Modeling and Experimental Study of Tire Rolling Resistance Based on Rubber Energy Dissipation Mechanism

Abstract

The rolling resistance of pneumatic tires is one of the important factors that affects the mechanical properties and fuel consumption of vehicles. This paper presents work the authors carried out in theoretical modeling and experimental research of tire rolling resistance. The aims of this research and paper are to reveal the active mechanism of tire rolling resistance, to develop a method of calculating the rolling resistance coefficients, and to research a new test method for measuring rolling resistance parameters. Firstly, the energy dissipation mechanism of tire tread rubber and the action mechanism of tire rolling resistance are analyzed. A hysteretic force model for tire tread rubber is developed based on the brush model framework. A tire rolling deformation detection system is subsequently designed by means of strain sensor technology. Furthermore, a novel calculation method for the rolling resistance coefficient and rolling resistance, integrating the rubber dissipative mechanism with the hysteretic force model, is presented. The findings indicate that an increase in the vertical load of the rolling tire leads to a reduction in rolling radius and an elongation of the rolling contact patch. Additionally, as both the vertical load and rolling speed increase, the tire's rolling deflection becomes more pronounced. A comparative analysis reveals that the discrepancy in rolling resistance between experimental and simulated results remains within 10%, thereby confirming the feasibility of the proposed tire rolling resistance model.