Non-pneumatic tire and method of making same

Abstract

A method of making a non-pneumatic tire comprising a toroidal-shaped tube having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and opposite side surfaces collectively forming a hollow chamber therebetween, the tube having at least two openings proximate the inner circumferential surface, and a solid fill composition disposed in the hollow chamber of the tube. The non-pneumatic tire provides the benefits of a smooth, comfortable ride, durability, and lightweight with good load-carrying capability.

1 . A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising: 
 extruding a toroidal-shaped tube having inner and outer circumferential surfaces interconnected by opposite side surfaces to collectively form a hollow chamber therebetween;    cutting at least two openings in the extruded tube at spaced locations proximate the inner circumferential surface; and    filling the hollow chamber of the tube with a fill composition through the at least two cut openings to make a non-pneumatic tire.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising curing the fill composition in the hollow chamber of the tube to form a hardened core therein.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein curing comprises exposing the fill composition to at least one of heat and pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filling the hollow chamber of the tube comprises centrifugally dispersing the fill composition into the hollow chamber of the tube.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filling the hollow chamber of the tube comprises injecting the fill composition into the hollow chamber of the tube.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the fill composition is injected into the hollow chamber of the tube while the tube is rotating at about 500 rpm.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising mounting the tire onto a rim.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filling the hollow chamber of the tube comprises injecting the fill composition through cut openings in a number in a range from 4 to 12.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filling the hollow chamber of the tube comprises injecting the fill composition through 8 cut openings.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filling the hollow chamber comprises filling the hollow chamber with a fill composition having a surface Durometer hardness in a range from about 68 to about 75, as measured by Shore A.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein filling the hollow chamber comprises filling the hollow chamber with a fill composition comprising a polyurethane-based foam.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein extruding the tube comprises extruding a tube having a Durometer hardness of greater than about 50, as measured by Shore A.  
   
   
       13 . A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising: 
 extruding a rubber material into a toroidal-shaped tube having an outer diameter ranging from about 8 inches to about 20 inches, an outer circumferential surface with a width ranging from about 2 inches to about 6 inches, an inner diameter ranging from about 2 inches to about 16 inches, an inner circumferential surface, and a hollow chamber between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces and having a height ranging from about 2 inches to about 6 inches;    cutting at least 4 independent rectangular openings at substantially equidistant locations along the interior circumferential surface of the tube, each opening having a width ranging from about 0.3 inches to about 0.5 inches and a length ranging from about 0.6 inches to about 0.8 inches;    injecting a liquid fill composition into the hollow chamber of the tube through one or more of the cut openings; and    curing the fill composition to form a solid core filling the hollow chamber of the tube, the core having a surface Durometer hardness in the range from about 68 to about 75, as measured by Shore A.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein filling the hollow chamber of the tube comprises centrifugally dispersing the fill composition into the hollow chamber of the tube.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the fill composition is injected into the hollow chamber of the tube while the tube is rotating at about 500 rpm.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising mounting the tire onto a rim.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein cutting of the independent rectangular openings comprises cutting 8 rectangular openings.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein filling the hollow chamber comprises filling the hollow chamber with a fill composition comprising a polyurethane-based foam.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein extruding the tube comprises extruding a tube having a Durometer hardness of greater than about 50, as measured by Shore A.  
   
   
       20 . A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising: 
 extruding a rubber material into a toroidal-shaped tube having an outer diameter ranging from about 8 inches to about 20 inches, an outer circumferential surface with a width ranging from about 2 inches to about 6 inches, an inner diameter ranging from about 2 inches to about 16 inches, an inner circumferential surface, and a hollow chamber between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces and having a height ranging from about 2 inches to about 6 inches;    cutting 8 independent rectangular openings at substantially equidistant locations along the interior circumferential surface of the tube, each opening having a width ranging from about 0.3 inches to about 0.5 inches and a length ranging from about 0.6 inches to about 0.8 inches;    injecting a liquid fill composition into the hollow chamber of the tube through one or more of the cut openings; and    curing the fill composition to form a solid core filling the hollow chamber of the tube, the core having a surface Durometer hardness in the range from about 68 to about 75, as measured by Shore A.