Bridgestone revealed today its second generation Air Free Concept (Non-Pneumatic) Tire at the 43 Tokyo Motor Show 2013. The revolutionary new design features improved load-bearing capabilities, environmental design and driving performance. The latest improvements to the Air Free Concept Tire brings Bridgestone one step closer to a viable, commercially available air free automotive tire. With a unique structure of spokes stretching along the inner sides of the tires supporting the weight of the automobile, there is no need to periodically refill the tires with air, meaning that the tires require less maintenance. At the same time the worry of punctures is eliminated.
The spoke structure is made from thermoplastic resin and, along with the rubber in the tread portion; the materials used in the tires are recyclable, contributing to the efficient use of resources. Further, by pursuing extremely low rolling resistance and contributing to reductions in CO2 emissions through use of proprietary technologies, Bridgestone believes it is possible to achieve even higher levels of environmental friendliness and safety.
Bridgestone is pursuing this technological development with the aim of achieving a cradle to cradle process that proactively maximizes the cyclical use of resources from worn tires into new tires and the use of recyclable resource.
About 90% of energy loss from tire rolling resistance comes from repeated changes in the shape of tires as they roll. In the second generation of airless tires, Bridgestone has succeeded in making a significant reduction in energy loss by using proprietary materials technologies and simplifying the structure of the tires. As a result, these “Air Free Concept tire” have achieved the same level of low rolling resistance as our pneumatic fuel-efficient tires, making possible a contribution to reductions in CO2 emissions.
The second generation of Air Free Concept tire has increased versatility through improved load-bearing capabilities and driving performance compared with the first generation. High-speed travel (maximum 60 km/h) in ultralight vehicles has also become possible. The Air Free Concept tire is displayed at Bridgestone’s booth at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013.
