Nate Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Bridgestone is apparently close to a production airless tire. Check it out.
SuperStockAndy Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 It's cool and all, but I never could figure out what's taking them so long to just use a big circle of rubber. Maybe the weight?
Nate Posted December 9, 2011 Author Posted December 9, 2011 Actually a solid rubber tire was used before air filled tires; apparently you can't go as fast with a solid rubber tire. They are still used for fork lifts and stuff.
Jordan White Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Michelin came out with the Tweel concept back in in 2005, course maybe Bridgestone will be the first to bring it to market.
SuperStockAndy Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 Actually a solid rubber tire was used before air filled tires; apparently you can't go as fast with a solid rubber tire. They are still used for fork lifts and stuff. I already knew they had those, I just don't know why they were never put to use on cars. Maybe the speed issue is due to the added weight?
Dr. Cranky Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 That would probably make driving a bit safer. Shoot, next thing you know they'll come up with a car that flies!
Jordan White Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 The main issue with running solid rubber tires is they lack the compressability of regular air-filled tires, and hence transmit more shock to the suspension and body of the vehicle. The ride over a rough road would be really jarring since the tire would act like a solid rod between the road and axle rather than a second shock absorber. The "airless tires" allow for no air pressure needed, while at the same time providing support that can absorb shock.
Sam Cates Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 I like this style, "honey comb" is an extremely strong/rigid design, and look what they can do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pja6vKnEV4E&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jYcX_D09ig&feature=related
Eshaver Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 If you "Google " solid rubber tires , over the years , several designs have been incoorperated into the sidewalls as roads in the early 20's were awful. A "Non " pneumatic tire would certainly be an advantage . However , the punisment transmited into the cab leaves me very unsure . Ed Shaver
Dr. Cranky Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 It sure is ugly, but I wonder what the Highway Patrol is going to think about them since they won't be able to blow them out on those runaway cars!
Chuck Most Posted December 9, 2011 Posted December 9, 2011 I already knew they had those, I just don't know why they were never put to use on cars. Maybe the speed issue is due to the added weight? They were 100 years ago.
SuperStockAndy Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 They were 100 years ago. I thought the ones from 100 years ago had inner tubes
JustBill Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 I'm not sure about this. It seems as though you need the "rim" and tire assembly. What does this mean for your hubs? or is it that they will make different styles for all cars maybe? This doesn't seen like an cheaper alternative either. Go ahead and scape a curb with that thing while parking and let me know how well that resin holds up!! This design is still going to give your car a more ridged ride. There is no substitute for a pneumatic tire IMO. As stated above forklifts use a solid tire. These tires would not hold up to auto use. The heat alone will cause tire failure. They fail from heat already on forklifts and forklifts only travel about 6mph. Cars travel much faster and generate more heat. Also too road surfaces are much more rugged than what you would find in a forklift atmosphere. But not all forklifts use solid tires. They can also have pneumatic tires. It does give the forklift a much better ride (as forklifts don't have suspension) but they also deal with flat tires. In the forklift industry they offer a slime filled as opposed to air filled for the pneumatic tire. Some folks use it but it is a very expensive alternative. Can't really compare forklifts to cars. Its apples and oranges. I do think that its not a total waist to find an alternative for tires. Tire are getting outrageous in price! I've been finding shops lately that sell good used tires. The treads and manufacture don't always match up but and the significantly less cost it doesn't bother me.
B-dub Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 solid would be horrible.. just ask anyone who has ever ran low profile tires.. haha.. my car hates any kind of bump!
Chuck Most Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 There is already a pretty well known vehicle with airless tires... http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/as15_88_11901.jpg
SuperStockAndy Posted December 10, 2011 Posted December 10, 2011 There is already a pretty well known vehicle with airless tires... http://nssdc.gsfc.na...15_88_11901.jpg But you don't see those cruisin down the highway at 60 mph
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