Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Philippe Berguerand

Antonio Delfino

Pascal Schroeter

François Pozo

Maeike Blanc

A laminated product () comprises at least: a layer () of silicone rubber, in particular of the high temperature crosslinking type, such as, for example, a silicone rubber of VMQ or PVMQ grade the said layer () of silicone rubber being sandwiched between two layers () of fibre-resin composite comprising filaments () of an inorganic substance (), in particular glass, embedded in a thermoset resin (), such as, for example, a vinyl ester resin. The silicone layer has a thickness, denoted T, of between 1.5 and 3 times the thickness Tof each layer of fibre-resin composite, which is between 0.25 and 2 mm. Such a laminate may be used in the manufacture of a finished article, in particular of a non-pneumatic wheel or tire.

Silicone rubber and fiber-resin composite-based laminated product

A non-pneumatic elastic wheel () defining three perpendicular directions, circumferential (X), axial (Y) and radial (Z), comprises at least: &#x2014;a hub (), for example made of metal; an annular band referred to as a shear band () oriented in the circumferential direction (X), surmounted by a tread (); and a plurality of support elements () connecting the hub () to the annular shear band (). The annular shear band () is formed by a laminate comprising at least one layer of silicone rubber, in particular of the high temperature crosslinking type, such as, for example, a silicone rubber of VMQ or PVMQ grade, the said layer being sandwiched between two layers of fibre-resin composite comprising filaments of an inorganic substance, in particular glass, embedded in a thermoset resin such as, for example, a vinyl ester resin.

Non-pneumatic resilient wheel

A method of mounting a non-pneumatic tire onto a hub to provide a non-pneumatic wheel is provided. Certain portions of spokes of the non-pneumatic tire are connected to grooves along the hub. The tire is repeatedly rotated and deformed to allow the remaining portions of the spokes to be connected with the grooves in order to fully mount the tire onto the hub.

Method of mounting a non-pneumatic tire onto a hub

An exemplary spoke for a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke can be manufactured with a reinforcement structure having reinforcement elements and one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel. More particularly, the anchors also allow the spoke to be joined as one-piece with the non-pneumatic wheel or releasably connected on one or both ends with the non-pneumatic wheel.

Spoke fabrication for a non-pneumatic wheel

An exemplary method of manufacture for a spoke () of a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke can be manufactured with a reinforcement structure having reinforcement elements and one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors () that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel. More particularly, the anchors also allow the spoke to be joined as one-piece with the non-pneumatic wheel or releasably connected on one or both ends with the non-pneumatic wheel.

Growing community of inventors

Givisiez, Switzerland

Philippe Berguerand