International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)

Volume 1, Special Issue , Vivruti 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54

Tweel Tyre Technology: Study Paper

Rutika Gotad, Sukanya Yadav , Aarti Dung
M. E. Ss Pillai Hoc College Of Engineering &
gotad.rutika@gmail.com, sukanyayadav02@gmail.com, aarti.dung112@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The paper introduces the new advanced developing tire technology which is used mainly in
automobile industry. As we come across different types of accidents in our day to day life so in
order to avoid such accidents, we had developed new technology as tweel tyre.As compare to
normal tyre these tyres are less expensive, cheaper in cost, and prevents from global
warming.Thus we are going to discuss the benefits of the tweel tire as its huge applications. We
are hoping for a good future scope and can be fulfill by the tweel technology.
INDEX TERMS: Tweel tyres, NPT, Polyurethane, Lunar Rover , Rolling Resistance

I.

INTRODUCTION

For more than 100 years, vehicles have been rolling along on cushions of air encased in rubber. The
pneumatic tire has served drivers and passengers well on road and off, but a new design by Michelin
could change all that the tweel airless tyre . The tyre uses no air, and therefore cannot burst or become
flat. Instead, the Tweel's hub connects to flexible polyurethane spokes which are used to support an outer
rim and assume the shock-absorbing role of a traditional tire pneumatic properties.
By taking into consideration, increasing number of accident, day to day, because of bursting of tires of
vehicles at higher speeds, less efficiency due to heavy structure of pneumatic tires, scientist started
searching for the non-pneumatic based solution for the tire and resulted in invention of NPT. Nonpneumatic, or airless, tires (NPT) have historically been comprised largely of an entirely solid substance.
These solid tires made the ride rather uncomfortable for passengers and caused greater damaged to the
suspension of a vehicle, which had to compensate for the lack of give in a solid tire. Eventually, it was
found that putting pressurized air in tires created a more comfortable ride. However, along with their
advantages
II. DESIGN CONSIDERATION & MATRIAL USED
The Tweel consists of a cable-reinforced band of conventional "tyre" rubber with molded tread, a shear
band just below the tread that creates a compliant contact patch, and a series of energy-absorbing
polyurethane spokes. Both the shear beam and the polyurethane spokes can be designed to provide a
calibrated directional stiffness in order that design engineers are able to control both how the Tweel
handles and how it handles loads. The inner hub structure may be either rigid or compliant depending on
the application requirements and as such may contain a matrix of deformable plastic structures that flex
under load and subsequently return to their original shape. By varying the thickness and size of the
spokes, Michelin can manipulate the design elements to engineer a wide array of ride and handling
qualities. The tread can be as specialized as any of today's tires and is replaceable when worn.

a. Run-flat capacity: The tires use air, but can drive without it for 200 miles at 50 mph, practically
eliminating the need for spare tires.
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , Vivruti 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54

b. Mileage: Polyurethane tires average around 45 percent less rolling resistance than rubber tires. Less
power is therefore needed to drive them, translating to about 10 percent better gas mileage, welcome
in days of four-dollar gallons.
c. Durability: In most applications, polyurethane tires last 30 percent longer than rubber ones. This is
because they run 30 percent cooler, suffer less abrasion, and, unlike rubber, are not subject to
hardening and cracking, or deterioration from ultraviolet light.
d. Environment: Although the "eco" movement is politicized, worn-out rubber tires do pose a major
disposal problem, and most states ban or restrict them at landfills. But polyurethane tires are 100%
recyclable, and, unlike rubber, producing them creates no toxic emissions.
III. IMPORTANCE OF TWEEL TYRE OVER PNEUMATIC TYRES
A pneumatic, or air-filled, tire is made of an airtight inner core filled with pressurized air. A tread, usually
reinforced with steel belting or other materials, covers this inner core and provides the contact area with
the road. The pressure of the air inside the tire is greater than atmospheric air pressure, so the tire
remains inflated even with the weight of a vehicle resting on it. The tires air pressure provides resistance
against forces that try to deform the tire, but it gives to a certain degree -a cushioning effect as the tire
hits bumps in the road. If youve ever taken a ride in an old-fashioned carriage with wooden wheels, you
know what a difference a pneumatic tire makes.
Pneumatic tires do have drawbacks, especially in high-performance or highly dangerous applications.
The main problem, of course, is that a puncture of the tire results in total failure. A blowout at high
speeds can lead to a dangerous car accident. Military planners are concerned with tires getting blown out
by gunfire or explosion shrapnel. A vehicle crews worst nightmare is getting trapped in a fire zone
because their tires are all flat. Obviously, an airless tire can't be disabled by a single puncture.
Another problem with pneumatic tires involves variations in air pressure and tire performance. Lower
tire pressure can create improved traction (and increased comfort), because the tires flatten slightly,
placing more tread in contact with the road. However, the pressure inside the tire doesnt just maintain
up and down stiffness - it also maintains the lateral stiffness of the tire. Reduced air pressure allows the
tire sidewalls to flex, which unfortunately results in poor handling. In an airless tire, tire stiffness in those
two dimensions is independent. Air pressure causes other problems, as well. Consumers are notoriously
unreliable when it comes to setting their tire pressure properly, often resulting in unsafe situations.
Pneumatic tires are also susceptible to changes in temperature, which can change the tires internal
pressure.
IV. DEMONSTRATION AND TESTING
The Tweel doesnt use a traditional wheel hub assembly. A solid inner hub mounts to the axle and is
surrounded by polyurethane spokes arrayed in a pattern of wedges. A shear band is stretched across the
spokes, forming the outer edge of the tyre. On it sits the tread, the part that comes in contact with the
surface of the road. The cushion formed by the air trapped inside a conventional tire is replaced by the
strength of the spokes, which receive the tension of the shear band. Placed on the shear band is the tread,
the part that makes contact with the surface of the road. When the Tweel is running on the road, the
spokes absorb road defects the same way air pressure does in the case of pneumatic tires. The flexible
tread and shear bands deform temporarily as the spokes bend, then quickly go back to the initial shape.

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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , Vivruti 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54

Different spoke tensions can be used, as required by the handling characteristics and lateral stiffness can
also vary. However, once produced the Tweels spoke tensions and lateral stiffness cannot be adjusted.
A. Workability On Sand Surface
From the simulation model, soil deformation, distributions of different stresses in both sand and Tweel
and distributions of contact pressure along the contact patch at all instances are expected.

Two loading steps:

Initial loading to deform Tweel
Final step for displacing the Tweel
Deformation in Tweel is more because the spokes cant withstand compression.

B. Workability On Wet Surface

C. Tire Flexibility

V. APPLICATIONS
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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , Vivruti 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54

NASA's testing and authentication procedures are among the most exacting known to man it aims to
deliver the very best people, procedures, materials and technologies for each space mission so in our
mind, the design of the Michelin Lunar Wheel validates the Tweel's design. The Michelin Lunar Wheel
underwent testing in Hawaii from October 31 to November 13, 2008 as part of NASAs lunar analogue
testing and evaluation program. The terrain, rock distribution and soil composition of Hawaiis Big
Island provide a high-quality simulation of the lunar polar region. made of composite materials, the
structurally supported tyre/wheel assembly was jointly developed by Michelins European and North
American research centers and Michelin claims its Tweel technology will help meet NASAs mobility
needs for both manned and unmanned missions to the moon over the next decade

Based on the Michelin Tweel, the Michelin Lunar Wheel maintains flexibility and constant ground
pressure, allowing the vehicle to move through loose soil and craters. In addition, it combines low
weight and high load-carrying capacity, making it 3.3 times more efficient than the original Apollo
Lunar Rover wheels. Its textile tread, developed in partnership with Clemson University and Milliken
& Company, enables the rover to maintain traction at very low temperatures

Military applications: Military testing has indicated that the Tweel deflects mine blasts away from the
vehicle better than standard tires and that the Tweel remains mobile even with several spokes
damaged or missing.

Used in construction equipment.

VI . ADVANTAGES
A. Non-Hazardous

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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , Vivruti 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54

It is found that, most of the accident occurs on highways are due to bursting of tires at higher speeds and
long drives. At higher speeds, due to vibration increase in air molecules, they become unstable and
energetic. Hence it increases air pressure inside tube. Secondly on long drives, heat is generated in tires;
results in expanding air inside tube and ultimately cracks get developed on tire profile and tire bursts.
When any one of the tires bursts, vehicle becomes uncontrollable. In case of Tweel there is no presence of
air, so it reduces the accident chances.
B. Stability Improvement
Stability of vehicle depends upon ability of tire to store and release energy on bumpy roads, curved paths,
inclined tracks, during extreme braking and on wet surfaces. On bumpy roads curved path, inclined track
or extreme braking, air inside the tube of tire gets compressed, due to which when it releases the energy
to regain its original volume, it produces a sudden upward jerk to the vehicle and sometimes on uneven
track, intensity of such jerks reaches to such extents that it topples the vehicle. But in case of Tweel when
such uneven surface comes, flexible spokes of the Tweel gets bend and manages tread band to get shape
of road surface, hence there is no jerking or upward lift is given to vehicle, making a stable and
comfortable ride.
C. Increased Fuel Efficiency

Reduced weight of the Tweel increases fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Because of absence of pressurized
air, weight of the Tweel is considerably lower than that of pneumatic tire. It also increases coasting
power of the vehicle and it is found that it increases coasting power of vehicle by 50%. Coasting power is
nothing but vehicle is accelerated till it reaches the particular speed and after reaching that speed,
accelerator pedal is released and vehicle is allowed to slow down without applying brakes.
D. Prevents Global Warming
Most important advantage of Tweel is even some part of the Tweel gets damaged then too it is possible
to repair that much of area of Tweel, whereas in case of tire is burst, then whole tire is send for scrap.
Therefore Tweel reduces use of rubber, hence saves earth.
VII. CONCLUSION

It is concluded that tyres featuring low noise and low rolling resistance will be required in the near
future and that the interest in and need for improved characteristics in this respect will receive much
more attention and priority in the tyres of the next 10 years than for present market tyres.

If the climate changes will force a sudden and dramatic change in transportation and vehicle
emissions policies, which is not an unlikely scenario, the tyre and vehicle manufacturer who fails to
consider unconventional solutions may suddenly find itself in an inferior position to the one who can
see
and
actually
explore
the
possibilities
of
new
technologies.
There are possibilities to reduce noise and rolling resistance further than today by traditional tire
design measures; in particular if the extreme high-speed demands (speeds in excess of 200 km/h)
can be abandoned.

An airless tire under development may eventually obsolete conventional air-filled tires. While
Michelin researchers are still years away from offering a production ready non-pneumatic tire with

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International Journal of Advance Foundation And Research In Science & Engineering (IJAFRSE)
Volume 1, Special Issue , Vivruti 2015. Impact Factor: 1.036, Science Central Value: 26.54

integrated wheel for passenger vehicles, the unique construction of the tire-wheel combination
dubbed Tweel represents a mobility milestone.
VIII. REFERENCES
[1]

Bras, B. and Cobert, A., "Life-Cycle Environmental Impact of Michelin TweelTire for Passenger
Vehicles," SAE Int. J. Passeng. Cars Mech. Syst. 4(1):32-43, 2011, doi:10.4271/2011-01-0093.

[2]

Gent AN, Walter JD. The pneumatic tire. Washington DC: National Highway ,Traffic Safety
Administer

[3]

Alfredo RV. Airless tire. US patent, US 3,329192; 1967.

[4]

Palinkas RL, Page GJ. Non pn eumatic tire with supporting and cushioning

[5]

Zevenhoven, R., Treatment and disposal of polyurethane wastes: options for recovery

[6]

Numerical Simulation of the new generation Non-Pneumatic Tweel and Sand : United States
Patent Application Publication PUB No. US 2008/0314486 A1 by Ali Mahesh et.al.

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