Tire Technology: What to Expect in 2013
Most people don’t pay attention to their tires
until something goes wrong – or until it's time to fork over hundreds of
dollars for a new set. However, tire technology doesn't stand still just
because consumers aren't paying attention. The last 50 years have seen
incredible advances in tires, and 2013 will be no exception.
As we look ahead to the new year, here's what tire manufacturers are working on.
As we look ahead to the new year, here's what tire manufacturers are working on.
Self-Inflating Tires
Fifty-five percent of vehicles on US roadways
have at least one under-inflated tire. While most of these tires just cause
their owners to buy extra gas (under-inflation reduces a vehicle's fuel economy
by as much as 3%), about 6% of these under-inflated tires will contribute to an
accident.
Traditionally, warnings about wasted fuel and vehicle safety haven't been compelling enough to get consumers to act – consumers just don't understand, don't remember, or don't care. The solution? Tires that inflate themselves.
Goodyear is researching tires that maintain their own optimum air pressure using a combination of electronics and common sense technology. Dubbed “Air Maintenance Technology,” it starts with a flexible air tube inside the tire. This tube is designed to compress as the tire rolls, and when combined with a couple of directional valves and a tire pressure sensor, this system can inflate a tire using the vehicle's rolling motion.
How it Works: Imagine this tube is like a straw in a glass of water. If you put your fingertip on the end of the straw and move it on and off the tube fast enough, you'll begin to “pump” water up the tube of the straw. In Goodyear's system, two directional valves are opened and closed electronically to draw air in from the atmosphere and then pump it into the tire.
Traditionally, warnings about wasted fuel and vehicle safety haven't been compelling enough to get consumers to act – consumers just don't understand, don't remember, or don't care. The solution? Tires that inflate themselves.
Goodyear is researching tires that maintain their own optimum air pressure using a combination of electronics and common sense technology. Dubbed “Air Maintenance Technology,” it starts with a flexible air tube inside the tire. This tube is designed to compress as the tire rolls, and when combined with a couple of directional valves and a tire pressure sensor, this system can inflate a tire using the vehicle's rolling motion.
How it Works: Imagine this tube is like a straw in a glass of water. If you put your fingertip on the end of the straw and move it on and off the tube fast enough, you'll begin to “pump” water up the tube of the straw. In Goodyear's system, two directional valves are opened and closed electronically to draw air in from the atmosphere and then pump it into the tire.
The Airless Tire
For nearly a century, air-inflated tires have
been used on almost all forms of motorized transportation. Air is compressed
inside a flexible rubber tube (a tire) mounted to a metal wheel. This combination
of air, tire, and wheel has been the status quo for as long as the automobile
has been popular, mostly because air-inflated tires are a reasonably
inexpensive combination of performance and durability.
However, technology has advanced to the point where tires no longer need to rely upon compressed air to do their job. Britek’s new Energy Return Wheel (ERW) is a flexible, elastic framework of synthetic spokes that combine to form a wheel.
However, technology has advanced to the point where tires no longer need to rely upon compressed air to do their job. Britek’s new Energy Return Wheel (ERW) is a flexible, elastic framework of synthetic spokes that combine to form a wheel.
There are numerous benefits to this concept:
- Since his framework doesn't rely upon compressed
air, under-inflation isn't a concern.
- Unlike air-filled tires, holes or damage to the
Britek tire's surface don't automatically cause a catastrophic failure.
- The framework's unique design and elastic
construction can turn bumps with road obstacles into forward momentum. Using
this technology, Britek has shown that vehicles can experience as much as a 37% improvement in fuel economy – a shockingly high
amount.
Finally, it should be noted that synthetic
tire frameworks designed by other companies are also being investigated by the
military. Since synthetic tire frameworks are strong enough to support very
large vehicles, fairly bulletproof (bullet holes don't cause air leaks), and
incredibly durable, they make a lot of sense for military vehicles.
Whether it's safety concerns about under-inflation, attempts to improve fuel economy, or bullet-proof structure, the push for better tire design is never-ending. As companies like Goodyear and Britek work to improve the tire, consumers can look forward to improved safety and better gas mileage.
Whether it's safety concerns about under-inflation, attempts to improve fuel economy, or bullet-proof structure, the push for better tire design is never-ending. As companies like Goodyear and Britek work to improve the tire, consumers can look forward to improved safety and better gas mileage.
Author Bio:
Author Jason Lancaster works with Olathe Toyota Parts Center.
For more on tire safety and what tire numbers mean.
