Multi-Chamber Tire Concept for Low Rolling-Resistance

Rolling-resistance is leading the direction of numerous tire developments due to its significant effect on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions considering the vehicles in use globally.Many attempts were made to reduce the rolling-resistance but with no gain or limited success due to the tire complexity and the trade-offs.This paper investigates the concept of multiple chambers inside the tire as a potential alternative solution for reducing the rolling-resistance.To accomplish that, novel multi-chamber designs were introduced and numerically simulated through finite-element (FE) modeling.The FE models were compared against a standard design as the baseline.The influences on rolling-resistance, grip, cornering, and mechanical comfort were studied.The multi-chambers tire reduced rollingresistance considerably with acceptable trade-offs.Independent air volumes isolating tread from sidewalls would maintain tire's profile effectively.Different air concentration across tire's chambers gave the tire extended versatility.Rolling non-uniformity depends upon inner-chambers' stability, sidewalls' flexibility and tire/chamber(s) integration.