Modeling of Contact Patch in Dual-Chamber Pneumatic Tires

A. I. Kubba; G. J. Hall; S. Varghese; O. A. Olatunbosun; C. J. Anthony

doi:10.2346/tire.18.460202

Article Contents

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Experimental Work
FEA Simulation
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References

Editorial Type:

Article Category: Research Article

Online Publication Date: 01 Apr 2018

Modeling of Contact Patch in Dual-Chamber Pneumatic Tires

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Page Range: 78 – 92

DOI: 10.2346/tire.18.460202

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ABSTRACT

This study presents an investigation of the inner tire surface strain measurement by using piezoelectric polymer transducers adhered on the inner liner of the tire, acting as strain sensors in both conventional and dual-chamber tires. The piezoelectric elements generate electrical charges when strain is applied. The inner liner tire strain can be found from the generated charge. A wireless data logger was employed to measure and transmit the measured signals from the piezoelectric elements to a PC to store and display the readout signals in real time. The strain data can be used as a monitoring system to recognize tire-loading conditions (e.g., traction, braking, and cornering) in smart tire technology. Finite element simulations, using ABAQUS, were employed to estimate tire deformation patterns in both conventional and dual-chamber tires for pure rolling and steady-state cornering conditions for different inflation pressures to simulate on-road and off-road riding tire performances and to compare with the experimental results obtained from both the piezoelectric transducers and tire test rig.

Keywords: piezoelectric transducers; tire strain; tire simulation; dual-chamber tire; cornering

FIG. 1

Cross-section sketch for 17-in. dual-chamber tire with rim.

FIG. 2

Tire bead lock assembled on tire section.

FIG. 3

The piezoelectric sensors attached on the tire inner liner surface in the predicted locations based on ABAQUS simulation results.

FIG. 4

Assembled dual-chamber tire on the tire test rig with wireless data logger.

FIG. 5

Low-pass filter circuit diagram used in this study.

FIG. 6

Output signals from piezoelectric sensors for conventional tire, under 32 psi, 4.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and free-rolling condition from piezoelectric transducer.

FIG. 7

Normalized strain across the inner surface for conventional tire, under 32 psi, 4.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and free-rolling conditions from piezoelectric transducer.

FIG. 8

Normalized strain across the inner surface for conventional tire, under 32 psi, 4.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and 3 slip angle from piezoelectric transducer.

FIG. 9

Dual-chamber tire model loading in the ABAQUS model. (a) Two-dimensional dual-chamber tire model. (b) Three-dimensional dual-chamber tire model. (c) Tire cross-section boundary condition.

FIG. 10

Experimental tire test rig and simulation data for the static stiffness of the conventional tire under 32 psi.

FIG. 11

Experimental tire test rig and simulation data for the static stiffness of the conventional tire under 26 psi.

FIG. 12

Experimental tire test rig and simulation data for the static stiffness of the dual-chamber tire under 50–32 psi.

FIG. 13

Normalized strain across the inner surface for a conventional tire, under 32 psi, 1.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and in free-rolling conditions from the piezoelectric transducer, and ABAQUS simulation contact patch pressure for the same conditions.

FIG. 14

Normalized strain across the inner surface for conventional tire, under 32 psi, 1.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and free-rolling conditions from the piezoelectric transducer, and ABAQUS simulation contact pressure for the same conditions.

FIG. 15

Normalized strain across the inner surface for conventional tire, under 26 psi, 1.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and free-rolling conditions from the piezoelectric transducer, and ABAQUS simulation contact pressure for the same conditions.

FIG. 16

FIG. 17

Normalized strain across the inner surface for dual-chamber tire, under 50–26 psi, 1.5-kN load, 5 km/h, and free-rolling conditions from the piezoelectric transducer, and ABAQUS simulation contact pressure for the same conditions.