Michelin Tweel (airless tire)
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,105
From: Seattle, WA USA
Rep Power: 246
Michelin Tweel (airless tire)
So I have been told that these are coming in the near future... the Michelin Tweel
Is this the end of checking pressures and tire temps at the track?
Thought you all might enjoy the pics
Is this the end of checking pressures and tire temps at the track?
Thought you all might enjoy the pics
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 237
From: Gates Mills, Ohio
Rep Power: 29
I have seen these before but I still can't get over the "transparent" look of the tires while in motion.
Since the tire (tweel) is part of the suspension these might change the way suspensions are designed. Assuming they perform better than tires built with traditional construction techniques, granted a big assumption, the potential ramifications are considerable.
Since the tire (tweel) is part of the suspension these might change the way suspensions are designed. Assuming they perform better than tires built with traditional construction techniques, granted a big assumption, the potential ramifications are considerable.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 245
From: San Francisco
Rep Power: 29
Trending Topics
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,788
From: SFBA
Rep Power: 344
Any idea how tread and flexible spoke are bonded? When tread is worn, can tread alone be changed without changing flexible spoke and the metal spoke? If so, there is less land fill and probably cheaper to change tires. Great idea if we don't get tread seperation issue.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 288
From: CA
Rep Power: 32
This is definitely a step backwards in terms of technology.
Air is a MUCH MUCH better filler for tires than rubber spokes. It is more compressible, has more spring-like properties, etc.
The only advantage I can see it you would not have to worry about getting a flat--but then again you'd have to worry about broken spokes.
If you take a look at the pics, they show a HUGE contact patch with the road. That's going to mean poor performance and poorer gas mileage.
Different cars have different pressures specified for optimum performance. How do they plan to vary the contact patch for different cars? Different spoke stiffness?
Also, these tires will never corner as well as a tire filled with air. You are dealing with millions of molecules that can conform to the change in tire shape whereas you have possibly 100 spokes at most to conform to the change in shape. And the molecules can conform in any axis whereas the spokes are limited to one axis.
Nice exercise, but I doubt it will see commercial applications. Maybe some far-fetched apps where tire pressure would be a problem.
I bet some chump at Michelin who has never taken Physics or Chemistry thought he just made the discovery of the century...
Air is a MUCH MUCH better filler for tires than rubber spokes. It is more compressible, has more spring-like properties, etc.
The only advantage I can see it you would not have to worry about getting a flat--but then again you'd have to worry about broken spokes.
If you take a look at the pics, they show a HUGE contact patch with the road. That's going to mean poor performance and poorer gas mileage.
Different cars have different pressures specified for optimum performance. How do they plan to vary the contact patch for different cars? Different spoke stiffness?
Also, these tires will never corner as well as a tire filled with air. You are dealing with millions of molecules that can conform to the change in tire shape whereas you have possibly 100 spokes at most to conform to the change in shape. And the molecules can conform in any axis whereas the spokes are limited to one axis.
Nice exercise, but I doubt it will see commercial applications. Maybe some far-fetched apps where tire pressure would be a problem.
I bet some chump at Michelin who has never taken Physics or Chemistry thought he just made the discovery of the century...
Last edited by ksxxsk; Jun 20, 2008 at 01:56 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 222
From: USA
Rep Power: 27
am i missing something, a huge contact patch means poor performance. man i better go and get those wide 18s off the back of my porsche and get some ultra thin wheels in there.
all this time thinking that more rubber on the tarmac was a good thing
all this time thinking that more rubber on the tarmac was a good thing
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 237
From: Gates Mills, Ohio
Rep Power: 29
This is definitely a step backwards in terms of technology.
Air is a MUCH MUCH better filler for tires than rubber spokes. It is more compressible, has more spring-like properties, etc.
The only advantage I can see it you would not have to worry about getting a flat--but then again you'd have to worry about broken spokes.
If you take a look at the pics, they show a HUGE contact patch with the road. That's going to mean poor performance and poorer gas mileage.
Different cars have different pressures specified for optimum performance. How do they plan to vary the contact patch for different cars? Different spoke stiffness?
Also, these tires will never corner as well as a tire filled with air. You are dealing with millions of molecules that can conform to the change in tire shape whereas you have possibly 100 spokes at most to conform to the change in shape. And the molecules can conform in any axis whereas the spokes are limited to one axis.
Nice exercise, but I doubt it will see commercial applications. Maybe some far-fetched apps where tire pressure would be a problem.
I bet some chump at Michelin who has never taken Physics or Chemistry thought he just made the discovery of the century...
Air is a MUCH MUCH better filler for tires than rubber spokes. It is more compressible, has more spring-like properties, etc.
The only advantage I can see it you would not have to worry about getting a flat--but then again you'd have to worry about broken spokes.
If you take a look at the pics, they show a HUGE contact patch with the road. That's going to mean poor performance and poorer gas mileage.
Different cars have different pressures specified for optimum performance. How do they plan to vary the contact patch for different cars? Different spoke stiffness?
Also, these tires will never corner as well as a tire filled with air. You are dealing with millions of molecules that can conform to the change in tire shape whereas you have possibly 100 spokes at most to conform to the change in shape. And the molecules can conform in any axis whereas the spokes are limited to one axis.
Nice exercise, but I doubt it will see commercial applications. Maybe some far-fetched apps where tire pressure would be a problem.
I bet some chump at Michelin who has never taken Physics or Chemistry thought he just made the discovery of the century...
Never say never- a diesel race car? unthinkable <10 years ago...... let alone one winning the 24 hours of LeMans for 3 consecutive years (2006, 2007, 2008).
I wouldn't bet against alternative technologies usurping the pneumatic tire.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,962
From: South Bend, IN
Rep Power: 241
It's a Michelin experiment. Don't look for production anytime soon.
__________________
damon@tirerack.com
877-522-8473 ext. 4643
574-287-2345 ext. 4643
**Don't forget to add my name to online orders!**
Or use this link:
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=BH1&url=index.jsp
damon@tirerack.com
877-522-8473 ext. 4643
574-287-2345 ext. 4643
**Don't forget to add my name to online orders!**
Or use this link:
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=BH1&url=index.jsp
