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Neo-futuristic airless concept tire: noair
Concept: a new non-pneumatic tire
Since the automotive tire was introduced about 120 years ago, the structure has not changed. The mobility society is entering a new era, with EV (Electric Vehicles) and autonomous driving technology, and the structure of automotive tires that “require air” also must evolve.
The paradigm shift in the mobility society, with more self-serve gas stations, being able to charge EVs at home, and greater use of car sharing, is expected to reduce opportunities for automotive tire maintenance.
Toyo Tires has been working on the research and technological development of airless tires since 2006 in pursuit of “maintenance-free tires” and to find a “spare-less solution.”
In September 2017, we became the first company in the industry to present the technology for new “noair”, non-pneumatic tires that can actually be mounted on passenger cars and driven at high speeds.
1. No punctures
“noair” is not air-inflated, so it never puncture.
You never have to worry about getting a flat tire with “noair”. Even if autonomous driving becomes widespread, it will allow for traveling without concerns of tire puncture or burst at high-speed driving. There is also no need to carry a spare tire, which will reduce the weight of the car and result in improved fuel efficiency.
2. No Air Check
“noair” is not air-inflated, so there is no need to check the air pressure.
When electric vehicles become widespread and it becomes mainstream to charge vehicles at home, there will be less occasions to visit the gas station for tire check. “noair” is not air-inflated, so there is no need to check the tire pressure.
3. Superior Environmental performance
Reduced rolling resistance results in increased fuel efficiency.
Using Toyo Tires proprietary technology such as X-shaped spokes made from special resins and adoption of fuel-efficient tread rubber developed through Nano Balance Technology, “noair” has been developed with better rolling resistance as compared to conventional tires.
4. High Safety Performance
Improved wet braking performance
Shorter wet braking distance, which indicates better brake performance on wet road surfaces.
“noair”, an airless concept tire that combines a high-level of fuel efficiency and safety in that it “rolls efficiently and stops swiftly.”
5. X-shaped Spoke Configuration
The conventional tire structure using air has been revamped.
Up to now, the weight of a car was supported by tires inflated with air. “noair” makes use of X-shaped special resin spokes that are alternately crossed. The spokes alternately crosses the width of the tire from inside to the outside of tire and vice-versa to create an X-shaped configuration. Durability has been improved by achieving a unique support configuration form.
6. Fuel-Efficient Tread Rubber
Fuel-efficient rubber developed using Nano Balance Technology is used for the tire tread that comes in contact with roads. We achieved all the core tire performance characteristics “driving, turning, stopping, supporting,” without air inflation.
Airless tire development over the years
1. X-shaped spoke configuration
An “X-shaped spoke configuration” that alternately crosses the width of the tire from the inside to the outside and vice-versa greatly improves durability.
Additionally, the number of spokes has been increased to 100 pitches which reduces the load on each spoke and achieves a quieter ride.
2. Tread
Fuel efficient rubber developed using material design platform technology “Nano Balance Technology” is used for tire tread that comes in contact with the road.
3. External diameter ring
The external diameter resin ring is reinforced with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), which serves to reduce the load imposed on the spokes.
It is about fulfilling all the functions of a tire without relying on air, and “driving safely and comfortably.”
Since 2006, Toyo Tires has been a pioneer in the industry and has succeeded in developing an airless tire capable of being used on passenger cars, by making full use of tire production technology and conducting considerable research and experiments.
