| 摘要 |
A wheel-and-tire apparatus has at least two coaxially mounted tires, or alternatively a single tire with at least two circumferential tread sections. The diameters of one or more of the tires or tread sections may be adjusted to select the tires or tread sections in contact with the road. The apparatus facilitates the selective use of tires or tread designs having different performance characteristics, as may be desired or preferred to suit particular road conditions or vehicle operating conditions. The diameters of particular tires or tread sections are increased or decreased as required to achieve a desired configuration of relative tire diameters or tread sections, using diameter adjustment means such as one or more pneumatic pumps mounted in association with the apparatus. Sensors monitor selected operational parameters of the vehicle and transmit corresponding signals to a computer which selects an optimal tire or tread configuration to suit the particular combination of operational parameters received from the sensors. The computer then transmits a corresponding signal instructing the diameter adjustment means to adjust the diameter of one or more tires or tread sections as required to achieve the selected optimal configuration. |
