Non-pneumatic tire
A non-pneumatic tire comprising a pair of annular inner rim beads disposed parallel to each other and defining a cylinder, wherein the rim beads define the opposing ends of the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has an axis of rotation coincident with an axis of rotation of the tire wherein outer and inner are relative to the axis of rotation of the tire, where inner is closer to the axis of rotation and outer is further away from the axis of rotation; an annular outer layer oriented concentric with the circumference of the cylinder and comprising an outermost tread surface, the tread surface comprising tread rubber and tire carcass; a plurality of spaced apart support units, each support unit including: top and bottom members; a plurality of flexible curved support members extending between the top member and bottom member.
1 . A non-pneumatic tire comprising:
a pair of annular inner rim beads disposed parallel to each other and defining a cylinder,
wherein the rim beads consist of a pair of spaced apart rings that define the opposing ends of the cylinder,
wherein the cylinder has an axis of rotation coincident with an axis of rotation of the tire wherein outer and inner are relative to the axis of rotation of the tire, where inner is closer to the axis of rotation and outer is further away from the axis of rotation;
an annular outer layer oriented concentric with the circumference of the cylinder and comprising an outermost tread surface, the tread surface comprising tread rubber and tire carcass;
a plurality of spaced apart support units disposed inner to the annular outer layer and extending from at least one of the rim beads to the annular outer layer, each support unit including:
top and bottom members;
a plurality of flexible curved support members extending between the top member and bottom member.
2 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein the top member, bottom member, and flexible support members cooperate to define first and second faces;
wherein the plurality of support units is arranged such that the first face of each support unit faces the second face of a neighboring support unit.
3 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein the support units are arranged radially in relation to the axis of rotation along the circumference of the beads.
4 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein the curved support members adjoin a straight central support rib that vertically extends part way from the top member toward the bottom member.
5 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 4 , wherein the central support rib radially extends along a centerline of the tire.
6 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , further comprising a sidewall that connects the annular outer layer to the rim beads and encases the support members, rim beads, and interior surface of the annular outer layer.
7 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart support units extend between the pair of beads.
8 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein the central support rib is a bump stop that, upon compression of the tire, limits range of compression by abutting the bottom member.
9 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein the support units consist of a polymer.
10 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein each of the support units is a single integral piece.
11 . The non-pneumatic tire of claim 1 , wherein each rim bead consists of a plurality of carbon strand fibers.