EVEN TIRES ARE GOING HIGH-TECH AND THEY'RE ALL DESIGNED FOR MORE SAFETY
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, says the tires of tomorrow will look different, perform better and, perhaps, even use a computer hookup to tell you when they need some attention. During an open house tour of Goodyear's Akron Tech Center, a demonstration of the entire engineering process was exhibited at a prototype computer center. With computerization, the engineers are designing, "building" and testing new concepts, via computer, without ever leaving the Tech Center. Once perfected, then the tires would be road tested. One of the goals is to develop quieter tires. The trend is toward smaller, wider tires with dual-bead diameter (doughnut holes on both sides of a tire are of a different size). Dual-bead diameter results in improved handling and ride balance, and allows better "packaging" of brake and suspension systems on a car. The long-term result will be a more fully integrated appearance in which the tires look "right" for the particular car. Two other ideas being considered at Goodyear are improved temporary-type spare tires and the prospect of developing a regular tire that will be able to keep a car going even after a puncture or blowout.
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Corporate Authors:
Tornatore (Ralph)
P.O. Box 161209
Sacramento, CA United States 95816 -
Authors:
- Gunnell, J A
- Publication Date: 1986-3
Media Info
- Features: Photos;
- Pagination: p. 88-90
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Serial:
- California highway patrolman
- Volume: 50
- Issue Number: 3
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Computer aided design; Design; Spare parts; Technological innovations; Tires
- Old TRIS Terms: Run-flat wheels; Spare tires
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00493542
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: HS-040 238
- Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Apr 30 1990 12:00AM