Tire + Wheel = Tweel
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,647
From: Jupiter, FL
Tire + Wheel = Tweel
The Tweel
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/i...8200411192.jpg
PAX (Michelin's run flats) is clearly a technology of today, already in OEM use. But at the Paris motor show, Michelin presented a tire technology of the future that could possibly reach consumers in 5-10 years. Called the Tweel (a combination of "tire" and "wheel"), it's a non-pneumatic tire and wheel formed as a single unit, featuring a replaceable rubber tread band that's bonded to an aluminum wheel hub via flexible polyurethane spokes. The spokes, tuned for each vehicle application, are chemically bonded to the aluminum hub for life. With no sidewalls to speak of, the Tweel certainly looks bizarre, but remember, there's no need for this tire to hold air.
Engineer Bart Thompson says the idea for the Tweel originated five years ago at Michelin in North America, when the company realized its zero-pressure tires could essentially go forever with reduced speed and loading. This posed the question: "Could Michelin make a non-pneumatic tire that actually does last forever?"
The Tweel attempts to answer that, and its advantages are many. First, flats obviously are a thing of the past. Second, the tread, reinforced with composites, is renewable, and it benefits from having homogeneous pressure distribution in its contact patch. Third, the Tweel has dramatically better hydroplane resistance because holes, for instance, can be integrated into the tread. And lastly, drivers will never have to worry about inflation pressures, or a slow leak, because Tweels are essentially maintenance-free.
Initial applications have been for low-speed vehicles such as golf carts, farm equipment and military vehicles, but Michelin has already been testing Tweels on a midsize car. For the record, the tire on display at the show, the same shown in the photo here, has a load rating of 1125 lb., and an assembly weight of 23 kilograms (50.7 lb.), which Michelin says is within 5 percent of the weight of a conventional wheel and tire of the same size.
At present, noise and ride quality are issues for passenger-car application of the Tweel, and there are other hurdles to clear, not the least of which is the infrastructure needed to change the tread bands. Nevertheless, the Tweel is fascinating technology, and Michelin is actively seeking niches for it right now. — Andrew Bornhop
No problem here with these three topics: Michelin's PAX System, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and Continental's ContiSportContact 2 Vmax."
pretty cool idea, I like how the tread could be perforated for cooling and water evac. I would think wind noise of not having a side wall would be noticable.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/i...8200411192.jpg
PAX (Michelin's run flats) is clearly a technology of today, already in OEM use. But at the Paris motor show, Michelin presented a tire technology of the future that could possibly reach consumers in 5-10 years. Called the Tweel (a combination of "tire" and "wheel"), it's a non-pneumatic tire and wheel formed as a single unit, featuring a replaceable rubber tread band that's bonded to an aluminum wheel hub via flexible polyurethane spokes. The spokes, tuned for each vehicle application, are chemically bonded to the aluminum hub for life. With no sidewalls to speak of, the Tweel certainly looks bizarre, but remember, there's no need for this tire to hold air.
Engineer Bart Thompson says the idea for the Tweel originated five years ago at Michelin in North America, when the company realized its zero-pressure tires could essentially go forever with reduced speed and loading. This posed the question: "Could Michelin make a non-pneumatic tire that actually does last forever?"
The Tweel attempts to answer that, and its advantages are many. First, flats obviously are a thing of the past. Second, the tread, reinforced with composites, is renewable, and it benefits from having homogeneous pressure distribution in its contact patch. Third, the Tweel has dramatically better hydroplane resistance because holes, for instance, can be integrated into the tread. And lastly, drivers will never have to worry about inflation pressures, or a slow leak, because Tweels are essentially maintenance-free.
Initial applications have been for low-speed vehicles such as golf carts, farm equipment and military vehicles, but Michelin has already been testing Tweels on a midsize car. For the record, the tire on display at the show, the same shown in the photo here, has a load rating of 1125 lb., and an assembly weight of 23 kilograms (50.7 lb.), which Michelin says is within 5 percent of the weight of a conventional wheel and tire of the same size.
At present, noise and ride quality are issues for passenger-car application of the Tweel, and there are other hurdles to clear, not the least of which is the infrastructure needed to change the tread bands. Nevertheless, the Tweel is fascinating technology, and Michelin is actively seeking niches for it right now. — Andrew Bornhop
No problem here with these three topics: Michelin's PAX System, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposed Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and Continental's ContiSportContact 2 Vmax."
pretty cool idea, I like how the tread could be perforated for cooling and water evac. I would think wind noise of not having a side wall would be noticable.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,769
From: cinci
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
yea, i read that before
interesting
but what would happen if you need some drag radials?
or slicks?
you'd have to go back to the standard wheel/tire or have them make a tweel for that purpose
interesting
but what would happen if you need some drag radials?
or slicks?
you'd have to go back to the standard wheel/tire or have them make a tweel for that purpose
Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 858
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
Originally Posted by unvc92camarors
but what would happen if you need some drag radials?
or slicks?
you'd have to go back to the standard wheel/tire or have them make a tweel for that purpose
or slicks?
you'd have to go back to the standard wheel/tire or have them make a tweel for that purpose
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 390
From: Huntsville, AL
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
these would only replace the all season setups that people have. racing will always only use what's best regardless of what is being used on the road. until racing is outlawed, there will always be racing equipment available
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,769
From: cinci
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
Originally Posted by Meccadeth
Very interesting and modern, I like it. I hope we get them in production cars as soon as possible. I'm surprised current tire technology is even accepted anymore.
take an old iroc stock tires and the tires on today's cars and you'll see (and feel) a noticeable difference
and that's only in that 15 year span
this is good though that something new is coming, hopefully it'll be affordable soon
Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,040
From: New Haven, CT
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
The thing about tweels is that they just look......weird!
Though I'm sure the aftermarket will take care of the looks, it is just something people will need to get used to.
Though I'm sure the aftermarket will take care of the looks, it is just something people will need to get used to.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,308
From: Oshawa - Home of the 5th-gen
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
I'm sure they could form "side walls" to cover up those "spokes"...make it appear like a normal pneumatic tire, just without the requirement to inflate it
.
And there's nothing stopping them from making a super-sticky "racing compound" tweel for the race track
. Just think of the body roll those would eliminate in corners!
.And there's nothing stopping them from making a super-sticky "racing compound" tweel for the race track
. Just think of the body roll those would eliminate in corners!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,769
From: cinci
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
Originally Posted by Capn Pete
I'm sure they could form "side walls" to cover up those "spokes"...make it appear like a normal pneumatic tire, just without the requirement to inflate it.
And there's nothing stopping them from making a super-sticky "racing compound" tweel for the race track. Just think of the body roll those would eliminate in corners!
.And there's nothing stopping them from making a super-sticky "racing compound" tweel for the race track
. Just think of the body roll those would eliminate in corners!and yea, i don't think they look that bad
heck, some of the low profile tires and huge wheels come close to the tweel
that exact design actaully, but air is better for racing.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,472
From: South Bend, Indiana
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
Originally Posted by unvc92camarors
we're making strides everyday
take an old iroc stock tires and the tires on today's cars and you'll see (and feel) a noticeable difference
and that's only in that 15 year span
this is good though that something new is coming, hopefully it'll be affordable soon
take an old iroc stock tires and the tires on today's cars and you'll see (and feel) a noticeable difference
and that's only in that 15 year span
this is good though that something new is coming, hopefully it'll be affordable soon
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Tire + Wheel = Tweel
Early 3rd gen Trans Ams and late 80s Mustang GT had finned alumunum rims. In both instances, a big complaint was that they were a pain in the butt to clean & keep clean.
I think those "tweels" would be a nightmare in that regard.
I think those "tweels" would be a nightmare in that regard.
