Polymer-Based Wheel Assembly For Non-Pneumatic Tire
The present disclosure is directed to a polymer-based wheel assembly for a non-pneumatic tire. The wheel assembly comprises: an inboard wheel segment comprising an inboard tubular body having an exterior inboard rim surface, a first inboard segment end having an inboard annular lip extending radially outward from the exterior inboard rim surface, and a second inboard segment end having an inboard wheel segment connecting surface; an outboard wheel segment comprising an outboard tubular body having an exterior outboard rim surface, a first outboard segment end having an outboard annular lip extending radially outward from the exterior outboard rim surface, and a second outboard segment end having an outboard wheel segment connecting surface; wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segment connecting surfaces are coupled together to form a joint, and wherein the exterior inboard and exterior outboard rim surfaces cooperate to form a wheel assembly rim surface; and wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segments are formed from a polymer-based composition.
1 . A wheel assembly comprising:
an inboard wheel segment comprising an inboard tubular body having an exterior inboard rim surface, a first inboard segment end having an inboard annular lip extending radially outward from the exterior inboard rim surface, and a second inboard segment end having an inboard wheel segment connecting surface;
an outboard wheel segment comprising an outboard tubular body having an exterior outboard rim surface, a first outboard segment end having an outboard annular lip extending radially outward from the exterior outboard rim surface, and a second outboard segment end having an outboard wheel segment connecting surface;
wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segment connecting surfaces are coupled together to form a joint, and wherein the exterior inboard and exterior outboard rim surfaces cooperate to form a wheel assembly rim surface; and
wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segments are formed from a polymer-based composition.
2 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard wheel segment connecting surface or the outboard wheel segment connecting surface is singular or plural.
3 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the joint extends through the wheel assembly rim surface.
4 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener that couples the inboard and outboard wheel connecting surfaces.
5 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard and outboard wheel connecting surfaces abut one another.
6 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard and outboard wheel connecting surfaces each comprise a respective plurality of openings, the plurality of openings of the inboard connecting surface being aligned with the plurality of openings of the outboard connecting surface.
7 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segment connecting surfaces extend radially inward and perpendicular to the rotational and longitudinal axis of the inboard and outboard tubular bodies.
8 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segment connecting surfaces substantially enclose the second inboard and outboard segment ends.
9 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segment connecting surfaces enclose the second inboard and outboard segment ends.
10 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inboard and outboard wheel segment connecting surfaces have at least one mounting bore hole extending therethrough.
11 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface of the inboard and outboard connecting surfaces is formed by an intermediate plate.
12 . The wheel assembly of claim 11 , wherein the intermediate plate comprises a metal.
13 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , which is injection molded from the polymer-based composition.
14 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based composition comprises a thermoplastic polyamide.
15 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based composition comprises a polyester.
16 . The wheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based composition comprises a copolyether-ester.