial plane to function as a load support member.

  The load on the wheel 201 transmitted from the vehicle (not shown) to the hub 230 is basically a web spoke 220 (e.g., attached to the load support portion of the band 205 (indicated by arrow K in FIG. 1)). (Tension as shown by arrow T in FIG. 3). The web spokes 220 in the ground contact area are not subjected to a tensile load due to the load. And, for example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the spokes 220 can even bend under load on the ground area. While the wheel 201 rotates, it goes without saying that the particular portion of the flexible band 205 that functions as an arch changes continuously, but the arch concept helps to understand the load support mechanism. The amount of bending of the band 205, and accordingly, the size of the ground patch is proportional to the load. The ability of the band 205 to elastically twist under load functions similar to that of a pneumatic tire and provides a flexible contact area that provides similar benefits.

  Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the web spokes 220 are substantially sheet-like elements having a length H in the radial direction and a width W generally corresponding to the axial width of the flexible band 205, Other widths W can be used including different widths W along the radial direction. The web spokes 220 also have a thickness that is generally much less than the length H or width W (ie, the dimension and width W perpendicular to the length H), which causes the web spokes to twist under compression. Or allow you to bend. Thinner web spokes will bend when they pass through the contact zone with substantially no compression resistance, i.e., no compression force is applied to the load bearing or only a slight compression force is applied. As the thickness of the web spoke 220 increases, the web spoke provides some degree of compressive load bearing force to the contact area. However, the dominant load transfer movement of the web spoke 220 is generally in tension (arrow T in FIG. 3). The specific web spoke thickness may be selected to match the specific requirements or application of the vehicle.

  As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the web spokes 220 are preferably oriented over the axial direction A relative to the flexible band 205. Thus, the web spoke 220 tension is distributed to the band 205 to support the load. As an example, the web spoke 220 may be formed from an elastomeric material having a tensile modulus of about 10-100 MPa. The web spokes 220 can be reinforced if necessary.

  With respect to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the web spokes 220 are interconnected by a radially inner mounting band 225 that surrounds the hub 230 and attaches the tire 201 to the hub 230. Depending on the materials of construction and the manufacturing process, the hub 230, mounting band 225, annular band 205, and web spoke 220 can be formed as a single unit. Alternatively, one or more of those parts may be formed separately and then attached to each other, for example by adhesive or molding. Furthermore, other parts may be included. For example, the bond band can be used to bond the web spokes 220 at their radially outer ends, after which the bond band is bonded to the band 205.

  According to further embodiments, the web spokes 220 may be formed, for example, by providing an enlarged portion at the inner end of each web spoke 220 that engages a slot device in the hub 230, or a hook or bar formed in the hub 230. Can be mechanically attached to the hub 230 by attaching adjacent web spokes 220 together to form a ring. By having a web spoke 220 that has a very effective stiffness in tension and a very low stiffness in compression, a substantially complete tensile load support is obtained. In order to improve bending in a particular direction, the web spokes 220 can be curved. As an alternative, the web spokes 220 can be shaped with a curve and stretched by thermal shrinkage during cooling to tend to bend in a particular direction.

  The web spoke 220 resists torsion between the annular band 205 and the hub 230 when, for example, torque is applied to the wheel 201. Further, for example, when turning or turning a corner, the web spoke 220 shall resist lateral deflection. As will be appreciated, the web spokes 220 lying in the radial axial plane, ie, aligned in both the radial and axial directions, have a high resistance to axially directed forces, but in particular the diameter When stretched in direction R, it can have a relatively low resistance to circumferential direction C torque.

  For certain vehicles and applications, for example, if they produce a relatively low torque, a web spoke package having relatively short spokes 220 aligned in the radial direction R may be suitable. For applications where high torque is expected, one of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 5-8 of US Pat. No. 7,013,939 may be more suitable. In the variation shown there, the web spoke orientation includes force resistance components in both the radial and circumferential directions, thus maintaining the radial and lateral force resistance components while providing resistance to torque. . The angle of orientation can be selected by the number of web spokes used and the spacing between adjacent web spokes. Other alternative arrangements can also be applied.

  It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the tire 201 as shown in FIG. 2, but rather various configurations can be employed. For example, the tire 201 may be composed of a shear band incorporated in a rubber layer such that the side wall covers the outermost part of the shaft of the shear band.

  As more specifically shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the annular shear band 205 has a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements 250 disposed within an annular shear layer 255 comprised of an elastomeric material. The reinforcing elements 250 are arranged along axially oriented rows such as 260, 265, and 270, for example. With respect to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the reinforcing elements 250 are interlaced along the radial direction R.

  More specifically, referring now to the schematic shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing element 250 is between the central points of the reinforcing elements 250 disposed in adjacent axially oriented rows 260, 265 and 270. An extending imaginary line L (shown by a broken line) is arranged to form a vertical diamond 251 having an obtuse angle α between certain sides L of rhombus or rhombus. Also, reinforcement elements 250 along adjacent axially oriented rows (such as the reinforcement elements in row 265) are non-neighboring, axially oriented rows (rows relative to row 270). Will be closer to each other than the reinforcing elements in 260).

  For clarity, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the positioning of a reinforcing element 250 that is not “interlaced” within the definition herein. In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, the center of the reinforcing element 250 is disposed along the diamond 252 or 253, respectively. However, the angle α used in these examples is 90 degrees, and the reinforcing elements 250 are all equally spaced whether or not along the same or different axially oriented rows 275, 280, and 285. is there.

  FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a shear band 205. Again, the annular shear band 205 has a plurality of discrete reinforcing elements 250 disposed within an annular shear layer 255 comprised of an elastomeric material. The reinforcing elements 250 are disposed along axially oriented rows such as, for example, rows 290, 295, 300, 305, and 310. With respect to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the reinforcing elements 250 are interlaced along the axial direction A.

  More specifically, referring now to the schematic shown in FIG. 9, the reinforcing elements 250 are arranged in adjacent axially oriented rows 290, 295, 300, 305, and 310. An imaginary line L (shown in broken lines) extending between the center points of the diamonds or diamonds 254 is arranged to form a horizontal diamond 254 having an acute angle α between certain sides L of the diamonds or diamonds 254. Further, the reinforcing elements 250 along adjacent axially oriented rows (reinforcing elements in row 295 relative to row 295 or row 295 relative to row 300) are oriented in adjacent axial directions. It will be closer to each other than reinforcement elements arranged along a row (such as reinforcement element 250 in row 290 or row 295).

Returning to the interlaced vertical diamond configuration of FIGS. 4 and 5, each reinforcing element 250 has a nominal diameter Φ as shown. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the spacing W _s between reinforcement elements 250 disposed along an axially oriented row (eg, like row 265) is from about Φ / 2. Within the range of about Φ / 10, or about Φ / 4. Further, in certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, between reinforcement elements 250 disposed in adjacent axially oriented rows (eg, rows 260 and 265 or rows 265 and 270). The spacing is in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10, or about Φ / 4.

Returning to the interlaced, horizontal diamond configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9, the reinforcing elements 250 each have a nominal diameter Φ as shown. The reinforcing elements 250 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance W _s . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the spacing W between reinforcing elements 250 disposed in adjacent axially oriented rows (eg, rows 290 and 295 or rows 295 and 300). _s is in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10, or about Φ / 4. Furthermore, in certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, between reinforcing elements 250 disposed in non-adjacent axially oriented rows (eg, rows 290 and 300 or rows 295 and 305). The spacing is in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10, or about Φ / 4.

The reinforcing element 250 can be composed of various materials. For example, the reinforcing element 255 may be made of a metal cable, a cable made of a polymer monofilament such as PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), or nylon. As a further example, the reinforcing element 250 is an industrial fiber having long fibers that are substantially symmetrical and impregnated with a thermosetting resin having an initial draw modulus of at least 2.3 GPa, all fibers being parallel to each other. May be composed of an elongated composite element that looks like a monofilament made of. In such embodiments, the elongated composite element will elastically deform until the compressive strain is equal to at least 2%. As used herein, elastic deformation means that the material returns almost to its original state when the stress is released. When the elongated composite elements are bent and deformed, they will have a fracture stress in compression that is greater than the fracture stress in stretching, but all are described for example in US Pat. No. 7,032,637, which Incorporated herein by reference. By way of example, the fibers can be composed of glass, certain carbon fibers of low Young's modulus, and combinations thereof. The thermosetting resin is preferably a glass transfer temperature high T _g than 130 degrees. Advantageously, the initial draw modulus of the thermosetting resin is at least 3 GPa. The reinforcing element 250 may be composed of a combination of PET and such elongated composite elements.

  Furthermore, the reinforcing element 255 may be composed of a hollow tube made of a rigid polymer such as, for example, PET or nylon. Other materials may also be used. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each reinforcing element 250 preferably has a nominal diameter Φ in the range of about ND / 200 to about ND / 1000, where ND is the nominal diameter 205 of the shear band. (See FIG. 3).

  The shear layer 255 can be composed of various elastomeric materials. For example, the shear layer 255 can be composed of one or more rubber materials, polyurethane, and combinations thereof.

  The constructed shear band 205 can be utilized in various non-pneumatic tire or wheel structures, as shown, for example, including those described herein and others. The shear band 205 allows the use of a low shear modulus (ie, 2 MPa or less) rubber elastomer that will exhibit a low loss angle (eg, 0.05 rad or less), resulting in overall energy mileage, and thus In addition, it is possible to have a direct effect on the rolling resistance of the tire or wheel in which the shear band 205 is incorporated while simultaneously reducing the deformation amount of the elastic material.

  Although the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to particular exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, upon understanding the above, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily be able to make modifications, variations, and equivalents of such embodiments. It will be understood that can be produced. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary, and this main disclosure is intended to be readily apparent to those skilled in the art such modifications, variations and / or No additional inclusion in the subject matter is excluded.

Claims (22)

An annular shear band defining an axial direction, a radial direction and a circumferential direction,
An annular shear layer composed of at least one elastomeric material;
A plurality of discrete annular reinforcing elements disposed along a plurality of axially oriented rows across the annular shear layer, each of the plurality of rows having the same axial width along the axial direction ; is arranged to extend in the same axial width and the axial width W of the annular shear layer along said axis extends in said plurality of annular reinforcement elements are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, these annular reinforcing element A plurality of annular reinforcing elements each extending circumferentially around the annular shear layer;
The plurality of annular reinforcing elements are horizontal diamond shapes or vertical diamonds having a non-orthogonal angle α between sides of a rhombus whose phantom line extends between the center points of the plurality of annular reinforcing materials in the adjacent rows. Interlaced along the axial direction or the radial direction of the shear band to form a predetermined interlaced positional relationship, and further, the interlaced positional relationship of the plurality of annular reinforcing elements An annular shear band, wherein each of the plurality of annular reinforcement elements is a separate discrete annular reinforcement element that extends circumferentially around the annular shear layer so as to form.   The annular shear band of claim 1, wherein the annular reinforcing element is interlaced along the axial direction. The annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ, and adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements are separated from each other by a predetermined distance W _s in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10. The annular shear band according to claim 2. 4. An annular shear band according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance W _s separating adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements is about Φ / 4. The annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ, and the non-adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance W _s in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10. The annular shear band according to claim 2. 6. An annular shear band according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined distance W _s separating non-adjacent axially oriented rows of annular reinforcing elements is about Φ / 4. The annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ, and the non-adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance W _s of about Φ / 4, adjacent to the annular reinforcing element The annular shear band of claim 2, wherein the axially oriented rows are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance W _s of about Φ / 4.   The annular shear band of claim 2, wherein the shear band has a nominal diameter ND, wherein the annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ in the range of about ND / 200 to about ND / 1000.   The annular shear band of claim 1, wherein the annular reinforcing element comprises glass fibers impregnated with metal, nylon, PET, or thermosetting resin.   The annular shear of claim 1, wherein adjacent axially oriented rows of annular reinforcing elements are interlaced along the axial direction and arranged in a horizontal diamond configuration along a cross-section of the shear band. band.   A non-pneumatic wheel comprising the annular shear band according to claim 10.   The annular shear band of claim 1, wherein the annular reinforcement element is interlaced along a radial direction. The annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ, and adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements are separated from each other by a predetermined distance W _s in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10. The annular shear band of claim 12, wherein: 14. An annular shear band according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined distance W _s separating adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements is about Φ / 4. 13. The annular shear band of claim 12, wherein the annular reinforcing elements are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance W _s in the range of about Φ / 2 to about Φ / 10 along an axially oriented row. . 16. An annular shear band according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined distance W _s separating adjacent annular reinforcing elements along an axially oriented row is about Φ / 4. The annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ, and adjacent axially oriented rows of the reinforcing elements are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance W _s of about Φ / 4, the axial direction of the annular reinforcing elements 13. An annular shear band according to claim 12, wherein adjacent annular reinforcing elements along a row oriented in the direction are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance W _s of about Φ / 4.   The annular shear band of claim 12, wherein the shear band has a nominal diameter ND, wherein the annular reinforcing elements each have a nominal diameter Φ in the range of about ND / 200 to about ND / 1000.   The adjacent axially oriented rows of the annular reinforcing elements are interlaced along the radial direction and arranged in a vertical diamond configuration along an axially oriented cross section of the shear band. The annular shear band according to 12.   A non-pneumatic wheel comprising the annular shear band according to claim 12.   A non-pneumatic wheel comprising the annular shear band according to claim 1.   The annular shear band according to claim 1, wherein the center points of the annular reinforcing elements in adjacent axially arranged rows form a rhombus, and the sides of the rhombus form a non-orthogonal angle.

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