A patent has been filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization for Nissan’s airless tire. Goodyear introduced their airless tire technology in 2022, and this year, Michelin unveiled its Uptis tire. The airless tire from Nissan also utilizes a similar concept. Instead of relying on air, the tire is composed of multiple flexible spokes that are arranged to absorb impacts and provide traction.
However, the load placed on the spokes closest to the ground poses a challenge for Nissan. A simple solution would be to make the outer portion of the airless tire firmer. However, this would result in a decrease in the contact patch, compromising its ability to absorb imperfections and handle lateral forces during steering.
To overcome this obstacle, Nissan proposes to use multiple flexible spokes that are radially supplied from the outer circumference of the wheel to the inner circumference of the tire. In essence, the tire will have numerous flexible spokes between the wheel and tire surface. Ford has also ventured into developing wheels for airless tires.
By using this approach, the load applied to the tire will be distributed to the spokes, reducing the impact on the outer tire surface. Nissan claims that these types of tires can be used for four-wheel vehicles, two-wheel vehicles, industrial vehicles, bicycles, and other vehicles that require tires. The sudden interest in airless tires among prominent automobile manufacturers may be attributed to the upcoming Euro 7 emission regulations, which impose stricter restrictions on brakes and tires.
While high-ranking automotive leaders have criticized these regulations, there have been no changes to the restrictions on particle emissions from brakes and tires. Although it is unclear whether airless tires are more environmentally friendly, they do offer several advantages. Airless tires are resistant to punctures and less prone to damage. This means that fewer tires will need to be replaced, thereby reducing environmental impact.
