The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, more commonly known as simply ‘Goodyear’, has revealed two new concept tyres at the Geneva Motor Show, which could indicate a new role for tyres – energy production.
Although very much concepts, the two tyres are an imaginative glimpse at what practical applications might be applied to tyres and wheels of the future.
The first and most interesting concept, from an electric car perspective named ‘BHO3’, offers the possibility of charging batteries by transforming heat generated by the rolling tire into electrical energy. The black circles use a multitude of technologies including piezo, which when squashed as the tyre rolls create energy. Similarly, heat from the tyres is transferred as electricity into the cars batteries.
The second concept, named ‘Triple Tube’, contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions. The aim is to deliver new levels of performance and versatility as an additional means of suspension. Joe Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer, said:
“These concept tires reimagine the role that tires may play in the future. We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”
BHO3 – Energy Generation Tyre
This tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the tire that capture and transform energy in the form of heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. The materials used would optimize the tyre’s electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.
Goodyear believe that as demand for electric cars grows, this type of technology has the potential to significantly contribute to future mobility challenges.
Source; Goodyear
