Patent Publication Number: US-11390124-B2

Title: Edge guard for non-pneumatic wheel

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to PCT/US2017/040388, filed Jun. 30, 2017. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a non-pneumatic wheel or tire having protective features applied along one or both sides of support structure positioned radially between a hub and an annular shear band. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The pneumatic tire is a known solution for compliance, comfort, mass, and rolling resistance. However, the pneumatic tire has disadvantages in complexity, the need for maintenance, and susceptibility to damage. A device that improves on pneumatic tire performance could, for example, provide more compliance, better control of stiffness, lower maintenance requirements, and resistance to damage. 
     Non-pneumatic tire or wheel constructions provide certain such improvements. The details and benefits of non-pneumatic tire or non-pneumatic wheel constructions are described in e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,769,465; 6,994,134; 7,013,939; and 7,201,194. Certain non-pneumatic tire and wheel constructions propose incorporating an annular shear band, embodiments of which are described in e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,769,465 and 7,201,194. Such non-pneumatic tire and wheel constructions provide advantages in performance without relying upon a gas inflation pressure for support of the loads applied to the tire or wheel. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,465 relates to a structurally supported resilient tire that supports a load without internal air pressure. In an exemplary embodiment, this non-pneumatic tire includes a ground contacting portion and side wall portions that extend radially inward from the tread portion and anchor in bead portions that are adapted to remain secure to a wheel during rolling of the tire. A reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. This shear band includes at least one homogenous shear layer, a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the shear layer and a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the dynamic shear modulus of the shear layer so that, when under load, the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant length of the membranes. Relative displacement of the membranes occurs substantially by shear strain in the shear layer. The invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,465 provides several advantages including, for example, the ability to operate without an inflation pressure and the flexibility to adjust the vertical stiffness of the tire somewhat independently of the ground contact pressure. 
     Certain non-pneumatic constructions make use of load bearing members sometimes in the form of a web or spoke. These members can transmit an applied load to the annular shear band through e.g., tension. These members may be constructed from materials that are susceptible to small cuts, nicks, or dents from incidental contact with other objects. This can provide an unpleasing aesthetic appearance and potentially serve as initiation points for cracks and tears in the member. A non-pneumatic tire construction having one or more features for minimizing or preventing such damage would be useful. 
     Vehicles accumulate static electrical charge when driven. If there is sufficient electrical conductivity between the vehicle and ground through the tires then the charge will be continually depleted. However, if the electrical resistance between the ground and vehicle through the tires is too great the vehicle will retain an electrical charge for a significant amount of time once the vehicle has stopped moving. A person may be shocked when touching the vehicle such as when he or she grasps the door handle to open or close the door. It is known to incorporate carbon black into the rubber of tires in order to provide electrical conductivity to the tire to prevent or reduce shock. However, the addition of carbon black to the sidewalls of tires may increases hysteresis and in turn may increase rolling resistance and heat generation. Non-pneumatic tires may include elements that are made of polyurethane, which has less electrical conductivity than the material making up pneumatic tires, and therefore non-pneumatic tires may have higher static charge retention than pneumatic tires. 
     Accordingly, a non-pneumatic tire construction having one or more features for minimizing for preventing the damage mentioned above as well as one or more features for reducing the build-up of electrical charge on the vehicle would also be useful. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a non-pneumatic wheel having one or more features for protecting edges of a support structure located radially between a wheel hub and an annular shear band. A softer and more durable material is provided along certain edges of the support structure for providing resistance to damages from incidental impact. One or more electrically conductive features may also be provided to reduce or prevent the accumulation of electrical charge on a vehicle using the non-pneumatic wheel. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a non-pneumatic wheel is provided defining axial, radial, and circumferential directions. The non-pneumatic wheel includes a cylindrically-shaped hub extending along the axial direction between opposing sides of the wheel. A compliant, load supporting annular shear band is positioned radially-outward of the hub and concentric with the hub. A support structure is positioned radially-outward of the cylindrically-shaped hub and radially-inward of the annular shear band. The support structure includes a plurality of spokes extending transversely over the hub between opposing sides of the wheel, each spoke having at least a pair of edges and a main body portion, wherein for each spoke at least one of the edges includes an edge guard portion having a lower Shore hardness than the main body portion. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a non-pneumatic wheel is provided that defines axial, radial, and circumferential directions. The non-pneumatic wheel includes a cylindrically-shaped hub extending along the axial direction between opposing sides of the wheel. A compliant, load supporting annular shear band is positioned radially-outward of the hub and concentric with the hub. A support structure is positioned radially-outward of the cylindrically-shaped hub and radially-inward of the annular shear band. The support structure includes a plurality of spokes extending transversely over the hub between opposing sides of the wheel. Such spokes may extend, for example, parallel to the axial direction or at angles therefrom. Each spoke has a main body portion located between a pair of edges with each edge located along one of the opposing sides of the wheel. For each spoke, at least one of the edges includes an edge guard portion having a lower rigidity than the main body portion. For example, at least one of the edges has an edge guard portion having a lower Shore hardness than the main body portion. 
     The non-pneumatic wheel may include one or more static discharge elements for conducting electricity from the vehicle to reduce build-up of electrical charge. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic wheel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic wheel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  provides a schematic, cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic wheel depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary load bearing member, or spoke, of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are side and end views, respectively, of an exemplary static discharge element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is partial, cross-sectional side view of another exemplary non-pneumatic wheel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of another exemplary non-pneumatic wheel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is partial side view of another exemplary non-pneumatic wheel of the present invention 
         FIG. 10  is partial side view of another exemplary non-pneumatic wheel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic wheel. 
     
    
    
     The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different figures denotes the same or similar features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of describing the invention, reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the following definitions apply. 
     Axial direction A refers to a direction parallel to a central axis CA about which a referenced exemplary non-pneumatic wheel rotates during use. 
     Radial direction R refers to a direction perpendicular to the central axis with radially-outer or radially outward referring to a general direction away from the central axis CA, and radially-inner or radially inward referring to a general direction towards the central axis CA. 
     Circumferential direction C refers to a direction defined by the circumference of the wheel or the direction of its rotation about an axis such as central axis CA. 
     Shore hardness refers to the hardness of a material as measured using a durometer pursuant to ASTM D2240, which is a publicly available and known industry standard for hardness testing. Shore A and Shore D refer to two different durometer scales for specifying hardness as set forth by ASTM D2240. 
     The ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5. 
       FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tire or non-pneumatic wheel  100  as may be used with the present invention. Non-pneumatic wheel  100  includes a cylindrically-shaped hub  102  extending along axial direction A between opposing sides  104  and  106  of wheel  100 . By way of example, hub  102  may be provided with, or attached to, other features for mounting wheel  100  to a spindle or axle of a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment, hub  102  is attached to a disk that can be mounted onto a spindle or axle of a vehicle. 
     A compliant, load supporting annular shear band  108  is positioned radially outward of hub  102  and is concentric with hub  102 . Annular shear band  108  may be constructed e.g., with one or more reinforcing bands or membranes having a shear layer between the reinforcing bands. Alternatively, for example, the reinforcement elements may not be in bands and may be randomly positioned. Such shear layer may be constructed e.g. of an elastomeric material such as e.g., natural and synthetic rubbers, polyurethanes, foamed rubbers, foamed polyurethanes, segmented copolyesters, and block co-polymers of polyamides such as co-polyamides or polyethere block amides. The reinforcing bands may include reinforcements constructed from e.g., essentially inextensible cord reinforcements embedded in an elastomeric coating. For example, such cord reinforcements may each have a compressive modulus of at least 3 GPa or more. Such reinforcements may include e.g., any of several materials suitable for use as tire belt reinforcements in conventional tires such as cords of steel, composites of glass and resin such as e.g., fiberglass reinforced plastics, and other materials having a high modulus in tension and compression. Other constructions and materials may be used as well. A tread  110  may be formed on, adhered to, or provided as part of, annular shear band  108 . A variety of shapes and patterns may be used for tread  110  in addition to what is shown in the figures. 
     Non-pneumatic wheel  100  includes a support structure, indicated generally at  112 , that is positioned radially-outward of cylindrically-shaped hub  102  and radially-inward of the annular shear band  108 . Support structure  112  has a radially-inner end  148  and a radially-outer end  152 . Support structure  112  includes a plurality of spokes  114  that extend transversely over hub  102  along axial direction A between opposing sides  104  and  106  of non-pneumatic wheel  100 . 
     For this exemplary embodiment, spokes  114  are configured as web-like elements that also extend along radial direction R between hub  102  and annular shear band  108 . Spokes  114  are adjacent to one another and spaced apart about circumferential direction C of wheel  100 . During use, annular shear band  108  supports loads transmitted to non-pneumatic wheel  100  when mounted to a vehicle. The load is transmitted by tension, compression, or both through spokes  114  to the compliant, annular shear band  108 . In one exemplary embodiment, as wheel  100  rotates, spokes  114  may be in tension as they reach the top of wheel  100  at a position away from the contact patch while spokes  114  near the contact patch may experience minimal tension or even compression, may even slightly buckle or bend, and may provide some support as spokes  114  are compressed. 
     In this embodiment, support structure  112  includes an inner interface ring  116  and an outer interface ring  118  that is positioned radially-outward from inner interface ring  116  with each ring  116  and  118  concentric with hub  102 . A radially-inner end  120  of each spoke  114  is connected to inner interface ring  116  while a radially-outer end  122  of each spoke  114  is connected to outer interface ring  118 . 
     Support structure  112  is not limited to the particular support structure  112  with spokes  114  shown in the figures as other shapes and configurations may be used. For example, spokes  114  may also be formed at various angles from radial direction R, may include one or more bends, may form a honeycomb-like structure, and other configurations that extend about circumferential direction C. By way of example,  FIG. 2  provides a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic wheel  100  where reference numbers identical to  FIG. 1  denote the same or similar features. For this embodiment, support structure  112 , including spokes  114 , is connected directly with hub  102  and annular shear band  108  without rings  116  and  118 . 
       FIG. 3  provides a schematic, cross-sectional view of non-pneumatic wheel  100  along circumferential direction C between a pair of spokes  114  where none of the spokes  114  is cross-sectioned. Non-pneumatic wheel  100  includes one or more features for protecting one or both lateral edges  124 ,  126  of spokes  114  along opposing sides  104  and  106  of wheel  100 . 
     More particularly, for this exemplary embodiment, each spoke  114  includes a main body portion  128  located along axial direction A between opposing edge guard portions  130  and  132 . The edge guard portions  130  and  132  are each constructed from a material having a lower Shore hardness than main body portion  128 . By using a softer material along edge guard portions  130  and  132 , spokes  114  can absorb and protect the harder and more rigid main body portion  128  of each spoke  114 . Although the embodiment of  FIG. 3  depicts edge guard portions  130  and  132  along each opposing lateral edge  124  and  126 , in other exemplary embodiments spokes  114  may only have an edge guard portion containing softer material along only one lateral edge  124  or  126  of each spoke  114 . For such embodiment, the edge guard portions would all be located on the same side  104  or  106  or the tire. In still other embodiments, a spoke  114  may have more than a pair of edges and, in such case, one or more of such edges may be equipped with an edge guard portion having a lower Shore hardness than the main body portion. 
     In certain embodiments, edge guard portions  130  and  132  may each have a hardness in the range of 40 Shore A to 55 Shore D and the main body portion  128  may have a hardness of 50 Shore D or higher. In still another embodiment, edge guard portions  130  and  132  may each have a hardness in the range of 80 Shore A to 100 Shore A and the main body portion  128  may have a hardness of 60 Shore D or higher. In still other embodiments, edge guard portions  130  and  132  may each have a hardness of 95 Shore A and the main body portion  128  may have a hardness of 60 Shore D or higher. 
     A variety of materials may be used to construct the edge guard portions of spokes  114 . For example, edge guard portions  130  and  132  may be constructed from polyurethanes, copolyesters, polyether block amides, polyolefin elastomers, and others. Main body portion  128  may be constructed from harder polyurethanes, copolyesters, polyether block amides, polyolefins, nylons, and others. One or more reinforcements, including inextensible reinforcements, may be present in main body portion  128  as well. 
     Various methods may be used to create spokes  114  having at least one edge guard portion  130  or  132 . In one exemplary method, an edge guard portion is over molded onto the harder, main body portion  128  by a two shot or two step injection molding process where the material of one portion (the main body portion  128  or the edge guard portion) is first injected into the mold followed in quick succession by over molding the second portion onto the first. 
     In certain embodiments, each edge guard portion  130  or  132  has a certain width W E  along axial direction A relative to the overall width W M  of spoke  114  along axial direction A. For example, in certain embodiments, edge guard portion  130  or  132  may have a width W E  that is in the range of 2 percent to 25 percent of the overall width W M  of spoke  114 . In still other embodiments, edge guard portion  130  or  132  may have a width W E  that is in the range of 3 percent to 12 percent of the overall width W M  of spoke  114 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a spoke  114 A as may be used with non-pneumatic wheel  100 . As with previous embodiments, spoke  114 A in  FIG. 4  includes a main body portion  128  with softer edge portions  130 A and  132 A and, alternatively, could include just one softer edge portion  130 A or  132 A. A bend or fold  134  in spoke  114 A provides for certain mechanical properties to be added to non-pneumatic wheel  100 . Feet  126  and  128  are included for integrating spoke  114 A into wheel  100 . Other constructions for support structure  112  and spoke  114 A may be used as well. 
     Exemplary embodiments of non-pneumatic wheel  100  may also include one or more features for discharging a build-up of static electricity on a vehicle. More particularly, non-pneumatic wheel  100  may be provided with a static discharge element for use in conducting electricity through the tire wheel  100  to prevent or reduce the chances of shocking a person touching the vehicle and to remove unwanted static electricity from the vehicle. The static discharge element can be located in the support structure  112  of the non-pneumatic tire  100  in order to transfer the electricity across the support structure  112 , which may be otherwise composed of materials that have poor electrical conductive properties. The static discharge element is electrically conductive and may be made in a variety of manners. In some embodiments, the static discharge element is elastic so that it may function with support structures that are likewise elastic. In some embodiments, the static discharge element may be included in, or on, one or more spokes  114  along the main body portion, one or more edge guard portions, or both. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a static discharge element  140  configured as a filament  142 .  FIG. 7  provides a cross-sectional view of an arc-length portion along circumferential direction C of the exemplary embodiment of non-pneumatic wheel  100  of  FIG. 1 . Static discharge element  140  is located inside a spoke  114  and extends along radial direction R from hub  102  through spoke  114  to annular shear band  108 . Static discharge element  140  may be included in all, or a subset of, spokes  114 . Static discharge element  140  may extend through main body portion  128 , one of edge guard portions  130  or  132 , or both. In certain embodiments, static discharge element  140  may also be located within hub  102 , annular shear band  108 , or both. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 7 , static discharge element  140  may simply engage (i.e. have electrically conducting contact therewith) hub  102  and shear band  108  and is not positioned inside of these elements. For each of these embodiments, static discharge element  140  allows electricity to be transferred from hub  102  to annular shear band  108  through one or spokes  114 . 
     As stated, for the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 , static discharge element  140  is provided as a filament  142  having a slender, thread-like shape. Filament  142  may have a circular cross-sectional shape, but other shapes are possible. Filament  142  may have a polymeric strand  144  and conductive carbon  146 . Conductive carbon  146  may coat the length of polymeric strand  144  so as to cover the entire length of polymeric strand  144 . In some embodiments, conductive carbon  146  may also coat the terminal top end and terminal bottom end of the polymeric strand  144  so that the polymeric strand  144  is completely covered on all sides by the conductive carbon  146 . In some embodiments, polymeric strand  144  is suffused with conductive carbon  146 . Polymeric strand  144  can have a circular cross-sectional shape, and conductive carbon  146  can have a circular cross-sectional shape with an inner void of circular cross-sectional shape filled with polymeric strand  144 . Filament  142  may include any type of conductive particles to enable electrical conductivity. In some instances, the conductive particles may be powdered copper. The electrically conductive particles can be infused within other portions of filament  142 . In some examples, filament  142  could be a conductive cable constructed from e.g., copper. 
     Polymeric strand  144  may be a synthetic polymer such as synthetic rubber, phenol formaldehyde resin, neoprene, nylon, polyvinyl chloride polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, silicone, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aramid, and hybrids of these as well. Polymeric strand  144  may also be a natural polymeric material such as natural rubber. Filament  140  may be configured as a monofilament, a multifilament yarn, a tow, or a staple. 
     To allow spoke  114  to flex during rotation of wheel  100 , spoke  114  may have an elongation at break of 10 percent, although in other instances the elongation at break of spoke  114  may be from 0 percent to 5 percent, from 4 percent to 5 percent, from 5 percent to 15 percent, from 8 percent to 12 percent, from 9 percent to 11 percent, from 10 percent to 13 percent, from 10 percent to 15 percent, from 15 percent to 25 percent, up to 30 percent, or up to 50 percent. 
     Filament  142  may also have an elongation at break that is at least 10 percent so that filament  142  is likewise capable of stretching to accommodate stretching of spoke  114  in which it is carried. In other embodiments, filament  142  may have an elongation of from 0 percent to 5 percent, from 5 percent to 10 percent, from 10 percent to 15 percent, from 15 percent to 20 percent, from 20 percent to 25 percent, from 25 percent to 30 percent, from 30 percent to 35 percent, from 35 percent to 40 percent, from 40 percent to 45 percent, from 45 percent to 50 percent, from 50 percent to 55 percent, from 55 percent to 60 percent, or up to 60 percent, at least 2 percent, at least 4 percent, at least 5 percent, at least 8 percent, at least 10 percent, at least 15 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 25 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 35 percent, at least 40 percent, at least 45 percent, or at least 50 percent. The elongation numbers described may be the elongation of the component at break. In one exemplary embodiment, the elongation at break of the filament  142  is 41 percent. Spoke  114  may be designed so that carbon black is not present in areas of the spoke other than filament  142 . 
     The electrical conductivity of the static discharge element  140  may be greater than that of spoke  114  so that electricity more easily flows through the static discharge element  140  than spoke  114 . For example, spoke  114  may be made of polyurethane and thus may not have good electrical conductivity. The average electrical resistivity of static discharge element  140  may be 4×10 5  ohms-centimeter. In other arrangements, the average electrical resistivity of static discharge element  140  may be from 1×10 5 -4×10 5  ohms-centimeter, from 4×10 5 -1×10 6  ohms-centimeter, from 1×10 6 -5×10 6  ohms-centimeter, or up to 1×10 10  ohms-centimeter. 
     Where static discharge element  140  is constructed as filament  142 , such may be RESISTAT® F902 Merge R022, which is manufactured by Jarden Applied Materials having offices located at 1451 Sand Hill Road, Enka, N.C.,  28728 , USA. In such case, filament  142  has a 22-denier nylon 6 monofilament  144 , which has electrically conductive carbon  146  suffused onto the surface of the monofilament  144 . Filament  142 , in such case, has a round cross-section, and conductive carbon  146  has a thickness of 1 micron on monofilament  144 . In one exemplary embodiment, the tenacity of such filament  142  is 5 grams/denier, the elongation at break is 41 percent, and the average electrical resistance per unit length is 4×10 5  ohms/centimeter. For example, filament  142  may have an average electrical resistance of 4×10 5  ohms per centimeter of filament length. The suffusion process chemically saturates the outer skin of the nylon monofilament  144  with the electrically conductive carbon particles  146 . The conductive carbon  146  becomes part of the structure of the nylon monofilament  144 , which retains the strength and flexibility of the nylon monofilament  144 . The suffusion process results in a filament  144  with a durable, conductive sheath that does not crack or lose conductivity during flexing. 
     Although described as having conductive carbon  146  in the filament  142 , other types of electrically conductive carbon may be included such as carbon nanotube (CNT), graphite, grapheme, or carbon black. Further, although described as having electrically conductive carbon in the filament, other types of fillers such as intrinsically conducting polymers, metal flake, or metallic fillers could be used for the purpose of conducting electricity through filament  142 . 
     For the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , filament  142  extends through spoke  114  and also extends through inner interface ring  116  and outer interface ring  118 . A first end  154  of filament  142  extends some distance along circumferential direction C along a radially-inner end  148  of the inner interface ring  116 . First end  154  is located between the radially-inner end  148  and hub  102 , which is electrically conductive or has components that are electrically conductive such that static discharge can occur. Adhesive  150  may be applied to first end  154  and hub  102  to attach these two elements. Adhesive  150  may be electrically conductive in order to allow electricity to flow from hub  102  into first end  154  of static discharge element  140 . Adhesive  150  may have a concentration of carbon black of 23% weight, or may have a concentration of graphene of 2% weight. 
     Although described as being connected through the use of adhesive  150 , any other form of attachment of first end  154  can be implemented. For example, a mechanical connection can be used to attach first end  154  of filament  142  to hub  102  or to inner interface ring  116 . The mechanical connection can be electrically conductive as well in order to allow electricity to flow through hub  102  to first end  154 . The connection need not be electrically conductive if first end  154  is placed against the hub  102  to cause electrical connectivity between first end  154  and hub  102 . 
     A second end  156  of filament  142  extends along a length of a radially-outer end  152  of outer interface ring  118  along circumferential direction C. Second end  156  is located between radially-outer end  152  and shear band  108 , which is electrically conductive along with tread  110  or have components that are electrically conductive such that static discharge can occur. Adhesive  158 , which can be electrically conductive as described above with respect to adhesive  150 , is used to attach second end  156  to shear band  108 . As with first end  154 , other types of connection, such as a mechanical connection, can be used to attach second end  156  to shear band  108 . Electricity from filament  142  may flow through second end  156  and electrically conductive adhesive  158  into shear band  108  for subsequent discharge from non-pneumatic wheel  100 . In some embodiments, adhesive  150  and  158  need not be used, and ends  154  and  156  can be placed into engagement with hub  102  and shear band  108  by other means. Further, although described as going through the interiors of the outer interface ring  118 , spoke  114 , and inner interface ring  116 , filament  142  may be on the outside of one or more of these components in other configurations of the non-pneumatic wheel  100 . 
     Another exemplary embodiment of non-pneumatic wheel  100 C is shown in  FIG. 8  and is configured in a manner similar to the one described with respect to  FIG. 7 . Support structure  112  includes an inner interface ring  116 , a plurality of spokes  114 , and an outer interface ring  118 . For this embodiment, static discharge element  140 C is an elastic electrically conductive tape  168  through which electricity may be conducted. Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  is located on an axial face  164  of the support structure  112 . For this embodiment, tape  168  extends radially along one or both edge portions  130 ,  132  of a spoke  114 . Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  is not located in the interior of support structure  112 , but rather is located on the outside of support structure  112 . Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  engages hub  102  and extends across inner interface ring  116 , spoke  114 , and outer interface ring  118 . Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  also engages shear band  108  so that it is on the side faces of shear band  108  and hub  102  in along axial direction A. Electricity from hub  102  is conducted through elastic electrically conductive tape  168  and into shear band  108 . Spoke  114  may be constructed so that carbon black is not present in the portions of the spoke  114  outside of the elastic electrically conductive tape  168 , and in some instances may not be present at all in spoke  114  and elastic electrically conductive tape  168 . 
     Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  extends along radial direction R and also changes course in circumferential direction C upon its extension outward in radial direction R. Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  could be applied to a mold surface before molding so that it is captured by material used to make support structure  112 . However, in other embodiments, elastic electrically conductive tape  168  could be applied by adhesives or other means after formation of support structure  112  and other elements of the non-pneumatic wheel  100 . Elastic electrically conductive tape  168  can stretch in one or more directions in order to accommodate deformation of the spoke  114  during normal use of non-pneumatic wheel  100 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an arc length portion along circumferential direction C of another exemplary embodiment of non-pneumatic wheel  100 C. Support structure  112  again has inner interface ring  116 , spokes  114 , and outer interface ring  118 . Static discharge element  140  is electrically conductive paint  160  that is located on axial face  164  of support structure  112 . Electrically conductive paint  160  is also located on an axial face of hub  102  and on an axial face of shear band  108 . Electrically conductive paint  160  is thus not found on the interior of the support structure  112 , but is on an exterior surface of the support structure  112 . For this exemplary embodiment, electrically conductive paint  160  can be applied directly onto one or both edge portions  130 ,  132  of one or more spokes  114 , inner interface ring  116 , and outer interface ring  118  after molding of these components. Electrically conductive paint  160  may also be applied to shear band  108  and hub  102  after they have been molded or otherwise formed. Electrically conductive paint  160  could alternatively be applied to a mold surface and then released during molding of the support structure  112 . Electrically conductive paint  160  may be applied to an injection molded support structure  112  that does not have a release agent. Spokes  114  may be arranged so that carbon black is not present in portions of the spoke  114  outside of the electrically conductive paint  160 , and spoke  114  may also be arranged so carbon black is not present at all either in the electrically conductive paint  160  or the portions of the spoke  114  outside of electrically conductive paint  160 . 
     Another alternative embodiment of non-pneumatic wheel  10013  is shown in  FIG. 10  and includes a support structure  112  that again has spokes  114 , inner interface ring  116 , and outer interface ring  118 . Static discharge element  140 D is a strip of electrically conductive polymer  162 . Support structure  112  and electrically conductive polymer  162  can be formed by a two shot injection molding process. A first shot applies the strip of electrically conductive polymer  162  onto the mold surface between hub  102  and annular shear band  108 . A second shot completes the mold assembly by injecting inner interface ring  116 , spokes  114 , and outer interface ring  118 . Electrically conductive polymer strip  162  is captured by spoke  114 . 
     Electrically conductive polymer  162  may abut radially-inner end  148  and radially-outer end  152  of support structure  112  to put the electrically conductive polymer  162  into electrical communication with hub  102  and shear band  108 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , end  154  of the electrically conductive polymer  162  overlays the exterior surface of hub  102 , and end  156  overlays side of shear band  108  to allow electricity to transfer into shear band  108 . Electrically conductive polymer  162  may extend, for example, in a generally straight orientation in the radial direction R as shown, but it is to be understood that the electrically conductive polymer  162  may flex some degree in circumferential direction C during normal flexing of the spoke  114  during use. Spoke  114  may be provided so that carbon black is not present in portions of the spoke  114  outside of the electrically conductive polymer  162 , and may alternatively be arranged so that carbon black is not present at all in the electrically conductive polymer  162  or in the portions of spoke  114  other than electrically conductive polymer  162 . Electrically conductive polymer  162  may be positioned in one or both edge guard portions  130  and  132 , in main body portion  128 , or may be on the exposed axial end or face of edge guard portions  130  and/or  132 . 
     Another exemplary embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire  100 E is shown in  FIG. 11 , which is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a non-pneumatic tire  100 E taken between a pair of elements  114 E along circumferential direction C such that no element  114 E is part of the cross-section. For this exemplary embodiment, static discharge element  140 E is a filament fiber  166  filler that is included within the other material of support structure  112 E. Support structure  112 E shown has an inner interface ring  116 E, an outer interface ring  188 , and a plurality of spokes  114 E in this embodiment. 
     For example, components  114 E,  116 E, and  118 E may be made of polyurethane. Filler made up of the filament fibers  166  may be included in the polyurethane of the components. Filament fibers  166  can be mixed into the polyurethane and distributed about the components  114 ,  116 , and  118  as shown in  FIG. 11 . In other embodiments,  114 E,  116 E, and  118 E and any other portions of support structure  122  can be made of reinforced and non-reinforced material such as a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be polyurethane, copolyester, polyether block amide and polyolefins. Still further, other embodiments of the non-pneumatic wheel  100 E as described herein can include components such as spokes  114 E, inner interface ring  116 E, outer interface ring  118 E, and support structure  122  that includes the different types of polymeric materials. Other types of materials may be included in the components such as polyurethane, copolyester, polyether block amide and polyolefins. 
     For the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 11 , filament fibers  166  are include in both edge guard portions  130  and  132 . However, in other embodiments, filament fibers may be included in one or more of portions  128 ,  130 , and  132 . 
     Filament fibers  166  may be from 2-7 millimeters in length and may have characteristics similar to filament  142  previously discussed in that they may be electrically conductive and can have the degrees of elasticity identified. The resulting spoke  114 E may be capable of flexing the required amount and electricity may be conducted through spoke  114 E as the overlapping filament fibers filament fibers form a pathway through which electricity can be conducted through the components  114 E,  116 E, and  118 E. 
     Filament fibers  166  may be placed into support structure  112 E throughout the entire support structure  112 E so that the filament fibers  166  are found 360 degrees around support structure  112 E in circumferential direction C. Alternatively, filament fibers  166  may be placed into only a section of support structure  112 E so that they are found along only an arc length of support structure  112 E in circumferential direction C and not 360 degrees around the central axis CA. 
     Although the various embodiments have been described as lacking carbon black in the portions of spoke  114  outside of static discharge element  140 , carbon black could in fact be present in the portions of spoke  114  that are not static discharge element  140  in other versions of the non-pneumatic wheel  100 . Embodiments discussed also show a single static discharge element  140  incorporated into the non-pneumatic wheel  100 . It is to be understood that additional embodiments are possible in which multiple static discharge elements  140  are present on non-pneumatic wheel  100 . For example, from 2-4, from 5-7, or up to 10 static discharge elements  140  may be present. One of, or multiple spokes  114 , could have the various static discharge elements  140 , and in some instances all of the spokes  114  of the wheel  100  have a static discharge element  140 . Also, although some of the previously discussed embodiments have the static discharge element  140  located on a single axial face  164  of support structure  112 , other embodiments are possible in which the opposite axial face of the support structure  112  likewise includes one or more of static discharge elements  140 . 
     In still further exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that when more than one static discharge element  140  is present in the wheel  100 , such may all be of the same type or may be of different types. For example, non-pneumatic wheel  100  could include both a filament  142  and filament fibers  166  in some embodiments. In other embodiments, non-pneumatic wheel  100  may have static discharge elements  140  that are filaments  142 , elastic electrically conductive tape  168 , and electrically conductive paint  160 . 
     Spoke  114  and the variously discussed static discharge elements  140  may be capable of stretching. Static discharge element  140  may be able to elongate 10 percent before breaking, and in other instances the elongation of static discharge element  140  may be from 5 percent to 15 percent, from 8 percent to 12 percent, from 9 percent to 11 percent, from 10 percent-13 percent, from 10 percent-15 percent, from 15 percent to 25 percent, up to 30 percent, up to 40 percent, or up to 50 percent. Static discharge elements  140  may be able to elongate the same amount as the static discharge elements  140  so that, for instance, both spoke  114  and static discharge element  140  carried by spoke  114  can withstand an elongation during operation of up to 10 percent before break. Static discharge element  140  may be able to elongate a greater degree than the other portions of support structure  112 , such as portions of the spoke  114  that are not static discharge element  140  in those instances in which support structure  112  does in fact include a spoke  114 . 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.