WO2021126211A1

WO2021126211A1 - Rim for a non-pneumatic tire

Info

Publication number: WO2021126211A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/067505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven M CRON
Original assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
Priority date: 2019-12-19
Filing date: 2019-12-19
Publication date: 2021-06-24

Abstract

A non-pneumatic tire rim (10) releasably engaging a sleeve (100) attached to a non-pneumatic tire allowing the semi-permanent attachment of the non-pneumatic tire to the rim. The rim may possess a lateral profile like that of a pneumatic tire, allowing for conventional pneumatic rim manufacturing equipment to be easily adopted to manufacturing non-pneumatic tires.

Description

RIM FOR A NON-PNEUMATIC TIRE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The subject matter of the present invention relates to a non-pneumatic tire rim, and specifically to a non-pneumatic tire rim designed to releasably attach to a nonpneumatic tire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Current non-pneumatic tires possess rims which are permanently bonded to the tire, hindering the ability to easily exchange a worn or damaged nonpneumatic tire or remove it from the rim for repair. Furthermore rims, until now, have been custom designed for non-pneumatic tire support and have not been able to take full advantage of the current manufacturing practices of pneumatic rim industry.

[0003] What is needed is a non-pneumatic rim that allows the releasable, but secure, mounting of a non-pneumatic tire. Also useful would be a rim that utilizes the existing lateral profile of a pneumatic tire rim. A non-pneumatic tire rim that could be constructed from existing pneumatic rim inventory would be of particular use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0005] Described herein is a rim for a non-pneumatic tire that allows for the releasably, yet secure, attachment of the non-pneumatic tire to the rim. The rim has a center portion for mounting to an axle of a vehicle. The center portion possesses a plurality of apertures for securing to a vehicle using lug nuts or bolts. The rim also has an outer ring portion for accepting a non-pneumatic tire, or more specifically, a radially outer sleeve forming part of the non-pneumatic tire. The outer ring portion has a first lateral side and a second lateral side and a thickness in a radial direction, the outer ring portion includes a first flange proximal to the first lateral side, a first radially inward depression proximal to the first lateral side, a first radially outward protrusion proximal to the first lateral side forming a lateral retaining surface, a second flange proximal to the second lateral side, a plurality of slots extending from the second lateral side of the rim extending through the second flange, the plurality of slots extending toward the first lateral side, each of the plurality of slots extending through the thickness of the outer ring portion and extending partially laterally across the tire rim, the slots defining a plurality of fingers on the outer ring portion, the rim designed to releasably attach to the radially outer sleeve which is, in turn, part of a non pneumatic tire.

[0006] 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of a rim with a detachable outer sleeve.

[0009] FIG. 2 provides a partial perspective cross-section view taken in a radial plane of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the rim and outer sleeve assembled.

[0010] FIG. 3 provides a section view of the rim, outer sleeve, a plurality of binding rings and a non-pneumatic tire attached to the exterior surface of the outer sleeve, the cross section taken along a radial plane of the wheel and also through a slot of the outer ring and a slot of the outer ring portion of the rim.

[0011] The use of identical or similar reference numerals in different figures denotes identical or similar features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0012] The present invention provides a reusable rim that may be removably attached to a non-pneumatic tire for ease of replacement of the non-pneumatic tire for replacement, repair or updating the ornamental looks of the vehicle. For purposes of describing the invention, reference now will be made in detail to embodiments and/or methods of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in or with the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, 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 instance, features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment or steps to yield a still further embodiments or methods. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0013] The following terms are defined as follows for this disclosure:

[0014] “Axial direction” or the letter “A” in the figures refers to a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of for example, the shear band, tire, and/or wheel as it travels along a road surface.

[0015] “Radial direction” or the letter “R” in the figures refers to a direction that is orthogonal to the axial direction and extends in the same direction as any radius that extends orthogonally from the axial direction.

[0016] "Equatorial plane" means a plane that passes perpendicular to the axis of rotation and bisects the outer tread band and/or wheel structure.

[0017] “Circumferential direction” or the letter “C” in the figures refers to a direction is orthogonal to the axial direction and orthogonal to a radial direction.

[0018] “Radial plane” means a plane that passes perpendicular to the equatorial plane and through the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0019] “Lateral direction” or the letter “L” means a direction that is orthogonal to an equatorial plane.

[0020] The current invention provides for a rim for use with a non-pneumatic tire. The rim uses a reusable center portion and a mating exterior sleeve. The sleeve provides a radially outer surface for attachment of a non-pneumatic tire. The outer sleeve and non pneumatic tire can then be removed and a replacement non-pneumatic tire can then be removably attached to the rim. Such a design facilitates repair or replacement of the tire without replacement of the center portion of the rim.

[0021] Having a separable rim for a non-pneumatic tire allows for customization and ornamental changes to the vehicle wheel while reducing the manufacturing costs of the non-pneumatic tire because the equipment used to manufacture the tire does not need to be adopted to each rim shape, lug-nut aperture arrangement or rim style. The ability to reuse the center portion of the rim also allows for environmental benefits by enabling reuse of center rim. [0022] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rim and radially outer sleeve. The rim 30 is descried herein as two portions of a unitary component, a center portion 40 adapted for attachment to a vehicle and outer ring portion 50 adapted for attachment to a non-pneumatic tire. The outer ring portion 50 of the rim 30 possesses a plurality of fingers 76 defined by slots 74 formed in the second lateral side 54 of the rim and extending through the thickness of the outer ring portion 50 and extending toward the first lateral side 52 of the rim 30.

[0023] The profile of the rim’s radially outer surface 58 is similar to a standard pneumatic rim profile. At the first lateral side 52, there is a first flange 62, similar to the bead flange of a pneumatic rim. The surface 58 dips radially inward from the first flange 62 to a first radial depression 64 which is akin to the bead seat area on a pneumatic rim.

The surface 58 then radially extends outward forming a first hump 66. As the profile is followed from the first lateral side 52 to the second lateral side 54, a second hump 68 is encountered where the surface 58 extends radially outward then back radially inward to a second radial depression 70 and finally radially outward again at the second flange 72 at the second lateral side of the rim 30.

[0024] The plurality of slots 74 allow the fingers 76 of the rim to move radially and resiliently inward to allow a pneumatic tire to be slipped over the rim 30 and removably retained in place. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a radially outer sleeve 100 is shown. In this case, the radially inner surface 108 of the outer sleeve 100 would engage the radially outer surface 58 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim 30.

[0025] A first lateral retaining surface 112 is formed on the radially inner surface 108 of the outer sleeve 100. In this embodiment, the lateral retaining surface 112 is in the form of a groove running circumferentially around the interior surface 112 of the sleeve. The lateral retaining surface may be a radial protrusion or alternatively a depression engaging with a lateral retention surface, such as a depression or alternatively a protrusion, of the sleeve to prevent relative lateral movement. A plurality of slots 116 in the sleeve 100 form fingers 118 in the first lateral side 102 of the sleeve. The slots extend through the thickness of the sleeve 100 allowing for radial movement of the fingers to allow the sleeve to slide over the outer surface 58 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim.

[0026] When the sleeve 100 is slid over the outer ring portion 50 of the rim 30, the fingers allows radial movement and allow the sleeve 100 to snap into place on the rim 30. The non-pneumatic tire 20 (not shown) may be bonded or otherwise attached to the radially outer surface of 110 of the sleeve 100. When a new tire is desired, the old tire may be removed, or “unsnapped”, and a new tire may be re-secured to the hub 30.

[0027] To prevent axial rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the hub, a series of protrusions on the radially inner surface 108 of the sleeve 100 extend radially inward between the fingers 76 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim which can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Axial retaining surfaces 122 on protrusions 120 of the sleeve 100 engage with axial retaining surfaces 78 on the fingers 76 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim so as to prevent axial slippage. These axial retaining surfaces 122 on the protrusions 120 of the sleeve 100 are oriented to face the circumferential direction of the wheel so that they engage the circumferentially oriented surfaces of the fingers 76 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim 30.

[0028] FIG. 2 provides a partial perspective cross section view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the rim 30 and outer sleeve 100 assembled. In this cutaway view, it can be seen that the diameter of the first hump 66 is greater than the diameter of the radially inner surface 108 of the outer sleeve 100 and particularly, in this embodiment between the first lateral retaining surface 112 and the lateral outer edge at the first lateral side 102 of the sleeve 100. This creates an interference fit between the rim 30 and the outer sleeve 100. The lateral retaining surfaces 112, 114 of the sleeve 100 respectively engage the lateral retaining surfaces of the first and second radial protrusion 66, 68 of the rim, maintaining the outer sleeve in the correct lateral position on the rim 30.

[0029] FIG. 3 provides a section view of another embodiment showing rim 30, outer sleeve 100 with non-pneumatic tire 20 attached to the exterior surface of the outer sleeve, and a plurality of binding rings 80, 90. The cross section taken through the axis of rotation of the wheel and also through a slot 116 of the outer sleeve 100 and a slot 74 of the outer ring 50 portion of the rim 30. In this embodiment, the first flange 62 is less pronounced and while the first hump 68 is present, the second hump is not present. Here the fingers 118 of the radially outer sleeve 100 are restrained in an a radially inner position and engaging the outer surface 60 of the rim 30 by a first retainer 80 in the form of a hoop extending around the radially outer surface 110 of the sleeve 100. The fingers 76 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim 30 are retained in a radially outer position and engaging the sleeve 100 by a second retainer 90 positioned on the radially inner surface 60 of the outer ring portion 50.

[0030] The retainers 80, 90, as shown in FIG. 3, may a solid hoop of a material. For example, the retainers may be a hoop of plastic that is stretched into position over the outer surface 110 of the outer sleeve 100 or compressed into position under the radially inner surface 60 of the outer ring portion 50. Alternatively, the retainers may be a metal coil.

The retainer 80 prevents the fingers 118 of the sleeve 100 from moving radially outward allowing the lateral retaining surfaces of the fingers 118 from disengaging the hump 66 of the outer ring portion 50 of the rim 30 while the second retainer prevents the fingers 76 of the outer ring portion 50 from disengaging from the second lateral retaining surface 104 of the sleeve, here shown as the outer edge of the sleeve 100.

[0031] The use of a rim 30 having a lateral profile similar to that of a pneumatic rim ensures technology used to produce existing pneumatic rims may be readily adopted for production of rims suitable for non-pneumatic tire support. Such design characteristics also allow for currently produced rim designs to be readily modified for use with the non pneumatic tires.

[0032] The radially outer sleeve 100 may be constructed from any number of materials, including metal such as aluminum or steel. It also may be constructed from a composite material, such as a fiberglass resin or a fiber reinforced plastic. Alternatively, construction of the outer sleeve from unreinforced plastics may useful in certain embodiments. The use of inexpensive materials helps lower the cost of the outer non-pneumatic tire. The use of recyclable materials allows ease of the tire’s end of life processing and reduction or elimination of the environmental impact.

[0033] The radially outer sleeve 100 also presents a relatively simpler geometrical part to construct than that of the rim, thereby simplifying tire construction and further reducing cost of non-pneumatic tire construction. Handling, shipping and storage of a non pneumatic tire becomes easier without having an entire rim attached to the tire.

[0034] Furthermore, the use of a radially outer sleeve 100 enables the use of different non-pneumatic tires with the same rim design allowing for customization of the tire dependent upon the desired performance characteristics or intended use. The inverse is also true, allowing the use of different rims with the same non-pneumatic tire design allowing non-pneumatic tire manufacturers to benefit from the use of the same tire design used for multiple vehicles.

[0035] Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed technology correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments presented and discussed herein should not insinuate limitations of the present subject matter. Features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in combination with aspects of another embodiment to yield yet further embodiments. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned which perform the same or similar function. [0036] As used herein, the term “method” or “process” refers to one or more steps that may be performed in other ordering than shown without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed invention. As used herein, the term "method" or "process" may include one or more steps performed at least by one electronic or computer-based apparatus. Any sequence of steps is exemplary and is not intended to limit methods described herein to any particular sequence, nor is it intended to preclude adding steps, omitting steps, repeating steps, or performing steps simultaneously. As used herein, the term "method" or "process" may include one or more steps performed at least by one electronic or computer-based apparatus having a processor for executing instructions that carry out the steps.

[0037] The terms "a," "an," and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably. Ranges that are described as being "between a and b" are inclusive of the values for "a" and "b."

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A rim for a non-pneumatic tire, the rim having a center portion for mounting to an axle of a vehicle and an outer ring portion, the outer ring portion having a first lateral side and a second lateral side and a thickness in a radial direction, the outer ring portion comprising: a first flange proximal to the first lateral side; a first radial depression proximal to the first lateral side; a first hump proximal to the first lateral side; a second flange proximal to the second lateral side; a plurality of slots extending from the second lateral side of the rim extending through the second flange, the plurality of slots extending toward the first lateral side, each of the plurality of slots extending through the thickness of the outer ring portion and extending partially laterally across the tire rim, the slots defining a plurality of fingers on the outer ring portion.

2. The rim of claim 1 further comprising: a radially outer sleeve, the radially outer sleeve having a first lateral sleeve side, a second lateral sleeve side, a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, and a thickness measured in the radial direction comprising: a first lateral retaining surface extending circumferentially around the inner surface proximal to the first lateral side; a second lateral retaining surface extending circumferentially around the inner surface proximal to the second lateral side; a plurality of slots extending from the first lateral sleeve side of the sleeve extending through the first lateral retaining surface and extending toward the second lateral side, each of the plurality of slots extending through the thickness of the sleeve, the slots defining a plurality of fingers on the sleeve.

3. The rim of claim 2 further comprising a non-pneumatic tire attached to the radial outer surface of the radially outer sleeve.

4. The rim of claim 3 further comprising a first binding ring, the first binding ring positioned radially outside the plurality of fingers on the sleeve.

5. The rim of claim 3 further comprising a second binding ring, the second binding ring positioned radially inside the plurality of fingers of the outer ring portion.

6. The rim of claim 3 further comprising: a first binding ring, the first binding ring positioned radially outside the plurality of fingers on the sleeve; and a second binding ring, the second binding ring positioned radially inside the plurality of fingers of the outer ring portion.

7. The rim of any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially facing surfaces positioned on the radially interior surface which engage the fingers of the outer ring portion of the rim.

8. The rim of any of the above claims further comprising: a second hump proximal to the second lateral side; and a second radial depression proximal to the second lateral side, where said plurality of slots of the rim extend through the second radial depression and the second hump.