The University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Wausau, Wis., company have come up with a 37-inch, bullet and bomb-proof Humvee tire based on a polymeric web so cool looking there's no need for hub caps.
Resilient Technologies and Wisconsin-Madison's Polymer Engineering Center are creating a "non-pneumatic tire" (no air required) that will support the weight of add-on armor, survive an IED attack, and still make a 50 mph getaway. It's basically a round honeycomb wrapped with a thick, black tread.
The military wants an alternative to the current Humvee "run flat" tires, which despite the name, still need a minimal amount of air pressure to roll and can leave troops stranded after being shot or blown out.
"You see reports all the time of troops who were injured by an IED or their convoys got stranded because their tires were shot out," said Resilient's General Manager Mike Veih. "There's all sorts of armor on the vehicle, but if you're running in the theater and get your tire shot out, what have you got? You've got a bunch of armor in the middle of a field."
In developing the design, the Wisconsin team studied other airless tires, like the Michelin "Tweel," but in the end settled on lessons learned from nature.
The patent-pending design mimics the precise, six-sided cell pattern found in a honeycomb and best duplicates the "ride feel" of pneumatic tires, according to the developers.
"The goal was to reduce the variation in the stiffness of the tire, to make it transmit loads uniformly and become more homogenous," said mechanical engineering professor Tim Osswald. "And the best design, as nature gives it to us, is really the honeycomb."
This particular geometry also does a great job of reducing noise and heat levels while rolling-two common problems with past models.
Costs per tire are expected to be the same or less than current units. Delivery is anticipated for 2011.
(Credit:
Pirelli & C. S.p.A.)
The handling characteristics of the average car are primarily determined by the tires and the few square inches that are their contact patch. Up until now, tires have been decidedly low tech, at least to the untrained eye. Pirelli is aiming to change this, while giving us more information about what happens where the rubber meets the road, with its upcoming Cyber Tyre technology.
Essentially, the Cyber Tyre is an intelligent tire with an RFID microchip embedded that communicates with the car's electronic systems, such as ABS and traction control, relaying information about the state of the tire. This information includes operating temperature and pressure, road surface information, vertical load exerted on the tire, and dimensions of the footprint area. The chip is powered by the vibrations of the rotating tire and is molded into the tire's carcass.
By monitoring the state of the tire, many problems, such as blowouts or fuel economy loss due to underinflation can be eliminated preemptively. Pirelli hopes that by locating sensors in the tire itself, the vehicle will be able to react more quickly to issues with traction than systems with the sensors located further up the drivetrain. We think that when you're dealing with thousands of pounds of metal rounding a turn while perched on a few square inches of rubber, every nanosecond counts.
(Credit:
Inventor Spot)
Those who are familiar with Japan's Strapya will undoubtedly remember any number of its bizarre products, which usually come in the form of some misguided cell phone accessory. But there's actually a more serious side to the company, believe it or not, one that involves environmentally friendly products.
Earlier this year, for instance, Strapya came out with a solar charger small enough to fit on a keychain. And now it has released the "Zero," a mobile phone case made from recycled tires.
Inventor Spot speculates that these cases may reflect a new green awareness among younger generations in Japan. That would make sense, because previous generations might have a very different association with the brand name.
(Credit:
Dvice)
Here's a perfect Father's Day gift if your dad's a fan of unicycles and other single-wheeled vehicles: a remote-controlled tire.
That's right, just the tire--no vehicle whatsoever. The creation of TOSY, a Vietnam-based toy and robot maker, the "R-Tyre" is billed as the "the first radio controlled tire in the world," according to Dvice. And as dubious as we are of "world's first" claims, we're inclined to believe this one.
Endless questions come to mind about this gadget--not the least of which is "Why?"--but there's one in particular that has an almost existential ring to it: If you're shopping around for one of these, should you kick it?
(Credit:
SweetskinZ)
Where safety features are concerned, usually bicycles adopt ideas from cars. But SweetskinZ wants to do it the other way around.
The company got some ink last year with reflective bike tires that looked more like art projects than safety measures. Now it's applying this patented "SkinZ" technology to car tires, especially for ATVs in no-man's land.
Not only will these wheels increase visibility, but they'll definitely make a fashion statement as well. After all, how many tires have you seen on the road that look like snakeskin? Outside California, anyway.
(Credit:
Steelcase)
Following unusual workstations has become something of a hobby for Crave (we don't get out much), but usually they involve conditions that are designed for maximum comfort. So one can appreciate our alarm upon viewing the "Walkstation" for its obvious threat to our stated pursuit of laziness, even while working.
This tortuous apparatus is essentially a standing-height desk attached to a treadmill, combining work with exercise for the ultimate in multi-tasking. Made by office furniture company Steelcase, the Walkstation is scheduled to make its formal debut next month for a reported price of $6,500. (That would pay for a lot of time at the gym, not to mention doughnuts.)
While clearly not our cup of tea, we know more than a few people who would love to have one. The alpha executives, in particular, could use them to prove their superiority over lesser simians.
(Credit:
Crave Asia)
Self-driving vehicles, self-parking cars, self-repairing paint ... and now self-healing tires? Michelin says it has accomplished this feat by using manufacturing techniques that mold the tread of its XDA5 in three dimensions. What that means to us commuting plebs is that the tire features a tread that somehow regenerates itself as it wears off. It sort of acts like an onion: As the tire wears, the tread reveals new grooves and tread blocks within. Once again, technology aping nature.
Unfortunately, this isn't multi-layered, so you won't be getting treads that last forever. Just a touted 30 percent extension in tread life over the standard ones.
No word on whether these will roll out to passenger cars, when or (yikes) what the bill will cost you for getting into the high-tech groove. What we'd love is for somebody to come up with Transformer-type cars, souped-up convertibles that can morph from mini-vans and family sedans into an Aston Martin DB5 or 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 for the weekend. Yeah!
Heads up from InventorSpot.com and AutoChannel.
(Source: Crave Asia)
A recent AAA survey names some of the most common -- and potentially dangerous -- auto ailments. Fortunately, all of these maladies can be prevented with a little care and attention. Here are the top culprits:
5. Worn-out windshield wiper blades. Old, torn, or cracked wiper blades can greatly reduce visibility when driving in bad weather. Experts recommend changing blades at least once a year, or when streaking begins.
4. Low or dirty oil. Low oil levels can cause overheating and severe engine damage, since there is not enough fluid to lubricate all of the engine's moving parts. Dirty oil contains debris and deposits, which increases engine wear. Check oil levels at least once a month and perform regular oil changes according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Many newer cars come equipped with sensors that alert drivers when the oil needs topping off or changing, but it's not a bad idea to check manually, too, when possible.
3. Worn tires. Road tires should have a minimum of 3/32" tread depth. A good way to check: Insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln's head turned upside down. If all of Lincoln's head is visible, it's time to get new tires. If only one or two tires need replacing, make sure the replacement tires match the size, model, and tread pattern of the existing tires on the car.
2. Clogged air filter. Decreased airflow through the filter will rob a car of horsepower and decrease gas mileage. Check the car's owner's manual to find the appropriate replacement interval. On many cars, changing the air filter is a pretty simple, do-it-yourself job.
1. Incorrect tire pressure Proper tire pressure ensures road safety, preserves tire tread life, and helps to maximize fuel economy. Tires lose air naturally over time, but they can also lose large quantities of air suddenly when hitting a pothole or a curb. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends checking the air pressure on each tire at least once a month. To ensure accuracy, measure when the tires are cold.
Other problems mentioned in the survey include low transmission fluid and engine coolant levels, worn or corroded battery cables, clamps, and terminals, and low windshield washer fluid levels. Survey results are based on inspections conducted on 6,082 vehicles by 25 different AAA clubs nationwide.
TiroGage air pressure gauge
(Credit: RMI)California-based company Resource Manufacturing Inc. (RMI), along with Wika Instrument, the world's largest gauge manufacturer, are touting their new air pressure gauge as the answer to every lazy motorist's prayer.
The patented TiroGage, which is designed to be left on, attaches directly to the tire's valve stem. The pressure reading is displayed constantly on an outer lens, which allows drivers to check their tires with just a quick glance. Air can be added or released through the gauge itself, eliminating the need for external gauges or valve stem caps.
This is great news for those of us (your writer included) who procrastinate when it comes to checking the air pressure in our tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends checking the air pressure on each tire a minimum of once a month. But how many of us do it? Maintaining proper air pressure is crucial for achieving optimal fuel economy, maximizing performance, increasing tire life and ensuring road safety.
RMI says the TiroGage is accurate within 3 percent (plus or minus) in tire temperatures between -40 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The body of the gauge is made of brass and the lens is made of Lexan, the same material used for bullet-proof windshields. The entire device weighs less than an ounce and has a diameter slightly larger than a U.S. quarter.
The TiroGage will initially be made for commercial trucks and large RVs and will be available later this month for $24.95 each. Gauges for passenger cars, motorcycles and bicycles are scheduled to roll off the assembly line sometime next year.
For more information on tire pressure, visit the NHTSA Tire Safety Brochure page.
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