As soon as it comes to car tires, which are not afraid of punctures, it is understood that the car, even after “catching a nail”, is able to move around without difficulty for some time, at least until it reaches the nearest car service. Today, three technologies are actively used that allow the car to maintain the ability to drive even with a punctured tire:
Self-sealing;
self-support;
support systems.
Each manufacturer automotive rubber produces “puncture-free” products under its own designation: Bridgestone RFT-RunFlatTire, Dunlop DSST-Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology, Pirelli RFT-Run Flat Technology. If these technologies are generalized, then the use of the term “RunFlat” will be appropriate.
Goodyear RunOnFlat
Goodyear has led the development of puncture-resistant tire technology for over 70 years. Starting from the very first safe camera in 1934, before the launch of EMT technology in 1992, and before the revolutionary RunOnFlat technology today.
The Goodyear RunOnFlat tire is a tire with a distinctive additional property: if necessary, it maintains its performance when driving for 80 km at speeds up to 80 km/h with very low or zero tire pressure. Therefore, even in the event of a complete loss of pressure, the RunOnFlat tire will allow the driver to continue to a safe place where the tire can be inspected.
RunOnFlat technology is based on the concept of reinforced tire sidewalls. When a regular tire deflates, it simply sags under the weight of the car, the beads pull away from the rim, and the sidewalls flatten onto the road. The weight of the car completely destroys the tire after a few kilometers of movement. The reinforced sidewalls of the RunOnFlat tires keep it on the rim and successfully support the car's weight for another 80 kilometers after a puncture and complete loss of pressure.
Because your tires continue to run after a loss of pressure, RunOnFlat technology requires a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) installed in the vehicle to alert you when the tire needs service. Without such a system, you will not be able to know about a puncture or loss of pressure in a tire.
Recommended for all vehicles, TPMS-Enhanced Tire Monitoring System is an absolute requirement for vehicles equipped with RunOnFlat tyres. There are two different types TPMS: Indirect TPMS does not measure tire pressure but calculates it based on signals received from the ABS/ESP. Since there is no need for additional sensors, this is a very economical solution providing a basic and functional monitoring system. The disadvantage of this system is the low accuracy. Direct systems have sensors in the tire valves that transmit a radio signal to the car body. This accurate and reliable system also serves the tire temperature and gives detailed information about the pressure in them.
Goodyear EMT
WITH Goodyear tires An EMT driver may not be afraid of such an unpleasant phenomenon as punctures. Even with a puncture, when all the air has left the tire, it is possible to drive another 80 km. The system works by strengthening the carcass, increasing the sidewall support so that the tire can support the weight of the vehicle even with complete loss of air. These tires can only be used with a tire pressure monitoring system.
Remarkably, EMT tires can be mounted on any standard rim and there is no need for a spare wheel, which increases the useful volume of the trunk and saves fuel by reducing the weight of the car.
Self-supporting sidewall and wicking layer high temperature supports the weight of the car and reduces the temperature rise when the tire pressure drops, allows you to continue driving after the tire has lost air. The bead mount keeps the tire firmly on the rim, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle while continuing to drive.
Dunlop DSST (Dunlop Self-Supporting Technology)
In the 1970s, Dunlop created the Denovo, the first puncture-safe tire. Demonstrating the capabilities of the novelty, Fiat Mirafiori drove from Dunlop to Turin with deflated rear tires, and the Chevrolet Corvette from Boston to Los Angeles.
Currently, this technology is based on modern system DSST, thanks to which, with a loss of pressure, the tire can travel up to 80 km at a speed of 80 km / h. The tires are simple and easy to use, they can be installed on all standard wheels without special tools or equipment, and at the same time are suitable for any kinds of cars.
DSST technology allows the tire to continue moving even after a loss of pressure, thanks to special sidewall reinforcing elements. If a DSST tire loses pressure, the driver may not feel it and continue driving at high speed for a longer distance, which could damage the tires. To prevent this situation, the wheels must be equipped with special system tire pressure monitoring. Pressure sensors will alert the driver to loss of pressure and to slow down. Such a control system can be installed as a primary equipment on new car and additionally equipped.
DSST tires have the following list of advantages:
Patented sidewall design supports the weight of the vehicle even when the tire is completely flat.
special design and the use of new rubber compounds help to avoid tire damage caused by significant loads;
even with a complete loss of pressure - acceleration, braking and driving remain reliable after a puncture, you can continue driving for about 80 km;
DSST tires can be fitted to any standard rim and any vehicle.
Bridgestone RFT (Run Flat Tire)
RFT technology will allow you to continue driving after a tire puncture. The driver can bring the car to service even after a tire puncture. RFT eliminates the need for a spare tire, which increases the free space in the trunk of the car.
The use of RFT tires allows you to continue driving for at least another 80 km even with zero tire inflation pressure.
Kumho XRP (eXtended Runflat Performance)
Puncture-safe XRP tires offer enhanced performance thanks to unique and innovative technologies Kumho. XRP (eXtended Runflat Performance) technology allows you to continue driving on a damaged tire without losing ride comfort and reliability. When creating these tires, the company tried to achieve high driving comfort, since it is to them that tires that are safe after a puncture are usually sacrificed.
Kumho XRP tires guarantee the ability to drive a distance of 80 km at a speed of 80 km/h even with a completely flat tire. The developers of the technology have reduced the maximum driving range to increase the comfort that comes with it. Kumho XRP tires are designed to have standard sidewall density under normal conditions, and increased sidewall density under pressure loss conditions.
Special inclusions in the rubber compound and an anti-reversion component that strengthens the bond have the characteristic of high temperature resistance, improving the performance of safe tires after a puncture. In addition, Kumho XRP tires use a new, environmentally friendly lyocell fabric cord. It is developed based on high technology and increase the stability high speeds. In this, lyocell differs from conventional fabric cords, whose production pollutes the environment.
The tire beads are designed to optimize the distribution of contact pressure when the tire loses air, as well as to simplify the installation and replacement of tires.
Tires are one of the hazards on the road. Puncture-proof Kumho XRP tires provide maximum safety and driving comfort. Driver safety is a top priority for Kumho and its new technology production of puncture-safe tires-XRP.
Pirelli SWS (Safety Wheel System)
Pirelli SWS is a technology for the production of tires that inflate themselves. This safety system was developed for motorcycle tires back in 2004, but only recently has it been applied to passenger car tires and more powerful off-road vehicles.
The Pirelli SWS system works using a special reservoir with compressed air, built into the wheel rim and allowing you to "pump up" a punctured tire automatically. The inflation system activates the reservoir valve when the sensor reports a loss of air pressure in the tire.
This system can be applied not only on special run flat tires, but also on ordinary, widespread ones.
Advantages of the Pirelli SWS system:
Natural deflating: The system constantly and continuously compensates for natural pressure loss, ensuring that the tire remains properly inflated and safe to use. Reservoir supports optimal pressure within 9-12 months;
In the event of a puncture: the system inflates the tire, delaying the complete loss of air. This increases safety, reduces the risk of accidents caused by tire punctures, and allows the motorist to reach the service station.
SWS technology works in conjunction with Pirelli's K-Pressure technology (tire pressure monitoring system). Below you can see a schematic representation of the operation of the security system. Pirelli tires. An air tank is indicated on the section of the rim.
This article lists far from all manufacturers that use and widely implement puncture-free tire technologies. However, the techniques and materials used by them are similar to each other, so it is hardly appropriate to mention each of them.
Nothing can 100% protect bicycle tires from damage. But you can use a number of tips on the site so that the tires let you down as little as possible - you will worry less about the integrity of the tires and put patches on them less often.
Tire pressure
The most important thing is to make sure that the tire pressure is optimal for the bike.
Each tire has a preferred air pressure range, which is measured in psi: usually this value is indicated on the side of the tire.
- Road tire pressure is 100 to 140 psi.
- Mountain bike tire pressure is 30 to 50 psi.
- The pressure on children's and recreational bikes is 60 to 80 psi.
Also, under-inflated tires are more damaged, one of the most common damage of this kind is “microcracks”. They appear when you hit a bump, for example, and a lightly inflated tire under weight compresses almost to the rim, resulting in 2 small holes that resemble a snake bite. It is also not worth over-inflating tires, except when you need to check the integrity of the chamber.
The easiest way to check tire pressure is with a pump. If you have more early model sediment, we recommend purchasing a separate sensor. Be sure to check if your valve model is Presta or Schrader (the bulkier Presta valve will need to loosen the top nut before checking pressure).
Tire care: the main points
One of the most important rules is to regularly inspect the tires for damage from branches, glass fragments, stone chips, especially if your route has previously passed through rough terrain. Such small elements will not immediately damage the tire, but over time they will penetrate deeper and deeper into it until they break through the tube. Remove bits of debris with your fingers or tweezers before they cause much damage.
It is also necessary to check the side of the tire for cracks or wear. A tire with any of these problems increases the risk of blowing out at the most inopportune moment. If you are unsure of the bike's condition, contact your nearest bike repair shop to have the tires checked.
Chamber Sealants
They are very handy because you can use it to repair a punctured camera or use it as a preventive measure to avoid cracks in the future.
The concept is simple: squeeze some sealant into the valve stem to cover inner part cameras.
In the event of a small puncture or cut, the sealant quickly fills the damage and creates a plug that often lasts longer than the tubes or tires around it.
Cons of sealants A: Some of them are quite difficult to use, and of course, sealants alone do not protect against large cuts or tears.
Tire pads (liners)
The tire gasket is a thin strip of extruded plastic that sits between the tire and the pipe. This extra layer greatly reduces the chance of puncturing the chambers with twigs, broken glass or other sharp objects. Liners are popular and work well, but they add weight to the tires, which will increase the resistance of the tire when it is inflated (it will increase). However, if you drive off-road or on poorly maintained streets, liners will give your tires a longer life.
When installing the liners, offset the tire on the rim as you normally would to place the tube inside the tire. Install the camera. Inflate the tube until it starts to touch the inside of the tire (it won't take long). Then slide the spacer between the tube (slightly inflated) and the tire. The pressure of the inflated chamber will allow the liner to be held in place on the inside of the tire, preventing the liner from moving if the tire collapses (when climbing over obstacles - when installed this way, I've never experienced shim displacement).
If after installing the liner you cannot place the tire back on the rim, then the tube is probably heavily inflated - deflate a little, put the tire on the rim and inflate the wheel to the recommended or required pressure.
Tires and tubes resistant to tear and puncture
Another option is to replace tires with ones that are specifically designed to resist damage. These tires slow down a bit compared to the stock tires. bicycle tires, but people who have used them have said tire cracks are much less common.
How do they work? Many companies use a durable belt made of aramid fibers in the production of tires (for example, good famous brand Kevlar®) to resist punctures; others simply increase the thickness of the tread. These tires are sold by various brand names: SERFAS system - crack protection, Continental safety systems, Michelin ProTek reinforcement system and so on. The disadvantage of these tires is that they are quite heavy, which reduces the acceleration time. Finally, consider using tear resistant cameras. They are just a denser (and heavier) version of the regular ones.
How to fix a puncture on a bike tube - video
Almost every motorist at least once faced such a problem as tire puncture. Moreover, for many, such embarrassment often happened in the middle of the road or in places that don’t even know what a service station is. Many years have passed since the invention of the first rubber tire, but rubber manufacturers have not been able to find a way to make the tire stronger.
A bit of history...
The first puncture-resistant tire was introduced in 1892. The tire had a powerful sidewall, which made it possible to move the car even with a complete decrease in pressure inside the tire. It was during this period that a patent was obtained for the production of non-puncture rubber by the father of the Goodyear brand, John Seiberling. But due to the circumstances in mass production this technique was launched only many years later. In 1992, the Goodyear brand released a puncture-free tire, which was called "RunOnFlat". In the future, the production technology invented by Goodyear, will use brands such as Dunlop , Nokian , Michelin and Continental .
In 1998, the Michelin brand introduced its vision for making puncture-resistant tires. It consisted in the fact that a plastic rim was installed at the base of the tire, which was attached to the disk. Initially, this technique did not become widespread and was used only for concept cars, but later such tires became available to both owners of exclusive car brands and owners of more cheap cars. Trademark Continental offers its vision of a puncture-free tire technology called ContiSupportRing. At the heart of such a tire is a metal ring that is attached to rim. Thanks to this system, the tire in the event of a puncture maintains the maneuverability of the car at the same level as before the puncture.
Puncture-free tire - myth or reality?
It is worth noting the fact that absolutely puncture-resistant rubber does not exist. The manufacturing technology of such tires is that a car with a punctured tire can still move for some time, until, for example, it reaches the nearest station Maintenance.
A wide range of non-puncture tires is also presented on the site.
We are not afraid of punctures!
If a puncture has occurred, and the nearest service station is very far away, then the main thing in such a situation is not to panic. The first thing we advise you to do is call a tow truck that will deliver your car to the nearest service station.
Good luck on your journey!
A PURTURED TIRE IS A RISK FACTOR
The presence of safety features in a vehicle is increasingly affecting its consumer qualities. The possibility of a tire puncture or burst is one of the constant sources of concern for drivers.
Complete or partial loss of pressure in a punctured tire increases rolling resistance, resulting deformations lead to friction of the sidewall of the tire against the roadway, which causes it to heat up and break down. Tires conventional design when the pressure drops below a certain level, they do not provide the car with the necessary controllability and operation of the braking systems, they can fly off the wheel rim, cause it to break and cause an accident.
TIRES WITH SUPPORT INSERT
When such a tubeless tire loses pressure, the ring insert attached to the rim takes on the weight of the vehicle. Under normal pressure, the insert does not touch the tire, and when pressure is lost, it supports the tread, preventing the wheel rim from damaging the sidewalls of the tire.
Several options for supporting inserts have been proposed. Most widespread received a Michelin development called PAX System (PAX). It requires the use of tires with a special lip, which prevents it from falling off the rim when driving after a loss of pressure, special wheel with asymmetric rim to simplify the installation of the plastic insert. With this in mind, it is required to install a tire pressure monitoring and indication system on the car, since drivers may not catch the moment of pressure loss and make maneuvers that are incompatible with the conditions that arise.
After a puncture, they can drive up to 200 km at a speed of 80 km / h, while maintaining control of the car. However, due to the original design of the tire and rim, you will have to go to a specialized service.
PAX is now selected as original equipment Audi cars, Mercedes-Benz, BMW; it is also installed on various armored models. Compared to the standard, the tire does not lose any comfort level or rolling resistance; has a high load index.
The disadvantages of the PAX system include: an increase in unsprung masses, manufacturing wheels according to new standards, and a high price.
Firm development Continental-CSR is a metal ring of a special profile with an elastic gasket-support, which is mounted directly on the rim of any regular wheel.
Due to the weight of the ring increases unsprung weight wheels, but this has little effect on dynamic properties while the car is moving. In the event of a sudden or gradual loss of air, the ring will support the tire, while the maneuverability of the car will remain almost the same. On a flat tire with CSR, you can drive up to 200 km at a speed of 80 km/h. This allows you to get to the car service, which has necessary equipment. Just like with the PAX system, it is required to install a tire pressure monitoring and indication system. CSR rings do not require replacement unless the wheel has been damaged.
Four support rings weigh less than one full ring spare wheel and tools to install it. Weight reduction vehicle, an increase in the useful volume of the trunk can also be attributed to the advantages of using this development. CSR is approved by Bridgestone and Yokohama for use in their products. Designed to equip cars, including all-wheel drive, with a tire profile height of 55–80%. Daimler-Chrysler, after testing, accepted the CSR as original equipment for the Maybach.
In developing RRS companies Rodgard Running on flat tires is ensured by a two-layer plastic ring design that fits onto the rim of standard 13" to 22.5" wheels. When punctured inner side the tires, leaning on the rings, begin to turn them relative to each other and around the rim. Due to this, it is possible to avoid overheating and loads that destroy and tear the flat tire off the wheel rim.
After a puncture, you can drive 15–50 km on the RRS. The rings are reusable devices, however, they require a mandatory assessment of the condition after driving in emergency mode.
SELF-SUPPORTING TIRES WITH REINFORCED SIDEWALL
In the sidewalls of self-supporting tires, united by the name "Run on Flat" or "Run Flat" (eng. - "Riding on a flat tire"), between the layers of the cord (carcass) there is an insert made of special rubber, which increases their rigidity. With a loss of pressure, such a tire holds its shape for a certain time and does not fly off the rim. Maintaining the high dynamic qualities of self-supporting tires makes it necessary to control the pressure in them, since the driver may not notice a puncture and commit dangerous maneuvers. At a speed of 80 km / h on such tires you can drive at least 80-150 km. At present, the technologies for manufacturing self-supporting tires have been mastered by many manufacturers, whose products can be purchased on the Russian market.
The use of run flat tires is on the rise. Pirelli launches its models Eufori@, P Zero Nero, Winter Snowsport, Winter Sottozero with reinforced sidewalls (outwardly indistinguishable from regular tires) in more than 30 standard sizes with landing diameter 16-20 inches. Goodyear manufactures 78 Run on Flat tire models and is involved in many OEM auto-support tire projects. Nokian Tires produces self-supporting winter tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4, Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi and Nokian WR in three sizes: 195/55 R16, 205/55 R16 and 225/45 R17.
On the other hand, car manufacturers BMW Group, Daimler-Chrysler, appreciated the benefits of "Run Flat" tires. BMW concern successfully applies them on wheels, including those with an increased hump (type EH2).
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS
Vehicles with tires providing safe driving in case of punctures, they must necessarily have a pressure control system in them.
INDIRECT CONTROL BASED ON ANTI-BLOCKING SYSTEM (ABS) and STABILITY SYSTEMS (ESP)
With the help of such systems, the tire pressure is not measured, but calculated on the basis of signals from the ABS / ESP sensors. When air leaks, the tire diameter decreases and the wheel speed increases, which is recorded by the corresponding sensors. The signal is transmitted to the control module, after which the driver receives an acoustic and/or visual warning signal. The devices begin to operate at speeds over 15 km/h and with a loss of about 30% of the initial pressure (approximately 0.7 bar). Simultaneous loss of pressure in two or more tires is not monitored.
The undoubted advantage of systems based on ABS / ESP is the absence of additional sensors mounted on the wheels. This saves on these elements and eliminates the need to balance them.
DIRECT PRESSURE CONTROL USING SENSORS COMBINED WITH THE WHEEL VALVE
The piezocrystalline membrane of the sensor, when the internal pressure in the tire changes, converts mechanical influences to it into electrical signals, which, after frequency modulation, are transmitted using antennas (usually installed in the wheel arch) at a frequency of 433 MHz to the control module and then to the instrument panel or a special display. The result is a visual and/or acoustic signal. Non-replaceable batteries firmly built into the sensors last 5-7 years. The tire temperature is monitored in parallel and taken into account in the pressure assessment, but is rarely displayed on the instrument panel.
For owners of vehicles that were not installed in the original configuration similar systems pressure control, companies of various profiles offer original devices.
PRESSURE CONTROL WITH BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY
Pirelli, together with Laserline, has developed a system for wirelessly connecting pressure sensors to Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones (see the article “Automobile Speakerphone"Bluetooth" in this collection). The Bluetooth chip is built into the nipple/sensor (sensor) system and generates a signal perceived by a cellular telephone. The system automatically takes into account differences outdoor temperature and atmospheric pressure. Each sensor weighs 6g, making it easy to balance wheels and fits on any rim with a standard valve. Leading manufacturers mobile phones increase sales of devices latest generation, with which you can control the pressure in the tires.
UNIVERSAL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL
On sale appeared universal devices, which show the pressure and temperature in tires of any design. The signal from the wheel sensor is sent to the display with antenna. Depending on the type of vehicle and tires, the user must set their own normal pressure value (maximum 2.8 bar at 22°C). When the ignition is turned on, the system performs a self-test, displaying information for each tire: pressure, temperature, condition. In case of deviation from the norm, the device will give sound signal, and the display will show which tire is flat.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS
Tires that allow movement at zero pressure, have the following advantages:
- Significantly increases the level of safety in case of damage to the wheel;
- there is no need to replace the tire at the puncture site;
- appears extra space V luggage compartment and the weight of the car is reduced due to the lack of a spare wheel, jack and wheel wrench;
The disadvantages of such tires include:
- some decrease in ride comfort due to increased wheel stiffness;
- increase in tire mass and rolling resistance;
- increased load on the suspension and wheel rim;
- the need for additional adjustment of the suspension during the initial installation on the car;
- the need for some systems to use a special rim;
- increase in the price of a tire by 15–25%;
- the need for tire fitting and installation of a pressure control system in specialized services.
All car owners understand the danger of a tire puncture in a car. Every day, tens of thousands of people are late for a plane, business meeting, date, etc. due to damage tires.
Since the invention car, precisely for the share tires the greatest number of tests falls, ranging from features weather conditions and ending with defects pavement and various objects on the roadway.
Manufacturers tires for cars regularly improved the design, making it more resistant to wear and relatively recently, car tires appeared on the free market, which made it possible for the car to move fully even after a puncture. This invention gives car owners back the freedom to choose whether to replace a wheel now or do it later.
As a rule, the weight of the car does not rest on the tires themselves, but on the air (or nitrogen) in them. The degree of load depends on factors such as the volume of air between the disc and the rubber, the tire's ability to withstand pressure, the level of air pressure in the tire. Air leakage most often occurs due to micro-punctures and damage that does not appear immediately. A system of constant monitoring of tire pressure should become a crucial step, and the final victory should be the invention of tires that would make it possible to move, including even after complete depressurization.
Today, technologies are being developed in three directions that allow the car not to lose driving performance after a tire failure: 1. Self-sealing system, 2. Self-support system and 3. Additional support system. The first two are already quite widely used, and the last one so far exists only in experimental versions.
1. Tires capable of self-sealing.
The features of this technology allow the tire to cope with the puncture on its own, without forcing you to perform any actions on it. The design of these tires identical to the rest, except for the sealant layer under the tread, which can independently tighten punctures up to 5 mm in diameter. First, after penetration of a foreign object into the tire, the sealant envelops it, and after extraction, it fills the resulting cavity. Since all actions occur with the wheel immediately after the breakdown, the driver will not even notice what happened. However, in cases of more serious damage that the sealant cannot cope with on its own, the tire behaves in the same way as a regular punctured tire. wheel. Therefore, a low pressure warning system is not required in this case.
Product example: Continental ContiSeal.
2. Self-supporting tires.
These tires have a reinforced construction that allows them to withstand the load even in the absence of pressure. Their peculiarity is that in the sidewalls of such wheels there is a layer of rubber that will not allow the tire to “fold” and will not allow the sidewall to break. The unique shape of the support ring allows the installation of such tires for any standard discs and will not give wheel dismantled immediately after deflation. The mileage of such a tire is on average about 80 km at a speed not exceeding 90 km / h. In view of this, a pressure loss control system must be used, because if the problem is not solved in time, tire will be completely ruined.
Product examples : Bridgestone RFT (Run Flat Tire), Firestone RFT, Yokohama Run Flat, Pirelli RFT (Run Flat Technology), Goodyear EMT (Extended Mobility Technology), Kumho XRP, Michelin ZP (Zero Pressure).
3. Tires with extra support.
This system requires the use of non-standard, special tires And disks, which should become an obligatory complete set of cars of the future. In the event of a loss of air pressure in such a tire, absolutely the entire load of the car is taken by the so-called "ring" design fixed on the disk. The main advantage of this anti-puncture system is the shifting of the carrier function from the tire to the rim. Therefore, the tire wears out much more slowly and practically does not require replacement, as well as the carrier disk.
To date, the system developed using this technology Michelin Pax applied in companies Honda And Rolls Royce, Pirelli develop their own version of the technology, Bridgestone And Continental are also involved own developments. The disadvantage of this system is the incompatibility of the carrier ringed disk with standard tires, which, together with low production volumes, does not allow reducing the price of products.
