Reduction of Rolling Resistance by Airless Tire with Linked Zig-zag Structure

Abstract

Airless tire (Non-pneumatic tire, NPT) is expected as new tire that are puncture less and can achieve performance that cannot be achieved with pneumatic tires. General NPT has the problem of increased rolling resistance due to a high proportion of the wheel load being supported by the spokes near the ground. To reduce rolling resistance, it is important to distribute the load over the entire tire. We performed FEA on a typical NPT structure and by using Static FEM Code “ABAQUS/Standard”, and discuss its characteristics. We propose New NPT with a Linked zig-zag structure that can maintain the wheel load on the entire circumference by equalizing the stress of the entire tire, which is important for reducing rolling resistance. This structure reduces the bending rigidity of the tire outer ring, making it possible to support the wheel load in the lower tanδ region of the material. And, it has been found that rolling resistance can be reduced.