Maxion unveiled several new commercial vehicle wheels and related innovations designed to tackle some of the challenges faced by North American fleets.

Speaking to reporters at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta Oct. 29, Don Polk, president of Maxion’s Americas business unit, explained, “The trucking industry as we all know is a very dynamic one,” with operating costs continuing to rise, whether that be fuel costs, costs related to legislative mandates, or direct and indirect costs related to safety. “As well when you layer on top the future and all the unknowns related to it, including a tsunami of technologies... Maxion Wheels saw an opportunity. How can the wheel today be part of the solution for the challenges in our industry in the future?”

‘Tough and Light’ Steel Wheel

Weighing in at 64 pounds, Maxion Wheels’ newest truck wheel for North America is the “toughest and lightest” standard 22.5 x 8.25 commercial vehicle steel wheel in the market, according to company officials.

Available in 2020, the new wheel weighs less than its predecessor – yet is stronger as a result of optimized design, engineering and flow forming technologies.

With a 7,400-pound wheel load rating, the new wheel features a new circular hand hole shape, rather than the traditional Maxion Wheels’ D-shape. Changing the hand hole, combined with design optimization analysis, reduced wheel structural stresses by more than 10% for a more efficient and durable wheel.

“Improved fuel efficiency and fewer emissions are just two benefits that come from the lighter wheel,” Polk said.

Smart Wheel Connectivity

Maxion is collaborating with ZF Openmatics to develop what it says is the industry’s first fully integrated wheel connectivity solution. Initially targeting the commercial vehicle market, the multiservice sensor will capture, analyze and broadcast key data such as tire pressure and temperature, wheel load and other wheel and tire performance metrics to drivers, fleet managers, and infrastructure authorities.  

The Smart Wheel Connectivity Solution combines Maxion Wheels’ MaxSmart wheel sensor technology with ZF Openmatics’ integrated TAG sensor platform. Mounted directly to each wheel rim of the vehicle, the durable Bluetooth tags track humidity, tire temperature, air pressure and vehicle load as well as wheel position, speed and vibration across nine axis.

Information is collected real time and wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle’s telematics onboard unit before being transferred to the ZF Cloud. The data can then be read and analyzed via PC, smart devices, or sent to a third-party system of the customer’s choice.

The new partnership plans to complete feasibility studies during the first half of 2020.

Concept Steer Wheel Cover

Also showcased was a drag-reducing, patent-pending aerodynamic concept wheel cover for the steer axle, which Maxion is calling Aerowheel.

Using computational fluid dynamics, the cover will significantly reduce drag, improving fuel efficiency, while at the same time allowing for needed brake cooling.

Currently, aerodynamic wheel covers available on the market are limited to drive axle and trailer tires.