Gone are the days when tyres were simply circular structures of rubber, which formed an integral part of the function of a car. Now, tyres enhance the engineering and performance of the car itself, improve safety and make driving easy and pleasurable.
Tyre giant Goodyear’s latest innovation in tyre technology, a concept tyre dubbed the Triple Tube, promises to set a precedent in the motor industry following in the footsteps of and actively enhancing existing intelligent vehicular technology which uses its surroundings to make for a safer and more enjoyable drive.
The tyres consciously adapt to road conditions, inflating and deflating according to the surface and the condition of the road they are placed on.
So how do they work?
The name ‘Triple Tube’ is a giveaway as to the anatomy of the tyre itself. It has three so-called ‘positions’ or modes and is comprised of three chambers and a main chamber. These three chambers are positioned next to each other under the tread of the tyre – 2 on each side and one in the middle. An internal pump allows the air to be moved from the main chamber to one or more of the three chambers, thus creating a different shape and firmness to the tyre with each position. Each of these three chambers represents a different position for an individual road type or condition.
The Eco/Safety Position enables better braking as it gives each tyre a wider surface area with which to adhere to the road, flooding every chamber with air. The Sporty Position allows the tyre to adapt a conical shape which makes for better magnetism to the road surface in hot or dry conditions, and the self-explanatory Wet Safety Position helps to prevent aquaplaning and skidding in dangerous wet conditions.
This clever technology also increases tyre longevity, as if one chamber suffers a puncture, the others are able to provide more air to keep it going for longer. The safety implications of this significant step forward are huge along with the improved performance benefits for petrol-heads – the substantial number of accidents caused by skidding tyres in wet conditions could be dramatically reduced, whilst high-end super cars could be set to experience a fantastic new frontier in driving technology.
Although these tyres at present are just prototype concepts, Goodyear has indicated that it will continue to fund experimentation into this game-changing new technology – along with others which will revolutionise the way we drive forever and increase the role which tyres have to play in the overall driving experience and function. If you’re interested in Goodyear Triple Tube tyres, then be sure to get the best price in your area, by visiting www.tyrequote.com