Increasing the Life of Twin Tyres
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OR some time past, the research
department of the Michelin Co., Clermont-Ferrand,' France, has been investigating the question of the rapid wear of the pneumatic tyres of twin wheels when velitles are used on cambered roads.
The results have shown that under such conditions the inner tyres carry a greater part of the load than the outer ones, and, consequently, are subject to rapid wear. Moreover, this is not counterbalanced by any longer life of the outside tyres, because the travel of the vehicle is mainly derived through the inner tyres and the outer ones become worn by the constant slipping action between them and the road.
With the object of overcoming the difficulty and of equalizing the load over the two tyres, the Michelin Co. has, under the name of 13ibax, recently -introduced what is termed an elastic hub arrangement. It is shown in the accompanying diagram, the tyres with their rims and wheel felloes being mounted on the hub so that they may adjust themselves, within certain limits, to the camber of the road.
As will be noted, a number of rubber elements (B)—held in position by bolts not shown in the drawing—are interposed between the felloe (A) and the hub (C). It is stated that the arrangement has been exhaustively tested and that it has been found materially to add to the life of twin tyres.