Tires have been improving for over 100 years. Advances in materials, construction, and technologies have led to new products and new market segments. Tire design now encompasses improved manufacturability—more efficient, lower cost and more uniform production—as well as improved end-of-life disposal. Yet consumers still want more: optimal safety in all driving conditions—dry and wet traction; better longevity—in one survey, 72% felt that their tires wore too quickly; and more environmentally friendly functioning—lower rolling resistance, reduced noise, more durability and less pollution.
In response, or perhaps leading consumer demands, the leading tire manufacturers are offering new and better pneumatic tires. Michelin’s new Energy Saver tire, for example—today’s technology—and visions of tomorrow, the post-pneumatic world: Michelin’s Tweel. Michelin calls Tweel, “a non-pneumatic mobility concept” that will “increase productivity because it is maintenance-free, puncture-proof, easy to mount and dismount and provides a longer service life than radial tires.”
The Tweel, is a single unit tire consisting of four parts, including the hub, flexible polyurethane spokes, a shear band surrounding the spokes and the tread band. The Tweel's hub functions as it would in a normal wheel. A rigid attachment connects the hub to the axle. The Tweel's hub connects to polyurethane spokes that assume the shock-absorbing role of a traditional tire's sidewall. In turn, the spokes are bonded to a reinforced rubber tread band—the shear band—that can be as specialized as today's tires.
Varying the thickness and size of the Tweel’s spokes can generate a wide array of ride and handling qualities. The shear band surrounding the spokes takes the place of the air pressure, distributing the load. The tread looks like a conventional tire. Photographs of test cars equipped with the Tweel in motion show a dark edge, a silver hub and open space—the spaces between the spokes blurring in motion. This effect makes the Tweel look transparent in motion, and some are calling it the “transparent” tire.
The suggested advantages are significant. No more spare tire needed; the Tweel is puncture proof. It can be engineered to give five times the lateral stiffness of a pneumatic tire, which improves cornering but without any loss in ride comfort. It is easy to mount and dismount, maintenance free, and longer wearing—up to two to three times longer than state of the art radial tires, and the tread can be replaced and recapped. And the manufacturing process is simpler. Google “Tweel” for an online look at the Tweel in online video demos.
Radial tire technology is expected to continue as the standard for a long time as all major tire manufacturers work to advance radial tire performance in areas such as rolling resistance, wear life, and grip. Tweel is a long-term vision. Tweel research is helping improving conventional tire performance, but ultimately expected to re-invent the way that vehicles move. Imagine saying good-bye to highway blowouts, fixing flats, checking tire pressure, and the search for the ever-elusive balance between traction, mileage and comfort.
Cedric Hughes of Hughes and Company Law Corporation, with contributions from Leslie McGuffin, LL.B., writes a weekly column on traffic advice for The VOICE. "The Road Rules" strives to provide helpful information about driving in British Columbia. We welcome your comments on our published articles and your suggestions for topics you would like us to address. Please email: eginter@hughesco.com. Phone: (604) 602-1818. Punjabi and Hindi: (604) 897-0207.
Email: cedric_hughes@hughesco.com
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