WO2017109529A1 - Asymmetric twin tires with raised center rim - Google Patents

Abstract

Two asymmetric tires of radial or bias ply construction each of them having different size inner and outer bead diameters shall be fitted on the same" raised center rim" back to back separated from each other by a central wedge on the rim. Such a combination of tires and rim will be safer to ride under a vehicle since sudden tire puncture will not result in a catastrophic accident because only one of the tires on the same rim will fail and the other shall remain intact. Owing to the "asymmetric construction" the width of the central gap separating the twin tires shall be kept to a minimum without hindering sidewall flexing so that this gap will serve like a large central groove draining water, mud and snow on the road thus contributing further to ride and handling safety.

Description

ASYMMETRIC TWIN TIRES WITH RAISED CENTER RIM

1. DESCRIPTION

Two radial or cross ply tires , both of them having an asymmetric cross section to be mounted on the same tire rim with a raised center and a central wedge separating the tires from each other(ref.to Drawing 1).

Inner beads of the tires seated on the respective sides of the center wedge are to have larger diameters than the outer beads seated on the outer flanges of the rim which have a smaller diameter than the inner beads(ref.to Drawing 2).

The difference in the dimensions of the inner and outer beads of the asymmetric tires is to be such that inner beads shall be slipped easily by hand over the respective flanges of the raised center rim.

Each asymmetric tire is to have a separate valve for inflating which will be accessible from the outside when fitted on the vehicle(ref. to Drawing 3).

The left and right asymmetric tires shall be similar in shape, construction, geometric dimensions and tire markings so that they will be "twins" . Thus they will be interchangeable in cases of puncture or wear(ref.to Drawings 4,5,6,8,9,10).

The main benefits of the asymmetric-twin tires mounted on the same raised center rim are :

i ) In case of a sudden or gradual tire puncture or failure during a journey the vehicle shall be able to proceed without eventual stopping or having a dangerous or even fatal loss of control owing to the twin tire remaining intact. Driving safety thus shall be greatly enhanced with reduced deaths or injuries on the roads.

ii ) Due to the low probability of both of the twin tires puncturing or failing at the same time the driver shall be able to proceed with the ride without being obliged to stop, probably in most inhospitable conditions, facing the hardships of changing a tire. This operation can be postponed until reaching the most convenient service station on the route.

iii ) The center gap between the asymmetric tires shall act like a large central groove which will flex during the ride and therefore force the water, mud or snow away and also serve as an anti- aquaplaning agent rapidly draining the water on the road improving the ride and handling safety .When it is designed with ribs on the inner sidewalls they will also help traction (ref.to Drawing 8) iv ) The braking efficiency of the vehicle can be improved with a raised center rim since the larger diameter in the middle of the rim will enable a a larger than usual diameter brake drum or disc to be accommodated in the rim geometry.

v ) The shock of going over a bump or pothole on the road shall be less with two tires on the same rim and any damage to the outer sidewalls due to cut cords shall be limited usually to only one of the tires thus contributing to the future safety of the ride. Inner sidewalls of the tires shall not be prone to cut cords since flexing patterns due to short sidewall heights and flat or round surface of the central wedge shall prevent such an occurrance.

vi) Although a very low probability, run-flat behavior of the asymmetric- twin tires(AT tires) puncturing or failing at the same time shall be less drastic for the driver and the vehicle since the central wedge of the raised center rim has a larger rolling diameter than the sides which will reduce the chances of loss of control also aided by the closeness of the tire tread to the rim base at the center. Collapsed tires will fall into the gap and fill it completely thus act like solid tires until the vehicle comes to a stop(ref.to Drawing 9).

vii ) The central wedge of the raised center rim is to be protected by rubber spurs projecting from the inner sidewalls of the tires(ref. to Drawing 2 items 5 & 6) . The central wedge can also be

covered/coated with rubber or plastic material to reduce the impact and noise coming from stone impregnation.

viii ) Tire production, quality and waste are to be positively affected by dividing a whole symmetrical tire into two asymmetric - twin tires due to ease of handling and inspection of the lighter components.

ix) Ride and handling, cornering action of the asymmetric-twin tires is to be more secure for the driver and vehicle since carying of the total load by eight different tires is expected to improve the sure tire grip on the surface of the road.

x) Total load carrying capacity of the vehicle can be improved because the construction of the twin tires should be such that when one of them fails the other should be able to carry the vehicle load.

For the introduction of the asymmetric- twin tires into the market with raised center rims a brand new vehicle with an emphasis on driving safety shall be appropriate since the vehicle suspension system has to be re-designed to conform with the dynamic properties of the asymmetric-twin tires. Also a new tire and rim dimensions standard should be developed for defining the asymmetric tires and the raised center rims.

On the other hand "Asymmetric Single tire" and "Asymmetric rim" ( ref. to Drawing 7 )can also be mounted on a vehicle to make use of the advantages indicated in items (iv) and (vi). Therefore a larger diameter brake drum or disc can be accommodated within the inner side rim void as well as improving run flat behavior of the wheel when the tire is punctured. Collapsed tire will drop into the gap below and rest on the flat portion of the asymetric rim and still will be able to roll without a catastrophic failure.

Claims

2. PATENT CLAIMS

Claim 1 :

Asymmetric-Twin tires as hitherto descibed and depicted in the drawings 1,2,5,6,8,9,10 which have larger diameter inside beads compared with the outer ones so that inner beads can easily be slipped over the outer flanges of a raised center rim (described in Drawing 3) which is required for the mounting of this type of tires. Owing to the asymmetry of the tires the central gap between the twin tires shall be minimized to be functional as a flexing central groove.

Claim 2 :

Raised Center Rim, made of steel plate or made with metallic alloys of steel or other metals or any sufficiently stiff and durable material utilising production methods like forming, casting, machining and having a raised diameter center with a central wedge separating the inner beads of the asymmetric twin tires from each other as described in drawings 3 and 4. Inner bead seating diameter of the raised center rim is to be larger than the outer bead seating diameter at least equal to the outside flange height of the rim (dimension F in Drawing 1). In other words the half of the diameter difference between inner and outer beads of the asymmetric tires ( dimension H in Drawing 2) should be greater than the outside flange heights of the raised center rim ( H>F). Raised center can be achieved in many geometrical forms ranging from slopes ending at the central wedge(ref. to Drawing 3) or a step and a flat portion ending at the central wedge (ref.to Drawing 8)

Claim 3 :

Asymmetric Single Tire(ref.to Drawing 7) which will be mounted on an asymmetric rim..

Claim 4 :

Asymmetric Rim which is to have a larger diameter flange in the inside when mounted on the vehicle ( ref. to Drawing 7).