Abstract: A method of durably assembling a rubber part and a thermoplastic elastomer part into a composite structure is proposed. The method may comprise providing a first part comprising curable rubber and a second part made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, mediating an adhesive affinity on the at least one of the first and second parts for the other one of the at least two parts, bringing the first and second parts into contact with each other so as to form a composite structure and heat-treating the composite structure to durably bond the first part to the second part. The adhesive affinity may be mediated through adhesive, such as e.g., RFL or neoalkoxy zirconate/titanate adhesive) applied on the at least one of the first and second parts or though additives, e.g., neoalkoxy zirconate/titanate, in the rubber part.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to reinforced-rubber spokes for a non-pneumatic tire and non-pneumatic tires comprising a plurality of reinforced-rubber spokes. The spoke comprises a radially outer end for connecting the spoke to a shearband, a radially inner end for connecting the spoke to a hub and a web extending between the radially inner end and the radially outer end, the web comprising therein reinforcement cord serpentining between the radially inner end and the radially outer end.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of assembling a rubber part and a thermoplastic part into a composite structure. The method comprises providing a rubber part having a surface, providing the thermoplastic part having a surface comprising a plasma polymerized coating comprising a carbon-carbon double bond, applying a rubber adhesive on the coating. The method further comprises bringing the rubber part surface and the thermoplastic part surface with the rubber adhesive into contact so as to form a composite structure and heat-treating the composite structure to bond the rubber part to the thermoplastic part. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a non-pneumatic tire having the rubber part and the thermoplastic part.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of at least a part of a non-pneumatic tire structure, the non-pneumatic tire structure comprising an inner band, an outer band surrounding the inner band and a spoke part comprising a plurality of spokes extending between the inner band and the outer band; wherein the process comprises providing a first plastic composition in the form of a filament comprising a continuous fiber coated with a first thermoplastic resin; and forming one or more selected from one or more spokes of the plurality of spokes, the inner band and the outer band of the non-pneumatic tire structure by 3D printing, wherein forming includes depositing layers of the first plastic composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing an annular multiaxial laid fabric and to an annular object produced therewith. The object of the invention is therefore to create a method and a device for forming a multiaxial laid fabric for annular structures which has no twisting or displacement of the thread layers. Furthermore, it should no longer be necessary to close a butt join or overlap separately to form a closed ring of the multiaxial laid fabric. This object is achieved in that at least a lower thread layer (2a) and an upper thread layer in the form of an endless thread array or an endless single thread, or in the form of thread-array sections or single-thread sections, are laid around the entire circumference of two mutually spaced ring elements (3) with differing thread orientations, and the first and upper thread layers (2a, 2b) are then fixed to each other at points.

Abstract: A shear band and a non-pneumatic tire is described which includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a shear band, and a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band. The shear band is preferably comprised of a three-dimensional spacer fabric having a first and second layer connected by connecting members. The three-dimensional spacer fabric has a defined depth. The three-dimensional spacer structure further includes a plurality of cells formed between the connecting members, and wherein one or more of the cells are filled with a filler material. The filler material may be foam or a thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A shear band and a non-pneumatic tire is described which includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a shear band, and a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band. The shear band is preferably comprised of a three-dimensional spacer fabric having a first and second layer connected by connecting members. The three-dimensional spacer fabric has a defined depth. The first and second layer of fabric of the three-dimensional spacer structure are reinforced with a respective first and second layer of non-crimped fabric, eliminating the need for a rubber shear layer and reinforcement layers commonly used for the shear band.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes an annular first, radially outer fabric layer extending circumferentially around the tire; and an annular second, radially inner fabric layer extending circumferentially around the tire. The shear band is formed from a single shear band strip helically wound circumferentially and axially with a first edge of the shear band strip. The first edge of the shear band strip has a first extension flap for engaging an opposite second edge of the shear band strip. The first extension flap is continuously secured to the opposite second edge linearly along the opposite second edge of the shear band strip.

Abstract: The invention provides in a first aspect a non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly comprising an outer annular ring having a ground contacting tread portion and a shear band, one or more spoke disks, wherein each spoke disk is connected to the shear band, wherein each spoke disk has at least two spokes, wherein each spoke has a first leg and a second leg, wherein a continuous strip of reinforcement is received in the first leg and the second leg.

Abstract: One aspect of this invention involves a process for producing a non-pneumatic tire comprising a structure and a shear band, said process comprising providing a structure comprising a thermoplastic material having a surface intended to be brought into contact with a shear band; pretreating the surface of the structure to obtain a pretreated surface; providing an atmospheric pressure plasma generated from a gas mixture; depositing a plasma polymerized coating layer from the atmospheric pressure plasma on the pretreated surface to produce a structure with a coated surface comprising a plasma polymerized coating layer; providing a shear band with a layer of rubber material and contacting the coated surface of the structure with said layer of rubber material; and co-vulcanizing the coated surface of the structure with the layer of rubber material of the shear band.

Abstract: A shear band and a non-pneumatic tire is described which includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a shear band, and a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band. The shear band is preferably comprised of a three-dimensional spacer fabric having a first and second layer connected by connecting members. The three-dimensional spacer fabric has a defined depth. The three-dimensional spacer structure further includes a plurality of cells formed between the connecting members, and wherein one or more of the cells are filled with a filler material. The filler material may be foam or a thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first fabric layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second fabric layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a spacer layer radially interposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. The first fabric layer and the second fabric layer each consist of multifilament yarns. The spacer layer consists of monofilament yarns.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band coupon radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band coupon includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first three dimensional layer enclosed by a first fabric layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second three dimensional layer enclosed by a second fabric layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third three dimensional layer enclosed by a third fabric layer.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the non-pneumatic tire comprising a ground contacting annular tread portion comprising a tread rubber composition, a shear band comprising a cord reinforced rubber composition and disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and at least one spoke disk disposed radially inward of the shear band; wherein the spoke disk has an outer ring, and an inner ring, and a first and second spoke extending radially between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein the first and second spokes are connected at a joint; the method comprising the steps of: applying a curable adhesive as an interface between a radially outermost surface of the spoke disk and a radially innermost surface of the shear band in its uncured state; assembling the tread portion in an uncured state, the shear band in an uncured state, and the at least one spoke disk to form an pre-assembly; and curing the pre-assembly.

Abstract: A system determines average values for bending stiffness and shear rigidity of a shear band coupon.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is described that includes a ground contacting annular tread portion, a shear band, wherein the shear band is formed of a first and second inextensible layer, and a low modulus material positioned between the first and second inextensible layer. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band, wherein the connecting web is formed of one or more spokes extending from an inner ring to an outer ring, wherein the one or more spokes are formed from a material reinforced with a three dimensional spacer structure.

Abstract: A shear band comprising a three-dimensional spacer structure, wherein the three-dimensional spacer structure is formed from a first and second layer of material, each layer of material having first reinforcement members which extend in a first and direction, and second reinforcement members which extend in a second direction, wherein each layer of material is connected to each other by a plurality of connecting reinforcement members which extend in a third direction, wherein the shear band further comprises a first membrane layer located radially outward of the three-dimensional spacer structure. The invention further comprises a non-pneumatic tire which includes the above described shear band.