WO1998009830A1

WO1998009830A1 - Non-pneumatic tire with double notched rim

Info

Publication number: WO1998009830A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/014259
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darryl Harris
Original assignee: The Goodyear Tire And Rubber Company
Priority date: 1996-09-05
Filing date: 1996-09-05
Publication date: 1998-03-12
Also published as: AU7358996A

Abstract

A non-pneumatic tire assembly includes a tread, a tire fill medium which may be urethane, and a metal membrane which separates the tread from the tire fill medium. The tread, tire fill medium, and metal membrane are secured to a rim with two notches. The rim has one notch for holding the tread and a second notch for holding the tire fill medium and the metal membrane. If a different tread is required, the one positioned on the rim is easily removed and a different tread is placed on the double notched rim.

Description

NON-PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH DOUBLE NOTCHED RIM

Technical Field This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for wheels and tires, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for non-pneumatic wheels and tires used in off-the-road applications . Background Art Many types of non-pneumatic tires have been disclosed in the art for use in off-the-road applications. It is often required to change such tires. The reasons for changing tires may include the need for tires with different ride, handling or wear characteristics. Another reason for changing a tire may be that its tread has worn out .

Current methods for changing tires in the field have disadvantages . One method requires that the tire/rim combination on the associated vehicle be removed. Then, the tire is taken off the rim. A different tire is then positioned on the rim so that the new tire/rim combination can be remounted on the associated vehicle. Another common method is to transport different tires already mounted on rims to the field site. Though this method simplifies the field assembly work, it requires that more rims, with tires already mounted on them, be transported to the field site. All such methods are difficult and cumbersome.

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for overcoming the disadvantages mentioned above. Thus, the difficulties inherent in the prior art are overcome in a way which is simple and efficient, while providing better and more advantageous results.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a non-pneumatic tire assembly which includes a tread and a tire fill medium which may be urethane, rubber, or some other suitable material. A metal membrane separates the tread from the tire fill medium. The tread, tire fill medium, and metal membrane are positioned on a double notched rim. The rim has a first notch for holding the tread and a second notch for holding the tire fill medium and the metal membrane. If a different tread is required, the tread on the rim is removed and a different tread is placed on the rim.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a double notched rim for use in supporting a tire assembly. The double notched rim has a first notch for holding a tread and a second notch for holding both a tire fill medium and a metal membrane. A split ring secures the tread, tire fill medium, and metal membrane to the double notched rim.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for constructing a non-pneumatic tire assembly. A metal membrane is positioned in a notch on a first side of a double notched rim. The second side of the double notched rim is then placed onto the metal membrane and a split ring, which secures the assembly, is mounted. Next, a flowable curable material is injected through an injection valve, becoming a tire fill medium when it cures. The split ring and the second side of the double notched rim are then removed. A tread is then positioned in the second notch of the double notched rim. Finally, the second side of the double notched rim and the split ring are reconnected.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for re-treading a non-pneumatic tire assembly. A split ring is removed and a second side of a double notched rim is detached. The tread is then removed and a different tread is positioned in its place. The second side of the double notched rim is re-attached and finally the split ring is remounted. One advantage of the present invention is that in-the-field tire changing difficulties are reduced. There is no need to take a tire off of its rim or to transport additional rim/tire combinations to the field site.

Another advantage of the invention is the ease of changing treads. If a tire requires different tread characteristics or if the tread is worn out, the sectional design of the invention allows one tread to be replaced by another tread.

Still another advantage of the invention is the variety of tire characteristics that can be constructed. By combining different treads with different tire fill mediums a wide range of spring rates, rolling resistances, and handling distinctives are possible .

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification .

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a non-pneumatic tire assembly of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of one-half a non- pneumatic tire assembly of the present invention taken along the lines 1-1 of FIGURE 1 ;

FIGURE 3 is a table of commercial tread compounds and their respective moduli @ 100% E; FIGURE 4 is a table of commercial urethane tire fill compounds and some of their characteristics.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, cross- sectional view like FIGURE 2 showing the notches of the double notched rim;

FIGURE 6 is a cross -sectional view like FIGURE 2 showing the first rim member;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view like FIGURE 6 showing the metal membrane positioned in the second notch of the first rim member ,^•

FIGURE 8 is a cross -sectional view like FIGURE 7 showing the metal membrane positioned in the second notches of the first and second rim members;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view like FIGURE 8 showing the metal membrane and the tire fill medium positioned in the second notch of the first rim member; FIGURE 10 is a cross -sectional view like FIGURE 9 showing the metal membrane, the tire fill medium, and the tread positioned on the first rim member; and,

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view like FIGURE 10 showing the metal membrane, the tire fill medium, and the tread positioned between the first and second rim members. Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGURES 1 and 2 show a non-pneumatic tire assembly 10. The embodiment illustrated is a size 10.00-20 truck tire assembly but the invention is applicable to passenger cars, off-the-road vehicles, and other applications as well. The non-pneumatic tire assembly 10 includes a tread 20 a tire fill medium 30 and a double notched rim 40. The tread 20 has a ground surface 22 for contacting the ground or an associated roadway (not shown) . The tread 20 is made with two tread slots 23 and 24 and with two tread projections 25 and 26. The tread slots 23, 24 and tread projections 25, 26 attach the tread 20 to the double notched rim 40. FIGURE 3 shows a table of commercial tread compounds and their respective moduli @ 100% E. Any of these commercial tread compounds may be used in this embodiment, though other tread compounds may also be used. With reference to FIGURE 2, a tire fill medium 30 is formed of urethane; however, it may also be formed of other materials. FIGURE 4 shows a table of commercial urethane tire fill compounds and some of their characteristics. Any of these commercial urethane compounds may be used in this embodiment , though other tire fill medium materials may also be used. Referring again to FIGURE 2, valve stem 31 has an injection valve 32. The injection valve 32 can be of any type known in the art. Injection valve 32 is opened so that urethane can be injected through valve stem 31. Valve stem 33 has a pressure valve 34. The pressure valve 34 can be of any type known in the art. A pressure sensor (not shown) is attached to valve stem 33 and pressure valve 34 is opened so that the pressure of the tire fill medium 30 can be sensed. The pressure of the tire fill medium is used to determine when a sufficient amount of urethane or other material has been injected. A membrane 36 is placed between the tire fill medium 30 and the tread 20 forming a boundary for the tire fill medium 30 as it is injected. The membrane 36 also prevents unwanted bonding between the tire fill medium 30 and the tread 20. In this embodiment the membrane 36 is made of metal but other materials may also be used. With reference to FIGURES 1, 2, and 5, the double notched rim

40 has a first rim member 50, a second rim member 60, a split ring 42, and a connection disc 70. As shown in FIGURE 1, the connection disc 70 has a large opening 72 and a plurality of holes 74 for attaching the non-pneumatic tire assembly 10 to an associated vehicle (not shown) .

Referring to FIGURE 5, the first rim member 50 has a support base 52 having a first end 51 and a second end 53. Extending from the first end 51 of the support base 52 is a notch column 54 which has a first arm 55 and a second arm 56. The first arm 55, notch column 54, and second arm 56 combine to form first notch 57. The second arm 56, notch column 54, and support base 52 combine to form second notch 58. The second rim member 60 has a notch column 62 with a first arm 64 and a second arm 66. The first arm 64, notch column 62, and second arm 66 combine to form first notch 65. The second arm 66, notch column 62, and support base 52 of the first rim member 50 combine to form second notch 67.

One method of constructing a non-pneumatic tire assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 6 and utilizes a first rim member 50. A connection disc (not shown) is connected to the first rim member 70 in FIGURES 1 and 2, but it is not shown in the following FIGURES to help clarify and simplified the discussion. As shown in FIGURE 7, a membrane 36 made of metal is positioned into the second notch 58 of notch column 54. As shown in FIGURE 8, second rim member 60 is placed such that membrane 36 is positioned into the second notch 67 of notch column 62. Next, a split ring 42 is secured to the second end 53 of support base 52 using split ring groove 59. This construction creates notch cavity 68. Injection valve 32 is opened and a flowable curable material is injected through valve stem 31, filling notch cavity 68. As the flowable curable material is injected, membrane 36 is forced against second arm 56 and second arm 66 creating a sealing boundary for the flowable curable material. Pressure valve 34 is used in determining that the proper amount of flowable curable material has been injected. The flowable curable material cures inside notch cavity 68 becoming the tire fill medium 30 shown in FIGURES 2 and 9.

FIGURE 9 shows the tire fill medium 30 and the membrane 36 positioned on the support base 52 of first rim member 50 within second notch 58. The second rim member 60 and split ring 42, shown in FIGURE 8, have been removed. Next, as shown in FIGURE 10, a tread 20 is positioned such that tread slot 23 receives first arm 55 and first notch 57 receives tread projection 25. Referring now to FIGURE 11, second rim member 60 is placed onto tread 20 such that tread slot 24 receives first arm 64 and first notch 65 receives tread projection 26. Then the split ring 42 is mounted. For another method of constructing a non-pneumatic tire assembly, FIGURE 12 shows a first rim member 50. As shown in FIGURE 13, a tread 20 is positioned such that tread slot 23 receives first arm 55 and first notch 57 receives tread projection 25. Next, a membrane 36 is positioned into the second notch 58 of notch column 54. For this embodiment, the membrane 36 is made of metal however, it may also be formed of another material. It is also possible, depending on the material to be used for the tire fill medium, to refrain from using a membrane.

As shown in FIGURE 14, second rim member 60 is placed such that membrane 36 is positioned into the second notch 67 of notch column 62 and such that tread slot 24 receives first arm 64 and first notch 65 receives tread projection 26. Next, a split ring 42 is secured to the second end 53 of support base 52 using split ring groove 59. This construction creates notch cavity 68. Injection valve 32 is opened and a flowable curable material is injected through valve stem 31, filling notch cavity 68. As the flowable curable material is injected, membrane 36 is forced against second arm 56, first side 27 of the tread 20, and second arm 66 creating a sealing boundary for the flowable curable material. If a membrane is not used, second arm 56, first side 27 of the tread 20, and second arm 66 form a sealing boundary for the flowable curable material. Pressure valve 34 is used in determining that the proper amount of flowable curable material has been injected. The flowable curable material cures inside notch cavity 68 becoming the tire fill medium 30.

The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof . Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

Claims

1. A rim for use in supporting an associated tire assembly, the tire assembly including a tread and a tire fill medium, the rim characterized by: a first rim member, said first rim member having a first notch for holding a first side of the tread and a second notch for holding a first side of the tire fill medium, said first rim member also having a support base for supporting the tread and the tire fill medium; a second rim member, said second rim member having a first notch for holding a second side of the tread and a second notch for holding a second side of the tire fill medium; securing means for securing the tire assembly to said first and second rim members; and, connecting means for connecting said first rim member to an associated vehicle.

2. The rim of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a split ring, said split ring securing the tire assembly to said first and second rim members .

3. The rim of claim 1 wherein said connecting means is a connection disc.

4. The rim of claim 1 wherein the tire assembly also includes a metal membrane, the metal membrane being positioned between the tread and the tire fill medium.

5. The rim of claim 1 wherein said support base of said first rim member has a first and second end, said first end of said support base having a notch column, said notch column having first and second arms, said first and second arms cooperating with said notch column to form said first notch, said second arm cooperating with said notch column and said support base to form said second notch.

6. The rim of claim 5 wherein said second rim member has a notch column having first and second arms, said first and second arms cooperating with said notch column to form said first notch, said second arm cooperating with said notch column and said support base of said first rim member to form said second notch.

7. The rim of claim 6 wherein said second end of said support base of said first rim member has a groove, said groove for receiving said securing means .

8. The rim of claim 1 wherein said first rim member has an injection valve, for injecting the tire fill medium.

9. A non-pneumatic tire assembly characterized by: a first tread; a tire fill medium; and, a rim, said rim having notches for holding said first tread and said tire fill medium.

10. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 9 further comprising: a membrane, said membrane being positioned between said first tread and said tire fill medium, said rim holding said membrane.

11. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 10 wherein said membrane is made of metal .

12. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 8 wherein said rim is selectively operatively connectable to said first tread, said first tread being formed of a tread compound Cl .

13. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 12 wherein said rim is selectively operatively connectable to a second tread, said second tread being formed of a tread compound C2, said tread compound C2 being substantially different from said tread compound Cl.

14. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 9 wherein said first rim member has an injection valve and a pressure valve, said injection valve for use in injecting the tire fill medium, said pressure valve for use in measuring the pressure of the tire fill medium.

15. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 14 wherein said tire fill medium is a flowable curable material.

16. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 9 wherein said rim comprises : a first rim member, said first rim member having a first notch for holding a first side of said first tread and a second notch for holding a first side of said tire fill medium, said first rim member also having a support base for supporting said tread and said tire fill medium; a second rim member, said second rim member having a first notch for holding a second side of said first or second tread and a second notch for holding a second side of said tire fill mediu ; a split ring, said split ring for securing said first tread and said tire fill medium to said first rim members; and, a connection disc for connecting said first rim member to an associated vehicle.

17. The non-pneumatic tire assembly of claim 16 wherein said support base of said first rim member has a first end and a second end, said first end of said support base having a notch column, said notch column having first and second arms, said first and second arms cooperating with said notch column to form said first notch, said second arm cooperating with said notch column and said support base to form said second notch, said second end of said support base of said first rim member having a groove, said groove for receiving said split ring.

18. The tire assembly of claim 17 wherein said second rim member has a notch column having first and second arms, said first and second arms cooperating with said notch column to form said first notch, said second arm cooperating with said notch column and said support base of said first rim member to form said second notch.

19. A method for constructing a non-pneumatic tire assembly, the non-pneumatic tire assembly including a rim having first and second rim members, securing means for securing the non-pneumatic tire assembly to said first and second rim members, and connecting means for connecting said first and second rim members to an associated vehicle, said first rim member having a first notch and a second notch, said first rim member also having a support base, said second rim member having a first notch and a second notch, said method characterized by the steps of : positioning a tread into said first notch of said first rim member; placing said second rim member onto the tread, the tread being positioned into said first notch of said second rim; engaging said securing means; and, injecting a flowable material.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein, after the step of positioning a tread, the method comprises the step of; inserting a membrane into said second notch of said first rim member, said membrane being positioned into said second notch of said second rim member.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said flowable material is curable, the method further comprising the step of: allowing said flowable material to cure.

22. A method for re-treading a non-pneumatic tire assembly, the non-pneumatic tire assembly including a rim having first and second rim members, securing means for securing the non-pneumatic tire assembly to said first and second rim members, and connecting means for connecting said rim to an associated vehicle, said first rim member having a first notch and a second notch, said first rim member also having a support base, said second rim member having a first notch and a second notch, said method characterized by the steps of: disengaging said securing means; detaching said second rim member; removing the first tread; positioning a second tread into said first notch of said first rim member; placing said second rim member onto the tread, the tread being positioned into said first notch of said second rim; and, re-engaging said securing means.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the non-pneumatic tire assembly also includes a tire fill medium and a metal membrane, said tire fill medium and said metal membrane fitting in said second notch of said first rim member and said second notch of said second rim member .

24. A method for constructing a non-pneumatic tire assembly, the non-pneumatic tire assembly including a rim, a split ring, and a connection disc, said rim having first and second rim members, said first rim member having a first notch and a second notch, said first rim member also having a support base, said second rim member having a first notch and a second notch, said connection disc for connecting said first rim member to an associated vehicle, said method characterized by the steps of: inserting a membrane into said second notch of said first rim member; placing said second rim member onto the membrane, the membrane being positioned into said second notch of said second rim; mounting said split ring; injecting a flowable curable material through said injection valve; allowing said flowable material to cure; removing said split ring and said second rim member; positioning a tread into said first notch of said first rim member; placing said second rim member onto the tread, the tread being positioned into said first notch of said second rim; and, re-mounting said split ring.