JP7315448B2 - Mounting adapter for non-pneumatic tires and tire assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting adapter for non-pneumatic tires and a tire assembly.

Conventionally, a tire assembly is known in which a non-pneumatic tire having an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, and a connecting member is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of a rim.
Here, a mounting recess extending in the tire circumferential direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rim of the general-purpose wheel on which the pneumatic tire is mounted. As a non-pneumatic tire mounted on a general-purpose wheel, a configuration is known in which a plurality of inner cylinders are divided in the tire circumferential direction, and the divided inner cylinders are individually fitted in mounting recesses, as shown in Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent No. 4093318

However, the conventional non-pneumatic tire has a problem that it cannot be mounted on a general-purpose wheel unless it is divided into a plurality of pieces in the tire circumferential direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter and a tire assembly that can easily mount a non-pneumatic tire to a general-purpose wheel.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
A non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter according to the present invention is used by being disposed between a non-pneumatic tire having an inner cylinder surrounding an outer peripheral surface of a rim from the outside in the tire radial direction, an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder from the outer side in the tire radial direction, and a plurality of elastically deformable connecting members connecting the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and a rim having a mounting recess extending in the tire circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface. A mounting adapter for a non-pneumatic tire, wherein a fitting protrusion is formed, at least a part of which is divided in the tire circumferential direction, and configured to be mountable on the outer peripheral surface of the rim.

In the present invention, at least part of the mounting adapter for a non-pneumatic tire (hereinafter referred to as the adapter) is divided in the tire circumferential direction, and the adapter is configured to be attachable to the outer peripheral surface of the rim. Therefore, the fitting protrusions can be fitted to the mounting recesses of the rim in a state in which the divided surfaces of the adapter, which are adjacent in the tire assembled state in the tire circumferential direction, are separated from each other, and even the adapter having the fitting protrusions formed on the inner peripheral surface can be easily attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rim. After the adapter is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rim, the tire assembly can be obtained by fitting the adapter inside the inner cylinder. Therefore, even with a general-purpose wheel having a rim having a mounting recess provided on the outer peripheral surface, a non-pneumatic tire can be easily mounted while fitting the fitting projection into the mounting recess.

The adapter may be composed of a plurality of adapter pieces divided in the tire circumferential direction.

In this case, since the adapter is composed of a plurality of adapter pieces divided in the tire circumferential direction, it is possible to individually mount the plurality of adapter pieces on the outer peripheral surface of the rim while fitting the fitting protrusions into the mounting recesses, and thus the adapter can be easily attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rim.

In the adapter, divided surfaces adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction may extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction toward the outer side in the tire radial direction and may abut or approach each other.

In this case, in the adapter, divided surfaces that are adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction as they go outward in the tire radial direction, and are in contact with or close to each other.

A supporting projection may be formed at one end of the adapter in the tire width direction, protruding outward in the tire radial direction and coming into contact with or close to the edge of the inner cylinder on the one side in the tire width direction.

In this case, since the support protrusion projecting outward in the tire width direction is formed at one end of the adapter in the tire width direction, when the adapter is fitted inside the inner cylinder through the opening on one side in the tire width direction, the edge of the inner cylinder on one side in the tire width direction can abut against the support protrusion in the tire width direction.

Two circumferential grooves extending in the tire width direction may be formed in the fitting projection at intervals in the tire width direction, and a portion of the fitting projection located outside the circumferential groove in the tire width direction may be elastically deformable in the tire width direction.

In this case, since the portion of the fitting projection located outside the circumferential groove in the tire width direction is formed to be elastically deformable in the tire width direction, the fitting projection can be easily fitted into the mounting recess without causing damage or the like to the fitting projection even if the interference in the tire width direction between the fitting projection and the mounting recess is increased.

A tire assembly according to the present invention includes the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter according to the present invention, the non-pneumatic tire, and the wheel having the rim. The non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter is fitted inside the inner cylinder, and the fitting protrusion is fitted in the mounting recess.

In the present invention, as described above, the adapter is configured to be attachable to the outer peripheral surface of the rim, so that the fitting projections of the adapter can be easily fitted into the mounting recesses of the rim. Even with a general-purpose wheel having a rim having a mounting recess provided on the outer peripheral surface, a non-pneumatic tire can be easily mounted while fitting the fitting projections into the mounting recesses.

In each of the outer peripheral surface of the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, at least a portion extending from the central portion along the tire width direction to one side end may extend outward in the tire radial direction from the central portion toward the one side end along the tire width direction.

In this case, on each of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, at least a portion extending from the center portion along the tire width direction to one end portion extends outward in the tire radial direction as it goes from the center portion toward the one end portion along the tire width direction. Therefore, by fitting the adapter inside the inner cylinder from the opening on one side in the tire width direction, the adapter can be easily fitted inside the inner cylinder even if the interference between the outer peripheral surface of the adapter and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder is increased.

One of the outer peripheral surface of the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder may be formed with a locking groove extending in the tire circumferential direction, and the other may be formed with a locking projection fitted into the locking groove.

In this case, either one of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder is formed with a locking groove extending in the tire circumferential direction, and the other is formed with a locking projection that is fitted into the locking groove. Therefore, it is possible to suppress relative positional deviation of the adapter and the inner cylinder in the tire width direction, so that the adapter and the inner cylinder can be firmly fixed.

A through-hole may be formed in the rim to penetrate in the tire radial direction, and a bolt inserted into the through-hole and penetrating the rim in the tire radial direction may be engaged with a mounting hole formed in the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter.

In this case, since the bolt penetrating the rim in the tire radial direction is engaged with the mounting hole formed in the adapter, it is possible to prevent the wheel and the adapter from being dislocated relative to each other in the tire circumferential direction. In particular, when the adapter is composed of a plurality of adapter pieces divided in the tire circumferential direction, fixing one adapter piece to the rim with a bolt makes it possible to fix all of the plurality of adapter pieces to the rim in the tire circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the adapter is composed of a plurality of adapter pieces divided in the tire circumferential direction, it is possible to easily assemble a tire assembly in which the adapter is strongly fixed to the rim.
A general-purpose wheel on which a pneumatic tire is mounted may be used as the rim, and the through hole may be the one in which an air injection valve provided in the rim is inserted.

According to this invention, a non-pneumatic tire can be easily mounted on a general-purpose wheel.

1 is a side view including a partial longitudinal section of a tire assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, showing the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a V portion of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 as a second embodiment of the present invention; It is a longitudinal section showing the important section of the tire assembly concerning the modification of the present invention.

A tire assembly 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tire assembly 1 includes a wheel 2 having a rim 12, a non-pneumatic tire 3, a tread member 4, and a mounting adapter 5 for non-pneumatic tires. The tire assembly 1 is used by being attached to, for example, bicycles, wheelchairs, two-wheeled vehicles, automobiles, and the like.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a tire assembly 1 having a relatively narrow size in the tire width direction and mounted on a bicycle or wheelchair will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the tire assembly 20 may have a relatively wide size in the tire width direction, which is mounted on an automobile or the like.

The rim 12, the non-pneumatic tire 3, the tread member 4, and the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter 5 are each formed in an annular shape, and their central axes are positioned on a common axis. This common axis is called the central axis O, and the direction along the central axis O is called the tire width direction. Also, when viewed from the tire width direction, the direction of rotation around the central axis O is called the tire circumferential direction, and the direction intersecting with the central axis O is called the tire radial direction.
Center portions in the tire width direction of the wheel 2, the non-pneumatic tire 3, the tread member 4, and the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter 5 are aligned with each other.

The wheel 2 includes a hub 11 attached to an axle, a rim 12 surrounding the hub 11 from the outside in the tire radial direction, and a plurality of spokes 13 connecting the outer peripheral surface of the hub 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the rim 12.

The hub 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and arranged coaxially with the central axis O. As shown in FIG. Spokes 13 connect the outer peripheral surface of hub 11 and the inner peripheral surface of rim 12 . The plurality of spokes 13 are provided over the entire tire circumferential direction between the outer peripheral surface of the hub 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the rim 12 .
The rim 12 includes a main tube 14 that continuously extends over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction, and side walls 15 that protrude outward in the tire radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the main tube 14 . As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in longitudinal cross-sectional views along both the tire width direction and the tire radial direction, the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the main tube 14 are curved so as to protrude inward in the tire radial direction. The sidewall 15 extends continuously over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction. Two side walls 15 are provided at intervals in the tire width direction. A gap between the two side walls 15 forms a mounting recess 16 that opens outward in the tire radial direction and extends continuously over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction. Accordingly, a mounting recess 16 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12 . The side walls 15 are provided at both end portions of the outer peripheral surface of the main tube 14 in the tire width direction.
The wheel 2 described above has the same configuration as a general-purpose one equipped with pneumatic tires.

The non-pneumatic tire 3 has an inner cylinder 21 that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the rim 12 from the outside in the tire radial direction, an outer cylinder 22 that surrounds the inner cylinder 21 from the outer side in the tire radial direction, and a plurality of elastically deformable connecting members 23 that connect the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 21 and the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 22. The elastic modulus of the material forming the non-pneumatic tire 3 is, for example, 300 MPa or more and 1500 MPa or less.

The respective central axes of the inner cylinder 21 and the outer cylinder 22 are arranged coaxially with the central axis O. As shown in FIG. The inner cylinder 21, the outer cylinder 22, and the connecting member 23 are arranged in a state in which their center portions in the tire width direction are aligned with each other.
A plurality of connecting members 23 are provided between the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 22 at intervals in the tire circumferential direction. The plurality of connecting members 23 are provided at equal intervals in the tire circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of connecting members 23 extend obliquely in the same direction with respect to the tire radial direction when viewed from the tire width direction. The connecting member 23 is formed in a plate shape, and is provided in such a posture that the front and back surfaces face the tire circumferential direction or the tire radial direction and the side faces face the tire width direction.

The inner cylinder 21, the outer cylinder 22, and the connecting member 23 are integrally formed of thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic resin may be, for example, a single resin, a mixture containing two or more resins, or a mixture containing one or more resins and one or more elastomers, and may also contain additives such as anti-aging agents, plasticizers, fillers, or pigments.
In addition, the inner cylinder 21, the outer cylinder 22, and the connecting member 23 may be formed separately. The inner cylinder 21, the outer cylinder 22, and the connecting member 23 may be made of a material other than thermoplastic resin.
A pair of molds for molding the non-pneumatic tire 3 are provided so that the cavity is divided into two halves at the center of the non-pneumatic tire 3 in the tire width direction when the mold is opened, and a parting line (not shown) is provided on the surface of the non-pneumatic tire 3 at the center in the tire width direction.

The tread member 4 is elastically deformable and is fitted on the outer cylinder 22 . The elastic modulus of the material forming the tread member 4 is smaller than the elastic modulus of the material forming the non-pneumatic tire 3 . As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the outer peripheral surface of the tread member 4 presents a curvilinear shape protruding outward in the tire radial direction in a vertical cross-sectional view along both the tire width direction and the tire radial direction.

The tread member 4 is made of, for example, vulcanized rubber obtained by vulcanizing natural rubber or/and a rubber composition, or a thermoplastic material. From the viewpoint of wear resistance, it is preferable to form the tread member 4 from vulcanized rubber. Examples of thermoplastic materials include thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic resins.
Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include amide-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPA), ester-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPC), olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPO), styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPS), urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPU), cross-linked thermoplastic rubbers (TPV), and other thermoplastic elastomers (TPZ) defined in JIS K6418.
Examples of thermoplastic resins include urethane resins, olefin resins, vinyl chloride resins, and polyamide resins.

A non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter (hereinafter referred to as an adapter) 5 is provided between the inner cylinder 21 of the non-pneumatic tire 3 and the rim 12 of the wheel 2 . The adapter 5 is provided without a gap over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction between the inner cylinder 21 and the rim 12 .
Like the non-pneumatic tire 3, the adapter 5 is made of thermoplastic resin. The adapter 5 may be made of a material other than thermoplastic resin.

The adapter 5 is fitted inside the inner cylinder 21 .
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in each of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21, at least a portion extending from the central portion along the tire width direction to one end portion extends outward in the tire radial direction from the central portion toward the one end portion along the tire width direction. In the illustrated example, each of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 extends substantially straight in the tire width direction from the center portion along the tire width direction to the other end portion. As a result, of the pair of molds for molding the non-pneumatic tire 3, the cavity of the mold for molding the other half in the tire width direction of the non-pneumatic tire 3 can reliably hold the non-pneumatic tire 3 when the mold is opened.
The outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 may, for example, extend outward in the tire radial direction from the other end in the tire width direction toward the one end, or may extend substantially straight in the tire width direction over the entire length in the tire width direction.

A locking groove 24 extending in the tire circumferential direction is formed on one of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21, and a locking projection 25 fitted in the locking groove 24 is formed on the other. In the illustrated example, the locking projection 25 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the locking groove 24 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 . The locking protrusions 25 and the locking grooves 24 are separately provided on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21, respectively, at portions located on the other side of the central portion along the tire width direction. Each of the locking projections 25 and the locking grooves 24 continuously extends over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction.
The forms of the locking grooves 24 and the locking projections 25 may be changed as appropriate, for example, the locking grooves 24 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the locking projections 25 may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21. Alternatively, the locking grooves 24 and the locking projections 25 may not be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21.

The other end in the tire width direction of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 extends inward in the tire radial direction toward the other side in the tire width direction. The other end in the tire width direction of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 protrudes from the inner cylinder 21 to the other side in the tire width direction.
A support projection 26 is formed at one end of the adapter 5 in the tire width direction, protruding outward in the tire radial direction and coming into contact with or close to the edge of the inner cylinder 21 on the one side in the tire width direction. One end of the adapter 5 in the tire width direction protrudes from the inner cylinder 21 to one side in the tire width direction. The support projections 26 extend over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction without gaps. The support projections 26 are located inside the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 in the tire radial direction. Of the surfaces of the support projections 26, the surface facing the other side in the tire width direction and the edge of the inner cylinder 21 on one side in the tire width direction each extend straight in the tire radial direction in the longitudinal cross-sectional view.
It should be noted that the support projection 26 may not be formed on the adapter 5 .

A fitting projection 27 fitted into the mounting recess 16 of the rim 12 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 5 . The fitting protrusion 27 extends over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction without a gap. The fitting protrusions 27 are provided on the entire inner peripheral surface of the adapter 5 except for both ends in the tire width direction. The fitting projection 27 is fitted into the mounting recess 16 in a state in which a compression force in the tire width direction is applied from the side wall 15 . The inner end portion of the fitting projection 27 in the tire radial direction is located outside the outer peripheral surface of the main tube 14 of the rim 12 in the tire radial direction. Both end portions of the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 5 in the tire width direction are in contact with outer edges of the side wall 15 in the tire radial direction. The positions in the tire width direction of both end portions in the tire width direction of the adapter 5 and the tread member 4 are equal to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a first through hole (mounting hole) 31 and a second through hole 32 penetrating in the tire radial direction are separately formed in the adapter 5 and the inner cylinder 21. A first bolt 28 is integrally inserted into the first through hole 31 and the second through hole 32 and tightened, thereby fixing the adapter 5 and the non-pneumatic tire 3. A plurality of first through-holes 31 and second through-holes 32 are separately provided in the adapter 5 and the inner cylinder 21 over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction at intervals in the tire circumferential direction. The first through-hole 31 and the second through-hole 32 are provided at central portions in the tire width direction of the adapter 5 and the inner cylinder 21, respectively.
As the first through hole 31, for example, a female threaded portion or the like into which the first bolt 28 is screwed may be employed without penetrating the adapter 5 in the tire radial direction.

The fitting protrusion 27 of the adapter 5 is formed with a holding groove 35 that opens inward in the tire radial direction and extends in the tire width direction. The holding groove 35 constitutes an inner portion of the first through hole 31 in the tire radial direction. The holding groove 35 is open only at the other end of the tire width direction end portions of the fitting projection 27 . Of the holding grooves 35, the radially outer portion 35a is wider in the tire circumferential direction than the radially inner portion 35b. The radially outer portion 35a and the radially inner portion 35b of the holding groove 35 are aligned with each other in the tire circumferential direction.

The first bolt 28 is a headed bolt having a head portion and a shaft portion. The shaft extends through the holding groove 35 in the tire radial direction.

A first nut 29 is screwed to the inner end portion in the tire radial direction of the shaft portion of the first bolt 28 . The first nut 29 is mounted in the holding groove 35 . The first nut 29 is a flange nut in which a female threaded cylinder and a flange portion are integrally formed. The first nut 29 is inserted into the holding groove 35 in the tire width direction from an opening on the other side in the tire width direction.

At this time, the female threaded cylinder of the first nut 29 is supported by the inner surface of the radially inner portion 35b of the retaining groove 35, and the flange portion of the first nut 29 is supported by the inner surface of the outer portion 35a of the retaining groove 35 in the tire radial direction, thereby preventing the first nut 29 from falling out of the retaining groove 35. The female threaded cylinder of the first nut 29 is a hexagonal nut, and two of the six planes formed on the outer peripheral surface of the female threaded cylinder are in contact with or close to two inner surfaces of the tire radially inner portion 35b of the holding groove 35 that face each other in the tire circumferential direction.
A configuration in which the first nut 29 and the adapter 5 are integrally formed by injection molding the adapter 5 with the first nut 29 as an insert product may be adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a third through hole (through hole) 33 is formed through the rim 12 in the tire radial direction and communicates with the first through hole 31 and the second through hole 32 . The third through hole 33 opens to both the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the main tube 14 , and the internal space of the main tube 14 is part of the third through hole 33 . One third through hole 33 is provided in the rim 12, and a valve for injecting air is inserted therein. A second bolt 36 that is inserted into the third through hole 33 and penetrates the rim 12 in the tire radial direction is engaged with a first through hole (mounting hole) 31 formed in the adapter 5 . In this embodiment, the second bolt 36 is integrally inserted into the first through-hole 31, the second through-hole 32, and the third through-hole 33 and fastened. As a result, relative displacement in the tire circumferential direction between the wheel 2 and the adapter 5 and the non-pneumatic tire 3 is prevented. As the first through-hole 31 that communicates with the third through-hole 33, for example, a female threaded portion or the like into which the second bolt 36 is screwed may be employed without penetrating the adapter 5 in the tire radial direction.
The second bolt 36 is a headed bolt having a head and a shaft, the head being disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the rim 12 via a washer 38, and the shaft being integrally inserted into the first through hole 31, the second through hole 32, and the third through hole 33. A second nut 37 is screwed to the outer end portion in the tire radial direction of the shaft portion of the second bolt 36 . The second nut 37 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 .

In this embodiment, at least part of the adapter 5 is divided in the tire circumferential direction so that the adapter 5 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12 .
In the illustrated example, the adapter 5 is composed of a plurality of (eight in the illustrated example) adapter pieces 17 divided in the tire circumferential direction. Each adapter piece 17 is detachably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12 , so that at least a portion of the adapter 5 along the tire circumferential direction is expandable outward in the tire radial direction. The outer peripheral surfaces of the adapter pieces 17 adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction are continuous in the tire circumferential direction without steps.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in the adapter 5, divided surfaces 5a adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction toward the outer side in the tire radial direction, and are in contact with or close to each other. These divided surfaces 5a overlap each other in the tire radial direction. In all of the plurality of adapter pieces 17, the divided surfaces 5a extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction toward the outer side in the tire radial direction. All of the plurality of adapter pieces 17 are formed to have the same shape and size. When viewed from the tire width direction, the direction in which the divided surface 5a extends obliquely with respect to the tire radial direction and the direction in which the connecting member 23 extends obliquely with respect to the tire radial direction are opposite to each other.
In the adapter 5, if the divided surfaces 5a adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction toward the outer side in the tire radial direction, the directions in which the divided surfaces 5a extend obliquely with respect to the tire radial direction may not be the same for all of the plurality of divided surfaces 5a of the adapter 5.

Part of the fitting protrusion 27 is provided over the entire length of the tire circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of each adapter piece 17 . The fitting protrusions 27 may be intermittently provided on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter 5 at intervals in the tire circumferential direction.
A plurality of (two in the illustrated example) first through holes 31 and holding grooves 35 are formed in each adapter piece 17 at intervals in the tire circumferential direction.

Next, a method for manufacturing the tire assembly 1 configured as described above will be described.

First, for each of the plurality of adapter pieces 17, the first nut 29 is mounted in the holding groove 35 by inserting the first nut 29 in the tire width direction from the opening on the other side in the tire width direction into the holding groove 35 so that the female threaded cylinder of the first nut 29 is accommodated in the inner portion 35b of the holding groove 35 in the tire radial direction and the flange portion of the first nut 29 is accommodated in the outer portion 35a of the holding groove 35 in the tire radial direction. At this time, one of the plurality of holding grooves 35 is left empty without mounting the first nut 29 thereon.
Next, the fitting projections 27 of the plurality of adapter pieces 17 are fitted into the mounting recesses 16 of the rim 12 to mount the adapter 5 on the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12 .
Next, the adapter 5 is fitted inside the inner cylinder 21 of the non-pneumatic tire 3 from an opening on one side in the tire width direction. At this time, one edge of the inner cylinder 21 in the tire width direction abuts against the support protrusion 26 of the adapter 5 in the tire width direction. Also, the positions of the second through hole 32 of the inner cylinder 21 and the first through hole 31 of the adapter 5 in the tire circumferential direction are matched.

Next, the shaft portion of the first bolt 28 is inserted into the second through hole 32 of the inner cylinder 21 and the first through hole 31 of the adapter 5 in this order to reach the holding groove 35 that constitutes the inner portion of the first through hole 31 in the tire radial direction. Then, the first bolt 28 is rotated about its axis with respect to the first nut 29, and the inner end portion of the shaft portion of the first bolt 28 in the tire radial direction is screwed into the first nut 29, whereby the inner cylinder 21 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5. At this time, two of the six flat surfaces formed on the outer peripheral surface of the female threaded cylinder of the first nut 29 come into contact with two inner surfaces of the inner surface of the inner portion 35b of the retaining groove 35 in the tire radial direction, which face each other in the tire circumferential direction.

In addition, the shaft portion of the second bolt 36 is inserted into the third through hole 33 of the rim 12, the first through hole 31 partially including the empty holding groove 35 in which the first nut 29 is not mounted, and the second through hole 32 in this order, so as to protrude outward in the tire radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21. Then, the rim 12 is fixed to the non-pneumatic tire 3 and the adapter 5 by relatively rotating the second bolt 36 and the second nut 37 and screwing the second nut 37 onto the outer end portion of the shaft portion of the second bolt 36 in the tire radial direction.
The tread member 4 may be fitted onto the outer tube 22 before fitting the adapter 5 inside the inner tube 21 of the non-pneumatic tire 3, or may be fitted onto the outer tube 22 after the adapter 5 is fitted inside the inner tube 21.

As described above, according to the adapter 5 and the tire assembly 1 according to the present embodiment, at least a portion of the adapter 5 is divided in the tire circumferential direction, and the adapter 5 is configured to be attachable to the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12. Therefore, the fitting projections 27 can be fitted into the mounting recesses 16 of the rim 12 in a state in which the divided surfaces 5a of the adapter 5, which are adjacent in the tire circumferential direction in the tire assembly 1 state, are separated from each other. It can be easily attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12 even if it is. After mounting the adapter 5 on the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12, the tire assembly 1 can be obtained by fitting the adapter 5 inside the inner cylinder 21. Therefore, even with a general-purpose wheel 2 having a rim 12 provided with a mounting recess 16 on the outer peripheral surface, the non-pneumatic tire 3 can be easily mounted while fitting the fitting protrusion 27 into the mounting recess 16.

Since the adapter 5 is composed of a plurality of adapter pieces 17 divided in the tire circumferential direction, the plurality of adapter pieces 17 can be separately mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12 while fitting the fitting projections 27 into the mounting recesses 16, and the adapter 5 can be easily mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rim 12.例文帳に追加

In the adapter 5, the divided surfaces 5a that are adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction as they extend outward in the tire radial direction, and are in contact with or close to each other.

Since the support projection 26 projecting outward in the tire width direction is formed at one end of the adapter 5 in the tire width direction, when the adapter 5 is fitted into the inner cylinder 21 from the opening on one side in the tire width direction, the edge of the inner cylinder 21 on one side in the tire width direction can abut against the support projection 26 in the tire width direction. 5 can be fitted.

On each of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21, at least a portion extending from the center portion along the tire width direction to one end portion extends outward in the tire radial direction from the center portion toward the one end portion along the tire width direction. Therefore, by fitting the adapter 5 inside the inner cylinder 21 from the opening on one side in the tire width direction, the adapter 5 can be easily fitted inside the inner cylinder 21 even if the interference between the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 is increased.

One of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter 5 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 is formed with a locking groove 24 extending in the tire circumferential direction, and the other is formed with a locking projection 25 fitted in the locking groove 24. Therefore, it is possible to suppress relative positional deviation of the adapter 5 and the inner cylinder 21 in the tire width direction, and the adapter 5 and the inner cylinder 21 can be firmly fixed.

Since the second bolt 36 penetrating the rim 12 in the tire radial direction is engaged with the first through-hole 31 formed in the adapter 5, the wheel 2 and the adapter 5 can be prevented from being displaced relative to each other in the tire circumferential direction.
Since the second bolt 36 penetrating the rim 12 in the tire radial direction is engaged with the first through hole 31 formed in the adapter 5, by fixing one adapter piece 17 to the rim 12 with the second bolt 36, all of the plurality of adapter pieces 17 can be fixed to the rim 12 in the tire circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the adapter 5 is composed of a plurality of adapter pieces 17 divided in the tire circumferential direction, the tire assembly 1 in which the adapter 5 is strongly fixed to the rim 12 can be easily assembled.

Next, a tire assembly 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and only the different points will be described.

Two circumferential grooves 39 extending in the tire width direction are formed in the fitting projection 27 at intervals in the tire width direction, and a portion of the fitting projection 27 located outside the circumferential groove 39 in the tire width direction is elastically deformable in the tire width direction. Along with this elastic deformation, the groove width of the circumferential groove 39 expands and contracts. The circumferential groove 39 extends continuously over the entire length in the tire circumferential direction. The circumferential groove 39 opens inward in the tire radial direction. The circumferential grooves 39 are formed separately at both end portions of the fitting protrusion 27 in the tire width direction. A portion of the fitting projection 27 located outside the circumferential groove 39 in the tire width direction is fitted in the mounting recess 16 of the rim 12 in a state of being elastically deformed toward the inside in the tire width direction.

As described above, according to the tire assembly 10 according to the present embodiment, the portion of the fitting projection 27 located outside the circumferential groove 39 in the tire width direction is elastically deformable in the tire width direction.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the adapter 5 is configured by a plurality of adapter pieces 17 divided in the tire circumferential direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one portion along the tire circumferential direction is divided in the tire circumferential direction.
The tire assemblies 1 , 10 , 20 may not have the tread member 4 .

In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the components in the above-described embodiment with known components without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

Reference Signs List 1, 10, 20 tire assembly 2 wheel 3 non-pneumatic tire 4 tread member 5 mounting adapter for non-pneumatic tire 5a divided section 12 rim 16 mounting recess 17 adapter piece 21 inner cylinder 22 outer cylinder 23 connecting member 24 locking groove 25 locking projection 26 support projection 27 fitting projection 31 first through hole (mounting hole)
32 second through hole 33 third through hole (through hole)
36 second bolt (bolt)
39 peripheral groove

Claims (9)

A non-pneumatic tire having an inner cylinder that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of a rim from the outside in the tire radial direction, an outer cylinder that surrounds the inner cylinder from the outer side in the tire radial direction, and a plurality of elastically deformable connecting members that connect the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder;
and a rim provided with a mounting recess extending in the tire circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface,
A fitting projection is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and is fitted into the mounting recess,
A mounting adapter for a non-pneumatic tire, at least a portion of which is divided in the tire circumferential direction and configured to be mountable on the outer peripheral surface of the rim. 2. The non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of adapter pieces divided in the tire circumferential direction. The non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the divided surfaces adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction extend in the same direction along the tire circumferential direction as they go outward in the tire radial direction, and are in contact with or close to each other. 4. The mounting adapter for a non-pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a supporting projection is formed at one end in the tire width direction, protruding outward in the tire radial direction and coming into contact with or close to the edge of the inner cylinder on one side in the tire width direction. Two circumferential grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction are formed in the fitting projection at intervals in the tire width direction,
The mounting adapter for a non-pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a portion of the fitting projection located outside the circumferential groove in the tire width direction is elastically deformable in the tire width direction. A non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
the non-pneumatic tire;
a wheel having the rim,
The non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter is fitted inside the inner cylinder,
A tire assembly, wherein the fitting protrusion is fitted in the mounting recess. 7. The tire assembly according to claim 6, wherein in each of the outer peripheral surface of the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, at least a portion extending from a central portion along the tire width direction to one side end portion extends outward in the tire radial direction from the central portion along the tire width direction toward one side end portion. 8. The tire assembly according to claim 6, wherein one of the outer peripheral surface of said non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter and the inner peripheral surface of said inner cylinder is formed with a locking groove extending in the tire circumferential direction, and the other is formed with a locking projection fitted into said locking groove. One through-hole is formed through the rim in the tire radial direction,
The tire assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a bolt that is inserted into the through hole and penetrates the rim in the tire radial direction is engaged with a mounting hole formed in the non-pneumatic tire mounting adapter.

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