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Michelin Airless

michelin.com

81–90 of 316 posts

Re: Michelin Airless

#81
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe the noise they generate is good for EVs which are dangerously quiet for pedestrians?

Some EVs have mandatory sound emitters to not be fully silent (and thus dangerous). I thought it was weird harmonics from the synRM engine but it's synthetic and enforced by regulations.

I thought it was a plastic valence rubbing on something.

Re: Michelin Airless

#82
post #13

Former automotive engineer chiming in. "Tweels" have been around a long time, but have always failed in terms of "NVH" (noise, vibration, harshness). Michelin is claiming that this generation of tweels are appropriate for passenger cars, which means that they think they've solved the NVH problem. They seem to be marketing these alongside EVs, I wonder if they're only really intended for lighter, compact-style cars. (…

Complete layman here, every 6 months or so for the past decade I see an article claiming someone got air-less tires working. What are the chances this would be it ?

A lot of heavy equipment drives around with water-filled tires, so it's already there. Definitely not what you meant though.

Re: Michelin Airless

#83
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Other comments here say that production tires will have sidewalls to protect the spokes and keep out rocks. If so, I'm a bit disappointed since I like the look of the spokes. Regarding catastrophic collision with sharp edge, I think these tires will be susceptible as well. If it's enough of a bump to "bottom out", it's going to dent the rim. Also, your comment about potholes reminded me of a time that I was driving w…

Are those spokes or springs? My mind had defaulted to "springs" given the zipzag shape and the typical function of a pneumatic tire. It didn't occur to me that they could function like spokes, where the vehicle hangs off the upper springs, until I read your comment. Why would the rim be so large and solid?

> Why would the rim be so large and solid

Not sure. Makes me think that it would be a good idea to make the inner rim diameter smaller, and have another layer of spokes/spings with a higher compression force.

Re: Michelin Airless

#85
post #58

shouldnt they be “closed” laterally for aerodynamics, to block dirt and snow from getting stuck inside? guess these will collect dirt 100 times more than regular tires no? update: similar questions here https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=206&v=sc8ghIqKqnI&...

They will have walls, this is just a demo model to show the internals.

Re: Michelin Airless

#86
post #13

Former automotive engineer chiming in. "Tweels" have been around a long time, but have always failed in terms of "NVH" (noise, vibration, harshness). Michelin is claiming that this generation of tweels are appropriate for passenger cars, which means that they think they've solved the NVH problem. They seem to be marketing these alongside EVs, I wonder if they're only really intended for lighter, compact-style cars. (…

I remember Michelin talking about these before but seem to recall that the biggest impediment was cannibalization concerns from existing departments.

Re: Michelin Airless

#87
post #56
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

EVs are quite heavy for their footprint due to the weight of the batteries.

There are exceptions though like the upcoming Aptera which only weighs around 800 kg even with a large range.

I'll believe it when it happens. Aptera has gone out of business more times than they have released a production car.

Re: Michelin Airless

#88
post #16

I don't worry about punctures at all, despite living in a country with a shitty roads. What I worry about A LOT is a catastrophic collision of tire with a 90 degree sharp pothole edge, often made by roadworkers before doing point repair, which potentially can destroy tire irreparably. I wonder if these tires are better protected against such impacts, and just looking at them it seems they are - no side walls which ar…

Other comments here say that production tires will have sidewalls to protect the spokes and keep out rocks. If so, I'm a bit disappointed since I like the look of the spokes. Regarding catastrophic collision with sharp edge, I think these tires will be susceptible as well. If it's enough of a bump to "bottom out", it's going to dent the rim. Also, your comment about potholes reminded me of a time that I was driving w…

i'm pretty sure you'd have about a hundred whistles if you left the voids exposed at highway speed.

Re: Michelin Airless

#89
post #56
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

EVs are quite heavy for their footprint due to the weight of the batteries.

There are exceptions though like the upcoming Aptera which only weighs around 800 kg even with a large range.

I remember being excited about the Aptera twelve years ago. I’ll maybe get excited again once they actually start shipping a vehicle. They’ve already gone out of business once.

Re: Michelin Airless

#90
post #58

shouldnt they be “closed” laterally for aerodynamics, to block dirt and snow from getting stuck inside? guess these will collect dirt 100 times more than regular tires no? update: similar questions here https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=206&v=sc8ghIqKqnI&...

In another comment it was mentioned that there will doubtlessly be "sidewalls" on actual airless tires, and that the exposed ones shown on this page are just for show. I admit that makes a lot of sense given your point about dirt/rocks entering in and effecting the absorption effect of the honeycomb.
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