Next-gen tires don't need air...or sidewalls
#1
Senor Carnegrande
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Next-gen tires don't need air...or sidewalls
I saw this on another forum. These are some sort of next-gen tires from Michelin. They are airless and can be tuned differently than current tires (ie, soft along one axis for ride comfort or drag launches perhaps; but then very firm in terms of side-to-side motion.) Will this replace current radials like radials replaced bias ply? In 2014, I will be ordering my RX-9 with these plus my liquidmetal wheels.
Note: keep in mind the sidewalls are left open in the article pictures probably because they aren't necessary (well except to keep dirt out maybe), and they want to show off the insides of the tire.
Article:
http://www.sportbilen.se/e_index.php...news.php?id=89 ;
Note: keep in mind the sidewalls are left open in the article pictures probably because they aren't necessary (well except to keep dirt out maybe), and they want to show off the insides of the tire.
Article:
http://www.sportbilen.se/e_index.php...news.php?id=89 ;
#2
What kind of material is the Tweel made of? Is it some sort of smart material, like an SMA? That's interesting how the Tweel can deform, and then still retain its shape. I don't understand how it can be adjusted for different conditions. Mind filling me in on that Baron?
Materials science is awesome.
Materials science is awesome.
#5
Senor Carnegrande
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I really have no idea, this is the first I've heard of it. But hey, Dean Kamen is in on it, so it must be good.
I imagine thin sidewalls will be added to production models for the sake of cosmetics. No doubt the ricers will make their own modifications by cutting off the sidewalls to save .01 oz. per corner.
I imagine thin sidewalls will be added to production models for the sake of cosmetics. No doubt the ricers will make their own modifications by cutting off the sidewalls to save .01 oz. per corner.
#6
umm can u burn rubber with those??? seems like it'll go blad very soon....
oh and from the looks of it.... it seems to be able to replace the rim... imagine no rim on ur ride... just something like that... lol...
oh and from the looks of it.... it seems to be able to replace the rim... imagine no rim on ur ride... just something like that... lol...
#12
Maybe from a visual standpoint, it's ugly, but I think function was Michelin's target here. The only thing this new tire lacks is a sidewall, and air. Otherwise, it functions like a normal radial tire.
I'm sure we'll probably see this technology applied in heavy machinery first, then it may come down into production cars.
I'm sure we'll probably see this technology applied in heavy machinery first, then it may come down into production cars.
#14
Haha. I thought about that too. Maybe they're just showing the cross section. I'm sure you need a sidewall so people like BlueEyes won't actually jam a steel pole into a Tweel travelling at 90 mph.
#15
I would think they would need a sidewall for lateral support. I really like the idea, although I imagine they would be much heavier than the standard rim/tire combo right now. Maybe if they were able to eliminate the rim outright and just run the tires they could save weight.
Or maybe experiment with different compression settings (think of sidewall flex in today's tires) for different applications. Or even some sort of progressive compression like in suspensions. Good find.
Or maybe experiment with different compression settings (think of sidewall flex in today's tires) for different applications. Or even some sort of progressive compression like in suspensions. Good find.
#19
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Another question to ask:
How would police spike strips work against this? It's like a solid rubber tire with flex. I'm sure the military would be intrested in this too. But then again the military may already use these.
How would police spike strips work against this? It's like a solid rubber tire with flex. I'm sure the military would be intrested in this too. But then again the military may already use these.
#20
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i read some sci-fi book a few years ago that featured something like this. one of the charachters was a delivery person on a skateboard and the skateboard had wheels just like this. a bunch of pneumatic tubes that conformed to bumps and debris on the road. it seems everything comes from sci-fi nowadays
#21
I wouldnt think spike strips would work to well with this type of tire. However, any car that would have this type of tire will have an electronic system, so the cops can just use an electronic immobilizer strip. They have little RC cars which shoot under cars right now and fry the electronics stopping the car, so same thing could be applied to a strip.
#23
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Originally Posted by zoom44
i read some sci-fi book a few years ago that featured something like this. one of the charachters was a delivery person on a skateboard and the skateboard had wheels just like this. a bunch of pneumatic tubes that conformed to bumps and debris on the road. it seems everything comes from sci-fi nowadays
#24
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Ahh a random bump but I'll toss in my few cents.. seen these on Future Cars on Discovery again last night. Was a pretty kewl concept needless to say but curious as to why they havent been given a release date.