AUTONEWS

Hyundai and Kia develop technological tire to face snow

Snow, ice and mud have long caused traction and grip difficulties for vehicles with wheels, requiring the installation of specific tires, sometimes with studs. But the most common solution, for those who only occasionally have to face these difficulties, is to use chains that are applied to so-called summer tires, which feel more comfortable running on dry or wet asphalt. As assembling the chains is complex and requires dealing with some dirt, Hyundai and Kia invented a solution in which you just press a button to have chains and improve traction.

The video below explains the operating principle of the system created by the South Korean group that unites Hyundai and Kia, but essentially it consists of six pieces in the shape of an inverted “U” which, through the induction of an electrical current, can rise approximately of one centimeter, starting to act as if it were a kind of snow chain. As soon as the power is turned off, the “U” retracts, ceasing contact with the snow.

This integrated snow chain system is operated by the driver, who does not have to get his hands dirty or carry chains in the bottom of the boot. All you have to do is press a button on the dashboard to take advantage of these instantaneous chains to increase traction on particularly slippery surfaces. The manufacturer also mentions that an integral part of the inverted “U” parts uses an aluminum alloy with a memory effect, on which the current induction works.

This solution from the South Korean group appears to solve the problem of motorists who occasionally have to face snow, ice or mud. However, it will be interesting to understand how the system will allow the tire to continue to flex under the action of the vehicle's weight or due to irregularities in the floor, as this is the first element of comfort in a car. At the same time, when cornering, the tire's shoulders allow a certain amount of drift between the rim and the ground, which will be counteracted by the inverted “U”. It will therefore be interesting to know how Hyundai/Kia technicians resolved this difficulty in dealing with the tire's lateral and vertical movements, since the shoulders, unlike the six pieces that will act as chains, are flexible.

Mundoquatrorodas