Author Topic: Tweel "tire and wheel" have you heard anything about it?  (Read 4701 times)

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gonzo

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Tweel "tire and wheel" have you heard anything about it?
« on: May 06, 2005, 05:18:47 AM »
Has anyone seen any info on the "Tweel" being used off road?  What would be the advantages/disadvantages of this type of system.

gonzo [OP]

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MICHELIN LETS THE AIR OUT OF FUTURE TIRE INNOVATION
   
 Michelin announces two fitments for its revolutionary non-pneumatic Tweel™

DETROIT, M.I. (January 9, 2005) –  Today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Michelin showcased a potential future for mobility, an integrated tire and wheel combination missing one ingredient that is vital for traditional tire performance...air. The company unveiled the first real-world fitments for its revolutionary "Tweel" – which operates entirely without air.

Huhwhye

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I bet you can put a hamster or something in there and take it for a spin. :chicken:



I'd also be interested to see how that would work on the Audi in the picture if you really drive it.  How about throwing it into a 25mph turn at 50mph at full throttle and go into a 4 wheel drift.  If it can take that, I'm impressed.  But I doubt it.

And what are we talking about here?  $$$
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guywithuglyyota

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I recently saw a video clip of those tires mounted on an Audi, they took a slalom course through a couple cones and the sidwalls didnt budge much at all.  It was pretty impressive!  But I do not see that design working well on a small rim/tall off road tire due to the sidewall flexing but then again im not an engineer!

I think anything is possible, but I think offroaders will stick with air since we can air them down to increase traction, then air them back up to drive home.

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gonzo [OP]

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I recently saw a video clip of those tires mounted on an Audi, they took a slalom course through a couple cones and the sidwalls didnt budge much at all. It was pretty impressive! But I do not see that design working well on a small rim/tall off road tire due to the sidewall flexing but then again im not an engineer!

I think anything is possible, but I think offroaders will stick with air since we can air them down to increase traction, then air them back up to drive home.



I agree, its nice to be able to "tune" the tires to the terrain.

BigMike

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Wow :o

Benefits of Tweel™:
The heart of Tweel innovation is its deceptively simple looking hub and spoke design that replaces the need for air pressure while delivering performance previously only available from pneumatic tires. The flexible spokes are fused with a flexible wheel that deforms to absorb shock and rebound with unimaginable ease. Without the air needed by conventional tires, Tweel still delivers pneumatic-like performance in weight-carrying capacity, ride comfort, and the ability to "envelope" road hazards.

Michelin has also found that it can tune Tweel performances independently of each other, which is a significant change from conventional tires. This means that vertical stiffness (which primarily affects ride comfort) and lateral stiffness (which affects handling and cornering) can both be optimized, pushing the performance envelope in these applications and enabling new performances not possible for current inflated tires. The Tweel prototype, demonstrated on the Audi A4, is within five percent of the rolling resistance and mass levels of current pneumatic tires. That translates to within one percent of the fuel economy of the OE fitment. Additionally, Michelin has increased the lateral stiffness by a factor of five, making the prototype unusually responsive in its handling.
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Interesting concept, loooks wierd as hell seeing the rim almost floating as the Audi drives. I know, they should bring a few 35" versions out to the roundup and let us :_order: on it and try to trash it. Id like to see the damn thing on a 500hp Camaro and run it down the strip a couple times. :eyebrow: But then again I can barely afford normal tires for my truck these things would be major :bling:
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Honda had a tire/wheel combo as a one piece item waaaay back on ATC 90s!
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Huhwhye

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BigMike, then I must say I am impressed.

Sounds interesting.
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