Continued...

Kyle Evans proposed a wheel and tire system that works in combination to provide maximum grip through tension. The function of the design is to counteract the force at the bottom of the outside tire during hard cornering.

Go to Photo Gallery

This is done through a series of cords which are tensioned with the steering. The cords are run from the steering column through the widened central hub of the classic Italian five spoke. The cords are attached at five points to a metal ring and plate (introduced with the PAX design) encased in the outer diameter of the tire. As the driver turns the wheels, the cords are tensioned inward, pulling and in effect twisting the plate and cord to provide the tread with an opposing outward force. The tread is designed to help spread the force evenly across the entire surface of the tire and mimic the five spoke design.

Kyle's vehicle design proposal is a small, Boxster sized, mid engined Ferrari. The fenders are completely seperate from the body and act as a portion of the suspension arm, moving with the wheel and tire. This creates a lowered appearance (minimum of wheel-fender gap) while maintaining wheel jounce and allows the wheels to be further seperated from the car by a material/ color breakup.

Brian Izard presented a wheel concept with movable tread sections, designed to go from the road to the track without changing any parts. The center cap moves outward on a piston, thus articulating the spokes like a car jack. This motion decreases the diameter of the wheel from it's road-going 'expanded' state, while closing the gaps in the tread to create a slick tire surface. A smaller wheel is advantageous for racing because of the smaller amounts of rotational energy needed. Acceleration is also enhanced by using a smaller wheel with the same transmission gearing. The auxillary treads on the tire surface have a shallow radius to them. As they wear they become narrower so that you have more traction as the race progresses.

Brian's vehicle design is a midsize rear-engined Alfa Romeo that uses the heritage of Italian racing to create a dramatic front fascia. It uses a targa style roof to create open air motoring.

Mike Chan's striking Alias renderings highlighted translucent parts and glowing elements featured in the high-tech design. "Lights and shaders are the key for my renderings. I try to capture the flare from my sketch renderings into the computer generated ones. I believe that everyone has their own personal communication aesthetics, even in computer-generated renderings" said Mike.

Mike's Ferrari inspired wheel design has multi- functions. A rim cover is incorporated to protect from scratching and also serves as an air capsule. The tire has a unique section to it, and incorporates three negative channels around the tire. The side two channels serve as a scoop to capture air into the brake disc. The air then flows directly to the brakes because of the unique cone-shaped disc section. The center channel is for traction, and automatically adjusts depending on the road conditions.


Judges for the 2001 Michelin-CCS competition were:
- Bill Fluharty (VP Industrial Design NA, Johnson Controls)
- Jim Smithbauer (Design Manager, Truck Design, Ford Motor Company)
- Dick Ruzzin (Dick Ruzzin Design)
- Brett Patterson (Editor, Car Design News)
- Bill Demmer (Co-Chair NAIAS; President, Jack Demmer Ford, Inc.)


Related stories:
12th Annual Michelin-CSS Design Competition
CCS Transportation Design Degree Show 2001

Related sites:
College for Creative Studies
Michelin
Pax System