Tyre maker Michelin highlighted three so-called breakthrough technologies at the recent auto show in Detroit. The Michelin Airless and Michelin Tweel are tyres without air. PistonHeads reported on the Airless in November (link below). Te third is an Active Wheel -- which could mean cars don't need suspension components. There's no sign of any of these products reaching mass production, yet.
Based on two different technologies and manufactured using composite technologies and new materials, these non-pneumatic products could make punctures a thing of the past and eliminate the need to check tyre pressure. They also use fewer raw materials and are retreadable.
Michelin Tweel
Michelin said the Tweel "is the fusion of the tyre and the wheel with the potential to transform mobility. Available now for lower-speed, lower-weight carrying vehicles, Tweel is in the prototype stage for passenger car applications. Tweel delivers the benefits of pneumatic radial tyre performance while dramatically increasing lateral stiffness, which affects handling, cornering and responsiveness. Additionally, Tweel has suspension-like characteristics that can simplify and in some applications eliminate the need for a separate vehicle suspension."
Michelin Airless
Michelin Airless enables vehicles to run safely and comfortably because its elastic characteristics are controlled longitudinally, transversally and vertically. A car doesn’t have to stop even if one or more of the radial bands break or are damaged. The Michelin Airless is being tested on passenger cars and motorcycles, but could be fitted to other vehicles as well.
The Michelin Active Wheel is an integrated module comprised of a conventional tyre, plus an active electric suspension, a disc brake and an electric motor to provide traction and much of the braking power. Its compact size offers automotive engineers considerable design flexibility, said Michelin.
Michelin said the Active Wheel was the result of a total rethinking of the process whereby movement is transmitted. As well as doing what any wheel does -- roll to drive the vehicle forward -- the active wheel also acts as a suspension unit. This means that cars can be made without gearboxes, transmissions, differentials and stabiliser bars. Michelin reckons the Active Wheel will help to make cars lighter and simplify the transmission of movement.