GENEVA, Switzerland,
March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Two
groundbreaking concept tires unveiled by The Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) at this week's 85th Geneva
International Motor Show could radically change the role of car
tires in the future.
Though the two tires are concept products, the futuristic
technologies stretch the imagination and provide a glimpse of what
practical innovations may be on the horizon.
The first concept – named "BHO3" – offers the possibility of
charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat
generated by the rolling tire into electrical energy. The second
concept – named "Triple Tube" – contains three tubes that adjust
tire inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions,
delivering new levels of performance and versatility.
"These concept tires reimagine the role that tires may play in
the future," said Joe Zekoski,
Goodyear's senior vice president and chief technical officer. "We
envision a future in which our products become more integrated with
the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and
more versatile."
Additional details on the two concept tires:
BHO3
This tire generates electricity through the action of materials
in the tire that capture and transform the energy created by heat
when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. The
materials used would optimize the tire's electricity generation
capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.
As demand for electric cars grows, this technology has the
potential to significantly contribute to the solution of future
mobility challenges. This visionary tire technology could eliminate
the vehicle-range anxiety motorists may have with electric
cars.
TRIPLE TUBE
This tire features three internal tubes within the tire. Tubes
are located beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard
shoulders of the tire as well as the center. The tire relies on an
internal pump that moves air from the main air chamber to the three
individual air chambers, or tubes. The tire automatically adjusts –
on its own – to three different positions based on road
conditions.
- The Eco/Safety position – with maximum inflation in all three
tubes – offers reduced rolling resistance.
- The Sporty position – with reduced inflation within the inboard
shoulder tube – gives drivers dry handling through an optimized
contact patch.
- The Wet Traction position – with maximized inflation in the
center tube – provides high aquaplaning resistance through a raised
tread in the center of the tire.
Although these tires are future concepts, Zekoski says they
represent an essential aspect of Goodyear's innovation strategy,
instilling a forward-looking, market-back mindset in the company's
research and development teams.
"It is more important than ever for us to stay firmly rooted in
our market-back innovation process, which calls on us to focus on,
and anticipate, the rapidly evolving needs of our customers," said
Zekoski.
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It
employs approximately 67,000 people and manufactures its products
in 50 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two
Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio
and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive
to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the
technology and performance standard for the industry. For more
information about Goodyear and its products, go to
www.goodyear.com.
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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company