Innovations in Non-Pneumatic Tires
Non-pneumatic tire development faces distinct engineering challenges in load distribution and material performance. Current designs must manage vertical loads exceeding 1000 kg while maintaining contact patch pressure distribution of 200-300 kPa—comparable to pneumatic tires—but without the benefit of compressed air. These structures must also achieve rolling resistance coefficients below 0.01 to remain competitive with traditional tire technology.
The fundamental challenge lies in creating mechanical structures that can simultaneously provide the load capacity of pneumatic systems while matching their damping characteristics and energy efficiency.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including V-shaped spoke architectures with variable hysteresis properties, elliptical hole structures for controlled deformation, and multi-arc support systems with optimized load transfer. These and other approaches focus on achieving pneumatic-like performance through purely structural means, while maintaining manufacturability at scale.
1. V-Shaped Spokes with Rubber-Coated Legs for Non-Pneumatic Tires Featuring Variable Hysteresis and Rigidity Properties
CLAYTON BOHN JR, 2025
Spokes for non-pneumatic tires that have lower rolling resistance and improved lateral stiffness compared to pneumatic tires. The spokes have a V-shape with rubber-coated legs connecting a hub and band. The rubber coating has lower hysteresis and higher rigidity than the joint bodies. The joint bodies have ultra-low hysteresis rubber compositions to further reduce rolling resistance. The spoke legs have rubber compositions with specific properties like modulus, hysteresis, and complex shear modulus.
2. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Radially Connected Bulges Forming Annular Cavity and Concave-Convex Tire Wall Structure
SHENZHEN DAORUI TIRE CO LTD, 2024
Non-pneumatic tire design that improves load-bearing capacity, impact resistance, and driving comfort compared to solid tires without the need for internal air. The tire has a tread and inner ring with bulges radially connecting them. The bulges form an annular cavity around the tire with tightening inner brims and expanding outer brims. The tire wall is between the inner brims and outer brims. The bulges provide load-bearing units instead of air. The concave-convex bulge shape increases tire wall width and load-bearing area. The depression in the wall provides support points. The internal structure with multiple load-bearing units has high force transmission and acceleration for better compression support.
3. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Elliptical Hole Spoke Structure Between Annular Rings
성균관대학교산학협력단, RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY, 2024
Non-pneumatic tire design that allows for a vehicle to be driven without inflating air inside the tire. The tire has a unique spoke structure between the inner and outer annular rings. The spoke portion is filled with a plurality of elliptical holes that extend along circular arcs centered on the axis. The cross-sectional shapes of the holes are inner and outer lines connecting the circular arcs, with a closed curve shape connecting the ends of the inner and outer lines. This spoke structure provides vertical stiffness and shock absorption without the need for internal air pressure like traditional pneumatic tires.
4. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Arched Center and Sequential Bottom Features for Model Cars
CHENG SHIN RUBBER IND CO LTD, Xiamen Zhengxin Rubber Industry Co., Ltd., 2024
A non-pneumatic tire for electric remote control model cars that provides better grip, stability, and durability compared to traditional pneumatic tires. The tire has a unique tread design with an arched center section that connects the outer sides. The bottom of the tire has a sequence of features: a straight section, a convex rib, a concave ring, and a tie layer. This non-inflatable tire configuration prevents centrifugal force deformation and separation issues of pneumatic tires during high-speed model car driving.
5. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Reinforced Rubber Rings and Spoke Support Structure
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, 2023
Non-pneumatic tire for vehicles that eliminates the need for internal air pressure. The tire has a unique support structure made of reinforced rubber rings and spokes to carry the load. It omits the shear band found in many non-pneumatic tires. The reinforced rubber structure provides sufficient load carrying efficiency without the compromises of a pneumatic tire. The tire is useful for consumer and commercial truck applications as an alternative to pneumatic tires that doesn't require air pressure.
6. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Outer and Inner Rings Connected by Load-Transferring Spokes
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, 2023
Non-pneumatic tire design for vehicles that eliminates the need for inflatable tires. The tire has a unique structure with an outer ring, inner ring, and connecting spokes. The outer ring has support rings on each side and a tread around the circumference. The inner ring has base rings on each side that connect to the wheel rim. Spokes extend between the support rings and base rings to transfer load. This configuration provides a non-pneumatic tire with top loader performance and load distribution like a pneumatic tire.
7. Non-Pneumatic Tire and Wheel Assembly with Discontinuous Inner Ring and Radiused Spoke Structure
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, 2023
Non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly for vehicles that eliminates the need for inner tube or air inflation. The tire has a unique spoke ring structure inside the wheel with a discontinuous inner ring and radiused spokes. The spoke ring supports the tire without air. An outer tread ring is mounted on the spoke ring. This allows a structurally supported tire that can carry loads efficiently like a pneumatic tire without the drawbacks of air dependence. The discontinuous inner ring with gaps provides flexibility and conformability to the wheel.
8. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Multi-Arc Support Structure Featuring Variable Angle Segments
JIHUA HEYUE TECH FOSHAN CO LTD, 2023
Non-pneumatic tire design to reduce delamination and separation risks compared to conventional non-pneumatic tires. The tire has a unique support structure with multiple arcs that connect the inner hub, tread, and outer hub. The support body has a first arc segment in the middle that provides the main support and deformation. The second arc segments adjust angles to form near-right angles between the third arc segments and tread/hub. This reduces shear stress and bending moment on the support body when compressed or stretched, preventing fatigue and delamination at the ends. The arcs form a continuous tangent arc segment structure around the tire circumference.
9. Monolithic Non-Pneumatic Tire with Integrated Tread and Sidewall Structure
BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC, 2023
Non-pneumatic tires that don't require inner tubes or air pressure to operate. The tires have a lower ring, upper ring, and support structure connecting them. The tread extends around the upper ring and also covers the sides. The sidewalls seamlessly connect the tread to the lower ring on one side. This allows the entire tire, including the sidewalls, to be molded as a single piece from rubber. This eliminates the need for separate sidewall pieces that must be attached to the tread.
10. Non-Pneumatic Tire and Wheel Assembly with Spoke Ring and Retention Nub System
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, 2022
Non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly that eliminates the need for inner tubes and air pressure while still providing similar performance to pneumatic tires. The assembly has a spoke ring structure with an inner ring mounted on the outer surface of the rim. The inner ring has retention nubs that fit into grooves on the rim. The spoke ring has multiple spokes. An outer tread ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the spoke ring. This configuration provides a rigid structure for the tire without needing inflation, like a solid tire, while still allowing the rim, spokes, and outer tread to participate in load carrying like a pneumatic tire.
11. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Co-Cured Rubber Composite Spokes and Tread
HANKOOK TIRE & TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022
Non-pneumatic tire with improved durability, riding comfort, and ground contact compared to conventional non-pneumatic tires. The spoke portion of the tire is made of a rubber-based composition that can be cured with the tread portion. This allows the spokes to be integrated into the tire structure instead of being separate. The rubber spokes provide better load support and durability compared to plastic spokes. The rubber spokes also improve tire stability and ride comfort by distributing loads through compression as well as tension. The rubber composite spokes have a modulus of 10-30 MPa. This allows co-curing with the tread rubber. The rubber spokes also have a higher fatigue resistance compared to plastic spokes. The co-cured tread and spoke construction provides a more homogeneous tire with improved ground contact.
12. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Shear Band Between Tread and Sidewalls
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2022
Non-pneumatic tire for vehicles that doesn't require inner air pressure like conventional pneumatic tires. The non-pneumatic tire has a unique structure that provides load carrying efficiency, low rolling resistance, and durability without the need for inflation. The tire has a shear band sandwiched between the tread and sidewalls. The shear band allows the tire to deform and distribute loads like a pneumatic tire, while the sidewalls and tread prevent excessive deformation. The tire can also have a chafer or rim flange protector to prevent damage when mounting on the wheel. The shear band composition has a specific modulus range for optimal performance.
13. Reinforced Annular Supports with Independent Leg Motion for Non-Pneumatic Tires
MICHELIN GROUP CORP, Michelin Group Headquarters, 2022
Reinforced annular supports for non-pneumatic tires that reduce lateral stiffness compared to conventional designs. The supports have inner and outer legs connected by a joint that allows relative motion. This allows the legs to deform separately in the lateral direction, reducing stiffness. The supports surround the tire carcass and connect to it. The joint allows the inner and outer legs to move independently, enabling the supports to flex laterally without transferring stiffness to the carcass. This improves compliance and reduces harshness compared to rigid supports that transmit lateral loads directly to the carcass.
14. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Removable Interlocking Spokes and Reinforcement Elements
COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, 2022
Non-pneumatic tire design with removable spokes that allows easier manufacturing and replacement compared to integral spoke wheels. The spokes have outer ends that extend to contact adjacent spokes. This allows the spokes to be manufactured separately with reinforcement elements and bonded to the outer band. It also enables removable spoke wheels by connecting the inner anchors to the hub. The spokes have outer arms that overlap adjacent spokes to prevent separation at the bonded outer ends.
15. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Single-Material Band Layer and Seamless Cylindrical Tread Attachment
BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC, 2022
A tire design for non-pneumatic tires that allows them to run without air pressure. The tire has a circumferential tread around the outer ring that is attached to a single-material band layer. The band layer provides support and prevents deformation of the tread when the tire is under-inflated or runflat. The band layer is directly attached to the tread rubber layer, eliminating the need for separate bands or spokes. This simplifies the tire construction and reduces weight compared to traditional pneumatic tires. The single-material band layer can be made using a seamless cylindrical forming process to avoid defects and irregularities.
16. Non-Pneumatic Tire Tread with Elastic Core and Stabilizing Shim Layers
BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC, 2022
A tire tread design for non-pneumatic tires that allows them to run without air pressure. The tread has a sandwiched elastic layer between two solid shim layers. The elastic layer has higher elasticity than the shim layers. This allows the tread to deform and maintain traction when the tire is deflated or underinflated. The shim layers prevent lateral movement of the elastic layer and prevent tread separation when the tire is inflated.
17. Airless Tire with Multi-Layered Shear Elements and Reinforced Tread Ribs
BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS LLC, 2022
Airless tire with improved tread flexibility and traction for off-road vehicles. The tire has multiple spoke rings with circumferential shear elements between them. Each shear element has an inelastic lower and upper region sandwiched by an elastic region. This allows the shear elements to deform more than the spokes, providing a wider tread range for better off-road performance. A tread layer extends around the shear elements. The tread can have reinforcing layers inside some ribs to prevent buckling in those areas.
18. Detachable Wheel Assembly with Split-Spoke Design and Tire Boss Engagement System
SHANDONG LINGLONG TIRE CO LTD, 2021
A detachable wheel assembly for non-pneumatic tires that allows the tire, rim, and spokes to be separated and replaced independently. The wheel has a detachable split-spoke design that allows the spokes to be removed and replaced without needing to replace the whole wheel. The non-pneumatic tire has protrusions called tire bosses that engage grooves in the rim to prevent the tire from sliding off. Bolts through the rim and spokes secure the tire and prevent separation. This allows the tire, rim, and spokes to be replaced individually instead of needing to replace the whole wheel when a component is damaged.
19. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Woven Fabric Reinforcing Structure in Tread
HANKOOK TIRE & TECH CO LTD, 2021
Non-pneumatic tire with a reinforcing structure inside the tread that improves load support and fatigue resistance compared to conventional tires. The reinforcing structure is a woven fabric sandwiched between the tread inner and outer surfaces. It has first and second cords woven in a plain weave pattern. The cords intersect to form a cord sheet. The woven structure reinforces the tread area and reduces stress concentrations compared to a single cord layer. The fabric is inserted between the tread surfaces to support loads and distribute stresses. It prevents punctures and improves durability by transferring loads from the tread to the sidewalls. The woven fabric also improves fatigue resistance by preventing twisting and deformation of the tread.
20. Non-Pneumatic Tire with Spoke Disk Structure and Aligned Slot Mounting System
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, 2021
Non-pneumatic tire for vehicles that eliminates the need for inner tubes and maintains performance like pneumatic tires. The tire has a unique spoke disk design with multiple spokes connecting the outer ring to the wheel inner ring. This allows the tire to be structurally supported without air pressure. The spokes distribute load like a pneumatic tire and prevent deformation when cornering. The outer ring has a tread and shear band. The spoke disks attach to the shear band and wheel rims via aligned slots. This enables the tire to be mounted without air and provide proper load distribution and steering response like a pneumatic tire.
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