VEHICLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR ENHANCED ROAD GRIP

A vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel, a tire, one or a plurality of protruding elements positioned fully or partially within the tire and a deployment mechanism configured to deploy said one or a plurality of protruding elements out of the tire to a deployed position utilizing pressure within the tire, and configured to retract said one or a plurality of protruding elements from the deployed position to a retracted position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automobiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip and propulsion with deployable protruding elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tires are designed with distinctive qualities aimed at meeting various requirements for specific intended uses. Some tires are designed for consumer vehicles where the tire is likely to be driven on paved roads. As such, the tire is designed to give optimum driving performance on smooth surfaces like asphalt. Tires that are designed, for example, for asphalt roads have a moderately smooth surface, giving the tire a good grip of the smooth surface of a paved road, while facilitating economical fuel consumption and minimal tire wear. Some tires are designed to have deep grooves and crevices on their external surface for enhancing road grip of the tire when the road is wet.

Vehicles that are designated for mixed road or rough terrain driving may require tires that are designed for use on rough terrain. Off-road tires typically have a road-facing surface with deeper grooves and bigger protrusions than a tire designed for asphalt. The deep groves and big protrusions give the off-road tire a better grip of a rough terrain, such as dirt or gravel. Occasionally, drivers are faced with conditions and terrains, such as mud or sand, where even the off-road tires do not have the adequate structure that may be required for maneuvering over such challenging terrains and conditions. There are known solutions that offer an externally mountable accessory for enhancing grip, such as tire chains. These solutions might be uncomfortable or impractical in certain situations. For example, in order to place tire chains over the tires of a vehicle, the driver may have to exit the vehicle. Furthermore, it may be impossible to place tire chains over the tire if that tire has already dug into the mud. Additionally, if the tire chains remain on the tires, when these tires are driven over an asphalt road, the tire chains may be damaged and/or cause damage to the asphalt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided, according to an embodiment of the invention, a vehicle wheel assembly comprising: a wheel; a tire; one or a plurality of protruding elements positioned fully or partially within the tire; and a deployment mechanism configured to deploy said one or a plurality of protruding elements out of the tire to a deployed position utilizing pressure within the tire, and configured to retract said one or a plurality of protruding elements from the deployed position to a retracted position.

In some embodiments of the invention, each of said one or a plurality of protruding elements is oriented substantially radially with respect to the wheel and is configured to deploy radially.

In some embodiments of the invention, each of said one or a plurality of protruding elements is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a radial axis of the wheel and is configured to deploy at said non-zero angle.

In some embodiments of the invention, the protruding element is configured to at least partially expand when deploying.

In some embodiments of the invention, a distal portion of the protruding element is larger than the rest of the protruding element.

In some embodiments of the invention, an opening on the tire through which a protruding element of said one or a plurality of protruding elements is configured to move is smaller than a distal portion of the protruding element, so as to prevent the distal portion of the protruding element from retracting into the tire.

In some embodiments of the invention, an opening is provided on the tire through which a protruding element of said one or a plurality of protruding elements is configured to move between the deployed position and the retracted position.

In some embodiments of the invention, when the tire is inflated, a protruding element of said one or a plurality of protruding elements expands to form a seal between the opening on the tire and that protruding element.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tire includes at least one elongated side wall surrounding the opening and extending into a space within the tire.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least one elongated side wall of that protruding element is configured to prolapse through the opening when in the deployed position.

In some embodiments of the invention, a protruding element of said one or a plurality of protruding elements is integral to the tire.

In some embodiments of the invention, a protruding element of said one or a plurality of protruding elements includes a flange at a proximal end of that protruding element to prevent that protruding element from detaching from the tire.

In some embodiments of the invention, a protruding element of said one or a plurality of protruding elements and a side wall of an opening, through which that protruding element is configured to move between the deployed position and the retracted position, define a latch.

In some embodiments of the invention, that protruding element and the side wall define opposing hooks.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tire and the protruding element are configured to have a low friction between them so as to facilitate the deployment and retraction of the protruding element.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tire comprises an opening through which the protruding element is configured to move between the deployed position and the retracted position, said opening comprises side walls, wherein an inner portion of the tire is made of the same material as the side walls of the opening, and wherein inner portion of the tire is integral to the side walls of the opening.

In some embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism is configured to be operated wirelessly.

In some embodiments of the invention, the protruding element includes an inflatable chamber.

In some embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism includes a motor.

In some embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism further includes one or a plurality of transmission elements.

In some embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism includes a ratcheting mechanism.

In some embodiments of the invention, the deployment mechanism includes an electricity generator that employs the motion of the wheel assembly to generate electricity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1Ashows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with a protruding element in a retracted position. Vehicle wheel assembly100may include tire140mounted inflated over wheel150. Some embodiments of wheel150may be made of carbon fiber, rubber, metal or metal composite. Some embodiments of tire140may be made of materials such as rubber or a rubber and metal wire compound. Metal wires within the rubber increase structural integrity and strength of the tire.

Tire140may be inflated for proper operation. Tires may be inflated with air, a composition of gasses or even liquid. A composition of gasses may be used to inflate a racing tire due to the composition's higher stability in a fast-spinning tire. Liquid, such as water, may be used to fill the tire partially or completely for increasing the momentum, traction and stability of vehicles in agricultural or industrial applications. For sake of simplification, we will refer hereinafter to materials for inflating tube140as air, although other fluids are applicable too.

Tire140has external surface141and may have a pattern on external surface141. Some tires, such as racing tires or motorcycle tires, may have a substantially smooth surface for enhancing grip on smooth roads. Some other tires, such as off-road tires or vehicle road tires, may have a pattern on the tire's external surface. Such pattern may allow water to be expelled from beneath the tire, preventing hydroplaning, that might otherwise cause the vehicle to skid on a wet road. Additionally, the groves may enhance grip of off-road tires. The pattern on the external surface of the tire may be a grid of longitudinal and latitudinal grooves or a distribution of protrusions along the surface of the tire.

Protruding element110may initially reside within tire140, with an external surface114of protruding element110exposed through an opening149to fit with the rest of the external surface141of tire140. Protruding Element110may be hollow and may have sidewalls112that are flexible. Side walls112may inflate by the applied pressure from tier140, causing side walls112of protruding element110to press against side walls143and opening149to form an airtight seal. For example, opening149may be provided on tire140through which a protruding element110of one or a plurality of protruding elements110may be configured to move between the deployed position and the retracted position.

Protruding element110may be positioned within tire140at a non-zero angle with regard to a radius of wheel assembly100(hereinafter: non radial deployment). For example, each of one or a plurality of protruding elements110may be oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a radial axis of the wheel. Each one or a plurality of protruding elements110may be configured to deploy at a non-zero angle. For example, protruding element may be tilted or positioned at an angle so as to deploy and retract at said angle.

Protruding element110may be configured to deploy at an angle with respect to a radial direction of wheel assembly100. For example if protruding element is deployed to the opposite direction of the direction of rotation of wheel assembly100with respect to the radial axes of wheel assembly100, in some situation protruding element110may contribute more to the propulsion of the vehicle (e.g. have more grip, shovel more sand or gravel be better at digging out of sand), withstand heavier loads, or have more structural strength than if protruding element110were deployed along the rotation direction of wheel assembly100.

In some other embodiments of the invention, the protruding element may be positioned radially with regard to a radius of wheel assembly100so as to deploy and retract radially with regard to a radius of wheel assembly100. Such deployment may enable the highest use of the surface area of protruding element110, and result efficient grip and propulsion. For example, each of one or a plurality of protruding elements110may be positioned radially with regard to a radius of wheel assembly100. Each one or a plurality of protruding elements110may be configured to deploy and retract radially with regard to a radius of wheel assembly100. For example, protruding element may be positioned at 0 angle with regard to the radius of wheel100so as to deploy and retract at said angle.

Protruding element110may be positioned within tire140with its external surface114exposed through opening149, e.g., flush with the remainder of the external surface141of the tire140. The external surface of protruding element110may include a pattern that matches a pattern of external surface141of the tire. In a retracted position, external surface114of protruding element110may be positioned flush with an external surface141of the tire140that is configured to contact the road. In some embodiments, the term “retracted position” may refer to the position of protruding element110when it is retracted within tire140, i.e., not deployed or not substantially extending from external surface141of tire140. For example, protruding element110inFIG. 1Ais shown to be in a retracted position.

Tire140may include one or a plurality of protruding elements110. For example, tire140may include one protruding element or many protruding elements. Protruding element110may be positioned fully or partially within tire140. For example, protruding element110may be flush with surface141of tire140, protruding element110may be positioned fully within tire140wherein protruding element110may be positioned within opening149, or protruding element110may extend further from surface141of tire140.

Deployment mechanism120may be configured to facilitate the deployment and retraction of protruding element110. Deployment mechanism120of protruding element110may be configured to change the position of protruding element110from a retracted position to a deployed position, and vice versa. Deployment mechanism120of protruding element110may be configured to change the position of protruding element110from a retracted position to a range of deployment positions settings (continuous or discrete) wherein protruding element110may protrude at varying lengths from tire140. Deployment mechanism120may be fastened or anchored to wheel150. For example, deployment mechanism120may be positioned at an indentation in wheel150, or deployment mechanism150may be fastened by a belt or a fastener to wheel150. Deployment mechanism120may be positioned in a space between tire140and wheel150. For example, deployment mechanism may be fastened by wire130to wheel150and to tire140or to protruding element110. Wheel assembly100may include a valve for inflating tire140. For example, the valve may be positioned on wheel150for ease of access, and pressurized air is pumped through the valve into tire140. The pressure inside tire140may help in inflating tire140and assist in applying pressure on protruding element110, thereby facilitating its deployment. Wheel assembly100may comprise other elements that are found generally in wheel assemblies (e.g., breaks, sensors, balance elements, etc.). Deployment mechanism120may include motor, actuator, drivers, pullies, bearings, controllers, wire cables, intersections, transceivers, transmission elements and the like for facilitating the deployment and retraction of protruding element110. For example, deployment mechanism120may include a winch.

Deployment mechanism120may employ a wire130. Wire130may be a fastener, rope, chain, wire or cord and any means fit for fastening, hereinafter generally referred to as wire. Deployment mechanism120or wire130may also include mechanisms that apply force, such as magnets or electromagnets for applying force, on protruding element110. Deployment mechanism120may include one or more wires130connecting one or a plurality of protruding elements110to deployment mechanism120. Protruding element110may be linked to deployment mechanism120with wire130, e.g., deployment mechanism120may hold protruding element110in place using wire130that acts against the internal pressure of the tire140. Wire130may be wound around a rotatable drum, configured to offer a substantial length to facilitate the deployment of protruding element110from the retracted position to the deployed position and hold the protruding element in the deployed position, preventing complete detachment from the wheel assembly.

Deployment mechanism120may be configured to deploy one or a plurality of protruding elements110out of tire140to a deployed position utilizing pressure within tire140. For example, deployment mechanism120may deploy one, some or all protruding elements110, and additionally, the pressure within tire140may be utilized to deploy protruding element110, pushing protruding element110further from external surface141of tire140. Deployment mechanism120may be configured to retract one or a plurality of protruding elements110from the deployed position to a retracted position. For example, deployment mechanism120may retract one, some or all protruding elements110.

FIG. 1Bshows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip shown inFIG. 1A, with the protruding element deployed. Protruding element110may protrude from the external surface of the tire140and is maintained in a deployed position as shown inFIG. 1B. The portion of side walls112of protruding element110that extend further from surface141of tire140may expand when protruding element110is in the deployed position due to the flexibility of the protruding element, which may be made, according to some embodiments, from the same material as the tire, with or without reinforcements (e.g., metal elements, such as wires or straps). The expanded portion of side walls112of protruding element110may engage in tight contact with opening149or with sidewalls143along opening149of tire140, so as to prevent the escape of pressurized air from tire140and avoid unwanted deflation of tire140. For example, protruding element110may be configured to at least partially expand when deploying to prevent air from escaping from tire140. Additionally, the expanded portion of side walls112may increase the structural strength of protruding element110for withstanding the forces applied on protruding element110.

Deployment mechanism120may facilitate the retraction of protruding element110from the deployed position to the retracted position by reeling in wire130. When protruding element110is in the deployed position, protruding element110may momentarily be pressed back into the retracted position, when the wheel rotates to a position where the protruding element is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the road. When the entire wheel is positioned over the protruding element, protruding element110is pressed radially inward by the weight of the wheel and the vehicle into the retracted position. However, as wheel rotates further, the protruding element may again be pressured by the internal pressure within the tire and protrude back to the deployed position. When deployed in a sandy environment, protruding element110may act like a shovel for digging wheel assembly100out of the sand. For example, when protruding element110is retracted or when tire140has no protruding elements, tire140may dig into the sand and may spin in place without advancing the vehicle. However, when protruding element110is deployed, side walls112may dig into and push the sand like a shovel, advancing the vehicle forward (or backward). Side walls of tire140that surround the protruding elements110, such as side walls143, may surround protruding elements even in embodiments where there are no openings the tire. For example, when the protruding elements are an integral part of the tire. We may refer to the side walls of the tire that surround the protruding elements as “side walls within the tire” surrounding the protruding element or “side walls along opening of the tire” interchangeably, but these terms refer to the same element, which is walls that extend from the tire and surround the protruding elements.

FIG. 2Ashows a cross-sectional view of a tire, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with a protruding element retracted. Protruding element210may be positioned in tire240within opening249. Protruding element210may be oriented along a radial axis with respect to wheel assembly200. Protruding element210may be configured to deploy in a radial direction.

Protruding element210may be outwardly flared or tapered at a distal portion near external surface214. Side walls243of tire240may have an inclination that matches the tapering or flared part of protruding element210. The tapered portion of protruding element210may prevent protruding element210from being fully plunged into tire240, when an external force is applied on protruding element210inward toward wheel assembly200, or when pulled inward, e.g., by a wire of the deployment mechanism. The flared portion of protruding element210may increase the grip of wheel assembly200on a road when protruding element210is deployed. The flared portion of protruding element210may act like a shovel for increasing the grip with the road. In this flared structure, the most distal portion of protruding element210may have a larger surface or cross-sectional area than the rest of protruding element210. For example, protruding element210may have a tapered portion or a flared portion at its distal end that is larger than the rest of protruding element210.

In some embodiments of the invention, tire240may have one or a plurality of openings249, each opening249may be configured to reside protruding element210. Protruding element210may be configured to move in opening249(e.g. move from a retracted position to a deployed position or any intermediate position between retracted and deployed positions). Protruding element210may have a distal end shaped differently than the rest of protruding element210, so as to prevent protruding element210from retracting into tire240. For example, distal end of protruding element210may be flared, have a flange, be wider or have a bigger diameter than rest of protruding element210. Opening249on tire240may have at least one side wall243that matches the distal portion of protruding element210, so as to prevent the distal portion of protruding element210from retracting into tire240. For example, opening249or side wall243may be tapered or beveled near external surface241, matching a flared distal end of protruding element210, so that when protruding element210is retracted, flared distal end of protruding element210may prevent retracting protruding element210into tire240. Opening249may be smaller than distal end of protruding element210, so as to prevent the distal portion of protruding element210from retracting into tire240.

FIG. 2Bshows a front sectional view of the tire shown inFIG. 2A, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with a protruding element deployed. Protruding element210may protrude further from external surface241of tire240when deploying. Protruding element210may be linked by wire230to a deployment mechanism within tire240(not shown in this figure). The portion of side walls212of protruding element210that further protrudes from external surface241of tire240may expand when protruding element210is in a deployed position. The expansion of side walls212of protruding element210may form a tight seal with opening249or with sidewalls243along opening249of tire240, preventing escape of pressurized air from tire240, and resisting the forces pushing protruding element210into tire240, for keeping protruding element210deployed.

FIG. 2Cshows a top isometric view of the tire shown inFIG. 2Bwith a protruding element deployed, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the internal portion of the tire and the side walls along the opening of the tire may be made from the same material, and said material may have a lower coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction at the external surface of the tire. Making the internal portion and side walls from the same material may simplify the manufacturing and molding of the tire. Making the side walls243of the opening249from a material with a substantially lower coefficient of friction than the material of the external surface of the tire may ease the deployment of the protruding element from the retracted position to the deployed position. The side walls243of the opening249and/or the side walls of the protruding element may have a substantially lower coefficient of friction than the external surface of the tire. For example, the side walls243of the opening249and/or the side walls of the protruding element may have a smoother surface than the external surface of the tire. For example, they may undergo a treatment with a lubricant or they may undergo a smoothing treatment. For example, internal portion of tire240and side walls243of opening249may be made from the same material, said material may have a substantially lower coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the material of the external surface241of tire240for facilitating the deployment of the protruding element.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an internal part of tire240may be made of a flexible and/or soft material that may have a low friction with its surroundings, said internal part of tire240may serve as a partition between the external material of tire240and protruding element210, so as to facilitate smooth movement of protruding element210when protruding element210is in contact with side walls243along opening249. For example, due to the elasticity or flexibility of the internal part of tire240, said part may deform elastically under pressure (e.g., internal air pressure of tire) to form an air-tight seal with protruding element210. Additionally, said internal part of tire240and side walls243may provide support for protruding element210for increasing the stability of protruding element210against external forces and for better sealing of the air inside tire240.

FIG. 3Ashows a cross-sectional view of a tire with a protruding element, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with a resilient holder, where the side walls along the tire opening are elongated. Tire340may have side walls343along opening349. Side walls343may extend inwardly into a space contained between tire340and the wheel. For example, tire340may include at least one elongated side wall343surrounding opening349and extending into a space within tire340. Side walls343may abut side walls312of protruding element310. Side walls343along opening349may help prevent deflation of tire340that may be caused by the escape of pressurized air through opening349. The increased contact surface area between protruding element310and tire340due to elongated side walls343may prevent air from escaping through opening349.

Protruding element310may have reinforced portion311that connects to wire330. Portion311of protruding element310may be reinforced, for example, by providing metal elements, e.g., metal wires, inside said portion, by increasing material density, by increasing the amount of material in that portion, or otherwise. Reinforced portion311of protruding element310may have a larger physical robustness in order to help it withstand the forces applied on it by wire330and the internal pressure of tire340. Wire330may be connected to resilient holder319. Resilient holder319may be a spring, a coil, an elastic rubber band or any similar element that applies force opposite to the direction from which it is pulled and has substantially elastic properties. Resilient holder319may be an integral part of wire330. For example, wire330may comprise an elastic portion such as elastic rubber, or for example wire330may be fabricated in a method that increases its elasticity. Resilient holder319may provide a dynamic range of extension for wire330. For example, if tire340were to deform or compress (for example if tire340rolled over a stone or an edge), the dynamic range of extension provided by resilient holder319may help to keep protruding element310in place and may help preventing inadvertent deflation of tire340due to the displacement of protruding element310. Additionally, the dynamic range of extension of wire330may prevent tire340from deforming while retracting protruding element310.

FIG. 3Bis an isometric view of the protruding element shown inFIG. 3A, in a deployed state (dashed lines denote internal parts not shown from the outside). Reinforced portion311of protruding element310may include a ring or a hook for facilitating the coupling of protruding element310to wire330. Reinforced portion311may be designed to be rigid (or relatively more rigid than the rest of the protruding element) and may be made, for example, of metal, rubber composite or strengthened rubber. Reinforcing portion311may be molded concurrently with protruding element310or added to protruding element310during an assembly process.

FIG. 4Ashows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with a tire having integral protruding elements, in a retracted position. Wheel assembly400may have tire440mounted over wheel450. Deployment mechanism420may be attached to wheel450. Protruding element(s)410may be separately positioned in tire440in one of opening(s)449. Protruding element410may initially be held at the retracted position as shown inFIG. 4A. External surface414of protruding element410may be positioned flush with external surface441of tire440. Protruding element410may be fastened to deployment mechanism420via wire430.

Tire440may have side walls443along opening449. Side walls443may extend inwardly into the space confined between tire440and the wheel450. Side walls412of protruding element410may be integrally linked to tire440at opening449(side walls412may be linked to an inner liner membrane or inner portion442of tire440), and also form side walls443along opening449of tire440, like an “inverted sock”. For example, protruding element410of one or a plurality of protruding elements410may be integral to tire440. Internal layer442of the tire440may be integrally connected to protruding element410. Protruding element410may be manufactured or molded together with internal layer442of tire410for simplifying the manufacturing process, or with the entire tire. In some embodiments, protruding element410may be fused or adhered to internal potion442of tire410. As protruding element410is integrally connected to internal layer442of tire410, pressurized air inside tire410cannot escape through opening449. Additionally, protruding element410cannot be detached from tire440when protruding element410is deployed. Protruding elements410and the inner portion442of tire440may be made from a material sheet with a low coefficient of friction.

Deployment mechanism420may be coupled to and may operate one protruding element410or may operate a plurality of protruding elements410, as shown inFIG. 4A, with wire430. Wire430may be threaded though one or a plurality of bearings451. Bearing451may comprise, for example, a pulley, wheel, ring or any other element for supporting wire movement about an angle or pivot with minimal friction. In certain embodiments, deployment mechanism420may deploy or retract all the protruding elements simultaneously, by releasing or retracting (respectively) wire430.

FIG. 4B. shows a front sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip with the integral protruding elements410shown inFIG. 4Ain a deployed position. Protruding elements410are shown in their deployed positions.

FIG. 5Ashows a lateral cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with retracted protruding elements. Tire540may have side walls543along opening549. Side walls543may extend inwardly into the space confined between tire540and the wheel550. Side walls543may provide support against side walls512of protruding element510. Side walls512of protruding element510may have bent stopper513that may catch on side walls543along opening549of tire540for preventing the protruding element from being detached from the wheel assembly when protruding element510deployed. For example, protruding element510and side wall543may define opposing hooks or bent stoppers. bent stopper513may comprise hook, protrusion, latch, catch, bent stopper or other attachment to fasten around or hold to an object. Bent stopper513may extend from side walls512. For example, side walls512may be manufactured or molded with a hook-like structure or bent stopper. Bent stopper513may be attached to side walls512. For example, bent stopper513or hook-like structure may be fastened or coupled to protruding element510during the assembly process. One or a plurality of side walls512of protruding element510may have one or a plurality of bent stoppers513. For example, each protruding element may have one bent stopper or a plurality of bent stoppers.

Protruding element510may be connected to wire530that in turn may pass through a series of bearings551and connect to deployment mechanism520that may include an actuator or a motorized unit. Wire530may connect to one protruding element510or to multiple protruding elements510. Wire530may facilitate the deployment and retraction of one or a plurality of protruding elements510. Wheel550may have multiple deployment mechanisms connecting to one or a plurality of protruding elements with separate or connected wires530.

FIG. 5B. shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip shown inFIG. 5Abut with the protruding elements510in a deployed position. In a deployed position, protruding element510may extend further from external surface541of tire540. Protruding element510may be fastened by wire530. Deployment mechanism520may extend a length of cable530so as to deploy protruding element510by the same amount of length or until protruding element510is fully deployed. The end of the side walls512of protruding element510may include bent stopper513for catching onto side walls543at opening549of tire540. Bent stopper513of protruding element510may catch onto internal portion542of tire540, a stopper or a catch-like structure in tire540. When bent stopper513catches onto any catch-like structure of tire540, bent stopper513prevents protruding element510from being detached from tire540when deploying.

FIG. 6Ashows a wireless controller for controlling the position of the protruding elements in a vehicle wheel assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Wireless controller660may be provided to communicate with the deployment mechanism, e.g., using antenna662and switch661for toggling between states. For example, toggling between the states of switch661may cause a deployment mechanism attached to one or a plurality of protruding elements inside the tire of a vehicle wheel assembly to deploy or retract said one or a plurality of protruding elements. Deployment mechanism620may be configured to be operated wirelessly. Wireless controller660may be controlled by the driver of the vehicle. Wireless controller660may be integrated or connected to the vehicle's control unit (e.g., the car's central controller), and, as such, wireless controller660may be automatically operated. For example, the vehicle may include an array of sensors and algorithms for automatically operating wireless controller660to deploy or retract the protruding elements.

FIG. 6Bshows part of a remotely controlled deployment mechanism for deploying protruding elements of a vehicle wheel assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Deployment mechanism620may have antenna622and transceiver623. Antenna622and transceiver623may receive wireless commands for operating the deployment mechanism wirelessly. For example, transceiver623may receive commands for controlling the rate or extent of deployment and retraction, or commands for stopping and commencing the deployment and retraction. Deployment mechanism620may include a motor and a rolling drum, wireless commands from transceiver632may control the movement of the motor and rolling drum for extending and retracting wire630.

FIG. 7Ashows a cross-sectional view of a tire with an offset protruding element retracted, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Tire740may have side walls743along opening749. Protruding element710may have side walls712that extend inwardly into a space confined between tire740and the wheel. Side walls712may be folded inside tire740. For example side walls712may be bent or folded inside tire740when protruding element710is retracted, and side walls712may unfold when protruding element710is deployed. Folded side walls712A may extend perpendicularly or radially to lateral extension712B. For example, protruding element710may include a flange at a proximal end of protruding element710to prevent protruding710element from being detached from tire740. This flange may take the form of lateral extension712B that may be adhered, connected, molded or fastened to internal portion742of tire740. This flange may also take the form of lateral extension712B that may prevent protruding element710from being detached from tire740when deployed. Side walls712of protruding element710and folded side walls712A may comprise a hollow portion712C. Hollow portion712C may be coated by or may comprise lubricating material. Side walls743along opening749of tire740and side walls712of protruding element710may be coated by or may comprise lubricating material. The lubricating material may include, for example, grease, oil, carbon powder and any material used for minimizing friction. The lubricating material may be inserted, assembled, coated, applied on, volcanized, sprayed on, adhered, molded or manufactured together with protruding element710or tire740. The lubricating material may assist in lowering the friction between the moving parts when deploying and retracting protruding element710.

Protruding element710may be made of non- or low-coefficient of friction materials. The lubricating material, together with folded side walls712A and hollow portion712C, enable the deployment or offset deployment of protruding element710even if protruding element710is made of high friction coefficient material. When protruding element710is deployed, hollow portion712C enables the sides of folded side wall712A to slide on each other for extending protruding element710outwards from tire740. The friction between the moving elements during the retraction and deployment is low due to the lubricating material or low coefficient of friction between the inner sides of hollow portion712C, and this in turn enables the deployment and retraction of protruding element710even if protruding element710is made of high friction coefficient materials.

FIG. 7Bshows a cross-sectional view of the tire shown inFIG. 7Awith the offset protruding element deployed. Protruding element710is in the deployed position as shown inFIG. 7B. Protruding element710may extend further from external surface741of tire740. Protruding element710may be fastened by wire730. When protruding element710is deployed, protruding element710may cause at least parts of side walls712and folded side walls712A to deploy further from external surface741of tire740. For example, at least one elongated side wall712A of protruding element710may be configured to prolapse through opening749when in the deployed position.

The sides of folded side wall712A may slide against each other and extend at least parts of folded side walls712A to deploy. The deployed folded side walls712A may facilitate the deployment of protruding element710, and may increase the grip of wheel assembly700. For example, when in a sandy environment, folded side walls712A may act like an additional grip element when deployed to assist in propelling the vehicle. When protruding element710is retracted from the deployed position, folded side walls712A are re retracted as well.

FIG. 8Ashows a cross-sectional view of another design for a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with protruding elements retracted. Tire840may have side walls843along opening849. Side walls843may extend inwardly into a space confined between tire840and wheel850. Side walls843may abut, be clamped, be volcanized, adhere to, or connect to side walls812of protruding element810. For example, side walls843may be molded, melted or glued together with protruding element810, leading to a formation of an airtight seal between tire840and protruding element810. Side walls843may be fastened to side walls812of protruding element810with fastener870. Fastening or connecting side walls843to protruding element810may prevent protruding element810from being detached when protruding element810is deployed in the deployed position, or for example, it may help prevent escape of pressurized air through opening849.

Side walls812of protruding element810may extend radially (or perpendicularly) with a side wall extension815with respect to protruding element810and fit in slot846that is formed on side walls843along opening849of tire840for increasing the contact between tire840and protruding element810.

FIG. 8Bshows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip shown inFIG. 8Awith protruding elements deployed. Protruding element810is in the deployed position as shown inFIG. 8B. Protruding element810may extend further from external surface841of tire840. Protruding element810may be fastened by wire830to deployment mechanism820. Deployment mechanism820may be connected to wheel850. Tire840may be connected or fastened to protruding element810for preventing protruding element810from being detached when protruding element810is deployed. When protruding element810is deployed or retracted, the pulling force of protruding element810may cause sidewalls812and side walls843to bend, stretch, twist, deform elastically or move in correlation with the extent that protruding element810is extended. For example, when protruding element is retracted, side walls812are in a neutral position (e.g. not bent or twisted), and when protruding element is deployed, side walls812may bend inwardly as they are pulled by protruding element810. Protruding element810may inflate when deployed, increasing the structural strength of protruding element810for resisting the forces pushing protruding element back into tire840.

FIG. 9Ashows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with an inflatable protruding element in a retracted position. Protruding element910may include valve916and inflatable chamber917that expands an internal part of protruding element910. Inflatable chamber917may be inflated via valve916. Inflatable chamber917may be inflated at varying pressures. For example, controlling the inflation of inflatable chamber917may lower or increase the friction between protruding element910and tire940. The non-inflated segment of protruding element910may be more resistant to cuts, punctures, wear and deformation in comparison to the segment of protruding element that contains inflatable chamber917. When an external force pushes protruding element910back towards tire940, protruding element910may apply less pressure on side walls943because the non-inflatable segment of protruding element is less prone to stretching and deformation when under pressure of external forces, and this in turn may enable the choice of material with higher coefficient of friction for protruding element910(friction is less of an issue in retraction and deployment when protruding element does not deform when under external pressure). Inflatable chamber917may be attached or added to protruding element910rather than be an integral part of it. For example, inflatable chamber917may have different shapes and sizes, and inflatable chamber917may envelope part of protruding element910.

FIG. 9Bshows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip shown inFIG. 9Awith the inflatable protruding element deployed. Protruding element910may further protrude from external surface941of tire940. Protruding element910may be fastened by wire930to deployment mechanism920. Deployment mechanism920may be coupled to wheel950. Inflatable chamber917may be configured so as not to be able to deploy beyond external surface941.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an internal part942of tire940may not be integral to tire940. For example, internal part of tire940may be adhered or attached to tire940, or it may be assembled with tire940to be detached at a later date for repair. Additionally, protruding element910may be integral to tire940or it may be separate.

FIG. 10Ashows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with deployable protruding elements with controlled stoppers in a retracted position.

Protruding element1010may be controlled indirectly by deployment mechanism1020so as to initialize the deployment or retraction of protruding element1010. For example, protruding element1010may be pushed further from tire1040using internal pressure of tire1040when pin1044is moved directly by the control mechanism1020(i.e., being deployed). Additionally, protruding element1010may be retracted to a retracted position using the external forces applied to protruding element1010. For example, when protruding element1010is forced by the weight of the vehicle while protruding element is in contact with a surface abutting tire1040, said force may push protruding element1010further into tire1040so as to facilitate the retraction of protruding element1010.

Deployment mechanism1020may deploy protruding element1010without being fastened directly to protruding element1010. For example, deployment mechanism may control a stopper or a latch that holds protruding element1010in the retracted position, and, when said stopper is released, the internal pressure of tire1040may push protruding element1010so as to deploy it. Tire1040may have side walls1043along opening1049. Side walls1043may extend inwardly into a space contained between tire1040and wheel1050. Side walls1043may abut side walls1012of protruding element1010. Side walls1012of protruding element1010may have a bent stopper1013. Bent stopper1013may catch on side walls1043along opening1049of tire1040. Bent stopper1013may help prevent the protruding element1010from being detached from the wheel assembly when protruding element1010deployed in the deployed position. Side walls1043along opening1049of tire1040may have a protrusion or groove1044that latches to stoppers1018, e.g., mating pairs of grooves and protrusions, on walls1012of protruding element1010. For example, protruding element1010and side wall of opening1043, through which protruding element1010is configured to move between the deployed position and the retracted position, may define a latch.

Deployment mechanism1020may be fastened with wire1030to side wall1043along opening1049of tire1040for latching or unlatching protrusion1044from stopper1018. Stopper1018may latch (when in latching position) onto protrusion1044when protruding element1010is being retracted back from a deployed position, preventing an unintended redeployment of protruding element1010by the applied internal pressure from tire1040. Side walls1043may have elastic properties, and side walls1043may deform elastically due to applied pressures (e.g., applied force by wire1030). When the applied pressure on side walls1043subsides, side walls1043may return to their default positions for latching onto protruding element1010.

Protruding element1010is in a retracted position as shown inFIG. 10A, wherein deployment mechanism extends wire1030so that protrusion1044is latched to stopper1018for keeping protruding element1010in first position. Side walls1043along opening1049of tire1040may have a low friction coefficient. Side walls1043may extend towards external surface1041for decreasing the friction applied on protruding element1010. For example, when protruding element1010is deployed, protruding element1010may get inflated, such that the portion of side walls1043that extends outwardly (rather than the rough external surface1041) may be in contact with inflated portion of deployable element1010.

FIG. 10Bshows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip shown inFIG. 10Awith the protruding elements deployed. Protruding element1010is in the deployed position shown inFIG. 10B. Protruding element1010may extend further from external surface1041of tire1040. Deployment mechanism may operate wire1030(e.g., may pull the wire) so that stopper1018is unlatched to allow deploying of protruding element1010. For example, a relatively small force (in comparison to forces required for other methods of deployment) may be applied to lever side walls1043from the latched position. Bent stopper1013of protruding element1010may catch onto internal portion1042of tire1040. Bent stopper1013of protruding element1010may catch onto side walls1043of tire1040. When bent stopper1013catches onto any catch-like structure of tire1040, bent stopper1013prevents protruding element1010from being detached from tire1040when protruding element1010is deployed. When pin1044is retracted, stopper1018is in the unlatched position and will not latch on side walls1043. For example, if protruding element1010is pushed back into tire1040by external forces, protruding element1010will not be latched (pin1044is retracted), and protruding element1010may re-deploy due to internal pressure of tire1040. Tire1040may roll on a soft or sandy surface, whereby deployed protruding elements1010may penetrate the soft surface and act like an additional gripping element to assist in propelling the vehicle.

FIG. 11Ashows a cross-sectional view of a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, with rachet regulated deployable protruding elements in a retracted position. For example, the deployment mechanism of this vehicle wheel assembly may include ratcheting mechanism1180. Ratcheting mechanism1180may facilitate the deployment and retraction of protruding element1110from tire1140. Protruding element1110may be coupled through wire1130to ratcheting mechanism1180. Ratcheting mechanism1180may hold protruding element1110in the retracted position. When the ratcheting mechanism1180is operated, ratcheting mechanism1180may unlatch, thereby deploying protruding element1110. When the ratcheting mechanism1180is operated again, ratcheting mechanism1180may cause retraction of protruding element1110and latching thereof. Additionally, when ratcheting mechanism is operated again and protruding element1110is pushed into tire1140by external forces (e.g., the weight of the vehicle on the ground via protruding element1110), ratcheting mechanism1180may prevent protruding element1110from re-deploying. Ratcheting element1180may include one or a plurality of latching positions, allowing protruding element to be deployed at varying lengths. Ratcheting mechanism1180may be connected to a power source or a controller (e.g., deployment mechanism control unit). Ratcheting mechanism1180may include an energy source such as a battery, and said energy source may be self-sustaining. For example, ratcheting mechanism may include a rechargeable battery with a recharging mechanism.

FIG. 11Bshows a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip shown inFIG. 11Awith the protruding elements deployed. Protruding element1110may extend further from external surface1141of tire1140.

FIG. 12Ashows a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic deployment mechanism with a ratchet for a vehicle wheel assembly for enhanced road grip, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in a latched retracted position. Ratcheting mechanism1280may have housing1292that connects to wire1230. Housing1292may have chamber1290that contains a piston1282. Piston1282may have a groove1291or multiple grooves. Ratcheting mechanism1280may hold piston1282in place by holding latch1287in groove1291. When the protruding element is in the retracted position, ratcheting mechanism1280may be latched as shown inFIG. 12A. A deployment mechanism or ratcheting mechanism1280may include one or a plurality of electricity generators that utilize the movement of a vehicle wheel or of the protruding elements to generate electricity. For example, the deployment mechanism of a vehicle wheel assembly may comprise an electricity generator that employs the motion of the wheel assembly to generate electricity, as is known in the art. The generated electricity may be used for operating the deployment mechanism or ratcheting mechanism1280. For example, the electricity generator may include magnet1283B that moves within coil1284B, generating a varying magnetic flux on coil1284B. The varying magnetic flux is converted to electric current and stored in battery1286using controller1288. In another embodiment, the deployment mechanism or ratcheting mechanism1282may have a vertical electricity generator for generating electricity from the radial movement of the vehicle wheel assembly or the protruding elements, or the deployment mechanism or ratcheting mechanism1282may have horizontal electricity generator1285for generating electricity from the movement of the vehicle wheel assembly. For example, a magnet attached to a spring can be used to harness the tire's pendulum-like movements.

Controller1288may connect to antenna1289. Controller1288may receive wireless commands using antenna1289. For example, controller1288may receive a wireless command to latch or to unlatch the ratcheting mechanism. Controller1288may control latch1287by engaging latch magnet1283A using latch coil1284A, causing latch1287to be withdrawn from groove1291for unlatching ratcheting mechanism1280. Controller1288may control latch1287by disengaging latch magnet1283using latch coil1284A, causing latch1287to be latched in groove1291for latching ratcheting mechanism1280as shown inFIG. 12.A.

Different embodiments are disclosed herein. Features of certain embodiments may be combined with features of other embodiments. Thus, certain embodiments may be combinations of features of multiple embodiments. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that many modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalents are possible in light of the above teaching. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.