Achieving Conflicting Objectives In Tire Development By Means Of A New Wheel/Tire System

Advances in automobile technology mean that ever higher standards and better performance are expected of tyres, in recent years especially optimized performance charakteristics and run-flat capability. Previous development of tyres with run-flat capability failed to fulfill all requirements because present tyres are seated on the radially located outer surface of the rim flange. Using a new design with tyre seat on the radially located inner surface of the rim flanges CTS (ContiTyreSystem) can met all major demands. This tyre is wrapped around the run flange and is held in place on an inward facing rim flange. This design brings many benefits for the tyre's performance features and runflat capability is attained. Even after pressure loss the tyre will not come off the rim in any driving situation and runs on the support surface of the rim. In this way a vehicle can be driven with a deflated tyre for several hundred kilometers.