Hyundai & Kia present integrated ‘snow chain’ tyre

Hyundai Motor and Kia have been busy of late. In addition to announcing their new Universal Wheel Drive System, the vehicle makers say they’ve developed a new snow chain-integrated tyre technology that eliminates the need to fit a vehicle with snow chains. The technology uses shape memory alloy modules located inside the wheel and tyre that protrude to act as a ‘snow chain’ when an electrical signal is received.

Unlike traditional snow chains that are complicated to install and remove, this technology will automatically deploy shape memory alloy snow chains at the push of a button, helping to improve safety in snowy conditions.

“This innovation, which will hopefully be introduced on Hyundai and Kia vehicles someday, reflects our commitment to turning advanced technologies into real-world solutions that benefit customers,” says Joon Mo Park, head of vehicle makers’ joint Advanced Chassis Development Team. “We will continue to develop technologies that enhance safety and convenience of our vehicles and bring value to our customers.”

Pizza-like grooves

Hyundai and Kia explain that the snow chain-integrated tyre technology consists of a wheel and tyre assembly that feature radial grooves at regular intervals – “like a pizza,” say the vehicle manufacturers – with modules made of shape memory alloy inserted into these channels.

This technology takes advantage of the shape memory alloy’s ability to return to its original shape when an electric current is applied. During normal driving, the shape memory alloy located inside the wheel is compressed into the shape of the letter ‘L’ and does not contact the road surface. When the driver activates the function, an electric current is applied, causing the shape memory alloy to revert to its original profile; the material forms a ‘J’ shape, pushing the module out of the tyre to make contact with the surface, improving grip, stability and safety on snowy roads.

If the surface of the tyre is worn down to the height of the module in normal driving mode due to severe tyre wear, drivers can easily recognise this degradation so as not miss the tyre replacement cycle.

The technology is patent pending in both South Korea and the US. Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to consider mass production of the tyres after further technological development, durability and performance tests and regulation reviews.